Disclaimer: Harry Potter and crew are owned by J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Got the chapter up pretty late, it being 12:40 AM. Hope you all enjoy it. :D

The Marriage Law

Chapter Six: Anger

George felt himself being thrown from Hermione, into a gargoyle on the opposite side of the room.

"And just what," Justin said angrily as he marched down the stairs, his voice rising. "DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING WITH MY GIRLFRIEND!?"

"I believe…we were just about to start snogging." George answered, getting up from where he had been thrown. "Wait. Did you just say your girlfriend?"

Justin and George both turned to face Hermione. She took a few steps backward, sinking back against the wall.

"What is this Hermione?!" Justin asked.

"It's not what you think Justin. I was…we were-"

"I'll kill you!" Justin cut her off, staring furiously at George. "Trying to steal MY girl!" He crooked his head to look at Hermione. "Did he force himself on you? Just came up to you and kissed you!" He looked George straight on, not losing his focus. The anger grew in him, slowly rising to a rage.

All was quiet for a moment, except Justin's breathing, which came in furious huffs. "I'll fight you! Right here, right now. I'll show you what you happens when you mess with something that belongs to ME!" He snarled.

Storming over to where Justin was, George clenched his fists. He stood over Justin, by at least an inch, possibly two.

"Oh? So she's something that you own now, is she? Bring it on!"

"Oh I will." Justin smirked. "A duel…say ten paces?"

"Of course." George replied shortly.

At this, Hermione rushed forward. "Boys, boys, is there really a need to fight here? Can't we just settle this and let it go?"

"You little slut!" Justin smacked Hermione with one movement, his hand scratching her face as he went.

"Don't hit her!" George interrupted, coming over to Hermione.

"So you really do like him, don't you Hermione? That kiss was on your part too, wasn't it!?"

"Justin listen-"

"And now you're trying to save him, how dare you!"

"No Justin, I swear I would never-"

"Shut it Hermione!"

Hermione looked at Justin with pleading eyes.

George looked at Hermione. It looked like she really did care for Justin. He didn't want to do it…but if it was what Hermione wanted, that's what meant the most to him as well.

"No. Blame me."

"What?" Justin looked at George, fuming with resentment.

"I…I did do it. It wasn't Hermione at all. She was just there, and-and I kissed her. She tried to push away right as you were coming. I swear it, it wasn't her fault."

"Is this true Hermione?" Justin asked.

"I…well…yes…yes it is." Hermione lied, shooting a curious glance at George.

"That only leaves one last thing to do then." Justin retorted, pulling his arm back. Letting his fist go as fast as it willed, he hit George square in the face, leaving blood running down his nose. "And that is what you get when you mess with Justin Mannington."

The Great Hall's doors swung open, dinner being finished. Fred bustled out first, eager to see the room he would be staying in. Seeing the small scene going on near the corner, he came over to accompany his brother.

"Everything all right here George?" he asked, looking crossly at Justin.

"Fine Fred, all fine." George replied, wiping the blood on the robes of his sleeve.

"We better be heading to our rooms then. I hear the rooms are wonderful, now that we're teachers!" Fred said, enlivening a bit.

"Yeah…I'll meet you there in a minute." His brother replied, not looking up.

Fred walked off, trotting up the stairs happily to see his room. "So you're one of the new teachers, eh?" Justin said with a sneer.

"What's it to you?"

"Oh nothing…but the Headmistress might find it vaguely interesting."

"And you say that why?" George frowned.

"I don't know….she may just be interested to hear that one of our newest professors was just caught snogging with a student. A student that didn't give him permission to kiss her either. I'd call that abuse, wouldn't you?"

"Why you little-"

"So I'd suggest that you stay away from my girl. Because if this happens again…you will just be out of a job."

Justin turned to Hermione, and gave her one hell of a kiss, very passionate, embracing her while clutching her butt with his hands. George noticed Hermione didn't seem to be enjoying it just as much as her boyfriend did, her eyes not closing at all throughout the whole kiss. "Jerk." George thought to himself.

"Meet me at the astronomy tower in five babe." Justin said after they were finished.

"Okay."

"And let's try to be prompt this time, shall we? We wouldn't want last night to reoccur, now would we?" Justin asked her.

"No, no, I'll be there."

"Good. Love you."

I-I love you too."

Justin walked away and Hermione turned towards George. "Why…how…you…I-I….thank you George." She said, putting her hands up to her face, ashamed.

"He shouldn't treat you like that Hermione." George said softly.

"Justin….he-he loves me George. He only does what he feels necessary."

"Like hitting you? Tell me Hermione, how many times has this happened before?"

Hermione hesitated. He had hit her plenty of times before, and it would continue to happen. She knew that, it was a fact. But it was because of her, he was doing what he felt best. She'd just have to learn. She would have to become a better person for Justin. So she chose to lie.

"That was a mistake. He was angry. It was only the first time, he didn't mean it. I swear."

Witches and wizards poured out of the Great Hall, all on their way to their common rooms. An awkward silence came upon the two.

"He was the other letter? Why you had said…there was someone else?"

Hermione moved around uncomfortably. "Yeah. Justin. Yes it was."

"Well, at least that makes sense….Does he at least make you happy?"

"Yes of course!" Hermione responded with a fake smile.

"I'm always here if you need me. I just-I hope you know that Hermione." George said, looking deep into Hermione's beautiful eyes.

She smiled warmly at him. "Thanks George, you're a great friend", enveloping him in a hug. She glanced at her watch. "Uh oh. I better go…Justin and I…we have a long talk ahead of us.

"Yeah, you better be going. See you…in class I guess." He said, putting on a grin. "I can't believe I'm letting this girl get away. But if she wants Justin, I can't stop her."

George snapped out of his daydream, ready to say goodbye to Hermione. But she was already gone, scurrying up the sixth floor staircase to make it to the Astronomy Tower on time.

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"Hey," Hermione said softly, coming into view.

Justin didn't answer. Hermione walked over to him, slipping her hand into his. They stood like this for a time, both watching the beautifully sunny day.

Just as Hermione decided she would set off to class, he spoke. "You're not to see George again."

She hesitated before making up her mind to ask a question. "But…he's a teacher now Justin," she began. "I'll see him in Charms no matter what."

He sighed. "I meant outside of class. Don't go near him. He is not what this relationship needs. He's manipulative, and is clearly trying to take you away from me. He comes near you again and his ass will be out of this school so quickly that he won't even see it coming. He is not someone I want my girlfriend hanging around. Got that? "

"But he is my friend." Hermione said suddenly, without thinking.

Justin was getting irritated, his voice now sounded annoyed. "Oh?" He said coldly. "Your friend kissed you without even consulting your boyfriend first?"

Hermione inwardly scowled, knowing he had gotten her. She wouldn't be able to talk her way out of this; it'd only end in pain…physical pain. Accepting her defeat, she leaned against him. "You're right," she whispered.

"Of course I am." He replied smugly. "I always am."

After a few more minutes of silence between the two, Justin sent Hermione off to Potions so she wouldn't be late. As he leaned down to kiss her goodnight, he noticed something.

"Hermione, where's the necklace I sent you?"

"Uh oh. The necklace he sent me…the one with the letter! I knew I should have put that on this morning. Please God, please let him forgive me." Hermione begged silently.

"I…I'm having it cleaned." She lied as best she could.

"Why? I only bought that for you only last week. It shouldn't be dirty yet."

"Yeah…I was showing it to Ron and-and he dropped it in the mud."

Justin snickered. "That idiot is always doing crap like that, isn't he? Clumsy fool."

He had believed her. She was safe-for now. Hermione would have to remember to put it on as soon as she made it back to her dormitory.

"While we're still out here Hermione, we might as well discuss some things."

"Oh?"

"Yes. So I've figured," he started. "That since we're together, you'll obviously be marrying me." He didn't wait for her to respond. "I had some free time on my hands, and I've arranged it all."

"What?" Hermione asked, shocked.

"We ARE together, aren't we?" Justin said, more of a fact than a question.

"Yes but…so quickly? You've made plans already?"

"Well we do only have forty days anyhow. I just started planning it earlier than later on. And this way, you're not bothered or overwhelmed with all of those silly wedding decisions. I've got it all arranged."

"Everything?"

"Yup. From the date of the wedding down to the type of dress you'll be wearing."

"Oh."

"You don't seem happy." He scowled. "You never appreciate anything I do Hermione! I'm getting so sick of-"

"No! I'm sorry! It just…just stunned me for a minute there. Thank you Justin, thank you."

"Good!"

"So-so when is the wedding?"

"Two weeks from tomorrow, so two Saturdays from now."

"That soon?"

"Hermione!" He firmly shook her, holding onto her shoulders so she couldn't pull away. "I'm sick of all of this. We're getting married! After that, we'll be having our wedding night in Hogsmeade. We'll be staying there for the entire weekend, doing whatever the bloody hell I want to! We'll come back to school; finish the bloody year, and then bloody graduate! You'll move in with me, and we'll have kids. You'll watch them every bloody day, while I go to work. End of story! Get used to it! That's how it's going to be babe. And if I hear you complain one more time, so help you…!" Justin pushed her on the ground and stormed out of the tower.

Hermione pulled herself to the wall of the Astronomy Tower, tears streaming down her face. Why couldn't she be the person Justin wanted her to be? Was it really that hard? Studying and getting good grades came so easily to her…but love was an entirely different story. "I need to stay committed. Stop the tears." She firmly wiped them from her cheeks. "Now get up, go to class, and apologize whenever you can Granger." She quickly muttered a spell, making the cut that had now appeared on her forehead from the push disappear. With her mind made up, she wandered off to Potions.

A/N: I'd love to hear some more feedback on the story, but I do appreciate those of you who have been reviewing very much. I adore you all! Don't know when the next chapter will be up…but definitely by the end of the week.