Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER.

"We need to talk"

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "About what?"

"Us, the engagement, the wedding, everything."

Hermione sighed dejectedly, and nodded. "Alright then," she said, conjuring another chair. Malfoy sat down.

"Err…" Draco had no idea what to say. "So…um…are our parents planning the wedding, or are they letting us do it?"

Hermione shrugged. "They're probably doing it. Or they're hiring wedding planners to do it for them. My mom knows that I would never be able to plan a big wedding. All the phone calls and guest lists and fittings…added on to my schoolwork, I'd be swamped. Though I suppose they'd consider any ideas we might have."

"I don't suppose they'd consider breaking off the engagement? No, I didn't think so. How about just having a small wedding?"

Hermione snorted loudly. "For the heir to the British throne and the richest wizarding family in England? Not likely. The world is expecting a billion dollar wedding. I mean, have you seen the papers? They're all placing bets on how much money will be spent, how many people are going to be invited, etc, etc. And, of course, Mom and Dad are trying to please the media. That's all they're trying to do these days." The last sentence was said bitterly, and to Hermione's anger, tears began leaking from her eyes. She dashed them away impatiently.

Malfoy just sat there awkwardly, unsure of what to do. After a few uncomfortable moments, Hermione had her tears under control.

"Sorry about that," she said, her voice shaky. "It's just that, ever since they became royalty, they've changed. I've stopped being their little angel. They've stopped caring about what I want. All they try to do these days is win the people's love. They don't realize that they've nearly lost mine." More tears slid down Hermione's face.

"I know how you feel." Draco's voice was quiet. Hermione didn't say anything. "You know, the Malfoys weren't always rich. It was mostly around ten years ago, when my dad got all our money. He didn't tell us how. But ever since then, my parents have been more detached, more aloof. It's like they think they're above showing 'weak' emotions: love, fear, hatred. Before that, they were more loving, more open with their feelings. They didn't expect too much of me. And now…it's the opposite." He was going to say more, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

The door opened, and Madam Pince's head poked through. "Hermione, dear, it's lunchtime. I suggest you two go down to eat."

Hermione looked ready to protest, but Draco shushed her. "We'll be right out," he called. He grabbed Hermione's wrist, and proceeded to pull her out of the room, then all the way to the Great Hall. Hermione fought him, then gave up and resigned herself to eating with the rest of the school.

When the couple walked into the Great Hall, it fell silent. Then the whispering started. Draco quickly let go of Hermione's wrist. He steered her towards her friends at the Gryffindor table, then sat down himself. Gradually, the whispering stopped, to be replaced with the regular chattering. Draco ignored it, and started eating.

It's short, I know. But I had writers' block, so don't blame me.

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