A/N Again-my apologies for such a lengthy time between updates. I hope you haven't given up on the story just yet. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter Five

Hermione rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head, trying to drown out the incessant tapping that seemed to be going on outside her window. She didn't know what time it was, but how dare whoever that was make such a racket at this hour on a Sunday morning. As she tried to burrow down, she suddenly remembered sending the owls out the night before. She threw the pillow off of her head and reached for the latch on the window. Three owls flew in the window, one with the gold and maroon ribbons that signified Minerva's response, one with twinkling ribbons that had to be none other than Dumbedore and there was one strange owl whose scroll carried ribbons of black and silver. Hermione looked at that one in dread and shoved it aside to deal with later. She was almost afraid to look after Draco's warnings from the night before. She turned her attention to Dumbledore's letter first.

"Hermione,

As you are now aware, Draco was a part of the order before he received his dark mark. He performed many brave and unselfish deeds. Also, he did come and speak to me about the matter of offering for you. I know you two have had your differences, but I strongly urge you to accept his proposal. There are still dark forces at work that would seek to use the powers that you have for evil and not good. I would be happy to officiate at your wedding. Please owl me as to when it will be.

With Warmest Regards,

Albus Dumbledore"

Hermione sighed. It figured Dumbledore would use the evil and good argument on her. That's what persuaded her to follow in the path that she had. She turned her attention to Minerva's scroll.

"Dearest Hermione,

I am delighted to hear that you received Draco's offer. He came to me the week before he wrote his offer and we spent the evening discussing it and what terms he could offer you without offending you or his mother. I know that this seems like slavery to you and I could not agree with you more. But, in light of the times, Albus and I feel that in place of one of the Weasleys or a gentleman who is more than 15 years your senior (and you know to whom I am referring), that Draco would be your best choice. He performed valuable services for our side during the war. And yes, he was the operative whose life you saved. So, dear Hermione, I beg you, please do not reject Draco's offer. You know we have always had what was best for you in mind and I do not think that you will be harmed in this marriage.

Warmest regards,

Minerva"

Hermione leaned back and read the letter again. She knew then that they had even discussed her marrying Snape in desperation. She knew that if Draco had not come forward, chances were that in order to save her from whomever this former death-eater was, she would have had to marry Snape. That would have been a nightmare. They could be cordial with each other and he did respect her now that she was a former student, but they were too much like oil and water for her taste. And she was sure he probably felt the same way. She finally turned her attention to the last scroll.

Draco paced his room. He had not yet told his mother that he had offered for Hermione. He knew his mom would not care because of the ministry decree, but he knew she had her heart set on him marrying that sniveling girl who had attended Beaux baton. She couldn't appreciate the fact that he wanted someone who had a mind.

He remembered the first time he had called Hermione a mudblood. He had been a hateful boy then who would have done anything to get his father's attention. Until the day he had overheard his father casually offering him up as a sacrifice to Voldemort, as if Draco was nothing more than a pawn in his father's game to get more power. That was the day he swore to bring his father down and stopped trying to follow in his father's shadow. Draco had gone to Dumbledore and told him everything. He knew that Dumbledore would help him-after all, look at what the man had done for that stupid Potter all these years. Draco knew he wouldn't get the recognition the others had gotten since he had been a spy, but he at least knew he had a hand in bringing his selfish, power hungry father down.

He remembered the day that he received the owl from Hermione (although she never knew it was him) letting him know that his secret identity was about to be revealed by another death-eater. He took care of that problem rather quickly. The "poor soul" never knew what had hit them. He managed to stay in Voldemort's good graces up until the day that the Order had finally killed the Dark Lord, playing a large part in his death.

It had been a relief for him to be somewhat free of his double life. He could then move on and get down to business at hand. He had never counted on falling for a muggleborn, but when he heard at the ministry what was being planned, he was glad that he had. It would give him a way to get to her.

He knew he had a long road ahead of him. She had already checked his story. He had received an owl from McGonagall confirming that this morning. The former teacher had also wished him luck in his uphill battle. She had filled him in on Hermione's life the night he went to her about the situation and he knew he was going to have to be careful. He knew his mother would never approve of a "Malfoy wife" working, but he also knew that Hermione was still doing good things for the wizarding world. He had to balance his remaining family very carefully because as Dumbledore had told him, there were still people out there who would love to overthrow the current regime and make more drastic changes to the wizarding world than just the marriage law. Draco, in a way was still playing a double agent, and no one, save Dumbledore, McGonagall and now Hermione, knew of his double life. He knew he should have told her to tell no one, but he had a feeling she wouldn't quite yet.

Hermione reached for the scroll with some trepidation. She was almost afraid to look inside after what Draco had said about it being from a former death-eater. She broke the seal and unrolled it. She immediately gasped.

"I, Vincent Alexander Crabbe, do hereby offer Hermione Jane Granger matrimony. I do promise never to abuse her under the Marriage Law passed by the Ministry of Magic. I hereby offer her the same stipulations which can be found under Law...." She read and saw he required her to give up her job, have his first baby in less time than the law required, give up her friends and family, and to be at his side at all times except when he was away on business or was working or did not require her services.

She immediately walked over to the fire and lit the parchment on fire. The nerve of him! How dare he think that she would even think about accepting an offer like that. Was he that pompous to think she couldn't do any better? She realized that what Draco had told her was true. If any of the former death-eater camp offered for her, she was doomed. She sat down and looked at Draco's offer again. She then re-read Dumbledore's letter and Minerva's letter. She looked again at the parchment. She tossed all three aside and reached for her coat. She needed to get out and think.

Draco was just beginning to think of getting out of the house himself, when he heard a pop signifying someone apparating. He turned and in strolled Crabbe. "How DARE she Draco! Who does the little Mudblood think she is?"

Draco secretly smiled then said to his 'friend' "Crabbe, what's this? What are you talking about?"

Crabbe responded, "Hermione Granger! That's who! I offered for her this morning and she has already rejected my proposal. Does she really think a white knight is going to come riding in and rescue her before she breaks her wand? I would have treated her fairly."

Somehow Draco doubted that, knowing Crabbe. "Well, perhaps she's already received an offer from someone else that she's considering."

Draco had not told Crabbe that he had been planning on offering for Hermione for this very reason. He knew his friend would hold it against him that Hermione had chosen his offer over Crabbe's, but this was the very thing that had prompted Draco to take action this soon.

Crabbe looked at him like he was daft. "She'll receive no better offer. You mark my words."

Draco really didn't want to discuss this, but etiquette dictated that he offer the man a drink and socialize for at least a little while. He checked the clock on the wall. It was only noon. It was too many hours until he saw her again.