When she finally got to work, she expected to be reprimanded. Instead, she was just waved off and told to start working. So, work is exactly what she did…

That is until she found herself staring out the window, her quill against her lip, thinking of a red head with brown eyes…

She shook herself out of her stupor and reprimanded herself for not working. She was about to pick up a file when she realized that she had not yet talked to Kingsley about petitioning. She wrote out a quick memo requesting a meeting and sent it out. She turned back to the file and began to read.

Two hours later, Hermione found herself unable to work. She felt as though she could not comprehend anything that she was reading and felt antsy. She stood up and stretched, enjoying the relief it brought to her muscles. Satisfied, she went over to the kitchenette to make a cup of coffee.

As she was walking back to her desk, a memo flew over and dropped itself onto her desk. She picked it up and saw that she had a meeting with Kingsley in two hours.

...

She had apparated to the Burrow and found herself, once again, reluctant to go in. She already knew the expected outcome and she decided that she would prefer a good book and a mug of hot cocoa. Regrettably, her hand on the doorknob did not agree.

As she went in, the first person she saw was Ron. Of course.

He saw her immediately and ran over to her. "Did you talk to Kingsley? What did he say? He agreed that our matching was ridiculous and they will be switching them as soon as possible, right?"

"Hi Ronald, I am doing very well. How are you doing? Thank you for helping me with my coat and scarf." Ron rolled his eyes and helped her out of her coat, hanging it up on the coat rack by the door.

"Well?" He asked, eyes full of hope.

Hermione sighed and shook her head. "No Ron," She said, "Our matches were not a mistake. Kingsley said that they are permanent. The only way that they could change them is if one of us has a major health concern that would keep us from conceiving. Since that is not the case, they will not change our designated spouse."

Ron shook his head, dragging his hand down his face. "Bloody hell." He shook his head again, his hair falling into his eyes. "No, no. There must be another way. We have to find a way out of this."

"I did all I could, Ron." Ron was still shaking his head. "I'm sorry," She added as an afterthought, walking around him.

"Did you even try?" She heard from behind her.

"I beg your pardon?"

"DID YOU EVEN TRY?" He yelled, turning around on his heel to face her.

Miffed, she replied, "Yes, Ron I did."

"The why aren't we together? Why aren't we the ones who are getting married?"

"I can't control everything, Ronald. You know that."

"Oh come on 'Mione! What a load of bollocks."

"I'm a witch, not God."

"You and I both know you could have persuaded him if you so wished."

"It doesn't always work out the way we want it to. I wish you could just mature a bit more and understand that."

"Yeah, sure. I'm immature. At least I'm not a lying know-it-all."

Crunch.

For a minute, Hermione thought she was the one who threw the punch. Looking over; however, she found that it was Fred instead.

"Wha' the bloody 'ell Fred. Wha'di'you do that for?" Ron's words were muffled thanks to his hand that was holding his face.

"Do not," Fred seethed, "Take your frustrations out on 'Mione. She's not the one who put us in this predicament. You don't like what's going on? Then you go talk to Kingsley. Hell, go talk to all the bloody Wizengamot for all I care. But do not be an ass to 'Mione." Fred turned to Hermione, grabbed her hand and led her outside.

Hermione stared a Fred's back and felt a little guilty. Ron wasn't completely wrong in what he said. She didn't try as hard as she probably could of – should of. In fact, when she went to Kingsley's office, she only asked if one so desired could they petition. Kingsley had said that it was highly unlikely that the Wizengamot would agree, unless there were major health concerns. She didn't ask if they would make an exception for Hermione, Ron, Fred, and Padma.

And now…she was almost glad she didn't.