CHAPTER THREE

a/n: thanks for reviewing everyone (a whole eight…) I know that this has gone quite fast and I'll try and slow it down and make the relationship develop slowly. I know what you're going to say, they are already married, but I will try and slow it down a notch. Also there is a plot, however because this story is a romance story, the plot is linked to that. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: look at that…I didn't forget it this chapter either…I own nothing you recognise.

"Hey Drakie!" Shit, Pansy. She has eyes like a hawk and will see my ring in about two seconds. Pretend you don't see her. Look there's a spot between Blaise and Theo…excellent crisis averted.

"Hey Drake, what up? Why don't you come and sit with me?"

"Uh, no I need to talk to Blaise, you know, guy stuff."

"Fine I'll just sit over here shall I?" Pansy ducked around the table and sat across from the boys, next to Millicent Bullstrode.

"Blaise, what am I going to do, Pansy doesn't know about Granger yet and Dumbledore is going to announce it in his speech. She is going to kill me."

"Yeah, she is," Blaise answered unsympathetically, "well, have fun."

"Draaa-aaco," Pansy began, however she was cut off almost instantaneously, by Dumbledore beginning his speech.

"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I trust you are all well. Without further ado, let the sorting begin." This was Draco's cue to tune out completely and clap whenever anyone around him did. The sorting was only interesting if you knew someone who was here, and Draco didn't.

Hermione was having her own problems at the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron had saved her a seat; however they were still basically ignoring her. Save for a couple of grunts, which Hermione took as them saying 'Hi', they had both remained silent. Ginny was trying fruitlessly to start a conversation, however it was extremely strained and tense, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Dumbledore stood up to talk. The sorting went by in a daze, Hermione was worrying, and Harry, Ron and Ginny were obsessing about this new relationship with Malfoy.

After Wenban, Briar became a Ravenclaw, Dumbledore stood again to talk.

"I realise you are all hungry so I will save my speech for after the feast. All I have to say is Enjoy!"

At this, the plates on the table filled with food and the students eagerly filled their plates. Hermione grew increasingly aware of the numerous glances towards her, usually they would be directed at Harry, but this time she was sure it was because of Draco. There had been plenty of people to see them. The prefects, the Ravenclaw girls who actually knew they were married. Before the end of the feast, at least half the school would know something was going on.

However at the Slytherin table, it was a different story. No one was daring to stare at Draco. It was probably something to do with the constant glare on his face, or the way his wand was placed oh-so-casually next to his right hand. Pansy chattered mindlessly about nothing in particular, oblivious to the fact that Draco wasn't taking in any of what she was saying.

As the food vanished from the plates, Dumbledore stood for a third time to make his actual speech.

"I trust you have all eaten your fill. Firstly, I would like to introduce to you, this year's Head Boy and Head Girl. Would Mr Draco Malfoy and Ms Hermione Granger please come out the front." The school clapped at they both made their way to the front of the hall.

"Incidentally," continued Dumbledore, "additional congratulations are in order, as Mr Malfoy and Ms Granger were recently married over the summer.

T o t a l S i l e n c e. Then…

THUMP. That was Pansy passing out and crashing her head into the table.

Pansy's loss of consciousness broke the spell that was holding the great hall in silence and people all over the hall began talking, some confused, some angry, some laughing as though it was a joke. Draco smiled, slipped his arm around Hermione's waist and whispered to her "Smile Granger, we're happy to be married…remember?"

Hermione forced a smile on her face, while searching for Harry and Ron's faces in the crowd. Both looked as though they were trying to keep from exploding. Ginny stroked Harry's arm, and tried to calm him down from the looks of things. I'll have to thank her later she has been such an angel, Hermione thought. Dumbledore began to speak over the crowd, "Let's all give a toast, to the happy couple, Hermione and Draco." The students raised their glasses "To Hermione and Draco" before some 'bright spark' began to tinkle his goblet with a fork. Before long, a majority of the hall had joined in.

Holy Crap, I have to kiss Malfoy in front of everyone. Please tell me that in the wizarding world tinkling your fork to newlyweds just means good luck. Hermione turned to glance at Draco, and saw him leaning in for a kiss. She turned in his arm and kept a wince from her face as he slid his other arm around her waist and their lips met. Thank god we're in front of the school and all the teachers, a short kiss is the only kind acceptable, Hermione thought, and Draco had to agree (without actually knowing that he was) that tongue in front of the teachers and first years was a little weird.

Pansy woke up just in time to see the two kissing out the front of the hall, whereupon she fainted again, this time sliding all the way off her bench, onto the floor.

Hermione and Draco made their way back to their tables. People turned to stare at them all the way down the great hall to their respective tables and the incredulous looks kept on coming. A majority of the students had simply gone along with the glass tinkling to see if they actually would kiss. It seemed as though Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger were in fact married. Who would have thought?

Back at the Gryffindor table, Hermione sat down with her friends again, hoping that the scene out the front hadn't made them much worse. She gave a questioning glace at Ginny who was still talking quietly to Harry, who shook her head in reply. OK staying away from Harry then.

"So, Ron, how was your summer?" Hermione asked in a falsely cheery voice.

"It was OK I suppose but obviously not as exciting as yours…" Ron's voice was accusing.

"Look, I'm really sorry that I didn't tell you earlier, but I knew how you were going to react, and I thought you would probably try and stop the wedding, when that wasn't what I wanted at all. He really has changed Ron, and I really l-love him."

"I'm going to try and not be a total dick about this Hermione. You're my friend and I don't want to lose that friendship. I guess if you really do love Malfoy then, I'll make an effort. But I don't want to see you get hurt and if he does anything to hurt you, I'll set Ginny on him."

"Wow, thanks Ron, my manly protector."

"Seriously. She's much scarier than me. But seriously seriously, you're like a sister to me and I do trust your judgement, if you say that he's changed, then he's changed."

Hermione actually had tears in her eyes at Ron's speech. He had matured a hell of a lot, and the days when he was insensitive just because he was so dense about a situation were long gone. However it looked as though Harry wasn't going to be so accepting. He was whispering fiercely to Ginny who looked as though she was trying not to yell at him. I think I'll speak to Harry in the morning. Ah, my husband calls.

Draco was signalling from the Slytherin table for Hermione to go and join him. She gave Ron a short hug, waved to Ginny, and headed over to him.

"Hey what's up?"

"Dumbledore is about to show us our quarters."

"Ok fine, let's go." Hermione actually initiated the hand holding this time, she had realised that she would have to deal with the fact that all year, she was going to be a couple with Draco Malfoy. As they made their way to the exit of the great hall where Dumbledore was waiting, Hermione noticed that Draco was limping slightly.

"Hey Draco, what happened to your leg?"

"Um, when Pansy regained consciousness she stabbed me with a fork."

Hermione actually had to stop walking she was laughing so hard. The image of Pansy sitting underneath the dinner table taking her revenge by stabbing someone in the leg with a fork was hilarious.

"Well I must say it's good to see you two laughing together," commented Dumbledore, who had conveniently failed to notice that although Hermione was laughing, Draco just looked pissed off.

"Follow me please." He led them through the corridors to a large painting of a girl in a Pride and Prejudice style dress, working at an embroidery hoop.

"Your quarters are found behind this painting. This is Daine. The password is Pirum." At this the painting swung forward and Dumbledore left without another word. Eager to see inside their 'apartment' Draco and Hermione hurried through the doorway, pulling the painting closed behind them.

"Oh my god this place is gorgeous. I love the colours!" The doorway opened onto a living room which was decorated in a pale shade of oyster, accented by pastel blues and purples. There was a small kitchenette, a huge bathroom, a cute study and a bedroom with one bed.

"Oh fuck," they both said simultaneously upon seeing the bed.

a/n: hey I know this chapter was short, but it seemed like a good place to stop. Please review!