Chapter 1 - The Only Way

Time passed as Ron stood with his father on the steps.

"No one's coming," Ron whispered and his father nodded, then removed his wand cautiously from his pocket. Ron glanced around to be sure no one was watching, but the street was quiet and dark and no one was anywhere to be seen.

With a swish of Mr. Weasley's wand and a soft click, the front door opened to reveal a very dark and narrow hallway. A stairway could be vaguely made out on the right up ahead. Mr. Weasley pocketed his wand once again as he stared forward into the dark house.

"Do you know which room is hers?" Mr. Weasley asked his son in a whisper. Ron shook his head no as his father ushered him forward into the silent interior of the Granger's home.

Mr. Weasley shut the door as quietly as possible behind him, darkening the hallway considerably. But Ron moved forward on his own now, desperate to reach Hermione, to be sure she was alright. He climbed the stairs, his feet as light as possible on the carpet. When he reached the first floor landing, he glanced around, but seeing two doors ajar, he knew he needed to keep moving upwards. Beyond the first open door was what looked to be a library, and beyond the second was a well-made bed, light from the large bay window on the landing illuminating the pressed and carefully folded quilt that tucked under the pillows at the headboard.

Ron climbed the second set of steps, barely aware that his father was following him up. When he reached the next landing, he felt his heart begin to beat more rapidly in his chest. What if he was too late? What if she was gone?

He nearly bolted forward towards the door directly to the right, the one that bared a cross-stitched red and pink sign that read "Hermione" in curvy, tilted letters. He barely knocked before he pushed into the room, only realizing when he saw Hermione's shocked face turn towards him that he could have easily walked in on her in too few clothes. He blushed, his ears heating up, but ignored it in favor of moving further into the room to stand before her. She stared up at him, the shock of his presence wearing off and quickly being replaced by a question... one that still hung in the air all around her.

"My Dad's here," Ron whispered. "We've come to take you home with us."

"Then it's true." Her statement stung Ron's ears and he swallowed hard.

"I think so."

They stood staring at each other, the weight of their words hanging thickly between them. Mr. Weasley entered the room more cautiously than Ron had, but when he caught sight of the Ministry parchment on the floor, he met Hermione's eyes.

"Is this it?" he asked.

She nodded and Mr. Weasley bent down to retrieve the document, his forehead creased in immense concern. He barely glanced at it before returning his attention to Hermione and Ron where they stood watching him. They wore matching expressions of trepidation on their faces.

"Hermione, you should pack your things quickly. We need to get you out of here."

Hermione nodded and began to methodically pack her already half-packed trunk. Ron wanted to help her, but he had no idea what to do. He reached for a stack of books on her desk and handed them to her. She took them without meeting his eyes and packed them away neatly.

Moments later, she had finished.

"I'll need to speak to my parents," and she left the room. Ron wondered if she would lie to them. He figured that she would and felt a wave of concerned sympathy wash over him at the task she had to perform. A lie to save her parents, to save them from the truth. But was it worth that? What if this paper was the end... Ron kicked his foot hard against the corner of Hemione's wooden desk and his father's alarmed eyes darted towards him.

"Sorry..." Ron muttered, though he wasn't sorry. He wanted to punch something, anything. But mostly, he wanted to hurt something... someone... someone in particular...

Hermione returned to her room looking solemn, and as Ron helped her heave her trunk and Crookshanks' basket out of the room, he noticed that Hermione's parents were standing off to the side in the hallway in their night clothes, both looking anxious but tired.

"Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger," Mr. Weasley said, nodding gravely to each of them. But not knowing what Hermione had chosen to tell her parents, he said nothing more to them.

Ron and Hermione made their way downstairs with the trunk, and when they reached the front door, Mr. Weasley stopped them.

"We'd better Apparate directly from here," he said. He then aimed his wand at the trunk, muttered a spell, and the trunk vanished. He repeated the process with Crookshanks, then held out his arms for Ron and Hermione. "Hold on tightly," he instructed. Ron looped his arm through his father's, but Hermione didn't take Mr. Weasley's other arm right away. Instead, she stepped forward to where her concerned parents looked on. She hugged them both tightly, and as Ron watched, he felt his eyes begin to prickle. It wasn't fair. None of this was right. Whatever happened, she didn't deserve this. Hermione deserved to be happy. Always.

She stepped back from her parents, gave them a weak and hopefully reassuring smile, then took Mr. Weasley's arm.

"We'll take care of her," Mr. Weasley said in a choked voice. He then turned quickly on the spot, closed his eyes, and they were gone.

*****************************************************

Ron paced the living room floor at the Burrow as his father lit the fire. Ron had so many questions, all of them things he didn't want to ask for fear of what the answers might be, but finally, he could stand it no longer.

"How is this possible?" he asked furiously.

"Ron, there are things going on quietly behind our backs while our heads are turned, things we can't comprehend," Mr. Weasley began as he straightened up in front of the now roaring fire. "Dark and terrible things... Laws have been appearing, surfacing, left and right, things that we knew to be banished, outlawed... reappearing. This is one of them. Yesterday, a man came to my office to inform me that his sister had received one of these letters. We were instructed to examine it for authenticity. But there was no need. It was legitimate. Buried in paperwork we found loophole after loophole, and finally, an official document, scribbled in haste and clumsily organized on crumbling parchment... but there it was. This is real, Ron. As real as any other wizarding law and just as serious."

Hermione stood silently watching, listening, trying her best to stay calm, to keep herself together. But Ron could tell that she was falling apart inside.

"So how do we stop it?" he asked as his father.

But Mr. Weasley did not respond.

"Dad, how do we stop it?!" Ron demanded, his voice rising desperately.

"Ron..." Mr. Weasley trailed off.

Behind him, Ron heard Hermione sniff and he turned to look at her, but her eyes were lowered to the rug on the floor.

"Dad," he began again frantically as he turned back around to face his father. "This isn't going to happen. We're going to fix this."

"There's no one we can consult. No one can be trusted in the Ministry now. We're on our own. And as far as this goes, I know of nothing that can prevent a Blood Marriage, nothing that can-"

"That's not true!" Ron roared, his hands balling into fists.

"I-I've checked..." Hermione's weak voice rang out behind Ron and he turned back towards her somewhat hopefully, knowing that if anyone would find a way, it would be Hermione. "There seems to be... nothing that will hold up against... against a document like this..."

Ron's eyes flickered angrily in the fire light.

"Well check again!" he bellowed, his voice harsher than he had intended, and Hermione flinched.

"Ron, there is something... I..." Mr. Weasley trailed off, but Ron whipped around to face his father.

"What?!" he demanded.

"I've just thought... but we'll have to consult with Bill..."

"Dad, what is it?!"

Mr. Weasley looked up sympathetically at his son.

"She'd have to marry someone else."

"That's no problem," Ron said instantly. His father had clearly not been expecting this reaction. His eyes widened and he stared at his son, shocked.

"Ron, do you understand what-"

"I understand! I'll do it."

Ron heard Hermione gasp behind him, but he couldn't bring himself to turn around. He had just agreed to marry her! As this sunk in, his face began to burn again, but he resolved himself to show his determination to his father, to show that he was certain.

Ron watched as his father studied him, then turned his face towards Hermione.

"Hermione..." Mr. Weasley said in a soft voice. She said nothing. With his back still towards her, Ron could only guess what she was thinking. That he was crazy? That she didn't want to be with him? That her life was now over because of this letter?

Finally, after what seemed like a silent eternity, Ron found his voice again.

"There are two options," he said, rationalizing his recent decision both to himself and to his father and Hermione. "One... I... marry Hermione and we live... happily ever after." Ron swallowed thickly at his own words. "Two, Draco bleeding Malfoy marries Hermione, tortures her, enslaves her, whatever other bloody things he wants with her!"

A very meaningful silence filled the room as Ron's words echoed in everyone's minds. Ron was right.

"Very well," Mr Weasley said in a somewhat detached tone after a long moment. "I'll tell Bill when he arrives."

"Bill?" Ron asked, confused.

"He's coming in from Egypt this morning. He can perform the... ceremony. He's licensed. You two should get some rest. I'll talk to your mother, Ron."

And Mr. Weasley left the room without another word. Ron stood completely motionless, his hands still balled into fists at his sides. He felt Hermione's presence behind him intensely now with his father gone. What could he say to her? How could he face her now?

But she took the first steps and moved towards him, crossing around on his right and moving to face him straight on. Her eyes were still turned down to the carpet as she spoke.

"Are you sure?" she whispered, her voice hitching.

"Yes," he whispered back without a second thought.

She nodded once, then passed by him again and headed upstairs. Ron remained standing in the middle of the living room until he could no longer hear her footsteps. Then, quietly, he made his way up to his room at the top of the house and sank onto his bed. If everything went smoothly, he'd be married in a few hours.

He closed his eyes. If only Hermione knew how he really felt about her... but now, the need replaced the want. This was never how he had planned it. He had thought of his life with Hermione, of their future together. He had hoped that someday he'd get to kiss her. Then maybe, if things worked out, he'd get to take her out on a date. Then another. Then someday, some distant day when she knew how much he loved her, when she'd seen it, he'd ask her to be his wife. And it would be perfect, if she'd have him. Now, tainted by this new threat, their marriage was not made of love but of necessity. Would she ever be able to believe that he'd loved her long ago, that this was what he'd wanted for them long before Malfoy's letter had arrived at her home? And even if she did, there was always the chance that she didn't want this for herself, that she was marrying him as a lesser of two bad things... much lesser, yes, but not out of love for him, not out of want: out of need.

And then it hit him. What if she wanted someone else? This was her choice after all and he'd hardly consulted her. No, he hadn't consulted her at all! His father's glance towards her had been the only recognition of her presence in the room at all. And now he'd signed her up for a marriage with him when she could have wanted someone else! What if she would prefer Harry? He'd do it to save her, Ron knew that. Or Krum... would he sacrifice himself for her? He fancied her, that was pretty certain. And if she wanted him instead... Didn't Hermione at least have the right to choose if someone else would have her?

Ron jumped up from his bed. As hard as this was going to be, he had no choice. He had to know. He had to ask her, had to make sure that she was going to be as happy as he could possibly make her, even if that meant that it wouldn't be he who would make her happy.

He flew down the stairs, skipping steps along the way, and reached Ginny's closed bedroom door in no time at all. He knocked quickly, his fist slamming in rapid succession into the hollow wood door. He didn't care who he woke. He had to know. He had to.

Hermione opened the door after a moment, her hair a mess and her eyes bloodshot. She had been crying... really crying now. Ron spotted Ginny sitting on the edge of her bed looking tired, but very anxious.

"I need to talk to you," Ron said quickly and Hermione nodded. She exited Ginny's room, closed the door behind her, and followed Ron upstairs to the next landing. But he couldn't wait to get her all the way up to his room. He had to know. Now.

He stopped at the door to the bathroom, opened it, and pulled Hermione into it. He shut the door and stared down at her, his eyes darting nervously over her scared face.

"Is this what you want... to do this?" he asked, his voice uneven.

"What?" she responded in a soft but confused voice.

"With me." Just two words, but he knew she'd know what he meant.

"If you don't want-"

"That's not what I'm asking," Ron interrupted, wondering if she was turning this around on him to avoid answering.

"But if you don't..." Hermione trailed off.

"I do."

She looked up at him, taking in his words and the second meaning that they would have in a few hours when he said them again.

"Ron..." she sobbed, bringing her hands up to cover most of her face.

"If there's someone else you'd prefer... this is your life, Hermione. I'm not going to let Malfoy ruin your happiness. Tell me who you want and I'll make sure-"

But he didn't get to finish his sentence.

"I only want you," Hermione said through a heavy sob.

He wasn't sure he'd heard her right for a moment. But had must have. She had been clear enough.

"You... do?" he asked uncertainly.

She nodded and he felt his heart stop. She wanted him too!

"This is your life too, Ron," she started. "I want you to be happy."

"I am. I will be. As soon as you're safe..."

"We can't undo this, once it's done," she reminded him.

"I know."

And they stood staring at each other for a moment, taking in the enormity of their decision. Ron knew from what his parents had told him that wizarding marriages were for life. When you sign your name, you commit not only yourself, but your magic, your soul, your heart, your whole life to another person. There was no taking that back. But he was ready. Now that he was faced with it, he knew he was ready. He wondered how long he had felt this strongly, but he could hardly remember not feeling this way..

Hermione leaned into him then, resting her head on his shoulder, her hands clutching the cotton of his t-shirt. He carefully wrapped his arms around her, nervously pulling her closer until her whole body was against his. And she dropped her hands from his shirt to hold him around his waist. They stood there together for a long time, Hermione's eyes closed and her tears subsiding as she breathed in Ron's warmth. Finally, they pulled apart. Hermione wiped at her eyes and her cheeks, clearing the tear tracks. Ron gave her a small half-smile which she returned, feeling like there was hope after all for the first time all night. They could get through this. Together, they could make it.

"Go try to sleep," Ron said in a raspy voice. "It'll be morning soon and Bill will be arriving."

Hermione nodded and Ron opened the door for her.

He walked with her back down the flight of stairs that separated the bathroom from Ginny's room. Hermione pulled the door open slightly and peered in. Ginny was still sitting awake on the edge of her bed. She glanced up as Hermione entered the room.

"Goodnight," Hermione whispered to Ron as he stood awkwardly in the hallway. He didn't want to leave her now, but he knew that he should. Maybe she needed her space. This was, after all, her last night as a Granger...

"Goodnight," he returned, trying to keep his voice calm and even.

They stared at each other for a moment longer just looking into each other's eyes before Hermione finally broke the contact and retreated into Ginny's room, closing the door behind her. Ron remained in the hallway for a moment, then slowly made his way back upstairs. He needed to contact Harry. Ron had only just realized that Harry knew nothing about what was happening. He'd have to be filled in.

So Ron wrote a quick letter, telling Harry that he'd explain the rest later but that they were all safe and that they should try to get Harry out to The Burrow quickly. He'd talk to his father about it in the morning.

Then Ron stretched out on his bed, closed his eyes, and tried to clear his mind enough to sleep. Slowly, without even realizing it, he drifted off into a strange dream where he was controlling everyone around him, forcing them to keep away from him and from Hermione who he was protecting. He had an odd power in his dream, an ability that made others fear him. He could save her. He protected her with everything he had. And no one could even come near her. No one could touch her.