Chapter One:

Hermione weaved her way out of the lift and onto the floor. She had received a letter the night before 'requesting' her presence at the Minister's office at three o'clock. She didn't know what the meeting was about but she knew from the way that the letter was worded that it wasn't a request it was demand. And she knew by now that it was never good to against what the Minister demanded.

"May I help you?" the minister's secretary asked. She was young and blonde; everything that the Minister would want in a secretary and Hermione had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at the predictability of it all.

"Yes, I'm here for a meeting with the Minister." She said.

"Your name?" the secretary asked in a bored tone.

"Hermione Granger."

"Oh!" she said her heading snapping up in recognition, "Yes well, everyone's here already…I'll just show you in."

"What do you mean everyone?" Hermione asked following her to the large doors leading to the Minister's office on the other side of the room.

"You'll find out." She said with a giggle. She opened the door announcing Hermione's presence before ushering her in. Hermione didn't even have the chance to run.

As she entered the office all three men turned to look at her, the Minister with a large smile on his face, Draco Malfoy with a scowl on his, and Lucius Malfoy looking her up and down as if he had never seen her before. Apparently this meeting was not for her alone.

Draco and Lucius had both managed to escape the war relatively unscathed, changing sides after Narcissa had been attacked because of something that they had done. She had left Lucius soon after that, not wanting to be part of anything else involving the Dark Lord. As far as she knew, no one had heard from her since. Lucius and Draco had become full fledge members of the Order but it hadn't changed either of their opinions about muggleborns or blood status. In fact they had taken care not to interact with many of the other Order members, still believing that they were better then everyone else. They mostly talked with Snape and Dumbledore, occasionally speaking up in Order meetings but only when absolutely necessary. Usually they just sat there, an impassive look on there faces, as if they didn't care what happened to them. They had given a lot information to the Order, and if Hermione really thought about it they did owe a great deal to them, but that didn't make her think any better of them. They had only changed sides because it was necessary, because they knew that Voldemort was loosing, that he had lied to them when he said they would be safe. If Voldemort had never attacked Narcissa then most likely they would have stayed on that side. Who knows where they would be now.

"Good Miss Granger, I almost thought that you weren't coming." Minister Trimble told her, his normal fake smile on his face.

"I wasn't aware I had much of a choice in the matter." She said giving him a fake smile of her own.

"Yes well, I'm very glad you can make it. Please take a seat." He said gesturing towards the seat next to Lucius, completely ignoring her statement. "I suppose all of you are wondering why you are here." He said. Hermione nodded her head but chose to stay quiet. The minister had a habit of saying things that made her angry; she had learned the hard way that it was best to stay as silent as possible when in his presence. She and the minister did not have the best of past relationships.

"I did assume that there was a reason behind this meeting." Lucius said calmly.

"As you both know, lately there has been some uproar in the community."

"It is awfully hard to miss, Minister." Hermione said. Uproar really was an understatement. It was more like a constant fight. The muggleborns and half-bloods were constantly claiming to be looked down upon because of who they were, and the purebloods claiming that they deserved special treatment because of their families and who they were. Just because Voldemort had been defeated didn't mean that the world was an instantly happy place. Before it had been easy enough, you were either against Voldemort or you were for him, there was no in-between. Now you never know what a person believed in.

"Yes well, I have come up with a course of action that may help the situation." Minister Trimble said. He had that smile again, the one she recognized as one when he thought he had done something an extremely smart. Normally it meant that he was about to do something very stupid.

"Something involving the three of us?" Hermione asked.

"Only two of you actually." He said, "You and Mr. Malfoy to be exact. Young Mr. Malfoy is only here to serve as a witness. I figured Mr. Malfoy would prefer that this be kept in the family, you as well Miss Granger."

"What do you mean…"

"This will hopefully help the relationship between the purebloods and the muggleborns." Hermione didn't like where he was going with this and it appeared as if Lucius didn't either. He was setting up straighter and his presence had changed from relaxed and emotionless, to alert and intimidating.

"We would like the two of you two to marry." Hermione choked on the air around her.

"What?" She asked. She didn't look at Lucius but she was sure that he was as unhappy and shocked as she was over this.

"It only makes sense." He continued ignoring their reactions completely. "The two of you are well known public figures because of the war and your roles in it. It only seems natural."

"In what universe?" Hermione asked.

"Miss Granger…"

"Minister Trimble, I am…flattered in a sick way but I am already in a relationship."

"Yeah, I'm sure you, Potter, and Weasel will all be real happy together." Draco muttered.

"Oliver and I are in a committed relationship." She said shooting him a nasty look, "And if I was to marry anyone it would be him, not Mr. Malfoy who I hardly know."

"I'm inclined to agree with Miss Granger." Lucius said, finally speaking up. "While I believe I understand what you are trying to do, Miss Granger and I are only acquaintances. I think marriage would be out of the question."

"I understand, however you are looking at the faults, not the possibilities." Minster Trimble said.

"And those possibilities would be what exactly? You get your name in the paper?" Hermione asked.

"Of course not, I would be hardly in the article." He said, "But seeing the two of you, two very well established war heroes, Harry Potter's Muggleborn best friend and Lucius Malfoy perhaps the best known pureblood of the time, wed would make a significant impact on the wizarding community." Hermione watched as he leaned back into his chair, that infuriating smile back on his face. She wanted nothing more then to slap it off of him.

"And what makes you think that we would have any interest in this?" she asked her voice dangerously calm, "That we would agree to it?"

"Because as Minister of Magic, I could make both of your lives very difficult." He said the smile never dropping from his face. "If I have my information correctly you have applied for several positions at the Ministry, as long with your boyfriend Mr. Wood. I would hate for you not to have enough money to pay your rent for that flat of yours."

"I can always find employment elsewhere." She said drawing herself up to her full height in her chair.

"You'll find that as Minister of Magic I have quite a lot of pull. I'm afraid that if you refuse you might quickly find that employment will be much harder to find. And if that's not enough incentive for you, I'll let you in on a little secret. The Daily Prophet does what I tell them, runs the stories I want them to. You wouldn't want some of your and your friends little…adventures to get out, now would we?"

"You are a retched little man." She said unable to stop herself.

"That may be true Miss Granger; however I am still the man that can destroy your life." Hermione chose to stay quiet knowing anything she might say would only get her further into trouble.

"Unlike Miss Granger, I do not need your employment, nor can I be threatened for lack of money, therefore I believe you will have to find someone else." Lucius said. He too was trying to remain calm.

"I wouldn't be so hasty Mr. Malfoy." He said, "I think we all know what is on your forearm, one would hate for that to get leaked to the press, or Wizengamot for that matter." Lucius narrowed his eyes but said nothing. It was obvious that the Minister had them both in the position that he wanted them. They could refuse, they go to Dumbledore but the damage would already be done. The Minister would get what he wanted one way or another.

"What would…what would this plan consist of?" Hermione asked quietly.

"It would be simple enough. We would announce your engagement to the Daily Prophet where they would do an article announcing to the world that even the two unlikeliest of people could make a marriage like this work." He explained, "The two of you will have a large wedding, many people of different…backgrounds would be invited. It would be an extremely large step for the wizarding world."

"But wouldn't it just be contradicted when we got a divorce?" Hermione asked.

"Divorce? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

"Well surely you don't expect us to stay married forever." She said.

"Of course not." He said, "You would discreetly file for divorce when we feel that this subject has calmed down. I would say it shouldn't be more then ten years."

"Ten years?" Draco sputtered, "Ten years of….that being in our family."

"Five years." Hermione said causing all three men to look at her. "We marry for five years, with no public demonstrations of anything other then happiness and civility and then for the next year we lay the ground work for divorce. Distancing ourselves from each other, possibly the occasional public spat. Nothing major, just enough so that no one is surprised when we separate six months later and then file for divorce. As you said it will be done quietly, as I will have already signed a prenuptial agreement, but the marriage will only last six years. And there will be an added clause stating that after we have done this I can not be blacklisted by you or any other Ministry employee or future Minister. And that Mr. Malfoy can not be charged for any previous crimes that would have occurred before we made this arrangement."

Lucius shifted beside her so that he could have a better look at her. She appeared perfectly calm, yet determined. She had managed to create a plan that would suit everyone's needs while he was still determining the best way to get rid of the Minister, something he had wanted to do for a long time now. She may not be the woman he would choose to marry but at least this way they would be marrying under their terms, not the Minister's.

"That could be arranged." The Minister said eyeing her carefully. He pulled a piece of parchment from one of his many drawers before waving his wand over it. He looked over it quickly before handing it to Hermione. It was a contract that both she and Lucius were to sign, saying that they agreed to be married for six years and not a day less, that they would never speak of this with anyone else, and that they wouldn't press charges with him at anytime.

"This can't possibly be legal." Hermione said.

"I assure you it is." He said, "It's much like a wizarding oath. Once you sign that your bound to it, whether anyone else know about it or not." His grin had grown even wider.

"There are few things that need revised." Lucius said right next to her making her jump, he was so close she could feel his breath tickling her arm. She hadn't even noticed him leaning over to read the paper.

"For one" he said taking the paper out of her hand, "Not speaking of this to everyone else will be changed to the press or anyone who will go to the press. People close to us certainly wouldn't understand us suddenly getting married; we'd have to explain to at least a few. And the contract would have to change that we wouldn't be able to charge you or the ministry about things involving this marriage in particular."

"All of which can be changed." The minister said waving his wand as the words began to rearrange themselves.

"Now, if you would please sign."

Lucius signed first, not even looking at Hermione as he did so. Hermione signed next, completely silent and calm on the outside but raging on the inside. As far as she was concerned she had just signed her life away to the devil. For the next six years she would be a Malfoy and now even Harry couldn't save her from that.

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The minister didn't even escort them from his office, instead just waving them off telling them they he expected to see them both next Thursday to continue discussing this and to prepare to talk with the press. Hermione had agreed in a daze, she was still in shock and she knew it. Eventually when she was alone, this was all going to hit her and she was going to realize just what she had gotten herself into. She just hoped that when it did hit her, it wouldn't be in front of the Malfoy's.

"We should go see Dumbledore." She said causing both men to look at her, "That way he can handle telling the Order members that we don't wish to tell ourselves. Otherwise when this hits the papers you might be getting a few unexpected visits."

"Very well." He said. "If you'll excuse me I'd like to speak with my son for a moment."

"I'll wait for you in the Floo room." She said, "I'm not really feeling up to a long walk right now." She didn't wait for an answer instead she turned and headed towards the room without looking back.

"Draco perhaps you should go home." Lucius said turning towards him.

"Why?" Draco asked.

"Draco this has already been a tiring morning. I think it will be easier for all of us if it is just Miss Granger and I when we see Dumbledore."

"Are you really going to marry her father?" Draco asked.

"It would seem I have no other choice." Lucius said.

"That's not an answer father."

"As much as I dislike having my life planned out by someone else but there could always be advantages."

"What advantages could there possibly be to having Granger as part of our family?"

"It has been a long time since we have had a woman in the house." Lucius said.

"There's a large difference between a woman and Granger." Draco said.

"Will see what happens. Go back to the manor Draco; I'll meet you there when we're done."

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Lucius flooed to the headmaster's office, barely even looking at Hermione, not that she minded. They had both remained silent as they stood in line waiting for their turn, they would have the next six years to talk, talking now didn't seem so important. Lucius, always graceful, came through the fire with not even a little soot on his clothing. Hermione had never been the lucky and stumbled out of the fireplace and right into his arms. His arms were around her waist and her head was only inches from his chest. She felt her cheeks flare as she quickly stepped away. She muttered a quiet thank you, looking away from him to the others in the room. Dumbledore and Professor Snape were both standing by the desk, looking at them curiously.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said, "This is certainly a surprise."

"Hello Headmaster, Professor Snape." Hermione said quietly.

"Perhaps I should leave." Severus said looking over them carefully.

"I have no problem with your presence unless Miss Granger has any objections." Lucius said, "I was going to come see you when we were done with this meeting anyways."

"Of course not," Hermione said, "He'll find out eventually anyways."

"Then please everyone, set down." Dumbledore told them gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk. Hermione took the chair across from the Headmaster, Lucius on one side of her and Professor Snape on the other. "Would anyone care for some tea or possibly something to eat?"

"I'm not very hungry." Hermione said, "However some tea would be nice."

"Of course." He said. With a wave of his wand a cup of tea was hovering in front of each of them.

"Thank you headmaster." She said.

"Of course, Miss Granger. Now what can I do for the two of you today?" he asked, "I must admit that it is rather surprising to find the two of you here together."

"It's rather simple actually." Hermione said taking a sip of her tea calmly, "We're here to announce are engagement." Snape choked on his tea beside her, unable to hide his reaction, and the headmaster knocked over the bowl of lemon drops he was going to offer them.

"Was it something I said?" she asked looking at them both innocently. Lucius smirked at her, a silent approval of how she told them, as Dumbledore and Snape looked on practically gaping.

"I beg your pardon Miss Granger, what did you just say?" Dumbledore asked.

"I'm afraid you heard Miss Granger correctly the first time." Lucius said, "We just came from the Minister's office where he made this decision for us."

"What do you mean he made the decision for you?" Severus asked.

"Do you really think that we would have chosen each other to marry on our own?" Hermione asked looking at him.

"No I wouldn't think so." He said.

"The Minister has a new brilliant plan to unite the purebloods and muggleborns." She explained turning back to Dumbledore.

"In other words he believes that a public and well known marriage between the two of you would change others opinions about what is and is not appropriate social behavior." Dumbledore said.

"Precisely." Lucius said.

"But he hasn't thought the plan through at all." Hermione said placing her cup down harder then attended on the desk, "The only people it would affect are the people who already believe this is alright in the first place. Everyone else will believe that I'm marrying him for his status or his money and that he's marrying me because of my age or my reputation as Harry's best friend. He'll be looked down upon for marrying a Muggleborn and I'll be looked upon as nothing more then a gold-digger or worse a sellout."

"Now Miss Granger, you are taking a rather pessimistic view of this." Dumbledore said.

"Instead of the optimistic one I should have after having my husband picked out for me?" she replied, "Then I should ask for your forgiveness for the lack of enthusiasm that I'm showing." Hermione could feel her anger bubble up to the surface. She had been forcing it to the back of her mind knowing that it would not be good to start an argument with the Minister of Magic; however she knew she wouldn't be able to fight her anger much longer.

"I should be going." She said taking a deep breath. "Mr. Malfoy should be able to fill you in on everything else." She stood her hand slightly shaking as she reached for her coat on the side of her chair.

"Miss Granger." Lucius said standing up as well. "We have a few things to discuss ourselves, perhaps we should meet for dinner tomorrow."

"Of course." She said forcing a small smile on her face.

"Severus was planning to come for dinner tomorrow night as well." He said, "If it's acceptable to you both you could travel with him. The Manor's wards won't recognize you yet."

"That sounds fine." She said quietly. Honestly she would have agreed to most anything right now as long as it got her out of the room.

"Meet me at my office at six thirty." Severus said standing up.

"Fine." She said. "Goodbye Headmaster, Professor Snape, Mr. Malfoy." She said turning to leave. She didn't wait to hear their goodbyes.

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Hermione made her way slowly down the hallway. She could hear the portraits whispering around her, probably about her but she couldn't bring herself to really care. Everything that had been discussed in the Minister's office was crashing down on her. She felt like she was suffocating. She quickly felt her way to a classroom hoping that it was empty. She locked the door behind her before sliding down to the floor. What had she gotten herself into?

She had agreed to marry Lucius Malfoy. She agreed to marry him for six years. Six years of calling him her husband, six years of living in the same house, six years of sharing his bed. She choked on the air around her. She would have to sleep with him. It was part of magical marriage; you weren't really married unless you consummated the marriage within the first week. The room seemed to be getting smaller around her as she tried to control her breathing. She didn't know if she could handle this. She would be living in that house; she would have to see him each day. She didn't even know him, not like you should know the man you're marrying, and the little that she did know about him wasn't good.

Hermione remembered meeting him when she was twelve at the book shop, he had never said anything bad to her but it was the look in his eyes. He thought he was superior to her. He thought that he was better then her just because of who her parents were. He hadn't been the first person to look down at her and he certainly wasn't the last but the day had been engraved in her memory all these years. And she knew for a fact his opinion of her hadn't changed. He may respect her more as she grew up, saw how powerful she was, but he didn't think of her differently. He didn't think her any better. To him she was and always would be a filthy mudblood. Marriage wouldn't change that.