Hermione brushed her hair through. Ron was waiting for her downstairs, the owl was due today, the one that was going to tell her who she was going to marry. They were hoping and praying but she knew deep down that no person would put them together, they were too different and Hermione wasn't convinced that they would have worked in the long term anyway. She pulled her hair into a messy ponytail and walked down the stairs, he was stood, his ginger hair messy, and bags under his eyes. Her heart began to ache, would things have been different if the population was able to sustain itself.
"Hi 'Mione, sleep well?"
"Ron-"
"I can't talk this through anymore,"
She looked at him, and cupped his face in her hand.
"I'm so sorry it has to end this way,"
"Who knows, it might be my name written in that letter,"
He said it with the same resignation, he knew as well that there was no chance. They walked into the kitchen, Molly was fussing over George, something that she did a lot since Fred's death. The worst part of it was, he didn't stop her. He just sat there. He had reopened the joke store, and was making good money, but he refused to step foot in the door, he spent most of his time in his room trying to make the gags that they use to be famous for.
"Oh Hermione, dear," Molly said, looking at her with those pitiful eyes. "Do you want something to eat? I have toast, eggs, bacon, sausages, or I can make up some pancakes if you'd prefer?"
"Just some egg and toast please?"
She piled the plate high and placed it in front of her, looking at her just that little too long. Hermione was looking at the window constantly, waiting for the first day of the rest of her life. Someone knocked on the door and in came Harry, pulling Ginny with him.
"Has it arrived yet?"
"No love, are you and Ginny wanting something to eat?"
Hermione looked at them both, and found it hard not to feel resentment boiling up inside her. The Chosen One got to choose who he got to marry, but of course he did. It wasn't Harry's fault, but she just couldn't help feeling the anger about it. She just smiled tightly at them both and went back to pick at her eggs, there was a peck at the window.
She stood up and took the letter of its leg, sliced it open and began reading.
Dear Miss Granger,
Following our previous letters we have since made a decision on who is the most suitable for you to marry in light of the circumstances.
As you know, magical children are becoming few and far between due to the amount of casualties during the war, and we have looked through your records and matched you with someone who will ensure that your talents will be passed on through the generations.
We have made the decision that the person that would best serve our interests would be:
Severus Snape
You have the right to appeal this decision within 24 hours and we may allocate you to someone else if there is compelling evidence against the match.
Kind Regards,
The Ministry of Magic
Her blood ran cold. Her breath hitched. Snape. That's who they'd paired her with. He was so much older than her. How could they think that was the right match?
"That slimy git, how could they?"
"I don't know Ron," She said, placing the envelope on the table.
"Well we'll appeal it, they'll have to find you someone new," Harry said, quickly.
She nodded, still numb from everything that was going on. She quickly composed a letter questioning their choice and asked if she could be reallocated. She attached the scroll to the bird's leg and watched as it flew into the distance. All her hope with it.
"They'll sort it,"
It took all of half an hour for that well-placed optimism to turn to ashes in their mouths. The reply was short and sweet.
Dear Miss Granger,
Considering the evidence, the benefits of this match far outweigh the cons, so reallocation on this occasion has been denied.
We wish you all the best in your new marriage.
Kind regards,
The Ministry of Magic
She sank into the chair, numb. Everyone around her was talking, but all she could hear was a low humming. She was being forced to marry Severus Snape.
Snape had received the notification, he was sat alone. There was no one there to make him breakfast or help him through this transition in his life. He had read it through, crumpled it and then flattened it. He could see the logic in their decision and he knew there was no point in it. They had made their decision and there was nothing he could say to change their minds.
Not only that he wasn't so sure it was a bad thing.
