Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. I do however own a basset hound with a shaved butt!

Well, as promised, I got this chapter done fairly quickly. I'd like to thank the few of you that reviewed! Those reviews mean the world to me. Y'all are awesome! To say thank you, I'll give you another chapter! How's that? I think it's a pretty good trade for your love and reviews! What do you think?

Not much to say at this point but this author note feels so short, compared to what I'm used to, so I'll ramble for a bit aimlessly like I'm so good at doing. I really am good at it. Sometimes I get off on a tangent and before I know it, I'm talking about a completely different subject than what I started with. One time, I did that with my friend. We started off talking about his family and somehow ended up talking about my teddy bear. How strange is that? Okay, enough rambling.

Without further ado…

Chapter 2

Ginny POV

"I'm not coming out! My life is over!" I cried though the bathroom door. "Let them send me to Azkaban! I'd rather rot in prison that be married to that man!"

I heard Luna sigh from the other side of the locked door. "Ginny, you can't stay cooped up in there forever you know," she said logically. "Besides, he can't be all that bad for you if you were matched by 94% right?"

"Bloody lot they know about me!" I scoffed, wiping away the tears that streamed down my face. "How can they possibly think we'd work? I've hated him my entire life!"

"It's all going to be alright," Luna soothed. "Just open the door and let me in, please."

Sighing, I flicked my wand and opened the door before pulling my knees up to my chest and lying my head down on them. "Why me? I'd have rather gotten Harry," I mumbled into my knees as I heard Luna enter the small bathroom.

"But you know you wouldn't be happy with Harry," she pointed out, crouching down in front of me. "At least with Malfoy it would be a fresh start and a chance of happiness."

Looking up at my best friend, I couldn't believe what she was saying. "How can I be happy with someone I hate?" I cried, tears of anger and hopelessness streaming down my face.

"There's a thin line between love and hate," Luna stated, only to be met with a glare. "Okay, not the right thing to say at the moment, but it's true. You never know what can happen."

"Yes, he might kill him," I pointed out, feeling very pessimistic.

"Or he might fall in love with you," she countered with a smile.

I sighed and lay my head back down. "Fat chance," I mumbled, feeling dejected. "Malfoy's don't love." What happened to all my dreams I'd had growing up of meeting my soul mate and falling in love, living happily ever after? The Ministry crushed them! In one smooth motion they destroyed my future. Instead of my knight in shining armor, I was getting a git in tinfoil.

"Come on," Luna said suddenly, pulling me to my feet. "It's late and I'm sure everything will look better in the morning with fresh eyes and a clear head."

I was perfectly certain that things would be just as bad in the morning but I let her drag me along to my bedroom anyway. With a flick of her wand, I was in my nightgown. "Get some sleep. Besides, it won't be so bad. We'll always have each other, no matter what. We're even marrying best friends." With that, she nudged me into bed and covered me up. "Sleep well."

With that, she was gone. As I curled up under the patchwork quilt Mum had made me when I was just a little girl, I wept. I felt so helpless, having no say in my future. I was going to be forced to marry Draco Malfoy.

~!~!~!~

The insistent pecking on my bedroom window roused me from my sleep much earlier than I'd have liked on one of my only days off. Groaning, I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Letting out a yawn, I stood sleepily and stumbled to the window, opening it to let the large black owl in. Also on the window sill was another letting dropped off earlier by a different owl. Grabbing it, I turned to the black owl. "Hey there," I said, stroking its head as it dropped the letter on my bed. I fed it an owl treat before watching it fly off.

One look at the letter on my bed brought the memories of last night into sharp focus. Letting out a defeated sigh, I slumped down on my bed and picked up the letter. I'd never seen the thin, elegant handwriting before but there was no doubt in my mind as to who'd written this letter for on the front read: To Ginerva Weasley. Nobody that really knew me used my real name.

"Bloody freaking crap," I muttered as I opened the letter from my betrothed. "What a way to start the day." Dejectedly, I sat the still folded letter aside, not wanting to face it yet. Instead, I picked up the other one. I didn't recognize the formal handwriting on the front but the seal was that of the healer school I was attending. Curiously, I ripped it open and began to read.

Dear Students,

After receiving news of the newly instated Marriage Act, we have decided it would be in the better interest of the students of this establishment if they did not have to worry about classes this week as nearly all of our students will be affected by this law.

Classes will be suspended until Monday, October 21st. This will not affect the scheduled graduating date for those graduating. Be prepared to make up for lost time when you return.

Best wishes to those affected by this new law.

Headmaster Ken Dawdle

Healing Hands School for Healers

I let out a sigh of relief as I folded the letter back up and set it on my bedside table. At least something was going right in light of this horrendous law. But, that meant I had the whole day to brood over my situation. Shaking my head, I stood up and proceeded to get dressed for the day while doing my best to put the unread letter out of my mind until I was ready to face it.

"Hey, Luna," I said, giving her a halfhearted smile as I walked into our small kitchen to see her making toast and coffee.

"You seem to be in a bit better of a mood this morning," she replied cheerily, setting a cup of steaming coffee in front of me.

"Yeah, you were right. I really needed a good night's sleep." Sipping the amazing coffee, I sighed in contentment. If only things could stay just like they were now. It was just so peaceful.

"Oh, bugger! I burnt the toast again!" Luna exclaimed, breaking the peaceful moment as she dropped the hot, black toast onto the counter. With a flick of her wand she banished the offending food from her sight.

Something so silly as burnt toast shouldn't induce laughing fits, but for some reason she and I immediately burst into giggles that soon turned into full blown, tear inducing laugher. I felt the stress melt away as I giggled uncontrollably. So long as I had Luna, I'd be okay. A few minutes later, we both sat at the table wiping our tears and trying to stifle giggles. "Why don't we just go to the café for breakfast?" I suggested when I was able to speak again. "Jack can make some mean, non-burnt toast."

Be both broke into giggles again, Luna even slapping her knee at one point. Eventually, we again calmed down. "Sure, anything is better than my black toast," she agreed with a giggle. "I never have been much of a cook, huh? It's a good thing I live with the daughter of the best cook in the world. We should go to your Mum's for dinner."

"I do not want to face them just yet," I said with a roll of my eyes as I finished off my coffee and stood up. "Mum will pitch a fit and Dad, well, Dad will be Dad. Besides, I'd planned on making stew tonight." I grinned big at the look on Luna's face. She loved my homemade stew, as did most people. It had even gotten added to the dinner menu at the café, Jack making it almost as good as I could after showing him a few times.

"Well then, forget the Burrow, I'd rather be here tonight!" she exclaimed happily, clapping her hands as she dashed off to get dressed.

Following her lead, I went to my room to grab my shoes. I frowned as I saw the still folded letter sitting atop my bed. "I should open it," I said to no one in particular. After staring at it for a few more moments, I shook my head. Nope, not ready just yet. Maybe after breakfast I'd be able to face Draco Malfoy's reaction to finding out he'd have to marry and produce children with someone he hated. At least our feelings would be mutual.

Slipping a pair of sneakers on, I picked up my purse and made my way back to the living room as I tried desperately to put the letter from my mind. I didn't want my coworkers to pick up on a bad mood. Instead, I would just enjoy breakfast with Luna while making fun of her burnt toast. Yes, I was determined to make this a good day, no matter what.

"You ready?" Luna asked as she came into the living room, now dressed and ready.

I nodded and laughed. "I've been waiting for you for the past few minutes. Gosh, who knew Luna Lovegood would take time to primp over her appearance. Have you been spending too much time with Lavender?" I teased, grinning at her.

"Says the girl who would have taken double what I did if she weren't already dressed," she retorted with a smile.

"You win," I said with a laugh as we walked out into the cool morning air. The walk to the café was short and before long we were walking into the warm little establishment. Cady and another one of my coworkers, Jade, greeted us with hugs and hellos. "Luna burnt the toast this morning so we took it as sign and decided to just come here for breakfast," I told them as we took a seat at a nearby booth. There were only two other people here this early.

"Well, I'm glad you came," Cady said as she took out her order book. "What'll it be? I know you'll want coffee," she said pointed to me, "but what will you have?" She turned to Luna as she wrote my drink down.

"I'll have the same," she said with a smile. As Cady walked away to get our coffee, she nudged me under the table with her foot and joked, "I didn't suppose they'd have pumpkin juice."

"If only," I replied with a laugh.

When Cady brought back the coffee she handed Luna a menu. "You already know what Jack is able to do," she said with a giggle before turning to the elderly gentleman a few booths away.

"What do you think you'll get?" Luna questioned as she looked over her menu, eyebrows furrowed in contemplation.

I shrugged and sipped at my hot coffee. "I was thinking pancakes maybe but Jack's biscuits and gravy are to die for. He's nearly as good as Mum," I told her, looking at the back of her menu at all the different temping deserts. If it wasn't so early in the morning, I might have thought about getting a chocolate shake.

Before Luna could reply, Jack came striding towards are table from the kitchen, a huge smile on his face. "Ginny, and friend who I never can remember your name, it's good to see you!" he said in his thick accent, at least looking a little guilty at not remembering Luna's name.

The two of us burst into laughter for yet another time that morning. "It's Luna," she said as her giggles quieted down.

"Well, maybe this time I'll remember that," he said with a smile that crinkled the skin beside his eyes. At only twenty-five, he already had laugh lines. He was such a happy person. "What can I cook you ladies this fine morning?" He gave me a wink as he clapped his hands happily.

"I was thinking your fabulous biscuits and gravy with a side of eggs," I told him, my mouth already watering at the thought.

"And how do you like your eggs in the morning?" he asked suggestively, wiggling his eyes brows while a laugh twinkled in his dark eyes.

Letting out a laugh, I rolled my eyes. "Why don't you just surprise me?"

"Can do," he said with a laugh of his own before turning to Luna. "And you?"

Luna thought about it for a second. "I think I'll have the same thing, except add a side of toast," she said, stifling giggles.

With a nod and a nudge of my shoulder, he dispread back into the kitchen to prepare our breakfast, returning a few minutes later with a large platter filled with plates. "I'll be out of work soon if you keep serving," Cady joked when she saw him setting out plates down.

"Not a bad idea," he replied mischievously. Sometimes he reminded me of Fred so much it hurt. I looked down at my food to hide my sad smile.

"What's wrong?" Luna asked when we were left alone.

I looked up and shrugged. "It's nothing really," I told her as I took a bite of my food. "It's just sometimes he reminds me of Fred."

"Oh," Luna said, surprised. It had been a while since I'd brought up my late brother.

I brushed it off and turned the conversation to the happier topic of her toast, laugher ensuing. As we ate and laughed and joked, Draco Malfoy and the whole Marriage Act were no more than a dark shadow in the back of my mind. After eating, we relaxed in our booth and contemplating desert as we sipped glasses of water Cady had brought us, knowing we needed something other than coffee. "As tempting as it is, I don't think I could handle that much chocolate this early," I said with a sigh at the thought of a chocolate shake.

Luna nodded her agreement, laying a hand on her overly full stomach. "Yeah, I don't think I could fit anything else in me," she said with a laugh. "That Jack is too good a cook for his own good, and mine."

"Yeah, he really is," I sighed happily before standing up, stretching. "It's 8:40, we need to get back. You have work soon."

"Yeah," Luna said with a nod, standing too.

Grabbing my purse, I walked over to the register where Tawny was drawing on random piece of paper. "Cady didn't give us our ticket yet, but we got to go and she's busy," I told her. "I can tell you what we had though." I pulled my wallet out and opened it up, opening it on the side with muggle money. If I opened it from the other side, it would have my normal money.

"No need," she said, looking up from her scribbles. "Jack already picked up the tab."

"W-what?" I stammered, my face going red.

She shrugged and let out a sigh. "He paid for it about ten minutes ago when he had a spare moment," she said, looking down at her phone with an exasperated breath. "The vet should be calling me soon to tell me if I can pick up Pricy today or she'll need to stay another night."

"Well, I hope she'll be able to go home today," I said absently, turning to Luna. "I'm not so sure why he paid, but I'm going to go thank him. You go on ahead; I wouldn't want you to be late for work," I told her, trying to stay calm.

She looked uncertain but nodded anyway and took her leave. "I'll see you back at the flat later then," she said, waving goodbye before walking out the door and back down the street towards home.

Turning towards the kitchen, I pushed the swinging door open and held it for Cady, who was walking out with a tray of food. "Hey, Jack," I said, letting the door swing close as I walked in.

"Hey! I was hoping you would come back here," he said, wiping his hands off and moving the finished bacon from the stove. "Give me a second to get this order done and I'll be all yours. I'll just add the eggs to the platters and I'm done." Doing just that, he sat the now finished plates aside for either Cady or Jade to pick up and take out to the customers. Finally, he turned to me with a huge grin. "Now, I'm all yours."

I smiled back and tucked some hair behind my ear. "I just wanted to say thanks for picking up the tab. You didn't have you, you know," I said, feeling a bit embarrassed about the whole thing because I knew where this conversation might lead.

"I know I did not have to, but I wanted to do a favor for my favorite girl," he said, holding his hands out in an innocent gesture.

"Well, thanks Jack. That was really nice of you," I told him, not really knowing what else to say.

He smiled broadly and shrugged like it was nothing. "I was thinking," he started, "that maybe we could get dinner, seeing as I have the night off and you'll be done with school at six. What do you think?" His big, dark eyes were so hopeful that it hurt me to have to say no to him.

This time yesterday, I'd have given anything for this conversation to have happened. But that was before the Marriage Act was passed and I was given an arranged marriage to one Draco Malfoy. Instead of being able to be with this really nice, thoughtful, sweet, caring guy, I'd have to be with an arrogant prick that cared about no one but himself that I hated. Instead of what I wanted, seeing as now that didn't matter, I had to hurt Jack and tell him no. "I'm sorry," I said, looking down sadly. "I can't."

"Oh," he said, slightly taken aback. "Well, how about on Sunday? You have that day off too? We could do lunch!"

I felt my eyes start to burn with unshed tears. I shook my head and ran a hand thought my hair. "I'm sorry, Jack, but I can't. I can't go out with you. I'd love to, really I would, but I simply can't. I'm so sorry. Please understand and don't hate me," I said tearfully, only managing a whisper at the end.

"Do not cry, my love," he said, pulling me to his warm chest in a comforting hug. "I could never hate you and I am sorry to have upset you."

As much as I wanted to just melt into his warm embrace, I pulled away and slipped from his arms. "I-I have to go," I stammered, desperate to get away from this situation and the guy that I'd just hurt with my rejection. Turning on my heal, I rushed from the kitchen, leaving a very confused Italian cook behind. I ran all the way back to the flat, trying to force away the tears that ran down my cheeks. When I got home, I burst through the door and collapsed on the sofa, crying.

~!~!~!~

I was woken by the sound of the clock chiming at noon. Sitting up groggily, I pushed my hair out of my face and looked around the living room. I'd fallen asleep on the sofa after returning from breakfast and my encounter with Jack, I realized. Thankfully, the door was charmed to shut automatically if nobody was in the doorway after a minute, as I'd left it wide open in my rush inside. I let out a sigh as I stood, kicking off my shoes and sending them to their spot in the closet with a flick of my wand.

Wandering into the kitchen, I went to the sink and splashed cold water on my face to get rid of the dried on tears. Afterwards I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes. I was not looking forward to work tomorrow where I'd have to face Jack. I never wanted to cast my shameful eyes on him again. I didn't want to see how much I'd hurt him anymore than I already had. The look on his face as I'd run away was already more than enough. Why did this stupid Marriage Act have to be passed? Why couldn't they just leave people's lives alone? For all I knew, Jack could have been the one. Had the Ministry just completely destroyed my only chance at happiness?

Instead of brooding over my situation, I decided I'd go for a run to clear my head. That always helped me calm down and focus. Shoving off from the counter, I made my way back to my bedroom with the intention of getting dressed in suitable clothes for running. That was when I saw it. The letter. I'd completely forgotten about it in the mayhem that had followed breakfast. "Might as well get it over with," I muttered, picking up the letter and unfolding it, plopping down on my bed as I read it.

Dear Weasley,

As you have surely been informed, we are to be wed no later than April of next year under the new Ministry Marriage Act. It would seem we have a few things to discus. Meet me for lunch today at the Bristol Cinquième Rue in downtown London at noon. Dress appropriately.

Draco Malfoy

Looking down at my watch, I let out a gasp. It was already 12:07. I was late.

Okay, so little drama already starting to crop up, okay more than a little. Poor Ginny huh? She wants to be able to run her own life, go out with who she wants, and she's unable. It's really sucky for her and Jack (and eventually Draco as you'll see!).

Okay, leave a review! They are addiction and I need them to go on with my writing! Without your feedback, I'll be unmotivated to write and the story could sputter out and die. So, to induce reviews, I'll ask a question! What do you think Draco's first reaction to her will be? Tell me what you think!

A happy author writes better and faster! So review and make me happy!