Chapter Two

One year ago …

"HERMIONE!" A yell from down below startled her, making her jump in her chair. She glanced back down at the Daily Prophet, dropped the quill she was chewing on back down onto the rickety desk and slowly walked out of the bedroom she and Ginny shared. As she descended down the stairs, George swept up past Hermione, barely glancing at her. She didn't look back at him. She needn't ask what was wrong with him. Since Fred had died in the Final Battle, George hasn't been the same. It was understandable. He had lost his best friend, his partner in crime, his brother …

Hermione had reached the bottom of the staircase when Ginny approached her, brandishing another copy of the Daily Prophet.

"They modified the law, Hermione. Purebloods can't marry Purebloods!" Ginny was horrified. She and Harry, Marriage Law or no Marriage Law, were planning on marrying, the Law just gave them an excuse to marry sooner than expected. Now that their marriage was forbidden, all hope seemed lost. Ginny crumpled at Hermione's feet, sobbing. Hermione sat beside her and gathered her in her arms. She understood how Ginny felt. Unable to marry the person you loved because of a law, a law that went against the very nature of human rights, was deplorable. She smoothed back Ginny's hair, when the front door opened. There stood Harry and Ron and one look at Ginny told Harry there was something terribly wrong.

"What is it?" Harry asked, kneeling beside Ginny and Hermione. Ginny looked over at him and released Hermione and fell into Harry's arms.

"The Ministry has added a segment to the law." Hermione was surprised to hear Ron speak. Harry looked up at him with a questioning glaze. Hermione sighed heavily and stood up, smoothing down her rumbled t-shirt.

"Marriage between Purebloods is banned," Hermione stated. Harry looked shocked.

"What?" Harry asked. Ron smiled sadly.

"Kind of bad for those blokes trying to keep the blood in the family," Ron said. Hermione glared at him.

"It's not the time to make jokes, Ron," Hermione snapped. Ron glared back and crossed his arms over his chest.

"But … But, it's not like that for Ginny and I," Harry stated, looking from Ron to Hermione. Ginny sobbed, gripping the back of Harry's sweater and Harry held her tighter.

"I don't know what to …" Hermione started, tears welling up in her own eyes. It was terrible for Ginny and Harry, although she faintly wished that she was in Ginny's shoes. Ginny had someone she loved desperately, someone that she, despite the law, wanted to marry and have children with. Hermione had nothing of the sort. She neither wished nor denied wanting a marriage and children, but this law made it impossible for her to live the life she wanted to live. Now with her impending marriage to a person she probably didn't know, or didn't like, was becoming more and more of a reality.

When the law was introduced, just a week ago, the Ministry was sent thousands and thousands of Howlers that expressed the outrage and disgust from Wizarding families all over Britain. The outcry, however, did not dissuade the Ministry from its decision. The low population after the war was a sign that something needed to be done and, no matter the reaction of the Wizarding community.

Hermione glanced at Ron, who only diverted his eyes after they met Hermione's. He had been staring at her. And not in a pleasant way. He had sent a proposal to the Ministry, asking for Hermione. When the Ministry sent a letter of approval to Hermione, however, things got ugly. Furious, Hermione approached Ron, threw the letter at him and demanded an explanation. Now, it's common knowledge that Ron was in love with Hermione. It was also common knowledge that Hermione did not have feelings for Ron. Hermione had a deep love for Ron, the same kind of love that she harbored for Harry. It was the kind of love that a sister shared with a brother. Marrying Ron would not only be wrong, it would feel wrong. Embarrassed, Ron furiously apologized and he had not spoke with Hermione since.

Harry picked Ginny up from the floor and started to walk up the stairs. As he passed, Hermione could see the tears that had formed in Harry's eyes. She looked away and started toward the kitchen when Ron grabbed her arm. She swung around, surprised. Ron looked at her, the longing for her very evident.

"Please, Hermione, won't you reconsider?" Ron asked. Hermione sighed and closed her eyes, allowing a tear to escape. She opened her eyes and looked back up at Ron.

"I can't, Ron. Don't you understand? I love you … I really do love you, but not in that way. We'd fight all of the time … It wouldn't be right in my heart," Hermione explained. Ron frowned.

"It's not about marrying the person you're in love with anymore, Hermione. As much as you want it to be, it's not!" Ron's words stung. Hermione looked away, but Ron continued. "Harry and Ginny can't get married! They're in love, Hermione, but they can't marry because …"

"I know why, Ron!" Hermione cried, yanking her arm from Ron's grip. Ron stared at her.

"Then, who, Hermione? Who are you going to marry? You have to marry before the month is up or your wand is snapped!" Ron stated. Hermione sighed.

"I don't know, Ron, but marrying you just wouldn't feel right to me!"

"And marrying some person you hardly know does? I'm you're only hope, Herm …"

"So, you're implying that I can't get someone else to marry me, Ron?" Hermione spat. Ron sighed heavily.

"Women take everything wrong!" Ron said, backing away from her now. "If you don't want to marry me, Hermione, then fine, but don't come running back to me when you haven't got anyone." Hermione glared at him, but Ron didn't see. He turned around and stomped out of the house. Sliding down the wall, Hermione covered her face with her arms. She felt the pressure and the impending doom that was the Marriage Law overcome her and she wept.

A/N: As you can tell, this story will follow a bit of the 7th book, but don't expect everything to be the same! Thanks for reading and please review!