CHAPTER 03

I was standing in front of the judge, exchanging vows with a former enemy. Odd, that I felt happy being a fraud, but I wasn't really going to lie to my relatives and friends. I really was getting married. The only thing I was leaving out was that I did not love my husband and that we would be getting a divorce after a year.

"You may kiss your bride, if you please Mr. Malfoy."

I blinked up at my new husband, giving him a dazed look. He leaned down and softly touched his lips to mine, a chaste kiss, nothing more. He stepped back, giving me a stiff smile. Gone was the amusement in his eyes, gone was the laughter and mischief in his movements, this was Draco Malfoy.

When we stepped out of the courthouse I was ushered into a car, Malfoy coming to sit beside me in silence. I did not ask him where we were going, or how long it was going to take. The sun was setting, and I was tired. I set my small bouquet of lilies aside and leaned my head back to close my eyes, and soon I was drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

When I woke up I was no longer in the car, but sleeping in a giant bed. I quickly got out of bed and looked around at the room. Not my room, that was for sure. The expensive furniture, the canopy bed, the white walls, the paintings; this was definitely not my room. I walked over to look out the open window and stopped short to gasp. It was like I was standing inside a story book or movie. The scene before me spread out into the horizon, the lush green hills and the tall trees falling in to meet the sand and vast sea that glistened in the early morning sun. It was too perfect a scene that for a second I thought I was in a dream. I thought I was standing in my tower of a magical castle, staring out at forever after.

"You're up."

I turned around, startled, to find Malfoy watching me. He had just gotten out of the shower, his hair still dripped water, a towel was thrown over one shoulder, leaving his chest bare, and the only article of clothing he had on was a pair of gray slacks. I gasped and turned around, facing the window with my eyes closed tight, but to turn back and face him with a frown when he began to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

He shook his head, but continued to laugh as he moved away from where he stood by the adjoining bathroom and into the room.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you get mad easily?"

"I do not."

He only smiled as he moved over to open a door, opening to a walk-in closet.

"You've had me on edge the last two days, that's why," I mumbled as I walked past him and into the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind me as his chuckle filled the room.

When I came out of the bathroom he was gone, so I took the liberty to look around the giant house, room after room after room. The house was bigger than any home I had ever been in and soon I found myself somewhat lost. Maybe I should have stayed inside the room for Malfoy to come back, but just as I was beginning to think that, I opened another door and walked into a sun filled room. The windows inside the room dwarfed the walls, opening into the same landscape I was so enthralled in when I had looked outside the bedroom window. Slowly I made my way to the window and just stared out, sighing in the delight of seeing something so beautiful.

"Having fun?"

I turned around to find Malfoy, one side leaned up against the door, his arms crosses and one eyebrow raised up in question. He had pulled on a long sleeved shirt to go with his slacks, but still barefoot.

"It's beautiful here." I said, turning back to look out the window.

"My grandfather knew he was going to buy the land when he stood on top of the hill just over there." He pointed out, "It's been in the family ever since. My grandfather gave it to me on my twentieth birthday, this is Summer's Bluff." He finished, waving his hand to indicate the house.

I nodded, my taking in everything from the scene to the room.

"Come one, I've been holding breakfast for you." He said and turned to walk away.

Once breakfast was finished I wondered how the rest of my first day, out of the 366 days, was going to go.

"When are we telling our families?" I asked following him into his study.

"My parents are going to be here later, so we'll break the news to them first." He said with no with no worry at all.

"Your parents? Coming here? Today?" I felt my world falling.

He laughed at my expression and shook his head.

"Yeah. Today."

"But—we—what am I going to do?" I whispered, taking a seat across from him.

"Just be yourself. My mother will love you."

I nodded, only half listening to what he was saying. Would Narcissa Black really like me?

"I think I should call my parents to let them know about us and about where I am." I said after getting over my nervous shock.

He nodded, not looking up from whatever work he was working on. I sighed and walked over to where the phone sat on his desk, picking it up I dialed home.

"Hello?" The voice was filled with worry.

"Mum."

"Where are you? You've been gone for the whole night! Do you know how worried we are?"

I covered the mouth piece and walked out of the study, Malfoy did not notice.

"I'm fine."

"Fine! Where is she!" I heard my dad yell from the background.

I sighed, "I'm fine. I'm with my husband."

There was a long pause and then, "What?"

"I got married." I said.

"Married?" My mum repeated in shock and then again, "Married!"

I nodded, then, "Yes."

There was a sniffle on the other line and then my dad's, "What!"

"My little Mya, married," my mother gave a dreamy sigh.

I could picture her, standing with the receiver to her ear, grinning like a fool while my dad stared at her in shocked silence.

"Mum?"

"Who is the young man?" It was dad, "I want to meet him. He didn't even ask for my permission! What does he do? How old is he? Hermione?"

I sighed again, "Dad."

"I want to meet this young man."

"As soon as we get back."

"What do you mean 'as soon as we get back'? Where are you?"

"At his, our, home; a few miles out of the city."

"I don't like this Hermione. You're not one to do things on impulse or without telling us first."

"Daddy," I paused, "I'm in love." I lied; it was the only thing I could say to make my dad stop his questions and demands.

There was another long pause from the other end, "I want to see your young man. And as soon as you get back."

A grin broke out, "Yes Daddy."

"We love you sweetheart," He spoke quietly and then I heard the hesitation in his voice as he added, "Are you happy?"

Another lie, "Yes Daddy."

AN: Short chapter but thanks for reading! Please review!