A Rake, A Spinster, And An Arrangement

Chapter 20 : A Need To Talk (Ep 5)

Standing before the Archbishop was, by far, the most awkward of circumstances. Draco knew that there was no reason in the world as to why he could not marry Hermione, and as a Duke, it would be understandable that he would want a special license, so that he could be married wherever he so chose on whatever day he chose, without the restrictions that were placed upon the common man.

It was his right... and his coin.

But, as the Archbishop stared at him... he knew that something was... wrong.

"I see no reason as to why you and Miss Potter should not be married," the Archbishop finally said. "And I would be honored to oversee your ceremony on Tuesday, however... I have a stipulation."

Draco felt his blood run cold. What had his father done now? What requirement, what request... What was it about Hermione that would keep him from marrying her?

She was young, she was beautiful, she was strong, she was healthy, and she was of noble birth - a daughter of a Viscount. There was nothing wrong with her - she was everything his father might have chosen for him, had he still been alive. There was no reason in the world as to why the Archbishop would hesitate.

"Your Aunt has made a request to speak to you."

Draco stared at the Archbishop, confused. Aunt Andromeda? What on earth...

"Why would the Duke's Aunt want to speak with him?" Potter asked, his voice sounding choked.

The Archbishop's attention turned to Potter, but the man said nothing. Only stared... as though... as though it need not be even said out loud.

"My Aunt has requested to speak to me before I am married, or before I marry Miss Potter?" Draco asked, his words sounding heavy in his ears as he spoke.

"Miss Potter. She came to me two weeks ago, with this request. She knew you would seek out a special license - I think the entire Ton knew - and came to me to ask that I wait."

Draco stared at the Archbishop, confused as to how the man knew about the gossip, given how gossip was a sin, however...

"So you will grant the license," Potter asked warily.

"I will grant the license, so long as Lady Waterford is in attendance at the wedding," the Archbishop of Canterbury said, as though it was that simple.

It was not. It was not that simple at all.

Why would his Aunt want to keep him from marrying Hermione? She had encouraged it, had encouraged the match, had encouraged him to find a wife, to be happy, to have a family... Why would she want to stop this? Why would she step in now?

"I will speak to my Aunt immediately." Draco said as he turned to Potter. "I was of course intending to invite her to both the ceremony and the reception, but-"

There was a look on Potter's face... it was fear... it was knowing... as though, he knew something was wrong.

"What is it?" Draco asked the man, his soon-to-be brother-in-law.

"Nothing," Potter said, shaking his head.

No. It was not nothing.

"Come on. You need to send for your Aunt, and I want to get home and sleep in a real bed," Potter said, heading towards the door.

Draco was a step behind him. "I told Hermione that I would come by after this so that we could speak. She had something to tell me-"

"No," Potter said, cutting him off. "No. Come... later."