Hermione gnawed anxiously on her lower lip and for once in her life ignored the professor that was speaking. A week ago Draco had asked her to marry him. When he had said the words, she had felt her heart stop and then slam against her ribs. All she could imagine was the wonderful things that would come with being Draco's wife. A life with him. Their children. A home filled with laughter and love. But now that time had passed, all the problems with their marriage seemed to be crowding in on her, gnawing away at her.
His father was foremost in her mind. Although Draco had told her not to worry about Lucius Malfoy, she rarely listened to him anyway and had no intention of starting now. Whether Draco wanted to face the fact or not, Lucius was a Deatheater. Deatheaters by definition had a grudge against Muggles and Muggle-borns. How would he take the news that his son had married one? Hermione cringed at the thought. Although she wasn't too keen on the idea of going head-to-head with Malfoy Senior herself, she didn't want Draco going home to his father's wrath on her behalf either.
With dawning grief, she realized that although she would legally and emotionally be Draco's wife, she wouldn't be able to publicly admit it. Their relationship would have to stay private and a secret. It's not like it will be for much longer, Hermione thought bitterly. The end of school was only a month away. Then it would be home for the summer, and three whole months without her new husband. The thought depressed her, and she slumped in her chair, staring distantly at the tabletop.
Ron elbowed her sharply in the ribs, and she turned around to glare at him. "What's wrong with you?" he hissed.
"Go away," she hissed back at him. "I'm thinking."
He made a face. "About Malfoy?"
Instinctively, Hermione glanced around. Everyone was either paying attention or sleeping, so there was no one to hear their whispered conversation. "Shut up, Ronald!" she muttered, stabbing him in the ribs with a vicious finger. He grunted and rubbed at his ribs and gave her a baleful look, which she returned. Grumbling to himself about temperamental witches, Ron started absently doodling on his parchment. Eyeing Ron suspiciously to see if he would elbow her again, Hermione finally settled back and slipped back into her thoughts.
Her mind wandered to the ring that she had hidden in her drawer. She had slipped out to Diagon Alley--a fact that had set her heart to pounding violently at her own temerity--and had the ring made. It was a simple gold band, and on the inside the words 'Amor aeternus' were inscribed. She closed her eyes as she imagined slipping the ring onto Draco's finger and feeling the cool metal of her own ring slide over her own finger.
When she had asked him where they were going to be married and who would perform the ceremony, he had informed her that in the wizarding world, it was not always necessary to have someone officiate over a marriage ceremony, nor anyone to perform it. The ritual words needed only to be spoken, the rings put on each other's fingers, and they would be married. Hermione had wryly noted that obviously elopement wasn't too difficult for witches and wizards. They had just to go to a room and get married and then it was done.
She thought sadly of the marriage ceremony that she had always dreamed of having. A beautiful white dress, a church filled with white gardenias, her family and friends there. Instead her marriage would take place in the Astronomy tower. She had one white robe, which was as close as she would get to a white dress, she supposed sadly. The only two people to be present would be the bride and groom.
Tonight, she thought, feeling her stomach tremble with something between fear and excitement. Today she was an unmarried girl. Tomorrow she would be Draco Malfoy's wife--Hermione Malfoy. She glanced around the classroom absently, her gaze faraway. She saw Pansy Parkinson smile brightly at Sean Benedict, and Hermione rolled her eyes. Now that was an unlikely couple. She was surprised that Sean was even talking to Pansy. Usually Gryffindors and Slytherins didn't mix. Then she chuckled to herself. Pot calling the kettle black, she thought wryly. But the frown persisted. There was just something. . .odd about that relationship. Then she shrugged restlessly. It was none of her business who Sean Benedict was with. She didn't even know him that well. And she cared even less about Pansy Parkinson's love life.
As class was released, Hermione let out a sharp breath of relief. She felt jittery and anxious, ready for night to fall and everyone to fall asleep. She rose quickly from her seat and saw Harry and Ron both glance at her, startled. She didn't see the two boys exchange a look before Ron caught up with her as she rushed out of class. He drew her into a small alcove, and she blinked up at him, startled. "Ron? What's wrong?"
"Malfoy sent me a note," he said in a low voice, glancing around quickly to see if they were overheard.
Hermione stared. "What on earth did he send you a note about?"
He hesitated, then said grumpily, "He wants me to escort you to the Astronomy tower tonight."
Hermione stared at him, speechless. Draco was inviting Ron, of all people, to their wedding? When he saw her stunned look, Ron said hastily, "Not to stay. Merlin's beard, I don't want to see any of that snogging business. I'm just to make sure that you get there safely, then leave. Malfoy will make sure you get back to the common room all right."
She gaped for a moment. "I have an escort?" she sputtered, and Ron grinned wryly at her.
"Yup. At least he's serious about that, if nothing else."
Oh, Ron, she thought painfully. You have no idea how serious he is. About everything. But she said nothing for a moment. "I don't need an escort, Ron," she said quietly. "I'll be fine on my own."
His eyes got a militant gleam that she recognized all too well. She had seen it too many times in Harry or Draco's eyes not to recognize it. They were all three much too alike, she thought with a sigh. Only none of them would admit it. "You need an escort," he said firmly. "On that I completely agree with Malfoy. So I'll escort you there, Hermione. What time are you planning on leaving?"
"Midnight," she said weakly. "Ron, this isn't necessary---"
"It's necessary," he said shortly, and she huffed at his tone. She desperately wanted to argue, but felt like it would be shrewish, especially when both men were looking out for her safety. But she bristled at the implication that she needed a 'big strong man' to protect her. She was the smartest witch at Hogwarts. She could take care of herself just fine. Then she remembered those long, cold fingers closing over her throat, and she shivered. So she closed her mouth and nodded shortly. "Thank you. I'm going to leave at midnight."
Ron nodded. "I'll be waiting for you in the common room." Then he patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. "I'm sorry for how I acted," he blurted out. "It's just--it's hard to imagine--you--that--with Malfoy. ."
Hermione suppressed her small smile at Ron's bumbling apology. She squeezed his hand. "Thanks, Ron," she said quietly. "That means a lot to me."
He hung his head and she could have sworn she saw a touch of pink on his cheekbones. "No problem," he mumbled. "I'm, uh, going to go eat lunch. You coming?"
She smiled slightly. "No, thanks. I think I'm going out by the lake."
He nodded quickly. "Okay. See you later." Then he rushed off, obviously still embarrassed about talking about her relationship with Draco. Vaguely amused by Ron's actions, Hermione made her way through the halls and outside. She tilted her face up to the warm sun for a moment, then ambled across the green grass to the edge of the lake.
She sat down and drew her knees against her chest. This was where she had stood on the first night with Draco, she thought wistfully. Her hands clenched on the folds of her robes when she thought of tonight. She adored Draco, she really did, and to be his wife was one of her fondest dreams in life. But like any bride, she felt jittery and scared. She was going to be married to this man for the rest of her life. Unless she killed him first, Hermione thought wryly, a small smile curling her lips. Sometimes he was just so damn aggravating that it made her want to pull out her hair.
She felt more than saw his presence at her back. She didn't glance at him as he sat down beside her. But when he looked over at her with concerned green eyes, she glanced over at him for a moment, then returned her gaze to staring across the lake, her eyes faraway. "Are you all right?" Harry asked her quietly. "You've seemed distracted lately."
She shrugged restlessly. Tell him, her conscience prodded insistently. She ignored it. "I've been restless," she admitted. "Feeling like something's going to happen. Like something needs to happen."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
She shrugged again, a sharp movement with her shoulders. "I don't know," she murmured. "It feels like there's a storm just hovering on the horizon, waiting for the right moment." She tipped her head back to stare at the crystalline blue sky. "Everything's clear now," she murmured. "But the darkness is waiting."
He was silent for a long moment. "Are you becoming a precog too now, Hermione?" he said dryly, but she heard the real question in his voice.
She barked out a harsh laugh. "Hardly. I wish." She leaned back on her hands. Harry mirrored the position to stare up at the sky contemplatively.
"You all know something I don't," he said quietly. "You, Ginny and Ron have all been acting odd. What is it that I don't know, Hermione? What's so terrible that none of you will tell me about it?"
Hermione closed her eyes miserably. She had hurt his feelings. She had been stupid to think that Harry wouldn't notice that they were all hiding something. The boy was too smart for his own good sometimes, she thought sourly. She felt unbelievably fragile for a moment, and she wasn't sure if she was even ready to tell Harry today. She wanted to sit in silence and try to let her nerves calm. And knowing that Harry was going to be furious didn't help any. But it wasn't fair to keep him in the dark.
"I'm Draco Malfoy's girlfriend," she blurted out baldly, and quickly turned her head to watch his face anxiously, waiting for the explosion.
To her surprise, he stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. As she watched in astonishment, he laughed himself silly. When he finally wound down, he said breathlessly, "Tell me the truth, Hermione."
A little miffed, she said curtly, "That is the truth. I've been dating Draco for a while now." He looked at her, waiting for her to laugh, but when she only stared at him levelly, his grin faded.
"You're serious," he said slowly.
"As serious as a heart-attack," she responded tartly.
He surged to his feet. "You're insane," he said, his voice clipped and hard. "I don't believe you. You would never sink so low."
Keep hold of your temper, she counseled herself. That thought was lost a second later when Harry hauled her to her feet, his eyes flashing sparks. He shook her. "You're lying to me," he said through gritted teeth. "You would never do that to me."
She jerked out of his grasp, her eyes flashing furiously. "Surprise!" she said furiously. "It's not always about you, Harry Potter! Draco isn't the bastard that you think he is. He loves me, and I love him. He cares---"
"I can't listen to this," Harry interrupted, and started to pace. Hermione folded her arms.
"Tough," she said coldly. "You're a selfish bastard, Harry James Potter. Draco makes me happy. And if you can't be happy for me, then I'm disappointed in you."
"You can't know what you're saying!" he exploded. "This is Draco Malfoy, Hermione! The git who tormented us through six years of school! The boy who called you 'mudblood' and made fun of Ron because he was poor. The fucking heir of Slytherin. Doesn't any of that mean anything to you?"
"I never said that he was a saint, or that he wasn't a pain in the ass," she retorted. "And he's not the heir of Slytherin. But he's different now, Harry."
"Oh yeah? I haven't seen it."
"Yes you have," she snapped. "I've heard you mention it. You mentioned awhile ago that he wasn't bothering us anymore."
"Is that because you persuaded him not to?" Harry's voice was bitter and full of innuendo. Hermione's mouth opened in shock.
"Why you cold-blooded bastard," she said softly, feeling tears and rage clog her throat. "I thought better of you."
He just stared at her, his mouth set in a mutinous line. They stared at one another for long moments, and Hermione felt tears sting the back of her eyes. "I don't want to speak to you until you can apologize for that, Harry," she said quietly. Then she turned on her heel before he could speak and walked quickly away, leaving him alone beside the lake, the wind ruffling his black hair.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: For those of you who thought that Ron wasn't upset enough about Hermione's revelation, Harry's obviously made up for that, hasn't he? I didn't plan to make him such a bastard in this scene, but it just came out that way. But never fear, he'll apologize in due time. Can't have our lovely, green-eyed hero on the outs with one of his best friends forever, now can we? *winks* And guess what happens next chapter? Drum roll, please! *drums roll*
The wedding! Yup, for all of you who were so impatient, it will be next chapter. :D Also, the inscription on Draco's ring is Latin, and means 'Love eternal'. ^_^
Reviewers:
Black Sinner~ Thank you so much!
Uh. . .I have no name~ Thank you! I'm glad you're liking it so much. ^_^ And I'm glad I get the emotion in there.
Becca202~ I haven't really mentioned Harry and Ginny's relationship because Hermione/Draco is the focus of the story. Harry/Ginny will only pop up when they're involved in what's happening with Hermione/Draco. So they'll show up some more, but obviously not in great detail because everything is more focused on the romance between Hermione/Draco.
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Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the owner of all characters contained herein and anything associated with the Harry Potter universe. I make no money off this story or any other.
