Two days later, Hermione Granger apparated into the ministries Sorting Room again to accept her fate. She was not the first one, Kingsley Shacklebolt himself and Penelope Clearwater were already there, Narcissa however, was not.
"Good morning Ms. Granger, are you ready for this?" Kingsley asked in a deep, soothing voice. Hermione looked him straight in the eyes.
"No, I am not. I cannot believe the ministry would do this to anyone and I am disgusted that you of all people would support this Kingsley. You are a good man, I wouldn't have expected this from you." She sighed.
"But, I am okay with my fiancee and I...Do I look okay? This is Narcissa Black we are talking about! Have you looked at that woman? I feel like a little schoolgirl next to her. What could she ever want from someone like me?", Hermione said in a rush.
"Hermione Granger you always underestimate yourself. You are a wonderful woman, I don't see a schoolgirl when I look at you! You saved the wizarding world and you are the youngest Head of a department ever! You are an accomplished woman, don't be scared of Narcissa Black. Remember that the Sorting Hat gave her you as well." Just as he finished talking, a 'plop' could be heard and Narcissa Black stood in the middle of the room.

Hermione had to gulp, Narcissa was wearing dark blue robes that accentuated her icy blue eyes. Her head held high she looked around the room, she rested her eyes on Hermione.
"Good day, Mr. Shacklebolt. I cannot say it is a pleasure to be here as I am no liar. Can we get this over with and work out the particulars as quickly as possible please?" With those few words Hermione forgot everything Penelope had told her and couldn't help herself.
"Hello . I am quite shocked by your bluntness and arrogance. There is no getting over with because this is our lives that we are talking about. A hello to your soon to be wife would have been the polite thing to do but I guess I am just a filthy mudblood to you and don't deserve a greeting. You just walk in here and think everything is going to go your way? Not on my watch." Hermione was furious, what did the other woman think?

Narcissa studied the young witch. She couldn't believe that she talked to her in this way. All the assumptions she made were untrue as well. She felt uncomfortable and showing determination and taking charge was the way she handled anxiousness. It was both of their lives and Narcissa felt terrible for the young witch, she had been through so much in her life and now she got an old woman with a child the same age as herself for a wife? It was just so unfair towards Hermione. Narcissa didn't think of her as worth less, Hermione was very much her equal in her eyes. She wasn't even sure whether Hermione liked women, Narcissa herself always had and her marriage was arranged by her parents-she never had a say. She knew of the guidelines and was intrigued but unsure of Hermione. After all she had watched her sister torture the you witch, her screams had been keeping her up a lot of nights and those intense honey eyes that begged her to help. It was so unfair.

"I am sorry Miss Granger, it was not my intention to come across this way. I can assure you that you and I are on equal grounds, I never thought the same way as my family, I just didn't stop them and I will forever regret it. I was trying to protect my son and I know that is no excuse but please, I ask you for your forgiveness. I should have stopped my sister from hurting you that day. I am deeply sorry." Narcissa looked right into Hermione's eyes, they looked so pained. Hermione did not know what to say. She would never have expected Narcissa to talk to her in that way, she was glad that they were equals in Narcissa's eyes. She understood her reasons for not helping her.
"You are forgiven Miss Black." "Narcissa. We are gonna be married in a little while after all."
"You are forgiven Narcissa. It is a beautiful name, it rolls off the tongue." Narcissa blushed up from her neck behind her ears and to her high cheekbones, it had been a long time since she had been given a compliment and even longer from someone like Hermione Granger.
"Please call me Hermione then."

Kingsley coughed, the way the two women were looking at another he didn't think that they would have any problems with one specific guideline.
"As Miss Black suggested, can we start?" The women nodded.
"Please hold each others wrists." They did and both felt a current run through them. Hermione thought that Narcissa's hands were possibly the softest skin she had ever touched. Narcissa was surprised by her bodies reaction to Hermione, it had been years since she had felt attraction.
"Hereby I declare you wife and wife." They stopped their physical contact and sat down with Kingsley at a large desk.
"As you might know the last name of the purer is used, therefore you are Hermione Black from now on. Where will your permanent residence be? You have various mansions to choose from..."
"We will be living at my place." Hermione chimed in. She had just bought her mansion and she loved it there, also the thought of living in an old mansion made her blood run cold. Narcissa looked at her surprisedly.
"I just bought a huge manor, don't worry Narcissa. I would prefer to live there as I am not exactly okay with living in Black manor or the likes as portraits would be yelling at me. Also, I decorated my manor in my tastes and it was from my first money, I would hate to leave it empty now." Narcissa smiled at her for the first time, she would not have enjoyed living in Black Manor either.
"So that is settled as I don't hear Mrs. Black argue. You both may leave now."
Narcissa gently took Hermione's arm and whispered "Take me home."