I own no characters, places or situations. All belong to the great JK!
A Marriage of Convenience...
Hermione sighed happily as she cuddled in to the warm body of the man lying next to her. One arm lay across his chest and the other was folded underneath her head. Lying on her side with one leg flung over his she couldn't have felt more content.
Remus Lupin was a simple man, all he wanted was companionship and the odd shag. So he was happy when he found that Hermione wanted the same. Neither wanted a relationship right now, perhaps even at all! But both had needs and rather than put themselves at risk shagging random people from clubs they stumbled upon the idea of being sort of "friends with benefits".
No one knew of their arrangement, they didn't think anyone would approve and whilst they didn't really care they didn't want to cause unnecessary friction amongst their friends. As far as their friends were concerned they simply lived together out of convenience, and even that took long enough to be accepted!
Ron had begged her not to do it, Ginny and her mother had warned her off living with a single man, Percy had even asked her to move in with him but she politely disagreed with everyone and moved into Remus's flat in London around a year ago. Remus had generously given her his master bedroom as it had an en suite with the only shower and he was happy to use the bath. Occasionally when he was in a rush he would bound into her room and dash into the shower, it took Hermione a while to get used to him bursting in but she had managed to recognise the sound of his hurrying footsteps on the landing.
They lived together quite harmoniously, they were close friends and lovers; they got the best of both worlds. In reality they did act like quite the couple, often they spent the evenings cuddled up on the couch reading ancient plays out loud or watching silly muggle comedies. They often cooked for each other, and bought each other things they thought the other would like. Neither of them slept with anyone else or had an emotional attachment to anyone else, but neither did they like the label of boyfriend or girlfriend. Or worse; partner.
Quiet snores started to emit from Remus as Hermione got her breath back. She smiled and slowly shimmied her way out of the bed, she tiptoed out of Remus' bedroom and made her way to the bathroom. Remus' bathroom. She loved hers, but right now she felt like a bath. She turned on the magically regulated tap and the perfect temperature of water came out. Smiling she wandered through to the library (the spare room which was full of books acquired by the two of them) and perused the shelves, not worrying that she was naked.
Suddenly Hermione yelped as the doorbell sounded loud and clear. She dropped the book she had just picked up on her foot and swore. Hobbling to her bedroom she threw on some clothes before peeking into Remus' bedroom, she grinned as she saw him dashing about picking up her clothes and throwing them under his bed. The doorbell rang again so Hermione ran to the door and pulled it open.
"Hermione, where's Remus?"
"In his bedroom, I think he's coming out now. Come in Harry, what's wrong?"
"I need to talk to you both"
Harry barged past and walked into the living room, he sat on the couch and tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Remus to enter. Finally he did and Harry stood up. He paced in front of the fire a few times, deciding how to say what he needed to say.
"I've just come from the Ministry. I've been arguing with Kingsley all evening. They're bringing out a new law."
"A new law?" Hermione asked, her brows furrowing in confusion "What is it?"
"It's not good Mione, it only affects some of us but the effects are pretty huge..."
"Harry, just spit it out!"
"It's a marriage law Mione..."
Hermione sighed and slumped in her seat slightly. Truth be told she had been expecting some sort of law to come in, a lot of wizarding folk had been killed during the war and our people need to continue.
"Well, that's a pain though admittedly I was expecting some law along these lines. I expect there's a required amount of children too? Let me guess, we need to keep the wizarding community going whilst also breaking down the last few barriers between purebloods and muggle borns?"
Harry stared at Hermione in wonder, he was expecting her to be furious, or at least upset, and here she was looking the same as before he'd told her. Remus on the other hand was gaping at Harry and glancing worriedly at Hermione. Before he could speak Harry moved to tell them the details.
"The law applies to those people who are of age and older. Those who fall into this category must marry within the year and have children within 5 years. All couples must have at least one child. The only way of getting around this law is to prove that you are unable to have you have had one child you may petition for divorce. Couples do not have to live together but must consummate the marriage within the first week, the ministry will know if you don't. Don't ask me how. Erm, Couples may choose to have a muggle or wizard wedding, but must register with the ministry either way. Oh, the worst bit - if you fail to find someone to marry then the ministry will choose someone for you."
"I dislike the way you looked at me in such a way that implies I won't be able to find a husband..."
Hermione laughed as Harry tried desperately to fix his mistake. In reality her head was full of thoughts that shouldn't have been there. Feelings of unnecessary jealousy at the thought of Remus marrying another woman, and the horror at the thought of having sex with another man. She was sure she hadn't fallen for him but she loved her life and the thought of it changing wasn't a very nice prospect!
Remus' mind boggled as he saw Hermione laugh. He realised he had fallen for Hermione a long time ago, she was perfect. She was fun and funny, she was attentive and tactile, she was his best friend and amazing company. He had thought she might have felt the same way, something about the way she was around him recently, the way her kisses were less passionate and more lazy and loving. But now the thought of her marrying someone else was tearing him apart. Vaguely he realised that Harry was making his excuses and leaving to tell the others about the law, soon he heard the front door close and felt Hermione take his hand. She led him to his bathroom and sat him on the armchair they had placed in there. He watched vacantly as she stripped off in front of him and stepped into the bath, which although was ran a while ago was kept hot with magic.
"Are you okay?" she asked, as she settled into the hot, fragrant water.
"No. I don't want to lose you, I don't want this to change." He muttered, as a small voice in his head told him he was lying, he did want this to change. He wanted to be more than her friend. He ignored the voice and smiled sadly at Hermione.
"I know, Remus. I don't want this to end either. I love this, I love my life now. I'm not prepared to lose you."
Hermione seemed to be thinking about something, she stared down into the water and played with her hands. She glanced at Remus who was staring at the floor having an inward battle of his own. His face looked drawn like it used to during the war, she didn't like it. Making up her mind she took a deep breath. Remus looked up, expecting to hear a hefty sigh, instead he saw her looking at him, then she said;
"Marry me"
A.N - I will continue my other stories soon, sometimes plot bunnies run into my head and then run back out again! Or should I say hop? Anyway, review please! :)