Chapter 1
Ministry galas before were always so dreadfully boring. Hermione wishes she could go back to them being boring. Now ministry galas we're full of forced smiles and a ministry-appointed husband. Unfortunately for them Hermione and Draco were the first to be matched and then made the poster couple for the “Wizarding Repopulation Act of 2005.”
The gala after parties were the only thing she looked forward to. It mainly consisted of the younger ministry workers, their spouses, and ungodly amounts of alcohol. As soon as she walked through the door of the Leaky Cauldron after party she let go of Draco's hand and went straight to the bar. She watches as her reluctant husband mingles with the rest of the group, ignoring her. Which is what he does best, ignore her existence. She thought that because they were friends before the Repopulation Act that they would just continue to be friends who were now married. They didn't actually have to sire a child for 3 more years. Before she could spiral too deeply into her own sorrowful thoughts someone sat down beside her.
“Your jaw must hurt from all the smiling.” She snorted and looked over to see that Theodore Nott was the one who spoke.
“You have /no/ idea.” She took a long sip of her drink.
“Well not in that aspect. I don't get my match for another 2 months, but I do know what it feels like to pretend to be grateful for something that feels like a prison.”
Hermione thought that was curious but she didn't dare pry. They ended up talking for the majority of the party. She talked all about her work in the DRMC and the legislation she has coming up, he talked about his work in the department of mysteries and the experimental work he's been doing with time turners on the side in his own lab.
3 champagnes and 4 firewhiskeys later the pair were talking about anything and everything under the sun. If Hermione wasn't so far out of the game she could've sworn that he was flirting with her. Hermione hadn't dated anyone since her and Viktor broke up a few years prior.
“No, I'm serious! I always liked your hair. It may be large in volume but it always looks so soft.” Theo reached out for a stray curl and wrapped it around his finger. They were only a breath apart when they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
“Theo, I didn't know you knew Hermione.” Draco stepped up behind her chair and glared.
“I've seen her around the ministry. We've been getting to know each other this evening a little better.” Theo sat back and put his hand gently on Hermione's forearm.
“Theo I've known you since we were in nappies. I would hate to ruin our friendship but she is a married women. Take your hands off of my wife.” Draco was seething, his voice dripping with venom.
“We may have grown up together but we have not been friends for a long time, Malfoy. You made that quite clear in first year.” He finished the rest of his drink in one gulp and stood up.
“Plus if you can't keep your /wife/ happy i think someone should.” Theo dug around in his pockets for his wallet. He placed more than enough galleons on the bar to cover both of their tabs and turned back to Hermione.
“Hermione, call me whenever you want. I’d love to get to chat again soon.” Theo then pulled a card out of his wallet and walked off.
“What did he hand you?” Draco attempted to snatch the card out of Hermione's hand.
“It's a muggle thing. He gave me his phone number.” She clutched the card close. Her evening with Theo was the best time she's had in a long time. He listened to her, gave her attention, and he touched her. It didn't seem like much but she was so touch starved she'd do anything for some physical affection. She almost felt dizzy from the little bit she got from him.
“I know what a phone number is Hermione. Why did he give you his?” His speech was laced with an accusation.
“I'm not doing this with you Draco.” She attempted to walk away but he grabbed her arm and apparated on the spot.
They landed back in their shared flat.
“What the hell was that? Maybe I wasn't ready to leave!” Her anger began to rise. The alcohol in her system didn't help.
“I don't want you talking to Theo. I don't trust him.” Draco said cooley like it was normal for him to demand something from her.
“You don't get to tell me what to do. I can do whatever the hell I want with him. He actually pays attention to me!” She laughed at him.
“What is that supposed to mean Hermione?” His voice was calm but stern. He crossed his arms over his chest.
“It means we've been married for 6 months and you treat me like I'm nothing! You never talk to me, you're always ignoring me. We used to be friends, hell you work with my best friends! Is being married to me so horrible? Are you still hung up on being married to a muggle born?” She hadnt meant for that last part to slip out. She knew better than anyone else how hard he tried to make amends after the war.
All Draco did was look at her. He looked anger but under all that anger he looked hurt. After a few minutes of just staring at each other he stomped to his room and slammed the door shut.