Okay, only plot mine.
Marie stared at Ash in the dark. He was proposing? This was not good at all! She shifted from foot to foot, wondering what she should say. On the one hand, it would be really nice to be married to him and see him every day, but on the other, she had a mission to take care of that didn't allow for it. What to do, what to do. She thought about her friends, the ones back home, and the ones that she just had. And she thought about Draco, who, even though he and his cronies bashed her and hers mercilessly at school, was a half-decent guy when you got him away from it all. Then, she got an idea. She breathed again, and said, "Not yet. Can you wait on that for a few more months?"
Ash took her hand, and led her back inside. His eyes were dilated and he looked tired. Marie sat down on his bed and pulled him down beside her.
"Let me explain." She told him gently. "We are dealing with a really delicate situation here. I can't screw things up with Draco, and I think that marrying you right now would just not be the best thing."
"No one would have to know." Ash said quietly. "Don't forget, I live in the quick-marriage capital of the world."
Marie looked at him. "And do you honestly think that I would agree to get married in some drive through Vegas wedding chapel?"
Ash shook his head. "Of course not. That would just be the last resort if worse came to worse."
Marie sighed. "Don't think I don't want to marry you, because I do, and I'm ready to and all that. It hurts me so bad that it has to be this way, but I have to think of all the things that I'm risking."
Ash nodded. Marie stood up and walked towards the door. Before she left though, she turned around. Ash was still looking at her. "I'm sorry." She whispered, then shut the door, and walked back down the hall to her room, where she didn't sleep for the rest of the night because she was too busy soaking her pillow with tears.
The next morning at breakfast, Marie didn't feel like talking much, and neither did Ash. Everybody else talked a lot. Afterwards, they went their separate ways, Marie having snowball fights with Draco, and Ash reading books in his room.
All too soon, the winter holiday was over. Christmas came and went, but Marie hardly noticed. When it came time to board the school train, they sat in their separate compartments, Ash with his Slytherins, and Marie with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Marie talked, acting more lively and happy then she felt because she didn't want anyone worrying about her.
She was grateful for the distractions that school provided, and in time she forgot her guilt. Then, one day in the library, she decided to put her idea into action. On that particular day, she and Hermione were in the library doing research for History of Magic, and Ash was there doing Potions research. Although Marie had decided from the start that she would make no contact with Ash during school, this was the one exception.
"Hermione, could you come with me a second?" she whispered, praying that Madame Pince, the really scary librarian wouldn't hear her.
"Sure Marie." Hermione whispered back. They pushed their chairs out from behind the table, and walked over to where Ash was studying. Marie placed a hand on his wrist, enabling the soulmate connection.
Ash, she said with her mind, Ash, look at me. Ash looked up, startled. He gave Hermione a questioning glance.
Ash, this is my friend Hermione. We have a lot in common. I know what I'm about to say won't make you very happy, but I need to say it. We can't see each other at school either, but I have a feeling you and Hermione would really get along for now.
Ash's eyes widened. You can't be serious he thought back.
Yes, I am. Ask her a question about school or something. Get to know her. If you do this for me now, I will compensate you very nicely for it later.
Ash grinned. Is that a promise?
Marie rolled her eyes. Yes, it's a promise. Then she straightened up. "Hermione, this is my real boyfriend Ash."
Hermione grinned. "Hi." Marie could tell that her friend was attracted to Ash and that made things much easier.
Ash grinned back. "Hey. Listen, I'm having some trouble with my Potions essay. Would you help me? It's not due 'til Monday, and this weekend's a Hogsmeade weekend, so maybe we could discuss it then?"
Hermione was blushing like crazy, but she finally managed to stammer, "All right. See you then."
Ash smiled as Marie led Hermione away. "I guess it's a date."
A/n- I know you are all going to hate me for this chapter, but please be merciful! They do get married eventually, just not now!
sexyirishBeep- New reviewers are always nice. Thanks. I never thought I'd have people begging me to update my stories!
Rela- I won't be stopping yet! Thanks for the review!
sam- THANK YOU!!! Here's another chapter!
dogs die in hot cars: glad you could come back. You never know what'll happen in storyland…
silver-tigress71- thanks, I try.
a pisces- sorry to disappoint the faithful. But read the author's note at the end and feel reassured. And Malfoy just might propose…
