[thirty seven]

"Draco, my head feels like it's splitting."

Hermione didn't plan her first morning as an engaged woman to be horrendous, but that was one way to describe what it felt like. She had a fever so high it felt like she was burning holes through her duvet and a headache that seemed to be splitting her skull in half. Draco didn't do much more than grunt at her in response.

"Draco." She groaned

"Love, I'm having the same issue." Draco muttered, his eyes screwed shut in pain. "But, what can I do to help?"

They shared her bed as the other rooms, as well as the couch, were taken by their friends. The Granger's allowed the arrangement for as long as they kept the door wide open and promised that no matter how loved up they felt from last night's events, no fornication will occur under their roof.

Of course, the pair agreed with embarrassed blushes on their faces.

Hermione felt awful, like a horrible period was about to befall her. She felt emotions that didn't seem to be hers, and thoughts that made her think she was crazy. Overall, the headache was driving her mad, or maybe that was the fever.

"I guessed as much." A voice said from the door way

Draco managed to pop an eye open to see his mother smirking at the pair of them "What?" He groaned

"It's the Malfoy bond." Narcissa rolled her eyes "I didn't want to tell you before you got engaged. It's not for the faint of heart."

"Mother, are you insinuat—" he groaned and refused to finish his sentence as another wave of nausea and pain wash over him

"The Malfoy bond forms after a genuine engagement is created between a Malfoy and his or her significant other." Narcissa said "It's a bond that ends only after death."

Hermione didn't like the sound of that

"It allows for the pair of you to share an empathy link. To feel each other's emotions and perhaps, sometimes, even hear each other's thoughts. More of the emotions, obviously, but sometimes the bond can be so strong that you can communicate when needed." Narcissa shrugged, then sighed at the sight of them in pain "From now on, Hermione will be part of the tree."

"What tree?" She hoped that Narcissa didn't mean that literally

"There is a room in the Malfoy Manor, which contains the Malfoy family tree. It's alive by magic. There you'll see life and death, literally." Narcissa explained to Hermione "Draco will show you, once you're better."

"Mother, I'm sorry, but your rambling is making my headache worse."

Narcissa laughed "It'll subside throughout the day. You ought to stay next to each other during the process. It'll be easier on both of you."

"I don't suppose a potion can make us feel better?" Hermione winced as another wave of pounding hit her skull

"No, my dear. Only time can make it better." Narcissa said wistfully, before turning to leave them alone.

Hermione's parents felt pity for them that they brought their meals up to Hermione's room, even if they both refused to get up. Their friends were only laughing at their expense.

"Now I feel better for you getting that giant Malfoy ring." Pansy joked

"Malfoy?" Hermione said weakly "Draco, is this an heirloom?"

"Girl, doesn't it look like one?" Astoria laughed

"Your ancestors will haunt me. Maybe this is why my head feels like it's splitting." Hermione groaned

"I love you too." Draco mumbled, his eyes closed as he concentrated on anything but the pounding of his head. It was like having hangover, but ten times worse. Suddenly, he could feel anxiety that he knew was not his own. "Hermione, I don't care what they think. They can roll in their graves for all I care." He assured her, but the anxiety did not go away

Harry came walking in the room with a weird expression on his face "Uh, Hermione? I know this isn't a good time, but..."

"Hmm?" Was all Hermione could muster

"Your friend Jake Tan is at the front door, and the whole house is glowing red." Harry said

Hermione's eyes shot open in surprise "That's impossible... he's a muggle."

"Your protective charms are spotless, Hermione, but we aren't lying." Ron said sheepishly from the doorway

"Should we dispose of him for you? What's the order?" Pansy asked

"You're insane. Let me go talk to him. We've met." Theo sighed and walked out, followed by Harry and Ron who looked ready to shoot their unwanted visitor to the sky.

Hermione struggled to get out of bed, wincing in pain as she did so. Blaise and Viktor rushed to help her up "Woah, you okay, Granger?" Blaise caught her as she almost slipped

"I got this." Hermione nodded "I didn't know agreeing to marry a Malfoy would kill me."

"Ha-ha." Draco muttered from the bed

"Will you two be so kind as to make sure I don't fall down the stairs?" She asked the two boys holding her up, smiling at them weakly

"Of course, Hermy." Viktor chuckled and helped her walk out the room

"Of all the times my wife has to be a lovely host, she chooses now." Draco muttered

"She's not your wife yet, Malfoy." Celine snickered as she gingerly helped him out of the bed too

"Bite me, Zabini." Draco said weakly

"Your threats aren't so intense with you incapacitated." Celine laughed "Geez, Malfoy. You're burning as hell."

"I'll go ready some cold towels for those two." Ginny laughed, dragging Elena down with her

"You're hallucinating, Draco." Astoria rolled her eyes as she walked down the stairs behind Celine and Draco, ready to catch either of them with a charm should they fall. When they all reached the living room, they found Ron and Harry with wands behind their backs as they stood next to Theodore who conversed with their unwelcome guest

"Look, just let Jean and Dan know that I'm here. I really am not a threat." Jake raised his hands in defense

"Hermione is unwell. She won't be able to entertain you and neither will her parents. I suggest you leave." Theodore said coldly

"I'm sure she can tell me that herself." Jake snapped, before yelling "Hermione! I know you're in there!"

"Who the fuck does this prick think he is?" Draco hissed, wincing a second after "Hermione." he said warningly as she walked to the door with as much strength as she can

"What do you want, Jake?" Hermione managed to shoot him a glare as she leaned against Ron for support

"You sent the ministry after me." He said accusatorially. At that, both Harry and Theo's wands shot outwards and pointed straight at his throat

"What do you know of the ministry?" Harry threatened

"If Hermione had just called me, I would have been able to explain myself." Jake snapped "Instead, you all sent the British ministry after me, and MACUSA heard."