So I started reading a story with a similar title and it gave me the idea for this. Yes its another someone has to marry or else fic but I have a few plot twists in mind that should make for a different fic.
I'll take your Hand: Hermione has to marry to get her inheritance from her maternal grandmother and she has to stay married for at least two years. When she approaches her best friends about the situation one makes an offer she can't refuse but will being married to Harry put a strain on their friendship or will it lead to something more?
Chapter 1: The conditions and the proposal
Twenty-eight year old Hermione Granger sat by the bed of her dying grandmother. She didn't know why she had been called in and not her mother.
"Hermione?"
"Yes gram?"
"I know you're wondering why I called you and not your mother in here, right?"
"Yes, I am wondering that."
"I called you in because I have left you a large inheritance. Your mother has her dentistry and money of her own. I know you have some fancy job that you can't tell us about but I can tell that it doesn't pay much, otherwise you wouldn't be living with two young men, no matter how well they treat you."
"My job pays very well. I live with Ron and Harry because I want to. They're my best friends. We've done so much together that we can't really function right without one another."
"Whatever you say Hermione. But there are some conditions before you can get your inheritance."
"I assumed as much."
"It's only one condition but it is a big one. You have to get married. And you have to stay married to that person for at least two years."
"Gram! I'm not ready for marriage! You can't do this!"
"I have and I will. It's time you settled down Hermione. You are a lovely young woman and any man would be lucky to get you."
And with those words Elizabeth McKenna closed her eyes took one last breath and died. Hermione walked out of the room as the doctors rushed in. She walked on unsteady feet to a seat next to her mother. Rachel Granger looked at her daughter and knew something was up.
"Hermione?" she asked.
"Gram made me her heir."
"And?"
"I have to get married." She whispered. "Before I can gain my inheritance I have to be married for at least two years. What am I going to do? I'm not ready for marriage. And who would have me anyways?"
"Hermione, listen to me. Any man would be lucky to have you. Perhaps there's a magical solution to all this? You should talk to Harry and Ron. They might know something that can help you."
"Your right, mum. I think I'll go talk to them now, if that's alright?"
"Go."
Hermione stood and hurried away once a few streets away from the hospital and in the back corner of an alley where no muggle could see her and apparated to Grimmauld Place. Harry and Ron were in the parlor, waiting for her. Harry was sitting on the floor and writing in a muggle notebook and Ron was playing wizards chess against himself. Harry was the first to notice her presence in the room, as he always was.
"What's wrong Hermione?" he asked as she sat on the couch that was behind him.
"Gram's dead. And she made me her heir." said Hermione, still somewhat in shock.
"When?" asked Harry throwing a pen at Ron's head to get his attention.
"Just a few minutes ago. Mum told me to come back here and talk to you and Ron about something."
"What is it?" asked Ron glaring at Harry.
"Like I said Gram made me her heir. Well, there's a condition to the inheritance that I'll receive."
"What is it, Hermione?" asked Ron.
"I have to get married." She said turning to Ron. "Is there any magical way out of this?"
"I have no clue Hermione. I'll have to talk to my dad. He should know and if not then he'll know someone who does know."
"Thanks, Ron. Ask him as soon as you can for me won't you?"
"I'll be able to ask Saturday, Mum and Dad are due back from New Zealand then."
"You won't be able to come to the funeral then. The funeral is on Saturday. And why where they in New Zealand? I thought Ginny was working in Croatia."
"She was working there but a better opportunity came along in New Zealand so she took it. I'm sorry I'll miss the funeral but Harry will go with you won't you?"
"Of course I will. I'm here for you Hermione. Whatever you need I'll do it."
Saturday. . . .After the funeral. . . .
Ron threw some floo powder into the fireplace.
"The Burrow!" he shouted sticking his head in the fire.
After the spinning stopped he looked around the living room of his old home.
"Dad?" he called, "Dad are you here?"
A moment later he heard footsteps coming from upstairs. His father, Arthur Weasley, came in and looked at the fire.
"Ron!" he said levitating a chair over so he could sit and talk to his youngest son. "How are you?"
"Good, Dad. How are you and Mum? And how is Gin?"
"Your mother and I are wonderful. Ginny is very well. She's dating a young man, and she asked me to tell you that she wants to know when you plan on asking Luna to marry you."
"Speaking of marriage I have to tell you why I called you. We have a problem. Hermione's gram died the other day. She made Hermione her heir and there's a condition to the inheritance."
"What is it?"
"Hermione has to get married. Is there anything we can do to help her? I mean there's got to be something we can do so that she doesn't have to marry some strange wizard off the street."
"I'm sorry, Ron. There's nothing we can do. A condition is non-negotiable. Wizarding law can't interfere with inheritances especially with a condition of marriage. Short of you or Harry marrying her we can't do anything."
"Okay. You're sure that there's nothing we can do?"
"Absolutely positive. "
"Thanks anyways Dad. I gotta go. They're back from the funeral."
"Alright Ron, bring Harry and Hermione over for dinner sometime next week. Your mother and I would love to see the three of you."
"I'll try Dad. Bye."
Ron pulled his head out of the fire just as Hermione stalked into the room. She was wearing a pair of black heels and a black mid-calf length skirt. She was pacing back and forth from one side of the room to the other. She had shed her black sweater and her sliver blouse shimmered with each step. She was muttering something under her breath.
"Hermione?" he asked
"Ron!" she exclaimed turning to him.
"Where's Harry?" he asked, "How was the funeral?"
"Harry's making me some chamomile tea to calm me down. The funeral was fine. Until my cousin Jacqueline arrived." Said Hermione sitting down
"Why?"
FLASHBACK
Hermione stood next to her mother saying hello to friends of her grandmother's. Harry was sitting a few rows away in his new suit. Hermione was talking about her gram's lemon bars with Mrs. Lovett, her gram's neighbor, when she heard her mother's sharp intake of breath.
"Jacqueline is here. She's in the doorway." whispered Rachel Granger.
Hermione looked to the doorway. Standing there was her cousin Jacqueline. She was wearing a black hat on her deep red hair. Hermione's gaze drifted down to see how inappropriately her cousin was dressed. She wore a short red tank top under a too short black blouse. Her skirt was short with a red bead belt. She wore knee high boots with red and black striped just over the knee socks over fishnet stockings. After Mrs. Lovett left, Hermione strode down to Jacqueline.
"What are you wearing?" she hissed.
"Clothes." answered Jacqueline, "Just as you are Herms. Although mine are a bit more stylish."
"I can see your wearing clothes. Do you realize that this is a funeral? This isn't one of the clubs you frequent."
"I know that, Herms."
"Don't call me Herms." Hermione spat at her cousin.
"You alright, Hermione?" asked Harry.
"I'm fine Harry. Thank you for asking."
"Good. You may want to calm down." he said
"Aren't you going to introduce me, Herms?" asked Jacqueline smiling at Harry.
"Jackie, this is Harry. Harry this is Jackie."
"I'm Jacqueline McKenna, Herms' cousin on her mother's side."
"I'm Harry Potter, Hermione's best friend of 17 years. We went to school together."
"It's wonderful to meet you Harry. Hermione's never mentioned any friends from school." Said Jacqueline going closer to Harry.
"It's nice to meet you too. Hermione we need to get going soon. We told Ron we'd be back in half an hour from now."
"Of course Harry. I only have to talk to the lawyer. I do hope Ron remembered to call his father to find out that information."
"Why do you need to talk to the lawyer?" asked Jacqueline. "We all know that I'm Gram's heir. I was her favorite niece."
"Are you kidding me? I went to a boarding school for seven years. I spent whole summers and breaks with my friends at their homes. You went to a public school. And yet I managed to spend more time with Gram than you did! How could you ever be Gram's heir?"
"I spent enough time with her! I spent-"
"Where were you when Gram was in the hospital? Where were you when Gram fell down the stairs ten years ago? Where were you when Gram died? You were out partying or sleeping off your hangovers or perhaps you just didn't care! And you expected to be Gram's heir? Harry had more of a chance to be her heir and she'd only met him once!"
"Hey, Hermione, calm down. Let's go home. You can call the lawyer and make an appointment to see him in his office." Said Harry taking her arm.
END FLASHBACK
"And that's what happened." finished Hermione, "Did you floo your dad?"
"Yes, I did. There's nothing we can do Hermione. Dad said that wizarding law can't interfere with inheritances especially with a condition of marriage. Short of Harry or me marrying you we can't do anything."
Harry stood in the hall listening to Ron and Hermione's conversation, a cup of hot tea hovering in front of him. He walked into the room and looked at Hermione. She was asking Ron what they could do now that magic couldn't help them. He cleared his throat to get their attention.
"I'll marry you Hermione." He said.
First Chapter down! So review let me know what you think! I can't wait for you feedback.