Chapter Two:

A couple days after Ginny sent her reply, she received a package from an unfamiliar owl. Within the package was a letter from the Malfoys, explaining the preperations being made for the wedding. Also included were a hundred invitations that Ginny could hand out to whom she pleased. She wondered what her friends would say when they received the announcement.

The Parents of Virginia Weasley cordially invite you to the joining of their daughter and the son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.

As she suspected, her friends at Hogwarts laughed at what they thought was a good joke, but upon seeing the seriousness in her face, their faces of mirth turned grim. Everyone tried talking her out of it, saying she'd just throw her life away. But she could not be persuaded.

She sent some to friends of her family, and Hermione and Harry. Pretty soon she had all one hundred invitations sent out, and wondered if the Malfoys would be surprised she knew so many people.

The end of her days at Hogwarts drew nearer, and people soon began to congratulate Ginny. One boy even told Ginny he knew a good potion that would turn someone into a frog, which she could give to Malfoy. She forced laughter, then made her way to her room and cried.

As she got off the train at platform 9 3/4, her family was waiting for her. When she arrived home she had a letter from Hermione, explaining the Bridle shower she was going to throw for her in a week. Ginny looked at the calendar on the wall and noted she had fifteen days until she'd be married. A sudden longing to scream ran throug her, but she forced it down. She couldn't let her parents know.

Ron came that day. He apparantly had just received the news of Ginny's marriage. He was in Canada, practicing Quidditch. His team would be playing there in a few months, and he wanted his team to practice in the climate they'd be playing in. As soon as he got the news, he apparated outside the house, and entered it, eyes aglow with anger.

"Please tell me this is a joke!" He yelled, brandishing the wedding invitation.

"Afraid not." Molly said, rubbing her forehead with her hand.

"You aren't seriously going to let Ginny marry that git!" Ron yelled again.

Ginny came from the sitting room at that moment and said, "I would appreciate it if you didn't call my fiancé a git."

Ron turned to Ginny. "Please, Ginny, you're making the biggest mistake of your life."

Ginny wanted to cry and admit she thought she made the wrong choice also, but couldn't bring herself to do it. "I think it's the best option I have. Besides, I'll have everything I need and want."

"What about love?" Ron's voice was calm and cool.

Ginny had long ago renounced love. She had loved Harry and he had gone and gotten married. She thought she would never love again, and so far, she hadn't.

"Don't talk to me about love, Ron." Ginny spat. "If you think love is enough for marriage, where's Hermione's ring?"

Ron blushed. It was true, he had put off asking Hermione to marry him because he couldn't provide for her. And Hermione wasn't one to wait around. While Ron was out making a name for himself, Hermione had begun dating again. Ginny knew they both loved each other like crazy, but pride had gotten in the way.

Ron was speechless. He merely embraced his sister, and whispered he'd be there whenever she needed him. She thanked him, then relaxed. It seemed everyone she knew had approached her with alternatives. Now, there was nothing left but to marry Draco.

~*~*~

Ginny was sitting demurely in Hermione's flat in London. She was in a high backed whicker chair. A dozen girls were sitting around her, watching as she opened up her bridal shower gifts. So far she had unwrapped a wide selection of candles, two CD's with romantic songs on them, and someone even gave her a bottle of aspirin.

"What?" Angel asked. "That's what I'd ask for if I was marrying Malfoy!"

The girls laughed, and Ginny had one more gift to unwrap; Hermione's. She unfolded the gold wrapping, and opened the box. She pulled out what seemed to be liquid emerald green cloth. When she got it all the way out, it revealed a very attractive piece of lingerie. It had thin straps, and a low neckline. It wasn't short, but it wasn't long either. No one knew what to say. Ginny bit her lip, feeling the soft material.

"I got it at Victoria's Secret, a Muggle shop." Hermione said, explainging to those who grew up in the wizarding community. "I just thought..." She didn't know what to say. "Well, that's what you usually get a girl in Muggle society."

Maybe that was true, Ginny thought, but not in this situation. She hadn't even let the thought cross her mind that Draco would see her inside his bedroom, let alone his bed. This seemed to make everything come crashing down on Ginny, and everyone looked around nervously.

"Cake!" Someone shouted, and they all left the small room for the even smaller kitchen.

"Ginny, I'm sorry." Hermione said, putting an arm around her. "You can still call it off, you know, if you want to." Hermione was the only person who hadn't demanded she call it off, who wasn't bent on forcing her to not marry Draco. She totally made Ginny feel like she was in charge.

"Thanks, Hermione, but I'm determined." Determined to do what, Ginny had no idea. To prove everyone wrong? To prove to herself she could do this?

Ginny thanked all the girls who had come, and stayed over to help Hermione clean up. She put all her gifts away in a bag, and sat on a couch, talking to Hermione.

"Can I ask a question?" Ginny asked.

"Yes." Hermione nodded, bringing a cup of tea to her mouth.

"Do you love Ron?"

The question caused Hermione to spit the tea out of her mouth. She put the cup down, afraid she'd spill its contents.

"Come again?" She asked, wiping at her mouth.

"Do you still love Ron?"

"Of course I do." Hermione made no hestitation this time.

"You know, he still loves you." Ginny smiled.

Hermione rolled her eyes, then took a deep breath. "I suppose one day one of us will eat their pride, and come running back...of course it won't be me." Hermione winked.

There was a short pause before Ginny started up again. "I just think it strange that I'm running headlong into a loveless marriage, while you two have all the love in the world, and won't get married."

This puzzled Hermione as well. She'd have to send Ron an owl.

"So what will you do with all your money?" Hermione asked, pulling her knees to her chest.

Ginny's eyes sparkled. "Well, I'll buy a whole new wardrobe! And I'll come visit every weekend, and go on holiday to Italy." They both started laughing, which eased the earlier tension.

Soon, though, Ginny grabbed her bag and left. Ten more days, She thought.

~*~*~

"How much longer?" Draco grumbled.

"Not much." The tailor replied.

Draco was being fitted for his wedding robes. After much protesting, he finally relented. He had to do what his Father wanted, or he'd be disinheirited. He would probably lose his job at the Ministry, seeing as his Father had gotten it for him in the first place.

"Alright, sir." The tailor said, a few pins in his mouth. He waved his wand, and the robe that was covering Draco, which was covered in chalk marks, was clean of the marks, and sewed to fit his form. The robes were of the finest quality, and Draco looked at him self in the mirror.

He knew he was good looking. Every girl he knew threw themselves at him. He even led a few on, but had not planned on marrying until he was much older. His Father had other plans.

He took the robe off, and didn't even bother to thank the man. He left a bag of galleons at the front desk and ordered the robe to be sent to his Manor. He scowled at all the happy faces along Diagon Alley. What right had they to smile when he, Draco Malfoy, was being forced to marry a Weasley? He passed a bridal shop, and looked at the gowns. Unlike men, women actually donned Muggle wedding gowns instead of robes. He looked at a manequin in the shop window, and tried picturing Ginny in the dress, but he couldn't remember what she looked like.

"Sort of like her, I guess." He said to himself, as he saw a red head in the shop, holding up a gown to herself. "Crap, I think that is her!"

Draco's suspicions were soon confirmed. Ginny's mother, and Hermione, could now be seen, both shaking their heads. Draco could only see the back of Ginny, watching her put the gown back on a rack. Probably can't afford it. Draco smirked. Ginny was led away by one of the shop women, but he stuck around, wanting to see what would happen. Not too much later, Ginny appeared in the front of the shop again, this time in a dress. The white gown had an empire waist, and flowed in long shimmery flounces to her feet. The sleeves were short, and the neckline low, but modest. Ginny spread the material in front of her, and smiled. She nodded her head violently, and then with one hand, held her hair up on her head. Her mother and Hermione both nodded.

"Wow." Draco said. It was true, Ginny looked gorgeous. The white satin of the dress com plemented her fair skin. Her red hair stood out a little too much, but that could be overlooked.

"Draco!" Someone yelled nearby, causing him to turn. "I thought that was you."

Draco shook hands with a co-worker, then was led to a cafe. They ordered lunch and talked about what was happening in their department.

"But I suspect you won't care much. You'll be on your honey moon soon, eh?" The co-worker winked, and nudged Draco in the ribs. "You didn't seem the marrying type to me, but hey, people change."

Not me, Draco thought, but he smiled. "Actually, we'll not be taking a honeymoon. I don't think it necessary, and my work at the office is more important."

The co-worker raised an eyebrow. "Well, I guess I'll see you at the wedding, mate." And with that he got up and left.

Draco was seething inside. It seemed every time he turned around someone was coming up to him to congratulate him. He didn't want to be constantly reminded that he was going to marry against his will to someone he loathed. He drank the rest of his soda, then looked at his watch. Five more days, he thought.

~*~*~

The wedding was being held in the Malfoy Gardens. Two hundred chairs were set up, facing a large wooden platform that was festooned with flowers and white ribbon. Off to the side, on another platform, was an orchestra. They were tuning their instruments as the guests found their seats.

Later, after the wedding, tables would be conjured, and the guests would feast to the new bride and groom. Dancing would ensue, and continue into the night. The bushes surrounding the wedding were sprinkled with fairy lights, that glowed and sparkled. At night, more would be placed in the sky to light the dance floor.

In a room, on the second story of the Malfoy Manor, Ginny was looking out the window at all the people. She had her dress on, and her hair was done up elegantly, with a few free strands to contor her face. She was wearing a diamond necklace, and earings and bracelett to match. They were her mothers, who wore them to her own wedding.

"Ginny, dear." Molly said. "I want to have one last look at you."

Ginny turned to face her mother, and to the right saw her reflection in the full length mirror. Molly raised a pink hankerchief to her eyes, and began to sob, "It's not too late."

"Mrs. Weasley." Hermione placed her hands on Molly's shoulders. Hermione and Angel were her bridesmaids, and were both wearing pale lavender dresses, with matching gloves. "It's time to go."

Molly was escorted out the door. Ginny watched from the window, and a moment later saw her mother exit the house, and head towards the front of the chairs where her brothers were. Ginny gave a great sigh, and saw that everyone was sitting by now.

"Ginny, are you ready?" Angel asked, taking her arm.

"I guess." Ginny sighed, then was led down the stairs. As she waited for her cue to start, she thought about what had transpired the day before. She had a meeting with the Malfoys, Draco was gone. Her and Draco would live in their summer cottage outside of town for the meantime. Ginny found it hard to imagine herself living in a house with Draco, but it was much easier to imagine now.

"I love you, sweety." Arthur said, kissing his daughters cheek.

The music started, and Angel and Hermione led the way down the isle, Arthur and Ginny following.

~*~*~

Draco tried not to look too bored, but he had been standing there all day, in the hot summer sun. When the musica started, he gave a sigh of relief. This will be over soon. He thought. He looked across the guests, and notice a bunch of red headed witches and wizards, and assumed they were Ginny's relatives. Her mother was in the front, bawling her eyes out. Ron was also in the front, torn between comforting his mother, and shooting angry looks his way.

Draco smiled, and thought this was the ultimate revenge!

He saw some girl he didn't know walking down the isle towards him, in a purple dress. Behind her was Hermione in the same purple dress. (Was that on purpose, Draco thought?) And then, there she was. Draco thought the gown looked attractive while she was in the shop, but now she looked like a goddess. Her hair was piled on top of her head, and at her neck was glittering a diamond necklace. His mouth nearly fell open at how beautiful Ginny could look. Too bad she doesn't take much effort on her looks every day, he thought.

The ceremony seemed to go by in a blur. The person marrying them drawled on and on about such nonsense. During the ceremony, Draco stealed a quick glance at Ginny. Her face didn't seem happy or sad. It was as if she was hearing a sentence of death, but took it emotionless. Is marrying me that bad? He thought.

Before he knew it, Draco was asked for the rings. Suddenly, a white dove flew over head, and dropped a ring in Ginny's hand, and one in Draco's. Draco was asked to put his on Ginny's finger first. He took her hand in his, noting how smooth it was, and gently pushed the ring onto her finger, then echoed the Priest. Ginny did the same, but her hands were trembling. A loud sob came from the direction of Mrs. Weasley.

"I now pronounce you Man and Wife." The Priest had Ginny and Draco face the crowd. "I presnt to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy."

Everyone began clapping, and Draco vaguely remembered his Mother ordering him to take Ginny by the hand and walk back down the isle towards the house. He took her hand, and she seemed to have heard the same lecture, for she began walking down the isle. The brides maids walked behind her, followed by Draco's family, then Ginny's. They lined up, and allowed everyone to walk by them, shaking hands.

Man, will this never end? He thought to himself as he shook hand after sticky, sweaty hand. After what seemed forever, the line ended, and tables were now where all the chairs had been. The guests sat in round tables, that were made for ten. In the center were elegant rose centerpieces. On the large wooden platform was a long, rectangular table, decked the same way. Draco and Ginny were led to it, and sat in the middle, their wedding party surrounding them.

Draco noticed a slight flush come over Ginny, and wondered if it was because of the heat, or for other reasons. The sun was beginning to wane, but there would be plenty of sunlight yet. After everyone was seated, plates of food appeared in front of them. People began to eat...all except Ginny. Draco notice her twirl her fork around the food, as if she were bored.

"What's ailing you, dear." Draco whispered, so only Ginny could hear.

She jumped at the endearment, and looked at Draco as if he sprouted tentacles.

"Just can't believe it finally happened, that's all." Ginny took a forkful of food, then began eating. If Draco noticed her lack of appetite, surely someone else would. She didn't want her friends' pity.

After everyone ate, the bride and groom were escorted to the front of the orchestra. They were to dance the first dance as husband and wife. Draco mocked the stupid Muggle tradition, but consented. He held her close in his arms, lost in thought to other matters. He noticed Ginny was shorter than him by a few inches. He could see over her head...well, not with it all piled up like that. Ginny looked up at him, her green eyes sparkling.

"Doesn't it feel like a dream?" She asked.

"More like a nightmare." Draco shot back. Draco noticed that she loosened her grip on his hand and shoulder, and stepped back a few inches.

Great, he thought. What a way to start my marriage. I might as well get the divorce papers ready, we won't make it to our one year anniversary alive.