Last 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.

Now:

At 8 pm, Hermione sucked in a deep breath and knocked on the door to the potions classroom, where both Snape and Draco were waiting.

"Enter" Severus bellowed.

Hermione walked in, looking nervous.

"I see you've decided to help Mr. Malfoy, correct?" Severus asked.

"I have, but with conditions" she replied

"I am well aware of your conditions and will gladly do the oath, but you must realize that you and Draco must be married by Friday, thats only three days away and the oath is binding."

"I am aware Professor" she said quietly.

"Very well, I need you and Draco to join hands."

The two moved close together, clasping their hands together. Severus then raised his wand and placed it over their join hands.

"Begin" Severus stated.

Draco nodded, "I swear I am fighting against Voldemort and will help Harry Potter do whatever it takes to defeat him."

A gold light flashed from Severus's wand and circled their closed hands before disappearing.

"I will also swear that when Voldemort is defeated, I will find a way to end the marriage if requested."

Another light flashed and followed the first before disappearing. Hermione sighed, "I will marry you to help you and the order."

The third light flashed and disappeared, Severus moved his wand, allowing their hands to drop.

"The oath is complete, now I suggest you two go plan this thing out while I go and have a talk with Dumbledore." Severus suggested.

Hermione and Draco nodded, leaving an amused Potions professor behind. The pair made their way to the room of requirements, so they could work out the fine details of the marriage.

Once they entered the room, they noticed a large couch and a pitcher of pumpkin juice, sitting on a coffee table with two glasses.

"I guess the room figured we'd be thirsty" Draco said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Perhaps" she chuckled and made her way to the couch. Draco sat down at the other end and sighed.

"I think the first thing is we tell no one until we are married. If word gets back to my father, he will pull me out and force me to marry one of the three before we have a chance."

"I agree" Hermione started, "besides, I'm really not looking forward to explaining this to Harry and Ron, so the longer we can keep it under wraps, the better."

Draco nodded, " tell me about it, I'm going to be hexed into next week by more then half the slytherins, especially Parkinson."

Hermione shuddered, "Why would your father do that to you, I mean, if I had to wake up every morning to that face, I think I'd avada myself."

"Come now, she's not that bad" Draco laughed

"Not that bad? She looks like she fell out of an ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down."

"Harsh, Granger, Harsh." he laughed

"I'm a gryffindor, I don't lie." she replied, " but on to more serious matters, If its alright with you, I'd just prefer a simple binding, nothing dressy, nothing special, this is after all a marriage to help with something, not a relationship."

Draco nodded, "I agree, there is no need to bring more into this then there already is."

The pair continued to talk, working out he small details of this arrangement.

Dumbledore's office...

"You cant be serious Severus, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger? They will kill each other."

"They will not kill each other sir, it's a simple matter of helping each other out when the going got tough. Lucius is going to marry Draco off this weekend one way or another and if he doesn't marry Ms. Granger, he will be forced to serve the dark lord or be killed... she is truly his only option."

Dumbledore removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes, "very well, if there is no other way, then I will perform the ceremony Friday morning, however, I also realize this is putting Ms. Granger at risk, more so then she already is by being as close to Harry as she is, I will expect Draco to act as a husband and protect her like he would a real wife."

"I do believe he has already promised her that, he has also made an oath to release her from the marriage once Voldemort is defeated if she so wishes."

Dumbledore shook his head, "Do they realize that a marriage on the level they require cant be ended?"

"I don't believe so sir, but I think they can work it out. Ms. Granger needs someone who can stimulate her mind, and lets face it, none of the other wizards from her year come anywhere close. I believe Draco can provided that for her."

"You probably right, however, I feel we owe it to both of them to find a solution if the time comes, after all, Draco is wanting to be on the side of the good and Hermione is helping him escape a life that is less then desirable. They deserve to be happy once this is all over with."

"I agree Albus. I will inform them to be here at 7 am. Sharp on Friday morning as Lucius is expecting an owl on his choice of bride."

Dumbledore nodded, "7 am sharp, I will need you to be here as well for a witness."

"I'll be here. Good night Albus."

"Good night Severus"

As Severus walked out of the office, he shook his head, "All hell is going to break loose, I hope it's all worth it."