A/N- Hello again :) So who's excited for the 4th movie? I know I am. (Random, I know)

I actually don't have a lot to say today. I just want to thank you guys again for the feedback. Everyone seems to be enjoying this, which is fantastic. And your reviews really encourage and make me feel good about my writing, so I appreciate it greatly. I seriously can't tell you enough… Also- someone mentioned that in ch2 that draco just said that the mark 'disappeared' after Voldemort fell. You're absolutely right, I didn't really elaborate on it then so I'm sorry. But it is a little sub-plot thing I thought of so there's more to it. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

So, this chapter's fight is intense. (like the other ones aren't…sarcasm) Oh Boy. I think the first signs of non-hatred are going to be shown after this…of course after a long period of the silent treatment. You'll see…

Thank you g and happy birthday to Laura:)

Ch-7:…regaining composure, he snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her closely up against his side. He was surprised when she put her arm around his back too and started to smile. He looked down at her and she up at him, and he winked. Quickly she stood up on her toes and whispered to him,

"Careful what you say in front of them because I know Skeeter is hiding in there somewhere. And she'll manipulate your words."

He kissed her quickly as a sign that he understood, and smirked as they walked forward towards the crowd of reporters and photographers anxiously waiting to speak to them.

Chapter 8- Interviews in Hogsmeade

It was easier than she had thought it would be. She assumed she would have stayed quiet the whole time, her nervousness speaking for her. But for once in her life, she was wrong. She would never admit it aloud, but in the confines of her own mind knew the truth- lying to all those people came like second nature to her; it was almost fun. She felt as if she was playing a role...and technically she was- the role of Mrs. Malfoy. As soon as he had kissed her, the mask went up and Malfoy's wife did the talking.

"Mr. Malfoy! Mr. Malfoy! Mrs. Malfoy!"

"Please, please, gentlemen. One at a time." Draco smirked on the street of Hogsmeade. He was holding his wife around the waist; facing a crowd of around 10 to 15 men who were eagerly holding their quills and notepads, and some had magical cameras. Not only were Draco and Hermione getting attention from the people in front of them, but there were also some turned heads from the pedestrians…few even bold enough to stick around and listen.

It was obvious Draco was loving this. All the attention was in his favor…

"Mr. Malfoy! Is it true you got married?" A young, lanky man who looked as if he couldn't be any older than they were. Of course, Draco being the inconsiderate prat that he was didn't even grace the guy with an answer. He held up Hermione's left hand and pointed to the ring as if to say "Duh."

Hermione snatched her hand away (gracefully) before Draco could confirm everyone's assumptions of him being an asshole. She knew it, but that didn't mean the world had to.

"Yes, we did." Hermione smiled warmly towards the guy.

"Mr. Malfoy! Are you disappointed you'll have to give up your 'bachelor' status in witch weekly?" A petite blonde squeezed her way through the crowd.

Draco smirked suavely at her, "Not at all. The marriage life is much friendlier…and now I can have the Best Looking 'Husband' status."

The crowd laughed routinely. Hermione was this close in rolling her eyes.

"What made you change sides, sir?"

"Well I was never really committed to a side. I had no feelings towards either cause, but my wife here made me see the light. I did it all for her." He said with an air of innocence and kissed her forehead lightly. A faint chorus of "awww…" could be heard from behind them…no doubt coming from the pack of female students (whose number seemed to increase significantly in the past minute).

It was ridiculous. Draco Malfoy and the word innocence were like two magnets being pushed together with the same ends. One repelled the other.

And when had the students…hell when had anyone ever known Draco MALFOY for saying things like "I did it all for her…" and "made me see the light…"? It was all so unrealistic.

"So you did not have anything to do with the dark side?" another asked. Everyone silenced, and stood with baited breath. Draco took a pause for 'dramatic effect' and answered ever so simply,

"No I did not."

And there it was. His statement.

Funny how four small words could change everyone's opinions so quickly.

Seriously though, did anyone honestly expect him to say anything else? Because responding "Why yes, as a matter of fact, I was a part of Voldemort's elite followers," wasn't a free ride to Azkaban for sure.

"So why then, Mr. Malfoy, are you scheduled to appear in trial before the Wizengamot?"

Hermione saw her appear ever so slowly. The blond hair… the same quill and pad…and that hideous purse. Rita fucking Skeeter.

"Excuse me Rita, but don't you think it's a little bold to be making that kind of statement?" said Hermione, ready to pounce.

"There is no shame in such a question if he is innocent."

"You are right Ms. Skeeter. I am going to trial, but only to restore my and my family's name. I am not, nor was I ever, a part of You- Know- Who's followers. And I am going to the trial to clear that up so I can get on with my life."

"Why did they accuse you in the first place?" another heavy man asked.

As if it wasn't obvious. Because he was one!

"Well, coming from such a background as I, people might raise questions."

"Are you saying your family has a history of Dark Wizards?" Skeeter asked.

"No. But seeing how my family has a long line of pureblooded wizards, people may assume that we agree with You-Know-Who's prejudices against muggle-borns. Clearly, I do not." He smirked.

"Is Dumbledore on your side?"

"Yes."

"What about our hero?" another reporter asked.

"Potter and I have looked over our past disputes."

Pshh…yeah okay.

"Are you pleased with your husband's new attitude towards your best friend, Miss?"

"Very much so. Though it isn't new…we're all adults now and let the past be the past."

"So are you saying your husband gets along with Mr. Potter solely because you told him to behave?" Rita popped back in.

"No, they did that all on their own." Hermione snapped.

"But, why then, did you-"

"Next question?" Draco cut her off. Rita pursed her lips together but continued to listen.

"When was the marriage? No one heard about it."

"It was a very small, very quiet wedding. It was perfect." She smiled.

"Were you trying to hide it?" Rita asked.

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but Draco sensing her tension beat her to it. Talking very smoothly, he replied, "No. It was not a secret, obviously, but a smaller wedding was what we wanted… more intimate."

"How did your Father react?"

"That's a bit irrelevant, is it not?" he asked back, still calm.

"Pardon me, sir. How did your peers react?"

"Stunned, I'm sure. Hermione and I weren't the most conceivable couple. But I'm sure it was a pleasant surprise to all."

"Oh yes. Yes it was." The man smiled.

Flashes randomly kept going off; Hermione remembered to keep smiling, despite her thoughts of strangling Rita. But if she did that, Hermione would bet anything that after Rita recovered, she'd write some nonsense like 'Mrs. Malfoy's pent up aggression from unhappy marriage taken out on lowly witch'.

"Are you happy with your decision Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Blissfully. I couldn't have picked a better husband." She finished sweetly, grinning from ear to ear, praying they could leave soon so she could let the laughter fall freely.

"Mr. Malfoy-"

"I think that's enough for today."

Shouts of protest could be heard from the reporters while the photographers made sure they got as many final shots in as they could. The two thanked the crowd and squeezed their way out. The people started walking away as well; some smiled at the couple, few just left. Hermione walked pass a group of 13 year old girls, one smiling dreamily, "Merlin, if I only had half of what she has I'd be satisfied."

As the girls giggled in agreement, Hermione scoffed to herself, "If you only knew the half of it…"

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Hermione opened her eyes groggily; waking up to the sound of Draco's deep voiced laughter in the kitchen. Sighing, frustrated that she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep, she threw on a robe and slippers over her flannel pants and jumper, and walked down the stairs.

"Ah, this is priceless." He breathed.

"What is?"

Draco looked up as if he had just noticed her, sneered at her appearance, and then looked back down at his reading, "You look even more horrible in the mornings."

"You really know how to complement a girl, Malfoy." She responded, shaking her head. When he didn't answer, she added, "What are you doing?"

Draco was sitting on a stool against the marble kitchen counter with papers covering every corner. He had a copy of The Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, The Quibbler, a Bailey's Brooms Quidditchmagazine, and some other one with a few cauldrons on the cover.

"Your favorite pastime." He said looking over The Quibbler

"How did you get all these?" she walked over to him.

"Owls. They're all the papers that came out today. Each thing has at least one article from yesterday, all written pretty much the same way. Except the Witch Weekly is a little different, and if I might say, highly flattering." He said with a look of pure accomplishment.

"These people don't wait around, do they?" she responded, hardly interested. She decided she felt completely disgusted with herself from yesterday. Sure, one would say she didn't really do anything wrong: lied a little, went along with this feigned story...But that was exactly why she felt so guilty. So, ignoring the papers, she trudged over to the other side of the counter to the refrigerator and poured some orange juice.

"Apparently not. But I'm not complaining."

"I'm sure."

"Listen to this, 'Mr. Draco Malfoy, heir to the prestigious Malfoy name and fortune, claimed he had nothing to do with You-Know-Who's cause. With the support of Headmaster Dumbledore and Mr. Harry Potter--'"

"About that Malfoy, I don't think Harry will be too pleased that you involved him."

"I didn't. The bloody oaf who asked the question did. If Potter has a problem with it, too bad. He'll live…. 'Malfoy changed life to be happily married to Harry Potter's muggle-born best friend…'"

"I love how they always remember to add in the muggle-born comment." She said dryly.

"It's the best part." He smirked.

"Let me see the Prophet."

"Want to see your dirty work?"

"No. There are plenty of other important stories in there that I might need to know about."

He rolled his eyes and threw it in front of her. It hit her glass, making it crash to the floor to create a messy spill.

"Malfoy!"

"What?" He looked up from his Quidditch magazine and saw the mess. Thinking nothing of it, he went back to the book.

"Ugh! You are ridiculous!"

"Don't you get tired of yelling all the time? I would think you would've lost your voice by now, but one can only dream…"

"I wouldn't have anything to yell about if you cleaned up the messes you make." She snapped, getting off her stool to get the garbage can.

"Reparo. Scourgify."

The juice was gone and the glass flew back together as if someone hit the rewind button. Hermione huffed and plopped back down, resting her head on the counter in her folded arms.

"Think how much longer that would have taken if you did that yourself without a wand…I rest my case."

"Let it go, Malfoy." She moaned in her arms, knowing he was still referring to yesterday's argument.

"'Draco Malfoy breaks family barriers to marry the love of his life…'."

"You really laid it on thick, didn't you?"

"Of course I did. So did you, Granger. You're a filthy liar too." Draco said, not meanly, but more amusingly, as if it was funny how they were pulling it off.

She didn't find it very funny at all. She was suffering here alone! How did this guy not have a guilty conscience after lying to the whole wizarding world? Ugh, where was a human when you needed one? She had to talk to Ginny later.

Defeated, she sat back up and started flipping through the Prophet.

Wait a second.

Her hands slapped the pages back vigorously as she could've sworn she saw her name.

And there it was,

To marry for love or alliances?

by Rita Skeeter

"What?"

"What?" Draco asked a little more attentively.

"'In an interview with newlyweds Draco Malfoy and Hermione Malfoy, (formerly known as Granger) the couple briefly talked about their marriage and upcoming trails. Mr. Malfoy is currently scheduled to appear before the Wizengamot to plead against claims of him being involved with the Dark side. But the problems don't end there. Mrs. Malfoy mentioned her husband being supported by both her Headmaster and her best friend, Harry Potter. But the two males have a history of previous animosity towards each other, so how is it dropped so soon? Did it end at all? To some it may seem that Mr. Malfoy's quick switch to make friends with his enemies (and marry one too) is a little suspicious…'"

"What a bitch." He said crossly, going back to his brooms.

"I knew she would twist our words around. She did the same thing years ago. What a horrid woman!" Hermione threw down the paper.

"No one reads her shit anyways," said Draco now in a bad mood.

"Draco, it's in the Prophet. Someone's bound to notice it," she reasoned.

"And I though I was the pessimist here."

"I'm only being practical."

"It's fine. We just have a few more episodes of yesterday, and look like there is nothing wrong from the outside, got it?"

"And maybe you should be mean to Harry."

"I'm sorry, I must have missed the point when I started being nice to him."

"I just mean since Skeeter wrote that you're just 'friends' with him to get on his good side, maybe you should act normal with him."

"So then they'll think we hate each other. That doesn't work either."

"We can't win."

"Whatever. That's not important. It's getting publicity and that's all that matters."

"Even negative publicity?"

"Granger stop worrying. Look, only some people will read her article. And even if they did, it wouldn't hurt us. Firstly because no one listens to her anymore after all the things she was wrong about with Potter, which resulted in her not being very popular…and the people that have half a mind to pay attention to what she's saying, probably live on the streets and can't tell anyone. And if they're married, they'll voice their suspicions to their wives who will tell them to shove it because they think I'm perfect. "

Hermione laughed. Hard.

"Keep it up, Granger." He warned, and continued to read.

She calmed down after a few seconds, and decided not to say anything.

There was a loud knock at the portrait.

"Saved by the knock."

Draco looked up at her, and raised an eyebrow for inquiry.

"It's just a saying…it's nothing."

"Saved by the knock? Do muggles even speak English?"

Hermione grabbed one of her hair chopsticks off of the coffee table, and twirled it into her hair until it was tight, and then pushed it out the other end. Tucking the stray pieces of hair behind her ears, she opened the portrait hole.

"Granger. I don't think we've met." Blaise Zabini said, leaning on the wall with his arms folded, reminding her a lot of Draco.

Great, just what she needed.

"You're in both my Charms and Care of Magical Creature class." She responded, tying her robe tighter.

"Ouch. You sure know how to turn down a greeting."

Hermione looked down at the floor impatiently, then came back up, "Would you like me to get Draco?"

"We still haven't formerly acquainted." He smiled smoothly.

"Hermione Granger." She stuck out her hand.

"I thought it was Malfoy?" he asked, knowingly. Obviously he just liked playing with her. Stupid prick.

"Temporarily."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm Blaise Zabini."

"Nice to meet you, again."

"Pleasures all mine."

"Draco's in the kitchen." She said, then stepped aside to allow him in.

"Thanks."

"Nice place, mate. It's roomy." Blaise called walking over to Draco. Hermione shut the portrait and turned to see Blaise sitting in her seat. Instead of making him move, she walked pass them and into the bathroom, leaving the door open.

"What are you doing here so early?"

"Visiting you of course!"

"You were that bored?" Draco smirked.

"Out of my mind." He gave in. "It's painful without you in there Draco. I can't keep all those people in order alone."

"Don't you just love living my life?"

"I didn't know it was that difficult. I decided I hate people."

"Join the club, we have buttons." He joked.

Blaise looked at him and asked quietly, "Seriously?"

Draco put his magazine down; giving Blaise a look that told him that was the stupidest thing he had ever said, "No."

"Hey you never know. So I saw the Prophet. 4 different articles? Claps for you."

"I know. It's great."

"Granger didn't butcher it up too bad I see."

"Interesting, isn't it?" he looked at his friend, both thinking the same thing.

"Malfoy before you start talking about me, you might want to make sure I'm not here." Hermione appeared in the bathroom doorway with a brush in hand.

"Shut up Granger. We barely mentioned your name. You don't have to worry about me talking about you. I'd say it to your face."

"Good to know. I hope you use the same concept for everyone in school because I'm sure they'd love to say some things back to you."

"They wouldn't dare Granger. You on the other hand, I'm not so sure of. People may notice too many of your flaws and start to voice their complaints."

"You're a pig."

"Like how when you've run out of things to say, you result to name calling."

"I haven't run out of things to say, Malfoy, it's just that my words don't seem to get through to you, so why waste my breath?"

"You're actually right. Why should you waste your breath fighting with me when you could be using you energy towards more valuable things like kissing Dumbledore's arse all day?"

"Hey guys--" Blaise tried to interrupt.

"Anything's better than staying with you."

"Ohhh, so you do kiss ass to get your way through school? I knew a muggle-born couldn't be that smart… So tell me, what do you do? Shag them? Never mind actually working for any of it—"

"Work! You want to talk to me about work? I've had to work ever since I got here! And I've always had the disadvantage because I'm a minority and people like YOU never seem to let me forget it. But what about you? You've never worked a day in your life! You talk about me kissing ass--"

"Did she just curse?" Blaise asked quietly, but Draco wasn't listening to him. His eyes were burning into Hermione's.

"—but look at you! Did you not pay your way onto the Quidditch team in 2nd year? And what about you and Professor Snape? You and I both know you wouldn't be anywhere without your wand and your precious father's fortune. Look at your best friend. He's rich, but he probably has the brains at least to invest his money instead of just sitting on it." she yelled and turned to slam the bathroom door.

"Fuck you, Granger." He spat, loud enough for her to hear it. Draco threw down his magazine and accio'd his robe.

"Well. That was entertaining." Blaise joked awkwardly, clearly not expecting that.

"Let's go." Draco said quietly, and they walked out of the portrait hole.