A/N: I know, I feel for George too. The other two? Well, they were dicks to her. George will be rewarded. I have three stories (not done yet) each features Hermione with the three men. Bedtime Stories is GW, Letters is BZ and Angel is VK. The titles are not set in stone.

Chapter Ten:

Hermione rings her parents to update them on this whole cursed program. She tells her mother what has happened over the course of the week. "Yeah, that afternoon was a blur. All I remember is collapsing in my office, crying sobbing. Next thing I know, I am waking up in the ritual room far below Gringotts and Ragnok is opening the door.

So far, two have. I have one last "first date" tonight and we will see. He's kinda quiet so far, but I hope he opens up tonight. I am taking him where you and Daddy used to take me as a child. He's competitive, so I think he'll like it."

That was not much to go on. "Um he was a few years ahead of me. I don't remember but I want to say that he and the other were in the class between Percy and the twins. They might have been in Percy's class, because they seem to know Percy quite well. Thanks Mum. Love you too." The three Weasleys listen as she rings off and walks back to her room.

Hermione goes back to her closet. She had sent a note to Marcus telling him not to dress up. Knowing the pureblooded ways, casual will most likely be dress pants and a polo shirt. She smiles at the idea that she had come up with. She is going to take Marcus to play mini golf and then dinner at a burger and fry cook-off at the fairgrounds nearby. She had already purchased the tickets and had not made her mind up on who to go with, so when he asked for something low key, it popped into her mind.

She decides on her tight stone-wash jeans, that Ginny says hug her ass; her sneakers, as they will be walking around; and her jade colored silk sleeveless shirt that Susan had gotten her for her birthday last year. She puts her hair up in an inverted ponytail and tightens it, grabs her cash, bank card, ID, keys and the tickets. She doesn't want to be lugging around her purse all night. Hermione threads her wand through the top of the ponytail and given how thick and curly her hair still is, it will stay unless she pulls it out. She locks her door and jogs down the stairs, noticing that the floor below's apartment has been filled.

That is good, she just hopes that they can handle it when she finally decides to take another to her bed, she tends to be a little loud. No one in her world knows that just after she moved in, she lost her virginity to a Muggle boyfriend. He couldn't handle not knowing where she worked, and her friends, so it was a quick, but passionate affair. She focused on her job, family and friends after that and didn't worry until this Marriage Law came to be.

Hermione walks the block to her favorite apparation point and pops to the Mini Golf Expo. She waits for five minutes, while walking around outside, then she sees the dark haired man, Marcus, walking up to her with his powerful gait. He was dressed as she thought he would be, dress pants and a polo shirt.

Marcus walks right up to her and pulls her up into a hug, lifting her off the ground. "Hi, to you too." She laughs, when he sets her back on her feet. Marcus looks around and asks what this place is.

"It's a mini golf course. I figured it would be a good fit with your competitive nature. There is plenty of time to talk and we won't be harassed by people because each group has to wait for the last to get half way through. Then I have tickets for supper, once we are done here. Now, the only thing we need to do is get you a little more comfortable." Hermione waves her hand and Marcus' dress pants and shined loafers are changed into new jeans and a pair of sneakers.

He felt a little odd in the shoes, but notices that she is wearing the same footwear so he will let it go. He does admit that they are more comfortable than his loafers.

She shows him how to play and explains what par is. Soon, he is getting into the groove of the game and is able to focus on getting to know the woman beside him. "Tell me about your family." He asks as he lines up his putt. He returns the favor, wishing that his was as loving as hers. His father was basically, just a figure head. Marcus has run the family since he got done at Hogwarts and Lord Flint is now just a husk of his former self.

Marcus sinks his ball in one shot, smirking as it took Hermione three to do so. "Are you willing to tell me what happened with Weasley's brothers?" He looks up and sees that he struck a nerve. He quickly sets down his club and gathers her into his arms. "I didn't mean to upset you, darling. I just wanted to know what made Percy so unhinged." He holds her while she tells him the whole sorted story.

Being demonstrative and compassionate towards her seems to have a great effect. She brightens up again and hugs him back. Marcus kisses her head. "Not that I want to add anymore competition for your hand, but I think you might have given up on the twin a bit too early. I agree that the other two treated you abhorrently." He smooths her hair back and kisses her forehead.

Marcus knows that he would never do what either of those dunces did. If Hermione decides to choose him, he will cherish her until the end of his days. Granted his father is on his hide to get married and provide an heir, but he refuses to rush what could possibly be the most important relationship in his life. Plus, his father doesn't really care, he just wants grand kids.

"So Princess, and I am not referring to that moniker that the papers have given you, how about we finish this game of ours and go get something to eat?" He doesn't want to let her go though. She feels right in his arms.

On the last hole, Marcus sinks another hole in one. Hermione cheers for him and jumps in his arms. Yes! More of this please. He thinks, letting her slide down his body to her feet. I bet you could feel my reaction, baby. I just want to gobble you up. He closes his eyes and gets himself in check, before reaching for her hand and letting her lead him to the fairgrounds.

Hermione is flustered. She refuses to bed the best friends, or anyone until there is a commitment made that is beyond dating. But damn, all that muscle feels good holding onto me. She thinks as she salivates.

Marcus is watching the whole thing play out on her expressive face. He already knew that she wouldn't be the type to sleep with him on the first date, especially when there are more vying for her hand. He was satisfied to see her having to regain her footing after feeling how much he is attracted to her.

Hermione tugs on his hand and they enter the cook-off. He drools as she brings the tickets out of the back pocket of her sinfully tight jeans. Smiling, he looks around the booths. Most are offering full-sized samples and it looks to be all hamburgers and fries. "This is a great idea. How did you find out about it?" He kisses her neck and pulls her closer for a moment.

"My parents live nearby and I saw the posters while shopping with my mum. I happen to love burgers and fries. So I bought two tickets and when you said you wanted something low key, it was like a sign." She looks up at him and his breath catches in his throat. She is glowing.

"What?" He was looking at her with this weird look on his face.

"You are positively glowing, Hermione. You are so beautiful." He wraps his arms around her and holds her close.

"Thank you, Marcus. Now let's go pig out." She chirps and runs off to a nearby booth. He catches up, laughing and wraps her up against his chest and his chin on her head. They look at what the booth is offering. When it's their turn, Hermione orders a Wisconsin burger with cheese curds, grilled onions and potato puffs on a crusty roll. Marcus decides that he will try the Texas burger with chili, corn chips and shredded cheddar cheese. They both agree on the garlic fries at another booth and after seating his Princess and their food, Marcus runs off to another booth and returns with bottles of water.

Both of them cut the burgers in half and trade one half, while splitting the fries. She smiles as she offers him some breath mints and takes a few for herself. "Come on, I saw something interesting over here." She nods her head towards another booth. Marcus snickers and stands. When she starts to pick up her pace again, he overtakes her and scoops her up. "Hey you, always trying to get away, why is that?" He laughs with her and sets her on his back. "So, Princess which booth?" He looks up over his shoulder to her. She wraps her legs around his middle and points to the booth. "Over there." He jogs and gets in line. "The popsicle or the slushies?"

"Are you kidding, the slushies." He laughs and nods. "Alright, which one, Love?" Hermione snickers. "Jack and cherry cola." He orders two and lets her down. He holds his cup up in a toast. "To seeing how this goes." They charge their cups and drink, getting a head rush from the ice.

When they are done he throws the cups away and looks down at her, suddenly very serious. "I know I would like to see you again, a lot. Do you think that could happen, my beautiful Princess?" He leans down and pulls her into him. "So damn pretty." He whispers before kissing her. When she wraps her arms around his neck, he lifts her up and holds her to his chest.

"Yes, Marcus. I do believe that it could." She tells him when she breaks away to breathe. He wraps himself around her and sinks his head onto her shoulder. "Thank you." He whispers against her neck.

He walks her back to the mini golf park and kisses her knuckles. When she smiles, he growls lowly and pulls her in for a goodbye kiss.

Hermione pops back to the apparation point and walks back up to her apartment, after getting her mail. Upstairs, an owl flies into her window with a letter. She thanks the owl and gives it a drink and a treat. When it leaves she shuts the window.

She sits down, too wired up to sleep, and opens the letter.

Miss Granger,

You need to inform the Ministry of the updated list for next week's dating. You will have until the end of the week to see them again.

Department of Bonds and Contracts.

Well, that is putting it into a non romantic light. Why do they have to be so clinical?

Hermione fills out the sheet and sees the next one is down to two.

Adrian Pucey

Marcus Flint

Blaise Zabini

There only three, but that means that she can relax and just do evening dates with them. Hopefully, they will want to meet her parents soon. They need to pass that test. A knock on the window startles her. It is three owls. Hermione stands and opens the window. They deposit their loads and fly off. All three are from the men. She opens Blaise's first.

Bella,

My mother caught wind of our courtship. If I am to retain my inheritance, I cannot continue seeing you. You cannot imagine how much this upsets me. I was really hoping to see you walking down the aisle to me and holding you while you grow with my babies.

No matter what Hermione, remember that you deserve everything and all the happiness in this world. Don't settle for a man that will treat you like shit. No matter how they profess to love you, if they don't follow through on it, it isn't to be. I am so sorry to fail you in this way.

I will always cherish that lunch with you, when I was able to dream of holding you forever.

Love you always, though now only your dear friend,

Blaise Zabini.

The other letters are for making plans during the week to get together. She responds and now has two dates each with the Snakes.

Hermione gets out the correction fluid and writes in George's name in, where Blaise's was. "I'm giving you another chance, don't mess it up, Red." She whispers to herself and goes to bed.