The next morning Hermione made herself get up early and start packing for the holidays. It always annoyed her just a little that classes ran right until the day before, it left an inconveniently small amount of time to prepare to go home. After running to the library to retrieve her belongings from the night before, she decided to head to breakfast.

"Morning." Ginny said politely as Hermione sat down, passing her a plate of eggs. Hermione smiled at her, wishing she could tell her about the previous night's adventure. She was one of her only girlfriends, and Hermione knew she could be trusted. She mulled over the thought of perhaps confiding in Ginny about her secret affiliation with Draco. Of course she'd have to exclude any mention of Voldemort being her father, and she'd also have to come up with a suitable explanation of why she was still with Harry when her heart was clearly with Draco instead. She wondered if Ginny would be angry, Hermione knew she still had feelings for Harry, and felt quite a bit guilty about holding him in a void relationship. She decided to keep everything to herself for the next while, telling someone the intimate details of her life would just raise too many difficult questions that even she might not be able to skirt around.

Hermione ate in silence though she could not rid an extremely annoying loop of Pansy's words playing like a broken record in her head. Something in what she had said had struck home. You're just being paranoid. She shook her head, convinced that the holidays would rekindle all her romance with Draco. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the post. Hermione looked up at the bounty of owls, though none landed in front of her. She shifted in her seat hoping to sneak a glance at Draco but found him immersed in a letter. She watched as his brow furrowed in what she thought was confusion...or anger. He looked around, rather flushed, and met Hermione's gaze. It was her this time that casually jerked her head indicating to meet outside. He knew the cue and promptly exited; she waited a minute to avoid suspicion, and then excused herself, explaining she needed to run back to the common room for her a textbook, before casually following after Draco. He was waiting for her outside the great doors and then discreetly led her into an empty hallway.

"Something's happened." he said, brandishing the piece of parchment. "I don't know who he thinks he is! He can't control my life like that. I hate that man, I really do. This isn't going to happen, no matter what he does, I refuse. I won't."

Hermione finally managed to pry the letter from Draco's hands as he continued to fret and pace in frustration. Her hands began to shake as she read the neat scrawl of Lucius Malfoy.

Draco,

Upon hearing of certain disgraceful behaviour and sordid betrayal on your behalf I have decided to revive an archaic tradition to ensure the correction of your demeanour. To prevent the destruction of purity within the Malfoy family, you have respectfully been betrothed to Miss Pansy Parkinson, a flourishing member of an honourable line, who was only too eager to be promised. She will be returning with you for the Holidays in order to have the proper opportunity to bond with her new fiancé. I'm sure you will be quite keen to uphold the continuation of wholesomeness and will treat Miss Parkinson with utmost esteem. This is not a request, Draco, do not disappoint me.

Signed,

Lucius

Hermione looked up into Draco's disturbed blue eyes. They stood in silence for a long while, both trying to control their quickened heart rate. Hermione approached him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his chest. He sighed deeply and pulled her close.

"This just isn't fair."