Chapter 6 – Coming to Terms

The letters had arrived and the matches had all been revealed. The occupants of the burrow were surprisingly happy, although Hermione was still a little shocked at being paired with Fred, but happy and relieved at the same time. It definitely would take a while for the news to sink in. Fred had not pushed the subject with Hermione and had given her some space for the rest of the afternoon while he and George worked on some products.

Ginny was over the moon at being paired with Harry and had a massive grin plastered on her face all day. Harry was over the moon too at being paired with Ginny but the thought of getting married so young scared him slightly. Seeing Ginny so happy did help ease the fear a little bit. George seemed to be fine with his match despite the fact he didn't really know the girl. Either that or George was putting on a brave face, especially as everyone else seemed happy. Ideally he would have liked to be paired with Katie Bell but he wasn't. He wasn't going to sit back and act like he didn't want to make an effort with the girl, so he sent her an owl.

"Hi Laura, its George Weasley here.
You might not remember me from Hogwarts, ginger hair, twin to Fred Weasley, brother to Ron and Ginny, Gryffindor beater, prankster, co-owner of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes... but anyway enough about me and my talents. I guess we got paired in this marriage law that the Ministry have just brought out. Weird eh? I'm hoping you've got your letter by now or you'll be wondering what the hell I'm talking about, if not then this is weird. I know we don't really know each other but I thought we could maybe meet and go for a drink sometime. Send a reply back to me with Hedwig. George Weasley."

He re-read over his messy handwriting several times then once happy with it, he attached the letter to Hedwig and sent her off. Then he went to join Fred in doing some shop planning.

"How's Hermione holding up?" George asked his twin.
"I have no idea. It's worrying me slightly." Fred answered. "I seriously thought she'd be ok about it."
"She could do far worse than you, you know." George spoke.
"I know that and you know that but you can tell she doesn't want to marry me." Fred said, sadly.
"What makes you think that?" George wondered.
"I have no idea." Fred replied. "Maybe she's just in shock."
"I think you two will make a lovely couple and you'll look after her and treat her right." George said. "And I'm not just saying that because you're my twin."
"I just get the impression that I'm not good enough for her." Fred said.
"Fred, you've got to remember what she's just went through with Ron. She thinks she's damaged goods and it's going to take her a while to trust a guy and that includes you. You've got to give her time." George said.
"And I am willing to wait, wait as long as I need too but time is something we don't really have with this law thing. We've got to get married and have at least one kid in the next three years." Fred said. "But I will do whatever it takes to make Hermione happy."
"I don't doubt that at all." George replied. "And if what you told me about what happened the other week between you two, then I think Hermione likes you a lot more than she's letting on."

"How are you holding up?" Fred asked.
"Fine actually. I think it hasn't sunk in yet so maybe the shock hasn't hit me yet. I sent Laura an owl so I'm just waiting on a reply. I'm just hoping she's a nice person and that we get on." George replied.
"Just turn on the old George Weasley charm and you'll be fine." Fred said.

Although Fred and Hermione had vowed to keep their little liaison quiet, Fred obviously told his twin about what had happened. George knew that something had happened between Fred and Hermione and wasn't going to stop pestering Fred until he revealed all. Fred was a little bit baffled about Hermione's reaction to the news she'd be marrying him but he understood that she had been through hell thanks to Ron and just needed time to heal mentally and physically. Fred would give her some time to get over the initial shock then he'd make an attempt to speak to her.

Hermione had disappeared outside to her favourite oak tree once again. This was where Hermione liked to go to clear her head and to think. Right now Hermione needed to do exactly that away from the noise of the burrow. Her favourite tree was peaceful with other the sound of the birds in the trees. She would be marrying Fred Weasley and she had to do it, whether she wanted to or not. She had no say in her future or who she would marry and have children with and she hated this.

Yes, she did like Fred a lot but this was a huge ask and a huge deal to Hermione. Hermione pulled her knees up to her chest and let the tears fall from her eyes as she tried in vain to come to terms with what was happening. A year ago she had set off on what seemed an impossible journey to find horcruxes, a task set to the trio by Dumbledore and now another hard journey lay ahead. How much more drama could Hermione take before she finally crumbled? How much more hell could people put her through before she cracked and decided to give up? Why the hell were the Ministry doing this to them after everything they had been through? What would her parents think?

Hermione's shock turned to anger. She wanted answers and being told that it was to protect magic blood was not a good enough answer for Hermione. Was this marriage law the reason why the Ministry couldn't find any leads in their search for her parents? Hermione was tempted to barge into the Ministry and give them a piece of her mind but she knew that it would be busy with people disgusted by their pairings and trying to fight for their rights.

She desperately needed to speak to Kingsley though to see what exactly was happening with the search for her parents but she knew if she came face to face with Kingsley that her anger would get the better of her and she'd loose it with him. Hermione really needed her parents more now than ever although she knew that they wouldn't understand about the marriage law.

Hermione's thoughts then turned to Fred. Was marrying Fred going to be that bad? She already fancied him and had already kissed him and she did enjoy spending time with him. She was thankful that she hadn't been paired with someone like Draco Malfoy. Could she really be happy with Fred? Yes, there was a potential for her to be happy with Fred. Fred had already proved how kind hearted he was towards her by sticking by her through all the Ron drama, always knowing how to make her feel better and listening to her when she needed someone to talk too. She felt safe around Fred and he always knew how to put a smile on her face.

Hermione's head was frazzled and she just wished she could for once have a normal life without any form of drama, where she could enjoy spending time with her friends and the summer before she headed back to Hogwarts in September. Of course living in the Wizarding world, a normal life wasn't possible. For Hermione, she hadn't had any normality in her life since she was 11 years old, before she attended Hogwarts. Then again Hermione wouldn't change some of her life for the world, such as the amazing friends she had made and the cool things she had learnt at Hogwarts.