Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot.
Chapter 6: What Happened?
Hermione was running down the hall. All the paintings started to swing from side to side as she rushed past them. She didn't hear there angry voises though. All she could think about was getting to Ron and what Malfoy had just told her. She felt bad for Ron and for the first time since she came to Hogwarts, she felt sympathy for Pansy. Hermione turned through a corner and skidded to a halt in front of the Fat Lady.
" Password?" she asked sleepily.
" Umm... oh yeah, billywig." Hermione said.
The portrait opened up and Hermione walked in cautiosly. How do I tell him? I barely even know what's going on... Hermione thought. Harry and Ron looked up right then, snapping Hermione out of her thoughts.
" Hey Hermione. What are you doing here? Got fed up with Malfoy?" Ron asked chuckling.
" No...I came here to talk to you guys. Actually you Ron. It's important." Hermione said gravely.
" Why? What happened?" Ron asked. He caught the look on Hermione's face. She looked confused, as well as was it...sympathy? Yes it was.
" Are you okay Hermione?" Harry asked.
" Yeah I am... but I need to talk to Ron. You can stay though." Hermione said quickly. She started to fidget around and play with her skirt.
" Ron...Pansy... well Pansy's in the hospital. Actually she's in St. Mungo's." Hermione watched as Ron's face grew shocked.
" Why?" He asked. Even though he didn't want to marry her, he could still worry about her.
" I don't know, but Malfoy told me that she's been asking people to ask you to visit her so you can talk about the law and stuff." Hermione said in one breath. Ron got up and started to walk around.
" So I have to go see her? At St. Mungo's? Okay then...when?" He asked. He looked so confused, worried, and helpless.
" You could go to Dumbledore and ask him to let you go," Harry suggested. Ron just nodded. He was in shock.
" I'll go tomorrow. He'll most likely say it's too late, and they do have visiting hours and they're already closed." Ron made up his mind.
Hermione gave a sigh of relief. She wondered how he would take it. He could've been anything, sad, or mad, or anything else. Hermione collapsed onto an armchair. She was tired from all that running. The warm fire, soft armchair, and soft murmers made her fall into a gentle sleep.
Hermione was late. Not for class, but her own wedding. She had woken up quickly, took a shower, dried and made her hair, put on her dress and make-up and before four hours had passed, she was done. She looked like an angel. She walked down the staircase to where her father was waiting. Swiftly she walked to him and gently hugged him.
" Nervous?" he asked.
" A little bit. But I think I'm gonna be ok." Hermione replied.
They were waiting in front of the doors to the garden. All of a sudden they heard the music begin to play and the doors opened for them.
" You can still back out now." Tim said.
" Nahh...it's too late anyway. They already saw us."
Hermione and her father walked down the aisle, slowly. For her it seemed to go by in seconds. It went even faster as she listened to the priest say the vows and as she said I do. She only slowed down when she heard the last five words.
" You may kiss the bride," the priest said with a smile. Hermione turned and her stomach dropped. Looking back at her was the one and only Draco Malfoy.
Hermione jumped up, very wide awake.
" Oww...Hermione that was my head," Ron said, holding his forehead with his hand.
" What time is it?" Hermione asked anxiously.
Harry looked at the the clock.
" 9:58 p.m.," he replied,"Don't worry I think you have two minutes to get to the Head romms."
" Oh no! I can't get there! It's to far. I ran all the way here in like four minutes." Hermione said.
" Take the invisibility cloak." Harry suggested. He quickly went up to his dorm and brought down the cloak.
" Okay you're set. Go ahead and go.Goodight Hermione." Harry said.
" Goodnight you guys." Hermione replied. She swiftly put the cloak on and then stepped out of the portrait.
Meanwhile Draco was in the Heads quarters. How are we supposed to talk about getting married when we are enemies he wondered. His thought were broken by the portrait opening and Hermione walking in. She sat down with a sigh on an armchair.
" Do you know why Pansy is in the hospital?" Hermione questioned.
" Yeah, but I can't tell you. She wants to tell Weasley by herself." he replied.
" Is she sick or what?"
" I can't tell you anything." he said.
" Okay," Hermione sighed. She had so many questions, but she knew he wouldn't tell her anything.
"Why would they still expect her to get married if she's in the hospital?" Hermione whispered to herself.
" Because then she would be able to be discharged from the hospital because she was with someone." Draco answered. Hermione looked bewildered.
" You said that out loud," he smirked at her expression. Hermione gave a small smile.
" Oh...," Hermione yawned. She got tired all of a sudden." I'm going to go to bed."
" Why're you telling me?" he sneered.
Hermione just rolled her eyes and went to her room. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was sleeping. This time though she had more pleasant dreams.
In the Common Room Draco was still up. He was thinking about the civil conversation the two of them had just had. How are we going to marry each other if this is the first actual conversation we had? he wondered. That night he stayed up. He felt that something bad was going to happen.
The next morning Hermione woke up before her alarm clock went off. She quickly got dressed and ready, and then met up with Harry and Ron. As she sat down, all athe owls started coming in. Ron and Harry got mail from two identical owls. When Hermione looked around, she saw all the boys in 5th year and up had one. I wonder why all the boys got one, but the girls didn't Hermione thought. When she turned back to Ron and Harry, they were bright red.
" What's wrong? What's in the letter?" Hermione asked.
" I think you'll find out by the end of this month." Ron said.
" I have to wait that long?! Wait...is it something about the Marriage Law?"
Both of the boys nodded their heads.
" And you guys have a choice of when to tell the other person?" Again they nodded.
Hermione groaned," That means I'll have to wait till the last possible day of this month. No way is Malfoy going to tell me soon."
" I think everybody will find out on the same day." Harry interjected. Both of them had calmed down by now.
" Okay then. Anyways when are you going to see Professor Dumbledore, Ron?" Hermione asked.
" As soon as I finish my breakfast. I actually have a break during my first class!" Ron said.
At the same time, at the Slytherin table, Draco held his head in his hands.
" I can't believe this! They are making us do this too soon!" he whined.
" I know, mate, I know. I haven't even gotten over the idea of being married to her yet. How am I supposed to do this so soon. The Ministry is going crazy!" Blaise replied.
On the table Draco's letter was opened up.
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
The Ministry of Magic has decided that all males in the Marriage Law, will be proposing to their partners before the end of this month. As you know, this means you have exactly 28 days to propose to Ms. Hermione Granger. If you fail to do so, by the end of the month, the law will force you to propose, or you will be banished from the WizardingWorld entirely.
Ministry of Magic
A/N: So again I am so sorry that you guys had to wait soooo long. Something is wrong with my laptop. I got it fixed though... I think. Anyways review!