Chapter 6
When they arrived at the hospital, they went up to the front desk.
"We're here to see Draco Malfoy," Hermione told the receptionist.
"In room 401," the receptionist said in a bored voice.
"Thanks," Hermione said while dragging Harry to the elevator.
When they arrived on the fourth floor, they saw Ginny sitting in the waiting area, her face stained with tears.
"You alright, Gin?" Hermione asked gently when they had reached her.
"I think so," Ginny replied, her voice trembling.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Harry asked, just as gently as Hermione.
"We walked into the Burrow, and I was going to introduce everyone, when me brothers realized who he was, and jumped on him. After that, it was chaos. Draco was yelling for help, Mum and Dad were yelling at my brothers, and I started crying. It was awful. It was three against one, Percy, Fred, and George against Draco. They just kept attacking. I thought they were going to beat him to death. Finally, when I came to my senses, I put a body bind curse on all of them. I unfroze Draco, and we rushed him here," Ginny said, she began to cry again.
Hermione put an arm around her. "It will be alright. Draco will be just fine," she said soothingly.
"I know, buy my brothers are such idiots," Ginny growled in frustration.
"Can we go see him?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, let's go," Ginny replied, standing up.
When they entered Draco's room, Hermione gasped. Every visible part of Draco's body was bruised. He looked terrible.
"Oh my," Hermione said quietly.
"Geez, I thought you were exaggerating when you said you were afraid they would beat him to death," Harry said amazed. "They really beat him up. I knew the Weasleys hated the Malfoys, but this is ridiculous."
"No kidding, and I had to watch it all happen," Ginny said, shuddering at the memory.
Just then, Draco's eyes fluttered open.
"Ginny?" Draco asked groggily.
"Yeah?"
"I don't think your brothers like me very much," Draco said, smiling weakly.
At this everyone started to laugh. They were all relieved that he was okay, and wasn't murderous.
"I don't think so either," Ginny replied, smiling also.
"Gin, be honest with me. How bad is it?" Draco asked, grimacing in pain from laughing.
"Honestly? It's pretty bad. From what we can see every part of your body is covered in bruises," Ginny said sadly.
"Is it really that bad?" Draco asked Harry and Hermione.
"Yes," they replied in unison.
"That's not good," Draco said, shuddering to think what he looked like.
"No, it's not. Look Draco, I'm really sorry, if I had known they were going to do that, I never would have taken you there," Ginny said. She felt so guilty. Not that she knew her brothers would go nuts, but she still felt guilty.
"It's not your fault, Gin. You had no way of knowing what would happen," Draco said soothingly.
"Do you love me?" Ginny asked, struck with a sudden curiosity.
"Of course I do. I've told you that many times. Besides, if I can be lying here, in a hospital bed, because you brothers beat me up, and I still want to marry you, I'm either in love or nuts," Draco said confidently.
"Do you still want to marry me?" Ginny asked, still unsure.
"Of course, I do," Draco replied exasperatedly.
"I know," Ginny said smiling. Then she leaned down and kissed him. Harry and Hermione took that as their cue to leave.
When they were outside Draco's room, Hermione said, "Did you see him? He looked like he'd been run over by a semi truck. I can't believe the Weasleys were so violent."
"I know what you mean. They beat him to a pulp. I wonder what Draco will do," Harry said curiously.
"From the sound of it, nothing. Which is fine with me. That would just make it worse when they get married, anyway," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"Isn't wild? A Weasley, our little Ginny, and a Malfoy are getting married," Harry said. He was very shocked when he heard they were engaged.
"Yeah, it is, but I think it's good too. This stupid feud had gone on long enough. When you think about it, it's quite romantic really. Just like Romeo and Juliet," Hermione said dreamily.
"Yeah, you're right, it is quite romantic," Harry agreed.
By this time, they had reached the exit of the hospital. "Fancy some ice cream?" Harry asked Hermione.
"Sure," she replied.
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When they arrived at the ice cream parlor Harry said," When do you want to get `married'?"
"It doesn't matter to me. The sooner the better, I guess. How about tomorrow?" Hermione suggested.
"Sure," Harry agreed.
After a few minutes, Harry said, "What are we going to do after we're married?"
"What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione asked him.
"Well, are we going to live together or what?" Harry clarified.
"I don't think we should live together right away, but maybe later. I mean, we only started dating a few days ago," Hermione decided.
"That sounds good to me. Now, I have another question. Are we going to tell everyone or just a few people or no one?" Harry asked.
"I think we should tell a few people, like the people who know about the contract," Hermione replied.
"I like that idea," Harry said smiling. "Now I have one more question. We need two witnesses to our marriage. Who do you want them to be?"
"I don't know," Hermione said. "What do you think?"
"How about your parents?" Harry suggested.
"I don't think so. I mean, they feel really guilty about this whole thing, and this might make it even worse, being there when we get married against our will," Hermione said uncertainly.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Who else could we ask?" Harry asked.
"What if we take Draco and Ginny up on their offer to help us? I mean, they already know about the contract, so we wouldn't have to explain anything," Hermione pointed out.
"I like that idea. You can ask Ginny in the morning, but now it's getting late, and we should both probably get home," Harry said.
"Okay see you tomorrow," Hermione said cheerfully.
"I'll come to your apartment, alright? Bye," Harry said, as he kissed her quickly.
Then he left. "I better go too," Hermione muttered to herself. Then she too left.
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The next morning, Hermione woke up with mixed feelings. She was happy that the whole ordeal with the contract would be over soon, but she was also a bit nervous. She wanted to know what Harry thought of the whole situation. Hermoine didn't want to force him into something he didn't want. She would have just as easily waited. It was weird when she thought about it, she was going to marry Harry Potter. Never in the evtire time she'd known him would she have thought that she'd marry him. Now though, she wanted more than anything to marry him. She knew it was only to break the curse, but still she was excited.
I better go get ready, she thought, Harry will be over soon.
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When Harry woke up, he felt a sense of dreading. He felt like he had forced Hermione into this, and it was all his fault they were in this mess. It wasn't true and he knew it, but at the time he didn't want to believe it.
H was also a bit excited. The first time they had kissed, he had known that he was in love with her, and that he always had been. It had hit him as soon as their lips ha met. When it had first hit him, he hadn't known what to think, but had soon decided it was a good thing. Now they were getting married. True, it was only to let them both live both uncursed lives, but still they were getting married.
He decided to call Hermione to see if she was up yet.
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While Hermione was getting ready, the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hey Mione, it's Harry."
"Hey Harry, what's up?"
"I just wanted to see if you were up yet."
"Oh. When are you coming over?"
"It doesn't matter. When do you want me to come over?"
"How about in half an hour?"
"Alright. Have you called Ginny yet?"
"No, I'm going to that in a minute though."
"Okay, see you soon. Bye."
"Alright, bye."
After Hermione hung up, she picked up the phone to call Ginny.
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While Ginny was getting ready to visit Draco, the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hey, Gin."
"Hey Hermione, what's up?"
"Nothing much, how's Draco?"
"I'm taking him to Mum to heal him today. She's got all sorts of healing potions."
"That's good."
"Why'd you call?"
"Well, Harry and I have decided to get married legally at the Ministry of Magic, and then have a big ceremony later if we want to."
"Oh, that's a good idea."
"It was Harry's idea, but in order to do that we need two witesses. Will you and Draco be the witnesses?"
"Are you sure that's okay with Harry?"
"Yeah, I suggested it, and he thought it was a great idea."
"Alright, sure, as long as Draco's up to it."
"We were thinking of doing it today. Is that okay with you?"
"That's perfect. After Mum heals Draco, we'll come to your apartment."
"Okay."
"Bye."
"Bye, Gin. Say hi to Draco for me."
After hanging up, Ginny Appartated to the hospital.
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After hanging up with Ginny, Hermione went to her room to finish getting ready.
About ten minutes later, Hermoine was downstairs, and ready for Harry to come. Just then, Harry rang the doorbell.
"Hi, Harry," Hermione said, as she opened the door. She leaned in to kiss him in greeting.
"Hey Mione," Harry replied.
"I called Ginny, she said she and Draco would be happy to help us."
"Good. How's Draco?"
"Mrs. Weasley is going to heal him today. Then they'll come here, and we can all go to the Ministry."
"Alright."
"In the mean time, what should we do?" Harry asked, sitting on the couch.
"I've got an idea," Hermione replied seductively, also sitting on the couch.
"I'm way ahead of you," Harry said, wrapping his arms around her. Hermione's eyes fluttered closed anticipating the kiss, and when their lips met it was pure bliss.
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A few hours later, after Mrs. Weasley healed Draco as good as new, Ginny and Draco arrived in front of the door to Hermione's apartment.
"Why didn't we just Apparate all the way in?" Draco asked.
"Because, last time I did that, I walked in on them snogging on the couch. That is not something I want to see again. They are very passionate when they kiss, and you never know what we could walk in on," Ginny replied, smiling.
"Uh. You're right. Oh God, Gin, that is a nasty thought. Ring the doorbell," Draco said, shaking his head to clear his thoughts.
"Alright," Ginny said, complying with his request.
A few minutes later Hermione answered the door, looking a little disheveled.
"Told you," Ginny whispered to Draco while they stepped into Hermione's apartment.
Hermione led them to the living room, where Harry sat on the couch, he hair looking a bit messier than usual.
"Why don't you two freshen up, then we can Apparate to the Ministry," suggested Draco, with a twinkle in his eye.
Both Harry and Hermione flushed, but took his advice. A few minutes later, they looked much better, so the all Apparated to the Ministry.
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Three hours later, Harry and Hermione were laying in Harry's bed; totally naked. They were now happily married. It was late, and both were beginning to drift off to sleep, exhausted from the events of the night, when Harry said, "I love you, Hermione."
Hermione sighed contentedly, and cuddled up against Harry, "I love you too, Harry."
Within in minutes, they were both fast asleep.