The Enchanted Marriage

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related franchise. Harry Potter and all rights relating to thus are owned solely by J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 12

Hermione sighted again, groaning, noticing the many children hurrying to their classrooms. She looked at the pictures on the walls, some of previous teachers who taught there before. She glared at them, then glared off into distance and left for her classroom.

I just want to go home…She thought.

Hermione opened her door, only to be revealed by many lights on the ceilings that blinded her. She narrowed her eyes in surprise, tired, and turned all of them off.

All the students in the class silenced. She pouted her lips tiredly and went to sit on her chair, exhausted for some reason.

A young girl who sat in the front stood up from her seat and took hold of a plastic box. She approached Hermione and smiled,

"Hi! I'm Sasha Abernathy! I baked these cookies for you!" Hermione yawned tiredly and pointed at the girl.

"Just put them on the desk." Hermione placed her bag on the floor.

Sasha did so and looked at Hermione. A short moment later Hermione looked up at the girl.

"You need something?"

Sasha shook her head and went back to her seat.

So this was what you called teaching for the first time. Cool. Really. Hermione thought.

Hermione yawned again. She stood up from her seat and went around her desk, leaning on the very edge of it and staring at the students, a sudden haunted look on her eyes.

She clapped her hands once harshly and said, "Let's begin."
_

"All right, how many of you read any of those books?" Hermione coldly asked while looking at the syllabus.

All the students looked at one another.

"Oh my god…" Hermione sighted, "Don't you ever try reading a book beyond your level?"

Everyone shook their heads.

She sighted again, "All right. First things first. Understand this! This course is designed to develop strategies for reading a variety of college level materials, as well as High School materials. You will learn ways to interact with what you read in order to increase appreciation as well as comprehension. This class will cover close analysis of reading, flexible approaches to reading, vocabulary development, and study skills. Any questions?"

All the students looked at Hermione open-mouthed, gaping.

"After completing this course you will be able to write an accurate summary of an author's thesis and key support, define and use a variety of college-level vocabulary words, and use previewing and prediction skills in order to ask logical questions and to determine overall direction and structure of a text."

"Um…excuse me? Ms. Granger—"

"Oh and by the way students." Hermione looked around, "Change my last name to Malfoy on the class syllabus, for I am a married woman now." She faked a smile.

(All the students whispered)

"God…"

"Who would want to marry her?"

"She's scary…"

"She looks so young!"

"Is she for real?"

"Attention!" Hermione shouted, scaring the students. They silenced. "You! Yeah you Mr. Cunningham! The one in the sexy babe shirt! Come here and hand these out to everyone." The student hurriedly walked over to her and picked the papers with no eye contact, afraid of being scolded at.

"You…" Hermione pointed the girl wearing a pink halter top shirt, "Ms. Smith. Would you mind reading the first paragraph?" The girl nodded with fear.

"What's the Big Idea? Finding the Main Idea in Your Reading." The girl looked at Hermione, only to be revealed with Hermione's haunted eyes staring her own down. The girl swallowed hard, "The first step to understanding a piece of writing is being able to find and understand the main idea. The main idea is also known as the central point or thesis. Knowing the main idea helps you navigate your way while reading. When you have grasped the main idea, you'll know where the author is heading and what is important about what you're reading. There are several steps to take in finding the main point of any text you encounter—"

"Thank you. Now, you, Ms. Tyler, Read Step number one for us." Hermione ordered coldly, walking over to her own seat and sitting down slowly.

With fear yet determination, Ms. Tyler started reading, "Step #1: Identify the topic. The topic is the general heading under which key ideas in the text could be grouped-"

"Oh…" Hermione spit out the oatmeal raisin cookie she was chewing, "These cookies suck!" She looked at Sasha, whose eyes started watering.

"Um…" Ms. Tyler continued, "Could be grouped. The topic should be something that can be stated in just a few words—"

"Thank you. Now. Mr. Matthews. Read step number two." Hermione folded her arms, looking down at her syllabus on her desk.

The boy looked down in fear and started reading in a whisper, "Step #2: Identify the Main Idea. For this step—"

"I can't hear you!" Hermione shouted.

"For this step!" The boy cried out, "You will first have to read the text carefully and make sure that you understand what it is saying. If you misunderstand or skip parts of the text it can affect what you think the main point is. Careful, active reading is worth the few extra minutes if it leads you in the right direction. Second, go back and look at your annotating and margin notes. What are the examples and ideas that you noted pointing to?"

Hermione yawned, "Who wants to read next?" She looked around the classroom tiredly.

No one raised their hand.

"No one?" She asked.

"Well, we kinda thought you decided that—" One girl said.

"Jesus! What is it you guys are afraid of?" Hermione stood up abruptly and threw her hands in defeat.

One kid grumbled under his breath. "You…"

"What was that?" She snapped. "I didn't hear you!"

"Nothing!" Immediately he shut up. It would do no good to make fun of her.

The rest of the class time went on quietly, for the students were too stunned and much too afraid to even speak up, for which Hermione, who gave them the impression, on the very first day of school, that she would be the new teacher that everyone hated.

"Class dismissed!" Hermione called as the bell rang.
_

There was a festive vibe in the air that reminded Hermione of the Fourth of July in America.

Today was the day she had first started teaching, ever.

She saw a massive amount of students standing in line outside the cafeteria with all their friends. They'd been there since lunch time had started, around noon. It was now 12:15 and they were literally starving. They wanted to get a good spot in line before the cafeteria opened at noon. The atmosphere was electric. Besides dozens of children, there were few teachers as well.

Hermione stepped away from the line and glanced ahead. "I'd rather starve than wait here like an idiot!" She stumbled a little and grabbed a girl's arm for support. "Sorry about that." Hermione apologized.

Believing that the girl's shortness was a curse, the girl insisted on wearing the highest wedges Payless had to offer. The result was that she rolled an ankle at least once a month.

"Nice shoes, for your age." Hermione mentioned.

"Thanks! I just hope they won't close before we get to the front," the girl said.

Hermione's eyes widened. "Girl! They can't close—you know that better than I do!"

"Yeah, but I heard that some of the cafeteria workers were laid off last year," She replied, feeling nervous as she spoke the words, mentioning to Hermione that she had never met a teacher like her before. "I heard you've been quite the teacher, Ms. Granger"

"It's Malfoy now. I'm married."

"Oh how nice!" The girl smiled, "I wish I was married, to a rich guy." She giggled.

Hermione smiled back, "Yeah, well. Marriage is a big step, even for me." She hated how she had to lie like that to people. "I'm neither the sweet type nor the stupid type. I only know that my job is important to me. The students at this school need to have some sense in their little brains. They're such cowards, not to mention shy…" Hermione groaned.

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with you on that. Even though it's a great school, the student's remain fearful and shy, and I don't know why." Hermione looked at the girl oddly, for she heard that voice from before. The girl's voice sounded quite familiar to her.

Hermione widened her eyes. Tiffany! The gossip prostitute in the bathroom from this morning! Oh my god!

Hermione turned her head away from the girl abruptly. My god! What to do? She thought.

"I couldn't help but notice your accent. You're from England, aren't you?"

Hermione smiled awkwardly. "Yes I am."

"That's probably why you got hired in the first place. The principal loves foreign teachers. He feels it's a good way for the students to learn from others and their different types of cultures, a good way to learn about history as well as modern economy of other countries." The girl said leaning on one leg, folding her arms.

A short moment later, Hermione groaned, "I am getting lunch today, even If I have to bodycheck someone to get it," Hermione announced.

They both laughed, because Hermione would never hurt a fly—literally, she never did once hurt a fly or an insect for that matter, even though it was hard to believe.

Although she did once punch Draco in the face during third year, but that's a different story.

"All I know is, I have to eat something, if not, I go crazy. After all," She looked at Hermione, "I love to eat!" Hermione nodded.

They both felt the cool breeze on their faces, and looked around at the swaying trees, appreciating the crisp autumn weather. Some would say it was a waste of a beautiful day, because everyone could've spent it eating already inside the cafeteria.

Tiffany frowned at Hermione. "I'm hungry!" Then everyone else said the same thing. She shook her head, her blond ponytail swinging. "I don't wait in line for lunch for just anyone, not even my boyfriend."

She had a boyfriend and was a prostitute?

What was wrong with that school?

Hermione sighted and closed her eyes.

Would it be a good idea to call Draco?

No! There's no way in hell I'm gonna call that idiot! She shook her head in frustration. I just want to eat, is all. She thought.
_

Finally, it was their turn. As they stepped over the threshold into the cafeteria, they couldn't help but think how lucky they were that they were able to finally eat.

Thankfully, they picked out their lunches and went over to the cash register, paying. Hermione picked up her sandwich, hugging it to her chest like a long-lost friend. It was quite thick, a turkey sandwich it was as well. It was around ten inches long, which made Hermione's heart pound: she was finally able to enjoy her meal. It was amazing to see it for real.

She left the cafeteria, breathless with triumph. There was no talk to anyone. She simply wanted to go to her classroom and eat in silence and peace.
_

This was the weirdest experience in my entire life! Never have I taught, and already, I managed to scare the students! Hermione thought.

"What should I do?" She asked herself.

She pushed those thoughts away, determined not to stew in bitterness. Besides, nothing could shake her relieved mood right now. She had a delicious sandwich to eat, after all. She had been starving.

She had to remind herself of that when she got inside her classroom, suddenly hearing her cellphone vibrate.

The Bastard, she read. Sighting, sat on her chair, took of the plastic bag from the sandwich and started eating.

"Hello?" She answered tiredly.

"Hey," Draco said.

Hermione grunted and Draco said, "How is my sweet doing?"

"I'm too tired to talk right now, Malfoy."

"Ohh…" He said, "You scared them didn't you—"

"I didn't scare anyone now leave me alone!" She hung up. She took another bite of her sandwich and drank from her water bottle.

I just want to go home…She thought.
_

"Finally!"

The last bell rang, informing the students that school was over and It was now time for their extracurricular activities. Since it was the first day, Hermione didn't need to tutor or help anyone. Nonetheless, she was exhausted and there was no way in hell that she would stay after and waste her time on these cowardly students!

She decided that she would spend a few hours by herself at home, watching TV or something. She already planned her lesson plans and was all prepared for the day. Heck, she already knew what she would teach every school day, even though it was required for every teacher to know anyways…

Hermione reminded herself that she had to be easier on those kids as she got inside their apartment. She immediately noticed that Draco's coat was gone. "He must be really protective over himself…" She whispered.

She grabbed a beauty magazine and sat on the couch, across from their TV. She noticed beautiful women in their early twenties and thirties, beautifully dressed and appeared to be far more beautiful and pretty than any other girls Hermione ever laid eyes on, in a magazine that is.

Hermione knew she did not need a brown hair dye, since her hair had the delicious color of chocolate, mesmerizing, and inviting. She used to dress like she'd just walked out of a dance club, with her skintight camis, low-slung jeans, and heavy makeup during the summer.

However, if you looked closer, though, you'd notice Hermione had natural beauty. She was fair skinned and brown eyed, with slightly upturned "snob" noses, and she herself pointed out sometimes. Her long, wavy-curly hair was the same chocolaty brown as her mother's.

She went over to the kitchen, then to the fridge, and grabbed a Coke and a crumpled bag of trail mix, then went over to the couch again. Kicking off her shoes, she sat back against the pillows, ready to lose herself in the VOGUE fashion magazine.

Hands tingling with anticipation, she opened the magazine.

She desperately wanted to look like those women. She wanted to be just like them. It's not like she thought she was ugly or fat, even though she preferred herself to be quite thinner. She was size 4 and wanted to be size 2 for quite some time.

First, she looked like a dancer.

Then, she looked like a showy slut, as Draco stated.

And now, she looked overly professional.

What should I do? She thought.

Perhaps looking professional wasn't so bad?

Maybe she should dress more casually for work?

Perhaps they wouldn't mind her wearing jeans and T-shirts every once and awhile?

No.

This was not right. This was an elite school for god's sake!

She had to look professional! Every single day of the week! Obviously!

Maybe, for work she'd dress professionally, sophisticated, and modestly. For later, like at home or our with Draco, or around Draco, she would dress more like a model! Not a slut, but a model!

"But dressing like a slut made me feel beautiful…" She whined. Tilted her head to the right and looked out the window.

"This is New York! It's a city perfect for fashion designers, stylists, and super models! Maybe, just maybe, dressing like a rich, beautiful, sexy yet modest young women, and a bit more of a model, would make Hermione feel better!

Not a dancer, not a slut, and not a boring conservative! Balance!

"Yes! Balance! Half slutty plus Half professional equals fancy and sexy! That's perfect! I'll be the fancy Hermione equals slutty plus professional! Yes!"

Four days later…

"Thank you so much for your help!" Hermione thanked Draco's limo driver. As he slowly placed so many shopping bags and boxes on the floor.

"Good day to you miss." The chubby man bowed and left the apartment.

Hermione grinned, "This is my personal reinvention makeover! Ha Ha Ha!" She laughed wickedly.

It was finally Friday afternoon. Hermione waited and waited desperately for that day to come. Work was hard yet interesting. The children still were quite afraid of her, afraid to disobey or make her angry, but they got used to it, somewhat.

Two hours later…8:20 P.M.

Elegantly Hermione stopped in front of a cherry wood double doorway and reached for the knob.

This was her new room now. It was the same bedroom she's been sleeping in since both her and Draco moved in. But the room was now more…hers. It had more of a feminine touch of Hermione's taste and interests.

She blushed and stepped inside the doorway. Inside was a glorious bedroom of soft pale pink, dominated by the same big four-poster bed with a light pink canopy and matching comforter.

The little girl in Hermione looked around in awe. This was like her princess room, her dream came true. Indeed, this didn't look like the same old room at all.

She laughed. "I decorated this room. This is definitely better now, with just the right amount of a feminine touch. It's lovely… I suppose," she smiled, looking around with satisfaction. The lush pale pink carpet felt gloriously squashy beneath her feet.

Elegantly she went to the walk-in closet and pulled back two darkly shuttered doors, opening them wide. A fine selection of fancy clothes spread out before her; lacy tops, silk skirts, threaded corsets and every kind of pump, sandal and boot her dainty foot could wish for, all laid out neatly on shelves.

Hermione was secretly thrilled. After all, she loved shoes! "I'm so happy now!" she squealed like a schoolgirl, jumping up and down.

She then suddenly felt a chill go up her spine. "Draco wouldn't mind would he? I mean, it is our apartment and we can decorate it however we want. After all, he has been working out at night and in the morning at the gym, always only using the bathroom there. I guess he wanted me to have more privacy. That's nice of him, but, sooner or later he will notice this."

She then grinned, her hands on his hips. "Yes, I guess I am a closet submissive after all. I just needed a push." Gracefully she walked over to her bad and laid down slowly, breathing deeply.

She laid back, flinching painfully when her back hit the bed. She's been decorating and working on her room for a few days now and her back hurt a bit from all the picking and pushing and pulling. It was a job means for at least three! But no, she wanted to keep it a secret away from Draco, not wanting to let him know that she changed her style yet again.

"A fancy, rich woman, modest yet sexy. I like that." She smiled to herself, closing her eyes.

She needed a massage. Fine, she'll schedule an appointment for Sunday, the perfect day to go to the pool, the sauna, maybe a bath house, anywhere where she could relax inside a hot steamy bath.

"I hope that Draco will think of me as a formal yet better fake wife. Not slutty, not showy, not overly modest and boring, but just elegant and graceful. I guess…" She smiled sadly, "That's always what he wanted in the first place. I was just too dumb and selfish to notice…" She shrugged and breathed deeply once again; resting comfortable for a little while until Draco comes back and they can have their dinner together.

Hermione didn't know how to cook very well. So she figured that today she will ask him to help her and teach her some of the few basic principles of cooking and such. Since he was such an expert in home economics, Hermione figured it wouldn't hurt her to learn a few things. After all, she was his fake wife. And, even as a fake wife, she needed to know at least something regarding the cooking.

She smiled once again, "I love it when he cooks. There's always such a pleasant and cozy feeling around the apartment when he does, relaxing the both of us…" She whispered and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.