A/N: Thank-you to mark anthony, mattiemalfoy, malfille, Lady Selene Li (thx 4 yr constant support!) RelientKroxmysox721, oreo69not96 (thx u as well for the constant support) ShylaMalfoy, Brian Tisacute, Dragonmon Trainer 5, InDyxx, bubblesara, Agey, Draco Malfoy's Babe, litto-kitty, American Witch, Evil Pureblood, The KidWonder/Ladymistress, Kissin Kate, Benji Girl, daegogurl619, lizbethr (thank-u for reviewing on both stories!) and anyone else I probably missed!

Tell me what you think of this chapter! If anything else is confusing, tell me. What has happened so far is that Hermione found out that she's betrothed to Malfoy and their wedding is soon. In this chapter they start going to Hogwarts. Hope everyone understands it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter...I don't even own Draco Malfoy. Life is not fair.

Hermione grabbed a book off the shelf, looked in the contents, flipped through the book then put it back on the shelf with a disappointed expression. She did this with at least fifty books before she gave up and flopped back in an armchair, admitting defeat.

'There's no way out of this marriage,' Draco said. 'Sorry but tough.'

Hermione shook her head. 'No, I realize there's no way out of the marriage – but I was looking for a way out of those blasted Malfoy rules.'

'No way out of them, either,' said Draco. 'But I maybe can convince Dad to let you work or something, I could always use the extra money – '

Hermione leapt up, her beautiful face an expression of pure delight. It was a change from all the glares and snarls, thought Draco happily. I should really do more nice things for her.

'Would you?' she breathed. 'Oh, Mal – Draco, I would appreciate it so much! You don't know how much I'd love that!'

Draco backed away, trying to think up something nasty to say, for her smile was getting a bit contagious and he hated her, after all. 'I'm only doing this so you can be out of the house most of the time and I won't have to put up with you.'

Hermione didn't stop smiling though. With her arms waving about in the air, she danced around the library, singing at the top of her voice.

Holy shit, thought Draco. Is she on crack? He decided to bring her back down to Earth, unpleasantly.

'Granger, I find it hard to believe that you're so happy in this time of depression. We are getting married, don't forget.'

Hermione stopped dancing, and a frown replaced the smile. 'Ooo!' she hissed, balling her fists in pure anger. 'Oh, what I won't do to your parents for making me marry you, of all people!'

'Shut up, Granger,' Draco snapped. 'Feel lucky, I have to have Saint Potter at my wedding!'

Hermione flew into a rage. In a second, she had her wand at his throat and her eyes were spitting flames. Draco froze, staring in shock at her. He still thought her big chocolate eyes were beautiful but to have so much rage pouring out of them directed at him, was a bit unnerving.

'Granger,' he finally said, raising an eyebrow as though he didn't believe she would actually hex him. 'Put the wand down now. My parents'll kill you if you curse me.' Despite the situation he sent her his trademark, teasing smile.

Hermione put her wand down, her expression one of repugnance. 'You disgust me, Malfoy.'

'Draco,' he corrected with a smirk. 'So you're inviting Potter... who else? The whole Weasley family? Some Gryffindors, old friends? Tell me.'

'Harry and Ron will most definitely be coming,' said Hermione, her anger now forgotten, a dreamy look in her eyes as she pictured the wedding. 'And Ginny. Yes, and the whole Weasley family. Remus, too. Some of the Order. Some Gryffindors too... Draco, I want Lavender, Parvati and Ginny to be my bridesmaids and maybe Luna as a flowergirl... Neville, Seamus and Dean must come, maybe my old friend Lilia...' the list got longer and Hermione started to write their names down. Finally she was finished.

'And you,' she said. 'Who's going to be your best man?'

Draco thought. 'Blaise,' he finally said.

'Can't you choose someone a bit more... er, responsible?' stammered Hermione.

Draco glared at her. 'He's my best man, final. Why?'

'Because...' Hermione looked away nervously. 'He will be your... um, future child's godfather...' she felt nauseating. The thought of having Malfoy's child made her want to retch. There was a distinct sour taste in her mouth.

Draco himself didn't look so smooth. 'Granger, shut up about that, ok? Its painful enough thinking about the wedding without think about after that, okay?'

Hermione hastily agreed. She finished up touches on her wedding guest list as Draco did his. They then went down to the dining room and handed it to Narcissa.

'You two took an awfully long time,' she said with a sly smile. Hermione considered telling her the truth; that she was trying to find an escape route out of the Malfoy rules but didn't. Narcissa would probably add another few just because she liked seeing Hermione in pain.

Just before they were about to leave, Lucius stopped her. 'Hermione, I do believe Draco has something for you.'

He nodded to Draco, and Draco came forward, scowling.

'Hold out your hand,' he snarled, as everyone watched breathlessly. He then slid a ring onto her ring finger.

A ring with a big, fat, sparkling diamond on the end.

An engagement ring.

Hermione boggled at it in disbelief. She had always pictured feelings of utmost joy at finally being able to wear an engagement ring. But this one was an evil one. It was a curse to her. It was an emblem of the worst thing that will ever happen to her in her life. It was going to be there now, constantly reminding her of it. And the constant weight of the diamond added more heaviness onto her heart.

When Hermione and her parents finally got home, the first thing she did was rush to the telephone. Since her parents were basically muggles, they had all muggle electronics and nothing wizarding. Like owls. The telephone was the only way to get a hold of Harry and Ron unless they sent her something first.

Hermione first rang the Dursleys and tried to be as polite as possible to Dudley, who answered.

'You sound hot,' he said. 'Are you blonde?'

Hermione clenched her teeth. It was one of those times that she would fly into a fury at the drop of a hat, but she controlled her anger. 'Just pass me onto Harry,' she demanded. 'Or I'll curse you over the phone, and by God I've had a long day and I fucking will.'

Two seconds later, Harry was on the other end.

'What didya do to Dudley?' he asked. 'He's trembling!'

'Harry,' she said, skipping to the important. 'I've got something to tell you. You'd better sit down over there.'

And she told him everything that her parents and the Malfoy's had told her.

Harry was outraged. 'Those bastards!' he shrieked. 'I can't friggon believe it, you're engaged to Draco fucking Malfoy?'

'Sad but true,' she said soberly. 'Someone kill me, I can't take it. How am I going to live with him?!'

Harry was in shock. 'I'm ringing Ron now. If that's okay Hermione. If you want to tell him, that's fine.'

'No,' said Hermione hoarsely. 'My voice is almost gone. Go ahead.' She hung up.

'Hermione, dearest!' called a voice from down-the-stairs. 'Come have some snack!'

She reluctantly came down and sat at the table with her parents.

'Do understand that we're extremely sorry about this,' said her father.

'I do,' she said without any emotion.

They looked at each other. 'Well, then, Hermione, you're going to have to take another day off school to pick out your wedding dress.'

Her head shot up so fast her neck clicked. 'Wedding Dress?!'

'Yes. You should bring a friend – '

'Wedding dress, did you say?!'

'Yes! A wedding dress! For your wedding!'

Hermione whimpered. 'Okay.'

'I'll meet you at Diagon Alley to help you,' said her mother. 'I've just talked to Dumbledore, he will excuse you.'

'With all four of us attacking this wedding, you'll be married sometime this week!' her father exclaimed proudly.

'What? It usually takes months!'

'Lucius and Narcissa and using magic to help it along. Narcissa is such a dear!' continued Nancy happily, clapping her hands together in glee. Hermione could see that Nancy had always looked forward to planning her daughters wedding and was enjoying it, in spite of herself.

'So – so – so, this week, I'm going to be... Mrs. Malfoy?'

Ted nodded. 'My wee girl is growing up!'

Hermione felt very sick. Mrs. Draco Malfoy... oh the horror!

Ron rang her seconds later. 'Hermione, I'm so sorry for you!' he wailed. 'But all this time I can't believe you're a pureblood! Squibs for parents, how – '

'Ron, the wedding,' she cut him off. 'It's to be held on the first week we get back to school. You and most of the other Gryffindors should be getting invitations to it soon – how am I going to get out of this!'

At that moment her mother caught her attempting to pull off her engagement ring and told her to keep it on in horror.

'Oh, Hermione, there's no way,' he said sadly. 'But listen, my cousin went through the same thing. She was engaged at eight years old to one of the Blacks. He was five years older than her and the marriage worked out... eventually. She tried but there really is no way out. Actually, she tried too hard and things got pretty nasty. Her sister – my other cousin – had to go to Mungo's for head injuries. So don't get all worked up and fight it, Mya, just try and work with what you've got.'

'Thanks Ron,' she said in a voice of pure doom. 'For that wise advice.'

'No prob, Mya,' said Ron. 'But Malfoy! What a slug! I really don't know how you're going to survive for more than five more years, Mya. To live in the same house - !' he sighed. 'Look, I've gotta go, but I'll tell the rest of the family. Are they invited? Yes, good. I'll explain so when they get the invitations they won't be all like, what the fuck? See ya tomorrow!'

Hermione hung up the phone, not really feeling any better.

'See you soon, Hermione!' said her parents in unison.

'I'll bet your excited!' squealed her mother.

Hermione gave a weak smile.

For the rest of yesterday she had pretended that she didn't really mind marrying a Malfoy for the sake of her parents. She didn't want to draw them out of their bliss world and into the harsh reality and she didn't want them feeling anymore guilty than they already did.

'Oh yes,' said Hermione with a sickly smile. 'Of course.'

After saying farewell to her parents she spotted Harry and the Weasleys' in the distance and ran over to them.

'Harry, Ron!' she gasped, a smile alight on her face.

They gave her a smile each. 'Hermione!'

Fred and George appeared behind them.

'Hello, Hermione,' said Fred. 'Oh dear, I'm sorry, would you like me to call you future Ms. Malfoy?'

Hermione grinned. 'So you heard?'

'Damn right,' said George. 'My God, Hermione, that's awful! Better hope he's not Head Boy – '

Hermione gasped. 'Merlin, it never crossed my mind! What if he is? Can Head Girl resign?'

George shrugged. 'I've never come across that problem myself, so I wouldn't know.' He and Fred went off to meet Lee at Diagon Alley.

They were replaced quickly by Ginny, who wrapped her arms around Hermione in a rib-breaking hug.

'Oh, Hermione,' she wailed. 'I'm so sorry for you. Anyway, have you picked out your dress? Who else is coming?'

She kept asking questions until they were seated on the Hogwarts Express, and then she ran off to fetch her friend Julia Oeseburg.

The trio chose an empty compartment and were quickly joined by Neville and Luna, and they asked Hermione about the invitations they received and was it some sick joke.

Shortly after Hermione was done telling her story, she had to tell it again, because Ginny and her friend Julia had come back and Julia wanted to hear.

'Dear me, that's awful,' said Julia, staring at Hermione in awe. 'You've gone through so much – you're Head Girl, aren't you?'

Hermione nodded. 'I wonder though, who Head – '

'Guess no more,' said a cold, sneering voice that was accompanied by the screech of the compartment door opening.

'Malfoy, sod off,' said Harry. Malfoy turned to Harry and was about to say something undoubtedly nasty, when Hermione interrupted.

'What do you mean? You know who Head Boy is?'

Malfoy turned to her and triumphantly flashed his Head Boy badge at her so it caught the sunlight.

Hermione eyed it, and her last hope dissolved. It seemed she was getting a permanent bout of bad luck.

'Why are you in here, anyway?' snapped Julia, her large prominent eyes growing large with aggravation.

'McGonagall wants to see us,' he said, jerking his head at Hermione. 'C'mon, Hermione, my dear fiancé.'

He laughed at the look of outrage on everyone's face.

A/N: Hope everyone liked it! Thanks to the real Julia Oeseburg, my good friend and who is nothing like that character and hopefully doesn't read HP fanfics. Plz review and tell me what you all think!