Kermit 304: Your review reminded me of the Hunger Games ;)
greatEXpectationz: that's my plan :) I feel like this story is a long way from being over.
bonniebird: thank you :) I just hope that my ideas continue to keep flowing
shaymars: you are talking about Draco Malfoy ;) it'll take a while. There are several stages: denial, anger, pretending the feelings don't exist, more denial, anger, depression, and finally (I hope) acceptance. But you brought up a good question; I've been wondering when Draco should realize his feelings.
fredforevermyluv: Whenever Draco's involved, it usually is :D
fangirl4eva: Draco is mean, isn't he? It seems I have a slight favoritism towards guys who are mean to the girl they (should) end up with. It just makes the romance that much better.
kvance: True, they're not a match made in heaven, but they're a glorious couple :)
CallMePatrickOrCallMeNothing: I just hope you don't seriously want bloodshed-that would be quite a mess to clean up! Thanks :)
Ashley Ayoub: I wish I could update faster, but I have about six other stories to update as well. And plus, writer's block continuously revisits me throughout the weeks.
flowersNfreaks: I realize that the chapters are very short-and it's taking forever for them to get married. I totally get you're anxious to see them confess, but it'll take a while. Just bear with me :)
HerDreama: I'm glad you like it :D I have to say, I'm a bit mad at myself, I never thought it'd take this long to get them married.
Amelia Corwell: I have noticed that in other fics, but I've always liked the changed Draco that retains his "git-most-of-the-time" attitude. That's been my intention and I'm happy to see you like this Draco :)
Because of how long it's taken to get them married, I'd like to make an announcement: in the next chapter is the WEDDING! I haven't caved-in to any demands; it's been my plan all along ;) On with the story!
Chapter Twenty: Bets are made about future Malfoys
Dinner was a slightly tense affair; Fred and George kept shooting Malfoy nefarious glares, Ron was brooding, Harry was awkwardly fending off Mrs. Weasley's attempts to add more food to his plate, Ginny was attempting to catch Harry's attention, and Draco was sitting next to Hermione, ignoring everyone. Hermione didn't worry herself with the Weasley twins; they were always planning the next greatest joke (and anyways, they wouldn't dare try anything in front of Mrs. Weasley), but Malfoy was a different story. He was unusually quiet and Hermione was sure there was something going on in that blonde head of his.
When the dinner conversation started to turn towards talk of Hermione's and Draco's upcoming nuptials, things had gotten uncomfortable. To the brunette's immense surprise, Draco answered Mrs. Weasley's questions with avid detail. She frowned; he wasn't even there for half of the preparations!
"Have you given thought to your future? Well, of course you have! How silly of me to ask," Mrs. Weasley smiled at Hermione and Draco. "I hope you know that any future children the two of you have are always welcome to the Burrow. Hermione knows I wouldn't mind watching children. After all, Teddy does visit four times a week. Why, that little boy is such an angel!"
With the talk of children, Hermione turned a furious shade of red and refused to look at Draco. What must he think?!
"Of course, Mrs. Weasley," Draco said smoothly. "I intend for mine and Hermione's children to get to know you well. After all, Hermione has spent most of her childhood here."
Mrs. Weasley beamed at that and continued to talk about future children, while Hermione seethed furiously. From the look on Ron's face he looked ready to commit murder.
"Blimey, can you imagine how Malfoy's kids would be?" Fred made a sickened face.
"You can't forget that they'd have Hermione's brains," George reminded.
The twins were at one end of the table, far away from the ears of Draco and Mrs. Weasley, but Hermione was close enough to hear some of the remarks. They did not make her happy-not one bit.
"What House do you reckon they'd end up in?" Charlie wondered.
"Any Malfoy would end up in Slytherin," Fred stated.
"But you can't forget the kid would be Hermione's as well. I'd bet Gryffindor," George declared. "Imagine the look on Lucius Malfoy's face when his grandchild is placed in Gryffindor. What I'd give to see that!"
Charlie shook his head. "I doubt that. Any kid of Hermione's would definitely by in Ravenclaw. Malfoy looks like he has some brains in that head of his."
"I'll bet twelve galleons, nine sickles, and three knuts the kid would end up in Slytherin."
George and Charlie seemed to think it over a few minutes before they each placed their bets. Ron, who had overheard the last bit, glared at the three.
"How can you two bet on something like that?" he whispered furiously. Ron couldn't even comprehend the thought of Hermione getting married to the slimy git; much less have Malfoy's kids. Just thinking about it made him sick.
"Oh shut it, Ronald," Fred shot, throwing him a peculiar look. "I thought your crush on Hermione was over."
At the teasing statement Ron's face turned a shade darker than his hair and his eyes flashed. "Of course not," he muttered.
Fred, George, and Charlie shared a knowing look but, thankfully, didn't say a word more on the topic. It seemed as if their brother was suffering a bad case of heartbreak watching the girl he liked marry his former enemy.
Dinner continued without any other major disturbances, but that didn't mean to say it wasn't disturbing in the least to Hermione. She felt strange with Draco at the Burrow, sitting next to her, and talking to Mrs. Weasley about the wedding. Hermione only wished the night would come to an end, but Draco had other ideas. He continued to chat up Mrs. Weasley, who was becoming smitten with the blonde. She smiled fondly at him from time to time.
"Don't you think it's a bit weird?" whispered Harry, who was also watching the interaction between Draco and the Weasley matriarch.
Hermione nodded, "I don't think I've ever seen him being so polite." But at least the situation was going a lot better than she had imagined.
It was getting late and time for everyone to leave. Hermione had to be at the Manor early in the morning. She sighed; it was time she and Draco should leave. Fred and George had left, followed by Bill and Fleur. When she managed to get Draco's attention, he frowned at her.
"It's getting late," she reminded him. "And I have to be at the Manor early tomorrow."
"Oh all right," Draco got up and stood beside Hermione as she hugged Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. The latter turned to Draco, surprising him with a hug.
"Do come visit soon, Draco dear," Mrs. Weasley said.
Draco smirked, "I plan on it, Mrs. Weasley."
This chapter is short, I know. But the next chapter is the wedding! Stay tuned . . .