Married by Law

Chapter Twenty Two: A walk in the park. Or Not.

"Draco?" chirped Hermione, pushing open the bathroom door. The shower was still running, letting the young brunette know that her husband was still in the shower. Audrey was taking a nap, having been worn out from the warm July weather.

"Yes dear?" called back Draco. Hermione hopped up onto the counter. She absently traced patterns onto the steamy mirror.

"We're planning a surprise party for Harry's birthday. It'll be on Saturday during the day with the entire family, then afterwards Molly agreed to watch all the little ones. We're going out." said Hermione. The shower was turned off. A pale blonde hand reached out of the curtains and blindly groped for a towel. Hermione sighed, flicked her wand so the the towel went to his hand.

"Thanks." Draco wrapped the towel firmly around his waist and stepped out of the shower. "The party's no problem, but remember we have dinner with the board on Sunday evening. So, please don't do anything stupid."

Hermione scoffed. "Stupid? Excuse me?"

"Mia, remember our wedding night?" sniggered Draco. Hermione crossed her arms defiantly.

"Seriously? What about it?"

"You bloody well drank yourself into oblivion." replied Draco, running a comb through his blonde hair. Hermione's scowl deepened.

"So I wouldn't have to conciously endure you." was her icy comeback. It stabbed Draco and he shot her a withering glare. Hermione threw her hands up into the air.

"Draco, I drink maybe once or twice a year. You know? I don't have to explain my self to you!" spat Hermione. She spun around and stomped out of the room. Before she crossed over the doorframe Draco uttered the worst possible words he could:

"You're my wife, you will obey me."

Hermione's jaw hardened and her eyes narrowed. Withother turning, she took a deep breath. "Keep believing that and you won't be able to call me your wife for much longer."

Things were still frosty that evening at dinner. Audrey babbled away in her own made up language, all whilst smearing green goo-peas- on her high chair. Draco stared moodily at his own ribs. He liked the taste of barbeque, but tonight his was charred. He had a funny feeling his wife had purposely burnt his food.

She had.

"Come on poo bear." cooed Hermione, attempting to guide a forkload of baby food into her daughters mouth. Audrey turned her face, her nose wrinkling in distaste. Instead she picked up some of the spilled baby peas and rubbed them into her bright blonde hair.

"Aw Audrey!" groaned Draco, gently patting her hand. "Please don't do that!"

"She's a child Draco, it's how she learns." snapped Hermione. She returned to her meager attempts of feeding the baby. Finally she gave up and dumped a handful of baby cheese puffs onto her tray. Clearly pleased, Audrey gobbled them up.

"Mia, we have to talk. What you said earlier was uncalled f-" Draco began but his wife stopped him with a hand gesture.

"Draco, at the current moment I think it's in your best interest to be quiet. I am going to give Audrey a bath then lay her down. After that I am going to turn in for the night. It's also in your best interest to not join me." sneered Hermione. She hoisted the infant up and brushed crumbs off her tummy.

"Hermione, now is that really necessary?" sighed Draco, his voice not even bothering to hide his irritance.

"It bloody well is necessary! Draco, you may have grown up in a world where women were property, but I sure as hell didn't. Neither will Audrey. So that means I am not your property." snipped Hermione. She didn't wait for a response from Draco as she scuttled up the stairs.

"Mia?" shouted Draco as he walked into the foyer. It was five days since their fight, putting them at Friday. Hermione had shut, and locked, the door to their bedroom every night after she put Audrey down, leaving Draco to his own means. Draco was just as stubborn as she was. He had been coming home after dinner, purely to anger her.

But after five days he was ready to admit defeat. After days of being alone, plus rarely seeing Audrey, he was ready to say that she was his equal. True, it was hard to admit. Draco was raised with a certain mindset, a mindset that wasn't very good but hard to rid yourself of.

"Mia?" called Draco again. Still no reply. He shook his head, impatience filling his mind. "Hermione!"

Still no answer. Draco set his briefcase down on the foyer and climbed the staircase to Audrey's room. He pushed open the door, but Hermione wasn't there. He noticed that Audrey's diaper bag wasn't there. Hermione took it every time she went somewhere.

"Damn women." cursed Draco. He pulled out his wand.

"Merlin, what's wrong?" asked Harry. His best friend let herself into his house, baby in arms. Audrey babbled, reaching for her uncle.

"That prick who refers to himself as my husband." snapped Hermione. She bustled into the kitchen and turned the kettle on. It was nice feeling so at home at his house.

"What did he do!"

"We've been arguing lately. A lot. All of it revolves around the old wizarding beliefs. Last time it was on ranking, this time it's on my place underneath his." spewed Hermione as she poured herself tea. Harry's mouth formed an 'o'. "By the way, where is your wife?"

'"Gin's responding to a job offering. So, Malfoy's being an arse?"

"Pretty much, yeah." sighed Hermione.

"Well then you need to tell him that. Quit running away from your problems. The Hermione Granger I know doens't run." said Harry smartly. A faint smile crossed her face.

"When did you get so smart?"

"The day I met you." replied Harry with a laugh. Hermione shook her head.

The pair of best friends stayed with each other for the rest of the day. Their time was only interrupted when a snake patronus came in.

Hermione, come home. Now!

Draco was obviously pissed. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Harry, can you please watch Audrey for a while. So I can confer with my dear husband?"

Harry hesitated. "Fine, go."

Slam!

"Don't you dare harm my property." snarled Draco, flying from his seat on the couch. Hermione stormed into the room, her brown curls resembling Medusa's snakes.

"You're property? Oh no. The house is in both of our names. You see, that's how it is now a days. Women are equals." shouted Hermione shrilly.

"Maybe, but you sure as hell aren't." retorted Draco. Hermione recoiled as if she'd been slapped.

"You wanna talk, Death Eater." hissed Hermione. Now it was Draco's turned to step back. He had the trump card, but for once he was wise enough not to use it.

"I won't stoop down to your pitiful levels." sneered Draco.

"Leave then. I've said it before, I'll say it again. Leave. Go, get out. Nothing is holding you back!" shouted Hermione, her face controrted with anguish.

"Fine! I will!" shouted Draco.

"You won't last a day without me!" shrieked Hermione, tears falling.

"Oh yeah? I think it's a two way street." sneered Draco. He turned on his heel and stalked out. Hermione crumpled to the floor, tearful.