Chapter 5 – Speeding Things Along

Draco's POV

Draco received a letter from his mother the following week.

Dear Draco,

I do not understand what you have against the idea of a match with Miss Greengrass. She comes from a very respectable family. If you are not going to marry her then you better have a good reason and an even better choice.

I expect to hear back immediately.

Mother.

Draco shook his head gently, before looking over at the Gryffindor table. His girlfriend was happily talking to her friends. He smiled before turning over the paper and scratching out his reply.

Mother,

If you must know, I do not care to marry Miss Greengrass because she is a stupid little girl. I also do not care to marry into your idea of a respectable family; I don't care about all this blood purity stuff, I never really did. I have already decided on who I want to marry and you and father won't like it but I don't care. Disown me if you want but I'll marry her anyway. I love Hermione Granger.

Draco.

He passed his note to the owl. He hoped that his parents didn't have a heart attack.

Hermione's POV

There was a new sign in the common room. They were expected to inform the ministry of their chosen spouse so each of the couples added their names to a sign up sheet. Hermione scanned it to see the different couples.

Tracey Davis and Theodore Nott

Daphne Greengrass and Harry Potter

Pansy Parkinson and Ron Weasley

Millicent Bulstrode and Gregory Goyle

Hannah Abbott and Neville Longbottom

Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy

Ginny Weasley (7th) and Blaise Zabini

Fay Dunbar and Seamus Finnigan

Parvati Patil and Dean Thomas

Sally-Anne Perks and Kevin Entwhistle

Megan Jones and Wayne Hopkins

Susan Bones and Terry Boot

Morag MacDougal and Ernie Macmillian

Lisa Turpin and Justin Finch-Fletchley

Padma Patil and Oliver Rivers

Sue Li and Zacharias Smith

Mandy Brocklehurst and Roger Malone

Rionarch O'Neal and Anthony Goldstein

Michael Corner and Luna Lovegood (7th)

Stephen Cornfoot and Alice Liversage (7th)

Hermione smiled at the sight of her name next to Draco's. They had become close over the last few weeks and as scary as the marriage law was, she was glad to be facing it with him. "Everyone's paired up," Hermione commented. "I wonder what will happen next..."

Several other students were in the common room. Harry and Ron were sat with Daphne and Pansy doing their homework at one of the tables. Tracey and Theo were sat together in a corner whispering. Parvati, Sally-Anne and Rionarch were sat together gossiping about all the different couples, trying to guess which couples would have the cutest babies. Draco was sat with Hermione, Blaise, Faye Dunbar and Seamus Finnigan. Faye was the one to answer Hermione's question, "they will draw up the marriage contracts..."

"And then we'll all be getting married," finished Seamus.

"But won't they want us to finish school first?" Hermione asked, suddenly feeling worried.

Draco grabbed her hand, "don't know... I think they will probably want to rush us along."

"But that's just crazy," Hermione replied, "we can't be married at Hogwarts... surely that's against the school rules."

Draco's POV

Draco,

You can't seriously be considering marrying that muggleborn?

What on earth are you thinking? I have spoken to your father. We don't support this decision. However, we will not disown you. We merely ask that you prove to us that she is the right choice. We understand that that might take several years, but we are willing to try if she is.

We will need to meet her officially of course. I have booked dinner at the Three Broomsticks for tomorrow night. I expect to see you both there.

I have also included your grandmother's ring.

Your mother.

P.S. you better be grateful. At first your father wanted to curse the girl.

Draco frowned, dinner with the parents... that will be interesting. Hermione caught his eye from across the hall, giving him a questioning look. Draco shook his head and got to his feet, making his way over to the Gryffindor table. There was space on the bench beside Hermione so he sat down. One of the seventh year Gryffindors shot him a glare, "oh Malfoy what are you doing over here?"

Hermione frowned at the younger boy before turning towards Draco, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing... well not really. My mum wrote me." Draco handed Hermione the letter.

"She wants us to do dinner tomorrow night?" Hermione looked suddenly pale.

"Don't worry love, I'll protect you," Draco kissed her on the cheek, "come on, let's get to class."

Harry's POV

The following day each of the seventh and eighth year students received a letter at breakfast. Enclosed were several documents that needed to be completed so that the ministry could write up the marriage contracts. Harry sat in the library after lunch answering each of the questions.

Name: Harry James Potter

Place of Residence: 12 Grimmauld Place, London

Age: 18

Monetary Value: Over 100 million galleons excluding property

Marriage Partner: Daphne Greengrass

Place of Residence: Greengrass Estate, Wiltshire

Age: 18

Reason for Marriage: Marriage Law

Marital Abode: 12 Grimmauld Place, London

Harry laughed, he'd never had to consider his monetary value before, let alone where he would live after Hogwarts. Hermione joined him so that she could fill in her own form. "You alright Harry?"

"Yeah," Harry grinned.

Name: Hermione Jean Granger

Place of Residence: The Grange, Summerset Drive, Summerset

Age: 18

Monetary Value: 50,000 pound in a trust fund.

Marriage Partner: Draco Malfoy

Place of Residence: Malfoy Manor

Age: 18

Reason for Marriage: Marriage Law

Marital Abode:

Hermione took a deep breath, "we haven't discussed where we will live..."

Harry looked up, "I'm still surprised you are marrying the ferret."

Hermione smiled at her best friend, "he's different now."

"I know," Harry grinned, "everything's different now."

Hermione's POV

Hermione went to find Draco. He was working on his own form in the common room. "Hey Mione," Draco said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap.

Hermione glanced down over his form. She read quickly.

Name: Draco Lucius Malfoy

Place of Residence: Malfoy Manor

Age: 18

Monetary Value: At present I have my own fortune of 20 million galleons but as the heir to the Malfoy family upon the death of my parents I will inherit the entire family fortune exceeding 100 million galleons.

Marital Partner: Hermione Jean Granger

Place of Residence: The Grange, Summerset Drive, Summerset

Age: 18

Reason for Marriage: Marriage Law

Marital Abode: Malfoy Manor

"You want me to live at the manor?" Hermione asked shyly.

Draco tensed, he didn't know how to respond, "it's tradition... but... if it's too much..."

"No... no... it's fine..."

Draco frowned, "love, I know you have nightmares about my home but I promise it's nothing like what you remember."

Hermione nodded, "besides I'll be there to keep you safe." He held her tightly, breathing in the smell of her hair. "I'll always be there."

Ron's POV

Name: Ronald Billius Weasley

Place of Residence: The Burrow

Age: 18

Monetary Value: 100 galleons

Marriage Partner: Pansy Parkinson

Place of Residence: Parkinson Estate

Age: 18

Reason for Marriage: Marriage Law

Marital Abode:

Ron sighed, the last thing he wanted to do was move home after Hogwarts, especially as he would be married. He would have to get a job and find somewhere for them both to live. Pansy looked over what Ron had written, "my parents have a cottage in Surrey. They always told me I could have it as a graduation present. We could live there, what do you think?"

"That would be lovely," Ron smiled at the Slytherin.

"I'll write to them tonight," Pansy grinned.

Daphne's POV

Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Hannah and Fay were sat outside near the lake. They were wrapped up warm in cloaks and scarves. Hermione looked somewhat nervous. Daphne hazarded a guess that she was talking to her best friends about her upcoming meal with the Malfoys. Daphne, Pansy, Tracey and Millie made their way over to the girls near the lake.

"Alright?" Daphne tried to be polite.

Hermione smiled, "yeah, you?"

"I was thinking that since you are marrying Draco and Weasley, you are marrying Blaise, not to mention I'm marrying Harry and Pansy's marrying Ron, well maybe we should all try and make friends."

"Sounds like a plan," Hermione smiled, "Friday night... our dorm... we'll invite a few others too."

"Should we invite the boys?" Pansy asked.

"Of course," Hermione grinned.

Fay's POV

Hermione's left me with all the planning because she's got her meal with the Malfoy's tonight, Fay thought to herself as she began to write a list of people to invite.

Hermione and Draco

Fay and Seamus

Daphne and Harry

Ginny and Blaise

Pansy and Ron

Tracey and Theo

Millicent and Greg

Hannah and Neville

Parvati and Dean

Luna and Michael

She then scribbled a quick note to each of the couples.

Party tonight in the Gryffindor eighth year girls' dorm. Hope to see you there. X

She rushed to the owlery and sent the notes before running off to get Seamus' help in procuring some firewhiskey.

Hermione's POV

This has got to be one of the worst nights of my life, right next to being tortured by Bellatrix. It's unbelievably awkward. Mrs Malfoy just keeps asking me questions whilst Mr Malfoy just tuts. Draco is all encouragement with his calming hand on my knee but really he's not helping. I've hidden in the bathroom – trying to catch some air.

Mrs Malfoy has asked how many children I want – my answer being at least two. She asked whether I intend to work and if so what I plan to do. I told her all about my ideas for the ministry – she wasn't impressed. She asked if we planned to live at the manor. She was happy when we said we were. She asked after my parents – what did they do? Were they well off? Would they perhaps be available for lunch on the weekend? It's killing me. I better get back out there. I don't want them to think I'm being rude.

Draco's POV

"Father must you be so condescending? I love her. I will marry her and I refuse to sit here whilst you scoff at her."

"Dragon," Narcissa cut in, "you'll be glad to know we have started taking down the worst of the old family paintings so that your bride will be more... comfortable."

"Hopefully she will not feel unwelcome," Lucius sneered.

Draco went to stand but his mother grabbed his hand, "son, don't listen to him. She is a lovely girl. I can see why you like her."

Draco conceded, sitting back down, "thank you for sending the ring."

"I notice she doesn't wear it... I hope she likes it," Narcissa seemed concerned.

"I'm sure she will but I've yet to give it her," Draco explained. "I want it to be special... I want it to mean more than... well I don't want her to think I'm just doing it because of the law."

"You want to give her time," Narcissa nodded, "romance her a little..."

Lucius huffed, "going soft..."

"Perhaps I am father," Draco retorted, "but at least I know happiness."