Bitter Sweet Love
Summary: Marriage Law Fic: The War is over! The Golden Trio all return for their seventh year, but there's a surprise in store! They have to get married before the year ends!! Will Hermione and Draco end up killing each other as they are forced into an unwanted marriage?
Starring: Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley, Lavender Brown, Luna Lovegood, Blaise Zabini and others as they come along!
A/N:
A huge thanks to my beta Unicorn90021
Sorry guys I forgot that yesterday was Wednesday! (Yes Dope I know!)
Chapter 25:
The Hogwarts Express
Hermione didn't want to leave Venice but on Sunday 15th of January, at 7am she and Draco had arrived back at the Manor, the next day they would be leaving for Hogwarts.
Narcissa had greeted them, she had asked about the honeymoon, asked how they were, she even asked if she was going to be a grandmother yet.
"Mother!" Draco responded shocked.
"I just wanted to know if I was going to be a grandmother so I could buy stuff," Narcissa smiled.
"Unbelievable," Draco sighed. "Hermione and I are going to our room, we need to pack for tomorrow."
"Of course," Narcissa smiled. "I'm actually waiting for Andromeda, wonder what's taking her so long."
"It is still early," Hermione offered, after all it was 7 in the morning.
Narcissa smiled before she let the young couple go. They walked all the way to the fifth floor where their new room was.
Draco opened the door and let Hermione walk in first. Hermione gasped, if she thought her old room was big, this one was bigger. They had walked into what looked like the sitting room for their bedroom. There was a door on the left and one on the right. Hermione opened the door on the left. There was a huge bathroom. The bath was larger than the heart shaped hot tub in the hotel. The walls and floor were tiled with white marble and everything seemed to sparkle.
Hermione grinned as she left and took in the sitting room. There were green sofas in the room. The carpet was white and the walls were dark green. There were two mahogany desks and Hermione grinned at the shelves full of books. There was also a fireplace, already lit. She then opened the door on the right which was the bedroom. The bed was kingsized. The walls were also dark green and the carpet white. The bedside tables, like the bed were made of mahogany, there were more shelves, but empty this time and a large chest of drawers. There were two doors either side of the chest. Hermione opened the first and realised this was her walk in closet which was the size of her old room and full of brand new clothes. The other closet belonged to Draco.
"Wow," Hermione finally said.
Draco smirked, "Love it?"
"Draco, the Hogwarts room is going to look so tiny compared to this!" Hermione grinned as she went to the living room and pulled out a book.
"Spoiled you already huh?" Draco grinned as she took a book out.
Hermione nodded as she continued to read. She had sat herself down on a white armchair, "Too much green though."
Draco smirked, "What would you prefer? Red? No way."
"How about baby blue?"
"Like a bathroom, nope," Draco smirked.
"Fine I'll think about colours and when we come back for Easter we can change it, now go away," Hermione said engrossed in her book.
"So I'll do the packing shall I?" Draco laughed but Hermione didn't reply. He continued to grin to himself as he magically began to pack all the stuff he and Hermione needed. He was grateful to his mother who it seemed had gone to Diagon Alley and picked up their new equipment. He looked into the sitting room and Hermione was still engrossed in her book. He smiled before returning to pack.
X X X X X X
Narcissa waited patiently and finally a house elf led her sister into the living room.
"Look," Andromeda passed her the Daily Prophet.
Narcissa read it:
Number 1 Death Eater Freed
By Jasmin Bishop
Bellatrix Lestrange was the most devoted follower of You-Know-Who. She was his right hand death eater and the only female death eater in the circle. Yet it seems as of yesterday Bellatrix Lestrange has been released. Lestrange has completed a reform course at the Ministry according to the Minister, and this should help her: "Ms Lestrange has completed the course. The course is intense and helps a person sort out their prejudices and helps them…reform. Ms Lestrange finished with full marks and as in the past the ones who pass with full marks, reform completely."
Lestrange has not been released freely, she is on probation for six months and if she breaks any of the following conditions, she will be returned to Azkaban:
She can not use an Unforgivable Curse, or hex, or jinx unless provoked with magic and her life in is danger. Her wand is tagged so the Ministry will know of what she uses magic for and when
Under no circumstances can she kill another, even if provoked
She will have to live at the Lestrange Estate as she is the last in the line
Harming muggles and muggle borns is an offence and if she attempts to break this condition there will be dire consequences
She is not allowed to contact any old death eaters and cannot re-form He Who Must Not Be Named's inner circle
Under no circumstances can she go near Harry Potter
Will Bellatrix Lestrange break any of these? Go to Page 6 for our psychics prediction and page 7 – 13 for true life stories of families who have felt the wrath of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Narcissa sighed, "We have to tell Draco and Hermione."
Before Andromeda could answer an owl entered the room. Narcissa took off the note:
Narcissa, Have you seen the paper? Harry and Ginny are here, they haven't seen it yet, I think at lunch this afternoon we should tell everyone together. What do you think?
Molly.
Narcissa looked at Andromeda who read the note over her shoulder. Her older sister nodded. Narcissa sent a note back saying she agreed. They had all planned to have a late lunch together today before the kids returned to Hogwarts.
"She hasn't got in contact with you has she?" Andromeda asked.
Narcissa shook her head, "She must know of Draco and Hermione's marriage by know."
"You don't think she will hurt them?" Andromeda asked shocked.
Narcissa looked at her older sister, "I don't know. She must see Draco as a blood traitor for marrying a muggle born."
"But the reform course…" Andromeda stopped. "Our sister could always fake things."
"She could fake anything and everything," Narcissa sighed. "I can't lose my son, I can't. I've lost my husband, I can't lose my son or my daughter in law." Narcissa was breaking down. Andromeda hugged her little sister tightly.
"She can't get near you," Andromeda reassured her. "We'll owl Dumbledore and let him know what's happening and let him know what we think. He will help. He has to help."
Narcissa nodded, "Let's get started then."
X X X X X
"Hermione, darling, sweetheart are you getting up any time soon?" Draco asked in his sweet voice.
Hermione waved her hand and continued to read.
Draco sighed, "What are you reading anyway?"
"How to kill your husband without getting caught," Hermione answered.
Draco jumped up, "WHAT?"
Hermione closed the book and laughed, "I'm joking. It's a book about astronomy."
Draco walked towards Hermione, "That was not funny."
Before Hermione could answer he kissed her fiercely. Hermione pulled back, "Come on I need to help make lunch."
"We have house elves," Draco reminded.
"Yea but I'm helping," Hermione said. "And have you packed everything?"
"All our stuff," Draco replied falling back onto another armchair.
"Books?"
"Yes."
"The new potions book?"
"Yes."
"Quills and Parchment."
"Yes."
"Cauldron?"
"Yes."
"Oh have you packed clothes?"
"No Hermione I forget that," Draco rolled his eyes. "Relax, I have packed before."
"Right," Hermione headed to the door. "I'm going downstairs. Feel like helping?"
"No," Draco smiled. "I packed, you can cook."
Hermione laughed as she headed down the stairs. She entered the kitchen and the house elves were at work.
"Miss we cannot let you work Miss, Mistress said that Miss must rest as Miss is going back tomorrow Miss, Miss must relax!" Trinky said as soon as she noticed Hermione, she pushed the witch out of the kitchen. "Miss has to rest."
Hermione laughed, "Ok Trinky, I'll stay in the backroom ok?"
Trinky beamed as she left. Hermione sighed as she headed to the backroom, she was surprised Draco was there first.
"Weren't you upstairs?" Hermione asked.
"Apparation," Draco smiled. "Weren't you meant to be cooking?"
"Trinky kicked me out of the kitchen," Hermione sighed as she sat beside Draco and snuggled up to him.
"Trinky can be very bossy," Draco said.
"Hmm," Hermione smiled as she took in Draco's cologne. She loved that smell.
Hermione screamed as a scruffy black owl headed to her. She jumped away from Draco who also jumped up and grabbed the owl.
"What the…" Hermione took a deep breathe.
Draco grabbed the letter, "Greengrass wedding invite."
"Which one?" Hermione asked. "And did they mean for the owl to try and kill me?"
"Probably, Greengrass humour," Draco sighed opening up the invitation. "Double wedding, Daphne Greengrass weds Marcus Flint, hah shame."
"Draco!"
"What, Daphne is a bitch," Draco said. "And Astoria Greengrass weds Terence Higgs."
"How did they end up marrying purebloods?" Hermione wondered out loud.
"And the weddings in August," Draco added.
"That's past the first deadline!" Hermione replied.
"Their father is influential at the Ministry, he probably called in a favour or threatened someone," Draco sighed.
"Do we have to attend?" Hermione asked.
"Unfortunately," Draco replied.
"Damn."
"Oh well at least it's both weddings in one day."
"True."
Before either could say any more out of the fireplace came Ginny and Harry.
"The Greengrass owl nearly killed me!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Join the club," Hermione replied.
"I think the sisters think if they kill you and me they can marry Harry and Draco," Ginny laughed.
Hermione laughed.
"Right so Draco, did you buy the new Klitz3000?" Harry asked.
"Of course Potty, why you still riding your firebolt?" Draco smirked.
"No, I got mine yesterday," Harry smirked. "Feel like a race?"
"Where's your Klitz3000?" Draco asked as Hermione and Ginny watched the two.
Harry pulled out a small broom out of his pocket and then used his wand to enlarge it.
"Let's go," Draco smirked.
"We'll wait right here shall we?" Ginny called after them but the boys didn't notice.
Hermione rolled her eyes leading Ginny to the living room, Narcissa and Andromeda were there drinking wine.
"Bit early for wine isn't it?" Hermione asked. She knew Narcissa didn't drink a lot.
"Andromeda tempted me," Narcissa smiled. "Morning Ginny, how are you?"
"Fine thank you, and yourself?" Ginny asked.
"I'm good thank you," Narcissa smiled. "When will your mother be arriving and is Harry here yet?"
"Harry and Draco are flying around outside," Ginny rolled her eyes. "Mum and the others should be here in a bit."
Narcissa and Andromeda nodded.
"So girls, looking forward to going back tomorrow?" Andromeda asked.
"No," Ginny sighed. "I'm used to doing the married thing, back at school its like…"
"We're kids again," Hermione finished.
"Education is important though," Andromeda said.
"Yea that's the only reason we're going back," Ginny looked at Hermione. "She's making me."
Hermione laughed, "Whatever."
Ginny smiled as the two sat down, but not before long did all the remaining Weasley's, Lavender, Sirius, Lauren Greengrass, Lupin, Tonks and Teddy arrived.
The boys all headed outside to play Quidditch, after a while Ginny, Lavender and Hermione headed outside with Victoria and Teddy.
"So we have to tell them, after lunch?" Molly asked.
Narcissa nodded.
"I can't believe she's out," Sirius sighed. "Have the Ministry lost their mind?"
"Apparently she gave the names of 37 death eaters," Narcissa sighed. "But that doesn't go to print."
They all sighed. Bellatrix was out and unpredictable.
X X X X X X X
"I can't fly!" Victoria muttered as Teddy got on a broom and began to fly around.
"It's not hard," Ginny tried. "Want me to help?"
"No!" Victoria muttered.
Hermione and Ginny looked at each other. Draco flew over to them.
"No flying for you three?" Draco asked.
"Never," Hermione said.
Draco smirked.
"In a bit," Ginny added looking at Victoria.
"What about you Vickie?" Draco asked. "Feel like flying?"
"I can't fly!" Victoria stomped her feet.
"Well how about you get on this broom and fly with me?" Draco asked.
Victoria beamed and ran to his broom. Draco lowered the broom and let Victoria sit in front. He waved before taking off slowly.
"Draco's sweet isn't he?" Lavender noted
"Yea very, when he wants to be," Hermione replied watching as Draco helped the Victoria fly.
"BOYS COME ON!" Molly called. "LUNCH IS READY!" Molly waved to the boys to come down, who obeyed. Hermione walked in with Draco.
"That was nice," Hermione said to him in a quiet voice.
"What was?" Draco asked.
"Helping Victoria," Hermione replied.
Draco couldn't help but smile as Victoria came running to them and held Draco's hand.
"I want to fly more!" She smiled innocently.
"Maybe after lunch," Draco offered.
"Hermione did you see me?" Victoria asked.
"Yes you were amazing, a Chaser in the making," Hermione smiled, hoping the young girl did want to be a chaser.
"That's exactly the position I want!" Victoria was beaming as they all sat down on the table. Victoria sat beside her mother and she couldn't stop talking.
Hermione listened to Ginny talk, while Draco and Harry were in a conversation about Quidditch.
After dinner, Narcissa sent the two children to the play room, while everyone else sat in the living room wondering what the problem was.
"Mum what's wrong?" Draco asked, as his mother was looking at all the kids.
"There's something you lot need to know," Narcissa started. "Bellatrix had an appeal, a few days ago. She was released after completing a reform course."
There was silence.
"Say something," Molly looked at all of them.
"You're joking right?" Ron asked desperately.
"No Ron, they're not joking," Sirius replied.
"HAVE THEY LOST THEIR MINDS!" Ron exploded. "HOW CAN THEY RELEASE HER? SHE'S GOING TO COME AFTER HARRY!"
"Or Draco and Hermione," Harry said quietly, looking at how pale Hermione had turned. "Draco's a blood traitor in her eyes."
Hermione hadn't even thought of that. Draco took her hand, not knowing what to say, he was in shock too.
"She's got conditions, her wand is tagged," Sirius handed them a newspaper which they all read.
"This won't stop her, this is Bellatrix Lestrange, she's mad!" Ginny said.
"Gin relax," Harry said.
"HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO RELAX?" Ginny shouted, she was close to tears. "If she comes near you I'll lose you and I can't……"
Harry hugged Ginny, "Lucky for us she's not Voldemort, I can take care of her if she does come near us…" he looked over at Hermione and Draco. "Any of us."
"She won't be able to hurt you," Draco whispered to Hermione, who had frozen. "I promise."
Hermione turned to Draco slowly, "What if she comes to you? What if she tries to…I…I won't lose you…"
"You won't I promise," Draco hugged Hermione.
"We contacted Dumbledore," Andromeda said. "He's putting extra protection on the school, and there'll be more security measures, she won't be able to get into Hogwarts."
They all nodded.
"And here we thought life was going to be normal now," Hermione muttered so only Draco could hear.
"What does normal even mean?" Draco sighed.
Hermione silently agreed. She didn't even know the last time everything was normal, at least not for a long period. Everyone left after a while, no one was in the mood to hang around, or just talk, they had to prepare one more time for another "adventure".
"Hermione," Draco whispered late into the night. He and Hermione had gone to bed early but neither could sleep and now at midnight he wanted to talk.
"Yea," Hermione faced him in the dark, she could see his grey eyes shimmering.
"I promise she won't hurt you," he whispered.
"Thanks," Hermione kissed him lightly. "Are you really really worried?"
"She's unpredictable. I don't know what she wants, but if she does want something, she will do anything to get it. Anything."
Hermione nodded, "We'll deal with her together, maybe she won't come for us."
"If we're lucky," Draco agreed. "I guess with Dumbledore's extra protection, chances are she won't come near us."
"Hopefully," Hermione whispered closing her eyes as Draco wrapped his arms around her.
X X X X X X
Early next morning……
Bellatrix was up early, the Ministry said they would keep tabs on her use of magic, what they didn't do was have regular check ups on her. She smiled, this meant that she could transform. Yes she was an unregistered animagus, something Voldemort had asked her to become, in case ever needed. This was one of those times. A black cat. So like her. Sly, cunning, dark, vicious and she could easily get near her…victims.
X X X X X X X
The next day…
Hermione and Draco walked arm in arm into the Hogwarts Express. They found a compartment and were soon joined by Harry and Ginny, Blaise and Luna and Ron and Lavender.
"Well?" Ron asked looking at Harry.
"Well what?" Harry asked looking at him.
"Heard anything about her?" Ron asked, they all knew who he was talking about.
"No," Harry replied. "The ministry won't keep me informed." He turned to Draco. "You know anything?"
Draco shook his head, "Mum doesn't want to see her and she's staying away."
"No contact what so ever?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"No," Draco replied firmly.
"Then we're screwed," Ron said.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Maybe she'll stay away."
"She's Bellatrix, she won't stay away," Ron replied.
"I agree with Weasel," Draco added. "She would never sell out the other death eaters unless she wanted to do something, she doesn't care about her freedom. Azkaban was a home to her, Dementors didn't scare her. No she's out for a reason."
Hermione leaned into Draco and rested her head against his chest.
Suddenly the train braked hard. Everyone went flying forward. The lights flickered on and off. Draco grabbed Hermione to stop her falling against the window. Lavender had fallen on top of Ron who held onto her tightly. Harry was against the window, both Ginny on him and Luna on her. Blaise was by the door which was opening and closing.
"What's happening?" Ginny murmured.
"Did the train crash?" Ron asked.
Then it all stopped. The train stopped jerking, the lights were still off. They all got up slowly, checking if everyone was ok. Harry went to the compartment door, he stuck his head out.
"Did we have an accident?" someone asked.
"We can't," someone else replied. "Only train on this track is the Hogwarts Express."
Harry closed the door, "No one knows what's happening."
Draco looked out of the window, "It won't be dementors this time will it?" Remembering what happened in their third year.
"No," Hermione replied as the lights came back on.
"I'll go see if I can find out anything," Blaise said leaving the compartment.
"We're…we're not under attack are we?" Lavender asked slowly.
Harry and Draco pulled out their wands and stood up, wondering why they hadn't thought of that first.
"Blaise went out there," Luna said trying to keep calm.
"We probably aren't under attack," Harry said as the others drew their wands.
Blaise came back into the compartment and Luna ran at him.
"What happened?" Blaise asked.
"We thought we were under attack," Ginny answered.
"No, no just the driver not controlling the train properly," Blaise replied.
"There's a driver?" Ron asked.
"Yea, just to oversee the magic," Blaise replied.
"So no real problem?" Draco asked suspiciously.
"No, apparently not," Blaise replied with just as much suspicion.
The train started to move again.
"Is it me or is this all too…" Harry began.
"Weird," Ron offered.
"Suspicious," Ginny tired.
"Scary," Lavender said.
"Yes all of that," Harry said.
"What are we going to do?" Hermione asked.
"What we do every year," Harry sighed. "Eyes open, stay alert and go no where and I mean no where alone."
"You think she's here somewhere?" Draco asked.
"I don't know," Harry replied honestly. "But so help me if she is. I will kill her."
Draco nodded, "Don't expect me to stop you."
They all sat down, ready to face the next school term.
A/N: First check out my prof for the pictures of a few of the dresses Hermione, Ginny and Lavender wore in this fic.
Second I have created a c2 for Dramione fics, so if anyone wants to subscribe to it or be a staff member let me know. So far I've only got 5 fics in it but I will have more.
Third THANK YOU FOR ALL THE AMAZING REVIEWS! :D I love you all soooo much that I'm going to bake you cyber cookies and cake! (I promise not to burn the….much hehe!) Yes hyper again…sorry about that hehe!
Anyway REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
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