Hermione spent the remainder of her morning in the Library. She figured she was lucky that Harry and Ron would sleep until noon; it gave her time to think all of this through.
She sat alone at her table at the library – it was her table because she frequented the library, and as Head Girl, most others were afraid of encroaching on her space – thinking about this damned law.
The library was quiet on this autumn morning. It was the middle of September, just two days after Hermione's eighteenth birthday. She realized that it really was quite suspicious that the law had gone into effect only two days after she turned eighteen. Hermione shook her head, just a coincidence.
She pulled her legs up and hugged her knees. It was fair to say that she was going through a mediocre amount of emotional turmoil at the moment. This was going to turn her life upside-down. It already had, actually. She didn't want to get married. And then on top of the whole marriage aspect there was the sex.
She definitely hadn't allowed that detail of the law to go unnoticed. The Ministry was claiming that this whole thing was in an effort to replenish the Wizarding population. Thus, they required each married couple to have sex once every two weeks, starting on the night of their wedding. Hermione buried her head in her arms. She didn't want to have sex with some random order member. Frankly, she didn't want to have sex with anyone at this point in her life.
Hermione wished that she could owl her mum for help. The only problem was that her parents were living in Australia with no clue that they had a daughter. She had Obliviated them over the summer for their own safety.
With an ache in her chest and tightness in her throat, Hermione realized that she missed her mum terribly. Her mother would know how to deal with circumstances like these. But alas, Hermione was on her own.
Hermione tried to create a list in her mind of all the people she could marry. Someone from the Order, Dumbledore had said. Who could she even marry from the Order? An image of Snape popped into her head and Hermione grimaced, sinking deeper into the chair.
After about an hour or so of this grim contemplation, Hermione had decided that she needed to be brave and strong. She was going to take this law in stride and show the Death Eaters that they couldn't get to her this easily. Voldemort was gaining more power by the day, and terrorizing both the Muggle and Wizarding population constantly. Hermione wouldn't run away and hide from this law. She was going to fight the Death Eaters every step of the way. A sweet sense of rebellion filled her when she thought about how angry she could make them by spoiling their plans and marrying an Order member.
Hermione ended up getting out of the library around noon. Upon her arrival at the Great Hall for lunch, she spotted Harry, Ron, and Ginny sitting together at their end of the table.
Ginny noticed her first, and she could feel the redhead's intense scrutiny. They had undoubtedly heard about the law, and knew that Hermione was eligible, as the only eighteen-year-old of their friends.
"Hi," Ginny greeted, smiling gently.
"Hi," Hermione breathed, sitting beside Ron.
Harry and Ron were obviously studying her as she got her food. She tried to put up a strong, brave expression. Other students were milling about the Hall, but it wasn't very crowded in general. On weekends the cavernous room tended to be significantly less populated.
"You alright?" Harry asked.
Hermione sighed, "I'm okay… been better."
Ginny looked sad.
"Dean said you talked to the Headmaster this morning," Harry muttered.
She nodded, "Yeah. We – ah, we talked about what I'm going to do."
"And?" Ginny asked hopefully.
Hermione shrugged, "They're going to try to find someone from the Order for me to marry. They think it's too dangerous to have me marry anyone else." She tried to sound detached as she explained.
Ginny's face fell, "They won't let you marry who you want?"
Ron was watching her closely. She bit her lip, "Well, Dumbledore said he would ask my opinion on it… But I understand the situation, and it's much safer this way."
"This is bloody outrageous," Ron seethed, shoving a nearby copy of the Prophet away. It slid down the table and then floated off onto the floor. Ron crossed his arms angrily, the tips of his ears a light shade of red.
Hermione felt her chest tighten. Ron obviously had some sort of feelings for her, and to be honest, she had feelings for him. Before today, she had been so hopeful that maybe their friendship was growing into something more. Now this law had ruined everything.
"How did they even get away with it?" Harry asked, looking vexed.
"Dumbledore said that it's because the Death Eaters have their hands in the Ministry," she explained.
Harry clenched his jaw, "He's mentioned that a couple times in our meetings. Said that he's been having to do a lot to make sure the Ministry stops interfering in Hogwarts business."
There was a moment of silence in which Hermione considered the immense amount of responsibilities and problems that Harry was currently dealing with. On top of this stupid law, there was the constant nuisance that was their hunt for Horcruxes, and then the ever-looming war. Hermione had entered her seventh year at Hogwarts with a waning hope that she and her friends would make it through to the end of the year.
"So when is Dumbledore going to figure this out?" Ginny asked anxiously.
"He's told me to come back to his office tonight, and that he'll have someone by then," Hermione murmured gravely. The idea that she would have a fiancée by the end of the night was truly daunting. An ominous silence overtook the four Gryffindors.
The afternoon passed rather uneventfully. Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Harry retreated back to the common room, where everyone was heatedly discussing the Marriage Law. Apparently, there were only five other students at Hogwarts that had already turned eighteen and would have to begin their search for spouses. four of them were Purebloods, and would have a month to figure out their marriage planes. Only one other was in Hermione's same situation: Terry Boot. She wondered how Terry was dealing with all of this, but then she remembered that he was dating a Ravenclaw that had graduated just last year. They would surely get married and be quite happy. It seemed that Hermione was the only person at Hogwarts to get stuck in such a horrible situation. Well, at least until more students turned eighteen and had to marry.
Hermione was all too happy to get her mind off of these dark thoughts when Ron asked her to edit his Transfiguration essay. She focused on his essay until it was time to go back to Dumbledore's office. Hermione offered her friends a grim expression as she stepped out of the Common Room, trying to ignore the somber looks they exchanged.
She arrived at Dumbledore's office in only a few minutes. The door opened to reveal Dumbledore sitting at his desk. He smiled kindly, "Welcome, Miss Granger. Please take a seat."
Hermione sat down, and then took a deep breath. She was feeling strangely nauseous at the thought of what she was about to find out.
"Now, I suppose you'll want me to cut right with the chase," the Headmaster said, "I've spoken to someone whom I think is an excellent candidate."
Hermione frowned at the word "candidate". It was like this was a job someone had been selected for. She imagined Dumbledore advertising it like it was a job. Who wants to babysit the helpless Hermione Granger?
"Now," Dumbledore sighed, "I know that this is a difficult situation for you to accept, but I think that Remus Lupin would be the best choice. He understands the conditions of this and he's already a Professor here at Hogwarts-"
Hermione wasn't listening to what Professor Dumbledore was saying anymore. Thoughts of Lupin were invading her mind.
Professor Lupin? Her husband?
But he was her teacher, and not to mention years older, the same age as Sirius had been! She couldn't imagine being married to him. He was her Professor!
He'd only been her Professor for a few weeks now, having rejoined the Hogwarts Staff to fill the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Hermione had also suspected that he'd come back to Hogwarts to keep an eye on Harry. Still, he was her Professor.
"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore was looking at her, "Is this alright?"
Hermione sputtered for words, "I- I don't understand. He's my Professor. How can I marry a Professor?"
Dumbledore nodded, "I have considered this, and I think that it is a relatively minor setback. There are no explicit statements against situations like this in the Hogwarts regulations. Seeing as you are of age, and considering the fact that this law is so sudden, I am sure that the Ministry won't restrict you from marrying Remus because he is your teacher. However, I do think that for propriety's sake we will need to withdraw you from the roster of your Defense Against the Dark Arts class. You may still attend the class to prepare for your NEWTs, but I don't think it would be wise if Remus was made to continue giving you grades in the class."
Hermione leaned back in her chair, trying to master her shock. She had to be mature about this. It wouldn't be that bad, marrying Lupin. She'd imagined much worse when Dumbledore had told her he'd consider someone from the Order.
"Do you think this arrangement will work, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked, a smile lighting his face in a vaguely suspicious way. "Remus has already agreed."
So Lupin had said that he would marry her. She wondered if Dumbledore had manipulated him into doing it. Certainly Lupin hated the idea of marrying a student, and he was years older than Hermione. Dumbledore was probably forcing him into it.
As much as Hermione wanted to say that no, she wouldn't marry Professor Lupin, this was her only choice. She had to accept it. What else could she do?
Hermione nodded slowly, setting her face into an expression of calm acceptance, "yes, I think this will be fine." She was proud when her voice didn't waiver.
Dumbledore smiled again, "Wonderful. Now, arrangements will be made, and this will be approved by the Ministry, but after that, we must act fast. The law allows a week, so you will be married by next Saturday."
Hermione took a shaky breath. She only had a week…
"Also, this must remain a secret until the marriage is official. If word gets out of your engagement, then our efforts could all fall to pieces. You may tell your close friends, but be careful who you trust with this secret."
"I understand," Hermione murmured, "thank you, Headmaster."
Dumbledore smiled and offered her a lemon drop, which Hermione refused politely. She needed to get out of there and back to her dormitory. The Headmaster explained more about the situation and what would happen in the coming days, then Hermione finally stood to leave. Just as she was about to reach the door, Dumbledore spoke again.
"Miss Granger, I'm sure you know that these are dark times. We all must make sacrifices for the war, and this is first and foremost for your safety. I urge you to view this as an advantage. You will be able to remain at Hogwarts, instead of running from this law."
She said a final thank-you and left the office. Her gut felt heavy with fear and anxiety, her knees wobbly the whole way back to the Gryffindor Tower.
Hermione entered the common room as quietly as possible. The room was full, and she spotted Ron and Harry sitting by the fire where she had left them. She made her way past quietly, not feeling like she could talk to them right now. They could find out in the morning. She went up to her dormitory, happy to find it empty. Lavender and Parvati would have been hounding her about the law had they been there.
Hermione changed into more comfortable clothes and fell onto her bed. It was fair to say that she was emotionally exhausted. So much had happened today and she thought that it could quite possibly take months to think all of this through. She settled on just lying atop of her bed, allowing Crookshanks to curl into her side as she rested.
Her mind didn't quiet, however, and after about fifteen minutes she was still full of thoughts.
It was probably lucky that Ginny entered the room then, for Hermione was relieved to see the girl. She had fostered a very close friendship with Ginny over the years, and at moments like these she really needed an understanding girl to talk to.
"Hey," Ginny greeted, moving towards Hermione's bed. Crookshanks made a sort of grumbling protesting sound, and hopped off the mattress. Ginny got on the bed, leaning against the old wooden bedpost.
"Hi," Hermione said, her eyes not leaving the ceiling. She felt rather dramatic at the moment.
"Do you want to tell me who it is?" Ginny asked gently.
Hermione sighed, "It's Professor Lupin."
She waited for a gasp of incredulity, or a scandalized shriek, but nothing came from Ginny. Hermione pulled her glance from the ceiling to look at her friend. Ginny's eyebrows were raised almost to her hairline, "Really?" she asked.
Hermione nodded, her chest rising and falling slowly.
"That's… well… that's actually better than I expected," Ginny mused.
Hermione gave the redhead a surprised glance, "he's a Professor, Ginny."
"But he is kinda handsome, in a rugged older man sorta way. I know you like that kind of thing."
"I can't believe you actually just said that," Hermione stated, almost laughingly.
"Oh, come on, Hermione! You've always had a bit of a thing for older guys…"
"That was one time," Hermione asserted, "and it was only Viktor. He wasn't that much older."
"And you also had your eye on Charlie this summer, don't think I didn't notice that," Ginny sang.
Hermione blushed, but after a moment let out a little giggle. Ginny began giggling as well.
The laughter lapsed out into a solemn silence.
"I have to have sex with him," Hermione uttered, her voice barely a whisper.
"And you're scared," Ginny observed.
Hermione nodded, sitting up, "I've never- what if it's terribly awkward? What if I can't do it right? What if he doesn't like me at all? He probably already resents me for putting him in this position."
"Hermione," Ginny said, putting her hand on Hermione's arm in a calming gesture, "you've got nothing to worry about."
"How do you know that?" Hermione groaned, running her hands through her wild hair.
"I was worried too, but when I finally did it, it was just so amazing," Ginny said dreamily.
Hermione scanned her friend's face, "who did you have sex with?"
"Harry, of course!"
Hermione's eyebrows shot up. She didn't expect that. She thought back through recent interaction between the Harry and Ginny. They had seemed a lot closer lately… but to be honest, she didn't really want to think about Harry having sex. He was like her brother…
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Oh, don't looks so horrified, I'm trying to console you."
"Sorry," Hermione shook her head, letting the images leave her mind.
"Don't worry, I'm going to teach you everything there is to know about sex," Ginny said, a broad smile on her face.
And Ginny did exactly that. A long conversation ensued in which Ginny described her first sexual experience in detail. Hermione got past her initial torrent of blushing and managed to grasp some information that could prove useful in the future. By the end of their conversation, Hermione knew far more about sex than she had when she woke up that morning. It was about an hour before she found herself yawning. Ginny noticed and went to take her leave.
"Ginny?" Hermione said, stopping the girl in her tracks.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you… for this," Hermione murmured.
Ginny gave her a melancholic smile, "No problem."
Author's Note: Review? I'd like to know what people are thinking so far. Also, thanks for all the reviews/follows/favorites for last chapter!
Coming up next: Ginny forces Hermione to talk to Lupin, prompting an exceedingly awkward conversation.