Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 2
It was thirty minutes before ten when Hermione left Mr. Weasley's office. She decided to head for the fountain of the wizard, centaur, and houself.
'It looks like a wishing well, it won't hurt to try.' Hermione couldn't help but smile when she arrived at the fountain. She quickly pulled out a pouch of galleons and sickles. 'Hmm...maybe this is a bit much.' "Oh well," she said aloud. She turned around, her back facing the fountain, and closed her eyes. 'I hope...' The pouch flew above her head as she waited to hear the splash of water but she didn't heard it.
"Ouch!"
Hermione then turned suddenly to see somone looking down into the fountain and rubbing the back of his head. Apparently the pouch had bounced off his head and into the fountain.
"Oh! I'm very sorry." Hermione apologized. At that the person turned around. Hermione had to fight a gasp that wanted to escape her mouth. The young man before her was very handsome. He had black hair, with bangs in front of his face but still Hermione was able to notice his silvery blue eyes. "Sorry," she said again.
The young man stayed expression less. "That's quite alright. No damage done." He looked againg into the fountain and smiled. "You must be very generous." With that he turned and left.
Hermione felt her face go pink.
"Hermione!" Someone yelled behind her.
She turned. "Hey, Tonks, Proffersor Lupin." Since the war was over Lupin had decided to teach again at Hogwarts. And Tonks still didn't like her first name so she was called Tonks.
"Good morning," Lupin said.
"So what brings you here?" Tonks asked.
Hermione felt herself frown but smiled quickly. "I'm here to meet my match in..." Hermione looked down at her muggle watch, "...15 minutes."
"Really?" Lupin asked.
"The ministry sure does work fast," Tonks commented. "Those slimeballs, shouldn't have made that law."
Lupin looked at her and gave her a don't-be-so-blunt look. He then turned to Hermione. "Hermione, I'll be glad to escort you there. I believe you weren't suppose to go alone."
"That'll be great Proffessor."
"Hermione, I'm not your proffessor anymore."
"I know but I've learned so much from you and I can't seem to loose the habit."
"Alright, I guess that makes me Mrs. Tonks Proffessor Lupin," Tonks added with a laugh which the othe two joined in. "Well, I would like to meet this fella of yours Hermione, mind if I come along."
"Of course."
Lupin eyed her. "I believe you have paperwork to do, dear."
Tonks pouted. She knew Lupin wouldn't approve of her neglecting her work but she couldn't help being curious. "I'll get it done later." With that she pulled Hermione's arm. "C'mon Hermione, we best get a move on." Lupin sighed and hurried up to catch up with them.
Lupin, Tonks, and Hermione stepped into the head office, located in the Enforce Law Department. A women who looked around 40 greeted them. "Good morning, which one is Ms. Granger." Hermione stepped forward.
"Hello, I'm Lana Lansing." She shook the hands of all three. "I'd be honest, I didn't expect you to have company Ms. Granger."
"That's not a problem, is it?" Tonks asked.
Mrs. Lansing smiled. "No of course not. With everything happening so suddenly it's only normal for her..." she waited for them to answer.
"Friends." Lupin answered.
"More like guardians, too,"
Hermione added trying to hide the sadness behind her tone.
"Of
course. It's normal for you to worry on who her fiancee will be. Come
this way to meet the betrothed."
Hermione couldn't help but to wince at the word "fiancee." She followed Mrs. Lansing through another door in her office, Lupin and Tonks behind her. Mrs. Lansing opened the door and stepped aside.
"Meet Arian Belth." Mrs. Lansing said.
At the sound of his name the young man turned. Hermione gasped. The young man from the fountain was staring right at her. He was as just as surprised to see her.
"Mr. Belth, this is Ms. Hermione Jane Granger."
The room went silent and Hermione hadn't moved from the doorway. She didn't need to as Tonks slightly push her aside.
"Did you say, Arian Belth?!" Tonks asked excitedly.
"Tonk..." Lupin started.
Tonks looked at Arian. "Oh my god! It is you!"
Hermione turned to face Tonks. "You know him?"
"Well yes," answered Mrs. Lansing. "Everyone knows him."
Hermione looked confusingly at everyone. Even Lupin had a knowing look. 'Belth...Belth...hmm where have I heard that name before?' She gave up on her thoughts. "I don't" she said bluntly. At this she notice a look of surprise on Arian's face, and everyone else gasped. "Um...am I suppose to?"
"Well you luck out Ms. Granger,"
Mrs. Lansing said. "Arian Belth here is one of the best chasers
in the world. He's been playing for the Caerphilly Catapults for a
year now."
"Oh, you mean quidditch?"
Tonks then felt bold enought to walk over to Arian. "I'm sorry but I forgot, our Hermione here doesn't know that much about quidditch but... can I have your autograph?!" Arian looked startled but smiled and gave her one.
"Thank you!" Lupin pulled Tonks away. "Sorry about that." He said to the quidditch player.
"Yes, now," Mrs. Lansing began. "Everyone take a seat please. She signalated to the table the fitted about six people. Mrs. Lansing sat at the head of the table with Hermione on her right and Arian to her left. Hermione and Arian were acrossed from each other. Lupin and Tonks sat next to Hermione.
"Let's get started shall we? First, Mr. Belth you must present the engagement to Ms. Granger, then will discuss where you would live, when you would move, and of course when the official wedding would take place. The ministry thinks it's better to have you live together before your wedding, that way you get to know each other better.Also..."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt," Arian began. This whole time he had be eyeing Hermione which she was completely aware of. "But this must be some kind of mistake."
"I beg your pardon." Mrs. Lansing said. Hermione was just shocked and couldn't say anything.
"The law," Arian continued. "Said that the arrangements would be done with close age ranges. But she's a just a child." He faced Hermione. "What are you, 17?"
"N-no," Hermione stuttered. "I'm 18."
"My point exactly. I'm what...6 years older than you."
Hermione couldn't take this anymore. Who did this guy think he is saying tha she was young just so he wouldn't marry her. Famous or not Hermione didn't want to marry him either. "Five," She corrected."
"What?" Arian asked.
"Five, you're only five years older than me, i'll be 19 next month. And I'm not a child," she snapped.
"Like that makes a difference. I still think you're too young. An you do look like a child. I expected someone at least 3 years younger than me or older."
"Well sorry to dissapoint you. But by how you're whining I would say the child is you."
At that Arian stood up. "I'm not gonna take this from you." he sounded irritated.
"Now please..." Mrs. Lansing began.
Hermione stood up too. Lupin and Tonks stayed silent thinking it would be better to stay out of it and also to look on in amusement. "And I'm not going to stay silent either. I'm too young my arse! Look is not like I wanted to marry you but at least I'm not coming up with some lame excuse of age difference."
"Yeah," Arian fought back, "Well is not like I'm happy about this either but I bet that you expected someone your age or a year or two older, am I right?"
"That's none of your business," Hermione snapped.
"I'll take that as a yes." Arian and Hermione stared at each other with a irritated expression in each of their faces.
"Alright," Mrs. Lansing said. "Now please will you both sit. We need to discuss this."
Neither of them moved but Arian was the first to speak. "My home is in Caerphilly, Wales. That's where we will leave. So pack your things Ms. Granger I'll send someone to pick you up in a week."
Hermione fingers curled into fists. She wanted to protest but she soon caught on. He wanted her to back down. 'I'll show you.' Hermione kept her gaze on him.
"Well how nice of you, sir, to provide me with a home. But I do expect a ring by then."
"Don't need to wait, I have one right here. " In a swift motion he took out a small box out of his coat pocket and placed it on the table before her.
"Well excellent, " Mrs. Lansing said. "Now the wedding date..."
"September 1st." Hermione responded icily. That's about three weeks."
"That's a little too sud..."
"Perfect." Arian said before Mrs. Lansing could finish.
"Small and secretive so no one will know for a while of how a man of your age, married a young girl."
"Yes, that will keep the press from any bad comments they might have towards you, and the fans as well."
"Oh yes, that will be splendid. Besides I didn't even knew who you were. Maybe in a couple of years you will be well known."
"Oh I am."
"Then maybe in a couple of years I'll be willing to share with my friends and family the great man I married. That is if you changed any."
They stood silent again glaring at one another. The tension could be felt in the room.
After a while Mrs. Lansing decided to speak. "Alright then, would you like to discuss the arrangements and wedding expenses?"
"I believe is only fair that both families contribute to the expenses, what do you think?" Arian said not tearing his gaze of Hermione.
Hermione couldn't help but flinch. "F-Fine, how much?"
Arian couldn't help but be taken aback. He was surprised to see the sudden tone in her voice. It was no longer challenging and he could swear there was sligth worry in her voice. Probably he was imagining it so he continued. "I believe your parents are honorable and fair so how about half?"
Tonks stood up. "Hey! Just wa..." Hermione held up her hand to Tonks, motioning her to stop. She was no longer looking at Arian but down at the table. Her hair brown culrs had slid off her shoulder and hid any reaction that might appear on her face. 'Don't cry,' she told herself. 'You're stronger than that Hermione. Crying will not bring them back, so just don't cry.' Suddenly she felt someone's place a hand on her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye she could just about to make out the familiar ragged clothing. Without looking up she mananged, "Y-yes..."
"Hermione..." she heard Lupin say next to her.
"Yes." Hermione repeated this time looking up. "Half will be alright."
"Alright," Arian said looking at her confusingly. "So I guess everything is settled then."
"There's no way in hell that..." At that moment Lupin left Hermione's side and quickly pulled Tonks back covering her mouth while she struggled to talk. Arian once again looked a little surprised.
"It will be alright," Hermione said again.
"Well," Mrs. Lansing said, "I guess we're done, but not before you place that ring on her finger Mr. Belth," she reminded him.
He nodded and reached for the box he had placed on the table. He made his way around the table to Hermione. He saw stiffened as he approached. "Well, I guess this is the best time to do it, now that you have calmed down," he commented.
Hermione made a face. "You as well." She allowed him to held her hand and place the ring on her finger, at the same time trying to hide her amazement. The ring was to her liking. It was gold, with a silver vine design carved into the band. At the top there was a diamond at the top, not big, but not small either. On each side of the diamond, there was a smaller diamond in the form of a rose. Each rose had a two small silver leaves. Okay so it was beautiful. She couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."
He looked at her in amusement. "If I knew that upon showing you the ring you would behave, I would have given it to you from the start."
"A simple 'you're welcome' would have been acceptable," she snapped.
"You have a short temper don't you?"
"I wouldn't be talking if I were you. Who was it that was biting my head off, moments ago?"
"I'm not going through this again." He turned to Mrs. Lansing. "The arrangements are done, you got what you needed, I gave her the ring, now I'm leaving." He was about to go but was stopped.
"Wait, not so fast Mr. Belth. You must sign this form to prove that you two were here."
Arian turned to the table and grab the quill. Quickly he signed his name and went out the room.
Tonks was finally able get Lupin's hand off her mouth. "He's gone, now please...let me go!" she demanded. "Now I should be going as well." Lupin stood in front of her. "I need to finish my paperwork remember," she said innocently. Lupin gave her a warning look but sighed and stepped aside. Tonks ran out of the room while she left Lupin with Hermione who was signing the form.
Tonks was able to see Arian entering the elevator and ran to catch up with him. She gasped as she barely made it in time. "Yo" she greeted.
"Is there something you needed?"
he asked.
"Fine, enough of the small talk. Now straight to
the point. I'm here to talk about Hermione." Arian looked as if
he was going to protest but Tonks didn't let him. "No, don't say
anthing, just listen. Back there I know you and Hermione got on the
wrong foot, but she's quite mature for her age."
Arian snorted. "Yeah, she's quite sophisticated," he said sarcastically.
"Hey what did I say about listning.Well she is you just don't know her. In time you will come to see that you're lucky to have her. Anyone for that matter is lucky to have her." She turned to see if he was going to comment but when he didn't she continued. "It's not for me to tell so I won't but I will tell you that she has gone through a lot. You read the Daily Prophet?" He nodded. "Well then, you should have an idea of everything she has experience. Hermione was always mature but it's strange how even a war caused her to mature even more."
"Granger...Granger..." Arian
said. "Now that I think of it, the name does sound familiar."
"It will come to you,"Tonks said. "Oh and I
apologize if we didn't stop Hermione from bickering with you and i'll
admit she was a bit immature of her, for she know better than to
loose control, but at the moment I guess that's what she needs. She
needs to act more immature and have fun, she's still young you know."
"Thanks for reminding," he said bitterly. "Is there a point to this?"
"I don't know, that's for you to decide. But what I really wanted to talk about was the wedding expenses." At this he turned to her questionly. "Again I won't tell you the specifics. but trust me when I say that Hermione won't be able to pay half. I don't know if you notice her change in her actions back there but truth she's planning on paying half herself." Arian opened his mouth but he was caught off. "I know you didn't know. And I know you didn't mean for her to pay. I could tell you were challenging her since Hermione gives off the impression as the independent type. But there are times when even the most strong need to lean on someone."
Arian gave a deep sigh. "Fine, I'll pay for everything and my guess is you want to keep this a secret, am I right?"
"Oh, I never told you to pay," Tonks smirked.
"Too late to change my mind."
The elevator opened to the first floor and Arian stepped out. He turned to Tonks who smiled and wave as the doors concealed her. 'She knew I would pay.' He was about to apparate out of the ministry when a newspaper article on the wall caught his eye. He read the heading:
"Voldermort Defeated: Praise the Boy Who Lived"
'Wait, I remember reading this so why am I here looking at it?' He looked at the picture of Harry standing over Voldemort's body with two other young wizards at his side, a girl and a boy. He stepped closer but couldn't quite make out the features of the the wizards who where worn out and dirty. His eyes then drifted to the article and began to read.
"At last the darkness has gone to pass and the wizarding world can be at peace once more. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, has defeated the Dark Lord!!! But he wasn't alone, as young Harry claims he recieved help from the Order of the Phoenix and his two best friends. Son of Arthur Weasley, Ronald Weasley, and muggle-born Hermione Granger..."
He stopped as his memory clicked. 'H-Hermione Granger?' He already knew what was coming but he couldn't help but continue a little more.
"...Hermione Granger, whose parents were sadly murdered by deatheaters during the winter of her seventh year at Hogwarts."
He turned around abruptly and apparated.
A/N That's the end of chapter 2, hope you enjoy it.
