A/N: Hey all. Hope you are all doing well! I'm great Year 12 exams are over, only got block exams and assignments to go… then I graduate! Anyway thanks for the reviews, I love them all so much!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters only those I create plus the plot to this fic.

VBspikergirl9: You can email me anytime. I will reply as soon as I can! Smiles.

I dedicate this chapter to a dear friend of mine whom was taken from us all far to soon. Karissa Cook, you were a close friend and I am proud to have known you. You will be and are missed dearly by all. Rest In Peace my friend.

Chapter Four: Reasons

Draco smiled pleasantly at the elderly witch winking at him disturbingly. Once Draco was out of her eyesight, he shuddered. Glancing around he pulled a small silver bottle from his robe pocket and took a long sip, feeling the calming affects of fire whiskey. Tonight he needed it if he was to last being around all these people, with weird women winking at him who were three times older then he was. He put the bottle away and turned around to be face to face with his father, who was smirking at him.

"Patience is upset," he said calmly.

"Oh, why is she?" asked Draco with fake interest seeing as he knew why.

"The Mudblood didn't show, thank the passed dark lord."

"You know she did turn up father, but left."

"I do. But your mother and Patience don't know that, do they?"

"I do now Lucius," snapped Narcissa looking up at him angrily, "You are causing our sons marriage to start off badly. Patience believes that I didn't send the invitation! Where is the Mudblood?"

"She left, mother. She felt foolish for showing up too a pureblooded event where everyone hates her kind," said Draco quietly, "And just so you know, this marriage already sucks."

With that Draco pushed open the doors behind him and stormed off to the privacy of his bedroom.

O

Hermione sighed as she assessed the damage to her new robes. They were torn and smeared with dirt along the bottom. So much for new robes, yes Hermione could do the fixing spell on most things but she didn't know if it would completely fix her robes to look like new again.

"No harm in trying," sighed Hermione raising her wand, "Repairo!"

The spell shot out of her wand and weaved around the torn material seaming it all back together… looking like new.

Hermione smiled at her handy work and placed the dress robe in her washing basket. She then sat on her bed and fell back against her pillows with a deep sigh. How foolish she felt for showing up. Such a dumb thing to do! And now she had to face the two so-called 'couple' tomorrow morning first thing. No doubt Draco did tell everyone at the party, or Lucius. She definitely figured Lucius would do such a horrible thing.

Crookshanks jumped up onto the bed and meowed at his owner for a belly rub. Hermione sat up and tickled his belly smiling at her old cat. Crookshanks peered up at her contently causing Hermione to sigh.

"You may be a content cat with the life we have," whispered Hermione, "But I want someone in my life. Not Ron, no he is in the past. I need to find Mr Right soon."

Hermione stood up from her bed and headed out to the lounge room for a night of television with House, an Australian show called McLeod's Daughters and Law and Order SVU.

O

Hermione smiled at Luna as she entered her office, she was running a few minutes late, meaning already waiting in her office was… just Draco Malfoy. Hermione sighed as she shut the door with dread. Already placed on her desk was his form Hermione had asked him to fill out. Draco looked up at her, the smirk on his face as always. Hermione merely glared at him and sat down in her chair. She grabbed the form and read it to herself.

Draco's best man was Blaise Zabini and his groomsmen were Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Pansy's Matron of Honour was Millicent who married some guy from France, and her bridesmaids were her sister Patricia and cousin Magniece… that was an odd name. After signing her signature on the bottom of the page to say everything was decided and agreed with.

"Okay," sighed Hermione not looking at Draco as she slipped the form in the Parkinson/Malfoy file, "So the date is decided, so are the groomsmen and bridesmaid. What I need to know is… where is Pansy?"

Draco groaned, muttering, "I knew you'd ask that… she isn't feeling well today. So I came alone."

Hermione nodded, not sure whether to believe him or not, she grabbed, yet another form from one of her desk draws and smoothed it out on the table, "Right, well now you need to decide whether the wedding will be muggle or based, or the ordinary magical world one."

"Well, which do you think my family would prefer Granger?" drawled Draco lazily with a roll of his eyes at her stupid question.

"Magical, of course. Sorry for asking," muttered Hermione circling the choice of wedding, "Then I need you to find a place for your wedding, a preferred priest and the colours you and Pansy prefer."

"The wedding will be held at the Malfoy Manor. Our priest will be the well known Reverend Williams as for the colours the girls will be wearing silver fitted robes preferably and the guys black robes with silver edging."

Hermione nodded as she wrote it down, although dreading the thought of spending time at the Malfoy Manor after her first humiliating visit. She placed her quill on her desk and stood up, earning a questioning look from Draco.

"I'll be back in a moment," Hermione exited the room and walked out behind Luna's desk and pulled open a filing cabinet, "One caterer list, list of flower shops… what else?"

"Lighting," answered Luna while writing in an appointment for one of Merle's new clients.

"Thanks… lighting people, music… and tailors."

With the pages of people for Draco and Pansy to choose from Hermione walked back into her office, handing Draco the lists before sitting down.

"What's this junk?" asked Draco rather rudely, looking from the lists to Hermione.

"Well if you want your wedding to be one of the best social events of the year," snapped Hermione with a roll of her eyes, "Than I suggest your and your darling sick fiancée choose caterer's, where you want your flowers from, who will do all the lighting and music and things like that."

"Who knew there was so much crap to do for a bloody wedding? Merlin, Pansy can do all this since she's so into getting married."

Hermione remained silent scanning her list of things to talk about, "Okay, well you also need to decide whether you will do your own personal vowels to each other or not. Umm… tell your father and Pansy's they need to write speeches for the reception. If they have trouble they can come speak to me about it. But other then that we are done for today. Book an appointment with Luna for a day in three weeks. Please ensure you have chosen everything by then."

Just as Draco was about to reply an owl flew in the open window dumping a letter in front of Hermione before leaving.

Hermione knew what it was and so did Draco, a howler. Hermione bit her lower lip knowing she had to open it before Draco left. Slowly she picked it up and opened it, before a dreaded voice echoed through out the room, making Hermione grateful for soundproof walls.

" HERMIONE HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME? I CAME TO YOU BEGGING FOR FORGIVENESS, AND THEN YOU TELL HARRY YOU ARE OVER ME? YOUR NOT! I KNOW YOU AREN'T! HOW MANY TIMES MUST I APOLOGISE TO YOU, TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, HOW FOOLISH I WAS? ITS ONE THING TO SNOG MALFOY, ITS ANOTHER TO DENY YOUR LOVE FOR ME! LOOK… ALL I WANT IS ANOTHER CHANCE… PLEASE… MAYBE WE SHOULD START OVER AGAIN… AS FRIENDS… IF YOU WANT TO MEET ME AND HARRY AT THE LEAKY CAULDRON TONIGHT AT 7PM."

The echoing sound of Ron's voice died down to nothing. Silently Hermione and Draco watched as the letter tore itself up. Hermione's hands gripped the tabletop tightly; to the point her knuckled were white. Draco stood up and gave a little cough, startling Hermione.

"Weasel doesn't know when to back off eh?"

"That's really none of your business Malfoy," replied Hermione standing up as well even though she knew he had a point, "You have a marriage to organise and work on."

The blonde's eyes narrowed as his hand dropped from the door handle he was about to turn, "What do you mean by work on, Granger? You know nothing about Pansy and I!"

Hermione shook her head in disbelief, "I know from your small comments that you don't love Pansy, that you don't really want to marry her… what is you said? Oh yes, you are only marrying her so you're not lonely for the rest of your life. But you know what Malfoy? You will be lonely because she won't own your heart, she'll only fulfil your sexual and social needs. Nothing else."

"Well you obviously aren't so smart in the love department either Granger," snapped back Draco, "I know you will give the bloody Weasel another go. You never loved him to start with did you?"

"Don't go there!"

"It's the truth, you know it is. You are going to go back to him for the same reason I'm marrying Pansy – so you will have someone to grow old with and as you say, fulfil your sexual and social needs."

"I think you should leave Malfoy," said Hermione quietly looking him dead in the eye, "I will see you in three weeks, please bring Pansy with you."

"Enjoy tonight with the Weasel – and the rest of your life."

"Same for you and Pansy."

Draco grabbed the door handle and yanked the door open, slamming it behind him, causing Hermione to wince.

O

"Mum!" cried Hermione running over to her mother and hugging her tightly.

Both the Granger women swapped identical smiles before entering the restaurant and being directed to a spare table. After sitting down and ordering their lunch and coffees, they both smiled again.

"Wow, I like your hair," commented Hermione on her mother's new hair cut which caused her hair to curl slightly showing the shape of her face in a complimenting manner.

"Thanks, sweetie. So what has been happening in your life?"

Hermione sighed and began telling her everything from Harry and Ginny's wedding planning, to Ron and the drama there, Draco's entrance into her life, the engagement party, to today's argument and Draco accusing her of going to be taking Ron back.

Her mother nodded then frowned, peering at Hermione curiously, "Were you planning on taking Ron back?"

Hermione hesitated before answering truthfully, "I was in all honesty considering too… Malfoy seems to read my thoughts."

"Hermione you are 22 not 32. You have years before you need to find some man to make you happy; don't do what this Dragon man is doing by marrying some women he doesn't love. But in the end it is your choice and your life. No one can make your choices for you, but please choose wisely."

Hermione smiled a little as she nodded.

O

He glanced at his watch before grabbing his black cloak from the closet in the large hallway. Behind him he heard a cough, causing him to spin around. Her eyes narrowed dangerously at him as step by step she moved closer to him.

"Where are you going?" she asked coolly.

"Out," he replied simply throwing his cloak on.

"Where?"

"A pub."

She sighed and tapped her foot in annoyance, "Draco what about the family dinner?"

"Pansy we have a bloody family dinner every night."

"But my grandparents are coming over to meet you!"

"Send them my apologises. I'm enjoying my freedom while I have the chance."

With that he left with a crack unaware his mother heard every word. She shook her head with a sigh, wondering whether this marriage was a complete mistake.

O

"I'm glad you came."

Hermione smiled and walked past Ron towards where Harry sat waiting for her. He grinned at her and pointed to her seat between her and Ron. Reluctantly she sat down, while Ron slid onto his seat and smiled at her.

"So what has been happening Hermione?" asked Ron civilly, as though her asked her this question everyday.

"Work."

"I'll go get us some Butterbeer, like the old days," muttered Harry before heading off to the bar, nearly colliding with someone in a black cloak.

"Hermione can we please start over?" pleaded Ron grabbing one of her hands, "This is all I ask of you. Another chance."

"You ask me one thing Ron, but with it I have to forgive you," replied Hermione, not removing her hand from his.

"I know… but I swear on my life that I will make it up to you. I will love you, cherish you and never take you for granted like I did before."

Hermione sighed and looked down at her bare wedding finger. What was she to do?

O

Draco sipped on his drink watching as the Weasel stroked her hand lovingly, a longing, pleading look on his face. Hermione on the other hand looked to be having an inner battle as to what choice she should make. Would she forgive the Weasel and fall into a relationship where on one side no feelings were returned? Or would she wait for that single someone who could make her feel things both emotionally and physically no one else could?

'Than again,' thought Draco, 'why the hell do I care what Granger chooses?'

He took a long sip of his drink, nearly chocking on it as the one he thought of drew the Weasel in for a long kiss, pulling away smiling. But Draco knew. Her smile said one thing; her eyes on the other hand said another.

'And,' Draco noted looking at Harry whose face held a disappointed look, 'Potter knows it too.'

O

Hermione hugged Ron bye as she exited the Leaky Cauldron. As soon as the door shut behind her, she let out a deep sigh. She'd taken him back, forgiven him after months to staying strong and saying no. She knew it was the right thing to do… but deep down she knew her emotions were saying something completely different. But what did that matter? He loved her and she could learn to love him back, couldn't she?

"You took him back," drawled a voice into the night air behind her, "He pressured you to the point that you gave in."

Hermione spun around and watched a black-cloaked figure step out into the deserted muggle street. Her face changed to a cold look of annoyance as he lowered his hood revealing the blonde hair and grey eyes.

"You were spying on me?" snapped Hermione placing her hands on her hips.

"I won't deny it. I came to see whether you would do what I knew you would do… why did you do it?" replied Draco shrugging his shoulders.

Hermione's mouth opened to say something, but closed. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to apperate away home, but on the other hand she didn't want to. She wanted to stay and listen to what he had to say, which she found confusing and annoying all at once.

"Lost for words Granger? That's a first for you. I bet you did for the reason I stated earlier. You don't want to grow old alone. Oh and you are scared no one will want you, so you are taking the first person who will."

Hermione let out an annoyed scream, "I love Ron."

"Oh come on Granger, if you bloody loved him you would've taken him back the moment he wanted you back! Actually if you loved him, you would've actually full on fought to keep him before the break up. The reason he hurt you so much is because he made your fears more scary- you were scared he didn't want you for the rest of your life. You were scared you would grow old alone. You have only ever loved the Weasel as a brother and you always will."

"You, Draco Malfoy really are an arse and annoying!"

"I'm only annoying and an arse because you know I am speaking the truth."

"Then, seeing as you are in the mood for speaking the truth, why is my love life so interesting to you?"

Draco fell silent, lost for words.

"Lost for words Malfoy? The tables are turning tonight aren't they?" smirked Hermione, "So how about I state some truthful facts? Let me go over the things from today's argument. You are only marrying Pansy because you don't want to grow old alone, so you will have someone to fulfil your sexual needs. But I have just thought of another one – pleasing your father. You are also marrying little miss pug nose to please daddy dearest, right? She comes from a powerful pureblood family with lots of galleons in twenty vaults; you're a pureblood whose family is loaded with cash, what a perfect match! Now if you will excuse me I am going to go home and relax!"

Hermione spun around to walk away when Draco grabbed the hem of her shirt turning her back around. His face was full of annoyance, as was hers.

"It seems we both are making mistakes in the love department Granger," hissed Draco, "We both have reasons too, wouldn't you agree?"

"What, Malfoy, is the whole point in this?" hissed back Hermione pulling his hand off her shirt before looking him dead in the eye.

"Do you agree, Granger?"

"Yes, now can I leave?"

Before Draco said another word, he leaned forward and connected his lips with hers. Hermione was startled before shock washed over her. With all her strength she pushed him away from her, stating, "Malfoy I am not drunk or stupid enough to kiss you- again."

Glaring at him in the eye, Hermione apperated away, leaving a very stunned and confused Draco behind.

O

Draco woke the next morning without a headache, confirming his own suspicions. He'd kissed Hermione Granger without the influence of alcohol. Angrily he sat up and threw his pillow at the wall, knocking a picture to the ground of his graduation day at Hogwarts. He stood up from his bed and grabbed his shirt from his desk chair and threw it on before leaving the confines of his bedroom.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid thing to do!" he muttered running down a flight of stairs, ignoring Pansy who passed him going up the stairs, "Why the hell did I do that?"

The vivid image of her angry, blazing, seductive brown eyes, framed by her dark curling hair, as well as her lips pressed firmly together with anger, entered his mind unbiddingly. He hissed in anger as he entered the dining hall and took his normal seat beside his mother who looked at him suspiciously.

"Where, Draco, were you last night, till 2am?" snapped his mother, "Senior Mark Parkinson and his wife, in other words Pansy's grandparents were disappointed by you not being here."

"Mother, I am 22 years old. I think I can have a night out alone."

"You could have gone after the dinner!"

"Mum!" yelled Draco standing up, "I am only entering this marriage to please everyone, alright? BACK OFF!"

Draco threw his fork onto the table and stormed out of the dining hall, followed by his mother. He entered the library and slammed the door behind him, only to have it opened and shut behind, locked with Narcissa's personal door lock.

"What do you mean by pleasing everyone, Draco?" asked Narcissa coolly.

"Nothing," snapped Draco pacing across a 200-year-old mat, "I lost my cool."

"No you did not! Twice you have made negative comments about this marriage! What is going on Draco? I demand an answer, NOW!"

Draco sighed. He hated it when his mother did the whole demanding an answer thing. She knew how to twist the truth out of him.

"I have reasons for entering this marriage Mum and it isn't because I love Pansy. She annoys the hell out of me, even though she is my best friend."

"What are the reasons?"

"You know… Hermione Granger?"

"The wedding planner?"

Draco nodded, regretting everything he was saying.

"Are you having an affair with her?" demanded his mother, glaring at him.

"No! She's got a boyfriend! Besides, she's a mudblood. Look, she saw all the flaws in my engagement to Pansy… I don't love Pansy… I'm marrying her for many reasons… the list of them are: so I don't grow old alone, so I have someone to fulfil… my err… needs and to please father."

"Please your father? Draco what do you mean by that?"

"He married you both because he loves you and you're a pureblood, had you been muggleborn mother and he loved you, he wouldn't have been able to marry you. I don't love Pansy but I am marrying her because she is pureblood and rich."

Narcissa sighed and sat down, "I knew this marriage was a mistake."

Draco knelt down in front of his mother and grabbed her hand, "I will marry her Mum. I will make father happy and continue the pureblood line."

Narcissa sighed, "Oh Draco…"

Draco stood up and walked to a nearby window, while Narcissa stood up gathering her composure, "I think I need to go visit someone."

Draco spun around, "Not Granger, Mum. She didn't brainwash me."

"But she made you think of these things."

"It's the truth!"

"I know. I still need to talk to her."

And with that, Narcissa was gone.

A/N: Well then. What will Narcissa say to Hermione… that I have to work out yet… anyway thanks for the reviews everyone… and Vbspikergirl9, email me anytime!

Bye for now!

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