Chapter Three:

Lucius and Hermione had agreed to meet in lobby of the Ministry of Magic on Thursday; there they would walk to the Minister's office together. They agreed that it would be better to show a united front, then to go in separately and have the Minister focus in on one of them. Hermione was especially nervous for the day's events. She had never liked dealing with the press, finding them too invasive and she had discovered that there were more reporters like Rita Skeeter then there were not. She shuttered to think that that retched woman might be one of the reporters questioning her today.

Hermione arrived at the Ministry of Magic before Lucius. She found herself pacing in front of the statues, replaying everything she and Lucius had discussed the week before in her mind. They had managed to settle everything necessary the night she had gone to the Manor for dinner. Lucius had been remarkably agreeable with her ideas. He had listened and agreed with some, while giving her reasonable explanations for disagreeing with others. She didn't know what she had expected but it certainly hadn't been that. Since then she had been replaying what had happened that night, over and over. Every little word that he had said, every facial expression, and she had accomplished nothing more then making herself more confused.

He had been very much in control of his emotions, in fact the whole night she had barely been able to see his feelings. He had smirked, but he had never smiled to show his amusement over something she said or did. He had voiced his opinions about the Minister's inadequacies but never heatedly and never sharing all his thoughts about him. His face had retained the same emotionless look almost the whole night. The only time she had noticed a change was when they were in the library together. His expression had changed as he had watched her carefully, it was still unreadable but definitely different then anyone that she had seen before. It was as if he had been studying her the entire night and finally came to a conclusion, however he was unwilling to share what that conclusion was.

"Miss Granger." A deep voice came from behind her. She turned and saw Lucius standing there, dressed impeccably and intimidating as usual.

"Mr. Malfoy." She said moving so she was standing in front of him. "You know," she said quietly, "It might help make are story more believable if we use are first names."

"I think you are quite right." He said moving closer to her. He carefully looked around to see if anyone was watching, and he noticed that several familiar faces were.

"It seems we have an audience, Hermione." He whispered into her ear, his voice sending shivers down her spine. She discreetly looked around and saw almost half the people in the lobby watching them, none of them had the decency to do so subtly. She quickly shifted her focus from the people around her to Lucius' face, she had never been this close to him and suddenly she felt nervous. She forced a giggle, as if he had said something funny, before stepping back from him, taking his hand in her own and heading towards the elevator. She heard the whispers erupt around her but said nothing as she pretended not to notice. If people were already talking, less people would find the article in the paper suspicious.

When the doors shut on the lift, they were the only two there but neither one dropped their hands to drop the act. They had agreed to do this and neither of them did anything half-way.

"You would have done very well in Slytherin." He said referring to her acting abilities. He had never known a Gryffindor who had been able to face change this well.

The rest of the ride was in silence.

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This time it was the Minister who greeted them instead of his secretary. He seemed very anxious about the meeting, almost bubbling over with ideas. When he saw their hands clasped together Hermione noticed him grin manically. It was a struggle for Hermione to keep a sneer off her own face.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger." He said joyfully. "I'm so pleased to see you both."

"Minister" Lucius said with a nod of his head. Hermione said nothing, but smiled tightly at him instead.

"Yes, well…Come into my office." He said gesturing at the door. He entered before them, offering them each a drink. Both declined.

"Well then, let's get to business." He said, "I was thinking the wedding should take place soon. Very soon."

"I understand that weddings take time to plan and organize. And that guests will need ample time to reserve the date." He said as Hermione made to say something. "But I think that a month should give you ample time to make that happen."

"A month?" Hermione asked, her composure leaving her completely. "As in four weeks from now?"

"Yes, that was the idea." Minister Trimble told her.

"I think that what Miss Granger means, is that that seems very sudden." Lucius said calmly. "People could very well get the wrong idea from such a quick wedding." It infuriated Hermione even more that he had managed to keep his composure when she had not. She had been under the impression that they would have much longer to get used to the concept of marriage. To get used to the idea of six years together. A month was not ample time for that.

"A wedding that quick will only have people believing that it was a shot gun wedding." Hermione said.

"I'm sorry a what?" Minister Trimble asked, clearly not understanding her muggle reference.

"People will think I'm pregnant and that that's the only reason we're getting married." She explained through clenched teeth.

"Of course not." The Minister said the mad grin retuning to his face.

"So what, they'll think that we're so madly in love that we didn't want to wait?" she asked, the sarcasm evident in her voice.

"That is what we hope." He told them. Hermione shook her head in disgust but said nothing more.

"If a wedding that quick is necessary it can be arranged." Lucius said.

"Good, good." the Minister said. "Now, I have been thinking and I had some other plans that I would like to discuss with you."

"We have also put some thought into this and have some plans of our own we would like to share with you." Lucius said interrupting him. The Minister looked like he wanted to say something, but was smart enough not to interrupt Lucius while he was speaking.

"We plan to have the wedding on Hogwarts grounds." Hermione said.

"It is a neutral territory for everyone." Lucius said, "And should be acceptable to all guests. Dumbledore has already given us permission for whatever date we set." Hermione had refused to hold the wedding at the Ministry, as she knew Trimble would suggest, and Lucius had been adamant when they discussed it that he didn't want a group of….such diverse people in his home.

"I suppose that will be fine." Minister Trimble said, though it was clear he was not pleased with the idea. "Have you given any thought to what you might be wearing, Miss Granger?"

"No" Hermione said, "I was under the impression that I would have more time and hadn't thought about it at all."

"May I suggest that you wear a muggle wedding gown?" he asked her, though it was clear in his eyes it was not a request. "It would help to emphasize your background, and as we all know your background in the main reason you are here."

"I'm sure a muggle dress can be arranged." Hermione said. She hadn't expected him to suggest that, but found she had no real reason to argue with him and conceded. She was tired of fighting with the Ministry.

The wedding discussions continued between the three, they agree to allow the Minister to perform the ceremony but drew the line at writing their own vowels. Neither of them had ever found it necessary to write out there feelings for people to hear, especially because these feelings would be false. Hermione gave up on her idea of having a small wedding and settled for one much larger then she had ever wanted.

"Now one last thing," The Minister said. "When you were here the last time we discussed the prenuptial agreement. In fact that was part of the contract."

"I think we both remember." Lucius said.

"Yes, well I figured that it would be best if we handled that before the press was here. We don't need them to think we're hiding things."

"Of course not, then they might print the truth." Hermione mumbled to herself.

"What was that Miss Granger?" Lucius asked, though he had caught what she said he never liked it when people muttered to themselves. He found it unnecessary and undignified.

"Nothing, nothing." Hermione said waving it away. "In regards the pre-nupt, I don't ask for much." She said, "Just enough to keep me on my feet until I can find a job and my own possessions."

The Minister looked at her quizzically, expecting her to have asked much more and Lucius had a hard time not doing so himself. Most women would have jumped at the chance to take him for all that they could. Narcissa had certainly caused a decrease in his funds. Hermione's lack of interest in his money made him question what was so different about this woman that she would sign away any chance at it. He didn't know whether to be pleased or suspicious. Was this just some foolish Gryffindor action or was there another reason behind it? He had seen the changes in her and his words in the elevator had been true. She would have done well in Slytherin with her thought out plans and abilities in deception. Was she not asking for anything now, but planning on finding another way to get a hold of it later?

"Is…is that all, Miss Granger?" The Minister asked her skeptically. Lucius was not the only suspicious of her lack of interest in all that the Malfoy's had to offer.

"Yes. I don't know of anything else that I would want." She responded serenely. She didn't know what the big deal was. "I have no need for anything else."

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"Well it seems we have finished early." The Minister announced when Hermione was done signing the papers. "I'd say we have a good half-in-hour before the press is to arrive."

"Wonderful." Hermione said. It was clear to Lucius that she was not looking forward to talking to the press. He could not blame the girl, he had seen the articles that had been written about her in the past. She was not always reflected in the best lights. He distinctively remember one referring to her as 'Harry Potter's power hungry love'. Anyone who knew her knew that it was a lie but he doubted that this announcement would do anything to improve her reputation.

"If we have some time, I wonder if you could leave us alone to discuss a few things." Lucius said turning to the Minister.

"I can assure you that whatever you say will be held in the utter most confidence." Minister Trimble told him.

"I'm sure it would." Lucius said, sarcasm dripping from every word. "However I would prefer to talk in private. If you would prefer, we can find someplace else to speak however I can not assure you of how soon we would be back."

"Of course" Minister Trimble said hurrying to get up. He knew better then to let them leave, there was a good chance they wouldn't come back. "I'll just go speak with Miss Dashwood. I should be back in twenty minutes time. That should give you enough time to speak, shall it not?"

"That will do." Lucius said. Hermione refrained herself from asking him what they needed to speak about and instead chose to look out the window. The windows were magical and only allowed her to see a dark sky and what looked like rain clouds, but it allowed her to focus on something other then her impending marriage, though she had trouble doing that. All she could wonder was if it would rain on her wedding day.

"Miss Granger?" Lucius said trying to gain her attention. "Miss Granger? Hermione?"

"Yes." Hermione said jerking out her thought at the sound of her first name.

"I dismissed the Minister because I realized that there was something that we hadn't discussed after you left last week."

"Really? And what was that?"

"This." He said removing a small velvet box from his robes. "I thought the press might wonder if you didn't have an engagement ring."

Hermione took the small box from him, not willing to meet his eyes unsure of what expression she would find there.

Lucius watched silently as her eyes shone with delight. It was a simple but elegant design that had been passed down for generations in the Malfoy family. He had kept it safe in the Gringotts safe since Narcissa had thrown it at his head. Narcissa had always been one for the dramatics; the day she had told him that she wanted out of 'this lie of a marriage' had been no different. He had no desire to see it after that and would have purchased another one for Hermione but it was expected of him to give her this ring. Other pureblood families would have questions if he didn't.

"It's beautiful, thank you." She said lifting the ring carefully from the box.

"Traditionally it is the gentleman's job to do that." He said smoothly, taking the ring from her hand before she could protest. He took her hand in his own and Hermione couldn't help but notice it how warm it was. Despite what she knew of him, she had never gotten over her original image of him and she still thought of his as cold, including his hands. He slipped the ring onto her finger, taking note to how perfectly it fit even without the resizing charm.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." Hermione said finally gathering enough courage to look him in the eyes.

"It's only fitting that you have it." He told her, his voice back to its regular aloof tone. "There was something else that I wanted to discuss with you."

"Yes?" she said still looking at the ring. She hadn't expected something quite this exquisite. She had expected something nice, something expensive and gaudy but not something this beautifully simple. It was something that she herself would have picked out.

"It is customary for engaged couples to have a formal ball." He said, "But we haven't discussed any plans yet. With the advancement of the wedding I think we should put some thought into it and send invitations out as soon as tomorrow."

"You mean like an engagement party? Tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yes."

"That's…awfully sudden." She said still trying to comprehend what he was saying.

"So is our wedding." He told her.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger." Minister Trimble said hurrying back into his office, "I know it hasn't been twenty minutes but the press has started to arrive."

"Their early." Lucius snapped at him.

"Yes, well there's nothing I can do about that now." Minister Trimble said.

"Its fine, will finish talking after were done here." Hermione said. "Lets just get this over with."

"Wonderful." The Minister said clapping his hands together. "I'll just go get them."

"Let the fun begin." Hermione muttered.

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Lucius moved his chair closer to Hermione's, taking her hand in his still gloved one. If this was to work they would have to show the world a closer relationship then they had.

The Minister arrived a few moments later in his wake a tall man that neither of them had seen before, Rita Skeeter, a large smirk upon her face, and her photographer and Luna Lovegood.

"Now I believe almost everyone knows each other." Minister Trimble said. "This is Mr. Michael Darce." He said gesturing to him, "He's here from Witch Weekly." Lucius raised his eyebrows at this, not expecting a man to represent a woman's magazine. "And this is Rita Skeeter representing the Daily Planet."

"We're well aware." Hermione said.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, its lovely to see you both again." Rita said. "Especially under such wonderful circumstances, however surprising they may be."

"Thank you." Hermione ground through her teeth.

"And Luna Lovegood is here representing the Quibbler." Minister Trimble continued.

"Hello Luna." Hermione said.

"Hello Hermione." Luna said serenely, "I was ever so delighted to hear of your news and the engagement too of course."

"Thank you?" Hermione said unsure of what she was talking about. But then again she hardly ever knew what Luna was talking about back in school.

"Yes well set down, set down." Minster Trimble said conjuring up four more seats. "And let's begin."

"Thank you Minister." Rita said removing a pad of paper and her quick-quill from her bag. "Now, how exactly did the two of you meet?" Rita asked eyeing them suspiciously.

"We met because of the war efforts. Since then we have stayed in contact and about a year ago are relationship progressed and I began courting Miss Granger." Lucius said evenly. Hermione was thankful that he didn't seem fazed by the three reporters staring them down, it helped keep Hermione calm.

"During the war?" Rita asked raising a thin eyebrow, "Exactly how old were you when you first met, Miss Granger?"

"Technically I met him when I was seventeen, but I didn't begin working with him until at least two years later." Hermione said, "However right now I'm twenty-three and that's really the only age that matters."

"How is your son taking the news of the engagement?" the man from witch weekly asked.

"Draco and Hermione get along quite well." Lucius said, "Especially when you consider their…past relationship from their school days. He will be serving as Best Man at the wedding."

"And he has no problem with a stepmother his own age?" Rita asked.

"He hasn't said anything to that effect." Hermione said.

"When exactly is the wedding?" Luna asked. Unlike Rita and Mr. Darce she wasn't taking notes at all. She was just setting there, watching them both serenely.

"In a little less than a month." Hermione said.

"They will be holding the wedding at Hogwarts, with myself presiding, like I told you earlier." Minister Trimble said.

"So soon?" Rita asked, "Any certain reason for such a quick wedding?" Hermione saw her eyes lingering on her stomach and her quick-quill pen working overtime.

"We saw no need for a long engagement." Lucius said.

"Neither of us are what you would call patient people." Hermione said, "We wanted to be married as soon as possible."

"Are you aware of the criticism that this marriage is likely to receive?" Mr. Darce asked.

"Yes, we are aware." Lucius said.

"Do you have anything to say to these people?" he asked.

"No." Hermione said looking directly at Rita, "If people look down on us because of this union, then we have nothing to say to them."

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Hermione awoke to the sound of pounding on her door. She groaned in frustration, rolling onto her back. She hadn't slept well the night before and the last thing she needed was to deal with whoever it was on the other side of her door. Especially because she had a pretty good idea who it was.

Not even bothering to grab her robe, she climbed out of bed and into the living room. "Who is it?" Hermione called through the door.

"It's us." Ron's voice came through the door. "Open the door!"

"I will do no such thing if you continue using that tone." Hermione called back.

"What!?"

"Either calm down or leave." She said.

"We're calm Hermione." Harry's voice came.

"Yeah, sure you are." Hermione muttered under her breath. She didn't believe them, but she figured it was best to get this over with now, instead of later. She had barely opened the door before Ron had pushed his way in, Harry hesitantly coming in beside him.

"Do you care to explain this?" Ron roared, throwing a copy of the Daily Planet down on her coffee table. "Or this?" he said adding the Quibbler to the pile.

"No copy of Witch Weekly?" Hermione commented, "But I guess that doesn't come out biweekly does it?"

"Don't you have anything to say about this?" Ron said pointing to the picture on the front page. "And why aren't you dressed yet? Its nine o'clock. You're always awake and dressed by nine o'clock."

"I had a long night." Hermione said. "I went back to the Malfoy Manor—"

"Lucius Malfoy had better not have been the reason your tired." Ron yelled.

"And we planned our engagement party."

"You what?" Harry asked.

"We planned our engagement party." Hermione said, "And if the two of you grow up, then you're both invited. It's Sunday night at Malfoy Manor. Be warned though, more of Lucius' associates will be there then mine."

"The papers say your getting married in a month." Harry said.

"Hence the need for a quick engagement party." Hermione said avoiding his eyes, "It'll really be more like an early rehearsal dinner."

"Were you going to tell us?" Harry asked.

"I only found out about it yesterday." Hermione said, "You didn't really give me a chance too."

"A month isn't very long." Ron said.

"No, no its not." Hermione said picking up the Daily Planet. The headline read 'Malfoy's to add Muggleborn to Family', knowing Rita the rest of the article wouldn't be quite as tame.

"You might not want to read that." Harry said, "There's a lot of speculation about why you're getting married so quickly and…well Rita never really has liked you. Add that to the age difference and the whole pureblood Muggleborn thing…"

"And she doesn't depict us very well." Hermione said staring at the black and white picture of her and Lucius. In it they looked very much the part. Lucius had his arm wrapped around her waist and she had her hand on his chest and the picture showed alternating between looking at the camera and looking at Lucius. She wasn't quite sure what to think about it.

"You know if I didn't know better then I'd believe it." Harry said looking over her shoulder. Hermione continued to stare at the picture instead of saying anything. In the picture she could almost see it herself. She could see a possible future for the two of them. Eating dinner in their dinning room each night. Sharing a bed. Reading the paper together. But in the future she saw, they weren't together. They were married but they were running two very separate lives. She would be his wife, not his friend, not anything to him. Just a means to end because once this marriage was over then he was free.

"Hermione? Hermione are you okay?" Harry asked.

"Yeah." Hermione said quickly, "I'm fine. I'm just going to go get dressed. If you guys stay, I'll make you breakfast."

"Sounds good to me." Ron said with a grin. He had already eaten breakfast but he had always loved Hermione's cooking.

"I'll be right back." Hermione said before going into her bedroom. She closed and locked the door behind her as she sunk to the ground. She didn't know if she was strong enough to do this. She had been going into this thinking that it would be easy. That she could at the part in public but be herself when she got back home. But it wasn't going to be that easy, yesterday had proven that. It had been torture to set there as Rita had criticized her and Lucius relationship, to set there and act like she was marrying him out of love. She didn't know if she could do that every day. She didn't know how she was going to. All she knew was that because of the Minister, she would have too.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed! You're all so incredibly nice. Sorry this took so long to get out. Life's been crazy and it's been hard to find time to update. I'll try to be quicker with the next update but no promises, school is crazy right now and life in general is crazy as well. Ideas, suggestions, and nice criticism is always welcome, so if you have any let me know.

Please review! It always makes me smile!