The Other side to Him.
A/N this is just one I couldn't get out of my head, complete for now unless there is interest for more chapters, Please read and Review.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. this is written for fun.
enjoy
December 23rd 2001
She stood on the sand the waves washing against her feet as she watched the sun setting on the horizon the ocean breeze shooting against her skin. This time tomorrow she would be wed, for all intense and purposes she should be happy as she stood on the Caribbean island but she wasn't…so many things were not as she had dreamed. Her parents gone, her friends away on missions and the man she was to marry wasn't the man she would have chosen for herself.
The marriage law as concept made sense, have eligible young adults matched, married and bringing the next generation. In reality, it was heart-breaking.
In some cases the algorithm matched people perfectly, Luna & Neville, Harry & Ginny hell even Ron & Katie Bell made perfect couples were love already existed or where the couples had so much in common that love could grow…but her match…
True he was smart and they could have an intellectual conversation, he was still studying to become a healer and she was still studying to become a potions mistress, skills that would work well together. However, he was a spoilt, self-centred rich brat…
She closed her eyes tears escaping as the events of the last month flashed through her mind.
November 1st 2001
She was in a second year at wizarding college studying advance Potions when the news was announced. She wouldn't lie she knew it was coming, Harry had told her about the rumours, she just thought she would have a little longer.
Classes were cancelled that day as the students come to term with the law and how it would affect them.
The following week the letters started arriving. Hermione had received hers on November thirteenth, the owl dropping the letter on top of the thesis she was writing. She truly wished that she hadn't opened it, but she did…
Miss H Granger
Gryffindor Dorms
Room seven
Dear Miss Granger,
Further to the new law, we are writing to inform you that your match has been made.
Hermione Jean Granger 19/09/79
And
Draco Lucious Malfoy 05/06/80
…
She didn't read anymore…she couldn't her eyes were stuck on the name of her future husband. This couldn't be happening, this must be a mistake…
December 23rd 2001
The tears were falling freely now, she couldn't hold them back.
"Miss Granger" she heard the voice from the villa's back door,
"I'll be there in a second" she called back only just about able to hold back a sob, she's had enough of the insufferable woman that was to be her mother-in-law and her obsessive wedding planning.
Sure that in any other circumstance she could actually see herself and Narcissa Malfoy getting along but right at this moment in time, she was suffocating her…
Hermione and Draco had been more than happy to sign the documents back in London and get on with whatever their futures brought them, however, Narcissa Malfoy insisted that any Malfoy wedding would be a celebration, even if the bride and groom had, up to the point they were forced together, been the furthest thing from friends.
"Hermione" she heard his voce this time, she just stared out at the sunset, "I'm sorry about mother…" he said this time from beside her, "She just wants to make the best of this insane situation," he whispered,
"I know," she said, "But she has to understand…this is hard for me, I was supposed to be planning this with my mum," she said wrapping her arms around herself, "My dad was supposed to walk me down the aisle"
"I'm sorry. I'll ask her to back of a bit" he said watching the sunset,
"I appreciate that" she whispered wiping at her eyes,
"Come on in, the food has arrived, let's eat before it gets cold," he said, although he didn't move right away, just watching her,
"Ok" she finally sighed and followed him up the beach back to the villa.
"Ah, Miss Granger I have something for you to try on," Narcissa said as she re-entered the villa,
"Mother please, can we eat first, there is plenty of time for that stuff," Draco said,
"It's the very last thing Draco," His mother said offended that he had gone against her,
"Mother, please," Draco said again,
"Fine food then one last thing" she sighed making her way to the table where the Chinese containers were waiting for them.
"Hermione" Draco said allowing her to go first.
Draco was a lot better than he had been the day the letters had arrived,
November 13th 2001
She was sat staring at the letter when a bang echoed through the room, and her dorm door was blown off it's hinged, she didn't have to turn around to see who it was, she knew the moment she had read his name that he would come barging in as if this was her fault,
"Tell me that this is a sick joke" he demanded,
"Since you are here I'm guessing that it is not" She sighed not turning to face him,
"Well there must be a mistake!" he had snapped,
"Maybe" she had said, "Or maybe we were awful in a past life and this is our Karma," Hermione said finally looking away from the letter and turning to see the damage that he had caused, "I assume you will fix that?" she said nodding to the door. He looked from her to the pile of splinters that had been her door,
"Um, I guess," Draco said pointing his wand and repairing and returning the door to its former state. "You have friends in the ministry, can't you fix this?" he demanded,
"I have friends in the Auror department they have nothing to do with this law." She sighed,
"You're friends with Shacklebolt" Draco snapped,
"I'm sorry, but isn't it, your family that has all the money to change things in the ministry," She said rather angry that he had barged into her dorm uninvited and started demanding that she fix it,
"You know bloody well that my name is mud in the ministry," he glowered at her,
"Well it matched my blood now doesn't it" she snapped, his face fell,
"I…" he began,
"Malfoy, did you read the information that the ministry sent out a few weeks back?" she asked him,
"I didn't have time for that, I barely have time to read my own notes between lectures and placement!" he said dropping to sit on her bed,
"There is nothing we can do about our match, we must wed within eight weeks from receiving the letter. We need to have had or be expecting a child within a year and a half of the marriage…only after that would there be a possibility of ending the partnership" Hermione said,
"Trust you to have memorised it" he sighed, "So what you are saying is that we have no choice" Draco ran his hands through his hair,
"Pretty much" she sighed. That remained silent for a few moments until Draco's want gave out several loud pops making Hermione jump, "What on earth…" she gasped, Draco raised his wand and a gold ribbon appeared, spelling out Ward 6 Code Yellow,
"I have to go, are you free this evening?" he asked,
"No, I have to get some ingredients that can only be collected a full moon" she sighed, "How about Thursday, I don't have any classes on a Thursday"
"After lunch, I should be free, I will send you an owl one of the next days" he sighed getting up and leaving her dorm.
"Harry and Ron will be pissed" she sighed dropping her head back and looking at the ceiling, "Fuck" she groaned before grabbing fresh parchment from her desk draw and writing two identical letters one for Ron and one for Harry.
Harry/Ron,
Are we still on for breakfast tomorrow? Have some news for you. Let me know asap, I'm out on collection tonight but will get a reply when I get home.
Hermione
December 23rd 2001
Hermione sat at the table with Narcissa and Draco, not really interested in eating in fact she hadn't been eating much since Narcissa had practically dragged her dress shopping two weeks ago,
"Are you alright Hermione, you haven't eaten much" Draco noted,
"I'm sorry, I'm not hungry, may I be excused," Hermione said placing her fork down,
"Of course" Draco answered before his mother could object,
"Good night" she whispered before leaving the table and heading to her room for the night.
Hermione rolled over to look at the bedside clock once more, 2:30 am, her stomach gave a growl and she knew it was a pointless and had to give in and see if Draco and Narcissa had saved any of the leftovers for her.
As she stepped out of her room into the moonlit hallway, her eyes were drawn to flickering candlelight coming from the kitchen.
She debated turning around and forgetting food, however at that moment her stomach gave another loud growl and she knew that she would have to face whoever it was if she wanted to sleep at all tonight. she made her way towards the kitchen finding that her future husband sat at the table with two books open and a pile of parchment,
"Food's in the fridge," Draco said as her stomach growled drawing his attention,
"Thank you, I didn't mean to disturb you," she said quietly moving past the breakfast bar and over to the fridge where her plate had been placed on the top shelf,
"You didn't really, I've been reading the same line over and over for fifteen minutes and haven't taken it in at all" he sighed, placing his quill in the inkpot and stretching,
"What are you reading?" she asked moving to take a seat at the end of the table and started eating her food,
"It's for my thesis" he sighed, "The Uses of Muggle Medical Advancements in the Wizarding World." He sighed,
"Wow," Hermione said thoughtfully, "I must admit that I never would have thought that you would find that subject of interest let alone use if for your thesis," she said,
"if you had suggested it when I first started attending my healer training, I would have said it was impossible, but although most of their medical procedures seem barbaric at times there are many cases such as brain injuries and mental health issues that they seem to have the right idea." He said stretching again. Hermione picked up one of his discarded pieces of parchment and began to read,
"This is really good," Hermione said after a few minutes,
"Really?" he asked, "I feel like I'm going round in circles" he yawned,
"I mean, the basic premise is genius I can't believe no one has looked into this before, but yes, you seem to be going around the houses, may I?" she said reaching for his quill, he nodded and she began re-reading the parchment making amendments as she went, crossings out a line here and adding notes there, attempting to organise the rush of information that Draco had been trying to get on the page. After a few minutes, she passed the parchment back to him and he began to read
"You are brilliant Miss Granger" he smiled, "I'm guessing this is how Potter and Weasley got through school" he smirked, Hermione just rolled her eyes. "I think I will get a few hours' sleep" he yawned,
"Good night," Hermione said, finishing her food before making her way back to bed
November 14th 2001
"Hermione" Harry smiled as she entered the café,
"Harry, sorry I'm late, last night took longer than I thought so I slept through my alarm" she smiled, "No Ron?" she asked,
"He said sorry but he's behind on that report for Kingsley" Harry smirked, "Blames you though" Harry laughed,
"I bet he does" Hermione smiled, "Surprised he didn't come just to get me to look it over" she smiled,
They ordered when the waitress came over before Harry turned to Hermione,
"What's been going on? Your letter had me worried" he said,
"I got my letter," she said simply, Harry looked at her confused for a moment before his mind was able to find the missing puzzle point,
"Oh that letter," He said, she nodded, "Good result?" he asked,
"Not exactly" she sighed sipping at her tea,
"Not exactly?" he commented, "Well it can't be that bad…it can't be Malfoy" Harry smirked, but when she met his eyes his face dropped, "It can't be Malfoy" he repeated, Hermione nodded her eyes willed up with tears, "No bloody way" he snapped causing several of the other diners to look over at them, "What is Kingsley thinking?" Harry said lowering his voice,
"It's not Kingsley," Hermione said, "and you know it's not, it's a magical arrangement, they match your magic" Hermione sighed,
"How can you be so calm," Harry said,
"Because I have no choice" she admitted, "Believe me I've looked into it," she said as the woman placed the bowl of porridge in front of her and a bacon and egg roll in front of Harry. "Thank you" Hermione nodded to the woman as she left, "Harry, I need you to be there for me so that I make it through to the other side unscathed," she whispered,
"I'll be there to make sure this doesn't happen," Harry said completely ignoring his breakfast.
"Harry please, there is no other way, it is a binding magical contract," she said
"You think I'm going to sit back and let that snake marry you" Harry snapped, "What happens if you refuse" Harry snapped,
"You lose your magic" she whispered, Harry's mouth fell open
"How can Kingsley agree with this?" Harry snapped drawing more unwanted attention
"Harry please" she whispered, "You are causing a scene"
"A scene Hermione, I'm surprised that you are not!" he snapped, "This is ridiculous" he snapped, digging in his pocket and pulling out the cash, "I can't just sit here and believe you have no choice, I'm going to the office" he snapped he placed the cash on the table and walked away from her disapparating just around the corner.
"Are you alright miss?" one of the patrons asked
"Yes, sorry my friend interrupted your meal," she said, before turning back to her porridge.
December 24rd 2001
Hermione hadn't seen Harry or Ron since that day, she had sent an owl to them both the following day, but neither of them replied to her, she had even tried sending a message to Ginny and Molly asking them to get Harry and Ron to go and see her but they hadn't replied either.
So she had spent the last month either alone or being hounded by Narcissa Malfoy who had insisted on a proper wedding for her son. In fact, Hermione had to admit the two people she had thought would be fighting this tooth and nail, where the two who were being for lack of a better word supportive and her two friends who she had been through thick and thin with were no were to be seen.
A knock on the door announced that Narcissa was away and ready to treat her like a doll, prettying her up for her big day.
"Morning Narcissa" Hermione said opening the bedroom door,
"Good morning Hermione, everything is ready and waiting, Draco has popped out said he'll be back for the ceremony, so we have four hours to get you pampered, dress and made up" Narcissa smiled,
"Narcissa may I ask you a question?" Hermione couldn't help herself, "did you want a daughter?" Narcissa smiled at her,
"How did you know?" Narcissa asked
"You're enjoying this" Hermione smiled,
"Guilty as charged!" the older woman admitted, "I won't deny that I wasn't best pleased with the match between you and Draco, but old prejudices die hard," she said, "But over the last few weeks I have seen that you and Draco actually are a smart match, you are both immeasurably bright, brighter than even wizards of my age" the woman smiled, "and I want to thank you for not cursing me into next week for all the wedding planning" she smiled as she and Hermione made their way to the lounge where two massage tables were ready and waiting for them, "I thought we both deserved a treat" Narcissa smiled,
"Can I get you a drink?" a tall man in a white lab coat asked,
"Yes, we will both have a Pina Colada" Narcissa smiled, "and we already have chocolate strawberries" she smiled at Hermione,
"Why not, if I can't indulge on my wedding day when can I?" Hermione said finally giving in to the influences of her soon to be Mother-in-Law
"Well said" the older woman smiled.
November 18th 2001
Hermione made her way from her last lecture back to her dorm. Suppressed when she arrived to find the door already a jar,
"Mother you can't just let yourself into her dorm room" she heard Draco's voice,
"Pish Posh, I'm not going to wait in a hallway like some kind of urchin" came his mother's voice,
"That's why I said I would meet her and bring her to the manor" Draco groaned,
"And you really think that Miss Granger would want to step foot in our manor again?" the woman asked, Hermione, froze at the door listening,
"I know she hadn't had the best experience there," Draco said defensively,
"Draco this is the best way for me to meet my future daughter," Narcissa said, catching Hermione by surprise, the woman had said daughter, not a daughter-in-law. Pushing the door open she stepped into the room,
"Um Hello?" she said finding Narcissa sat in her desk chair and Draco with his back to her, "Sorry I wasn't expecting visitors" Hermione mumbled the sight of her desk cluttered in books and parchment,
"Hey, sorry my mother really wanted to speak with us, I was intending of coming on my own and invite you to join us for dinner…" Draco said turning to look at her as he ran his hands through his hair,
"It's fine," Hermione said, placing her book-filled bag onto the floor,
"Miss Granger" Narcissa got to her feet and offered her hand,
"Mrs Malfoy, a pleasure to meet you officially," Hermione said shaking the woman's hand,
"And on much happier occasions" Narcissa smiled,
"Mother" Draco glowered at his mother from behind Hermione.
"I don't know how much Draco has told you about Malfoy weddings" Narcissa began,
"Wedding…I thought we just signed a document in the ministry," Hermione said looking towards Draco,
"Mother is insisting that we have a traditional wedding," Draco said his cheeks flushing pink,
"Never in Malfoy History has there not been a spectacular wedding," Narcissa said returning to the desk chair,
"Never in Malfoy history had anyone married less than a pureblood" Draco hissed at his mother "This whole arrangement is against Malfoy history mother" he sighed sitting in the edge of her bed, Hermione remained standing her head spinning,
"The changes are for the better" Narcissa smiled, "Your father would be causing a fuss but he's not here and I will plan you a wedding worthy of our name and Miss Grangers status," Narcissa said,
"Honestly it won't be a spectacle" Hermione whispered, "I have no family and my friends…I'd rather not talk about them at the moment" she sighed,
"Potter and Weasley freaking out?" Draco asked,
"Kind of, they're not talking to me at all, they think I should be fighting this and refuse to believe me that there is any way out of it" she sighed moving to the end of her bed and perching there,
"Seriously, I thought Potter was brighter than that" Narcissa sighed…
December 24rd 2001
Hermione looked at herself in the mirror, Narcissa was right the dress was perfect for her body shape, making her feel like a Greek Goddess, the tiara was stunning, a black heirloom, silver with emeralds. She stared at her reflection, really not feeling herself with her hair pinned up and her curls magically enhanced, her makeup subtle and her late mother's diamond neckless around her neck,
"You look beautiful" came a voice she hadn't expected,
"Harry" she turned to see her friend in the doorway and ran to him, "I thought you…" she hugged him tight,
"You're Husband to be, came and woke me at stupid o'clock this morning," Harry said, "Said that we may not like one another, but you deserved better than both of us" he sighed, "I'm sorry, I know this isn't want you wanted or planned and I know not speaking to you and refusing to come…as if you had chosen this" he sighed, "So I'm here to walk my best friend down the aisle" he smiled hugging her back,
"Quit hogging the bride." Came another unexpected voice,
"Ron?" Hermione gasped,
"Yup, sorry Hermione," he said hugging her,
"Hermione dear" Narcissa smiled as she joined them in Hermione's room, "Are you ready?" she asked "Mr Potter, Mr Weasley we are very glad you could make it" the older woman nodded,
"I just need to get my shoes on," Hermione said stepping away from her friends,
"I'll see you out there" Ron smiled before heading towards the doors that opened onto the beach. Hermione slipped her sandals on and picked up the small bouquet of tropical flowers,
"You really do look amazing" Harry smiled offering her his arm.
As they approached the open door, she was able to see that her future husband hadn't only got Harry and Ron to come but the entire Weasley family, Neville, Luna, Seamus, Dean, Lavender…
"He was very persuasive" Harry smiled at her, Hermione looked past her friends to the man at the end of the aisle, he did this for her…he was trying to make the best of the situation that left them with very little choice.
She stepped onto the sand as Harry guided her towards Draco watched by her friends.
At the end of the day, Hermione collapsed onto the bed,
"Did you have a good day?" Draco smiled from the doorway,
"You know what?" Hermione said sitting up, "I did…I didn't think I would but I really did" she smiled, "And it's thanks to you and your mother" she smiled,
"I'm glad" he smiled,
"Did you enjoy it?" she asked,
"I did, although I think Weasley was still giving me evils when they left" he smiled,
"I'm sure that is just Ron's face" she laughed,
"I was talking about the girl" Draco laughed.
Hermione was surprised at how easily they were interacting, but she knew it was nerves, they had to consummate the marriage but he was scared to make the first move and she was inexperienced in matters of lovemaking,
"Draco?" she whispered,
"I know" he whispered, moving to sit beside her,
"I'm" she began, his eyes widened knowingly,
"I'll be gentle" he whispered turning her face to look at him before bringing his lips to hers.