1The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.
AN: Again, my thanks to those who have reviewed, and to those who put this story on alert or their favorites.
Now, it's showtime!
Chapter Four:
The last weekend of September was the first outing to Hogsmeade. Hermione had met with everyone who decided to go to Gretna Green and devised a schedule to stagger the disappearances of fourteen couples, two single girls and one boy from the village so that their chaperones would not catch on. The single students had arranged to meet partners who had already graduated, and in one case, an older Muggle boy who was a close friend of the girl's family and knew she was a witch. The remaining affected witches at Hogwarts decided not to go through with a civil ceremony, so they had arranged to transfer to Beauxbatons, as Minister Clinquot was correct; it was a very short time before the French ministry passed the amnesty measure. Jane Granger notified her daughter that each girl's parents had arranged the travel plans, so there was nothing for the young witch to do aside from worry over her own situation.
Over the course of October, classes went on in their usual fashion. The professors were happy to notice that there were no more bouts of weeping or witches meeting in furtive groups, heatedly whispering amongst themselves. Headmistress McGonagall felt the satisfaction of having a well-ordered school again; however she could not shake the feeling that something was still building in the shadows. Petitions came into Hogwarts for the eligible girls; all went unopened and unanswered.
Most of the "married couples" went about with their separate daily lives, but Hermione noticed that a few of were increasingly seen in the company of their "spouse". 'At least something good might come out of this mess...' she mused, 'although a break-up might get messy.'
Her mother was still not forthcoming with what this grand "surprise" was to be, and Hermione thought she would be bald by the time Halloween came around; she was pulling on her hair so much. Either that or she wouldn't have any fingernails left from biting them. The wait and not knowing were driving her spare!
The other thing that was worrying the witch, was the behavior of a certain Slytherin. Although Malfoy had been fairly civil to Harry and Hermione since the end of war, during this school year and especially the last few weeks, he had actually been polite and somewhat amiable.
She had partnered with him a few times in their Potions class for some of the more difficult assignments, and each time, Malfoy had retrieved all the ingredients by himself and helped Hermione with some of the preparatory work, all without complaint, commentary, or prompting. It was the first time in a Potions lesson that she had a partner that did genuine work; Hermione was accustomed to doing everything by herself. And their potions turned out exceptional. Instead of Malfoy taking the credit for the outcome, as she expected, he would utter a quiet "good work", and then assist with the clean up.
Hermione was confused by Malfoy's behavior. When she mentioned it to Harry, he thought it was because Malfoy may have learned his lesson from the war, and also that his family thought it would be beneficial to be on "good behavior", as their vaults and reputation took a hit.
The Head Girl agreed that those reasons sounded plausible, but she would still be wary when it came to a Malfoy. She had received nothing but taunts and insults from them over the years, and she would never forget being Crucioed by Bellatrix in their home.
Halloween had dawned, and Hermione was so anxious and upset she could barely eat the entire day. Her friends tried to ply her with sweets, but if she even thought about trying them, she got nauseous. They managed to drag her out of her room and down to the Great Hall for dinner. When she arrived, she walked over to two of the girls from Hufflepuff she knew were leaving for France
"Jennifer? Beatrice? I never got a chance to ask you two because I was told it was being taken care of..but how are you getting out of here?" she whispered.
The girls looked around to see if anyone was listening before Jennifer whispered back, "The parents sent every girl who is leaving a portkey. We've all already packed up, and the portkeys are set for just after curfew."
"I was going to stay, but I couldn't just get married like that, even if it weren't real. I don't think my parents would have really liked it either," Beatrice said quietly.
"I don't blame you," Hermione replied.
"What are you going to do?" they asked the Head Girl.
"I honestly don't know yet…my mum said everything was taken care of, but it was a surprise for now…its driving me crazy not knowing," she said with a weak smile.
"Well, maybe that's something to do about it," Jennifer said, pointing to an owl that just arrived at Hermione's table. Hermione waved at the girls and went to her seat next to Ginny. She took the Muggle envelope from the owl and gave it a piece of chicken from Ron's plate.
"Thank Merlin, it's from my mum," she said, ripping open the letter.
"What's it say?" Harry asked.
"She's coming here tomorrow!" Hermione said in an excited whisper. "And she's bringing a 'special guest'?" she said, looking at her friends in confusion. "It must be Mr. or Mrs. Weasley, or someone from the Order…otherwise, I don't see how she would get here or into the school."
"Maybe, but I haven't heard anything from mum or dad about it," Ginny said.
Hermione blinked rapidly to stave off the tears of anxiety and frustration that were building.
"Hey…it will be alright, you'll see. You know your mum…she isn't doing this to upset you, and if she says everything will be fine, it will be," Ginny said, throwing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.
"I know…I know. Its just everything is getting to me. I can't sleep, I can't eat…and its all just wearing me out more. I can't even imagine what is going on for her not to tell me," Hermione said through her teeth.
"Why don't you go and see if you can get a calming draught or something?" Harry asked. "You need some rest, and you're not going to get any on your own. Knowing you, you'll be up all night pacing."
Hermione chuckled and nodded her head. When dinner was over, her friends walked her down to the hospital wing so that she could get a potion from Madame Pomfrey. The mediwitch was completely understanding, and gave her a sleeping potion with the calming draught. "No right doing what they are doing. Blasted Ministry…and all those girls who have to get married, if they are allowed to stay in school, what am I to do? I do not have maternity facilities here!" the Gryffindors heard the mediwitch mutter.
"Merlin, I didn't even think of that!" Ginny said on the walk to Hermione's room.
"What?" Ron asked.
"If anyone from Hogwarts had to marry due to the law, what would happen if their husbands wouldn't let them finish school?"
"I know, it's horrible in so many ways," Hermione muttered. "Well, if this 'surprise' works and I'm in the clear after tomorrow, you can bet I'm going to spend every second I have on getting this law thrown out," she finished with a growl.
Hermione got settled into her room and took the sleeping potion. Ginny stayed with her friend for the night.
The next morning, Ginny woke a muzzy-headed Head Girl. "Hmmm? Gin? What time is it?"
"It's almost time for breakfast, and your mum is here!"
"Really?" she asked, throwing back her blankets and running out of her bedroom. She flew down the stairs and saw her mother sitting on a couch in the Head Girl's common room.
"Mum!" she yelled as she threw her arms around Jane Granger's neck. The older woman could have been Hermione's twin but for hair a slightly darker shade and the lines at the corners of her eyes.
Jane pulled back and framed her daughter's face with her hands. "You look like you haven't been sleeping much," she said with a frown.
"What do you expect…you haven't told me what's going on. You know that drives me barmy!"
Mrs. Granger grimaced. "Sorry, Ducky, I didn't think about that…"
"So, are you going to tell me what this surprise is, or are you just going to wait for me to have a complete meltdown first?"
"Get dressed. We're going to the Great Hall, and you'll see what the surprise is," Mrs. Granger said with a sly smile.
"If you were a witch you would definitely have been a Slytherin…that house could take lessons from you in being shady and smarmy," Hermione said, shaking her head as she walked back to her room to get dressed.
"Lovely way to talk to your mother, young lady," Mrs. Granger said, chuckling. Hermione stuck out her tongue and stalked into her room. As it was a Sunday, she grabbed a pair of black slacks and a cream-colored jumper. She took a quick shower, dressed, tossed her hair in a ponytail and slipped on chunky-heeled mary janes.
Her mother gave her a look-over and frowned at the shoes. "I really must get you a decent pair of high heels."
"Mum, that would be an oxymoron, and you would have to pay me to make me wear a pair of those death-traps. Besides, they're impossible to walk in, and I've already been through enough torture in my lifetime."
Jane Granger just shook her head and walked toward the door. Hermione took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and led her mother to the Great Hall. "So, you didn't tell me how you got here."
"The special guest that I spoke of brought me. Your father was going to come, as well, but he was called in for an emergency."
The opened the doors and found a spot at the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron said their hellos, and Jane Granger was stared at by nearly half the student population, as most had never been this close to a Muggle before, especially not at Hogwarts! Mrs. Granger nibbled on a scone and sipped tea between answering questions and trying not to stare at the enchanted ceiling.
Hermione was busy scanning the students and the head table. She saw that there were three people that she had never seen before sitting near the Headmistress.
At that moment, Headmistress McGonagall stood and walked to the podium.
"Attention. Attention, students," McGonagall said, after casting a Sonorus on herself. When everyone quieted and turned to their attention to the platform, she continued, "Today we have with us two members of the Ministry of Magic, Mister Robards and Miss Trebbel, from the Department of Wizarding Services. We also have with us, a guest from the Beauxbatons Academy, Monsieur DePlume," she said, gesturing toward each person as she introduced them. Hermione saw her mother smirk out of the corner of her eye.
"I will turn the podium over to Robards and Trebbel," McGonagall said, stepping back and waiting for the Ministry agents.
Robards was a swarthy man of average height and over-average weight, with obviously thinning brown hair and russet robes. Trebbel was older than Minerva, and looked like she had sucked on a lemon. Her iron-gray hair was pulled back severely, which drew attention to her jutting cheekbones and weak chin.
The two stepped up to the podium, and after casting their own Sonorus charms, Robards addressed the students. "As your Headmistress stated, we are from the Department of Wizarding Services, specifically the office that has been put in charge of overseeing all petitions of marriage issued under the revised Matrimonial Act. As of this morning, all witches subject to the act were to accept a petition that had been forwarded to them. Not one witch from this school has done so!"
Trebbel then spoke up, "As you have not complied with the statute, we are here to provide you with the petitions the Ministry has selected on your behalf. Adelaide Adams, step forward!"
Adelaide, or 'Addy' as she was known, rose from the Ravenclaw table and walked up to the platform. She was visibly nervous, but kept her shoulders straight and her head high.
"Miss Adams, your betrothed is a Reginald Plotbow of Islip," Robards said, handing Addy a scroll.
"I decline," the young witch said clearly.
"You...you decline? Do you realize the consequences if you do so? You will be sent to the Wizarding prison of Azkaban until you accept this petition!" Robards barked.
"No I will not. I decline due to my ineligibility. I am already married," Addy said with a smug grin, taking out a piece of paper and handing it to the gaping Ministry agents.
"What in Merlin's name is this?" Trebbel sputtered.
"A certificate of marriage, dated the twenty-sixth of September."
Robards' and Trebbels' eyes scanned the document furiously. "This is for a Muggle marriage!"
"It is completely valid, or are you going to claim all Muggleborns and some Halfbloods are illegitimate?" the Ravenclaw asked.
Robards flushed madly. "No," he growled out through clenched teeth, "the Ministry will recognize this marriage as valid."
Then, fifteen other girls got up and presented marriage certificates. "Ours too, then," a Hufflepuff said, handing over her document. "They're all dated the twenty-sixth of September...just to save you some time," she said brightly.
The Ministry agents looked fit to burst. McGonagall's eyes fixed on Hermione and nearly burned a whole through the young witch.
"Miss Granger!" the Headmistress yelled.
Hermione turned to her mother. "Showtime," she said quietly as she got up and walked up to the platform, looking her seething Headmistress in the eye.
"This is your doing. You planned all of this."
"I did, with help," Hermione said clearly, her chin jutting up.
"What about you, then? Where is your marriage certificate?" McGonagall barked.
"I don't have one. I'm not married."
Robards' and Trebbels's eyes swung to the Head Girl. Oh, they had chosen the right petition for this upstart witch! How dare she flout the Ministry's rules!
Looking around, McGonagall noticed the absence of a few Muggleborn witches? "Where are the others? I believe there were six more girls affected by the law?"
"Ah, permit me to assist you with 'zis," came a smooth voice from the head table. Monsieur DePlume rose gracefully and walked to stand between the Headmistress and the Ministry agents. "'Ze young ladies are newly-enrolled students of Beauxbatons," he said with a large grin. The man was fairly tall, over six feet, with blond hair arranged in immaculately-styled waves, green eyes, and rich blue robes that draped his athletic frame. His eyes fixed on Jane Granger for a moment, and Hermione thought she saw him wink at her mum!
"Beauxbatons?" McGonagall blurted out. "What in Merlin's name are they doing there? And under what authority?"
"Under the authority of 'zair parents and the French Ministry, Madame. Allow me to reveal myself, oui? 'Monsieur DePlume' is a 'nom de plume'," he said with a smirk. "Funny, non? I am Henri Clinquot," he said with a flourish and a bow.
The Headmistress gasped, as did the Ministry agents and nearly all the students. Hermione looked between the French Minister and her mother in shock and confusion.
"I am 'ere to announce that my country 'as extended full amnesty to any witch subject to your marriage law. Any affected witch that is of school age shall be eligible to immediately attend Beauxbatons to finish 'er schooling."
McGonagall's face grew stern and she turned her gaze to Hermione. "Will you be fleeing to France?"
Jane Granger had had enough. She got up and walked to stand next to Hermione, laying her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You should know my daughter well enough to know that she wouldn't flee from anything!"
"Ah, Madame Granger," Clinquot said with a bow. "Non, Mademoiselle Granger shall not be going to Beauxbatons. Too bad, for my country, that is. 'Aving the 'brightest witch of 'ze age' as a student would be a prize, non? Maintenant," he said, turning to Robards, "your law is for 'ze 'English born'?"
"Yes..." Robards confirmed.
"And 'zis is meaning..."
"Any person born on English soil or to parents born on English soil, if born abroad," Trebbel said curtly.
"Both parents?"
"Correct."
"Merveilleuse! So, you see...Mademoiselle Granger 'as no need to get married or come to my beautiful country, as she is not subject to 'ze law to begin with!"
Hermione turned wide eyes to her mother. "Mum?" she asked in a whisper.
Mrs. Granger reached into her bag and took out a few papers. "Hermione was born in a hospital outside Marseille," she said, opening up what turned out to be a birth certificate and handing it over to Robards. "The same hospital that I was born in," Jane said, opening the other paper with a smirk.
"No citizen of my country is subject to your law, and under your definition, Mam'selle Granger is French-born, not English. As you see, your marriage law cannot touch 'er."
The Ministry agents fumed and strode off the platform and out of the Great Hall. McGonagall went to her seat at the head table and sat down stiffly. The rest of the teachers looked relieved and happy for the witches. Hagrid had taken out his giant, polka-dotted handkerchief and was blowing his nose, loudly.
"Now, Mam'selle Granger, let me say that you 'ave done your birth country great 'onor with 'ze bravery you shown in 'ze war. On be'alf of all of France, I present to you my country's greatest 'onor, 'ze Médaille de Charlemagne," Minister Clinquot said gravely as he took a case out from his robes. He opened it and presented a gleaming gold medal that was a sunburst with crossed wands in the middle.
Hermione covered her gasp with her hand and looked up at the Minister with shocked, wide eyes. Clinquot smiled gently, and took the medal out of the case and drew it over the still-stunned witch's head. Jane Granger, with tears in her eyes, pulled Hermione's hair out of the way, and smoothed the ribbon so the medal hung correctly.
A loud roar came from the Gryffindor table, as Harry, Ron, and Ginny stood to cheer and clap. Mere seconds later, the rest of her housemates joined it. Table by table, the whole student body was on their feet, applauding their Head Girl, even a few from Slytherin.
Hermione looked around, still in shock, and almost missed Malfoy standing and clapping. She then saw her old enemy glare at his housemates. One by one, more Slytherins stood and began clapping, albeit reluctantly. Hermione blinked and shook her head, turning back to glance at the head table. All of the professors were on their feet, even McGonagall, who was still thin-lipped and put-out.
'I wonder what I ever did to her?' Hermione thought, hurt at her favorite mentor's attitude throughout this debacle.
"Well, my dear..." Clinquot said, drawing Hermione's attention once more, "many felicitations to you. I would stay to get to know Madame Granger's beautiful daughter more, but alas, I must away to the Ministry in London. I am afraid I 'ave zomething to tell them," he said with a wink and a smirk.
"I..I don't know what to say," Hermione stuttered, looking down at her medal then meeting the Minister's eyes once more, "except that I am humbled, grateful, and honored."
Clinquot just bowed to the witch, and took a step back.
Hermione turned and flung her arms around her mother.
"Good surprise, Ducky?" Jane chuckled.
"Very good...but don't do anything like that to me again!" Hermione said, laughing through tears.
"I told you everything would be fine, you never listen to me! Well, Ducky...I have to run, unfortunately. My 'ride' is leaving the station," she said, nodding to Clinquot.
"Alright...you and dad keep in touch...I've loved getting all your letters these past couple of months, even though they mostly had to deal with all of this nonsense... and I'll see you for the holidays."
"That's a promise, love. Take care, Ducky," Jane said, hugging her daughter once more. She was escorted out by Minister Clinquot, and the great doors closed behind them.
Harry and the Weasleys came over and grabbed Hermione so they could each give her a hug. The noise in the Great Hall was a roar, as everyone was talking about what happened.
"That was amazing, 'Mione! Did you have any idea?"
"None!" Hermione cried. "My mum was mum this whole time! I knew that I was born in France...my parents went to visit mum's grandmother who lives there and I was a bit early, so she had me there, but I had no idea that mum was born there too!"
"Bit of luck, that was!" Ron piped in.
As they went to sit down, Hermione heard Ginny mutter, "Uh oh."
Turning, Hermione saw Malfoy walk over.
"Congratulations on the award, Granger," Draco said as he walked over to the Gryffindors with a smile.
"What do you want, Ferret?" Ron snapped.
Draco glanced up at the head table. "Not here," he said, jerking his chin toward the doors. Curious, Hermione got up and slowly followed the Slytherin. Looking over her shoulder, she saw she was joined by Harry and Ron, who glared at Malfoy's back.
They walked down the hallways of the school, and Hermione noticed that they were heading for the library. Once there, Malfoy led them back to a rarely-used corner. He took out his wand, causing Harry and Ron to take out theirs, and he began casting privacy charms. When he was done, he stowed his wand in his pocket and turned to face Hermione.
"You are planning on going up against the Ministry itself now, to defeat this law, are you not? Well, you are going to need all the help you can get. You need a Malfoy," he said smugly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What? Why on earth would you help me? Oh wait, I get it, you don't want yourself or any of your friends to marry a 'Mudblood'!" Hermione hissed.
"You forget, Granger, that Purebloods are not being forced in any way to marry Muggleborns. I, or my friends, could marry a Pureblood if we wished, without any problem. "
Hermione blinked and closed her mouth with a snap. Malfoy was absolutely correct. 'And he said Muggleborn instead of Mudblood...!' "So…why are you offering to help? What could possibly be in it for you?" she asked, completely confused.
Draco's lips thinned as he took a deep breath. He waved his hand over to a table and pulled out a chair for the stunned witch. After she hesitantly took her seat, he glared at Harry and Ron who hurried over to sit down as well. "My mother discussed the law with me. I never agreed with it…personally, I think forcing anyone to marry, whether it by contract or by law, is a load of Thestral dung! I have been dreading the possibility of my parents foisting a betrothal contract on me for the past few years," he admitted, shuddering as he thought of being stuck with Pansy or Bulstrode...or any witch aside from the one sitting across from him for that matter. "My mother told me of her own arranged marriage to my father. Although they are content enough now, it took them years merely to become friends. Years, Granger," he said, giving her a level look. "That is something that I would never want, and I would guess the same goes for everyone else." Hermione and Harry nodded in agreement.
"Now," he began, leaning back, casually sprawling in the chair with an indolent grace only a Slytherin could pull off, "I would normally not give a flobberworm for most other people or what goes on in their lives," he broke off to glare at Ron who had scoffed loudly, "but the things you and other witches have said about this law have reached my ears…how you see this as an attack on both women and Muggleborns…how your families see the law. There are more Muggleborns each year, and if this law remains, I anticipate those Muggleborns and their families will only get angrier and angrier, and no good will come of it. The only things I can see this law doing are creating misery and even more division on blood lines, and Merlin forbid, more fighting. I do not know about you, but by Morgana I am sick and tired of fighting...of war. I could not do anything about the one we just went through, but I would like to do something about the one that may come in the future because of this stupid law," Draco said, his eyes flashing with fervent determination. "To that end, I would be willing to use the power and wealth that is still behind the Malfoy name to help you."
Hermione sat silently and stared at the fair-haired wizard across from her. She was loathe to admit that she was actually a bit impressed with Draco Malfoy's passionate speech. 'Yes, just the speech...not with the ferret himself...'
"I still don't see what's in it for you, Malfoy," Harry growled. "You have never been altruistic, by any means. Then again, if you do help this get overturned, your name would probably be in the papers again…"
"Feeling threatened of your title's standing in the world, Potter? You do have to admit that 'Savior of Witches' has a lot nicer ring to it than 'Boy Who Lived'!" Draco said with a smirk. Hermione snorted inelegantly, causing the boys to look at her, and clapped a hand over her mouth.
"What?" she asked as they continued to look at her. "It was funny…kind of…"
"So, Granger...tell me something. How did you pull all of that off?"
"Well, it wasn't just me that planned everything. My parents figured out the bit about Muggle marriages making the girls ineligible and a lot easier to get out of, and helped arrange things with the other girls' parents. My mum's the one who went to France and arranged that whole bit with Minister Clinquot...and then kept me in suspense this whole time," Hermone said, rolling her eyes.
"Sounds like she would have made a great Slytherin," Malfoy said with a lopsided grin.
"Oh, you have no idea."