Learning To Love

The next morning Hermione woke up, hoping that the day before had just been one bad dream. She opened her eyes and rolled over, jumping when she saw an eagle owl sitting on her nightstand. When it saw she was awake, it ruffled its feathers and held its leg out for her. She cautiously took the letter and watched the owl fly out of her window. Looking at the envelope, she noticed the Malfoy crest. Intrigued, she opened the letter and began to read:

Hermione,
I know we have had our differences in the past, but, obviously, we are going to have to put those behind us. I can imagine that you are not happy with this arrangement, and I can tell you I most definitely do not agree, but unless we want to leave this world, we have no other choice.
I also want to make sure you understand that divorces in the Wizarding World are very uncommon and are most definitely looked down upon. If we end up married, we should attempt to make it work. Just make sure you truly think hard before you decide.
I will see you in a few weeks,
Draco Malfoy

Hermione was a little surprised by Draco's letter. He sounded quite mature, but she worried that he was just lulling her into a false sense of security. She took a deep breath and vowed to herself that she would hold her head up high and go through with this marriage. But, it would only be a marriage of convenience. They could potentially be friends, but nothing more.

Hermione still didn't know how to break this news to Harry. She worried about his reaction to her being forced to marry his enemy. Even though Draco had turned to the light side, Harry and Draco still argued and did everything in their power to stay away from each other.

While she was thinking about Harry, Hedwig flew in her window and landed on Hermione's shoulder. She ruffled her feathers importantly and held her leg out for Hermione. Hermione took the letter, and Hedwig flew over to Midnight's perch to rest.

Hermione opened the letter, and read:

Dear Hermione,
I do know about the new law and I have already tried to talk to Percy, but he refuses to make exceptions, even for his extended family. He truly believes this law is for the best.
Unfortunately, and I don't know how to tell you this, but I was chosen as one of the first marriages and I will be marrying Daphne Greengrass on August 1^st.
I'm sorry, Hermione. You know that I love you and I will break my wand and leave with you, if that is what you want me to do.
I love you forever and always,
Harry

This letter brought another round of tears to her eyes. She still didn't want to run away. She would hold her head up high and marry Draco. Hermione loved the Wizarding World too much to leave, no matter how much she loved Harry. Besides, she couldn't ask him to leave. This was his world and his life; he had nothing in the Muggle World.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Over the next few weeks, she worked on packing things, as she assumed she would be moving to Malfoy Manor after the wedding. She also visited her parents and gave them the news, and while they tried to talk her into leaving the Wizarding World, they understood why she wanted to stay. She wrote a letter to Minister Weasley and received permission for her parents to be there when she went to Hogwarts for her wedding. She had even made sure to get the time off work, but the one thing she had yet to do was tell Harry of her impending marriage. She just wasn't quite sure how to do it.

Finally, the morning of July 22 arrived and Hermione and her parents made their way to Platform 9 ¾. Upon their arrival at the platform, Hermione spotted Harry and she ran over to greet him.

"Hermione, what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.

Hermione looked down guiltily, and answered, "Harry, I, too, was chosen to get married. I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione backed away, realizing from his tone that he was upset at her. "I'm not mad," he said, noticing her reaction, "I'm sorry, who are you marrying?"

And, as if on cue, Draco Malfoy stepped up behind them and addressed Hermione.

"Hermione, there you are." He smirked at Harry.

Harry looked from Hermione to Draco, and then realization spread across his features. "No, Hermione, you can't go through with this. I'll leave with you, if that's what you want. You just can't marry him; he'll make your life miserable."

"Sorry, Potter, but how can you encourage such a bright witch to leave. Besides, your loss is my gain and that makes this so much sweeter. Now, if you'll excuse us, I would like to meet my fiancée's parents."

"Draco, this is not going to be easy on any of us. But, Harry has been my best friend for almost ten years and I will not go through with this marriage unless you promise to be nice to him and the rest of my friends," Hermione said.

"You have no other choice in the matter, unless you want to break your wand and leave. And I don't have any problem with that." Draco smirked at her.

Hermione sighed in frustration and led the way over to her parents. After introducing them, she glanced around the platform, while her parents and Draco spoke. She looked over at Harry, who was talking to Daphne and her parents. She continued to look around and finally found the third couple, Dean Thomas and Parvati Patil.

'Well, at least one couple is actually happy,' Hermione thought, as she waved to them. They had started dating during their seventh year and were still together.

Feeling a bit claustrophobic, Hermione looked around for an escape. It came in the form of Hestia Jones, who called everyone over to the train.

"Good morning, everyone," she began, "as you all know the reason we're all here, let's just get to the point. The next week will be filled with preparations for the weddings. When we arrive, there will be accommodations for all of the families. Also, all the brides will be staying together until the weddings and the grooms will all be staying together. More information will be given to you tonight by Minister Weasley and Professor McGonagall. Now, let's get started."

She led the way on to the train and Hermione, Draco and the Grangers took a seat in one of the compartments. Her parents continued to talk, while Draco took out some reading and Hermione just stared out the window, occasionally responding to a question that one of her parents asked.

Hermione could not have been more relieved to arrive in Hogsmeade. As they all made their way to the carriage, her parents gasped at the fact that the carriages were being pulled by nothing. Hermione, having taken part in the war, could now see the Thestrals. Tired of all of her parents' questions, she merely told them the horses were invisible. When they turned the last corner and made their way to the castle, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief that they had arrived.