As the signed parchment disappeared, Hermione suddenly felt like she was being robbed. Not literally in a hand-in-her-vault sense, but in the fact that her girlish dreams of a romantic proposal were crushed. Likely no one even knew that she had thought that one day, she would have a wonderful proposal. The specifics of it, like whether it should be on the top of the Eiffel Tower and how many carats the diamond should have were never on her mind. Even the characteristics of her possible suitor were equally cloudy. Once upon a time, she had thought it'd be Ron. But that idea was squashed when she found him in his bed at the Burrow with not just one, but two witches. Therefore, the one thing she knew was that her perfect future husband would likely not be a ginger. She had never fancied any other Weasley anyways. Still, she had never in a million years imagined she'd end up marrying Harry.
This law had robbed him of the chance to find the love of his life. For Malfoy, the law forced a marriage to her, a woman of a different world entirely, as he was living a pureblood aristocrat life and she was just a middle-class muggleborn now virtually poor as her parents' memories were irreversibly altered. Neville probably was not ready for marriage just yet, knowing how shy he was around women.
Some stubborn tears welled up in her eyes. She was not crying for her own plight but for the losses of the guys. Harry and Malfoy were ladies' men, that was nothing terrible, they were young, handsome and rich and enjoyed a certain level of notoriety. Now they'd be shackled to her and the marriage agreement surely would include full fidelity on their parts. The law had robbed them of the choice to marry when they felt ready.
''What's wrong?'' Harry asked and wrapped his arms around her. It was something she would never admit openly, but every time he touched her, even just a pat on her shoulder, she felt comforted. During the war he probably didn't notice how often he'd hug her close, or huddle with her under a blanket discussing strategies so closely that she could feel his every breath. These were the moments when she felt the calmest. It was like a fuzzy blanket had been wrapped around her. It was quite selfish of her to want him to be so affectionate with her now, too. The circumstances were different, however. There was no looming battle, no threat of immediate demise yet she wanted to just hold him close to her like they did after Ron had left them in the forest. It was never anything sexual, just closeness.
''I'm upset because you will never get to propose to the man or woman that you really love,'' she mumbled, trying to collect her thoughts and not succumb to the alluring comfort of Harry's embrace.
''I can assure you that I am not gay,'' Malfoy said and offered her a tissue. A typically Muggle menthol-scented paper tissue. She would have never imagined that Draco Malfoy would ever stoop as low as an ordinary Muggle and use a disposable tissue instead of a fine linen embroidered piece that is more for show than snot. She did take it and dabbed her eyes.
''And, according to science, you are the best match for me,'' Draco continued. ''So the question of a proposal is only such that I need to know what you'd like me to do for you.''
''But none of you like me...that way.''
''What way?'' Harry asked and Hermione did not know why she suddenly felt so dizzy. It couldn't be the effect of the potion, it was not so strong that it could make her feel completely numb or drunk and unable to answer.
''We'll talk about the proposal and everything else you have on your mind in private. After we all have some lunch. What do you think? Should we go to the restaurant first?''
Harry's soft whispers were making her feel unusual. It was like something deep within her was humming, singing. He had not used any magic on her, that much she could tell. And he was still not upset about this whole disaster of a law.
''Perhaps it would be a suitable moment now to go on to lunch that I have taken the liberty to book for us all and discuss everything in a less formal atmosphere?'' the elder Malfoy suggested smoothly.
Hermione nodded. Maybe if she got out of Harry embrace she could think clearer. Maybe the dizziness would disappear. Draco removed the crumpled up snotty tissue from her lap and placed a clean one at the same spot. It was so unusual to have so much male attention directed towards her. From the corner of her eye she could see that Neville looked slightly worried. She mustered a weak smile towards him.
''Hermione, I am so sorry to that I cannot join you for lunch today,'' Kingsley said. ''I have to meet the German Minister for Magic in an hour and he will be visiting for the next two days. If you have any questions that none of the gentlemen, or the text of the law cannot answer, please owl me any time. This is… a very delicate situation so you can count on my help as far as the law and my office allows. And of course, I am always there to listen to you as a friend.''
''Thank you, Kingsley. I will need time to understand and accept this situation. It wasn't nice to spring it on me like this.''
Kingsley did look a bit embarrassed. That was the least that he should be doing, Hermione thought.
The men bid each other hasty goodbyes and the group proceeded to a small side room which she had not seen. Apparently the Minister had a private, secured Floo. In any other situation she would have asked approximately a million questions about who, when and how could access it, and how it was secured exactly, but she had bigger problems to deal with now.
Harry said the name of the destination, but she did not really care. At least she could embarrass herself somewhere else now. She had done plenty of that in the Minister's office already.
They arrived at an understated but at the same time ornate private room of a restaurant. The S-shaped table was set with fine crystal classes and the silverware glistened not just from polish but as well because it was rather likely it was actual silver. She had learned a lot about fine living in her years at the Malfoy estate. Expensive things did not need to be all rococo or baroque to be deemed such. And it was a restaurant, not a living space as the room lacked subtle personal touches or items that were slightly of a different style.
The seating arrangement was apparently prearranged. On her right, was Harry, Neville was to Harry's right and Draco sat to her left. Arthur and the elder Malfoy faced her on the other side of the table.
The men began to chat about business. Even three years ago, she would have never expected Lucius Malfoy praise Arthur Weasley's knowledge about what Muggle things wizards would love to have. Just like never in a million years she would have guessed that Neville would turn out to be a savvy businessman, as she could gather from their talks. Hermione realised that during the last years she was in a way hidden away from the world in a luxury bubble. Her research had merit, of course, but sneaking up on a herd of wild Pegasicorns pasturing and taking as many pictures as she could was not quite as groundbreaking as Neville's ability to cultivate the mythical Gold Apple Tree. She was also slightly ashamed that she had not paid more attention to the work Harry and Neville had done. Somehow they had never talked much about themselves when they visited her. And she had not really asked them much about it. She had a bleak recollection that Harry did bespoke magical security solutions and Neville worked with rare plants, but that was the extent of her knowledge on this topic.
Harry placed a hand on her right knee and while unexpected, it felt good. It wasn't as dizzying a feeling as when he had held her, but it made her feel slightly warm. He was not groping her, of course, he never would, but now she wondered why she had not sought his closeness back in the day. But it was no wonder why women were drawn to him like moths to a light.
''Maybe I can help you choose something from the menu?''
Draco's question took her by surprise. She had been leafing through the menu but not really seeing the words on the heavy paper. The menu was entirely in French and had no prices listed. She had heard of places like that. If you had to ask how much it cost, you probably couldn't afford it. For a second she had wanted to ask how much lunch here costs on average, but if there was one thing she had learned while in Malfoy residences – don't ask how expensive whatever item is, just accept it graciously, just like there had been no whats and ifs about the clothes.
''Do you come here often?'' she asked and realised how stupid it sounded. Not just stupid, more like a lame pick up line.
''The food here is decent, and the service good and our business partners like it, so yes, I do. But as you already know, you can't tell our elves that someone else's food is good or else they will be staying awake at night wondering how to improve it.''
Why was he not upset about this whole marriage fiasco? He was just as courteous as he had been in during the times he had been at the holiday residences at the same time as her. From the conversations then she could tell that he was smarter than most people thought and even though she had called him Ferret once, he was not like that. Years had passed and he had changed. People can change, when they want to. And it seemed that the Malfoys had actually wanted to change.
''Of course,'' she mumbled, watching how he poured her a glass of ice water with lemon. She shouldn't feel so suspicious. Lucius had drank the same water, Arthur had poured himself a second glass. Still, she felt different somehow.
''So what would you like to order?'' he asked, still looking as casual as before. She thought she had caught Lucius glance at her, but it couldn't be, he was engrossed in a conversation with Arthur about the unexpected popularity of click-in installation laminate flooring among wizards.
''Honestly, I don't know, really…. I guess I'll have whatever you're having because you've been here before.''
''I wouldn't want to order something you wouldn't like, but if you trust me enough, you can try some of my favorites here, and if anything isn't to your liking, we can send it back and order something else.''
''Thank you, Draco,'' she said, testing the sound of his name. He was another innocent victim of this law. Being hateful towards him would bring absolutely nothing.
A somber elf popped up and took orders for the entree, but he disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared.
''If there's one thing I worry about,'' she said slowly, but loud enough so that everyone at the table could hear, ''is that everyone with a quill will write how I orchestrated this law to get my hands on some big vaults and how I am a promisicous harlot for whom just one man isn't enough.''
Suddenly, the room went silent.
''Hermione, that is utter and complete nonsense. I will not let anyone write lies about me and my future family,'' Harry said with determination.
''If only that were possible,'' she sighed.
''Trust me, if anyone dares to smear us, they won't be out of a job. I have influence, and if that is not enough, money to ensure people are in line or they will be squashed like a fly.'' She smiled. Harry still remembered the Skeeter situation.
''Our family owns several companies that are directly or indirectly tied to various media outlets, so some scandalous articles should be the last thing on your mind,'' Lucius added.
''And now you won't be putting yourself in mortal danger anymore. Like in the case of the tribe of Alpine trolls that you tried to track, despite rumours that their favorite winter time stew is human meat,'' Harry said seriously.
Neville seemed to choke on his water for a few seconds.
''It wasn't anything dangerous, really,'' Hermione started.
''If the elves had not made you take the tent and supplies with you, then the chance of you surviving the temperamental weather in that part of the Alps would have been very minimal. Even though you didn't find the trolls, it would've been the snow and cold that could have done you in. In that kind of snowstorm no rescue mission can go ahead as you well know.''
''But I was sure that it'd be just a half day hike to observe the trolls from afar and see their behavior before attempting to take on contact….''
There was a lot of truth in what Draco had just said. She had only taken the tent to appease Mama Rosa, as she knew the elf worried too much. Along with that, the inevitable mountains of food for a few days had been stuffed inside her bag, with other things that disappeared into the depths of the bag. In the end, the elves had been right. The part of the mountain where she was looking for the trolls was hit by a nasty snowstorm and if she had had no tent, then it would've been a sheer miracle to survive, as bluebell flames could only give so much heat. The luxury tent was set up in seconds, including the surprising amount of furniture that included a real single bed complete with a mattress and a half dozen of pillows. The tent instruction booklet helpfully informed her that the tent was hurricane, avalanche and flood-proof and that for heat, she would need to drop a few pellets into the furnace every 8 hours or so. Therefore, it wasn't a horrifying mountaineering experience. She had just waited out the storm while sitting in bed with plenty of food and numerous paperback books that had found their way into her bag. From then on she did trust the elves to pack her gear, no matter how silly the amounts of stuff they gathered looked. They knew best, even when the weather forecast had been so different.
''Hermione, trolls are not known to be reasonable...and what if they're really into eating humans? I shudder to imagine….'' Neville said and she knew that his concern was real.. That is why she had never told him about her unsuccessful troll search.
''But maybe they are just misunderstood. There are many myths and some are not true...'' she protested.
''You did discover the Pyrenees venomous pixies. They were supposedly a myth too, but you tracked them down and nearly didn't live to tell the tale.'' Harry was right, once again.
''But I managed to escape on time….'''
''Because an elf had decided to bring you dinner early and saw that you were fighting off a huge swarm of these creatures. Their venom is quite powerful, and you had lost a lot of strength in the attack. Had the elf not been there…'' Draco was right again. She hated the fact that he was so sensible.
''But I have two preserved specimens of the pixies! One male, one female! Sometimes science is tough.''
''Hermione, you were out for nearly three weeks, and it took you months to be back to normal strength. And you had the best anti-venom immediately and round the clock care. Some pixies are not worth dying for.''
The silence was broken by their entrees magically appearing on the table. Apparently hers was some fancy version of the Caesar salad. Not that she cared for the food at that moment. The guys had stirred up her memories. She had felt dreadful after the pixie attack. She had some bleak memories of a Healer giving her potion after potion, glimpses of the Malfoys visiting, Harry sitting at her bedside, even a visit from Neville.
''Now you'll have much safer career prospects,'' Harry continued,''you can help me with the security spellwork, Nev always needs a hand in the greenhouses and Malfoy industries have enough meetings for you to attend that you might die of boredom, but nothing too dramatic. I know that this is something that you haven't had a chance to think about, but as a future wife and mother, you need to think about your family. And in your case, would you really want to leave three widowers and orphans behind just because you wanted to find some trolls?''
Why were they so right about things all the time? If only they knew that proper research into even slightly dangerous magical creatures needed a whole team of at least four people. In the proper way, tracking the trolls' location should take a team at least six months or a year, not her haphazard popping by the possible whereabouts once a season. Once the location was found, the creatures of that level of danger would be observed for another six months, and only then attempts to contact a troll could be made. Overall, the research would take long, cost too much and not be of much practical use to magical folk as witches and wizards did not go into the barren mountain landscape much, as there were no valuable potion herbs or rare stones to be found. Daredevil muggles who loved off-piste skiing or poached for wolves might wander into the area accidentally, their demise would be typically attributed to the unpredictable weather conditions and extreme terrain. While her own search had been successful because of muggle news reports about skiers and climbers seeing weird creatures, Muggles thought the witnesses suffered a lack of oxygen or exhaustion caused delirium, as that was the typical logical reason for such sightings. When the truth was that the trolls loved to have an unsuspecting victim for their spit roast, as far as older wizard-written reports showed.
And no Ministry, be it the British or Italian, would have taken the blame for allowing a single female suicide mission to look for dangerous creatures. The government bodies would have framed it as a tragic accident. Hermione knew it was not quite right to do it on her own, but there was always something nagging her in the back of her mind. She was all alone in the world. Her parents would never remember her existence, there was no man crying for her return. The only one would would have missed her upon her demise by roast would have been Harry.
But now she had suddenly acquired three fiances. And arguing with at least three people who were legally required to marry her within two weeks would be fruitless. So she vaguely admitted her brazenness and steered the conversation towards something more harmless, as she did not want to even think what she would do career wise after marrying three men. It was a great relief that they seemed to willingly catch on to her wish not to argue and discussed interesting events in Britain that had happened during her absence and she should know about now.
The conversation was going so well until Harry had to ask the question that brought her back to reality.
''So which one of us do you want to stay with tonight and tomorrow?''
''Well...'' she looked around the table, hoping that there was still someone who hadn't yet finished his dessert, but the plates were empty, coffee cups nearly finished as well. Asking for another coffee would not let her escape the reality that she was going to have to do this, or face Azkaban.
All three were looking at her, eager for her answer.
''I suppose I can stay with you, Harry, but only if you'd like to, if not then…''
''Of course I want you to come home with me! No matter who of us you'd choose, we've all prepared to welcome you. I know this situation is hard on you, it's not easy, but if there's anything I and the guys can do to make you feel better about this, you bet we will try all we can. So it's not about whether I'd like you to come home.''
''I don't want to be a burden on anyone. This whole situation is just so...''
''If you need a moment of solace or someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to contact me,'' Lucius said.
''Or owl me! You know you're always welcome at the Burrow. Molly would love to have a chat with you anytime you'd like,'' Arthur added.
''Thank you for your support, I'll let you know if I need your help...''
''Shall we go home now?'' Harry asked as he got up. Her legs did feel heavier than usual, but she needed to do this. Harry was her best friend. If he was all for this crazy law, then she should be too. If only it was so easy.
They flooed directly from restaurant, it was a journey too quick for her to think what to do next. After them, Neville stumbled out of the hearth and nearly knocked her over.
''Sorry...'' he mumbled but it was then when she noticed a sight she had never expected to see. Kreacher, dressed in a tiny butler's uniform was curtseying, along with Harry's new elf, Toffee, who wore a miniature french maid's costume.
''Kreacher is happily welcoming home his great mistress of biggest honour home. I want to apologise for yesterday, Master Potter told me I had to act like I always did. I am sorry. It's been over four centuries since an elf had the honour to serve a witch as important as you. I promise to be good, please don't release me for my past wrongdoings, I was not wise enough.''
''It's okay, don't worry about it, Kreacher. I want to get to my room to think...''
''You're moving into my room now,'' Harry whispered as Kreacher went on to deliver great platitudes and honors to Neville and Draco. ''Let's go upstairs.''
They strode up the stairs and she nearly jumped when Toffee touched her leg. ''I am sorry dear most eminent Mistress. When you be wanting dinner to be served? And what shall we make?''
''As we just ate, how about a late dinner, around eight? Anything that is not watery potatoes would do.''
I cook better than Kreacher. Wonderful dinner be ready then!'The elf disappeared with a pop.
''That elf is a bit hyper, isn't she?''
''She wants to always be good,'' Harry laughed. ''As she is not as old as Kreacher she sometimes lacks manners. She's done the leg grabbing to me too, can scare you to death, I told her not to do it again, but she must've forgotten, again.''
They had come to what she remembered was Harry's room. But when he opened it, she gasped. It was… different. It seemed he had knocked several of the nearby rooms together and created a huge bedroom, dominated by a massive bed with a veritable mountain of pillows.
''I hope you like the renovations…. As you were away I didn't have a chance to ask your opinion about some things, I kept your old room like it was, just freshened it up….not that you will need it now….''
It was so surreal. She was going to move into his room. She stepped towards the edge of the bed and sat down.
''You know, Harry, after the war I felt quite lost. I didn't want to intrude on you, you were making progress with putting it all behind you, and I knew that you'd find someone you wanted to be with and I was just there….''
''What? You know that his house is also your home, always has been…''
''No, I would've felt like a mooch if I was just hanging around and making your potential girlfriend uneasy. Women don't like room mates. So I started looking for places to rent and I found that I didn't have the money to rent. As a Muggleborn, you needed to have someone back your trustworthiness by paying 6 months of rent in advance. And I didn't have even enough for a dingy bedsit in Knockturn. So I looked into Muggleborn rental assistance, but the wait times were long, around a year, to get a cheap bedsit subsidized by the Ministry, so when the chance to go abroad appeared, I took it. I didn't want to stand in the way of your happiness, and now I still am.''
''You think I would've let a girlfriend make you move out of here?''
Harry looked hurt. She touched his shoulder, not knowing what to do.
''You saved my life more times than I could count, and you didn't even think for one minute that your needs for a home are above what any witch I might have dated could be? If you had wanted to move out, I would've paid the rent, heck, I would've bought you a place of your choosing in a heartbeat. Why didn't you tell me your concerns?''
''Because you always had so much to worry about in the past. And I didn't want to ask financial assistance from you. It would've been unfair.''
''Money is just money. I have plenty.''
''But I was never after your money. If my parents were not…. You know…. Then I would've gotten myself a Muggle rental but…. These cost around the same. And when I didn't have the money...''
''Now you won't ever need to worry about money. I will take care of you. No buts and ifs. I know you're a strong and independent woman, but if I had known you were looking at bedsits intended for the poor I would've just bought a place and put the key in your hands...''
''I just didn't know what to do then, really. Malfoy's offer was such a blessing...''
''I could've paid for your expedition, too, if only you had asked me. I know you will tell me a million times that it's not my responsibility, but it is. Because of me, you lost so much.''
Harry had pulled her close again, it was just a gentle hug but the dizziness was setting in again. All she wanted was so just melt into his embrace and sleep. But there was so much to discuss.
''I think you need to lay back a little,'' Harry said and helped her take off her shoes. A bunch of pillows moved behind her back. In a second, he was right next to her, his arm still around her shoulders.
''If it hadn't been for me and the war effort, you wouldn't be here now, wondering about this law but busy being the perfect Mrs Krum….'' Harry murmured.
''You can't be sure about that...''
''I can. He knew that you'd never leave Britain after the war started. If you had said a word he would've done everything in his power to take you away to safety.''
''But you needed me more than Viktor….''
''But was I ever anything like him, really? If I hadn't been thrown into this whole savior situation, I would've been just a regular boy, nothing in comparison to an international sports star and Triwizard champion….''
''You're extremely popular with women. This forced marriage is taking a lot away from you. I don't understand why you're not upset about the law! And why you're talking about Viktor, the only guy who was really interested in me.''
''I guess you might wonder why I was so calm today. When I was first told about the law, I was apprehensive. I've dated… so, so much in these last years. And it was never anything right for me in the end. So I was afraid that I'd be matched to a woman who was just looking to improve her status, become famous and rich. But when I was told it was you...everything fell into place.''
''So I am the least bad option in this...'' she said and tried to get further away from him.
''No, it explains why I always had a crush on you. I never told you, because you were so into Viktor until the falling out with him, then you were certain Ron's the one. How could I tell you?''
''You've never even dropped a hint that you thought I was your type. I know I am not your type, at least lookswise. I look like a… like I don't know what compared to girls that flock you.''
''I admit I didn't want to ruin our friendship by just telling you, point blank that I've always thought you were so attractive. I couldn't imagine what I'd do after you'd turn me down.''
''You're just saying this to make me feel better, Harry.''
''I'd never lie about something like this to you. What's in it for me to gain? Even if a lie would make you feel better for a few moments. Didn't you wonder, if only for a moment, why our match percentage was so high? The Unspeakables were not allowed to tell me the exact science behind the process but there was one question that they asked me...''
''What question?'' Hermione asked, wondering what could they ask, if there was no exact explanation.
''How I felt when I touched you, even in just a hug, or brushing past you. And the answer is that I always wanted to keep you so close, closer than it should be allowed for a friend. There's such a warmth, such calmness coming from you that I want more of that… it's not easy for me to explain.''
She him pull her closer. There was that dizzying feeling again and she wanted to ask him whether it felt like that for him, too.
''Do you trust me, Hermione?'' She just nodded and then gasped in surprise as he kissed her. It was a gentle, light kiss and the initial surprise turned into wanting to kiss back, harder.
And she did. The dizziness was gone, all she could think about was the wonderful feeling of kissing him. When she stopped the kiss to breath she realized that she had pushed Harry against the pillows and was straddling him. They had only kissed. No French kissing even but she felt so eager to continue. He smiled up at her.
''I'm sorry I got so...'' she mumbled.
''There is nothing to be sorry about. I started it. And we're engaged so...''
Hermione rolled off to the side. ''The fact that we're engaged is the problem! Just yesterday I was mad at you for not being home when I moved back here and now I am making out with you in your room!''
Harry reached out to her.
''I just need a moment to think… can I have a bit of time alone? I'm not mad or anything.''
''Of course. But if you want to talk to me, please, let me know, send a Patronus or call Kreacher or just come find me. I won't go out so I will be around somewhere.''
''Thank you.''
He left the room but she could catch a hint of his scent. Confusion was the word of the day. Just a few hours ago she had thought how unfair this was to him because he was a womanizer. But now she wanted him only for herself. Laws are supposed to make life easier, so officials would say. But this didn't. She got three life sized problems walking around the house.
Please leave a review if you like the story! Hermione is so confused, but who wouldn't be, three husbands out of the blue!
