"Any ideas on how to actually make Ron love me?" Draco joked. Harry rolled his eyes and feigned a thinking face.

"I wouldn't think to impress Lavender's Won-Won, she'll kill you". Draco eyed Harry, both of them remembering a certain incident and Harry laughed hysterically, Draco felt himself laughing even though he didn't know why. Being with Harry made him always happy and they had always laughed, it was a gift Harry had, making everyone laugh.

"Hey, guys!"

Harry turned around Draco lifted his gaze over Harry's head. Ron grinned and took the remaining seat at their table.

"Sorry it took a long time, I was rather caught up in a meeting"

Draco smirked and sipped his cup. Harry patted his best friend's back and offered him a meal.

"So how's handling the cases", Harry asked.

"Tiring really, the dragons that were imported from Romania seemed uncomfortable enough to hurt a ministry officer".

Draco smirked again; Ron shrugged and nodded at the waiter who gave him his main course. Harry placed a fork in his mouth and chewed his food.

"Who's paying?" Ron asked his eyebrow quirking up. Harry grinned and pointed at Draco.

"I am, consider this a treat", Draco nodded and lifted an eyebrow at Harry's grin. Harry's features suddenly turned abruptly. He eyed Draco with a look of worry. Draco instantly knew it was about breaking the news of his marriage to Hermione to Ron.

Draco cleared his throat and nudged Ron eating.

"Ron, I was wondering…"

"If I know about your engagement with Mione", Ron lifted an eyebrow. Draco widened his eyes. Ron shrugged his shoulders in a casual manner, his fork still on its way to his mouth.

"How did you know?" Draco asked his shock still apparent.

"My sister is her best friend; of course she'll inform me if she has a relationship with a man, especially if it is an unexpected Malfoy", Ron explained, his eyes never leaving his food. Even after years, Ron's table manners haven't changed at all.

Harry passed a look of relief with Draco. They were relieved that Ron hadn't known it was unreal or else he'll probably slaughter Draco with no second thought. Everyone knew how abrupt Ron's actions were, but at least he took the news of Hermione's engagement well. Or maybe he didn't, both of them didn't know how his first reaction to the news was and they'd rather stay like that.

"Chill out, Draco If you really love her, and then we all live happily ever after in the end anyways", Ron stated his ends waving in the air in a no-nonsense kind of way. Draco bit his lip. But, I don't love her, he thought.

Draco leaned his dragon hide chair that was purchased in hundreds of galleons. He looked at a photo of himself in a frame that was just as expensive as the chair. It was moving of course; it was a photo of him when he was younger, 5 years old. He was smiling the widest smile that could ever grace anybody's features; his mother and father were waving at him from the distance in a gazebo.

Draco felt his heart griped harder, without realising a stranded tear left his welled eye. Draco was a multi-masked person but when it came to family, he can't. He wondered what it would be if his family had plucked the courage to join the Light and played the double-agent, his father won't be in his health condition right now or his mother won't keep on breaking down in tears every single moment.

Lucius Malfoy had barely survived death and his mind didn't seem to be working well, muggle doctors called it traumatised by near death. Whatever it was, it lasted for a long time, even seven years after the war, and his father had never uttered a word. But, it was better now, his father learnt how to walk, draw, communicate in other ways, his health was improving and that was all Draco could ask for.

His mother had shut herself out of the real life after the Imperius from Bellatrix was broken and she became fragile ever since. Narcissa was stunned to hear the death of Sirius, her favourite cousin, the time Sirius died was the time the Imperius was casted upon her by her evil sister, but even so, Draco knew his mother loved her sister. Narcissa used to talk to Andromeda but since Andromeda died, his mother had never been the same since.

Draco could hear himself sob. He pitied his own life; his parents had changed, his life had changed, he needed a miracle and he knew he didn't deserve a miracle.

Draco smiled sadly at a picture of his parent's wedding beside his own picture. His life was meant a disaster the day he was born. He cried tears of regret, but nobody would accept him, except the Golden Boy, who he loathed for all his life. Draco realised that personalities aren't printed on people, because everyone had a little of everything in themselves. He realised that life can become unexpected.

Just like now, he joked sadly at himself. His mother's condition could be improved but it would sacrifice his own happiness. But Draco loved his mother, he loved his father, and he knew they loved him no matter how they tried to conceal it in the past.

Draco knew his parents hated teaching him to do the Dark Lord's bidding, he knew his parents only cared for his protection. He watched Narcissa cried on Lucius shoulder when he peeped through their bedroom door. Narcissa would always ask, "I hope he'll learn reality one day". And his mother was right; he was learning the real thing. The Death Eaters were evil but that didn't mean those that weren't Death Eaters weren't evil. The world is evil, they break and shatter others but in another way, they do it from the inside out.

Draco was about to weep into his private cries in midday but was interrupted by a knock. Quickly wiping his tears he put on a stone mask and said, "Enter". The person who knocked poked a head through the door. It was Granger; she made a guilty face and bit her lip. Draco gave a curt nod for her to enter.

The brunette came opened the door to let in her slender figure before closing the door behind her. Draco saw her looking a bit uncomfortable under his scrutiny. For her sake, he gazed at the window overlooking the high mountains in the back ground behind him. Granger cleared her throat and nervously spoke, "I really hate coming here during working hours but, you see, my office is holding a party at a hotel tonight, to celebrate our victory over a recent case that was settled over a month ago and I was wondering if you gave permission for me to bring another partner…"

"No", he answered coldly, not bothering to look in her eye. Granger's eyes blazed in fire but he saw her took a few calming lungful before asking politely, "You see, Malfoy, if you aren't aware…"

"No", he answered, cringing at how cold his voice sounded. He was just in a bad mood and he didn't think it was a good idea to see his fiancée on other person's hand in a party with someone else. It would just break the point of any public display romance they had to make in the near future.

Granger breathed in before adding a hint of fury in her voice, "Look, Malfoy, I need to go there, the Minister will be there and my whole department and a few paparazzi. I…"

"Don't go", he interrupted sharply. Finally, he turned his chair to face her. She was fuming in red fire. Draco however seemed not a little intimidated. He looked straight into her honey, brown eyes and kept his stoic mask on. Granger looked magnified in anger when he turned around.

"Don't you bloody tell me what to do Malfoy. I'm not yours. My co-workers are there and I will be meeting one of the fine private sector Magical Law firm owners to collaborate with the Ministry! If you are not letting me go, then you might as well suggest me to bring you, instead!"

Draco stared at her with no emotion but it dawned on him, he'd rather go with her and say that she's his. "Fine!" he shouted. Granger widened her eyes appalled at his answer. "You do not own me, Malfoy!" Granger protested. "Oh, well, news flash, Granger, I do", he spitted. Granger heaved another breath of calmness before leaving his office and closing the door that could break its frame in the process.

Draco never left his gaze from the door she left, he knew he was being possessive but he just didn't want his mother upset. Draco got up from his chair and walked across his room to the door; he opened it and went out feeling like he needed a walk. Draco went to the ministry's elevator and pushed the button to Blaise's floor, the Department of Magical Sports and Games.

When the elevator door opened, he walked out of it, his hands in his pockets. Several workers looked as he passed by but dismissed him the instant they recognised him. He was an occasional visitor of this department; either for working or to meet his friend Blaise, the head of the department. He walked on the cold, marble floors, hearing his own footsteps on it.

As he reached the door, he saw the same gold plate like Harry's, Ron's, Hermione's and his that showed them as heads of their own department. Pretty odd really, The Golden Trio and the three Slytherins they hate the most became the Heads of most departments in the ministry. Just as he opened the door, a bludger came straight for his head. Draco, having his good Seeker reflexes ducked down just in time and the violent ball went straight for another man in the corridor who was stacking up papers.

Draco shrugged and heard a loud thud and he knew the man's fate. Leaving the man to be handled by the predicted group of Healer's later on and his co-workers, Draco looked at the office table to find his best friend crouched over a letter. Closing the door behind him, Draco advanced to the chair opposite Blaise.

Blaise's hand left hand twitched, acknowledging Draco's presence. "What brings you here, mate?" Blaise asked his tone proving that he was rather distracted to engage in a conversation even with his Hogwarts best friend. Draco instead, didn't take the point in that and carried on, "Blaise, I swear you could kill me and I'll have a better life"

That caught Blaise Zabini's attention. Rolling the parchment and tying it neatly with a golden ribbon with such flourish, he placed it on his desk. Arching an eyebrow, the handsome part Italian looked at his friend with concern. "What could have made your life a terrible ray of Sunshine, to hope such wishes?"

"A lioness and her terrifying traits along with the fact I'm bonded to her for life", Draco sighed honestly. Blaise seemed a little confused, "Enlighten me, Draco, I don't exactly posses the skills of Legilimens".

Draco stroked his hands over a vase of pretty flowers on the desk, knowing Blaise had a taste for flowers. "I officially had signed a contract of my death, which makes no sense since I am already dead already", he added plainly. Blaise looked at him with his eyebrows knitted together. Knowing his best friend, Draco had lost hope and that never was a good sign.

"You're not yet dead, but it would certainly be better since it would save me from all this trouble. But, your father is going better now and your mother…"

"She asked me to marry", Draco cut his words with an expressionless voice. Blaise was aware of that and he was curious. "Is that it, Malfoy? I thought you can handle that, considering it is for your mother", he said plainly.

Draco looked into the eyes of his friend before flaring in fury, "My beloved mother asked me to marry that Granger, you blundering idiot!"

Blaise's eyes widened at Draco's sudden burst of outrage. "Mate, it can't be that bad", he reassured his eyes mirroring confusion. Draco flushed red in anger, he breathed in a lungful of air before running his hand through his hair in frustration. Unable to speak, Draco massaged his temples, clearly taking in his condition in a negative way.

"Zabini, if someone cast an Imperius on you, I hope that person had a right mind", Draco sighed in frustration. Blaise, who was late on the pickup, frowned blankly. Draco rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Seriously, Malfoy, what is wrong with Granger? She's a war heroin, the Brightest Witch of Our Year, decent looking, determined, prided, brave; kind- hearted, Gryffindor-ish, she recently gained the title Most Eligible Bachelorette, and she descended from a line of purest purebloods according to her recently discovered lineage as well as being one of the richest witch in the Wizarding World next to Potter, you, Weasley and a couple of some unknown people I don't want to know".

Draco looked at his friend like he had grown an extra head. "Blaise, I don't need all that from her, I just want to marry who I love and she loves me. Apparently, perfect Gryffindor Princess, hates my guts and I practically experience the same thing", he pointed out a hint of future burst out.

Blaise raised his eyebrows and shook his head indignantly. Fortunately, it was Draco he was handling; the blonde had a tendency to have the worst temper ever seen by mankind unless he's calmed down. Blaise lifted a quill and turned it his hand, mentally reviewing his next words before saying them out loud.

"Draco, you two should just get it over with alright, unless you want a bloodbath, I suggest you to nurture love between the both of you", he paused, examining the blonde scorn. "I mean, she's a Gryffindor, they have a gift of appreciating love and you're a Slytherin, if you want to live and live without guilt, make her fall in love for the sake of living in peace, use it to your own benefit, if that's how you want to picture it. But, I suggest you don't, it's better if you really nurture yourself to love her".

Draco blew raspberries mockingly. "I'm sorry Blaise, but love isn't in our dictionary, nurtured or not". Frustrated he got up to leave his so-called best friend. Blaise watched him, analysing his moves. Before Draco reached the door, Blaise pretended to write and spoke plainly, "Love is unexpected, just because it's common doesn't mean it's ordinary".

Hermione closed her eyes, her head was pounding hard and she needed a break. Deciding she needed a walk, Hermione got out of her office and left a note for her secretary. She promptly walked to the elevator, fighting against her bad headache and barely noticing the person in the elevator with her.

"Granger", asked a voice. Hermione instantly knew the voice; she didn't need to look up to know who was talking to her. Hermione decided it best to ignore the man beside her, she was already bubbling in frothing fire to be at her best communication skills.

The man beside her noticed and shifted when they reached, she presumed his level. Before he got out though, he turned, looking sharply into her eyes. His silver stoic eyes were opaque, "Seven, I'll side-along apparate you there".

Hermione raised her eyebrows and let him walk out. She could still scent his cologne even when the doors closed. Surprisingly, her headache was getting better. As soon as she reached the ground level, she walked out and headed to the bakery to buy some pastries.

Hermione smiled at herself in the reflection. She was all set to go to the hotel. But, she was early, she strided to the other side of the room. Hermione picked up a book; Narcissa gave it to her, she said it was Alice's diary. Hermione opened the first page.

Dear Diary,

Today, mother and father will sent me to Hogwarts. I'm thrilled to go to school, after waiting for so long. Anne had sent me letters about Hogwarts last year, of course, but I still want to experience everything by myself. Mother is proud that Anne is in Ravenclaw, just like her. Father is expecting me to enter Hufflepuff, but I don't want to, actually. I prefer Gryffindor; I might consider Slytherin since Eric will probably end up in there for that matter.

Throughout summer, I've been at Eric's. He is such a pompous git, and I hate him so much. He thinks he's always right, he thinks he's so worth it. I practically despise him. But, still, our parents encourage us to be best friends or worse, together. I mean what were our parents thinking, I'm too young and we hate each other's guts. There was this one time, that he left me stuck in one of those cupboards and didn't let me out without me saying that he's right. I cried for hours and he never let me out. But, as the days draw closer to Hogwarts, he started being neutral and I have come to believe him as some sort of friend.

Maybe, even if we fight all the time, he can protect me from unknown people I haven't met at Hogwarts. I 'm kind of scared, I admit, I'm not good at blending in with others, but he's the only person in my year I know, so I'm hoping to be in the same house with him, even if I want to hex him to the next continent.

That's it for now diary. I've got to get changed into muggle clothing and pack my robes. I'll be glad to write in you again tonight after the Sorting Ceremony.

Hermione smiled at her mother's childish excitement for school and her immature hatred towards her future husband. Who could have guessed that she was forced to leave her child and die to stop herself and her family from entering a world of darkness? She wanted the best for her daughter. Who could predict her life after reading this innocent note in her diary?

A knock on the door, breached her train of thoughts. Even so, she was nervous to think of the person behind the door. It felt so silly to have butterflies for the person behind the door, seeing that he is her fiancé and the person she hated the most in the world. Hermione fidgeted around her beautiful knee-length red dress before settling the book on the coffee table and opened the door.

The door swung to reveal a handsome blonde man, Hermione might have gotten herself giggly at his appearance but reminding herself who he was, she stopped herself abruptly. Draco stared at the beauty in front of him causing him to nearly gape but he was very self-controlled of himself.

"Gryffindor spirit, are you?" Draco asked, with a tiny hint of sarcasm. Hermione smirked and grabbed her clutch bag before closing the door behind her. Hermione secured her wards up and Side- along Apparated with Draco to the hotel.

The moment they reached, Hermione breathed in the cool night air. She was about to ask Draco why had they not apparated to the guest-welcoming point like they should. But, Draco placed a finger on her lips the moment she turned around to face him. She felt the invisible charm that protected them from eavesdroppers drop around the two of them like a dome.

"Granger, I'm making your life much easier, so don't protest", he glared, Hermione stared into his abstruse eyes, trying to figure him out. Before she could let a word out, he cut her right through it. "Public display romance", he reminded. Hermione immediately simulated a gentle smile. Draco raised an eyebrow and gave an approving smile.

He slowly let the charm down before snaking an arm around her waist. Hermione felt ambivalence, but she couldn't help but like the way his hand was warm and gentle around her. Together they walked to the entrance, keeping up the faux romance. Draco led her softly through a crowd of smiling people and greeting acquaintances.

Draco bent his head and whispered into Hermione's ears, "The reporters are everywhere here, so don't look uncomfortable and pretend to stay relaxed". Hermione nodded and smiled, for an added effect, she looked up to face him, considering he was taller than her and gave a heart-warming smile. Draco who knew it was for the public's benefit returned the smile.

"Mione, I've been wondering where were you", a voice approached them from behind. Hermione felt Draco pull her closer to him, having not let go of her throughout their five minutes in the hotel. Of course, it was for the point of reporters but Hermione couldn't ignore the swelling in her heart.

"Ginny…" she said in acknowledgement. Ginny grinned before pulling her away from Malfoy. Hermione pretended to smile apologetically to Malfoy before catching the hint of relief in his eyes. Hermione herself was relieved from his grip, she led herself get rendered by Ginny into the crowd of officials.

Hermione was pulled into brakes the moment Ginny ripped her out of the crowd and into a smaller group of people. How many people are here by the way? Hermione was forced to stop her brain to answer when she realised the person Ginny had brought her to.

"Mr. Walsh", she spoke in shock. Her most expected guest was standing right in front of her. Ginny seemed to grin in happiness. Hermione was obviously astounded to utter any word, thankfully somebody saved her.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Walsh", the voice spoke with evident confidence and aristocracy. Hermione didn't need to turn to see who it was but she did so out of shock. Her blonde fiancé shook hands with the aging man in front of her.

"Mr. Malfoy, nice to meet you too, I remember you", Mr Walsh replied, his smile genuine as if meeting an old friend. Draco encircled an arm possessively around Hermione and introduced her to the man in front of them, "My fiancée, Hermione Granger and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement".

Mr Walsh turned his head to face Hermione and shook her Hermione's hands warmly. He was friendly and not at all snobbish but Hermione wasn't at a state of her best communication skills. Luckily Draco was there to save the day. "Well, Mr Walsh, Hermione here will be trying to offer you an opportunity".

That caught Hermione's attention back, and for the few minutes, she explained about everything to the man with Draco by her side. Draco kept his laugh timely and his warm embraces close. His reassurances and offers to the man made Hermione felt like he really was her fiancé. He was there to protect her against her nervousness and he kept his smile intact.

After the opportune moment was sealed and confirmed a meeting by Monday, Hermione was relieved and she felt a word of thanks roll out of her tongue without her realising. Draco smiled, but Hermione could feel the honesty in it. Ginny who Hermione didn't notice after some time giggled at the sweet act of romance in front of her.

Draco gave Ginny a charming smile and excused the both of them to some privacy. Hermione didn't like the way he held her as his but she secretly loved the way she could snuggle comfortable into his arms. But, Hermione needed to control herself before she really fell in a small crush towards him. But, truthfully what was wrong that, they were going to get married after all. Hermione seemed to know why, before she even answered her own question, it was because she knew Draco would never ever be able to respond to her the way she wanted him too, he was too Slytherin after all.

It was painful to think everything was unreal; the way he would rub circles behind her back, tangle his hands in her hair and pretend to whisper words that were actually instructions and how he would defend her or back her up when he needed to. Hermione would have loved to see her real love act the way he did, he made her feel appreciated throughout the whole party. It was pointless to say he wasn't a good actor; even she could have fallen into his coup de main if she didn't know.

When reporters came, he would give brief explanations of the faux relationship and steer her out of the bustling crowd. His firm grip on her arm, she sighed, and they were not real. When it was time to leave, Hermione had to convince herself to feel relieved of all the pretence and when he let her go in front of her apartment, she felt a surge of emptiness.

"Thank you, Malfoy, for helping me and your act was perfect tonight", she tried to speak without the awkwardness but it was hard to suppress it. Draco smirked; he was back to his usual behaviour around her.

Draco scoffed, "I'm revolted by your damsel in distress act". Hermione felt herself flare in abhorrence, she was after all a prided woman but Draco raised an eyebrow mockingly. "A simple 'you're welcome' would be nice", she calmed herself while trying hard to control her actions and not slap him.

"I'm a Malfoy and you should know that", he answered while observing his nails casually. Hermione snorted, "News flash, Draco Malfoy, I'm a future Malfoy too", she said in a teasing voice and closed the door before he had any time to retort.

Hermione felt a grin appear on her face the moment she leaned on the door and got the pleasure of banging the door before his face rushing through her veins. His gaping self was still in her memory and she kept herself a happy night and a goodnight sleep at stomping down his prided self a little.