Disclaimer: I do not own any of JKR's characters or ideas.

Last Chapter –

"Whoah," Harry said, backing back defensively, "Keep away from me!" And with that, he disappeared, to possibly get away from Hermione.

He left behind a very red, pissed off looking young woman, who would probably have steam coming out of her ears if she ate a peppermint frog.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked hesitantly, never having seen Hermione before out of control.

"I need to find Cedric," Hermione said, disappearing into the crowd.

Chapter 7 – Hidden Feelings?

Draco watched her disappear into the crowd, looking for her 'true love.' His eyes narrowed, as a feeling of jealousy went through his body. However, he told himself that he was a natural red-blooded male, and all males felt jealousy when they felt that their 'property' was in danger.

He didn't actually think of Hermione as his 'property' but he definitely felt certain feelings of ownership and did feel that Hermione shouldn't be running off to Cedric instead, since they were going to be married in two weeks.

"Ungrateful wench," he muttered under his breath. "She doesn't know the honour of being my fiancé."

"No, she doesn't," said a voice behind him. "But I do."

He turned around to face a familiar face framed by dark brown hair. It was a pretty face, however in the middle of it was a pug-like nose.

"Hello Pansy," he greeted, "How are you?"

"Don't be so polite," she said, rolling her eyes. "Act normal, we are friends."

His eyebrow shot up, "We are?"

"I thought we were going to be engaged actually," she said, narrowing her eyes. "And then you had to run off with perfect Miss Granger."

"It wasn't my fault." He said, defending himself. "Father arranged it."

"But you accepted," she accused him, pointing it out. "When you knew that we were destined."

"Don't go all sappy on me," he snapped, "I'm not that type of person. We weren't 'destined'."

"Of course not," she agreed, "We were just meant to be."

"Oh, shut up." He snapped, "Don't patronise me. Let's act like civil adults."

"Ok," she said, "Where's Hermione? Wait," she feigned shock, "Is that her with Diggory?"

Draco followed her gaze. "Yes, it is."

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"Why aren't you with Malfoy?" Cedric asked, winking at her. "Since you two are in love."

"Very funny Cedric," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "You know perfectly well that this is an act of union, not an act of love."

Cedric shook his head, "You shouldn't be doing this if you don't want to."

Hermione shrugged, "What else am I supposed to do?" she snorted, "Marry my true love?"

"If you marry Malfoy, then you may never find your true love," Cedric said reasonably, "But onto more important matters. Guess what?" Cedric's face had suddenly lit up, and he almost looked like an innocent young boy again. Almost.

"What?" Hermione said suspiciously, "Please don't tell me that you've organised something like Harry did."

"Would I?" he asked innocently, "But no. I didn't. I met the love of my life instead."

Something in Hermione sunk. "Really?" she asked, "That's wonderful…"

Cedric didn't notice Hermione's sudden lose of enthusiasm. He was too wrapped up in his world. "Her names Cho Chang. She's absolutely beautiful. We met in Diagon Alley, walking into the Quidditch shop. Actually, I bumped into her." He laughed at his own clumsiness, "I sometimes wonder -," he paused, looking at Hermione. "Earth to Hermione…"

She looked up at him, "What?"

"You zonked out on me," He said, raising his eyebrows. "Are you ok?"

Hermione laughed nervously, "Of course I'm ok. Why?"

Cedric gave her a confused look, "Because you zonked out on me," he repeated.

"Oh, I'm fine," she said, grinning at him. "I'll be right back."

Hermione walked over to the bar. "Give me a firewhisky and make it strong."

"I'll have some water thanks," Amanda said walking up, "Harry is so nice!" she squealed, "He's exactly like I'd thought he'd be."

"That's wonderful Mandy," Hermione said, honestly happy for her friend. "Cedric has a girlfriend."

Amanda's face fell, "What? I thought you were over him?"

"Apparently not," Hermione said dully, sculling her Firewhisky and shaking her head and blinking a few times. "Can I have another please?"

"Careful Hermione," Amanda scolded, "You don't want to be drunk on your engagement party."

"I doubt anyone would notice," Hermione said bitterly. "Malfoys over there chatting up Parkinson."

"I thought you didn't like Malfoy?" Amanda blinked, "I'm confused! Who do you like?"

"Not Malfoy!" snapped Hermione, "But who's Cho Chang?"

Amanda's eyes widened, "Oh I know her. I used to work with her at the Prophet. I think she covers the sports, mainly, in fact just quidditch."

"Great," Hermione said, "Cedric loves that game and I have no idea how to get on a broom!" She thanked the barman for the Firewhisky and drank her second one in a row.

Amanda frowned and grabbed the glass out of Hermione's hand. She looked at the barman and nodded towards Hermione. "Don't let her have another alcoholic drink, or else you'll have me to listen to." She grabbed Hermione and led her to a corner. "Hun, hate to break it to ya but this is your engagement party to Draco. Do you hear me? D – R – A – C – O. That spells -"

"I'm not stupid," Hermione snapped, "It spells Draco and I know we're getting married. But who hasn't heard of an affair."

Amanda gasped, "You're joking right? I think that Firewhisky has gotten into your brain. You never were a big drinker anyway."

Hermione sighed, "Yes, I'm joking but it's still good to dream isn't it?"

Amanda shook her, "Cedric is taken! You're taken! You're all taken! No more dreams! The only thing you have to worry about is your upcoming wedding."

"My wedding?" Hermione groaned, "Don't remind me." Amanda's eyes widened, telling Hermione with her eyes to be quiet, but Hermione didn't take the hint. "Why do I have to be married to him? He's an arrogant, conceited prick who only cares about money and being an alpha male. I mean who gave him the right to control women? We have our own brains as well!"

"I wouldn't have guessed, listening to the way you ramble on," snorted Draco, coming behind her. "The only reason I'm not insulted is because of your strong breath."

"Are you saying I smell?" Hermione asked, her mouth dropping open. "Have you had a shower recently?"

"I had one before I came to our engagement party." Draco snapped, "We're supposed to meet a few people." He paused and smirked, "By the way, I noticed the way you blew Diggory off. A lover's quarrel?"

"We're not lovers!" Hermione snapped, but muttered under her breath, "Even if we were, he'd be a better lover than you."

"What was that?" Draco asked threateningly, his voice deadly quiet. "What did you say."

"I think I see Harry," Amanda said loudly, "Goodbye lovebirds."

"Love birds?" spat Hermione, "I think you mean hate birds."

"I don't see why you should hate me," Draco said, narrowing his eyes at her. "I should be the one hating you and you should be begging me to love you."

Hermione laughed, unable to contain herself. Finally breathing to speak, "You're joking right? And this is why I don't like conceited assholes."

"Are you saying I'm one?" Draco snapped at her. "At least I'm not in love with someone else."

Hermione's laughter died down, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Draco said menacingly, "You think it does a great deal to my pride to know you're in love with Diggory, when I'm the one marrying you?"

"I don't know what you talking about," Hermione said defiantly, "And if you don't mind, I'm going to find some pleasant company."

"Don't you dare walk away," Draco said, grabbing her arm. "I'm not done with you."

"Yes, but I'm done with you." Hermione said, wrenching her arm out of his grip and stomping off to Harry and Amanda.

Pansy walked over to Draco and laced her arm in his. "Is it too late to call off your wedding?"

"No," Draco said, narrowing his eyes at her. "But I'm not going to call it off."

"Why is that?" Pansy said, "You could have me."

"That's exactly why I'm not going to call it off. I'd choose Hermione over you."

Pansy gasped, her eyes wide. "But at least I don't hate you."

"At least she isn't a pug-faced slut, throwing herself at every man." Draco sneered at her, but then instantly regretting it. "Wait, Pansy, I didn't mean that."

She sniffed, glaring at him. "But you're right. Of course you're right. I am a pug-faced slut aren't I?" She walked off, into the bathroom.

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Hermione walked over to Harry and Amanda, "Draco is a git."

Amanda grinned, "But a hot git. I don't see the problem Hermione. You don't have to love each other. You'll just get married and have children. You won't even need to get along in the household. Just put on a show for outside. You could even have affairs," she grinned at Harry, both of them laughing to themselves.

"Very funny," Hermione snapped, grabbing a firewhisky off a passing tray.

Amanda shook her head, "No you don't." She grabbed her wand. "Perishio" and just like that, the firewhisky disappeared.

Hermione glared at her best friend, "You are impossible to like!" But then sighed, "I don't want a marriage like that, I want to fall in love and do you know what you have to do to have children?"

"Send an owl to the stork?" Harry offered, his green eyes twinkling with amusement.

Hermione turned her attention to him, "You may be a soon-to-be-great quidditch player, but you sure are dumb."

"There is no way I'm going to be doing … that … with Malfoy," Hermione said, scrunching her nose. "That is just disgusting."

"Hermione, whether you like it or not, you're going to have to do it. You know that your parents and his will want heirs." Amanda said nonchalantly, "It's just going to have to be something that you will, in future, have to consider."

"Thanks for being so supportive," Hermione said, sulking. "You're supposed to be comforting me."

Amanda let go of Harry's arm and gave Hermione a hug, "I'm helping you see what's black and white to everyone but you." She paused, "And maybe Draco."

Harry laughed, "Hey look, Draco's having a fight with Parkinson."

Hermione turned and saw him snapping something at Pansy, who then ran into the bathroom. She snickered unsympathetically, "Poor girl."

"Be nice," Amanda smirked, giving Hermione a playful hit. "Your mum and dad are coming."

Hermione straightened herself, and forced a grin on her face. "Father, mother" she greeted, "I haven't seen you all night."

"No we haven't Hermione dear," Victoria said, "And you haven't spent a great deal of time with Draco either."

Richard glared at her, "How do you think that looks to our guests? It doesn't look like the beginning of a wonderful marriage."

"Richard," Victoria said reprovingly, while Hermione bit her lip to prevent herself from retorting.

"Well it's true," Richard said, gesturing towards Lucius. "Lucius and I have been discussing that you and Draco need to be civil if not more. How else is this marriage going to work?"

Hermione's eyes watered, "You don't care about Draco and I. You and Lucius only care about your stupid businesses. Reality check dad, you're meddling with our lives!"

Richard's jaw tightened, "Watch what you say Hermione, and do I need to remind you that Draco and you both agreed to this."

"There's no need to remind me," Hermione snapped, "I think about that agreement every passing second." She stalked off, without looking back.

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Draco ran into the girls restrooms, ignoring the stares from older women who were pointing and whispering at him.

"Pansy," he said, walking into the toilets, banging on one of the doors. "Open up!"

He heard the toilet flush and was about to barge in, and saw a woman come out, in her mid 40s. "Certainly," she winked at him, throwing him a flirtatious smile.

Draco's eyes widened in shock, "Excuse me ma'am." He blushed, and left the toilets. "Dammit, where did she go." He muttered to himself.

"Talking to yourself again Malfoy?" He turned around to see Hermione, who had evidence of dried tears on her face, and a faint smirk on her face.

"Are you crying Granger?" he mocked back at her, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she snapped, "Why? Does there look like something is wrong?"

"What is wrong with you to -"

"At least I'm not going around breaking girls hearts," Hermione said, glaring at him.

"You leave Pansy out of this," Draco said, "That has nothing to do with you." He walked off, trying to find Pansy.

"Yeah, go find your little girlfriend," Hermione said bitterly, feeling her throat constrict. Wait, was she actually jealous? "No way," Hermione said firmly, "No way." Now look who's talking to themself. "Shut up."

Ok, yes it's been a VERY long wait, but I've been so busy! I've started this chapter and not finished it, and I'm not actually happy with it. I tried to hint in a few things.

Since I haven't updated in a little while, I sort of lost the plot a little, so if you notice any mistakes with names, personalities (though some characters are in moody phases) or information – give me a quick comment in your review!

Thanks

softlove xox