A/N: Thanks for the reviews! :) They made my day, really. I was beginning to think that hardly any one reads the story, and I wasn't sure if I actually wanted to continue or not. This is another long chapter! The ending to this chapter will allow for reader participation :3 Poll ends at fifteen participants!

Disclaimer: Hey JKR, can I PLEASE have Draco? Just for one chapter? Or Tom Felton will do, if he'd just look away from Jade and just pay me a little attention :(

Every guest sat on the edge of their seat, waiting for Christine's answer. Every flash of the camera introduced a new headline, "Princess White Jilts Neurosurgeon Paisley", "No Paisley Prints On White Canvas Made!", etc. John could almost see the reporters writing his sob story already.

Just as the articles were about to be submitted, and guests about to fall off their seats, a small, "I do," was heard. The sigh of relief was collective. Save for those of the paparazzi, of course.

Hermione trembled. It was over. Unless if someone opposed... "...or forever hold your silence." She held her breath, almost expecting someone to jump up and ruin the wedding. A pregnant pause filled the air as the whole world seemed to wait for some dramatic event to occur. "You may now kiss the bride" never seemed to come soon enough.

Draco felt Helena's death grip, and understood how important it was for her for the wedding to run smoothly. Ever since her relationship with Paisley was uncovered, the paparazzi had been onto her like strange creatures on Loony Lovegood (except the paparazzi was real).

When the minister finally pronounced the two husband and wife, introducing Mr. and Mrs. Paisley, Helena relaxed. He couldn't help but smile when he noticed this, rubbing circles on her hand with his thumb. It was nice, just being together. He guided her to standing with the rest of the guests to applaud and be led by the newly weds to the reception room.

Finally, Helena spoke, "Thank you for being understanding these past few weeks. I know I probably wasn't easy to be around."

"It was my pleasure," the moment he said it, he knew it was true. He liked that Helena wasn't as strong as she tried to be. He liked that she trusted him enough to break down in front of him. She never told him everything, he knew it, but it was enough for now. Plus, she looked adorable when she threw things at him from frustration. As long as it wasn't her heels again. That had hurt.

"I'm sorry I took my frustrations out on you. Especially this last week. I still can't really believe that Grant's gone."

"He was a good assistant," Draco laughed, "But there's no need to talk about him like he's dead. He's very much alive, and I thought the two of you were still corresponding."

"We barely have time to... time to text. And it's not the same. I always expect him to be standing in front of my desk with my coffee steaming ready, and files at hand."

"I could bring you coffee every day."

Her bright hazel eyes widened, and she smiled gently, "There's no need. Thank you for the offer, though."

As they were talking, the rest of the guests were already dancing. Draco noticed this, and took his arm away from Helena. Instead, he extended his right hand, tucking his left hand behind his back. Bowing slightly, he asked, "May I?"

Helena's laughter tinkled his ears as she took his hand and curtsied, "You may."

It was very much like a fairytale ballroom dance. She almost felt like... Belle with the beast. Of course, Draco Malfoy/Darius Mead was no longer the beast he used to be, but it was still an entertaining thought. The room was the perfect atmosphere, too, actually being a large ballroom.

Hermione instinctively leaned in, smelling the musky cologne she'd come accustomed to. It vaguely registered in her mind that this would all end soon. The pretend dates... the kind gestures... until they were completely out of one another's lives as Darius Mead and Helena Greene. It was inevitable. Their friendship was based on this one agreement. Without it... without the fake relationship... they were nothing. The only thing that was real was probably the friendship that developed between Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger.

"What do you think would become of us?"

"What do you mean?" he replied in a soft whisper.

Hermione bit her lip, "This is the end of the deal, isn't it?"

She never heard his response, however, as the dance had ended, and the newly wed couple walked had cut in on their dance.

"I see you picked up my trash, Helena," Christine said meanly.

"I see you're married to a wonderful man, Mrs. Paisley," Hermione replied evenly.

"D.M., surly you have better taste than that. After all, you were with me."

"Funny, you never called me D.M. while we were dating. I reckon it's because knowing D.M. makes you seem a lot richer than knowing Darius?"

"No one knows Darius Mead," Christine replied, "If I want to ruin you, I have to use the name D.M."

"Then I'm glad I am dating Darius, and not D.M.," Hermione cut in, "I'm dating a man too good to ever be ruined by the likes of you."

Reporters began to gather, and the one thing Hermione tried to hide became surfaced. It was not just her and John Paisley that had a past relationship, but also Christine and Darius. The paparazzi were probably going to have a ball just for releasing this article on crisscross lovers.

Christine sniffed, and John's arm was noticeably hugging her closer to him. In attempt to break up the intensity, John asked Hermione, "Helena, would you like to dance? As friends, of course," he added, glaring at the paparazzi.

This time, Darius' arm was the one that tightened. "Dr. Paisley, while it is fine for you and my girlfriend to dance as friends, I don't think it is a good idea, as the paparazzi would surely take pictures and write false articles."

"Darius, it's fine. I'm a lawyer, remember? They wouldn't dare write false articles about me, would they?" The reporters all shook their heads, trembling a bit at the thought of having Lawyer Greene sue their companies and make them lose their jobs.

Draco finally loosened his arm, letting Hermione go with John. Before she could actually go, however, he grasped her arm, pulling her in to a very nice snog.

Hermione's eyes fluttered close as she returned the kiss passionately, forgetting where she was, and who was there. It was the second time they kissed, and the first time he kissed her as Helena. It was an incredible kiss, and ended too soon when he let go.

Smirking, he whispered to her, "Don't forget that you're my date today."

Hermione frowned. If he thought he could kiss her like that without any reason, there was a problem. She took John's hand and walked away.

Draco couldn't help but feel jealous when the doctor asked Helena for a dance. It was a tad ridiculous. It wasn't as though their relationship was real. He had his go at real relationships with Christine White, and all it did was land him with a fake date at her wedding.

When Hermione was about to leave, however, he surprised himself by pulling her back, kissing her. It was a bloody good kiss. Snog, even. He was vaguely aware of cameras flashing here and there, and knew he had to end it soon. He could very much snog her for hours on end with the paparazzi there, after all! He smirked to see that Helena was flushed, confused, and dazed. She obviously enjoyed it as much as he had.

When she finally walked away with the groom, however, he caught a whiff of something.

Calla lilies.

Christine fumed. How dare he?

How dare John ask Helena to dance?

How dare D.M. call her out?

How dare D.M. snog her and take the attention away from her?

She was the bride.

Today was her day.

Ruined.

Ruined by the same man who she dumped because he had no future.

Ruined by that same man who made the future of fashion because she dumped him.

She did him good, and now he was ruining her life.

This was some sick sense of karma, wasn't it?

"You don't like her much."

"She doesn't like me very much," Helena countered.

"She's just jealous."

She raised a brow, "so you make her more jealous by asking me to dance?"

"We're married now, she doesn't have a reason to be jealous."

"You obviously underestimate the evil of a jealous woman."

"Helena?"

"Yes?"

"I don't know if she's really jealous."

"What do you mean?"

"She sent you hose flowers."

"I know. I realized it when you gave that rubbish explanation."

"I'm sorry I lied."

"I know why you did," Hermione sighed, "Just... are you sure marrying her was the right thing to do?"

"There's no going back, is there?"

"I suppose not. I truly just hope you'd be happy."

"I'm not sure if I will be, Helena. I feel like... Christine is still in love with..."

"She isn't. She's in love with attention and money."

"That's a terrible thing to say."

"It's the truth. You know it, too. What Darius said earlier..."

"I know, but..."

"John, you're a wonderful man. You're not the man for me, but you deserve more than a woman who loves the things you give her more than you."

"I love her."

"And that's enough for now, but would it be enough for the rest of your life?"

"I..."

"You deserve better. Christine deserves better. She deserves someone who can make her fall in love with him and disregard material items and fame. I'm sorry that I have to say this, but as a friend, I want what's best for you. I'm sure deep... deep... deep inside, Christine is a wonderful girl, and all that good is just covered with scars. She deserves someone who can help her heal those wounds properly, not cover it with wealth."

John sighed. Helena was telling him exactly what he knew, but did not want to admit. It was selfish of him to want to be married to Christine. Love knew no distance... he could love her from afar. He took a deep breath, and asked, "You're always the strong one. It was always mind over matter for you, wasn't it?" He gave a nervous laugh, "Will you... help me draw up divorce papers? I give her everything. No negotiating. I can't face... I don't want to face... Helena, if I saw her, I wouldn't be able to do it. Just let us sign it separately after the honeymoon."

"Since your husband has taken his liberty to steal my girlfriend for a dance, would you like to dance?"

Christine harrumphed.

"For old time's sake. We never got to dance. Ever."

"Whose fault is that? You never took me anywhere except that stupid coffee shop! Then, I find out you decided to buy the building across from it for your store, and you take her everywhere!" Christine hissed, trying not to attract the attention of the reporters.

"I'm different than before."

"How do you think that makes me feel? You think it's so wonderful to realize that the person you used to date is willing to pull out all the cards for another girl, but didn't even try with you?"

"I didn't try with you? I bloody had a ring specially designed and made to propose! I was even designing a wedding dress for you! I was picking up the ring when I saw you and the doc in the store! How do you think I felt?"

"A relationship isn't about how you propose. It's about the time and effort you put into the relationship! You were always at your internship, I hardly saw you out of the coffee shop, and you came home at ridiculous hours! I was with John, openly, for a good half a year before you ever even found out. I wasn't even trying to hide it. How abandoned do you think I felt?"

"I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy," Draco said, tightly, "I hope you remember to cherish him. He's a good man."

"I know," Christine whispered softly.

"I'm happy with Helena. Let us be."

"Why does she get everyone?" Christine bit back tears as she said, "She got you to get out of your office... and John still loves her."

"I don't know if you've realized, but he loves you. He and Helena are just friends."

Christine shook her head, "I know he loves me, but he still loves her. I see it in the way he cares for her, how he rushed to her when Rick Terst trashed her office, and..."

"It's perfectly normal for friends to care for one another. I still care about you, Christine, even if you hurt me really badly." Draco was surprised to find it was true as he wiped away a stray tear, "We can still be friends. Really. Let me take you back to your husband, okay?"

Christine nodded, glad to know that they were at a new level of understanding. This was the Darius she'd fallen for all those years ago. The one who was kind and caring... and not hers.

John wanted to cry. It was just his luck to finally find the woman of his dreams, only to have her taken away. He had to do this. He couldn't trap her in a relationship she didn't want for too long. But for now... just even a couple more days... he hoped that he could pretend everything was okay.

When Darius and Christine finally cut back in before the end of the song, he held Christine tightly. If this was to be their last dance together... he hoped I would last forever. His mind was set, and Helena had reluctantly agreed to help draw up divorce papers. He could tell that Helena didn't want to take part in taking apart the newlyweds, but did not want either of them to suffer. What she had said wasn't wrong at all. He could tell that Christine wasn't completely in love with him, and needed someone who could make her forget material objects and wealth. Someone who was not him.

Hermione fought back tears. She was always one to say what was on her mind, but she hadn't planned on starting the end to a relationship of a newly wed couple. All she could do was bury her face into Darius' suit when he had cut in, holding him close. They danced like that for four songs, huddled together.

"Helena, what's wrong?"

"Darius... I... I'm a horrible person."

"Helena, look at me," Darius pulled Hermione's face up towards him, "Look at my eyes as I say this."

Hermione found she couldn't look away from his mesmerizing eyes. They weren't the stormy grey of Draco's, but this alter ego of his didn't have any less beautiful eyes.

"You're a wonderful person. You try to find justice as your job on a daily basis. You made sure that little girl who let go of her balloon got another one. You defended Watson's case, even though he was a nutcase that nearly assaulted you, because he was a confused man. You try your best to fight only for the innocent, and you've never had ill will for anything you've done. You're as beautiful inside as you are out."

She couldn't help it then, she leaned in and captured his lips in her own. It was so wrong, and she knew she would regret it later, but for now, she needed it. She craved it. She needed to pretend he was real. She needed someone like him to love her. Someone who could understand her. Someone who didn't cower from her. Someone who knew she could be weak.

Hours passed like minutes, and the reception was soon over, the two newlyweds entering their "Just Married" limousine to the airport for their honeymoon.

Draco took Hermione home, and now stood in front of her flat, not knowing what to say to one another. Finally, she spoke.

"Thanks. Not just for being my pretend boyfriend, but for everything. Thanks for not pushing me away. I'm sorry I just... I just kind of... broke down."

"It's fine. You're a good kisser," he laughed.

"When should we... break up?"

Draco furrowed his (or more so Darius') brow, "Why should we plan it?"

"Wasn't it part of the deal?"

"Maybe it'll just.. come naturally one day. There's no reason for us to have to really do anything to break up."

You mean we will just break contact until it's assumed that we've broken up, Hermione thought, "Yeah, maybe. You know how things go. If there's nothing to talk about, then it just kind of dies."

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me about Christine? I would-"

"It was for my own amusement."

"Your own amusement?"

"I was invited to the same wedding, and I didn't want to face her alone. Besides, I wanted to see her reaction when I brought someone else."

Hermione restrained her hand from smacking the man in front of her, "Was the kiss also to see her reaction?"

"Yes, I mean, no, I-"

Smack! The fist went straight for his nose. "I'm glad you got to see her reaction. I just wanted to see your reaction to that."

"Bloody Hell! You broke my no-"

"Good. And good bye, Draco Malfoy. It was my pleasure breaking your nose again." Hermione went in, slamming the door. She was so immersed in rage that she didn't even realize she had let her identity slip.

"Christine, do you love me?"

"I-"

"Christine, I don't think this will work," John said. They had both just finished freshening up in the hotel, and he realized that he couldn't very well convince himself that something fake was real.

"I don't understand.. I-"

"You deserve better than this. You deserve someone who can make you fall in love with him, not his material goods."

"But I-"

"I asked Helena to draw up divorce papers for us. You can have everything."

Christine was crying now. This was not how she imagined her first night as a wife. She was guilty of loving his wealth more than him, but she was changing. What Darius had said earlier... she had finally let herself fall completely for John. "I love you, John. Stay with me."

John gave a small smile, "I wish I could hear you say that for the rest of my life... but I wish even more for you to find someone you truly love, and tell him so."

"But it's you. I love you!" Christine threw herself at her husband, holding him, hugging him, trying to find warmth in the situation.

John gently pried her away, kissing her forehead, "I'll always love you. I'll always be here. We can still be friends." He exited the room calmly as Christine crumpled up next to the bed. When he heard the click of the door, John broke into a run, racing down the stairs to his rented car. He needed to drive.

Christine watched John leave, crumpling to the ground. She blamed Helena. It had to be Helena's fault. Why else would she be drawing up the divorce papers? She cried bitterly, throwing the sheets around, shredding her wedding dress to pieces.

Everything was ruined.

Everything.

When she was completely screamed out, she decided to get a cup of water.

John cried as he drove. His vision blurred and his mind fogged as he drove through red light after red light.

Christine scalded her hand with a bit of hot water, as her hand was shaking. The glass fell to the floor, shattering.

Unfortunately, a truck was driving into the intersection John drove into while running yet another red light. All he saw was light as he tried to swerve away.

Christine started crying again as she tried to pick up the glass pieces. Shattered, just like her life. Her new husband had left her, and she couldn't think of a way to prove to him that she'd changed. It was a bit late of a change, yes, but she loved him. She loved him now, and he was gone.

Without him, she couldn't even pour herself a glass of water. She just about gave up when her cellphone rang, frightening her so much that she cut her finger.

John. "Hello? John?"

"There was an accident, the ambulance is here. The owner of this phone is heading to LaFayette Hospital right now." Christine dropped her phone, and grabbed a jacket. Now was not the time to change out of her nightie. She ran out the door, racing downstairs to hail a taxi.

Unlike Hermione, Draco caught her slip up.

Helena Greene was Hermione Granger.

It made sense.

H.G. Grant called her Minnie.

He drank to it.

He drank to the fact that he now fully understood why she was so upset the past few weeks.

He drank to the fact that he now knew why he felt the two were so similar.

He drank to the fact that he fell for Helena Greene, who was Hermione Granger.

He drank to the fact that he fell for Hermione Granger, who was Helena Greene.

He drank to the fact that he thoroughly fell in love with her, and completely messed it up, because he could not think to word things properly.

Sixteen bottles of vodka later, he asked his chauffeur to take him back to Helena's flat.

Christine barged into LaFayette Hospital just in time to see a flurry of nurses and doctors rushing into the E.R. with bags of blood and equipment.

Five minutes later, she got her answer when a lump covered completely with a white sheet was wheeled out. Christine shoved away all the nurses and doctor's, ripping away the sheets.

The whole world seemed to fall into silence as she screamed and kicked, crying for her late husband. She was too late to prove that she really did love him.

A/N: Poll time! This story can go two routes: Grant can either come back, or stay out. I know some of you are Grant lovers, but this story is also very much a big love polygon with a single Christine in the mix already. :) I will not reveal Grant's role if he returns, other than that he will be having a bit of "fun" trying to be the Mickey to his Minnie when he finds out Darius is Draco Malfoy. If he does not return, Christine will eventually whither to become a dead rose, so to speak (no, not literally).