Chapter 2:
September 2, 1998:
The bell rang signaling the end of lunch for the students of Hogwarts, the seventh and eighth years got up with groans, still not ready to go to classes especially after what had been announced that morning. Harry and Ron came running into the Great Hall, their cheeks flushed, having just returned from sending a letter to someone. Together, he and his friends left the Great Hall, their bags slung over their shoulder.
The first class of that day that they were attending, to Ron's utmost disgust, was Potions. Even with the absence of Professor Snape, Ron hated Potions and would probably always hate it. He and Harry had just written a letter to Molly at the Burrow and Gringotts respectively. Harry at first had been surprised that Ron had been so excited to buy a ring for a girl who was to marry him, when Ron himself didn't know who it was. But what Harry hadn't realized was that Ron was actually of the opinion that Hermione would be ready to marry him, end of discussion. In Ron's opinion, Hermione should be proud of being a Weasley and should be happy that someone had chosen her. Oh, how wrong he was!
They rushed into Potions, a class that Gryffindors shared every year with the Slytherins. Professor Slughorn- who had agreed to continue his profession of teaching Potions now that the threat of the Dark Lord had disappeared- was already sitting behind his desk, his belly protruding like a big bump. As the class filed in, he silently sat in his chair, fidgeting now and then.
Finally, he introduced himself and announced to the whole class that this year, the class would be working in pairs wherein one Gryffindor would be paired with a Slytherin. Gasps of outrage could be heard from around the room. Even though the War had ended and most purebloods from Slytherin were past the prejudice, the fact remained that no Gryffindor and Slytherin worked together. Even Professor Slughorn, Head of Slytherin should know better than to taint the name of Salazar Slytherin, but alas, he was not Professor Snape.
Not only this, the Professor went on to announce the pairs that he had already decided upon. In the end, Harry was paired with Malfoy, Ron with Pansy and Hermione with Theodore. The students shuffled to their seats immediately. Most Slytherins chose to remain where they were, their pride preventing them from bowing to a Gryffindore but Theo graciously came and sat beside Hermione.
He gave her a quick smile before arranging his books and quill properly on his side of the desk, just like Hermione. The class went on as the Professor immediately started on the Amortentia potion, the strongest love potion that this year of students had to prepare carefully. Hermione took quick notes about everything the Professor said. Something about the Amortentia Potion had always fascinated Hermione and she was curious to prepare it, especially with Theo, a Slytherin she could actually count on.
While Hermione was taking notes, Theo was receiving glares from Malfoy, who sat two desks behind him. He could feel it like someone boring fire into the back of his head. But Theo knew that his friend was just pretending, that there was no way Draco Malfoy, pureblood extradinaire would end up choosing Hermione Granger, Gryffindor's Golden Girl. But Theo knew better than to underestimate his friend, so when the class ended, he finally got the chance to talk to Hermione. Throughout the entire lesson, no fights broke out as everyone avoided their partner as no interaction was required.
"Hermione, there is something that I thought you should know." said Theo. Hermione was just packing her books into her bag, but she looked up when Theo said this and asked, "Well, what is it?"
"Hermione, just remember to steer clear of Dr-" said Theo only to be abruptly cut off by a spell fired in his direction. It was Tripping Jinx and Theo fell to the floor, hitting his head in the process. He didn't black out and the fall didn't hurt him much but Hermione knelt to the ground to help him up. He looked towards the door of the classroom, knowing who jinxed him, but he couldn't find the blond head of his best friend any where.
It was a warning, he knew. It would be like betraying his house if he ever divulged the secret but at the same time, he didn't want to see Hermione hurt. So Theo just told Hermione that he was fine, picked up his bag and hurriedly left, not bothering to complete the sentence that Hermione now found herself curious about. She hadn't been completely focusing on what Theo had been saying but it was not a coincidence that Theo had not been able to complete his sentence because someone had aimed a Tripping Jinx his way. However, she didn't think it was important, and continued to move on to the next class.
The day passed uneventfully after that. The N.E.W.T. level students were being bombarded with home works on the first day of their classes. Students almost forgot that a Marriage Law had been passed. Almost. Of course Hermione was not one of them. She didn't and couldn't see herself marrying Ron. It would be like marrying her own brother. But she would admit that she was not close to anyone else in a way that she could spend the rest of her life with them.
At night, after dinner, she went searching for Ginny. On not finding her anywhere, she went to the boys' dormitory, thinking Ginny was in there with Harry. On opening the door, she saw the dormitory was empty save for Ginny and Harry. They were whispering in low voices, their hands clasped together. On seeing Hermione, they broke apart and Harry got up to leave. On his way out, he patted Hermione's shoulder, offering comfort and then left. Ginny, still sitting on the bed, indicated for Hermione to sit beside her.
"What do you think you are going to do?" Ginny asked.
"I really wish I knew. I spent the entire day thinking but I really don't know who I could marry. I mean definitely not Ron. The other men that I actually talk to are either already in a relationship or too much like my brothers. Gin, what should I do?" Hermione replied.
Ginny gently said, "Hermione, be calm. Then things won't be that bad. Why don't you tell me what you are looking for in a husband?"
"Uhh, I am looking for someone who is intellectually like me. Someone who can keep up with me in conversations and doesn't mind telling me when I am wrong. Someone who will be there for me in all the phases of my life. Appearance, for me, doesn't matter much but it would be nice to have someone good on the eyes. Someone who can make me happy and feel like I am in love, a love filled with passion. I guess that is wishful thinking now that we have the Marriage Law." Hermione said, her eyes dreamy and glazed.
"Okay, that may be difficult to find now but there is still a month. Why don't you try making a list of all those who you think are single and wouldn't mind marrying you. Better yet, allow me to make a list of all those in the seventh or eighth year who are single and have a chance with you. Is that all right? In the mean time, just remember that me and Harry are always here if you want to talk about it." Ginny said.
"Thanks, Gin." Hermione replied with a smile. She got up and hugged her best girlfriend and she slowly left the dormitory. She went back to her's and found Lavender and Parvati sitting in there, all squealing and excited. As they saw Hermione, they motioned for her to join them. She slowly walked towards them, unsure of whether she actually wanted to do this.
In the next hour, Hermione was positive she must have heard all the gossip about all the people and this was just the first day of school. Ready to turn in for the night, Hermione changed into her pajamas and was about to settle in under the covers when Lavender asked her hesitantly, "Hermione, are you thinking of marrying Ron?"
Over the past year, Hermione had come to notice more about Lavender than just Divination and gossip. She could be a good and loyal friend when you needed her to be. She didn't mind Lavender half as much as she had back in sixth year. So she replied sincerely, "No Lavender. Things are no longer that way between us. But I think you were always better suited for him than I was."
Lavender just gave a sigh in response and bid a quiet 'Goodnight' to Hermione which she returned. Hermione immediately fell asleep, the events of the day catching up to her. She didn't realize of course, how much worse things would become in the Great Hall the next morning.
September 3, 1998
Hermione woke up the next morning to the sounds of the birds chirping. It was early in the morning but Hermione didn't mind it. She usually enjoyed the peace and quiet before any other person woke up. Through her window, she could see the edges of the Black Lake and could also see the silhouette of someone sitting there. With a start she realized it was Draco Malfoy. Even from the distance, she could see his blond hair, ruffled due to the wind. His Slytherin scarf was wrapped around his neck as a protection from the wind and she could almost imagine his cheeks flushed due to the cold in the early mornings. Surprised by her line of thought, she hurriedly closed the windows and went on to get ready for the day before either Lavender or Parvati hogged the bathroom for hours.
Unbeknownst to her, Draco Malfoy was smirking as he looked at the closed window. My plan is working, thought Draco as he slowly got up and went back walking through the Hogwarts grounds.
In the Great Hall many hours later, a nervous Harry Potter sat, playing with something in his pocket. Ron, however, continued shoving food into his mouth, unaware of his best friend's predicament. Harry Potter was planning on asking his girlfriend to marry him. They had spoken of it but he formally wanted to ask her. It's what he thought every girl ever dreamed of. He had received the ring from his family vault in Gringotts earlier this morning. He meant to ask her in the Gryffindor Common Room but was just too nervous to do so. Now, he finally decided to ask her in the privacy of the grounds of Hogwarts during Lunch.
Owls swooped in from above and dropped many items to their respective owners. Pig, Ron's owl, dropped a box and a letter in front of him and flew away, probably to feed himself. Ron quickly pocketed the letter and opened the box to find the ring of his late Great Aunt Jenna in it. It was a beautiful ring with a diamond in between. Great Aunt Jenna had left it to him in her will and he had requested his mother that the ring be sent immediately on account of the Marriage Law. Ron looked towards Hermione and smiled, not that she noticed.
Ginny seeing what had transpired with Ron, opened her mouth comically before saying "Ron, no.". But by then, Ron had already cleared his throat loudly and stood up, drawing attention to himself. He kneeled down in front of Hermione and opened the ring box. Hermione gasped in horror at what she saw transpiring before her eyes, but Ron, thinking it was delight, smiled even more widely. Students and Professors alike, were all trying to gather around to get to see a glimpse of the ring. A growl could be heard across the Hall, breaking the silence.
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?" Ron asked, beaming widely. Lavender's eyes were popping out in shock, her face a look of misery, her eyes staring accusingly at Hermione.
Hermione's face though was positively flushed and slowly turning purple, probably from lack of oxygen. As the silence stretched on, students started whispering among themselves and Ron's smile faltered for a few seconds before he smiled widely again. And so thinking that the astonishment was hampering Hermione from answering the question, he repeated himself.
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?" Ron asked again, a little hesitant.
Hermione though, could swear that everyone could hear her heart beating loudly , as she minutely shook her head. Then, the pressure and abruptness of this question, having taken its toll on her, caused Hermione to pass out, her head falling on the table.
Voices broke out on all sides suddenly and the story was not yet clear to all, as everyone hadn't seen Hermione's minute shake of the head but Ginny and Harry had. They held their head in their hands, knowing the next few days would be sheer torture for their two friends.