If Hell Was a Place, It Would be Here
Hermione Apparated them to her townhouse with an hour to spare for preparations. Malfoy had offered the service of the Manor's kitchens and after a bit of a tiff Hermione had agreed it made the most sense. The elf Hermione had first met at the Manor whom she now knew was called Mipsy and another elf Lolly both appeared in her kitchen at half six with trays full of hors d'oeuvres. Placing everything under stasis charms she and Malfoy now had an awkward twenty minutes until their friends came. Hermione lounged on her sofa and absently played with the chain at her neck.
"Your Notice Me Not charm won't be very effective if you sit and fiddle with the chain all night," Malfoy teased from his position across from her in her favorite wingback chair. She was small enough she could curl up in it and read whereas Malfoy's tall frame filled the chair entirely. She dropped the chain and refreshed the charm.
"Yes, well you are right of course," she huffed a bit, and he rolled his eyes.
Malfoy rose then and went to her poor excuse for a bar and poured a glass.
"Do you want one, I know I cannot imagine this night entirely sober at the moment," Malfoy said stiffly.
"Quite right," she agreed.
Malfoy poured and handed her a glass. He stood there for a moment longer and Hermione glanced up at him. He was just looking ahead with a pensive look.
"Penny for your thoughts Malfoy," she parroted his words from this morning.
Malfoy let out a long breath and gestured for her to scoot over. Then in the least dignified move she had ever seen from the likely of Draco Malfoy he flopped down next to her and rested his head on the back of the sofa. He turned to look at her.
"How is it I lived through a war with the Dark Lord, his followers, and a snake as long as a bus roaming the grounds, but this night feels like it might be more excruciating," he said in a whine that brought Hermione back to third year and the petulant boy who was snapped at by Buckbeak. She laughed then imagining the little ferret Malfoy was.
"Granger what is possibly funny right now," he said darkly, no more whining third year Malfoy voice.
"Your whining a moment ago harkened back to a young Draco Malfoy and his harrowing encounter with Buckbeak," she teased and bumped her shoulder into his.
"Sod off Granger," Malfoy said but he was drinking to hide a traitorous smile, "but you seriously aren't telling me you are excited about this. I haven't been in the country for four years, you are now friends with all my friends, and you still have all your old friends. I have no support now. No one is really going to be happy about this on your behalf."
Hermione laid her hand on his then and squeezed.
"This is going to be interesting, but we are in this together, I have no intention of feeding you to any wolves," Hermione said with a friendly smile and released his hand just as the Floo flared green. Thank Merlin it was Pansy and Greg.
The pair looked at Hermione and Malfoy on the couch with a critical brow.
"Draco darling you look like shit," Pansy cooed.
Hermione just laughed and Malfoy rose. He took his time straightened his suit jacket and coifing his already perfect hair before responding to Pansy.
"Pansy, lovely as always to see you," he said in a scathing tone.
She just flashed a smile that was all teeth. Greg rolled his eyes and left his wife in favor of greeting Hermione. Hermione rose from the sofa to receive a friendly hug from Greg.
"How are you doing Hermione, I know today had to be difficult," Greg said as he released her.
"It was interesting at first, but it was actually very cathartic, I am glad to no longer feel fear over a place that had long haunted my nightmares. It is so changed, and Narcissa was so very kind. I do see why you say she is terrifying though; she does command a room, I could learn a lot from her," Hermione said.
She had glanced over at Draco and noticed he had been casually observing their conversation. His expression was unfamiliar to her, like most of him she supposed, but she could have sworn something like pride and longing passed over his face. She didn't have time to ponder though as the Floo flared green again and Harry and Luna stepped through followed only moments later by Blaise and Ginny. Both couples stopped short when they noticed Malfoy. Hermione went to move to his side, but Greg subtly stopped her.
"Just tell everyone at once. Ron and Theo should be here soon," he whispered.
She just nodded and sure enough the Floo flared to life and Ron stumbled through and bumped into the frozen couples. She noticed Pansy had taken a subtly defensive stance in front of Malfoy and she could just squeeze her friend for it.
"Oi what are we doing just standing in front of the Floo," Ron's voice died in his throat when he saw Malfoy and quickly his faced soured. Greg released Hermione then and she moved with purpose.
"Well, drinks or would you all like the answers to your burning questions without libations," stony silence, she took a place next to Malfoy then and five sets of eyes widened. The Floo flared green again and Theo came through.
"What the fuck is going on here," and like Ron he went quiet when he noticed Malfoy in the room and Hermione standing near him. Unlike Ron or the others, he looked between her, and Malfoy and his quick mind picked up on the purpose of this invitation, "The Ministry couldn't possibly have been this sadistic, sorry Draco, but you have to get it?"
Malfoy just nodded in response. Those five sets of eyes looked between Theo and her and Malfoy then swung to Pansy and Greg. Ginny spoke first.
"I see you two knew already," her tone was sour. Hermione needed to commandeer this situation before it tumbled into chaos.
"Everyone just please be quiet and listen, I want no outbursts, and I will not take questions until the end," Hermione eyed every one of them. They all took seats and most looked tense other than Luna who, as usual looked pleasant and confused.
Hermione trembled a bit, then she felt his steady hand at her back applying a gentle pressure at the base of her spine. To her surprise it calmed her nervous energy with immediate effect. He also subtly summoned her glass and handed it to her. She smiled at him and turned back to the gaping faces of their friends. She took a long drink and began.
"As Theo astutely surmised, yes, the Ministry in their infinity wisdom has decided Draco and I will be their very first sacrificial lambs."
"On a first name basis already," Ron snapped.
"Ronald I specifically asked all questions be held until the end," she tried to emulate the calculated calm she had seen from Narcissa. Her natural instinct was to snap back but she was going to be entering an entirely new arena now and she would have to adapt fast. Draco had years of elocution training to fall back on, she was a scrappy bookish Muggleborn who fought for her place every day. Behaving as if the world already belonged to her was going to be a steep learning curve. Ron was quiet then but still fuming. She continued.
"We have accepted this fate, as you all know the Ministry has turned a deaf ear on all those who have opposed this law. We plan to be the picture they want, but if they think Draco or I are just going to go quietly; Kinsley clearly never knew me. We will have the ear of every reporter; I am going to take this law down and Draco has cordially agreed to be my partner in sabotage. Ginny in answer to your early question, Greg knows because I work with him, and I never expect spouses to keep secrets from one another. Draco and I only learned yesterday. You all were our priority to inform as we knew this would be shocking news to all of our friends. Though I would like to say I am glad we are all a singular friend group now, as this makes sharing this news much easier. Questions now."
"I am sorry I didn't take a stronger stance 'Mione," Harry said always ready to cast his guilt on every situation. Merlin, she loved him, but could he try to work on not making every little thing about him for once. Hermione took a breath and began again.
"Enough, we do not want condolences, we just want support. What is done is done. Just say you will support us," Hermione said calmly. Malfoy was smoothing his thumb in slow deliberate strokes up and down her spine. He hadn't spoken a word; she knew it wouldn't have calmed the group but his presence at her side and his ministrations to her spine left her feeling very—supported. If this evening was anything to go by, they were going to make an excellent team.
"It's not like you will be married for life though, if you get the law overturned you can go your separate ways after this sick experiment," Ginny spoke up then. Hermione was about to speak when Luna of all people spoke.
"No actually, the Malfoy family has a tricky bit of magic woven into their marriage bonds, the couple is core bonded, never able to separate," she said in her dreamy tone, Ginny Harry, and Ron all turned to stare at her.
"Luna, how did you know that" Draco asked in a quiet measured voice.
"Oh, you could see it in the air around your parents, it was quite beautiful really," she said.
"Beautiful?" Ron erupted, "that is barbaric 'Mione you can't have actually agreed to this."
"Ronald, are you questioning if Draco didn't disclose this or if I know my own mind?" Hermione asked in her best bored tone. Pansy snickered. Draco's thumb continued its ministrations.
"All of the above," he said as he rose from his seat, Malfoy tensed, and his hand froze on her back.
"Weasley, I suggest you sit down. You have been Hermione's friend for over a decade, and she kept you and Potter alive through a war. What about the friend you have known for all that time suggests she is being hoodwinked and not in possession of all her faculties?" Draco said with a slight edge to his usual drawl. Ron looked ready to pounce but Malfoys words struck him like a blow. Hermione felt for him but really what was his angle, it wasn't as if she had a choice in the matter. She glanced back at Malfoy and gave him a small smile before turning back to the room. Malfoy's hand resumed its former occupation.
"Anything else before we can actually try and enjoy our evening, there are delightful snacks in the kitchen, and I would really like to enjoy this last night of normal life before we enter the fray of the public eye tomorrow. Oh, yes that, Draco is proposing. I forgot the worst offense of the Ministry. They informed him first so he could propose apparently that is part of this ridiculous policy," the group as one gasped and muttered, Hermione waved her hands in dismissal before continuing, "Yes. Absolute rubbish, but no matter we are going to play along, so expect a full spread in the Prophet the day after tomorrow. Luna I actually wanted to ask if your father wanted to send someone from the Quibbler as well. Pansy has already been able to get me contact info for the editor of Witch Weekly," Hermione said with forced lightness.
"Oh, I will pass along your message to Father, I am sure he will be delighted to send someone. I will write him tonight," Luna said brightly, "also I just want to add that I am very pleased to say that being paired like this has done wonders for you both, I see almost no Wrackspurts around either of you. In the past both of you were positively infested!"
Draco groaned beside her, and Hermione knit her brow. She had no idea how Harry was married to her, but they were stupidly happy together.
"Thank you, Luna," Hermione managed to say.
"You mentioned food." Bless Greg and his penchant for thinking with his stomach.
"Yes, in the kitchen please help yourselves," Hermione said maybe a bit to brightly.
Greg rose from his seat and he and Pansy brushed past Hermione and Malfoy toward the kitchen.
"I want a drink, Ginevra, would like one my love," Blaise asked on his way to the liquor cabinet.
"Yes, whatever you are having," she called as she rose to approach Hermione.
"I know you can make anything work, but are you going to be ok," her eyes darted to Malfoy, "both of you?"
If Malfoy was shocked, he hid it well.
"We will manage, I think we have only attempted to kill each other twice since yesterday, a record for us I think," Hermione said with a laugh.
Ginny frowned and looked at Malfoy like he might be the more reasonable one.
"You have been rather silent this evening, are you going to make it. I am sure you have no love for the Ministry for a wide variety of reasons," Ginny said cautiously.
"Ginevra, I have endured much worse than having to spend my life with an intelligent, driven, and fiery witch. This is hardly a torture. I only had consideration for Hermione's feelings on the matter when I received the letter from the Ministry," Malfoy said in utter sincerity.
Hermione had to work to keep a neutral expression, his words had been so sincere, she felt her fingers twitch with the urge to fiddle with the ring laying against her breastbone. Malfoy was a constant surprise. This speech seemed to please Ginny and she joined her husband after hugging Hermione. Greg and Pansy floated back out to mingle Theo had disappeared toward the kitchen after greeting his old friend.
As the evening wore on Draco had fallen into conversation with Theo about rare magical artifacts from some lost civilization that Draco had seen on one of his trips. Theo was enthralled, he worked in the Department of Mysteries so rare magical objects were like catnip to him. Draco was mostly relaxed, he laughed easily, unless you looked closely. Hermione wondered if she was the only one in the group who noticed it because he was like her. Carefree and easygoing in a group because no one actually wanted to see the ugly, frayed bits. The person, who most days was hanging on by a thread, but no one really knew. It was easier to just lie. She felt a surge of emotion threatening, she needed air.
"Are you good 'Mione," Ginny asked with a slight slur to her question. She was a bit knackered, most of the party was and that was good. Everyone was having fun and this night was going better than she and Malfoy had hoped. She smiled at Ginny.
"Yea, I just need a breath of fresh air."
"Do you want company?" Ginny asked a bit more serious now her eyes searching her face. Damn her and her Molly Weasley senses.
"No have fun. I just need a moment it has been a big day. I just need a brief respite," Hermione said with a cheerful smile.
Hermione exited into her garden and took a seat on the little bench she had placed under a trellis of flowering vines when she first moved into this house. It was hardly the Manor's garden, but she was proud of her little oasis especially since she had a mostly black thumb. She closed her eyes and took a few breaths then heard the back door open and close. Opening her eyes, she saw Ron standing before her. She sat straighter then and just waited patiently for him to speak first. This was a technique she had learned early in negotiations. She wasn't always particularly good at it, but she was getting better. When he just continued to stand there mute, she raised a sing brow.
"Do you really have nothing to say to me right now?" Ron said in a low voice edged with hurt and anger.
Hermione just continued to look at him, she would not rise to this.
"You could have just married me and avoided all of this mess, now you are going to marry Malfoy and what just be stuck in a loveless marriage forever. He is a pompous arse with daddy issues, you don't need his baggage to weigh you down! You didn't want to be with me because I would have held you back, according to you, because Godric forbid, I wanted a family. Instead, you are going to be stuck with a former death eater! That should win you lots of points with all the causes you are attempting to promote. Why aren't you saying anything have you just given up already, you are better than this 'Mione fight!" Ron spat.
Hermione rose to her feet smoothly and took a breath.
"I am not going to dignify any of that with a response beyond what I said earlier," She glanced past Ron and saw Draco standing on her back stoop, before looking back to Ron, "I have made my peace with this situation, we are going to fight, but instead of going halfcocked I am going to fight with a level head and the upper hand."
"How Slytherin of you," Ron sneered.
Draco took a step toward her, but Hermione held up a hand and he stopped. Ron just scoffed and stormed back in the house, attempting to shoulder Malfoy on the way in.
As soon as he was inside Hermione slumped back down to the bench. Malfoy silently sat beside her. His quiet presence was like a balm. She laughed then and felt Malfoy's eyes on her.
"What could possibly be funny right now Granger," Malfoy said dryly.
"It's only that the roles have so reversed. Usually if I was upset, it would have been you with the harsh words and Ron or Harry sitting with me. Now here we are," she said with a hiccupping laugh that was on the edge of hysteria. She tipped her head back with her eyes closed as she tried to pull it together.
Pressure on her wrist, slow deliberate circles, grounding her. She focused on the pressure and the rhythm and in moments she was breathing normally again. Malfoy withdrew his hand when he sensed she was herself again. The loss of contact left her cold but what could she really expect from him. It wasn't as if they were really a couple, they were barely friends.
"Let's get you back in there Granger before people have to many questions neither of us wants to answer," he said with a wink and rose to his feet.
"Malfoy," Hermione jumped to her feet and slapped his chest, "Absolutely no one is going to think we are snogging in the garden."
"I said nothing of the sort, that was all in your mind. Is that what you would like to be doing?" he said suddenly stopping and turning around so she ran into his chest. Hermione looked up at him, her heart hammering in her chest, she couldn't see even a sliver of the gray in his eyes. Then he chuckled and it rumbled through his body and hers since they were chest to chest. He stepped away then and continued to walk back to the house.
"Are you coming Granger?" Draco said brightly from her kitchen door which he was holding open for her.
Hermione shook her head and breezed past him, patting his cheek like one would a child, "Only in your dreams Malfoy."
She continued through the door grabbing a drink and quickly finding a conversation to immerse herself. She quashed all thoughts about that last interaction out of her mind. With food and drink flowing the rest of the night devolved into something resembling fun.
Hermione and Draco bid the last of their friend's good night at half twelve. A drink appeared at her elbow moments after the fire resumed its normal crackling orange and red. Ron's mood improved but he was still fridged as he left. Ginny had scolded her brother and he had apologized, Hermione just brushed it off. She didn't have time for his dramatics. Harry felt guilty like always. Thankfully all the Slytherins and Ginny had understood it was time to make the best of a shite situation. Luna had been the only one outright pleased, but everyone was used to her strange endearing behavior at this point.
"We made it out alive," Hermione offered.
"Yes, well spotted Granger," Malfoy deadpanned.
And just like that they had returned to their usually roles. Hermione rolled her eyes and sipped her drink. Draco disappeared down the hall then.
"What are you doing Malfoy," Hermione called after him.
He didn't answer but appeared in her living room shortly with a plate of food.
"You didn't eat all night, you need to eat," he said placing the plate on her lap. He lingered awkwardly close to her for a moment then straightened abruptly.
"Well, I am going to get home as well, the platters have already disappeared as they were spelled to return to the Manor on command. I can send Lolly to help you clean in the morning if you would like," he said smoothly.
"No, that won't be necessary. I will be over about eleven so we can Floo to the Manor," Hemione said as she picked at her plate.
"I will expect you at eleven," he said before turning on the spot with a pop.