The prospect of attending school made Hermione almost light headed with happiness. She missed school, missed learning, and she missed the castle. She wasn't really looking forward to staying in Malfoy Manor, but that was the only option they had at the time.
"Are you sure you want to do this? The Manor will at least give us privacy from nosy peers."
"The manor is huge and the paintings think I'm lower then low… Dumbledore would also be able to help us if we stayed here."
Draco sighed and looked over to the old man who was smiling gleefully.
"Alright, Head master, we will stay in Snapes room…. But can we at least have a change of sheets."
Hermione nodded in agreement at the request. Yes, she had grown to accept her potions master but to sleep on the same sheets he had… well, loyalty only went so far.
"Not a problem." Dumbledore said with a smile, "Now, I believe lunch is being served and I think we could all use a bit of fuel for our bodies. It will also give me a chance to discuss your schedules with the other professors."
Draco and Hermione both nodded. Neither was extremely anxious to face the great hall, but they would have to eventually so there was really no need in dragging out the inevitable.
"Uh, where do we sit?"
"You may sit together or at your house tables, I will leave the decision up to you."
Oooooooo
Ten minutes later, the reached the doors of the Great Hall and could hear the students on the other side, talking enthusiastically.
It brought back the memories of when attending school was easy. Going into the Great Hall was nothing to concern yourself with and you knew your friends would most likely be there to keep you company. This was different now. She knew the second they walked in together, both Slytherin and Gryffindor would be at a loss of what to make of it. It may be accepted because of the law if it were anyone else, but Granger and Malfoy? That was the start of a war.
"Try not to think on it too much." Dumbledore stated, "I have no disillusions that this will be easy on either of you, but I think you two can handle yourselves."
Again both nodded.
"Ready?" Draco asked, holding his hand out for her to take. They needed to pretend this was a real marriage or they would not be able to even touch this law.
"As I'll ever be." She replied, slipping her smaller hand into his. He leaned down, gave her a quick peck on the lips and opened the doors.
Silence, absolute, disturbing, infinite, unabridged, silence, was what could be heard through out the Great Hall. Everyone had stopped eating, drink, talking… they had even stopped moving, some with their fork half way up to their mouths in complete shock at the sight before them.
Draco and Hermione stood in the entrance way, both looking around the Hall. It was like one of those moments in the movies when the main character announced they were getting married or pregnant in a room full of people. Silence always fell followed by uproar of either happiness or anger, but nothing like that happened.
Silence remained and hung in the air. Eyes darted around to look at their friends at the table they were sitting at but other then that, Hermione wasn't even sure anyone was breathing… was she even breathing?
"Uh, hi." She finally said with a small wave.
Then the uproar came. It was as everyone started talking at once, attempting to process what they were witnessing and making sure their friends were seeing the same thing. Was the Prophet correct? Was Granger now a Malfoy?
"Silence" Dumbledore suddenly roared, ending the chatter immediately.
All eyes focused on the old man in the front while a few still strayed to the couple who had yet to move further into the Hall.
"I am sure you have all read the Prophet this morning." He stated in a slightly calmer voice, "Now, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy will be attending Hogwarts once again as they have complied with the law."
A slight murmur could be heard once again but Hermione had focused her attention towards the Gryffindor table. Ron, was as expected, red and appeared to be panting while Harry continued to sit there with his eyes wide as if he still wasn't believing what he was hearing.
She knew Dumbledore was still talking but for the life of her she couldn't hear a word he said. Her eyes remained focused on her two best friends while her hand tightened around Draco's.
"M-maybe the manor was a better choice." She whispered. Her mouth was dry and she could practically feel Ron's anger from across the room. She didn't want to be here right now.
"You're stronger then that. Keep your head up and your wits about you and everything will be fine." He whispered back.
She gulped and nodded absentmindedly.
"None the less, I say we head to Snapes room and order lunch there… give them time for everything to sink in." She replied.
Draco looked over towards her and took in her pale appearance. She looked like she had seen a ghost, her skin felt cool against his but she was sweating profusely. He nodded and turned to head out of the hall, pulling her with him.
They made it approximately 100 steps before they were stopped by Ron's voice.
"Why?" was all he asked, "Why him? I asked you, didn't I?"
Hermione turned around slowly to see Ron glaring at her with Harry directly behind him.
"Ron" she said breathlessly.
"Don't, Ron me." He yelled. "I told you I would marry you but you, you rejected me saying that you didn't want to marry anyone."
"I didn't at the time, Ron." She stuttered out.
Draco didn't like what was happening but he knew it was something that his input would only cause more damage.
"And you do now? With Malfoy? of all the fucking people in this world… you pick Malfoy."
Hermione glanced over to Draco who was watching silently, seemingly engaged in an eye look with Harry.
Ron laughed a bit cruelly for even him, "Skeeter was right… You do seem to find the guys with money." He moved a bit closer, "Is that why you turned me down? I didn't have enough money for you? Not enough of a social status for you?"
"RON" she yelled, "How dare you think I married him for his name or money."
Her eyes were slowly filling with tears. She expected Ron to be angry but she didn't expect him to accuse her of being a gold digger or a social climber.
"Then what is it? Don't tell me you love him."
Hermione once again glanced over towards Draco who was now flushing a slight shade of red. She could tell he was getting angry by the way that his breathing hitched – his fist balling was also a pretty good sign.
"I do love him, Ron, and that is all there is too it."
Ron growled at her words but before he could retort, Harry placed his hand on Rons shoulder.
"Let it go." He said, "Just go back to the Great Hall and I'll be there in a few minutes."
Ron was reluctant but he knew his temper was getting the best of him. He gave both Hermione and Draco a death glare before turning on his heals and walking back. Harry waited for a minute before approaching her.
"Ignore him" Harry said as he gave her a large hug, "You know how he gets."
Hermione tightened her grip on Harry but didn't let go of Draco's hand in the slightest.
"I don't know how or why this came about and while I'm not thrilled about it… I'll accept it for your sake."
Hermione nodded, "Thanks Harry, You know, I really do love him." She whispered.
He stepped back and looked at her face. She did appear to be sincere and he didn't miss the hand holding at all.
"I understand." He said, "Just give Ron some time… he'll come around."
Hermione nodded as Harry's eyes landed on Draco.
"Don't you hurt her or I swear –"
"Don't worry, Potter, She will always be safe with me."
Harry made sure he gave Malfoy one last pointed glare before turning his attention back to Hermione.
"I need to get back in the Great Hall for damage control… but welcome back." He finished with a smile.
Hermione smiled back and waved Harry off. He gave a slight tip of his head and turned to walk away.
Draco pulled Hermione closer to him and hugged her from behind as they watched Harry disappear into the door.
"Come on, let's get to the room so we can figure out what we are going to need."
Hermione sighed and nodded, following Draco down to Snapes room.