Prologue

~~Prologue~~

Draco,

Your Father

Draco Malfoy looked down at the parchment his father's owl had just delivered and smiled smugly to himself. The Marriage Law had passed, and with it would come a new era. Of course, with Malfoy influence in the mix, it had been amended exactly as Draco had desired—Hermione Granger would be his bride by the end of the week.

It had been amusing to watch her research in the library stacks as she fought to keep the law from passing. She had done a good job of it, too. However, Draco knew that little would stop his father when he was truly determined, and Draco had made sure that his father would deliver Granger to his side.

Draco and many of his friends were secretly relieved and excited by the Marriage Law. With but a few exceptions, they did not want to go through with the arranged marriages their families had aligned. This would be their chance to take the witches they really wanted. Draco was pleased to know he would not have to marry Astoria Greengrass, since he found her voice and personality to be extremely grating in every dynamic.

Instead, Draco would get Hermione Granger. She was the best, and Malfoys always got what was best. She was an oasis in the desert. Draco had always known, even within their first days at Hogwarts, that she was without rival. It had been clear from the very first time she'd outdone him in class. It had been Charms. She’d received fifteen points for Gryffindor. Her face had lit up with joy and excitement and pride. She had been glorious. He had been watching Hermione ever since.

Draco had sneered at her and said something unpleasant in the hall after class. When she’d turned her attention to him, Draco had felt like everything in his world was right, even if she had been scowling at him. Draco had been looking forward to singling her out even further when Potty and the Weasel had swept in. He hated how they tried to protect her and how she would smile at them. Draco wouldn't let them stand in his way, though. Always, he could find a way to distract her from them.

Hermione Granger may be a Mudblood, but she was his Mudblood. He had made sure that everyone in Slytherin knew she was not to be touched unless he said so. In the early years, Draco had used his influence to keep people away from her. He wasn't a Malfoy for nothing. Then, after fourth year, the year of the Yule Ball, when Hermione had shown just what beautiful mettle she was made of, Draco had been forced to put a little pressure on his friends to keep them away. Of course, with the rise of the Dark Lord, Draco had made it known that she was off limits due to her unfortunate breeding and that if he found out anyone was after her or any Mudblood, it would mean their end.

It had been a convenient ploy. Even as he had worked for the Dark Lord, he'd insinuated his obsession in the most delicate way possible. Eventually, as his ranking rose, and with the help of his father, Draco was able to ensure that if she were captured, she would be his. He would still have had to marry Astoria, but he could have had Granger on the side. That boon had been a delightful and inspirational gift from the Dark Lord.

None of that was of any concern now, though. The war, thank Merlin, was over. The ‘good’ guys had won. The Malfoys were free and as powerful as ever. Best of all, Draco would get the girl of his dreams.

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Unending thanks to my betas, olgameisterfunk and literarybeauty, without whom I wouldn't even be here.