Hi i want to thank wishing. for. hiim as this was my first ever review! thanks so much, and i did try to add him into the story more, more towards the end of the story. so this chapter is just dealing with a lot of the intro, getting into the story plot more. please review even if you don't like it, i love feedback!
and of course, everything belongs to the amazing J.K. Rowling unless you don't recognize it and then it's mine.
thanks for reading this!
Hermione stumbled into her parents living room, feeling content that this is the one place that she might be able think for a little bit. But as she slowly sank into the beige couch, she couldn't know what was happening back at the Ministry.
"THERE IS NO BLOODY WAY THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!" Harry and Ginny could hear, as the sat in dreaded silence. Ron had just gone into that room, and it didn't look good so far. And seconds later, as Ron whipped out of it, they knew it couldn't be good.
Ginny's half worried, half amused question began, "Ron, what happen-"
She stopped herself though, because Ron was glaring at non other than Draco Malfory.
"Ron what happened?" Harry continued.
"What happened? WHAT HAPPENED! That ferret is, is, he's," Ron didn't finish, though, because Ron and Ginny were both called into the room together, and Ron's dad forced him to floo back home before anything drastic could happen.
"Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley, it is a pleasure to have you here." Spoke one of the officials, as the couple was guided to a few empty chairs. She spoke as if we have a choice being here Ginny thought.
Once again, Shacklebolt started his well prepared speech. "Are either one of you familiar with the Marriage Law? Its an old law, which gives the Ministry power to pair any two people to be married. With all the current fights breaking out, we know this is the way to settle everything. Normally, we would be joining two people from different sides of the war, however-"
"You can't force people to marry! And you're not forcing me!" Ginny screamed.
"Well now if you'll let me finish. We are aware of the fact that the two of you became engaged as of last night? Very well, we were hoping to pair you with other people, but we will condone this marriage. However," the Minister looked around the table before continuing, "we are requesting that your marriage happen quickly, by the end of this summer preferably." Ginny and Harry, eager to leave, just nodded their heads agreeably. "Very well then, it was a pleasure to see you both again."
With the meeting over, Ginny couldn't help but wonder why they were actually brought down here. That meeting went far easier than she had expected, given Ron and Hermione's reactions.
"Harry! What do you think they did to Hermione, I mean they wouldn't have been so mad if they were paired together, so they had to have been separated." Ginny whispered into Harry's ear.
"I don't know, but lets go find them." He answered, before stepping back into the fireplace and flooing to the Burrow.
The remaining people in the waiting room, Blaise and Draco particularly, laughed at all their reactions. They, of course, all knew what was going on. This meeting was just a formality, really. And soon enough Draco was called in for his meeting.
"Mr. Malfoy, please come have a seat."
As he sat down, he glanced at his father, whose expression clearly said "don't mess this up."
"I'm sure you aware of what's been going on, right?" The Minister asked, shooting the elder Malfoy a glare. "So you will already be aware of the fact that you will be marrying Hermione Granger, then?"
"Yes. I'm hear to discuss what I'll be getting out of this, I know that mud-muggle born is getting a job." Draco sneered. He knew that even the marriage alone greatly help him, well his family's reputation at least. But he wasn't about to mention that.
"Of course. Now we would like you to complete this marriage happily, or at least in the public's eye. And to show our gratitude, we will offer you a position in the Department of Mysteries after you retake your seventh year at Hogwarts. Will that suffice?" Kingsley scowled, he never and will never like any Malfoy.
"I suppose that will do." Draco answered, after quickly glancing over for his father's approval. Draco wasn't even expecting that much, but he wasn't about to complain.
"Okay then, in a few days time you will be receiving a letter that outlines everything for you. We also request that you contact Ms. Granger shortly after you get you letter to discuss everything."
"Of course." Draco numbly replied as he made his way out of the room.
After waiting for Blaise to have his meeting, they both went to the Malfoy Manor.
"I can't believe I have to marry that mudblood! Who thought of such a thing?" Blaise ranted.
"Hannah Abbott is better than who I got and you know it. Of all the people, how did I get paired with her?"
"I suppose your right. But I don't even plan on ever talking to either one of them unless we have to. I'll send her to some random house far away from here. I don't want to even look at one of them." Blaise grimaced.
"Just know though that they have to feel worse. At least we can celebrate ruining their lives!" Draco half joked, though he did mean what he said.
Back at the Burrow, all the Weasleys, and Harry, sat stone faced in the living room (well as many as would fit on the couches, the rest leaned up against the walls.) They must have been there for at least an hour before Hermione reappeared before the fireplace.
"Hermione dear, pleas have a seat. We all need to talk about this." Mrs. Weasley gently asked. She made her way over to the couch, without looking at Ron the entire time.
"This is ridiculous. They can't do this!" Ron demanded.
"I'm sorry to say, but they actually can do this. What happened at your meeting?" Mrs. Weasley asked, her curiosity coming out.
"They, they offered me a position on the Chudley Cannons after this school year. They're trying to bribe me into marrying Pansy Parkinson. I won't do it!" He once again whined.
Everyone sat in shocked silence, before Mr. Weasley spoke up. "Now I don't agree with this at all, but the Ministry is just trying to do what's best. As much as I hate to say it, we can't fight this. And Hermione, I know how hard this will be, but you do have to marry Draco Malfoy as well."
"What! She will NOT marry him! I won't allow it!" Ron shouted, jumping up from his seat.
"Ron calm down. You have no say in this matter" Mr. Weasley scolded.
"But this isn't fair! I've risked so much for this stupid country, and this is how I get repaid?" Hermione whimpered, trying her best fight the tears that were threatening to fall. Nobody bothered answering her, nobody knew what to say.
The next few days went by fast, with everyone dreading the arrival of the Ministry owls. Hermione and Ron didn't want to face this yet, they wanted life to go back to how it was before, where they all were finally able to live normally for once. But, when they woke up that morning, two of those awful owls sat in the window, and Hermione and Ron bravely took their letters.
Dear Mr. Ronald Weasley,
As you have previously been informed, you will be marrying Ms. Pansy Parkinson under the Marriage Law. We ask the following all to be followed, otherwise disciplinary action will occur.
By August 30 of this year, which is in little over two months time, we request that you will have been married. While you are at Hogwarts, you will both be in your normal dorms. However, at meal times, we ask you to sit with each other
Within the next weeks time, you must contact Ms. Parkinson and arrange a meeting to discuss your future marriage. At the end of this week, the Ministry requires a signed contract by the both of you.
Our last request is that you do not mention the Marriage Law to anyone outside of immediate friends and family.
Yours sincerely, Percy Weasley (on behalf of the Minister of Magic)
Dear Mr. Hermione Granger,
As you have previously been informed, you will be marrying Mr. Draco Malfoy under the Marriage Law. We ask the following all to be followed, otherwise disciplinary action will occur.
By August 30 of this year, which is in little over two months time, we request that you will have been married. While you are at Hogwarts, you will both be in your normal dorms. However, at meal times, we ask you to sit with each other. You will be contacted during this week by Mr. Malfoy to arrange a meeting in which you will discuss your future marriage. By the end of the week, we ask you that a signed contract be turned into the Ministry.
Our last request is that you do not mention the Marriage Law to anyone outside of immediate friends and family.
Yours sincerely, Percy Weasley (on behave of the Minister of Magic)
Hermione's POV
I can't believe this! They can't honestly do this? Draco Malfoy- he, there was no way I could marry him!
"What did they say?" Mrs. Weasley asked, peering over my shoulder as she did so.
"They expect me to marry him by the end of summer!" I complained, probably sounding a lot like a two year old. But this was just to ridiculous, and there was no way I was going to do this.
"Oh Hermione, that's- what is that?" Mrs. Weasley asked, more to herself than me. But I looked to where she was pointing, and a large, crème owl was flying towards us. You could tell it was a rare owl, no doubt expensive. I have a feeling I know just whose owl that is, who else would flash their money like that?
The owl finally reached the window, and I walked over to grab the letter. Sure enough, it was for me- and that blasted owl didn't leave. "It's from Malfoy." I told her.
Dear Ms. Granger,
Meet me at my house today at 11:00.
-Draco
Did he honestly think I would agree to that? That git is so rude! Does he just expect me to cancel any plans and just blindingly agree to him?
"What's he want?" Ginny asked. When did she get here? She's not normally up before noon.
"He wants me to meet him today. Which I'm not going to." I stated, because there was NO way I would answer to that.
"Let me see it." She grabbed the note, and quickly read the one line. "What an arse. Don't go, well I suppose you have to."
"What! No! If he's going to be a complete jerk than so will I."
Mrs. Weasley looked at me warily. "But Hermione, you have to. The Ministry said that-"
"I know what the ministry said." I mean I know I will have to go, but he could have been a little kinder!
Main POV
As Hermione, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley huddled around the letter, the impatient owl that was still in the window began to peck at Hermione. "Oh all right!" She said in defeat, before scribbling a short reply to Malfoy and giving it to the owl. It took only minutes before the expensive owl returned to the Malfoy Manor.
Draco Malfoy stood in one of the common rooms at the manor. His face stayed blank as he watched his favorite owl near the window.
"Draco," His father's cold voice demanded his attention. "You must get her signature, then send her to your mother's common room. They will discuss the wedding. Your mother is also planning an engagement party, so please inform Ms. Granger that next Friday her attendance is needed here for the party." He didn't wait for his only son's reply, but just turned and glided out of the room.
As the owl came up to the window, Draco snatched the letter from his beak. Tearing the seal, he quickly read the short letter.
Malfoy,
I will be there.
-Hermione
Without so much as a murmur, he swept out of the room and into his private study.
A few hours later, a scrawny little house elf nervously entered threw the mahogany doors. "What do you want?" Draco made no attempts to even sound pleasant.
"Tobby is sorry Master Malfoy, but Miss Granger is here Master."
"Fine." His voice, laced with hatred, rang out from his study As he made every effort not to rush himself, he slowly made his way to the room he knew she would be waiting for him in.
Draco's POV
When I walked into the sitting room, she was standing in the middle. She looks so awkward, does she not have any manners at all? Well she is a mudblood.
"Granger." I greeted. I didn't really have to be polite to her anyways.
"Malfoy." She sneered, and I have to give her credit, the venom in her voice could almost rival a Malfoy.
"Take a seat." I demanded as I took a seat on the couch opposite her. There was no way I would get any closer to that vermin than necessary. I pulled out the thick contract and threw it on the table in front of her. "Just sign that."
"Excuse me? What do you take me for, I think I'll read it first." She cracked.
"That'll take you days. All it says is that you agree to marry me this summer, though you don't really have any choice with that, that you'll agree to come to whatever events I tell you to, that you won't try and ruin the Malfoy name, and that you'll give me an heir." Why would she care what it says anyway? She'll get whatever she needs, I have more money that she could even dream, and she'll be staying in the most extravagant mansion she'll ever see. She should be more than happy to do whatever I tell her to.
"First off, you won't TELL me to do anything, I'll do whatever I want. I don't have to try and ruin the Malfoy name, you did it yourself. And I WILL NOT give you an heir! That is ludicrous and insane! I won't sign that." She snorted. Who did she think she was? She can't just disrespect me like that!
"You would watch your tongue if you knew what was good for yourself." My father's voice cut threw the air. When did he get here? He stood there staring at Granger with disgust, and I couldn't blame him. She looked too petrified to even answer him. "You will sign those papers right now."
"I -uh. I'm not your little puppet to command as you please!" She defiantly told him. She had nerve.
"This is the last time I will tell you to sign those papers." His regal form stood staring back at her, daring her to defy him. I guess she finally realized who she was talking to, because she summoned a quill and signed the papers. "Wise choice. Tobby will show you to the fitting room with Mrs. Malfoy to begin your wedding plans."
The stupid witch looked like she was about to protest, but thought better of it and followed the house elf out of the room. "Send those to the Ministry."
I grabbed the thick packet of papers and began making my way back to my study. I happened to pass Hermione and my mother, who faced each other with hateful stares. I know my mothers feelings towards mudbloods, and I know Granger's ridiculous temper. I wonder if either one of them would make it out alive?
