That night I'd gone to bed with a great amount of self-satisfaction and pride, knowing I'd accomplished what I'd set out to do once I gained the courage to do it. It was liberating.

But then in the morning, after the initial high of those feelings faded away, I was left feeling like I'd still lost something of myself in the bargain. It was true that I essentially got what I wanted out of it, and I certainly wasn't getting the raw end of the deal. According to the contract, I'd get to raise my child, be compensated well financially, and my father would be recognized with pride instead of embarrassment. It wasn't his fault he could do no magic. No one else seemed to care, though. A squib was a squib, regardless of how wonderful, kind, or educated.

When I woke up, I felt around my eyes and knew I'd been crying in my sleep. Even though I'd fought with the devil and won, the fact that I had to fight him at all took away the bit of innocence that was left to me. I was now beginning to feel shrewd and cunning just like Draco said, even though it wasn't really me. I was beginning to turn into him.

"Good morning." Camus said. I just noticed him over the side of the bed and I started, holding my chest.

"Oh, good morning, Camus. You frightened me." I said. I hated to think that he knew I was wiping away tears from my broken dreams.

"Begging your pardon, but breakfast is served."

"Will Draco be dining as well?" I asked with dread. Camus shook his head, a slight smile on his lips.

"You will have the table to yourself, I'm afraid." He said.

"That's too bad." I said, smiling a bit as well.

"I can see you and my family whenever I want. As long as I conduct myself with proper decorum, as they say, my freedom knows no bounds." I said joyously.

Ron had broken into a large grin when he noticed that I had suddenly appeared in his fireplace, and after giving the details of everything that had occured as of late, his grin had stretched even wider.

"I'm taking control of the situation and bringing it around to my advantage." I added.

I was beginning to tire of how happy it all seemed, and how brave and confident I was making myself appear. The more I said these things, the more I felt empty. I didn't want any of this. Sometimes, even trying to make the best out of a horrid situation did not change the fact that it was horrid.

"It sounds like things are working out well. And Draco, is he behaving himself?" Ron wondered. I blushed slightly and nodded.

"Of course. We have an understanding now, and he is actually being quite human. It's rather surprising. I wasn't aware he had any decent qualities." I said. Ron gave a snort as if to concur heavily. I laughed.

"But enough about him. Let's prepare homeade pizza the muggle way!" I suggested. Ron smiled.

It seemed ever since he realized she did not love him, he felt a tremendous sense of relief. He was a cold man to be sure, but just because he preferred to keep tight reign over his emotions did not mean he enjoyed being the object of a poor girl's one-sided affections. It seemed it had happened a lot lately, but he was glad he would not be responsible for any pain she felt about him not loving her.

He was extremely happy about the change, but there were several things that angered him.

She was out often, hardly ever home except when she was requested. He was quite irritated that she was never around.

And she spent far too much time with Weasley. Innocent meetings, just friends, or whatever, Draco thought, she shouldn't be spending more time with Ron than with her own husband-to-be. It was maddening.

And most of all, he hated the change in her attitude. She was entirely too mouthy and pushy for his tastes. She had caused him so much anxiety lately that he hadn't slept much. He ate breakfast alone often, perhaps the only time he was glad of Davis' absence, because that was when he couldn't hide his dark, hollow eyes.

It was times like these that he had forgotten that she was carrying his child and that was his reason for marrying her. Sometimes he genuinely missed her and realized it felt oddly natural to have her in his life.

I walked down the steps with a careful stride, wondering with slight fear if I was in trouble. Perhaps Draco had sent detectives after me to watch after my every move and make sure I was behaving in a pristine fashion. I rolled my eyes inwardly and took a deep breath in, preparing myself for the absolute worst scenario.

Draco was at the foot of the staircase, smiling at me behind a frosty shield. I waited on the step above him, folding my arms across my chest.

"What is the reason for this?" I asked.

"I'm in need of an escort this weekend. I'm going on holiday to Wales, remember? You and I are going to elope."

I stood petrified and knew not what to say.