Hermione and Draco continued to stare at the Minister for Magic and the Headmaster. Mr Shacklebolt finally replied, "I am sorry to tell you this but by law you are bound to be married. If you choose not to marry you shall be punished accordingly. We wish to set an example with you. We were hoping it to be a good one but scare tactics work just as well. So what do you say?"

Hermione who had remained relatively silent up until now spoke up, "Sir I do believe that by forcing us into marriage you are taking away some of our basic rights. I understand the dilemma in which you face but forcing Malfoy and myself to marry will do no one any good at all."

"I'm sorry to say this Miss Granger but you must marry or else face imprisonment. For someone as smart as you I think you will work out what to do. You must marry within the next two weeks. Your peers will be receiving their letters in about 2 weeks. Have a lovely day. Thank you Albus." Kinsley Shacklebolt gave one last nod before he disappeared out the door and down the moving flight of stairs.

That evening at dinner Hermione sat in mere silence, not wishing to engage in conversation with anyone. Harry and Ron thought it was rather peculiar for Hermione but thought they should give her some space. To make matters worse Hermione was on patrol with Pansy Parkinson, Draco's on and off again girlfriend (at least that's what Pansy thought). Word had begin to spread of Hermione and Draco's forced marriage and no one was happy about the arrangement. The Prince of Slytherin was going to marry one of the members of the Golden Trio.

Usually patrols with Pansy were easy, they would simply walk side by side without conversing. Tonight was a little different from their normal evenings. Pansy walked over to Hermione and faster than Hermione could react she slapped her with one swift back hand to the left side of her face. Hermione was thrown back into the wall, where she stood stunned clasping her face.

"What the hell was that for Parkinson?" Hermione screeched.

"As if you don't know, your stealing Draco away from me and you expect me to just let you, come on Granger you know me better than that."

"I didn't steal him away from you, in case you didn't hear I AM BEING FORCED to marry him not CHOOSING to." Hermione was almost in a raging fit by the time she finished speaking.

Hermione wasn't going to stand here and take the abuse. Without thinking she began storming off towards the dungeons to confront her fiance to be. She managed to catch a first year entering the common room and followed him in. She walked in to find Draco Malfoy sitting on a black leather armchair beside the fire reading a book. She walked over and stood next to him. She cleared her throat to get the young blondes attention.

"Granger, are you lost? This is the Slytherin common room," he said, the sarcasm almost flooding the room.

"No Malfoy, I am not lost. I came to speak to you, can we talk in private?"

"Why would I want to listen to what a dirty mudblood has to say?"

"Because this dirty mudblood could take 50 points of your house for assault and you are my fiance, forced or not you owe me at least a conversation."

"Assualt? What are you on about? Follow me."

Draco gave in and escorted her towards his room. Since the battle there weren't as many seventh years in Slytherin house so Draco got his own room. As they walked up the staircase some fourth years were giving the pair strange looks, Draco merely glanced in their direction and they scattered away. Once inside Draco closed the door and pointed to one of two armchairs seated in the corner of the room.

"You need to control your girlfriend," Hermione stated calmly.

"What are you talking about? I don't have a girlfriend," he said confused.

"Yes, your girlfriend, Pansy? Ring a bell?"

"She's not my girlfriend, she may think she is but really she's not."

"Well she acts as if she is. We were on patrol together when she slapped me and told me that she couldn't stand by whilst I steal you away from her," mimicking Pansy by the end.

"SHE DID WHAT? No one will slap my fiance whether or not we are forced to marry. I am sorry Granger, I expected better than for a Slytherin to lay a hand on you."

Hermione stood there amazed. Draco had acted like a decent human being genuinely sorry for the wrong doings of his house members. She wasn't going to get ahead of herself but maybe, just maybe this marriage thing could work or at least turn these two unlikely enemies into friends.

"Granger, you may not realise this but I don't particularly want to go to Azkaban. So I was reading over the letter sent by the ministry and we actually have to act like a married couple, sleep in the same bed, eat meals together where possible. Would you consider actually letting this marriage work? Maybe being friends at least in private. In public we can be less mean but still not act lovey dovey."

"Draco... Oh Malfoy-"

"You can call me Draco, Hermione", Draco replied with a small smirk.

"Draco, that would be lovely."

Guys I just thought I'd say that I'm not sure if the next story will be out anytime soon as I am currently undergoing a lot of stress and torment at the moment thanks to my school and musical. I will try my best and will more than likely have one up in a few days if any of your care, none of you probably do. I would love a review I realise it's still early days so there is not much to review but it would be much appreciated