Chapter 11

"What?" she whispered, shock soaking into her demeanour.

"Marry me instead," Draco breathed back, taking her hands in his own. He knelt on the floor, facing Hermione.

"But- why?" she questioned, so unsure as to how the man who had begun to piece her back together, who knew her darkest thoughts could want her. Birds flew past the window, calling and singing to one another, washing Hermione over with peace. "Why would you want to marry me? I'm a mudblood, Draco."

"No, Hermione. You are kind hearted and beautiful. You saw the best in me, and welcomed me into a part of you mind you didn't show any one else. You placed a trust in me that's changed me for the better. And I can't imagine a day in the future where I can live happily without seeing you," he murmured back. "My parents- my father, he is locked away now. He was given the kiss, and is gone. My mother wants more than anything to see me happy, and you dearest Hermione make me happy."

He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Hermione, I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you."

She looked at him deeply, investigating this man who she wasn't sure she knew truly that well. Looking into his eyes she saw a warmth, replacing that cool look he used to give her when she came back to the school. The brunette remembered him showing her the Lake, and teaching her about the merpeople. She recalled how he seemed to know her better than her friends; he knew where her heart lay and what she was passionate about before any one else could fathom the idea.

It was with all this swirling around her head that she thought about fate. She thought about how had it not been for fate she would never have bumped into Draco in Diagon Alley, or how she never would have known she didn't want to marry Ron had he not proposed. If it weren't for fate, Draco wouldn't be kneeling before her asking her to marry him.

Hermione Granger looked into the grey eyes of the Slytherin who had been there from the start of her journey, and consumed with joy she nodded her head yes. Yes, she would marry Draco Malfoy, and have his children, and be with him forever.

Thankfully it was a Sunday, Hermione thought repeatedly as she ran down the hallways that morning with Draco, their hands clasped tightly together. Hermione was happy. She was beyond joyous. She was going to marry Draco Malfoy. Not today and not until either of them had proper jobs and a home but eventually.

This is how I was supposed to feel, she thought as she ran, a giggle leaving her smiling face as they ran past groups of people on their way to the whomping willow, all who turned their Heads in confusion, breaking out into whispers. Crashing through the doors in the Great Hall the pair ran through the grounds. They reached the tree, nudged the knot, and kept running, until they made it to the other end, free from the enchantments of the school. Draco spun Hermione around to face him, pulling her into his chest for a hug, as he spun on the spot into oblivion, taking Hermione with him.

The ministry of magic was empty. The foyer bore no signs of anyone being in the building. Sundays were usually a work free day and only aurors worked weekends. The pair looked around them taking in the unusual emptiness of the magnificent atrium; walking hand in hand down the strip towards the gold-gated elevators. Hermione felt confidence gaining in her step the closer she came to where Ron would be, and she couldn't help throwing huge smiles at the man whose hand she held. Punching the appropriate buttons of where Ron would be, Hermione let out a small giggle, her hair growing frizzier as she ran into the lift.

Before they knew it, after multiple turns and shifts, the elevator doors opened to the training rooms, and both their stomachs dropped when they took in the grandeur of the room. They let their hands drop as they stepped out onto the thick blue carpet.

A receptionist sat bored at the desk in front of them, casually flicking through Witch Weekly. She had vivid pink hair, and snapped chewing gum, drilling her pointed nails onto the desk.

"Ahem," Draco coughed, catching the witch's attention. "Ronald Weasley please."

She pointed lazily to the hallway on her left. "Third door."

"Thank you," Hermione replied casually, taking a courageous step towards the door. She reached her hand out in trepidation, before carefully knocking on the thick, richly coloured door. Draco rubbed her back in encouragement, quickly dropping his hand as a red headed witch opened the door.

"We're here to see Weasley," Draco drawled formally, shoving his hands in his pockets, his posture screaming out wealthy. The woman raised her eyebrows, looking up and down Draco, before pushing open the door and allowing them entrance. Ron sat on a lounge casually shoving chocolate frogs into his mouth.

"I wonder how long it'll be till I get myself on a card," Ron called out chocolate lining his lips as he turned over the golden card in his hands.

"Ron, there's people here for you. People from school," Fay said quietly, feeling engulfed by the people in the room.

He looked up then, finally taking notice of the two who entered the room. Immediately he gulped down his mouthful, and smiled at Hermione toothily, chocolate covering his teeth in a most unattractive way, or so Draco thought. Hermione gripped her hands together tightly, and offered a small smile. In her fingers she held her ring, and she looked down at it in her hands sadly.

Draco watched as Ron followed her gaze to her hands, and noticed the sadness creep into the auror's expression, as he knew what Hermione was about to say before she began.

"Ron, I love you very much," she said slowly and quietly, trying to let him hear every word she was about to say. They were standing awkwardly in the office that had two desks and the lounge Ron sat on. "But we both know I can't marry you. We're so young, and I thought I could… I would have married you had it been five months ago and I was still living in my post war bubble where it felt like I would die at any moment… But we didn't die, and the world is becoming a better place, and because of that I've changed. I realised I could live a life without seeing you everyday and being a part of every aspect of your life. I've enjoyed developing my independence, and becoming aware of my identity. But I am so sorry, it just doesn't include you in my life romantically any more…"

She let her sentence trail off into the quietness of the room, as she looked at the beautiful ring in her hands. Hermione looked over at Draco quickly, and he nodded at her, urging her to tell him everything. She took a deep breath.

"There's one more thing… I have to tell you something, and I want you to know how sorry I am before I tell you. I never meant to hurt you, but I, well I kissed someone else while we were together, and I am so sorry, Ron truly," Hermione blurted out, trying to force all she had to say out as quickly as she could. She took a hurried step forward and handed Ron the ring, her cheeks colouring a dark crimson. "It was just the one kiss."

Ron sat there silently; trying to process what was going on as he shifted around awkwardly. He accepted her ring back but didn't meet her eye, running things over in his head. Everyone stood silently, waiting for Ron to respond. He finally looked up at the woman he loved, and slowly he smiled, but not the carefree smile of the young man she knew. It was the smile of a man who felt wronged.

"Thank you, Hermione," he whispered, looking down at the ring in his hands. "I love you, but I know what you are feeling, because I feel it too. I'm not the same child you grew up with. I'm turning into a man, and I have realised where I am heading. And I admire you for your bravery and your honesty, because I feel like I can tell you something now that I've kept hidden for a very long time," he drew a deep breath and stood up slowly. "A few months ago I too cheated on you, however it wasn't a one time thing. I kept doing it; I was angry with you for leaving me alone. I thought that if I proposed, it wouldn't matter. We could get married and I would never have to tell you…"

Hermione took a step back, shocked at the news she was met with in return. This was why he never sent owls or asked about her or how she felt- because he felt guilty. Because he too was settling into a relationship expected of him, not one he wanted more than anything else. "When you say cheated…"

"I slept with them," he whispered.

Suddenly Hermione lurched forward and threw herself at him in anger. She pounded every bit of flesh she could reach. Her fists collided with his jaw and his eye, repeatedly beating into him until she drew blood, her own knuckles cracked and bleeding. Ron was defenceless, scared to lift his fists to the girl. But she didn't stop, not until Fay and Draco jumped at her, pulling her off of him.

"How could you!" she cried out, fighting against Draco as she still tried to stretch out and cause Ron harm. "You traitor, Ronald Weasley! I can't believe you! You thought a proposal would bring you forgiveness for your sin! You tarnished your soul! You shared it with another! I hope she breaks your heart!"

She spat at him, as Fay drew her wand quietly and fixed Ron's broken nose.

"It's not like I'm the only one who betrayed this!" Ron yelled at her, finally loosing the calm he had been practising keeping in these situations through training. He lurched for Hermione, but Fay held onto him, keeping him at bay. "You're just a filthy slut!"

Draco dropped Hermione in anger, pushing her behind him as rage built inside him at Ron's words. He reached out and grabbed Ron by the collar, dragging him across the room to the wall, where he shoved him up roughly against the brick, Ron's head smacking backwards with a snap. He cried out in pain, but Draco ignored his cry as he leaned in closely.

"You come near her again Weasel, and I'll kill you. Do you hear me? You so much as breathe in her direction, and you won't live to see the light of day. You won't speak to her again, or talk about her to anyone, and you will never, and I repeat never, call her a slut again." Draco's voice was low and unforgiving and he curled his lip in disgust. "Do you understand?" he spat.

He was commanding in his voice; his threat made the redhead's knees shake, but Ron nodded in understanding, pale from fright. "Good," Draco sneered vengefully, before he pulled Ron forward, and then pushed him back so hard his head collided with the brick wall, leaving the echo of a sickening crack as Ron fell unconscious from the blow, sliding to the floor from the blow.

Draco turned back to Hermione and held out his hand, dusting off his clothes with his other hand. "Are you coming, love?" he asked evenly, his breath coming out quickly from the adrenaline. Hermione took his hand and nodded, stepping over Ron's limp body. She turned to pull the door closed, catching one last glimpse Ron. Bile gathered in her mouth in disgust, and she spat at him one last time, hitting him right on the mouth that she had once kissed.

"Get me away from him, Draco."

A/N: Wow, 60 followers! I am so honoured! Thank you! I can't believe we reached 20,000 words last chapter; I am so excited by it! I hope you like the chapter... I promise Ron won't stay a dick, he'll be reconciled by the end of the story. And what do you guys think of Draco and Hermione? They might be together, but it won't be smooth sailing from here. Let me know your thoughts, and if you hated antyig don't be afraid to let me know! Love kathrynlovejoy