The picnic goers were all soon settled on their blankets, nibbling at the various offerings Draco's father had provided for them all. It had seemed a little odd, looking up at the elder Malfoy and not wanting to blast him from where he stood into the nearest tree. He still had that haughty, I'm better than you, aloof demeanour going on but he wasn't as… scary. She wondered at that, had she really been scared of Lucius Malfoy? She supposed that she had in a way. Looking at him now, he seemed far different to then. He was more than a little preoccupied with his wife at least. In fact, it was rather sickening to watch. She turned away and tried to focus on her own romantic problems.

Meanwhile, Draco had filled a plate for them to share and was munching his way through a cucumber sandwich. She picked up one of the little triangles and bit into the corner, hoping that no one would find their companionship suspicious. She voiced her concern to Draco, who laughed at her, "Oh Merlin no!" he snorted, "We've been friends for God knows how long, since school actually," he added. She let out a small sigh and bit into the sandwich again.

"So, who have I been friends with?" she asked as she scanned the crowd.

"Not many actually," he said after finishing the sandwich, "I mean, Lavender and you have always been good mates. Ginny too when I think about it. Potter and Weasley too but that's it." Draco said, "And me!"

She chuckled at his optimism and cast her eyes around the picnic again. "We all thought you'd marry one of the Weasleys," Draco said. Hermione coughed at that, trying hard not to choke on the bit of sandwich she had happened to eat.

"Gross!" she managed to splutter. Draco laughed at her and shoved blonde strands from his face. "Really, it would be like marrying my brother." She paused and looked at her friend, "Or you!" He pulled a face at her and nodded.

"Agreed Granger." He looked at her levelly for a moment and she sucked her lower lip between her teeth.

"What happened to make me be engaged to Krum?" she asked. Draco shook his head a little and shot her a look that was pure devilry before shaking his head.

"You surprised everyone with that little stunt," he said. "It was out of the blue and rather hasty if you ask me."
"How so?"

"You'd always told everyone that you've had your sights set on someone else, though you'd never told a soul who that was, instead you'd just go a bright colour and giggle a lot," he said. She picked up another sandwich and nibbled the corner as he spoke, "So, Krum turns up in town a couple of days after the Weasley's returned from France with the De La Cours and begins trying to ingratiate himself with all the single young ladies." Hermione nodded and urged him to continue, "You put him off for ages, told us all that such an idea turned your stomach."

"Yeah, it sort of does," she admitted.

"Then, a week ago, you changed your mind and accepted," Draco said. Hermione frowned.

"Why, in Merlin's name, would I do something like that?" she said as she scratched her head. "I certainly don't love him."

"No, that much is obvious," Draco said. It was his turn to pick up one of the sandwiches and begin eating, giving her some time to think a bit more. It didn't seem like something that she would do but the fact that there was a rather large diamond on her finger told her that it had happened. The question that still haunted her mind was why. Why had she agreed to marrying someone that she felt no real spark for. In fact, there was her fiancé walking down the green to join them. The only thing she felt was a mild friendship. She knew nothing about him she realised and that if they did marry, it was going to be a disaster.

Viktor was making his way down to where they were sitting, his gait stiff, his movements awkward. Hermione turned to Draco when he nudged her, "Is he still a champion Quidditch player?" she hissed. Draco nodded a reply as the Bulgarian approached them. Hermione took a moment to look at the fellow before her. His inky black hair was nipped back in a queue with a ribbon and his roman nose dominated his face. Black eyes peered out from between thick lashes and he offered her a curt little bow before sitting beside her.

"Hermione," he said, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Viktor," she replied with a polite inclination of her head and a smile. When he looked at Draco, Draco touched his forehead with his hand in a salute.

"How are you?" The Bulgarian asked in his thick accent.

Hermione's lips remained fixed in that smile. "Fine, thank you, and you?" she said, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Well," he replied. He kept a hold of her hand but made no further attempt to communicate. Draco gave her a look that gave her the urge to slap him but she managed to refrain. His leather clad hand was cool in hers and he'd taken her right as well so it made it all the more difficult to reach the nibbles. Draco smirked and she gave him a look that would have withered daisies. The silence extended. Hermione looked around for someone who might rescue her from such an awkward situation but found no one was willing to meet her eyes.

Finally, Draco spoke up. "So, do you intend to stay in England?" he asked, almost casually. Hermione's eyes widened, she hadn't even thought of the implications of marrying this foreigner. What if he took her away from everyone!

"I've not yet decided where we will make our home." His reply was a little halting and the smile slipped from her face. As if the decision was his alone! How archaic.

"Surely Hermione'll be happier here," Draco said. He picked up a glass of pressed lemonade and took a sip.

"But that is not her decision," Krum replied. Hermione withdrew her hand and gave him a look of complete outrage.

"And when were you going to discuss it with me?" she snapped. Krum's eyes widened a little before settling back into a glassy, impassive stare.

"Now is not the time," he muttered. Draco had the audacity to smirk at her outrage.

"Well, when is? If you think I will be happy in a marriage where my partner thinks they can make life decisions without consulting me, think again!" she said. His eyes narrowed and she watched his palms clench into fists. If he even considered raising them at her, she would hex him from here until next Sunday. His hands relaxed however and he shook his head.

"Not now," he replied, his voice was as cold as ever and she turned her head away from him. She couldn't even look at him if this was how he thought their life would be. She heard him sigh. He rose from where he was sitting and gave a bow to her, "Perhaps we shall speak of this another time," he said. She gave him a curt nod of her head before he turned and left them alone.

"What a stuffy notion," she said as soon as he was out of earshot.

"That's how it's done here Hermione," Draco said. There was still that infuriating smile on his face and she had to fight the urge to shove him away.

"Not where I'm from. I am not moving to Bulgaria and that is that!" she said. She let out a sigh and shook her head, "I don't think I want this marriage," she admitted.

"Hermione!" Draco said. This time there was a scandalised look on his face and he shook his head, "There would have to be a very good reason for you to call that off, unless you wanted to be labelled as a loose woman!"

Hermione brushed a stray lock of brown hair from her forehead and fell silent. She knew Draco was speaking the truth, and if she wanted to survive in this new time, she was going to have to be a bit more accommodating to their ideals. Swallowing them was going to be a little tough however, and she knew she would need more time. Marrying Krum was out of the question however and so, she would have to find a way to get out of that union as soon as she could.

"I don't want that Draco," she said, "I fully intend to live and flourish here but I cannot do that married to that man."

"Why not?"

"I cannot live with someone who is going to make all my decisions for me," she said with a shake of her head, "Who would consider moving me to another country without even asking!" A shiver tripped down her spine and she shuddered. Draco gave her a look of sympathy but shook his head slowly.

"I'm sure you'll be able to think of something, I'd not go around telling the idea to all and sundry though, especially not those you live with," he said, indicating his meaning by jerking his head at Mrs Weasley. She was currently fussing with Ginny and a couple of the young men who were talking to her.

Hermione nodded, "I can see what you mean," she said pulling a face. The last thing she needed was for Molly to start moaning at her for what she saw as a logical choice.

"I've got your back Hermione," Draco said, "But you've got to be careful about this."

"I know."

"You've a good brain up there, might be a good chance to use it and get what you really want," Draco said. Involuntarily, her eyes fell on Snape and Fleur. They were sat together, eating from individual plates and sharing a conversation. It looked as stilted as the one she had just had with Krum and she wondered why they had got engaged? She didn't know all that much about Severus yet and she tilted her head to the side.

"Tell me about Snape," she said to Draco. He gave her the oddest of looks and shook his head.

"Is that wise?"

"I don't know!" she snapped, "I have no idea what is and what isn't. It's all new Draco." She fought to keep her voice under control, not wanting to arouse the attention of the fellow picnic goers. Lavender chose that moment to reappear with a glass of water and flopped down beside them.

"Hello again!" she smiled, "Feeling better?

Hermione nodded and Draco gave her a smile, "Not too bad," she added. She managed to mouth the word 'Later' to Draco, who nodded.

"Well, seeing how your friend is back, I think I'll take my leave," he said.

"Thank you Draco," she said sincerely.

"Don't mention it Granger," he shrugged. She watched as her friend struggled to his feet and walked away to spend time with some of the other guests. Lavender began chatting at her but she couldn't focus, she had more than enough to dwell on as it was.