ME AND THE DEVIL- Dramione

Hermione woke up Saturday morning, getting ready to head to the weekly brunch with Ginny.

"Hello, love," Ginny greeted, her voice tinged with sadness. "Condolences."

"Hello, Ginny," she replied, mustering a small smile. "Congratulations on your match."

Ginny sighed, looking down at her hands. "Thanks. It's... strange, but I suppose we'll make it work. He already sent me flowers three days in a row, so I quite like the Italian."

She nodded sympathetically. "It's a lot to adjust to, isn't it?"

Ginny nodded, her expression serious. "Tell me about it. And you and Malfoy..."

Her smile faded. "It's... complicated. We're trying to figure things out."

Ginny raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "Trying?"

She sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "Forced marriages are never easy, Ginny. But we're trying to make the best of it."

Ginny reached out and squeezed her hand. "I'm here for you. Whatever you need."

"Thank you" she said gratefully. "I appreciate that."

Ginny leaned forward, her eyes searching hers. "So... how is Malfoy holding up in all of this?"

Shehesitated, her mind racing. "He's... he's actually trying, too. Surprisingly. He's been respectful, considerate, even..."

 "That's good to hear. And how are you... feeling about it all?"Ginny nodded encouragingly.

Shebit her lip, unsure how much to reveal. "It's complicated, Ginny. There are moments when I... I see a different side of him. But then there are times when I remember everything he's done to me, and I just... I don't know."

Ginny nodded understandingly. "It's okay to feel conflicted, Hermione. Just take it one day at a time."

 "That's what I'm trying to do." she managed a small smile.

They both laughed, the tension easing as they continued to talk about lighter topics. She felt a wave of gratitude wash over her, knowing she had such a supportive friend in Ginny. Whatever happened with Malfoy, she knew she wouldn't have to face it alone.

She leaned forward, concern evident in her voice. "I haven't heard from Harry. Is he okay? I know he got matched with Cho Chang," she asked Ginny, her brow furrowed.

Ginny sighed softly, nodding in understanding. "He's... adjusting, I think. It's been tough for him, especially after everything with me."

Her expression softened. "I can't imagine how hard it must be for him. And Cho... she's been through so much, too."

Ginny nodded again, her gaze thoughtful. "They're both trying. I think they want it to work, but... well, you know how Harry is. Sometimes he needs time."

She nodded, remembering Harry's occasional need for space. "I hope they find Ginny nodded, her smile warm. 

"Mione, I need to tell you that….. Lav..avender got matched with Ron," Ginny said, her voice tinged with concern.

Her heart sank at the news. She knew how complicated things were between Ron and Lavender after their history at Hogwarts. "Oh, Ginny... That's... great."

Ginny sighed. "Yeah, I know. It's going to be interesting, to say the least. 

She nodded, trying to process this new piece of information. "Ron's going to have an amazing life with her.."

"Exactly," Ginny agreed. "And Lavender... well."

She nodded in understanding. "I hope they can cherish their marriage." 

She couldn't shake the feeling of unease about Ron and Lavender's match. After she and Ron broke up, barely dating for six months, he immediately ran back into Lavender's arms. She had been confident that their reunion wouldn't last even a week, but here they were, still together three years after the war, and now they were getting married. It was the only fairytale story among their friends that she felt jealous of.

Ginny noticed her troubled expression. "Are you okay, Hermione?" she asked gently.

She sighed, picking at her food. "I'm just... surprised, I guess. I never thought Ron and Lavender would end up together again, let alone get married."

Ginny nodded sympathetically. "I know, it's.... We don't like her either, but people change, Hermione. Maybe they've worked things out."

She forced a small smile. "Maybe."

Ginny reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "It's okay to feel how you feel, you know. You don't have to pretend."

Thank fuck, she hated that bitch.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She arrived home to find a beautiful Great Grey Owl waiting for her at the window. The owl was silver and looked extremely expensive. "God, Slytherin really runs in their blood," she muttered to herself, amused by the extravagance of Draco Malfoy's choice of owl.

Sighing, she took the letter from the owl, noticing the traits Aquila had, as indicated by the collar around her neck, and read it:

"Dear Granger,

I would like to invite you for dinner tomorrow evening among our friends to have a casual dinner together and talk about how everyone feels about the match. In attendance will be:

Pansy Parkinson and Neville Longbottom

Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini

Luna Lovegood and Theodore Nott

I hope that you can find the time to come to dinner.

Yours,

DLM

She studied the letter for a moment, then glanced at Aquila, the Great Grey Owl, appreciating its elegant appearance and the care that had clearly been taken in selecting it. She knew he had a penchant for style and luxury, and it seemed that extended to his choice of owl.

After considering the invitation carefully, she began to draft her response:

"Malfoy,

Thank you for the invitation. I appreciate the opportunity to talk things over with our friends. I'll be there.

Regards,

Hermione Jean Granger"

She rolled up the response and tied it securely to Aquila's leg. With a gentle pat on the head, she released the owl to deliver her reply.

As she watched Aquila fly off into the distance, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. This dinner would be a chance to discuss their forced marriages openly, and perhaps it would provide some clarity and support from their friends. She hoped it would be a step towards finding some semblance of peace in her new reality with Malfoy.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next evening, she carefully selected her dress to ensure she looked as elegant as ever. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but ask herself why she was bothering to get dolled up for Satan. What a joke, she thought.

Despite her misgivings, she chose a deep green dress that complemented her complexion and brought out the warmth in her brown eyes. She styled her hair in loose waves and added a touch of makeup to enhance her features. Looking at her reflection, she felt a twinge of satisfaction at her appearance, though she quickly suppressed it.

"Why am I even doing this?" she muttered to herself, adjusting her dress one last time.

Taking a deep breath, she apparated to Malfoy's penthouse…. "Their" penthouse.

She entered through the foyers and made her way to the dining area, where she could already see the table set for dinner.

Malfoy was already there, looking impeccably dressed in a dark suit that emphasized his tall frame and silver hair. He looked up as she entered, a hint of surprise and something else flickering in his eyes.

"Granger, youlookbeautiful" he greeted, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

"Thank you Malfoy" she replied evenly, trying to keep her emotions in check.

As they approached each other, she couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. They exchanged a polite greeting, and he offered her a seat at the table. Pansy, Blaise, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Theo were already seated, engaged in quiet conversation.

She took her seat, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension about what the evening would bring. She was here to discuss their forced marriage, but part of her wondered if there might be more to it than just that.

She couldn't help but watch them from across the table. Luna, with her dreamy demeanor and unconventional views, seemed to be in her element discussing who knows what with Theo, who had always been a bit of a swot as well. Yet, there was a certain harmony between them that she found intriguing.

"Did you know that Wrackspurts are attracted to Nargles?"-Luna asked in a dreamy voice.

"Wrackspurts and Nargles? Are they planning a joint invasion?"-he asked jokingly.

"Oh, no, they're just exchanging gardening tips. Nargles love radishes, you see."- it was a statement from her.

"Radishes? I always thought Nargles were more into mischief and chaos."-he said it with a smirk.

"That's what they want you to think."-she said while smiling at him.

"They do make an interesting pair, don't they?" Malfoy's voice interrupted her thoughts.

She glanced at him, surprised at his observation. "They do," she agreed, her tone thoughtful. "They seem to understand each other in a way that's... unique."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on Luna and Theo. "Lovegood always did see things differently. I suppose that's why Theo is drawn to her."

She studied Malfoy for a moment, noticing the sincerity in his expression. It was a side of him she didn't often see — the thoughtful, contemplative Lucius Jr. She wondered what else he might surprise her with tonight.

"The Fanged Geranium can be quite dangerous if you're not careful. Have you ever tried to harvest its seeds?.-Pansy asked, while having a huge gulp of wine.

" Um, no, I can't say I have... It sounds tricky."-Neville was trying to keep up, but clearly distracted.

" It is, indeed. One wrong move and those fangs can give you quite a nasty bite."-she finished swirling her wine glass.

"Uh, Pansy, you really shouldn't….- Neville nodded nervously, suddenly noticing Pansy's hand on his arm.

"Oh, don't worry, Neville. I've handled dangerous plants far worse than this."-she laughed softly. 

She observed them from her seat, noticing the way Neville's cheeks flushed slightly whenever Pansy spoke, and how Parkinson seemed genuinely interested in discussing the intricate details of magical plants with him. It was an unforeseen pairing, but there was an undeniable chemistry between them.

Across the table, Malfoy also seemed to notice the interaction between Pansy and Neville. He raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips as he turned to her. "Looks like Pansy has found a new interest," he remarked quietly.

She glanced at him, surprised by his comment. "Seems like it," she replied, watching as Pansy leaned in closer to Neville, her expression animated as she explained something about a rare potion ingredient.

He nodded thoughtfully. "Who would've thought they'd hit it off like this?"

"I guess you never know," she mused, her gaze drifting back to Pansy and Neville. "People surprise you sometimes."

Ginny and Blaise looked at each other as if they were the only people in the room. He held her hand delicately, treating her like the princess of his dreams.

"So, Blaise, how's work been treating you lately"?- Ginny asked with a hint of a blush on her face.

"Oh, you know, the usual. Busy, but nothing I can't handle. How about you? How's life after Quidditch treating Mia cara?

"It's been an adjustment, for sure. But I've found new passions and challenges to tackle. What about your Sundays? Enjoying the thought of brunch?"- she asked.

" I am, actually. It's nice to have some downtime. And the company isn't too bad, either."- he said with a smug smile.

"Is that so? Who's caught your eye?"- she asked with a huge smirk on her face.

"Oh, you know, just someone intriguing, fierce e rossa" . Someone who sees the world a bit differently.- he said while chuckling.

She noticed the way they exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a warmth and understanding that spoke volumes. It was clear that there was a deep connection between them, despite their differences and the circumstances that had brought them together.

Malfoy, sitting next to her, also observed the interaction between Ginny and Blaise. He smiled faintly, a touch of admiration in his eyes. "They seem happy together," he remarked quietly.

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "They do. It's... nice to see."

He glanced at her, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "Do you think we could... be like that?"

She looked at him, surprised by his question. She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Why? Would you like to hold hands or flirt?"

Malfoy blinked, caught off guard by her response. He hadn't expected her to be so direct. But after a moment, a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yes," he said softly. "I would like that."

This bitch is playing her cards right, he thought many times this whole week now, he knew she definitely understood what he meant by the statement earlier. Her hands were so small in his hands and it was incredibly soft. He really wanted to put his lips on it and give tiny kisses, but he did not wish death upon himself, so he just stroked his thumb once across her hand.

She extended her hand towards him, her expression uncertain yet hopeful. He reached out and gently took her hand in his, their fingers intertwining. It felt strange and unfamiliar, yet oddly comforting at the same time.

They sat there for a moment, holding hands, neither of them saying anything. It was a small gesture, but it carried a weight of possibility — a silent acknowledgment of their tentative steps towards finding common ground.

Finally, he broke the silence. "I meant what I said earlier, Hermione ," he began, his voice sincere. "I want to make this work.

She looked at him. "Let's take it one step at a time." And maybe you could finally address that whole ferret incident in fourth year."

He nodded, a determined look crossing his features with a tiny smile across his face. "One step at a time. And most definitely not addressing that part."

Malfoy cleared his throat, breaking the silence between them. "They seem to get along well," he observed quietly, his eyes on Ginny and Blaise.

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "They do. It's nice to see."

Malfoy glanced at her, his expression softening. "Do you think... we could have that someday? A genuine friendship, maybe even more?"

She met his gaze, her heart fluttering with a mix of uncertainty and hope. "I don't know, Malfoy. It's all still so new and... complicated."

He reached out, his hand finding hers. "I understand," he said softly. "But I want you to know that I'm willing to try. For us."

She squeezed his hand, feeling a rush of emotions she couldn't quite name. "Thank you, Malfoy. I want to try, too."

They sat together in silence again, both lost in their own thoughts but feeling a newfound sense of connection between them.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the evening continued, she found herself more relaxed in Maloy's presence. They spoke briefly about the Ministry and the challenges they faced, finding a common ground in their shared experiences. It was a strange feeling, discussing work with Draco Malfoy as if they were colleagues rather than reluctant spouses.

Eventually, the dinner came to an end, and the guests began to bid their farewells. Pansy and Neville exchanged kisses, promising to meet up again to continue their discussion about magical plants. Luna and Theo departed together, their hands intertwined as they walked out of the penthouse.

When only Malfoy and she remained, he turned to her with a small smile. "Thank you for coming tonight, Granger. I appreciate it."

She nodded, returning his smile. "It wasn't as terrible as I expected."

He chuckled softly. "High praise, coming from you."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't get used to it."

They stood there for a moment, a comfortable silence settling between them. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose we should discuss... our next steps."

She nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Yes. Let's figure this out."

Malfoy nodded in agreement. "Breakfast tomorrow morning? 

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Breakfast."

With a nod of farewell, he watched as she apparated away, leaving him alone in his penthouse. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could make this forced marriage work after all.