Betrothed at Birth (Dramione Fanfiction)

Chapter Six

~~ A/N- Woah. 400 reads. I'm not gonna bore you with thanks or excuses to why I've been inactive, cause I'm pretty sure no-one reads them. So, I'm just going to start writing.~~

     Hermione Granger roamed the castle without purpose. Classes were over for the week and her friends were off galavanting somewhere. She stuck her hands in her pockets and turned a corner, before stopping and sighing.

     "Malfoy."

     The Slytherin looked up from his book and flashed her a small smile. He sat on the ground, which struck Hermione as peculiar, but she dismissed it.

     She inhaled before walking over and sinking to the ground opposite to him. "I wanted to thank you."

     Malfoy put down the book and raised a blonde brow.

     Hermione fidgeted in the silence. "For, erm, giving me space. You, and Blaise. . . It meant a lot."

      He looked at her and spoke for the first time. "What was that about? I thought we were on decent terms." He was being strangely kind, and Hermione said as much. He laughed. "Some of the others might not have completely changed, but we're not terrible people Hermione." 

     Her name sounded strange on his tongue, but not in a bad way. His rich way of speaking made the name sound elegant and foreign, something that fascinated Hermione. But, she had to answer. "Yeah, I'm just still rattled. People can act one way, and then a different way entirely."

     Malfoy nodded, his eyes shifting to the ground as if he knew all too well. "Speaking of which, why have you been so . . . off recently?"

     She paused, not really thinking he had noticed. After all, why would he even bother noticing something so trivial to him like her actions? She sighed. "Well, I'm Blaise's sister, yeah?" 

     " . . . Yeah."

     "Well, there's the whole Pureblood arranged marriage thing that I have to deal with."

     He nodded. "Yeah, I've got that too. Actually . . ." He paused, trying to recall who he was betrothed with. 

     Hermione freaked, standing. "I, uh, have to go to lunch."

     He looked at her skeptically, standing as well. "At nine in the morning?"

     "Yes!" She flashed a rather forced smile and started to walk off.

     His hand wrapped around her wrist and she was forced to stop, her momentum propelling her back to Malfoy. They were close, too close, but she was petrified by his silvery gaze.

     "Who did you say you were betrothed to?" He asked, knowing full well she didn't say at all.

     "Oh, just some pureblood, I wouldn't want to bore you with the details." Hermione tried to wrench her eyes away but she was enthralled, already trapped in his eyes. 

     His grip tightened briefly before he released her and bent down to pick up his book. "It's not someone here, is it?" His voice was soft, considerate. Hermione couldn't help but admire his eloquent speech, but she shook her head and attempted to plow forward, mindlessly messing with where he had held her wrist.

     "Oh, maybe. I don't really . . . pay attention to the Slytherins. . . Yeah. Erm, I best be going to . . . lunch, yes. See you later!" She strode off, heart pounding away.

     Draco stood there in her wake, rather dumbfounded. Suddenly, his lips tightened and he turned on his heel, walking away from her briskly, a plan half-formed in his mind.

**Time Skip**

     A sharp tapping on the common room window had Hermione drowsily standing up and making her way over to the window. With a yawn, she opened it, and let in a rather majestic screech owl, already holding out its leg for her to retrieve the letter. After getting the letter she fed the owl a treat from a bin next to the window that was used by all for owls. 

     Glancing down at it, she was surprised to see it was addressed to her- she had been ready to fasten it to the board where letters awaited their intended readers. 

     She brushed her thumb over her name, which was written in a fine, rather swoopy calligraphy.   Hermione was nervous, something she found pride in the general lack of. Opening it, she found more of the elegant script.

     Hermione,

It has come to my attention that I have forgotten to tell you everything about your new life as a pureblood. As I'm sure you are aware that you have been glamoured to look different, I must inform you that your name isn't Hermione. I have requested an audience with you out of Hogwarts, along with Blaise, and it has been approved. I recommend you pack for about a week, as you'll be staying with us throughout the upcoming winter holidays. 

     Hermione stopped reading and took a deep, steadying breath. It was now clear who the letter was from, and she decided not to dwell on the "your name isn't Hermione" part of the letter. There were more pressing things, like the out of school audience. Although she had wanted to stay with Harry and Ron during the winter holidays she did not want to upset Melanie, as she had been nothing but kind to her.

I hope you decide to join us, as it is of course up to your discretion. If you do decide you join us, please send our owl back with a reply, which we happily await.

Your mother,

Melanie Zabini <3 

     She couldn't help but giggle at the rather rudimentary heart that had been added next to Melanie's name, almost as an afterthought. 

     Hermione stood up, jubilant. She had decided she was going to go, and that she would enjoy herself. After scribbling a reply and sending the owl off on its way, she flounced off to her rooms to pack, as she was, under no circumstance, going to be unprepared. 

     Being a pureblood couldn't be that bad, could it?

~~A/N- So, there you guys have it, my not so impressive chapter six! I hope it's to your liking, and I cannot wait to get started on the next chapter! Again, I own nothing except the plot, and everything else goes to the always wonderful J. K. Rowling! Bye for now!

P.S. Should I change my name? I've been thinking about it, and I would like some feedback, for a maybe more Harry Pottery name, if that makes any sense.~~

-IronSword56 :D