In Plain Sight
by Ayslinn
Even though I haven't really written anything in years, a couple of plot bunnies jumped into my head awhile back and I can't shake them. This is a small scene that I wrote for one of them, but no longer flows with the direction the characters want the larger story to go. Since I like the scene, I'm posting it as a little ficlet as it can stand alone. It is, yes, a little bit of a marriage law ficlet.
*****
"You don't seem too bothered by this new law," Molly commented as Hermione turned the pages of her book.
"I'm-"
"I went to the ministry today to petition for Hermione, but they said she wasn't on the list," Ron announced, coming in through the door. It banged closed behind him.
Molly's eyebrows rose, "But how can that be? She would either have to be already married or a pure-"
"Or not a British citizen," Hermione entered the conversation. "Must you talk about me as though I am not here? There is a valid reason that I'm not on that list. And secondly, why would you, Ronald, feel the need to petition for me?"
"I just wanted," Ron flushed crimson, "That is, I didn't want you to be forced to marry someone unsuitable."
"Such as a Slytherin?" Hermione queried, arching an eyebrow in a manner reminiscent of Professor Snape.
"We'd be good together," Ron soldiered on, presenting his case, momentarily forgetting that Hermione was, for some reason, not affected by the law. "We've been friends since we were eleven and we had all of those adventures and-"
"Ron, stop right there," Hermione carefully placed a slip of parchment in her book to mark her place before snapping the book closed. "You've just presented a case as to why I would be just as compatible with Harry or even Neville. Yes, we've been friends for years, and yes, we've had adventures together, but have you forgotten all of the times you were petty and cruel to me?"
"You're not a British citizen?" Ron asked, changing the subject. He didn't want to be reminded of his faults.
"No, I am still a British citizen, at least as far as the muggle world is concerned. I'm not a British wizarding citizen, however, and thus do not fall completely under the jurisdiction of the British Ministry of Magic, but that is not the entire reason I'm not eligible."
"Why, dear?"
"Because I technically already meet the stipulations of the law. I've been married to a pureblooded wizard for the last year and am expecting our first child in six months," She paused, cringing a bit inwardly. This wasn't how she wanted to announce the news. "However-"
"Who?!"
She continued speaking as if Ron had not spoken. "My marriage also gave me the option of becoming a wizarding citizen under the purvey of a foreign ministry; an option that I am happy I accepted. Their ministry doesn't interfere in the lives of their citizens in a misguided attempt to remove prejudice."
"You're lying."
"You're not wearing a ring, dear," Molly stated, still in disbelief, glancing at Hermione's left hand.
Hermione smiled. "I've been wearing my wedding ring since my wedding day. No one noticed because I chose the Bulgarian custom of wearing it on my right hand," she said, holding up her right hand and the simple platinum band engraved with runic symbols. "Hidden in plain sight and all."
"Who do you know in-" Ron erupted. "Krum! You married Viktor bloody Krum!"
"Please don't speak that way about my husband. I'd hate to have to hex you. Again."