Hermione was in the middle of washing her face the moment Draco knocked on her door.
Hermione groaned in annoyance and rinsed her face.
"What does he need this time?" She complained in a whisper as she patted her face dry with a towel.
"Come in!" She called and made her way to her closet.
Draco entered with Kristell and Narcissa behind him.
"Your dress is ready for the wedding!" Narcissa announced excitedly.
The dress was supposed to be delivered the day it was purchased but delayed as Narcissa listed some modifications she wanted for the dress and the veil.
"I already shopped for your make-up and shoes since you and Draco did not bother to get those. Ugh, you're stressing me out." Narcissa blabbered as she entered her bedroom.
"Oh, come in! Come in!" Narcissa called for the other people waiting outside her bedroom.
Two ladies brought in a big box with her wedding dress inside it.
Hermione looked at Draco, and he just shrugged his shoulders in response.
"This is Amanda, and this is Sharon— they will do your make-up for the wedding and assist you for tomorrow," Narcissa introduced.
Amanda looked like her age, while Sharon seemed like Narcissa's age.
The two ladies began modifying Hermione's bedroom while she stood there observing. Sharon changed her carpet and curtains while Amanda was busy setting up her vanity mirror, accessories, and the dress for tomorrow.
The wedding dress stood worn by a mannequin on the left corner of her bedroom. It hit her with the fact that she will be a Malfoy tomorrow.
Her chest tightened as she felt robbed by air.
"Anyways, I have to prepare for the Christmas eve dinner for later. I have to go," said Narcissa and fled Hermione's bedroom.
"Granger," called Draco.
"Hmm?"
"Get dressed and come downstairs," Draco told Hermione.
She just realized she was still in her cotton robes, and her hair was still a mess like she fought with her pillow during her slumber.
"I'll just have my breakfast here—"
"I need to talk to you as well. Just for today, have breakfast with the family," Draco requested before he shut the door.
Family.
Hermione sighed in defeat and went to her closet to choose her clothes for the day. She left her room wearing a white t-shirt, a maroon cardigan over it, and her favourite pair of muggle denim jeans. Her hair was up in a quick bun. Then, she was ready for the day.
She walked past the great hall, and it looked like it had been bath in Christmas spirit. A few days ago, there were only a few Christmas decorations, but now it looked lively than it was before.
She made her way to the dining hall, and it was just Draco sitting there, reading the Daily Prophet.
"You came," said Draco. "I was starting to think that you stood me up," he added as he lowered the Daily Prophet.
"Well, I'm here," Hermione muttered.
"Have a seat," Draco offered.
Hermione eyed the nineteen vacant seats, clueless and hesitant about which chair to sit in.
Draco pulled out the chair across him using his wand.
She paid a quick smile and took her seat across from him.
"Where are your parents?" Hermione asked as she settled on her seat.
"Father left after mother. They had things to do. That's what they told me," told Draco as he put food on his plate.
"I see," Hermione replied and poured herself some tea. "What do you want to talk about?" Hermione added as she buttered her toast.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" He asked, not meeting her gaze.
"No," Hermione answered with hesitance. "Are you?" She questioned back.
Draco let out a soft chuckle and shook his head no.
"Can I ask you something?" Hermione asked, her pitch toned flatly.
"Sure."
"Why did you agree on this?"
"The Dark Lord's orders. If that's not obvious yet," said Draco.
"Did you try to at least talk to him about it? Or suggest someone do this instead of you?" Hermione asked curiously.
"No," answered Draco coldly.
"Why?"
"Because it's his orders," he said firmly, focusing on cutting his food.
Hermione nodded slowly and focused on her food.
They ate in silence, and only the sound of the cutleries against the plates filled their ears.
Draco was still eating and focused on his food when he paused to reach for his pocket.
He placed a small black velvet box on top of the table, close to Hermione's plate.
"For you," he said as he wiped his lips with a napkin.
Hermione stared bewildered at it, then switched her sight back to Draco.
"For me..?" She asked.
Draco nodded.
"Open it."
"No— whatever that is— I... I can't accept that," said Hermione as she denied the little present.
"Why? It's for you."
"You shouldn't be giving me anything, Malfoy," she explained and pushed the box gently back to him.
"It's yours, Granger. Besides, today is Christmas eve— just accept it to respect the occasion," he insisted and pushed the box back to her again.
"But—"
"No buts— It's for you."
Hermione was still befuddled by his sudden gesture. She had no plans to accept it, and he seemed pretty determined about it.
She huffed and hesitantly reached for the box.
The sight of uncertainty was visible in her hazel orbs the moment she glanced at him. Hermione earned a nod of encouragement from her soon-to-be husband sitting across from her.
Her eyes widened upon the view of it. It was a seven-carat baguette chameleon diamond ring.
"What do you think?" He asked. "Do you like it?" He asked again, hopeful for a positive reply.
"This is nice Malfoy, but this is too much— I really can't accept this," she said and carefully closed the box, handing it back to him.
"It's for you, Granger—"
"You don't have to give me that, Malfoy. Why do you have to rub it on my face that I'll be imprisoned with you forever?" Hermione asked, offended, anger starting to cloak her.
The determined expression on Draco's face faded after he comprehended her remarks.
"It's a tradition, Granger. That is a family heirloom. I am obliged to give you this. If you don't want it, then don't," Draco clarified firmly and snatched the box, shoving it back into his pockets.
"Also, to remind you. I am also a prisoner of this arrangement. Don't act like everything's only about you," he added and marched his way out.
Hermione sat frozen, with her tears falling freely down her cheeks.
She wiped her tears and stormed out of the dining hall as he vanished from her sight.
"Hey bride— oh, what's with that sad face?" Pansy asked as she circled Hermione, whom she met down the hall.
Hermione tried to walk past her and go straight to her bedroom when Pansy barred her way.
"What happened? Is the wedding cancelled?" Pansy asked in a shocked hushed voice.
"Nothing— It's nothing," Hermione replied, trying to escape Pansy's ambush.
"Daph!" Pansy called as she stared at Hermione, studying her image.
"Yeah?" Daphne answered from down the hall.
"What is it Pans— oh..." Daphne lost her words for a second, when she saw Hermione's tear-stained face. "What's wrong with her?" Daphne asked.
"I don't know. The wedding's probably cancelled—"
"The wedding isn't cancelled okay!?" Hermione snapped as she sat on the step of the staircase, covering her tear-stained face while she wept.
"Then what the hell is going on?" Pansy as she flipped her hair.
"It's none of your business—" Hermione replied between her sobs.
"It is my business, okay? I cancelled my plans for the month for this wedding. So, any fuss about the wedding will be my freaking business too," said Pansy, rolling her eyes at Hermione.
"Pans," Daphne held Pansy back when Hermione cried louder, her shoulders shaking as she cried.
"I know what can fix this bridal tantrum," Pansy said confidently.
Daphne looked at her friend with creased brows. "What?"
"Bridal shower," Pansy replied and conjured a wine glass as she wiggled her brows.
"A what?"
"A what?"
Hermione and Daphne asked at the same time.
"I said, bridal shower. You know when a bride throws a pre-wedding tantrum? A bridal shower always fixes it. You know, a little party? Boys dancing on poles and some lap dances. Ooooh, and firewhisky-"
"Better without the lap dances and the strippers, unless you want Narcissa to skin you alive," Theo filled in as he arrived at the little commotion.
"Oh, she won't know," said Pansy eagerly.
Theo raised a brow. "Really? Draco's mother won't know? Are you sure?" He asked and laughed.
"Draco's mother won't know about what?" Astoria asked with her demure and gentle tone, arriving after Theo.
"Pansy's planning a bridal shower for the downhearted bride here. A bridal shower with male strippers and firewhisky," Theo explained, putting emphasis on the word strippers.
"Mrs Malfoy wouldn't like that- even Draco," Astoria explained, sounding a bit worried.
Hermione sat silent, observing the cluster of Slytherins fuss over a bridal shower. Eventually witnessing Pansy roll her eyes and huff upon Astoria's comments.
"Well, let's just say it's a girl's night. Let's ask Draco, besides, we're spending Christmas eve here," Pansy suggested.
"And invite strippers here? Are you out of your mind?" Theo asked in disbelief and laughed.
"Hmm... maybe? Unless you'd volunteer to dance on a pole for us?" Pansy winked, teasing Theodore.
"Dancing isn't for me Pans, you know that," said Theo.
The group burst out laughing except for the bride and Astoria.
"No strippers, okay? Chill," said Pansy and grabbed Hermione by her elbow, guiding her to stand up.
"May I remind you that you're getting married tomorrow? You look like you battled a bear," Pansy asked frustratingly and marched with the unwilling Hermione up the stairs to her bedroom.
"Let's go," Daphne said to her sister.
"You go first. I'll go find Draco," answered Astoria.
"I'll go with you," offered Theo.
"Draco's bedroom is upstairs, the same floor as Granger's," said Daphne, crossing her arms.
"I saw him at the gazebo, I'll check on him first," said Astoria and made her way towards the door with Theo.
Daphne shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes. Her sister's always been Draco's tail, since the second year at Hogwarts and it was kind of annoying.
"Wow, Astoria really did an amazing job with the dress," Pansy said in complete awe.
"I did the modifications. Come on, give me some credit Pans," Daphne jokingly complained as she sat on Hermione's bed.
"Love the new patterns!" Said Pansy and giggled.
"Have you seen Draco's suit?" Daphne keenly asked.
"No, I haven't. We arrived here together Daph, in case you forgot," said Pansy. "Anyways. Granger? Are you down?"
"No—"
"Why? It's your last day of freedom, Granger. Might as well take this chance. Tomorrow, your life will be far different from this."
Hermione bit her lower lip upon hearing the word freedom.
"What do you say?" Pansy asked wiggling her eyebrows.
"I can't go out— tomorrow's the wedding and—"
"Come on, we're not going anywhere. We'll hang out here!" Pansy insisted.
"Really? You? You want to hang out with me?" Hermione asked, her tone filled with sarcasm.
"Would you shut it? I cancelled important Christmas eve parties I've been invited to for your wedding tomorrow," Pansy blabbered.
Hermione sighed in defeat.
"Ask the Malfoys first. I won't get in any trouble for you Parkinson," said Hermione as she entered her bathroom.
Pansy squealed and clapped her hands in victory. "Consider it done!"
****
Pansy and Daphne went to Draco's bedroom to talk about the bridal shower that they wanted, while Hermione was called by Lucius and Narcissa to the library.
"Have a seat," said Lucius.
Hermione sat on the leather settee across the couple.
"Remember what we talked about last week?" Narcissa asked as she put an envelope on the coffee table.
Hermione nodded as she eyed the envelope.
"Open it," Lucius ordered.
"That is the prenuptial agreement that we want you to sign before you marry our son," Narcissa explained while Hermione read the documents, word by word.
"Are we clear on this?" Lucius asked.
"Crystal," Hermione answered confidently as she reached for the quill in front of her. She was done reading it, and there wasn't anything that would harm or disadvantage her. The whole document could be summarized as her not getting any galleons from the Malfoys' vault throughout the marriage.
"Granger?" Draco called as he entered the library.
Hermione paused when Draco entered and called for her.
"Mother, father. You're home? I thought you were busy— what's that?" Draco asked as he sat next to Hermione, snatching the documents from her hands.
"Prenuptial agreement," Narcissa said with confidence.
"Prenuptial agreement?" Draco repeated.
Draco turned to Hermione with a questioning look. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why do we have to tell you? Hermione has no problem with it. Is that right, Hermione?" Narcissa said as she threw Hermione a knowing look.
"It's fine, Malfoy. I have no interest in your riches anyway," Hermione said softly as she tried to take the documents from him.
"I can't believe that you all lied to me about this—" Draco stated as he moved the papers away from Hermione's grip.
"Son—"
"Granger, can we have a moment please?" Draco asked.
"But—"
"I need to talk to my parents, Granger. Please leave us alone for a bit. Pansy and Daphne are waiting for you in my bedroom," said Draco.
Hermione was hesitant on who to follow. The parents wanted her to stay, but Draco wanted to go back upstairs.
"Now." Ordered Draco.
She stood, not meeting the couple's eyes and strode to the door.
Never in her life has she wished for the Malfoy's riches. Access to Draco's riches never mended her shattered heart.
She made her way back to her bedroom, and her eyes caught the wedding dress. Everything that she needed for tomorrow had already been prepared for her. The shoes, the hair accessories, the pieces of jewellery, the make-up set, her reception dress, and a silk robe that Narcissa bought her.
She was about to lay on her bed when she remembered Pansy and Daphne were waiting for her in Draco's bedroom.
She knocked twice to give them notice of her arrival. Hermione knew where Draco's bedroom was, but it will be the first time she'd get in and have a peek of his personal quarter.
"Come in!" Daphne said from inside.
Hermione entered, and the smell of green grapes and mint welcomed her. His space was undoubtedly wider than hers and there was also a mini library, but a bit bigger than hers too. Everything in there was neatly organized, which was pleasing to the eyes.
Pansy lay on his settee while Daphne sat on the floor reading a magazine.
"Theo, did you bring the firewhisky— oh, Granger?"
"Oh, I thought you were Theo. What are you doing here, Granger?" Pansy asked.
"Malfoy said you're waiting here for me," Hermione announced calmly, even though her soul was rattling in the curiosity of what was happening back at the library.
"Uhh—"
"Granger, can we talk?" Draco requested as soon as he stepped foot in his bedroom.
"Do we need to leave or?" Daphne asked, lowering the magazine in her hand.
Before she knew it, she was already being dragged by Draco down the hallway towards her bedroom.
"Can you slow down?" Hermione complained when she almost tripped.
Draco locked the door behind him and she stood there waiting for him to spit words.
"Granger."
"What?"
"Whenever my parents or anyone wants you to agree or sign on something- for Merlin's sake, tell me first—"
"What did you tell your parents about the prenuptial agreement?"
"I told them to discard the idea," answered Draco.
"Why? You know what- I just want peace Malfoy, and because of what you did? They will bug me about it throughout this marriage," Hermione said frustratingly.
"I will be your husband by tomorrow if you want peace? Then you should learn to listen to me."
Hermione scoffed bitterly. "So, you're putting me 'in my place' now? Yeah, you're the husband, and I'm just the wife who follows you around and does your bidding?"
"That's not what I meant, Granger. What I meant is, if you want my parents to leave you alone, consult me first before you agree on something. If anyone knows my parents down to their core, it's me—"
"You're mad over the prenuptial? Why? Because I kept it from you?"
"Good! Now you're having some sense—"
"I don't care about your money and whatsoever, Malfoy! I don't care about your galleons. Your vault, your hectares of land, your golds, and diamonds— I don't care."
"You don't know my parents, Granger- you know nothing about this new life you're about to step into—"
"Oh, I know very well about your parents Malfoy, and I know how this life works, that's why I agreed on signing those damn papers," said Hermione and stormed out of her bedroom.
Hermione's anger bubbled in her chest, and she needed to get some air to unload the heavy emotion.
"Alright?" Theo asked as he joined her at the patio.
"Hot chocolate?" He offered as he sat next to her.
"No, thank you," Hermione replied while she stared at the dancing flames from the outdoor fireplace.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but—"
"You heard us huh?"
"Yeah," Theo said almost in a whisper.
"I'm being a bitch, aren't I?"
"No, you got a point."
"Really..." Hermione said sarcastically.
"You know what, Draco's got a point too. You see, Draco is a very devoted follower to the Dark Lord."
"And?" Hermione asked out of irritation, wondering what Theo was trying to imply.
"He was ordered to watch you. You are one of his major tasks and probably the most complicated assignments. What I'm saying is, you should talk with him first before agreeing on something— if you die or whatever, and he fails his assignment? It will be over for the both of you," Theo explained, trying to make her comprehend what Draco implied to say earlier.
"You won't lose anything if you consult him first. Besides by tomorrow, you will be his wife. You two should discuss things first. Trust me, things changed, Granger. This world has been worse than it was two years ago. You talk to him, and he will listen. It's a win-win. You acknowledge him, and you both get to survive this."
She can understand what Theo was implying, but they're different, and it wasn't easy at all.
All she wanted was peace, and if Narcissa and Lucius thought that she was hesitant about the prenuptial, they would gladly deprive her of such peace. She could already envision Lucius and Narcissa's constant grumbling about their son's wealth.
"That's easy for you to say," Hermione replied as the sound of vexation began to swim in her tone.
She was tired of justifying her grounds to anyone. "We're different Nott- this situation is different than any typical marriage drama, or whatsoever."
"Don't you really think it's easier if you just—"
"It's getting cold here. I'll go back inside," said Hermione, sounding wobbly, leaving Theo alone on the patio.