Last time:

Hermione and Draco nodded and followed Severus out the door. Hermione, who had remained as strong as she could, was now mentally exhausted and overwhelmed, Lying to her friends, her best friends, was one of the hardest things she had ever had to do, and it made her sick to her stomach knowing they probably thought she betrayed them in some way, But if making them believe she and Draco were in love was the only way, then it was something she was just going to deal with. When they reached their new dorms, Hermione ran straight into the bedroom provided for her, due to the fact that this was a marriage of circumstance, not love and slammed the door, she needed time alone, she needed time to let everything sink in... she needed sleep.

Now:

It had been two days since the entire school had found out about the marriage between the unlikely couple. Rumors went around the castle like wildfire. Some said she was under the imperious, while others claimed he had gotten her pregnant and decided to do the right thing and marry her. No one knew the truth but four people and one of which hadn't left her room in two days.

Hermione had collapsed on her bed the second she entered her room two nights ago. She was upset about lying to Harry and Ron, she was slightly frightened because of the look in Lucius's face and most of all she was confused on her next course of action. She had a choice to make, a choice that could ultimately make or break this marriage before it even started. She knew that if she and Draco didn't consummate the marriage, Lucius would file for a hearing and would most likely win due to she and Draco's past relationship, they would know the entire thing was a farce.

She also knew that if Lucius got his way, not only would Draco have to marry a deatheaters daughter, but the entire school would make them the gossip of the century, more so then they already were.

Hermione had cried that night. Her brain felt as if it would explode at any minute due to the stress of the situation. Draco tried to talk to her but she ignored him, she ignored everyone except Dobby, who was bringing her meals.

On her second day of seclusion, Dobby had apparently had enough with her moping and put his little elfy foot down.

"You should be happy Miss Hermione." Dobby stated, "You's helped young Malfoy."

Hermione looked over to Dobby who had his arms crossed and his little foot tapping.

"Master Malfoy is a mean man, he kicks Dobby for no reason."

Hermione tilted her head slightly as Dobby rung his hands together.

"Young Malfoy always nice to me when master wasn't near. Dobby happy you's helped him."

Hermione sighed, "I know Dobby, I should be happy that I helped someone, but there is so much more to this."

Dobby nodded, his ears flopping, "Not everything comes easy, Dobby knows, but Dobby also knows young Malfoy is good."

Hermione smirked at him, "Thank you Dobby, I'll think about everything."

"Good" he replied with a grin, "Now Miss must join husband for dinner, Dobby not bringing more food here."

Hermione went to protest but Dobby popped out before she had a chance. "I suppose he's right, I should be happy that I'm helping someone." she muttered to herself, "Even if it is Malfoy." She made her way to the bathroom and showered, two days without a shower did her absolutely no good. Her hair was almost an afro, her skin was blotchy and tear streaked, her eyes were puffy and swollen, definitely not the look of a happy bride in love. She placed a few spells on herself, making her look good as new and made her way to the great hall.

As soon as she entered, every eye focused on her and all talking ceased. She was suddenly unaware of what she should do. Should she sit at the Gryffindor table like normal? Or find Malfoy and sit with him like most husbands and wives would do. She swallowed thickly and turned to leave, the pressure was to great. She reached the door only to be stopped by Draco.

"Come on, you can sit with me at the end of the Slytherin table." he stated

"Umm, do you think that is a good idea?" she asked nervously, "I mean, just because we are married doesn't mean they wont try to kill me."

He chuckled, well aware that all eyes were still on them. "You wont be bothered, trust me." he replied, holding out his hand.

Hermione nodded and took his hand, "Fine...lead the way but I will hold you responsible if anything happens."

They walked through the hall, hand in hand, ignoring the whispers coming from everywhere as they made their way down to the end of the slytherin table.

Pansy sneered as they walked by while others called Draco a blood traitor and mudblood lover. She risked a glance to the gryffindor table to find much of the same thing. The gryffindors looked to be scandalized and disgusted with her."

"It's actually gotten a bit better today." Draco whispered to her when he noticed her face.

"It was worse then this?" she asked amazed

"Oh yeah, lots worse." he answered, "I fill you in later tonight on what has happened over the last two days."

Hermione nodded and sat down as they reached the end of the table. They ate in relative silence, aware that ears were listening to their every word and eyes were watching their every move. Best not give them anything to go on for now.

"Are you finished?" He asked 20 minutes later, watching her murder a few peas that were left on her plate.

"Yes, I'm finished... I wish these people would stop looking at us." she huffed.

"It'll calm down soon enough." he scratched the back of his neck, "I hope"

Hermione smiled at his honesty, "Well, lets get going, I really am very curious as to what has happened over the last few days."

He nodded and extended his hand towards her, which she took with a smile to keep up the charade. They walked in silence until they reached their dorm.

"I'm going to get changed in more comfortable clothes and I'll meet you in the common room in 15." He stated as they walked inside. Hermione nodded, "I will do the same" she replied and went towards her room.

Exactly 15 minutes later, Hermione left her room in a pair of pink flannel pj's that were covered in little designs of milk and cookies.

"Those are...interesting." Draco said with a raised eyebrow.

"They are comfortable" she replied, daring him to say anything else. She made her way to the couch and sat on the opposite side of Draco.

"Alright, spill it."

Draco leaned back, "Where should I start," he chuckled, "well, lets see. The morning after during breakfast, Pansy threw herself on me, laughing at my little joke, telling me the little scene was shocking, but hilarious. I then informed her that it wasn't a joke and that you and I were married in which she had a down right tizzy fit and smacked me. I have been accused at least 3 times of placing you under the imperio, 6 times of killing you as you disappeared for two days and I have been called blood traitor at least 47 times by all of the slytherins except Blaise.

Hermione sighed, "Did they say anything about me? I mean more then what you already told me."

He nodded weakly, "They think I got you pregnant, they think you did this for the Malfoy name and money and they think you've lost you mind."

She laughed, "I have lost my mind. Never in my life did I think my last name would be Malfoy."

"Well, despite it all, I do want to say thank you for helping me. If not for you, I'd be married to one of the three my father had picked out."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, Draco Malfoy thanking her was a bit of a shock, "No problem, it's just going to take some time to get used to everything." she replied.

Draco shifted in his seat a bit and pulled something out of his pocket, "I, uh, got the ring for you." he said uneasily, "I just figured it would make things a bit more believable."

Hermione laughed, "I didn't think about that."

"Well, its up to you if you want to wear it, I wont force you to."

Hermione shook her head, "I'll wear it, we need this to be believed as much as possible." Hermione looked down to her hands and went silent for a moment, "Draco... what are we going to do about...well, you know."

He looked at her, confused for a minute before it dawned on him, "OH, umm, yeah that. Well,"he started, suddenly finding the ring in his hands interesting. "I figured I let you decide if you wanted to. I already asked you for marriage and pretty much black listed both of us, I just assume this one will be your decision to make."

"You – you're not opposed?" she asked, eyes growing wide

"Granger, I'm male, of course I wouldn't mind, but like I said, I'll let you make the decision."

Hermione nodded and stood, "I'll think about it, I mean, if push comes to shove I will, I wont let your father win this, but I'd rather not jump into anything right away if possible."

"Completely understandable" he said honestly, "I will ask Dumbledore to keep an eye on inquiries of the bonding and Ill let you know if people have been watching it."

"Thanks" she said with a small smile, "Well, I'm off to bed, I am still pretty tired."

"Alright... goodnight Hermione."

"Goodnight... Draco."

Hermione turned and started towards her room.

"Hey wait" Draco jumped, "You forgot the ring."

"Oh" she said with a blush, "I guess my mind was else where."

He raised his eyebrow and shook his head, "Mind in the gutter, I knew you weren't that innocent." he chuckled.

"Hey, my mind was not in the gutter." she replied and shoved her chin in the air. Draco laughed and walked closer to her, lifting her left hand into his own. He slid the right on her ring finger and watched as it automatically adjusted to her size.

"The ring was designed for me the day I was born. It was always meant to go to my wife."

Hermione glanced down to her finger where a blue diamond sat with the letter M engraved in silver. The blue diamond was surrounded by ten small regular diamonds.

"It's beautiful." she said in awe

He laughed, "Nothing but the best for a Malfoy."