Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter or related.
Special thanks to Clarealexandra for being my beta.
"Is there any other way father?" Draco asked, " Surely this can wait 'till I've finished school."
"It cannot wait, Draco. The Dark Lord wants all of you married and an heir conceived before the war to ensure the Pureblood line continues. You should be grateful, Draco, I'm at least giving you a choice between three girls instead of just choosing one for you." Lucius replied.
"Some choice, I have to choose between Parkinson, Golden, and LaMasters, all three are brainless twits and unworthy of the Malfoy name."
Lucius waved his hand dismissively, "I'll give you till the end of the week to make your choice, you will married by the weekend."
Draco held his tongue, he knew his father had made a decision and he would not back down from it, "I will think about it father and give you my decision by Friday."
"Good, now lets get you back to school before the headmaster has a fit."
When Draco arrived back at Hogwarts, the first place he went was down to the dungeons, he needed to speak with his Godfather and try to figure a way out of this. Severus had warned him that this may happen, but Draco dismissed it thinking his Godfather was over reacting. He knocked on the door to the potions classroom.
"Enter" Severus drawled.
"Sir, I need to speak with you about a little problem." Draco stated
"Very well, come to my office."
Draco followed his Godfather into the office and sat down.
"You were right, Severus, he expects me to be married by the weekend."
Severus looked down, "I had a feeling it wasn't just rumors. Who are you to marry?"
"He gave me a choice, I have to pick between LaMasters, Golden or Parkinson."
Severus cringed, "Not much of a choice."
"Exactly, that's why there has to be a way out, I cannot marry any of them."
Severus sat back in his chair and sighed. "Your only option is to run or marry someone else. You are of age and can marry without permission, but if you are still going to go against Voldemort, I would suggest finding someone who will agree, someone who is also against the Dark Lord."
"Well that scratches out Slytherin house." Draco laughed
"Indeed, but you can always run."
"I won't run, I'm not a coward."
"Very well." Severus smirked, "I think I may know of someone who will be willing to help you if you are willing to help her."
Draco frowned at Severus. "It must be bad for you to smirk like that in this situation."
"Possibly, but the choice is logical. You need to find a girl who is smart, brave and a fighter. Someone who is against Voldemort and everything he stands for. The way I see it, you will have to be married by the weekend one way or another. If you don't choose, your father will do so for you and most likely trap you in with a Binding Contract, you will not be able to get out of the marriage and I happen to know all three of your choices would rat you out to Voldemort in a heartbeat if it meant placing them higher up in the esteem of the dark lord. If that happens, you will more then likely be killed. However, if you marry someone else, your father will not be able to force you into marriage with one of those girls, but you will more then likely be disowned and lose any inheritance you would have, but you would live and you would have a partner to help you in Voldemort's downfall. Money can be regained, your life cannot."
"Who do you suggest?" Draco asked, knowing that Severus was right.
Severus leaned forward with a smirk in place. "Hermione Granger is the logical choice."
Draco paled, "Is it too late to choose running?"
"Draco, take some time to think about it. Granger will not be happy about this, but she is willing to do what needs to be done to take Voldemort out. I suggest you think about it and if you decide to ask her, make sure you have all your ducks in a row. She is a Gryffindor through and through, but even I must admit she has a few Slytherin tendencies and will want something in exchange for helping you."
Draco stood from the chair. "Thank you Severus, I will think about it and let you know one way or another."
Severus gave a curt nod and Draco left without another word.
Two days later, Draco had made his decision and decided it would be best to approach Granger when she was alone. He had everything planned out in his head and hoped she would agree. He watched her in the Great Hall, sitting between her friends without a care in the world, but when post came, that would change, he was sure.
When the owls finally swooped in, Letters and packages were dropped in front of the students but Draco only paid attention to one student. Hermione opened the letter and frowned.
Granger,
I need to speak with you before class. Meet me in the Library alone when breakfast is over.
Draco Malfoy
Hermione looked over to the Slytherin table and gave a nod, she was curious what the hell he could possibly want. She finished her meal and left for the Library, Draco following behind her. She walked to the far back of the library and waited.
"Granger." He greeted
"Malfoy," she replied. "What do you need to speak with me about?"
"May I sit down?" He asked
"Go for it." She said while leaning back with her arms crossed.
Draco sat down and cleared his throat. "I wanted to speak with you as I have a problem I need help with and I think the solution would be a benefit to us both."
"Really? Do tell, I am very curious to know what The Draco Malfoy needs of me."
Draco sighed, "Granger...I need you to marry me."
Hermione froze, then started laughing uncontrollably. "That's a good one Malfoy...I think you've made my day with that little joke."
"It's not a joke... I am dead serious, I need you to marry me by Friday."
"Alright, explain to me why you need me to marry you and what I could benefit from it."She was curious to hear his explanation.
Draco rubbed his hands down his face before speaking. "I am being forced to marry by the weekend under Voldemort's orders. He wants all of the Purebloods' to marry and conceive an heir before the war takes place. I know this will come to a shock for you, but I do not wish to serve the Dark Lord and plan to help the Order win when the time comes. The three woman I have been told to choose from are in no way loyal to the light and will tell Voldemort about my plans, more then likely causing me an early death. However, if you will agree to marry me, the order will have another person willing to fight by Potter's side to end the tyranny Voldemort is causing and my father will not be able to force me to marry one of those girls. It is a win - win situation."
Hermione cocked an eyebrow and stared at the blond in front of her. "How do I know this isn't some plan to get me killed? How do I know if you are really trying to help us and trying to help yourself at the same time?"
"Give me the truth serum, make me take an oath to help you and the Order, do whatever you need to do, but what I am saying is true. If I am forced to marry one of the three girls, my father will put me in a Binding Contract and I will be unable to help the Order. Marry me and I will be able to help Potter win this thing."
"Why do you want to help the Order in the first place?" she asked, truly curious now.
"Because my life has been controlled enough for one life time. Not only have I had to choose my friends based on what my father and Voldemort believe in, but now I'm being forced to choose my wife in the same way, being forced to bring a child into the world so it can be raised by the same beliefs I was raised with. If you marry me, the marriage will need to be binding as my father would find a way to end it otherwise, but if you accept me, I will protect you and give you the best life I possibly can." Draco grew quiet for a minute. "I know I have given you no reason to want to help me in the past, but as of now I am willing to be disowned and disinherited to have my freedom. You are the only girl I know who is smart enough, brave enough and loyal enough to help me."
Hermione lowered her head, "I don't know if I can Draco. I want to love the person I marry, I don't want to be stuck in a marriage that is loveless and unfeeling. If I marry you, you would gain your freedom, but I would lose mine."
"Hermione, look at me. I am not the same whiny little kid that I use to be. I am not cold hearted like my father, and I have no problems with love. If you marry me, I will do my best to make it work. I cannot promise love as we don't know each other will enough, but if, after Voldemort is gone, we have no feelings for each other, I will find a way to release you from the marriage, but for now, I need the help as much as Potter does. I am willing to give up everything to make sure Voldemort cannot control me or anyone else but to do so, I need you."
Hermione stayed silent and continued to look at the table, processing every thing that had just been said. After about five minutes of complete silence, she finally looked to Draco, "Before I agree to do this, I want an oath that you are truly willing to go against Voldemort and help Harry, I also want an oath that once Voldemort is gone, you will find a way to end the marriage if I wish. That is the only way I can do this and protect myself at the same time."
Draco nodded, "I will give you the oath you wish for, I'm sure Severus will witness as he is fully aware of the situation. Meet me after dinner in the potions room if you are truly willing to help me."
He stood and gave her a final nod before leaving. Hermione slumped back and ran her hands over her face, not believing what she had just agreed to.