CHAPTER SEVENTEEN- Finals
"Everyone, quills down! Please bring your exams to me on your way out," said Professor Flitwick. Hermione slowly gathered her things and was the last to leave the Charms classroom.
"Do not look so glum Ms. Granger," started the professor. "You did splendidly on your practical exam, I am sure your written will be no different!" Flitwick said. "Yes... Thank you, Professor," said Hermione trying to leave.
"Ms. Granger, a moment of your time if you please," he said. Hermione lingered and waited for Professor Flitwick to speak. "Your wedding is just around the corner. I'd have thought a blushing bride would be more thrilled?" Flitwick asked.
The two stared at each other and Hermione started to panic. Perhaps Professor Flitwick questioned Draco and Hermione's devotion to each other. "I am very excited, I have just been consumed with exams," Hermione lied.
"Ah yes, you are a very dedicated student! Well then Ms. Granger, the next time I see you, you will be Mrs. Malfoy!" Flitwick piped. Trying to smile, Hermione raced out the door.
"What were you doing talking to Flitwick?" Malfoy questioned. He was waiting outside for her, tapping his foot. "He offered me his congratulations. That's all," she said trying to shake him off.
"That better have been all it was," he threatened. Hermione was in no mood for Draco's threats and went off to the girl's dormitory. Inside her room she found the group of fourth year girls eagerly awaiting her.
"Don't you all have exams?" Hermione asked. She grew sick of the three girls shadowing her around and asking questions about her relationship to Malfoy. Hermione did however grow to learn a bit about them.
The girls were called Gladys, Mallory and Ursula. The three were obsessed with gossip and thought they were clever by befriending Hermione since no one else would to gain information.
"We finished early! We wanted to see how you were faring with the wedding being so close," said Ursula who was the boldest of the three. "I am faring fine but I need to pack my things because-" Hermione started.
"Because you and Draco Malfoy will be leaving tomorrow morning for Wiltshire! You have final touches to make at Malfoy Manor before the wedding!" Ursula said, attempting to finish Hermione's sentence.
"We could help you pack, you know. You'll be gone for ages!" Gladys offered. "Oh yes, we won't see you until the New Year! Let us help," said Mallory. The girls were ready to open Hermione's wardrobe when she stopped them.
"No! I can pack my own things. You girls should be getting ready for the train back to King's Cross," she said firmly. These girls were more trouble than they were worth. With disappointed faces they departed and Hermione was left alone.
The few possessions she did have could easily fit in one bag, such as her clothes and toiletries. All the books she planned to bring would be a different problem. She fit most of them into her trunk and decided she would buy herself a few more as a Christmas present to herself.
The next morning with her trunk and bag packed she was ready in the Slytherin Common Room for Malfoy. He looked grumpy as ever with his trunk also in tow. "Let's get out of here before anyone notices," he said.
They had no luck though since almost all the students were in a jumble trying to get their possessions sorted and saying their goodbyes before the Christmas holiday. When Draco and Hermione stepped out all eyes were on them.
"We'll see you at the wedding, Draco." Goyle said trying not to laugh. Quickly Malfoy rushed Hermione out into the snow and past the Hogwarts gates. "Hold onto my arm," he instructed her.
"Are we going to Apparate?" Hermione asked. They still had two Apparation lessons left before they would be eligible to do it on their own. "Yes we are and I am going to get us there, now let's go," he said.
She had serious doubts about Malfoy's Apparation abilities but figured if he didn't succeed she would be splinched and maybe bad enough to where they would have to cancel the wedding.
To her disappointment they arrived safely just outside the manor. They walked hurriedly inside with the snow crunching under their feets and saw the whole manor had been changed since their last visit.
Narcissa had been very busy with decorating the house for Christmas as well as making sure every speck was clean for the wedding guests. "About time you two got here!" Narissa exclaimed as she hurried them over to the window.
In the back of the manor the pavilion was almost finished and people were bringing the gardens to a pristine state. "They assured me everything will be finished for next week," she said.
"We are quite tired from exams, Mother. I will be in my room," Draco said leaving upstairs. Before Narcissa had a chance to ask how exams were Hermione left as well to find her way back to the guest bedroom.
She unpacked all of her books and the few clothes she had while hearing the commotion of people bustling around the manor. Hermione heard Narcissa barking arrangements for food, flowers and everything in between.
While everyone was busy she took the time to bring out a book she had been hiding for some time. It was an ancient book she found in the restricted section called The Darkest Curses.
With her wand out she skimmed through the pages trying to find a curse to repel Malfoy on their wedding night. She could not practice them without making an uproar but knew if she read it well enough it should work.