More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter 2

Hermione was a bundle of nerves as she sat through the night's meeting. She was desperately trying not to fidget, but she realized that she would have to get notes on what happened from Harry. In an attempt to calm herself she looked around the room at everyone. All the Weasleys were there except Percy and Ginny. Percy was still shunning his family, and Ginny wouldn't be allowed to join the order officially until her birthday in a couple of months. Of course she was probably listening in anyway from the other room with the help of an extendible ear. Harry, Snape, McGonagall, Remus, Tonks, and Moody were all there of course, as well as a few of their classmates. In the corner two people sat with heavy concealment charms on them. They were so strong that Hermione couldn't even tell what gender they were. She knew that they were important spies for the order, whose identities were only know by Dumbledore and maybe one other member.

When the meeting was finally over she stood and waited while everyone mingled around. Snape left immediately as he didn't believe in mingling. She watched Ron and Harry have a heated debate on quiditch with Seamus and Neville. Eventually the group started to thin out. Ginny came over to wish her good luck before flooing back to the burrow with her father, Ron and Harry. After they had left Dumbledore, McGonagall, Molly and Hermione went into the kitchen and sat down around the table.

Dumbledore smiled warmly. “Miss Granger I can't tell you how happy I was when I received your letter earlier. One, because you are one of the brightest witches I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I was glad that you were taking this seriously, and not making a decision based on hormones. And two, because we have a sensitive situation at hand. One of our members is a pureblood wizard who needs a wife, because of his duties it would be best if she was also a member. When I considered his situation, I immediately thought of you. Not only because you are an order member, but because I think you would be the perfect match for each other.” He paused to let her think all of this over. Hermione pondered his words trying to figure out who he was talking about. Remus was out because he was a werewolf, Snape, to the shock of almost everyone, had received several proposals, all the Weasleys were taken and she seriously hoped that he didn't mean Neville! She looked at him and slowly nodded for him to continue.

“As you know we have two members whose identities' are concealed. Only I know the identity of one of them. The other's identity is concealed only to those under the age of twenty-five. The reason for this is that he is still a student at Hogwarts, and is a very valuable spy. Tonight I am going to reveal him to you. If it is decided that the two of you will commit to each other, then understandably his involvement will be revealed to your close friends, however it is important that his role be protected from all of your other classmates.”

Molly looked at him seriously. “Are you absolutly sure about this Albus?”

“Yes Molly, trust me,” he replied standing up. He walked out of the room for a moment. When he returned he had one of the concealed members with him. After they had both sat down, Dumbledore mumbled a few words and waved his wand. Hermione watched as the person in front of her morphed into Draco Malfoy.

“Are you out of your mind?” she nearly screeched at him. She looked over at Malfoy who had raised a single eyebrow at her outburst. “You can not possibly tell me that you're okay with this!”she spat at him.

“I don't know,” he drawled at her. “Why don't you tell me what 'this' is.”

“You mean you don't know?”

“Granger, all I was told was that my identity was going to be revealed to you for some reason tonight.”

“Oh thank Merlin! I thought I was the only one in the room with their sanity still intact!” Draco's second eyebrow joined his first. He had never seen her this upset before. Even the time she hit him she was more in control then she was at this moment. He watched as she pointed at Dumbledore. “He thinks we should get married. He thinks we're just perfect for each other,” he was hotly informed. Draco felt his jaw drop. If it hadn't been for Granger's reaction he would have thought this was a sick joke. He suddenly sneered at her. “I realize that I am a dream come true for someone like you Granger, but its not going to happen! I won't accept your offer.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, 'cause I'm looking for a husband who's an obnoxious, self-serving git, whom I have nothing in common with. Hate to burst the egotistical bubble you live in, but I would rather end up alone and childless than marry you!”

“Oh wonderful, the Gryfindor holier than thou attitude makes an appearance. You call me egotistical? What makes you think you're such a great catch? Also, I am glad to know marriage to me is barely considered better than death,” he muttered sarcastically.

Hermione rolled her eyes again. “Oh please Malfoy! Drop the wounded act. I know perfectly well that I am not your first choice for wife. Heck I probably don't make the top one thousand!”

“Probably?”

“Draco Malfoy you are...”

“Children enough!” Dumbledore interrupted. Both heads snapped forward to look at him. Hermione noticed that he wore a stern expression, but that his eyes still held their signature twinkle. “Now, I expect everyone at this table to act like adults and discuss this calmly; not bicker like a bunch of little children.”

Hermione sighed. “I'm sorry sir. This isn't exactly how I pictured this evening going. You know the history between Malfoy and myself. Surely you must know that we have nothing in common. As the last few minutes have shown, we fight constantly when we're together.”

“I see,” he said after Draco nodded his head. “So your major opposition to this marriage is that you have nothing in common?” He waited until both heads nodded. “Well then I suggest a deal. It is now 9:30, the five of us will sit here and talk until midnight. If the two of you agree on five different things, you shall go through the commitment ceremony. If you don't, I will forget about this whole thing, and we'll find other options for you both. What do you say?”

Draco snorted. “Us, agree on five things, in two and a half hours? Sir, if that happens not only will I agree to her proposal, but I'll marry her before the end of the summer!”

“Really?” Dumbledore responded his eyes twinkling merrily. “Wizard's oath?”

“Wizard's oath,” he proclaimed thrusting out his wand, its tip glowing green as the oath took effect.

“Well, what do you think Miss Granger?” Dumbledore asked turning to look at Hermione. “Do you agree to the deal? And yes, before you ask, you would have to agree to Mr. Malfoy's addendum.”

Hermione bit her lower lip. Although she knew it was impossible that they would agree on five separate things she felt uneasy about accepting the oath. It was one thing to gamble when all that was on the table was an engagement that could be broken, but to gamble with a permanent relationship seemed really risky.

“What's the matter Granger?” Draco asked unable to keep from goading her when he saw her hesitation. “Where is that wonderful Gryfindor courage that your house is always bragging about? Certainly you're not afraid that you'll agree with any of my horrible thoughts.”

“I'm not afraid of you Malfoy!”

“Oh yeah? Prove it!”

Hermione knew she shouldn't respond to his taunts, but there was no way she was going to take his insults lying down. “Fine! Witch's oath,” she said whipping her wand forward.

“Excellent!” Dumbledore replied. “Now, both of you put your wands on the table. They will tell us if and when you agree on something.” He transfigured an empty plate into one full of fudge. “Fudge Mr. Malfoy?” he asked holding the plate out to Draco.

“No thank you. I don't like chocolate.”

Dumbledore offered the plate to McGonagall and Molly who both took a piece. He hesitated for a second before offering the plate to Hermione. She gave him a puzzled look. “Sir, you know that I don't like chocolate,” she replied.

Both teens looked at their wands with shock as they sparked. Hermione looked back towards Dumbledore, who was having a hard time containing his mirth. Her eyes narrowed. She had been tricked!

“What you couldn't have lied and taken a bloody piece of fudge?” Draco asked snidely. “Or do you have some hidden fantasy of being with me that I should know about?”

“Oh stuff it Malfoy! I didn't mean to agree with you. I have no desire to be with you, you arrogant prick, I hate you!”

“Believe me Granger, the feeling is mutual!” Once again both wands sparked. They looked down at them in horror and then at each other.

“What?” Hermione sneered at him. “You couldn't lie and say that you adore me? Do you have some hidden fantasy of being with me that I should know about?”

Draco looked at her in surprise. If the situation hadn't been so serious he would have laughed. She was actually mocking him with his own words. It was a side of her that he had never seen, and he had to admit, grudgingly, he liked it.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. “Actually, neither one of you could have lied. This room is protected by a truth charm. Thus making it impossible both to lie and to keep the truth hidden.”

A pair of jaws dropped at his announcement. Hermione recovered first. “Sir, you've tricked us! You were a Gryfindor, not a bloody Slytherin!”

“I have to agree sir. You have acted in a Slytherin manner,” Draco said in a strained voice. It was obvious that he was trying to keep silent, but the truth charm was doing its job.

Hermione felt like weeping when their wands sparked for a third time. She was filled with dread as she realized that she was doomed. How is this happening? she asked herself. The two of us haven't agreed on three thing in the past six years. Yet tonight we can't last ten minutes?!

Molly reached over and lightly squeezed Hermione's hand. She hated seeing the distraught look on her face. “Perhaps it would be best if we let Albus explain why he recommends this union.”

“Of course Molly. First of all I'll explain why I am for this marriage generally, and then I'll explain why I think the two of you are right for each other specifically. Due to this law, the fact is if Mr. Malfoy wishes to remain in the wizarding world, and out of prison, he must marry either a muggle born or halfblood witch. I know that Tom has power over some halfblood families, and would without a doubt offer some witch for Mr. Malfoy's use. And yes, that is exactly how Tom will view the girl, as something to use to get Mr. Malfoy out of this situation. However, with his activities for the Order, it would be too risky to allow such a union. Unfortunately, due to Mr. Malfoy's past behaviors and attitudes, some caused by his need to stay undercover, it is unlikely that a pro-light, non member will make him an offer. So, it would be best for an order member to propose.”

He paused to take a sip of water before continuing. “Now, as to why I think that the two of you are right for each other. It is often said that opposites attract. While this may be true in small matters, when it comes to the important basics, it most definitely isn't. For example, Miss Granger, you have a very complex personality. You are intelligent, creative, brave, loyal and passionate. If you were to marry someone with a simple personality you would quickly become bored. It is important that you end up with someone of equal complexity.”

“Sir, I understand that the root of the words are the same, but let's not confuse them. Malfoy isn't complex, he's complicated!” she retorted.

Draco shrugged slightly. “So what if I am? I like being complicated. It means that I'm not easy to figure out.”

Hermione winced when she heard his words. How could he agree with her? He acted like she had given him a bloody compliment! She didn't need to look at their wands to know that she was one agreement away from having to spend all of eternity being tormented by Draco Malfoy.

“Umm, yes, well let's continue,” Dumbledore remarked with a hint of laughter in his voice. “Now, it is important to remember that there is a mixture of all the houses in everyone. However as you are well aware, each house does have its own predominate traits. Miss Granger, when I looked at all of the houses to see whom might work well with you, it was fairly easy to draw some conclusions. Ravenclaws definitely have the intellect to match yours, however they tend to lack the creativity and imagination needed to keep you happy. Hufflepuffs are loyal and kind, attributes that you highly value, but they lack the ability to keep you intellectually stimulated.”

Draco rolled his eyes at this. “That's putting it mildly,” he muttered under his breath. Both Hermione and Professor McGonagall glared at him, while Dumbledore simply ignored him.

“Now I am guessing you thought that you would end up with another Gryfindor, and while it is very common for Gryfindors to marry their house mates, I don't think it will be the case for you. Miss Granger you were put into Gryfindor for a reason, like all your house mates you have great courage and strength of spirit. However, Gryfindors by and large, lack the passion for power and greatness that resides in you.”

Hermione felt her face burn and quickly looked down at the table. How had he know? she wondered to herself. She had done her best to squash it, or at least direct it into venues that no one could find fault with.

“Miss Granger... Hermione, please look at me,” he continued gently. She slowly raised her head to look into his warm eyes. “My dear, there is nothing shameful in desiring power and greatness. I know that recent events, and the animosity between your house and Slytherin, has taught you differently, but this is not true. Yes, there are some wizards and witches who allowed themselves to be consumed by their desires, and therefore become corrupted, but it isn't the desire that is evil. It is their weakness towards the dark arts, their decision that power is more important than goodness that is evil. Miss Granger, let me assure you, that when the day comes that you are known as a great and powerful witch, I am certain that you will also be known for your goodness.”

“Thank you sir,” she murmured, wiping a lone tear from her cheek. She smiled as she felt the heavy burden she had been carrying lift from her shoulders.

Draco thought the night's surprises would never end. Granger desires power? he thought to himself. Having heard Dumbledore's description of her he almost wished that she had been sorted Slytherin. Sure she was still the bloody know it all, but having heard the headmaster speak of her, he wished that he could have gotten to know her better through the years. Although if they weren't able to keep their bloody mouths shut, and keep from agreeing one more time, they'd have plenty of years to get to know each other, he bitterly thought to himself.

Dumbledore continued once he was sure that he had both of their attentions again. “Although your passion isn't bad, it is what makes a marriage with a fellow Gryfindor impossible. This of course leaves Slytherin. Now, I don't want you to think that I am matching you with a Slytherin simply because the other houses don't fit, after all there are other schools.” He said quickly when she opened he mouth to speak. “I stayed within Hogwarts not only because I think it would be easiest for you, but also because I truly believe that a carefully chosen Slytherin offers you the best chance at happiness.” Hermione looked over at Malfoy, and was startled to see him studying her closely.

“Now Mr. Malfoy, I am sure that you always assumed that you would take a Slytherin bride.” Draco looked at him and nodded. Of course he had always thought that. After all, he had been told for as long as he could remember that Slytherins married Slytherins. Even with his association with the order he assumed that after the war he would end up with a Slytherin.

“This law allows you to break free from everything that you have been taught and lets you think for yourself. I think that if you were to truly consider the situation, you would realize that Slytherin witches lack the spunk, and shall we say, ethical standing that you need.” He paused briefly to allow the blond wizard to consider this before continuing. “Now, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are out for similar reasons that I gave Miss Granger, which of course leaves Gryfindor. Mr. Malfoy, a carefully chosen Gryfindor will appreciate your creativity, honor your courage in spying for the order, and have enough inner strength to both keep you on your toes, and put up with you.” Dumbledore smiled when Draco scowled at his last remark.

“Miss Granger, a carefully chosen Slytherin will understand your passion, appreciate your intelligence, and treat your fierce loyalty as a precious gift. Now you'll both notice that I said your partner would be carefully chosen. After all, Mr. Malfoy would find a typical Gryfindor incredible irritating, while Miss Granger would be completely repulsed by the typical Slytherin. Fortunately, both of you are special.” He allowed silence to fall over the room as both teenagers mulled over his words.

Hermione finally broke the silence with a soft sigh. “Professor, you have shown me things about myself, and made me think about things I had never seen, nor thought about before. I must admit that I find many things about your argument appealing, and if we were talking about a stranger than I would have no hesitations in accepting the challenge. However, with our shared history, I simply can not see how a marriage between Draco and myself could work,” she said, not noticing that she had used his first name.

“I see,” Dumbledore responded. “How do you feel Mr. Malfoy?”

“Oh bloody hell!” Draco said hitting his head against the table. He slowly lifted head to look into Hermione's eyes. “Well, I suppose we'll have to find a way to make it work, because I agree with everything you just said.” Their wands sparked and glowed, sealing their fate. It was 10:15.