CHAPTER 5

Ginny had returned on Monday morning, beaming. I didn't have to ask why. The only thing that was a problem was Ginny had to shift from the dorm. It was bad. I was going to miss her but then I remembered it was only a week. Then, I too would be expected to move out. The thought of living under the same roof with Malfoy was disgusting. It was going to be a miracle if we survived two days without hexing each other.

Wednesday morning my dress arrived. My mother had sent it. When I had written to her, I had requested she sent me a dress. It was the least I could do to keep some part of her close to me on that particular day.

As the days passed, I was starting to lose my cool. If it hadn't been for Ginny, I probably would probably have lost my mind. Friday evening, Ginny decided to spend the night with me in the dorm.

That night, as Ginny and I walked back towards the Gryffindor, she squeezed my hand.

"Hermione, Harry asked me to tell you that whatever happens tomorrow, we'll always be there. So, he says, you are not to hide anything and tell us if you feel anything, just anything that you feel is not right. Please don't try to solve all the problems yourself and please don't think that you'll be disturbing us, because we'll always remain friends first. And I know spending one year like the last can bring people really close. You mean a lot to Harry, to Ron... to us."

I knew I'd always have them. That was one consolidation to me. All these years even when I was constantly reminded, by none other than the man I was about to marry, that I did not belong to this world, I had found a few friends that I knew would stand by me no matter what. They had proved that since First year. Ron had proved that in our second year too, with a broken wand. "I know Ginny; you don't have to remind me. If it hadn't been for you, I would have never been able to do it tomorrow." I returned her smile and we started walking again.

"You know, I think Harry feels responsible for your situation."

"What?" I asked blankly. "Why would he feel responsible?"

"Well he says if he hadn't saved the Malfoys, then you wouldn't have to marry him."

Of course, Harry had to remember my words from that day. I felt guilty that Harry was holding himself responsible for this. "Ginny, I want you to tell him not to think that. If it hadn't been Malfoy, it would be someone else. He can't always hold himself responsible for everything that happens to everyone. It's time he got out of that. He's done enough for us. We have to learn to fight our own battles. He can't keep fighting them for us."

"I'll tell him that. Now come-on, you need some sleep."

Although I let Ginny drag me to bed early, I knew sleep would elude me.

The next morning, I woke up at the break of dawn, if it could be called so. The weather had deteriorated over the week and today morning it seemed as if it was portraying my inner turmoil. It was raining hard and was accompanied with thunder and lighting. I lay on my bed for a long time, hoping for the last time, although I knew in vain, that it was all just a nightmare and that I would open my eyes at any moment to realize everything was back to normal. After about an hour or so Ginny woke up and dragged me up along with her. After pushing me into the shower, she herself hurried to finish her work.

I couldn't care less about how I looked but Ginny was against all that.

"Maybe you don't want to marry him Hermione, but you still are. So when he sees you today, we want to make sure that you look your best, so he doesn't get to pass a snide remark, although I really want to see him do that." When I had turned to stare at her, she chuckled and replied, "Maybe Harry or Ron will hex him for it and he'll land in St. Mungo's for a year, so you won't have to marry him."

I had to give it to her. "That actually sounds tempting." I replied, unable to hide that small smile creeping on my face.

-o-

The ceremony was being held in one of the of the old class rooms. We were scheduled for nine and it was eight forty-five when both of us made our way towards the third floor classroom. Harry, Ron and Susan were waiting for us outside. When we reached, Harry and Ron took turns to hug me. In the absence of my father, I had asked Harry to walk me down the so called aisle. So while Harry stayed back, the other three went inside. When it was time, Harry looked at me and asked, "Ready?"

I took a deep breath and replied, "It's now or never."

When I set foot inside the classroom, the first thing I noticed was the man standing at the end of the aisle, clean, tailored black robes and blond hair. But when the man turned to face me, the difference was immediate. Draco Malfoy looked like he had aged years in the months following the war. The most noticeable difference was the lack of his trademark smirk. I had to say it, but he looked different without it.

The ceremony started, and though I knew that even with the least amount of formalities, it would take some time, every minute felt like hours. When we were asked to kiss, that was when I almost blacked out. I stared at the person in front of me as if he had just announced that Voldemort was back and we had to go on the run again.

I was scared to turn and look at Malfoy. I knew he would have an expression that would make my blood boil. So when I felt a pair of hands grasp my arms and turn me around I gasped. I could see him bringing his face closer and the thought simply repulsed me. When his face was a mere inch away, I could not take it anymore, and shut my eyes tight. I felt a pair of soft lips brush my cheek, but before my mind could register anything else, it was gone and so had the pair of hands.

I opened my eyes, trying desperately to control my breathing. Professor McGonagall, who was present for the ceremony, walked up to us at the moment and handed over a set of keys to Malfoy. Then turning towards me she said, "Congratulations to both of you. You are to accompany your husband home today and return to school by eight on Monday morning, Mrs. Malfoy." I was taken aback by the name with which she addressed me. She gave me a small smile and said in a low voice, "I wish you luck Granger." And with that, she walked out of the room.

I was still thinking about it when Harry walked up to us and looked squarely at Malfoy and spoke. "I don't want to hear any complaints Malfoy. I can't be forgiving all the time." He looked dead serious and I knew he was. Behind him, I noticed Ginny and Susan were trying to control Ron whose ears had turned red again.

"You would realize we are not that big a fool Potter." It was Blaise Zabini who spoke. It seemed he was the only one who had come with Malfoy.

"You are talking about my wife now, Potter. And whether willingly or unwillingly, she is a part of the Malfoy family now and I can assure you that her comfort and peace shall be well taken care of." Malfoy nodded once at Harry and then turning towards me said, "Can we talk for a minute?" I gave Harry a fleeting glance and nodded. He walked out of the classroom into the corridor and I followed. As soon as we were outside the classroom he turned and said, "I know a wedding is usually followed by a reception, but considering the present circumstances, I would prefer to skip it. If you want to stay back with your friends, you may. I shall be waiting in our room. The key says its number 303. We have to leave together today, so I will wait for you in the room." And with that he strode towards the room, called Zabini, and left.

When Ron, Harry, Ginny and Susan came out, I was still standing dumbstruck. Malfoy had said more than one line to me and had not insulted me. He had even called me, a muggleborn, a part of his family, not that it was pleasing. When I had not spoken for a minute, Ron slowly called out, "Hermione?"

"Are you sure Harry, that he hasn't lost his mind during the war?" when Harry looked at me with a confused expression, I explained, "He didn't even insult me once."

Since the wedding was taking place inside the castle, it was obvious that the inquisitiveness levels would be high and when has Hogwarts ever be able to control students from spying. The three most unruly ones were standing together right now. I wanted to stay back with them, but with Harry present, we all knew privacy was the last thing that we would find.

"Let's go to our room, you can stay with us for a while." Ginny said looking up at me.

I looked out. It was still raining heavily. "I think I'll change first. It really does not make sense to ruin these clothes." Ginny and Susan's things had already been moved from the dormitories. So they would have no choice. It was decided that we would meet at Ginny and Harry's room, which turned out to be the one right next to mine. While the rest headed out, me and Ginny made our way towards the Gryffindor common room. We made sure to use all the secret passages that we knew, moving in the corridors only when necessary. We were almost near the portrait of the Fat Lady when Ginny spoke up, "You know, I was thinking, you are going to meet with a lot of eyes on your way back."

"Why is that?" I asked, giving the password and entering the common room. It was almost full. Why didn't people think of being in the library for a change? I was a little irritated, so when I did not get a reply, I turned to look at my friend. Ginny motioned me towards my dorm and I started climbing the stairs. When we reached my room, she turned and locked the door, so that nobody else could enter. She looked a little flustered and I couldn't understand what possibly new could happen for people to stare at me. They were already doing that a lot. "Come on Ginny, speak up. Since when did you have to start thinking to say something?" I asked turning to my trunk and not finding it there. What the hell?

"Since Malfoy got involved." I did a double take. "What?" This was getting really frustrating. Ginny was talking in riddles and my trunk was missing? Why?

"You know it's your wedding night tonight?" she replied meekly. Okay, that was the limit. I turned towards her and tried to not scream while saying it, "Ginny I don't care about it. If you think I'll let Malf-"I was cut short by a knock on the door. Ginny probably thought it was the best escape she would get for hinting something like that, because she went ahead and opened a door. It was a girl from the third year. She looked at Ginny once then turned towards me and said, "Your trunk was taken away a few minutes back."

I stared at the girl. Ginny recovered faster. She thanked the girl and shut the door again. "It looks like your stuff has already been transferred."

Seriously, I was married only half an hour and I was already thrown out of my house dorm? I strode across the room and wrenched it open. I preferred to keep my mouth shut because I knew I would start screaming at random people. I was sure I looked fierce because people gave way. I almost ran out of the common room. I could hear Ginny behind me trying to catch up.

It was still raining hard when I stepped out of the castle. Ginny was close behind me. She had caught up when I had hesitated at the front doors. When she saw me walking towards my room instead of hers she asked, "Um… Hermione, I thought you were coming with us?"

"I need to change first. I'll be there in a few minutes." I replied without glancing at her. Of course I would, it was definitely better than being in the same room as Malfoy.