Chapter 8
Part 1: Prompt: Contract
The war was supposed to be a fresh start, but its end only brought new heartache. The marriage law surprised everyone with it’s announcement and match ups happening on the same day. The marriage contracts were to last for five years at a minimum, three if a child was born.
The ministry rewarded the golden trio by partnering them with their supposed partners. Harry and Ginny were wed in a joint ceremony with Hermione and Ron; a blatant attempt to romanticize the Ministry’s plan.
A genius plan had it not been for a secret. A relationship that bloomed between two opposing sides of the war. A relationship between light and darkness, unknown to even their closest of friends.
As Hermione stood on the altar, vowing herself to another, the crowd smiled as they mistook her tears as ones of joy. A pair of grey eyes sought out her own as he mouthed the same vows along with her soon to be husband and she allowed herself to imagine a different life.
Cheers from the crowd broke Hermione out of her reverie and the ceremony came to a close. As others danced and drank at the reception, Hermione watched as Draco cut through the crowd, his eyes focused only on her.
Reaching out his hand, he pulled her to the dance floor, oblivious to the stares of the rest of the guests. Hermione kept her gaze at his chest, blinking back tears and plastering a fake smile on her face.
Tilting her chin back so she could look at him, Draco murmured, “1,825 days.”
Confused, Hermione’s smile faltered, “What?”
“In 1,825 days, I’m going to be right here dancing with you as my wife.”
Part 2: Prompt: It Will Always Be You
It had been 1,824 days since Hermione last saw Draco Malfoy. 1,824 days of waking up in a loveless marriage, counting down the moments until she could see if her happily ever after was even possible anymore. Ron had tried to convince her of having children, allow them to divorce sooner, but Hermione refused to bring a child into the world as a product of anything but love. So, they continued to live in the same home, retiring to their own rooms; more roommates than husband and wife.
Though they never spoke of it, Hermione and Draco hadn't seen each other since her wedding. An unspoken agreement made during their one dance that evening. He had married Pansy later that evening, the idea sickening Hermione no matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise.
As midnight neared, Hermione took a final look around the place she had called home the last 5 years feeling nothing but relief. Ron was drinking with Harry at the pub to allow her time to pack up and she was grateful.
At midnight precisely, there was a knock at the door.
Walking to the door, Hermione called out, "Honestly, Ronald, you still live here there's no need to kn-"
The rest of her words stuck in her throat as the door opened to reveal Draco Malfoy dressed in a muggle tuxedo leaning against the door frame.
"Good Evening, Granger," his deep voice reverberated through the small space as his eyes shone with pure adoration.
In an instant, no time had passed and Hermione had flung herself into his arms, loud sobs choking her as she buried her head into his neck. Draco held her tightly as one hand came up to stroke her curls.
A loud throat clearing broke the moment and Hermione noticed the second man behind him. Remembering herself, she pulled back from his arms and began to wipe her tears.
"Can-Can I help you?" she asked confused.
The mystery man let out a small chuckle and brought forth a stack of papers from his robes. "Actually, miss, I am the one here to help."
He passed the papers to Hermione with a twinkle in his eye.
"They're already signed by the other three so we're just missing you."
Now even more confused, Hermione grabbed the papers and began to read. Tears had filled her vision before she reached the end.
Hermione turned to Draco, "You did this?"
With a small smile, Draco reached out to hold her face, "Ron came to the Manor about 20 minutes ago to sign. Pansy signed right after and now the two of them are getting drunk on a bottle of my oldest Ogden's."
He paused and gazed at her with an intensity rivaling her own.
"I told you five years ago, you'd be my wife today and I have spent every day imagining this moment. Hermione Granger, will you please do me the long overdue honor of being my wife? It has always been you and it will always be you. I love you and will love you every day of this life and the next. W-"
Whatever he had planned to say next was cut off by Hermione's bruising kiss.
"So is this a yes?" Draco asked, breaking the kiss.
Nodding furiously, Hermione pounced on Draco again, her mouth whispering affirmation between kisses.
Another throat clearing interrupted them once again.
"So are you two ready?"
"Wait, now??" squeaked Hermione.
Draco smirked.
"Five years ago, I told you that today I would make you my wife and I intend to keep that promise."
It took 1,825 days for Draco and Hermione to find their way back to one another and they made sure to never waste another moment for the remainder of their lives.