ME AND THE DEVIL- Dramione

Black was always acceptable for a funeral, and today felt like one. Being married to Lucius Jr. was not how she had envisioned her life. As she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her black dress, she couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness. This was not the life she had fought for, not the future she had hoped to build.

She heard a knock on the door, and without waiting for a response, he entered the room, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of her. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. Then, he stepped closer, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I'm aware that it's not helping right now," he said, his voice surprisingly soft, "but you look breathtaking, even in your funeral dress."

Hermione turned to face him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that supposed to make me feel better, Malfoy?"

He shrugged, his expression earnest despite the teasing. "I thought a bit of honesty might help with the nerves. You do look stunning, Granger." 

Bezebub looked like a treat in his traditional robes. She will never admit to this, that is for sure, but he still looked climbable. Stupid blonde git.

He squeezed her hand, offering a rare glimpse of vulnerability. "Shall we, then?"

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their situation heavy in the air. Despite their differences, they were both bound by the same chains of circumstance.

She looked up at him, searching his eyes for any sign of deceit. Finding none, she nodded slowly. "We shall" she agreed, her voice barely audible.

Malfoy offered her his arm, and after a moment's hesitation, She took it. Together, they walked out of the room, ready to face the Ministry and the life that had been thrust upon them.

The whole ordeal was done.

She was so done .

As soon as the golden strings floated around their joined hands, she felt something extremely powerful, something beyond magic.

She stood there, her hand clasped in Malfoy's, feeling an unexpected surge of energy pass through her. It wasn't the binding magic of the ceremony that stirred her, but a strange connection she couldn't explain. She looked up at Malfoy, whose silver eyes met hers with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

He never knew that soul magic would allow him to feel his partner's emotions. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a connection he had never imagined possible. There was no need for pretence or falsehoods now; they could sense each other's feelings with an intimacy that was both exhilarating and unnerving.

Hermione looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the same astonishment he felt. "What was that, Malfoy?" she asked softly, almost afraid of the answer.

Malfoy took a deep breath, trying to steady himself against the flood of emotions. "I... I think that was soul magic," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Soul magic." Hermione repeated, in a hush voice.

He nodded. "The bond we just formed... It allows us to feel each other's emotions. I can feel your heartbeat, Granger. I can feel your emotions as if they were my own."

"There's no reason to lie to each other now," she said, her voice steadier as she processed the implications of their newfound connection. "We can feel what the other feels."

Malfoy looked at her, his silver eyes softening. "I don't intend to lie to you, Granger. Not anymore, not ever."

She nodded slowly, a small smile appearing on her face. "Good," she said simply.

They stood there in the quiet of the Ministry's wedding room, hand in hand, facing an uncertain future together. But in that moment, with their souls intertwined, they felt a glimmer of hope that they might find a way forward, together.

Kingsley Shacklebolt concluded the ceremony with a few more words about unity and the challenges ahead and bid farewell to them. They left standing awkwardly in the center of the Ministry.

She nodded slowly, processing the strange sensation. "We should... probably go home," she said, feeling awkward about using that word in relation to the penthouse.

Malfoy nodded in agreement. "Yes, we should." He glanced around, noticing the lingering looks of curiosity and speculation from their peers. "Let's get out of here."

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They arrived at the penthouse just as the sun was setting. The warm glow of the evening cast a golden hue over the sleek, modern interior. A nice metaphor for Hermione Jean Granger turning into Mrs. Granger-Malfoy. 

Malfoy walked over to the bar cabinet, a formidable whiskey bottle catching her eye. It looked older than the both of them combined. He poured two glasses and turned to face her.

"To the both of us," Malfoy said, raising his glass in a salute before downing the whiskey in one smooth motion.

She took a sip of her drink, feeling the warmth spread through her chest. "You have an impressive selection," she remarked, setting her glass down on the bar.

"Thank you," he replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I've always appreciated good things in life."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the day's events settling around them. She cleared her throat, breaking the quiet. "Malfoy, about today..."

He looked at her, his silver eyes searching hers. "I know it's not what either of us wanted," he said quietly. "But we're in this together now."

She nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, we are," she agreed. "I just... I didn't expect to feel..."

"The soul bond," he finished for her, his voice tinged with awe. "It's... overwhelming, isn't it?"

She nodded again, her eyes flickering down to her hands. "I can feel your emotions, Malfoy," she admitted. "It's... disconcerting, but also strangely intimate."

Malfoy took a step closer, his hand reaching out tentatively. " I'm sorry, Hermion e," he said earnestly. "I didn't ask for this, either."

She looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "I know," she replied softly. "None of this is our choice."

Malfoy hesitated, then took her hand in his. "But we can make the best of it," he said quietly.

She looked down at their joined hands, feeling a strange sense of comfort in his touch. "I suppose we can," she agreed, a small smile tugging at her lips.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She stood under the warm stream of water, the bathroom filling with the sound of her quiet sobs. The events of the day weighed heavily on her, and the reality of her situation felt overwhelming. She leaned against the cool tiles, letting the water cascade over her, the warmth offering some small comfort.

She had lost count of how many times she had cried in the last few weeks. Everything felt like a whirlwind, moving too quickly for her to catch her breath. Forced into a marriage with Draco Malfoy, of all people, by a law she had fought against with everything she had. It was cruel, it was unfair, and it was tearing her apart.

She sank to the floor of the bath, the water mixing with her tears. Thoughts raced through her mind—thoughts of anger, of betrayal, of sorrow. She had always prided herself on being strong, on being able to face anything that came her way. But this... this was different. This was beyond anything she had ever imagined.

All of a sudden, Malfoy barged into the bathroom, rushing to her side. His expression was filled with concern as he pulled her out of the bathtub and held her close to himself, feeling her trembling against him.

" Hermione , what's wrong, what happened, love?" His voice was gentle, his arms wrapped securely around her.

She clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt. "I... I can't do this, Dra.. Malfoy," she sobbed. "I thought I could be strong, but everything is crashing down on me. This... this marriage, it's too much."

Malfoy held her tighter, his own emotions swirling inside him. "I know," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't want it to happen like this either. 

Maybe in another universe you will be in love with me doll, Draco thought, but it was a fantasy of a stupid 24 years old boy.

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-streaked cheeks. "I don't know if I can trust anyone anymore."

He brushed a stray tear from her cheek, his grey eyes full of sincerity. "I understand," he said softly. "But I promise you, darling , I will do everything I can to make this work. I won't let you face this alone."

She searched his eyes, seeing the vulnerability and determination there. Slowly, she nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

Malfoy offered her a small, reassuring smile. "Let's get you to bed," he suggested gently. "You need rest."

With his arm around her, he led her to her bedroom. He helped her change into comfortable pyjamas and tucked her into bed. Sitting beside her, he gently stroked her hair until her breathing evened out, indicating she had fallen asleep.

He stayed there a moment longer, watching over her beautiful wife, before quietly slipping out of the room. He returned to the living area of the penthouse, his mind filled with thoughts of how to navigate this unexpected turn in their lives and he as well started to cry, although for different reasons.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She woke up in an extremely comfortable bed that felt like clouds. For a moment, she lay there, gathering her thoughts and trying to make sense of the events from the night before. Despite her initial scepticism and fear, Malfoy's presence had offered some comfort in an otherwise overwhelming situation.

She got herself ready for the day, taking a long shower to clear her mind. The warm water helped to ease the tension in her muscles, but her thoughts were still a whirlwind. She dressed in casual clothes, opting for a comfortable jumper and trousers, and then slowly made her way to the kitchen.

The penthouse was quiet, and she found Malfoy already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. He glanced up as she entered, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Good morning, darling" he greeted softly, turning his attention back to the stove.

"Morning," she replied quietly, unsure of how to proceed. The events of the previous night had left her feeling vulnerable, and she wasn't sure how to interact with Malfoy now.

Malfoy sensed her hesitation and turned off the stove, setting the plates on the counter. "I made breakfast," he said, gesturing for her to sit down.

She nodded gratefully and took a seat at the kitchen island. He served her a plate of eggs and toast, along with a cup of her favourite coffee, before sitting down opposite her.

They ate in silence for a while, the only sound was the clink of cutlery against plates. She stole glances at Malfoy, studying him carefully. He looked different somehow, more human than she had ever seen him before. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that mirrored her own, and it made her feel strangely connected to him.

After a few minutes, Malfoy cleared his throat, breaking the silence. " Darling, " he started tentatively, "about last night..."

She looked up, meeting his gaze. "Yes?"

Darling? What the fuck.

"I just want you to know that I meant what I said," Malfoy continued earnestly. "I don't expect you to trust me right away, but I want to try to make this work. For both our sakes."

She nodded slowly, contemplating his words. "I appreciate that," she replied softly. "I'm still not sure how I feel about all of this, but I'll try too."

He offered her a small, understanding smile. "That's all I can ask for," he said quietly.

They finished their breakfast in a more comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a long journey, one that would test them in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

After breakfast, she helped Malfoy clear the dishes, and they settled into a routine of sorts. He disappeared into his study to work, and she found herself exploring the penthouse, trying to familiarise herself with her new surroundings.

As she wandered through the spacious rooms, she couldn't help but notice the beauty of the place. The penthouse was filled with luxurious furnishings and elegant decorations, a far cry from the starkness of her own cottage. It was clear that Malfoy had spared no expense in creating a comfortable home for them.

She paused in the library, running her fingers over the spines of the books. There were ancient tomes and modern volumes, a testament to Malfoy's diverse interests. She picked up a book on magical theory and settled into a plush armchair by the window, losing herself in the words.

Hours passed before she heard footsteps approaching. Malfoy appeared in the doorway, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Darling," he said quietly, "I've been thinking..."

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She sat on the plush sofa in the penthouse, watching as Crookshanks explored his new surroundings, however, seemed to be adapting quite well.

Several weeks passed since she and he agreed to work on their partnership. 

They had settled into a routine of sorts, navigating the intricacies of living together and learning more about each other's habits and preferences.

One evening, she returned from work earlier than usual. She found Malfoy in the kitchen, brewing a pot of tea.

"Darling," he greeted her with a small smile. "You're home early."

She nodded, hanging up her coat. "Yeah, it was a slow day at the Ministry."

He poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her. "Here, I thought you might like this. It's your favourite blend."

"Thank you," she said, taking the cup gratefully. She took a sip and sighed. "Just what I needed."

Malfoy leaned against the counter, watching her with a thoughtful expression. "You seem tired," he observed.

She nodded, setting her cup down. "It's been a long week. The workload has been piling up."

"I can imagine," He said sympathetically. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

She smiled faintly at him. "Actually, there is something. I've been meaning to ask you..."

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Firstly, my allowance…" She began, her voice firm. "I do not want to have one. I understand that the previous Lady Malfoys had one, but I do not need it. It is a lot of money."

Malfoy leaned back in his chair, regarding her thoughtfully. "Darling, it's tradition. It's part of your role now."

She shook her head. "I appreciate the gesture, but I don't want to depend on your family's wealth. I can support myself."

Malfoy sighed, standing up and walking over to her. "I understand your point, but think of it this way. If not for yourself, consider using it for something meaningful. What if we allocate a portion of it to charity?"

She blinked, considering his suggestion. "Charity? Are you okay with that?"

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yes. We could donate to causes you care about. Use the money to make a difference."

Her resolve wavered as she thought about the possibilities. "That... that could work. There are so many organisations that need support."

Malfoy placed a hand on her arm, his touch gentle. "And, if you ever need anything for yourself, don't hesitate to use it. You're my wife, darling. I want to take care of you."

She looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. "Alright, Malfoy. We can allocate the allowance to charity. But I'm still not comfortable with using it for myself."

He smiled warmly. "Fair enough. We'll start with charity. But promise me, if you ever need anything, you'll let me know."

She nodded, a soft smile on her lips. "I promise. Thank you, Malfoy."

He squeezed her arm gently. "You're welcome, darling. Now, let's look at some charities we can support. Together."

As they sat down to discuss the various organisations and causes they could contribute to, she felt a sense of partnership and understanding growing between them. Despite the forced nature of their marriage, they were finding ways to connect and make a positive impact together.