Hey guys! Do you guys think that Draco Malfoy should play a more active role in this story or not?
"Hermione come out! You've been in there for hours!" shouted Ron, his hands raw from banging on the door.
"Go away!" sniffed Hermione as she at on the edge of the bath, wiping away a few stray tears from her cheeks. I can't believe they could do this to us! I don't want to get married! I'm just 16, I have my whole life ahead of me!
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Meanwhile outside, Ron and Harry were discussing what they should do.
"Maybe I could send a proposal," said Ron excitedly as e quickly got out his quill and paper, but Harry shook his head.
"It's only for…certain Purebloods, i.e. those with strong influence and connections with the Ministry like the Malfoys and the Zabinis," he explained, and Ron looked crestfallen once again. Harry sighed.
"I can't believe that they could do something like this! It's just…" Ron nodded his head in agreement as they both sat in silence, wondering what to do next, until a knock interrupted their thoughts. They opened the door to find Justin, a Hufflepuff, look rather uncomfortable.
"Hi Harry, Ron…erm Professor Dumbledore asked me to send Hermione to his office….he says its rather urgent.." he said, looking around the girls dormitory to see if she was there. Ron was practically shaking with anger at the nerve of Dumbledore, but Harry put a relaxing hand on his shoulder.
"Dumbledore must have a way out of it," he reassured him, and then headed to the bathroom. He stood outside the door and cast 'Alohamora' on the lock, leaving Ron to wonder why the hell they didn't do that before. Harry looked down to see a dishevelled and extremely upset Hermione kneeling on the floor, leaning against the bath. She turned her red eyes full of tears to look into his, and he immediately knelt down next to her and put his arms around her, her head resting against his chest.
"Shhhhh…" he whispered gently into her ear and she sobbed, " Dumbledore has called you into his office….maybe he's figured a way out of this."
She immediately stopped crying and turned her eyes back to his, now full of hope. She wiped her tears away and composed herself, and Harry was touched by this subtle show of bravery. She straightened her clothes and managed a small smile and a gentle "I hope so", before heading out of the common room towards Albus's office. He must have found a way out of it…of course he has I mean…he's Dumbledore isn't he? She kept reassuring herself although deep down she knew not much could be done, as she had read a few books on it in the past. She finally reached his office, ran her fingers through her dishevelled hair and entered through the already open doorway.
She raised her head higher, not wanting to show any signs of weakness, and straight away saw Dumbledore seating in his usual chair, Fawkes resting on his shoulder.
"Miss Granger, come in," he said as he pointed to the seat in front of him.
She sat down quietly and looked into his eyes, and was perceptive enough to notice the defeat in them.
"Nothing could be done could it Professor?" she asked, and he nodded reluctantly. She took a deep breath, and even Dumbledore was amazed at the way she held herself, as she nodded and sank back into the chair, accepting the fate that was now left to her.
"So, have any proposals come yet?" she asked, and Dumbledore smiled slightly.
"As a matter of fact many, but the Ministry narrowed it down to three," he said as he took out an envelope, still unopened, and handed it to her. She picked it up with shaking hands, and slowly opened it, her eyes wide as she read it, her face a picture of outrage.
"B-but…..Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Lucius Malfoy? What were they thinking? They're all well known death eaters!" she cried as she put the paper down in disgust. Dumbledore sighed.
"Yes my dear, but the Malfoys and the Zabinis have high influence on the Ministry, therefore the Death Eaters must also have corrupted it," he explained, but seeing no surprise on her face he allowed himself a smile. She seriously was the most intelligent witch of her age.
"But what should I do? I can't accept any of these!"
Dumbledore sat up in his chair as he regarded her.
"Well, you do have one more option," he said, and Hermione sat up in her chair.
"What is it?"
"We could get you married to someone in the Order, who would be trustworthy, but at the same time be accepted by the Ministry. You would be able to remain at Hogwarts, and would be under no pressure to do anything you don't wish to do" Hermione was filled with sudden hope.
"Who?"
"Me, Miss Granger," said a silky voice, and a man stepped out of the shadows. A man she knew very well – her Potions Professer.
