Disclaimer: I still do not own Harry Potter
"Ginny, Hermione! It's time for dinner!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. Ginny and I stood up from where we had been lazing about in her room.
"Coming, mum!" Ginny yelled back.
"Is it dinner already?" I asked, yawning. "I feel like I just ate lunch."
"How are you not hungry? I'm starving," Ginny said, grinning.
"Never said I wasn't hungry," I replied, grinning back. She laughed and ran downstairs. I followed somewhat slower because my leg felt especially stiff after sitting around for a good four hours. The entire Weasley family (plus Alicia, Harry, and the soon-to-be-Weasley Angelina) sat at the table, waiting for us. Ginny took the seat beside Harry and Ron while I took the seat between Ron and Angelina. Ron smiled at me somewhat shyly and I smiled back.
"There are some letters here for you all," Mrs. Weasley said, grabbing a pile of letters off the kitchen counter. "I wasn't sure what they were but since so many of you have them and they look similar, I decided to wait until you were all here." She handed the letters out and, as she had aforementioned, everyone but Bill, Fleur, George, Angelina, Mr. Weasley, and herself had received one. I looked at it in confusion, and then opened it up.
Miss Hermione Jean Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that Ministerial Decree 8462 has been passed. Ministerial Decree 8462 will affect all witches and wizards not married or engaged prior to this date between the ages of seventeen and thirty five. Those affected will be required to marry another of the ministry's choosing within the next two months of face consequences. Matches are chosen through a highly accurate compatibility system. Letters containing the name of your spouse-to-be will arrive later this evening. Within two years, couples are expected to conceive one child.
Hoping you are well,
Belinda Notworthy
Department of Nuptial Affairs
I stared in shock. A marriage law? This was impossible. They couldn't do this. There was no way that the ministry could pass something like this! I looked at the others at the table to gage their reactions. Ginny looked close to tears and Harry had an arm around her, trying to comfort her. Ron's face had gone red again, though he looked more angry than sad. His hand found mine once more and I held it tightly. Fred was looking at Alicia worriedly, their hands clasped tightly. Percy had gone very pale as he read his letter. Charlie slammed his letter on the table and glared angrily at the wall opposite him. Bill, Fleur, George, Angelina, Mr., and Mrs. Weasley all, however, looked thoroughly confused. None of them held letters.
"What is it, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked Fred, who sat nearest to her.
"They've passed a marriage law," spat Charlie.
"How can they do this?" cried Ginny, tears welling in her eyes.
"Kingsley can't have been alright with this," Percy whispered.
"A marriage law?" Mr. Weasley said, looking horrified.
"Why didn't you and Angelina get one?" Bill asked, looking at the two.
"Uh, right then. I'd hoped for a bit better of conditions to inform you all, but there's no time better than the present. Angelina has agreed, because of my immense wealth, to be my wife," George said, smiling happily at her. Angelina and I laughed at his reference to lunch the previous day.
"Oh, congratulations, Georgie!" Mrs. Weasley said, hurrying over and hugging him. "When will you have your wedding? We'll have to begin planning immediately. Will it be within these two months? They're going to be rather crazy if everyone's getting married." Her face suddenly fell again. "Poor dears, to be forced to marry."
There was a sudden tapping at the window and a large barn owl fluttered in, several letters attached to its leg. Mrs. Weasley hurried over and retrieved the letters. She handed them out wordlessly and this time, no one opened them.
"I'll go first," Harry finally said in a brave voice, though he looked considerably less confident than he sounded. He ripped it open and pulled out the paper. As he read, he visibly relaxed. "Ginny, I think you're stuck with me," he said, smiling. Ginny screamed in excitement and launched herself at him, knocking the pair to the floor in a tight embrace.
"Ginny, contain yourself," Mrs. Weasley said, though she looked relieved at their match. The two got up, looking a bit flushed. Ginny opened her letter to make sure there wasn't a mistake and found Harry's name on the paper. She grasped his hand, looking at him happily.
"I'll go," Percy volunteered. He opened the letter and looked happy as well. "I'm paired with Audrey."
"Wonderful, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, beaming at him. "I'm sure you two will be more than happy together." Audrey was Percy's girlfriend from what I had gathered the past day, though I hadn't heard much else about her. Seeing Percy, Harry, and Ginny's happiness with their matches made my heart lift hopefully – maybe the ministry paired me with Ron.
"I can go now," Charlie volunteered, though he looked just as angry as he had before. I knew full well that Charlie did not have a girlfriend, nor did he really have any intention to have a serious relationship. This must be a real wrench in his life plans. "Holly Wright. I have no clue who that is."
"I'm sure we'll find out," Mrs. Weasley said sadly, looking at him. "I'm sure she's a lovely girl. If Harry, Ginny, and Percy's matches are anything to go by, you'll be happy with her." Charlie didn't answer, but glared at the letter.
"I can go now," Ron said, looking hopeful as he opened his letter. It quickly gave way to shock. "Luna Lovegood. This can't be right!"
"Luna's a nice enough girl," Mr. Weasley said, patting Ron consolingly. Ron just shot his father a glare and threw the letter angrily at the table. I stared at my letter in horror, knowing that Ron's name wouldn't be on it. Who would they put me with? It could be anybody. I felt like I was going to be sick as I stared at it, but figured it was better now than later. I tore the top open, hands shaking, and removed the letter from the envelope.
Miss Hermione Jean Granger,
Under Ministerial Decree 8462, you have been matched with
Mr. Frederick Gideon Weasley
You must marry within two months' time and conceive a child within two years of marriage.
Hoping you are well,
Belinda Notworthy
Department of Nuptial Affairs
I could feel my jaw drop and a cold numbness attack me. Fred? That wasn't possible. Fred was going to be with Alicia, there was no doubt about it. They were happy together. Ginny had mentioned Fred seeming close to proposing. The ministry couldn't just ignore that. Why would they put him with me?
"Hermione, dear? Are you alright?" Mrs. Weasley asked. I didn't reply and so she looked over at the remaining couple, Fred and Alicia. The soon-to-be-not-in-a-relationship-with-each-other-because-of-the-ministry pair. They opened their letters and both looked shocked.
"I h-have Oliver," Alicia said shakily, cheeks reddening ever so slightly. I looked at her in confusion, trying to figure out why she didn't seem upset by the news. She just stood up, looking almost as if she was hiding a smile, and said, "I've got to go." Then she turned and left. A loud crack announced that she had apparated away.
"Fred, who do you have?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I… I got Hermione," Fred said, staring at the letter as though his eyes must have been tricking him. I felt awful as a heartbroken expression flashed across his face. Angelina made a noise of surprise from beside me and looked at my letter.
"Oh sweet Merlin," she whispered. "You and Fred?" Fred suddenly pushed away from the table, looking angry and sad, and left the house, apparating away like Alicia had.
"Poor Fred," Mrs. Weasley said sadly. Dinner passed in uneasy silence. I didn't eat much, finding that my appetite had completely vanished. I found myself feeling more and more sick as the evening progressed and, by the time I had finished picking at my food, the sight of Fred and Alicia's empty chairs made me want to throw up. I stood up and limped out of the room to Ginny's bedroom and sat on my bed.
"Hey, Hermione? Are you okay?" Ginny asked, coming in and closing the door before sitting beside me.
"How can they do this?" I asked. "It's awful, them deciding what we have to do with our lives."
"I know," Ginny said quietly. "We'll try to find a way out of it."
"They can't do this to everyone," I said. "Did you see Fred? He really loved Alicia. Now they're being forced apart by me."
"It isn't you messing it up."
"Yeah, it is," I said. "He had Alicia, who's beautiful, funny, athletic, has a job, isn't a bossy, controlling, know-it-all, and now he's stuck with me. I'm awkward, handicapped, jobless, bossy, controlling, and a know-it-all that has horrendous taste in clothes and constantly looks as if I walked through a wind tunnel."
"You don't look like that, and your taste is perfectly fine," Ginny said. "You're only temporarily handicapped, too, and you'll get a job soon enough. You don't need one, though, since he has plenty of money."
"I'm useless, prudish, and over-bearing. He could do so much better. He had much better until tonight," I said.
"Hermione, stop," Ginny said seriously, forcing my head to be even with hers. "You are being completely ridiculous. Look at me." I reluctantly raised my eyes to meet hers. "That isn't true and you know it. Fred's lucky to be matched with you. Honestly, I think there's something off about Alicia and I've always like you better than her. I think you'll find that everyone agrees with me as well. Fred will come 'round. He just needs a bit of time to realize he's got something better than what he had before."
I sighed. "Thanks, Ginny," I said, hugging her tightly. I wasn't sure I believed her, but it was nice to have someone on my side.
When I woke up the next morning, Ginny wasn't in the room. I yawned and sat up, noticing a piece of folded parchment on her bed with my name scrawled on it in Ginny's untidy handwriting. I hobbled over to it and picked it up.
Hermione,
Angelina, Luna, Audrey, and I are meeting at the new café next to Madam Malkin's for lunch at 12. We'd love it if you came!
Ginny
I glanced at the clock and saw it was already 11:30 so, without further delaying the inevitable, I took out a pair of jeans and simple lavender blouse and changed, dragging my brush through my snarled curls as I did so. I looked in the mirror, frowning at my appearance. My hair was just as bushy a disaster as it always was and my face looked even more plain than usual. I contemplated using a bit of make-up but decided against it when I saw it was 11:45. I slipped a pair of black ballet flats on, grabbed my purse, and walked outside, apparating to Diagon Alley.
It was only 11:50, so I took my time walking down the cobble stone path. I paused outside of Flourish and Blotts to gaze at a couple new books for a moment then continued on. I found myself paused a moment longer than I had intended outside of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, watching the crowd of children, parents, and harried workers rush about the store as though they were constantly out of time to do their shopping. A smile lifted the corners of my lips as George took a momentary pause near the window to catch his breath and noticed me standing outside. He waved cheerily and I waved back. He motioned for me to come inside and after a second of hesitation, I walked inside.
"Good morning, Hermione," George greeted me. "How are you this fine day?"
"I'm alright, thanks for asking," I replied. "How are you?"
"Exhausted, but otherwise, I'm splendid," George replied. "Freddie didn't get much sleep last night. Paced about the flat like a nervous racehorse all night. Quite annoying, actually."
"Oh," I said quietly. "I'm sorry."
George looked confused. "What're you sorry for?" he asked.
"Fred and Alicia. I'm sort of messing everything up, aren't I? Fred looked really upset," I replied.
"Don't go blaming yourself about that or you'll make a mess of things," George said seriously. "It isn't your fault and Fred knows that. He's just a bit upset, right? You're a better bird than Alicia anyways."
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"Are you meeting the others for lunch?" George asked.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to be there at twelve," I responded.
"Ah, well you go have fun," George said. "Give Angie my love and tell her that if I don't show up for our date, I died here at the shop."
"Will do," I said, laughing. "I'll see you later."
"Bye, Hermione!" George said, waving as I left the shop and hurried down to the café. I walked in just as my clock said it was twelve and saw Ginny, Angelina, and Luna sitting with a girl I didn't know. Ginny began waving frantically at me and I smiled, walking over and taking the last seat at the table between Ginny and Angelina.
"You made it!" Ginny said excitedly. "I'm so glad!"
"Why on earth would I miss food?" I said jokingly.
"People have done stranger things," Luna pointed out. "There are many people who don't believe in Crumple Horned Snorcacks – I think that's a much odder thing than missing lunch."
"Fair point, Luna," I said, smiling at her.
"I haven't seen you in quite some time, Hermione," Luna said. "It's nice to see you now."
"It's lovely to see you, too," I replied. "I've missed you being around." I glanced at the girl I didn't know, who I assumed must be Audrey.
"Oh, Hermione, this is Audrey," Ginny said, noticing where my gaze fell. "You know, Percy's fiancé."
"Hello, Hermione," Audrey said in a friendly voice. "It's great to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
"Really?" I said, surprised.
"Yeah," Audrey said. "You can't believe how much the Weasleys talk about you. For a while after the battle, Percy talked all about you saving Fred. I thought he might leave me at one point to chase his brother's savior." She smiled mischievously and I laughed. It was clear she hadn't really considered this an option, but Percy's gratefulness meant quite a bit to me.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about," I said. "I doubt Percy would ever give you up."
"I know," Audrey said, smiling. "He's a great guy. I'm lucky to have him."
"We're talking about the same Percy, right?" Ginny said, grinning. "I mean, my brother Percy's not exactly the fun-loving guy I thought you would like, Audrey."
"Just because we aren't replicas of each other doesn't mean I can't love him," she said simply.
"That's true," Angelina said. "I mean, you all saw who Lee was dating, right? They got engaged just before the law, just like George and I. Amalia Lindt, Ravenclaw girl who works in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. She's probably the most structured girl I have ever met."
"Oh, I remember her," Luna said, smiling. "She was kind to me in school."
"She was in the year below me," Audrey said, "but, of course, I wasn't in Ravenclaw. I haven't got the brains, you know. Percy's going to have to do all the financing and such because I can't seem to figure those numbers out." Everyone laughed.
"So, Hermione, who are you matched with?" Luna asked suddenly. I bit my lip uncomfortably.
"I'm matched with Fred," I said.
"Oh, really?" Luna said. "Congratulations. I never thought you two would be a match."
"I'm sure they'll be very happy together," Angelina said, leaping to my defense, "just as Alicia will with Oliver."
"Did you notice how… not upset Alicia was by her match?" Ginny asked. "I mean, Fred looked devastated. She looked relieved!"
"She's been acting a bit funny recently," Angelina admitted. "Last time we hung out she talked about Oliver a lot. Sounded like they've been spending a lot of time together."
"Alicia Spinnet?" Audrey asked. "That's who you're talking about, right?"
"Yeah," Ginny said, nodding. Audrey made a face. "What's wrong with her?"
"Oh, my boyfriend in seventh year cheated on me with her even though she was two years younger than us. I don't have a lot of friendly feelings for her, that's all," Audrey said, sounding unlike her normally happy self.
"I'm sorry," Angelina said. "I remember when that happened."
"It's in the past," Audrey said. "I don't care about the guy at all, he was a jerk anyways. I just don't really like her much, that's all. Scored one too many points on me in Quidditch as well." Everyone laughed.
The remainder of the lunch passed by in a bit of a haze and when Ginny finally stood up and announced she had to leave so she could go to a tryout for the Holyhead Harpies, the group began to disband. Luna looked a bit sad as she told us that she had to go finish writing an article for the Quibbler that her father had asked to be finished by the end of the day, and Audrey's lunch break was over. Angelina turned to me and said, "I don't have any plans for today besides stopping in Madam Malkin's to look over some colors for the wedding. Want to come?"
"Oh, sure," I said, smiling at the older girl. We paid for our lunches and left the café, walking into the colorful clothes shop next door.
"We're thinking of getting married in October or November," Angelina said. "It'll be after this big rush in these next two months and I love autumn."
"It's a beautiful time of year," I said, looking at a swath of green fabric that glowed with an unearthly light.
"Yeah," Angelina said, nodding. "And we could use oranges and yellows and reds. They'd match the season and I'm sure they'd look wonderful on everyone."
"That's true," I said, looking at a particularly vibrant shade of yellow. "Please don't go with this, though."
Angelina laughed. "I think the only person who can get away with that color is Luna. She actually looked really pretty at Bill and Fleur's wedding."
"It did look nice," I mused.
"Oh, I like this," Angelina said, staring at a sunset orange fabric.
"That would look amazing on you," I said. "Only problem is that you'll be the one in white."
"That's a slight problem," she said, "but I could make it work. Maybe just a ribbon of this around my waist and George could have a tie this color. Luna and Audrey could wear this, and you could, too… I'm not sure it would work with Ginny's hair, though. Slightly problematic, eh? I could pair it with another color."
"How about this?" I suggested, showing her a dark red fabric. "It fits your theme and this and the orange would look nice. Plus, red looks nice on Ginny."
"Perfect!" Angelina said, grabbing the fabric. "I'm going to tell Madam Malkin that I'm going to need dresses in these colors so she'd best not use it up." She hoisted the two rolls of fabric into her arms and marched to the counter. I laughed at the sight and continued looking through the fabrics. I found a springy green silk fabric and ran my fingers over it.
"This would look brilliant on Ginny, don't you think?" I said as Angelina returned, the fabric gone from her arms. Madam Malkin must have placed it in the back for Angelina.
"It'd look great on you, too, you know," Angelina said. "You should have your bridesmaids wear this. It would be perfect, since you'll have a summer wedding and it's such a happy color."
"Yeah, my wedding," I said quietly.
"It'll be fine, Hermione," Angelina said. "Fred's a good guy."
"I feel like I'm ruining Fred's life by being matched with him," I said tiredly, sitting down on a pile of fabric. Angelina sat beside me.
"You aren't ruining his life," she said seriously. "If anything, you'll be making his life ten times better. Just you wait – he'll be head over heels in love with you within a year. You're an amazing girl."
"What about Alicia?" I asked.
"He'll get over her," Angelina said, waving her hand. "Really, he will. They weren't in a relationship long enough for him to have a lifelong attachment to her."
"He could have had a lifelong attachment if I hadn't butted in," I pointed out.
"You aren't the one butting in. The ministry is," Angelina said. "Now, get your sorry butt off the floor and let's buy ice cream." I laughed as we stood up and left the shop to walk to Florean Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlor. She ordered two enormous ice cream cones and refused to let me pay for mine (or hers) and we walked cheerfully down the Alley, chatting as if we had been friends for ages.
A/N: Chapter 2… Please review and tell me what you think :)
-Naomi
