ME AND THE DEVIL- Dramione

Draco apparated home after his tea and argument session with Granger, his soon-to-be beautiful wife. As he stepped into his penthouse, he was greeted by the sight of three familiar faces lounging in his den.

"Bloody hell, Draco," Pansy Parkinson was the first to speak, her voice dripping with sarcastic amusement. "Congratulations on your forced marriage."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Thanks, Pansy," he replied dryly, walking past her to pour himself a drink. "I'm sure the Ministry's letter was just as charming for you to read."

Blaise Zabini raised an eyebrow, swirling his own drink. "So, how did it go with Granger? Any chance she'll refrain from hexing you into oblivion?"

He took a long sip before answering. "It was... intense. She's understandably furious and doesn't trust me at all. I can't blame her."

"Porca di quella grandissima puttana troia della Madonna di merda cristo iddio inculato da Geppetto e da tutti i santi in colonna"- Blaze sighed, which just basically means "I disagree with you"... but who's to say he wasn't right.

Theo Nott, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. "You know this is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done, right? Convincing Granger to see you as anything other than the enemy and her bitch is no small feat. And also to drop her knickers."

He nodded, his expression serious. "I know, Theo, putain de merde. But I have to try. This is my chance to prove that I can be different, that I'm not just the sum of my family's mistakes."

Pansy rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. "Well, we're here for you, Draco. Even if we think this whole thing is absolutely ridiculous, anything is better than having a family reunion at Azkaban with daddy I guess."

"Thanks, Pans," he said, appreciating the support despite the situation's absurdity. He sat down, rubbing his temples. "Any advice would be appreciated," he asked, looking at his friends.

Blaise smirked. "Patience, mate. And perhaps a touch of humility wouldn't hurt."

"Any thoughts?" he asked shyly.

"Theo chuckled, sipping his drink. "And prayers," he said with a huge grin. "Lots of them. You'll need divine intervention to get through this unscathed."

Pansy snorted, shaking her head. "You're going to need a miracle, Draco. But seriously, just try to be genuine. She'll see through any act. "Look, mate, Hermione is one of the smartest witches of our age. If you show her that you respect her intelligence and values, she might start to see you in a different light. Just be genuine."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Respect, patience, and humility. Got it."

Blaise patted him on the back. "And don't forget to listen. Really listen to her, Draco. It'll make a world of difference."

He nodded, taking their words to heart. "I appreciate it. I really do. I just... I don't want to mess this up… I waited for her for so long."

Blaise's expression softened slightly. "We know you are in love with her beyond saving. And for what it's worth, we believe you can do this. It's just going to take time."

"Thanks," he said, feeling a bit more reassured. "I'll take all the advice and prayers I can get." He paused, then chuckled, a bit of the tension easing from his shoulders. "You know what she said to me? She wants to walk me like a dog, and that was the hottest thing I ever heard in my life."

Blaise nearly choked on his drink, while Theo let out a loud laugh. Pansy's eyes widened before she burst into giggles. "Well, that's one way to get things started," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "I'd pay to see that."

He grinned, feeling a strange mixture of embarrassment and excitement. "She was furious, of course. But there was something... I don't know, sexy about it."

Theo clapped him on the shoulder. "Just remember, mate, respect her boundaries. She's been through a lot with you, and this is a huge adjustment for both of you."

"I know," he said, sobering a bit. "I'll tread carefully. But Merlin, she's something else."

"Just be yourself, but the best version of yourself," Blaise advised. "Show her that you're willing to change, to be better, not a Death Eater wannabe, nor someone who was such a coward that watched her get tortured. Actions, like she said, will speak louder than any words."

He nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Fuuuck me, thanks, lads. I needed this."

As the evening wore on, the camaraderie of his friends provided a welcome respite from the daunting task ahead. Despite the gravity of the situation, their banter and support gave him a renewed sense of determination.

"Show her you've changed through your actions. Words won't be enough although diamonds might be."-Theo nodded in agreement. 

"Aaand maybe," Pansy added, "don't mention that you think she's beautiful while her hair is a mass and you wanked to that thought for years in school right away. She might hex you just for that."

He chuckled, despite himself. "Noted. Thanks."

As the evening wore on, he found some solace in the company of his friends. He knew the road ahead with Hermione would be challenging, but with their support and his determination, he felt a glimmer of hope. This marriage might just be the crucible through which he could forge a new, better version of himself.

"Who is your match, Theo?" he asked, curious.

Theo cleared his throat, his face turning slightly red. "Loony Lovegood," he admitted, glancing away.

He raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh. "Well, that's... unexpected."

Blaise chuckled. "Is it tho?! A match made in... well, not quite heaven, but definitely somewhere interesting."

Theo hesitated for a moment before letting out a chuckle. "And, she has great tits as well, you know."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Trust you to notice that."

Theo's smile widened. "Hey, I'm just being honest. She's got this aura about her, something almost mythical."

He nodded, still grinning. "Just don't let her hear you say that. She'll probably hex you with something weird."

Theo laughed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, she might. But honestly, there's more to her than just looks. She's... she's something special."

His expression softened slightly. "I know what you mean. Just be careful with your words."

Theo's smile turned thoughtful. "I know, mate."

Pansy smirked. "Maybe you'll learn to appreciate the quirkiness. For sure she's a freak in the sheet."

"Maybe," Theo said, his smile widening. "Who knows?"

He grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his friends. Despite the challenges ahead, they were in this together. And maybe, just maybe, this forced marriage thing wouldn't be so bad after all.

"How about the two of you?" he motioned to the rest of the gang.

Pansy sighed, staring off into the distance. "The Herbology king, Neville Longbottom."

She looked defeated, her shoulders slumping slightly. "He's fit and everything, but he looks so awkward."

Theo raised an eyebrow, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Awkward, you say? I didn't think you were into the awkward type."

Pansy shrugged, a hint of frustration in her voice. "I'm not. But there's something about him. He's... different."

Blaise leaned in, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Different how?"

Pansy hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I don't know. He's brave, and kind, and he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. It's... infuriating."

He chuckled. "Sounds like you've got it bad, Pansy."

Pansy rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Maybe I do. It's just... confusing."

Theo nodded, her expression softening. "Well, maybe being awkward isn't so bad. He might surprise you."

Pansy sighed again, her thoughts drifting back to Neville. "Yeah, perhaps."

Blaise bravely continued, a hint of admiration in his voice, and smiled proudly. "Ginerva," he said with a touch of Italian flair, "I'm really happy that we'll see each other more frequently at the Sunday brunches, Draco."

He raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Oh, is that so, Blaise? I didn't know you were such a fan of the Weasley charm."

Blaise chuckled softly, his gaze lingering somewhere in the distance. "She's quite charming, isn't she? And she looks beautiful, mate. It's hard not to notice."

His smirk widened. "Blaise Zabini, smitten by a redhead? Who would have thought?"

Blaise rolled his eyes playfully. "Don't be ridiculous. I just appreciate beauty when I see it."

He chuckled, raising his glass in a mock-toast. "To appreciate beauty, then. May our Sunday brunches be filled with love."

Blaise smirked, clinking his glass with his. "Indeed. And who knows? Maybe I'll finally get to know her better."

His eyebrow shot up again. "You're not planning anything, are you, Blaise?"

Blaise winked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

He shook his head with a laugh.

They both laughed, the tension of the conversation dissipating into the warm evening air.

He nodded, genuinely pleased for his friends. "That's great to hear," he said, feeling a sense of relief that they were all navigating the Ministry's Marriage Law in their own ways.

Navigating their own death sentences.

As they continued to chat, he felt a little lighter. Perhaps this forced marriage wouldn't be the end of the world. With the support of his friends and a newfound determination to make things work with Hermione, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Draco went to bed and indeed wanked to the thought of Granger's hair.