Author Notes: For those of you that have been reading my stuff for years... I've had a really hard last couple of months. I'm apologizing big time for the lack of creativity. I am going through the grieving process of my grandmother passing a few weeks ago. I had to help her through hospice. All I have to say is Fu** Cancer!
This is something I've been working on, and with that I have it posted elsewhere. However, I can't short you guys out!
Summary: It has been six years since the war ended and peace was given. Ghosts of the past play with the living as they try to move on. Hermione Granger took her job at the ministry with a strong grip and nothing would change that… well, almost nothing. The turn of events might cause her to second guess everything, including agreeing with the rules sent forth… trouble is afoot.
One-half of the Wonderous Weasley tWins is about to have a really really bad day… or is he?
This is a different take on the marriage law trope. It's less about forcing two people together and more along discovering why it took a law to see the biggest mistake of their lives... what that is, I guess we'll find out!
Full disclosure: I'm toying with a character death. Ron, I'm sorry but you're getting the chopping block for this fic. #Sorrynotsorry. What would happen if Fred lived and Ron died? Well, I guess we're going to find out!
It was as if a feather could blow the witch over as she sat in her pumpernickel dress suit. The room, which wouldn't have been important because it was a common space for her, had a sickly smell. The hint of fresh drying ink was usually a wonderful delight for Hermione, but today this wasn't the case. The symbolism was too much, and it could summon no comfort. No, hardly anything could bring ease with what sat before her on the minister's desk.
"Hermione," Kingsley shifted in his plum robes and tightened his brow.
She held up her finger and swallowed down the building bile in her throat. It burnt like the worst whiskey she'd ever had, with the after-effects being less kind. This was a disgusting, vile, preposterous concept. "Minister, I have to ask," she started and glanced up at him. "Are you ill?"
He managed a pained smile. "No, but we must explore the validity of this," he voiced.
"Validity? Wizards aren't mooncalves," Hermione groaned, and a curl shook from her near-perfect bun to the side of her cheek.
"Hermione, this proposition has research and sources behind it," Kingsley responded with a gesture to the stack of parchment.
Hermione's lips tightened. "There are far more plausible concepts than this to tackle such a situation. What is placed here is similar to how purebloods and Voldemort insisted things would go. The only saving grace to this proposal not being pureblood cannon fodder is that Percy Weasley wrote it."
Kingsley inhaled and shifted his lips from one side of his face to the other. "Tell me, what recourse do we have. If Minerva has suggested this being prophetic, then how are we to solve the issue?"
"Ask the other ministers! Propose a stipend for immigrating here. Anything but this! " Hermione hissed as she stood up. "Minister, I understand the dire need that is suggested. But how are we to stay in the good graces of our wonderful people if they cannot trust us to make the difficult decisions?"
"Exactly, Hermione. How? How are we to make difficult decisions when we can't face reality. The reality is that in ten years, Hogwarts could be facing closure. This war was a heavy mantle on everyone who survived it, but this is how magic will die. Not a dark lord, or even suppression, but lack of a future."
The witch was livid as she paced toward his bookcase near the window. He was asking her to participate in likely the worst decision the ministry could make with this issue. Hermione could hardly breathe at the idea. It struck her like a powerful fist to her chest, and she stared at the sky beyond the building roofs and chimneys.
"I need you to agree to how this bill is written. The vote is tomorrow, and I need your willpower and tenacity to help me craft this with ease and empathy," Kingsley sighed.
"Empathy," Hermione whispered. "There is no empathy in this. Worse, it was written by a wizard who has already sought and found happiness. What happens to those who seek happiness in the silence?"
A heavy weight touched her shoulder, and it broke the spell of the overcast day. Hermione glanced up at her mentor and leader as he stood next to her. The plans they had crafted. The agenda they were creating. All of that would be dashed away in an instant.
"Don't you trust in the kindness of guidance? We are the pillars they look to for shelter, Hermione. All of us must agree for this to be a kind nudge in the right direction," Kingsley declared with a nod.
Hermione breathed and pivoted to face him. "What do you suggest, Minister?"
The hint of urgency left his face, and Kingsley gestured to the empty chair. "Let's talk. If we can agree to set an example, we can bolster the approval of this approach."
Hermione conceded with a nod, and they returned to their seats. Kingsley took hold of the proposal and skimmed the pages as Hermione set out some parchment. A quill was in her hand, and she had to stifle the urge to scream. The figurative hand she placed over her mouth to prevent such an event and resignation was tempting.
"How shall we prepare such couples?" Kingsley asked.
Hermione grimaced and shook her head. "A random lottery? That's what this feels like."
Kingsley scowled at her and bit the inside of his cheek. "Please?"
The witch puffed, blowing the curl from her cheek, and nodded. "If I have to write this sinister bill's details, then I shall choose how I would like to estimate such a task."
"Which is? I am listening. If we are going to do this, we have about sixty days to set the precedence for others. Let's map this how we would prefer it to be," Kingsley said and gestured to the witch.
"Alright, first we can't just throw random wizards and witches together expecting this to work. We're going to need ample assistance from the Daily Prophet. This won't be some ridiculous marriage law that they proposed in Brazil last year. This is going to amount to far more empathy than that."
Kingsley smiled and rocked his head. "Excellent. Let's begin."
Hermione Jean Granger was many things in life. The hats she had worn throughout her twenty-five years of life were eclectic but always pragmatic and kind. The student. The know-it-all. The brightest witch of her age… oh, she needed a drink to swallow the humbling helpless feeling of this new one. The ministry witch. It was going to give her backlash, unlike anything she had been through.
Her heels clicked on the cobble path that led to the doorway, and she paused her hand. Hermione gazed at the doorknob in the dark and wished she could have an answer. The number of letters she had received today after the news broke was miserable. Even worse, she didn't have any real answers for her proxy family.
The dread of it built, and the slivered thought of running away bloomed in her gut. The witch paused for a deep breath through her nose and took in the calming hint of wildflowers in the air. She had to do this. Her hand grasped the knob, and she walked into the cozy chaos of the Burrow.
"Of course, he isn't going to be here! Why would he show his ridiculous face!" A male voice bellowed from the kitchen.
Hermione straightened her lavender blouse, and Arthur glanced up from his magazine. He pressed his finger to his lips, and the witch paced over and sat down next to him.
"Hello, my dear girl," he sighed and reached over, caressing her hair.
"Are they talking about the bill?" Hermione murmured.
Arthur nodded.
"I wouldn't be so harsh, Billy. You're not the one who's gonna have to get hitched," a mirth-filled voice responded. The owner of said voice walked in from the kitchen and grinned before sitting down in the armchair nearest Hermione. "Well, hello, ministry witch. You snuck inside, didn't you?" He asked and rubbed the side of his face where his ear was absent.
"I did," Hermione tried for a smile. "It's been a long week."
George chuckled and sipped his glass bottle. "I can imagine. Fixing Percy's mess isn't easy."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "More than you know. What's Angie think about all this?"
"The fact that the ministry wants to hand out free money to have another redheaded garden gnome? Actually, she's pretty happy with it. I think she's more upset for Charlie's sake," George hummed and twitched his nose.
Hermione shook her head and held up a finger. "No, I fixed that clause. Charlie is technically a Romanian citizen now, and the effects of this bill cannot command him."
George snorted and winked. "Thought of everything?"
"Absolutely not, or I would have managed to talk Kingsley out of this bill," Hermione voiced before scrubbing her face. "I have so much work to do this week, and now I have to figure out a proper system for this bill."
Arthur tutted and set his muggle magazine aside. "Hermione, you are taking on too much."
The ease of the conversation instantly shifted when Harry walked into the room holding James. He stopped and blinked at the occupant next to Arthur. "Hermione, I didn't realize you were here," he said, and a sympathetic smile etched on his face.
"Hermione? Where is that girl!" Molly screeched from the other room.
Harry winced, and Hermione exhaled as she stood up just as Molly entered. "I just got here," Hermione tried.
Molly's scowl was deep-set, and she waved her towel that was gripped in her hand. "You have explaining to do! Why didn't you tell anyone about this?"
Hermione ran fingers through her wild curls. "Well, Molly, it's just," she attempted before Molly nearly yanked Hermione's arm out of the socket as she dragged her into the kitchen.
"Had I known that Percy was working on such a difficult bill and you would have to sign off on it, I would have told him to stop this nonsense. No witch should ever be forced to make such difficult decisions!" Molly exclaimed as she tugged Hermione to the kitchen table and forced her down next to the other twin.
Fred smirked and wagged his fingers under his chin at Hermione. "Long time no see, Ministry Witch."
"Now my day is ruined," Hermione groaned with the hint of a smile. "Hello, Wacky Weasley."
Ginny rolled her eyes and rubbed her swollen stomach. "Hermione, this is ridiculous. How are you going to find someone to eventually marry in two months?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know, Gin. The concept that I'm writing for the general public is far less strenuous. I have to do something to make it easier. No one is going to want to be forced to get married and have children as it is."
"I ought to send Minister Shacklebolt a howler! This is not how Arthur and I found love and happiness!" Molly growled as she flicked her wand at the pots on the stove.
"Oh, mum, you really believe this is about love and happiness? I thought this was just about stocking up Hogwarts with more goblin offspring," Fred snickered while reaching for his glass bottle.
"Laugh now, brother, but you're a part of this mess," Ginny smiled.
Fred narrowed his eyes at her but retained his smile even after swigging his ale. "I don't mind in the least, little sister. Knowing Hermione, she'll mend all the mistakes Percy had made with this bill."
"I don't know about that, Fred," Hermione exhaled. "There's only so much I can do to cushion this fall."
His smile dropped. "What do you mean? I thought you'd be writing an appeal."
Hermione's curls swayed with her disagreement. "I can't. Not with this one. Kingsley was asking for my complete cooperation. Whoever I end up kissing for the cameras, I'm going to have to marry," she finished with a large breath.
Fred was frowning as he bent to catch her vision. "What do you mean you're getting married? This bill isn't going to go into full effect until the turn of the year. That's six months for you to file for the appeal."
"Hermione is getting married? That was quick," Harry mused as he walked into the kitchen.
She waved her hand in the air and snorted. "I don't even have a suitor, Harry. Not to worry, I'm not going to be getting married soon. Nor am I going to appeal this bill despite the extreme urge to do so. Percy made some excellent points. We need to promote a positive embrace to this to save our future and Hogwarts."
"It's obvious that you can't wait like the normal witches, so how are you going to decide?" Ginny asked with a tilt to her head.
Hermione groaned. "I have no idea. Kingsley asked me to make a decision soon. I have a list of eligible wizards that I have to go over."
Fred grimaced as he gulped down his ale. "Please don't choose someone like McLaggen."
"No," Hermione puffed.
"Kingsley is going to let you choose?" Harry asked.
Hermione glanced over at him and bounced her shoulders. "I suppose. We talked about several concepts for both of us."
"Both of you?" Ginny gasped.
"Is Kingsley talking about participating?" Harry asked.
Hermione rocked her head as she twitched her nose.
"Seems our minister has a sense of humor," Fred smirked.
Hermione frowned at him. "How is this funny?"
"Can you imagine him as a father?" Fred snickered.
Hermione stopped and pressed her hand to her lips to prevent a laugh from leaving her mouth. "Oh no, Freddy."
Fred snorted and waved his fingers. "He'd be a complete pushover. Why do you think I haven't shackled myself to matrimony?"
George walked into the room and was standing with a blanket shrouding his shoulders. "I believe that you did not meet the expectations of your chores today. How do we come to even ground?" He voiced in an eerie similar tone to Kingsley.
Fred snatched the bowl from the table and placed it on his head. Molly grimaced as she set the tea tray on the table. Fred sat straighter and dropped his smile. "I believe we have to have a diplomatic conversation about your behavior. This isn't how we expect a six-year-old future minister to act."
Hermione rolled her eyes and shoved Fred. "There isn't any way that our minister would be that dry with his children."
"Better than me," Fred snickered and took the bowl off his head. "Little monsters of mischief in creation. All freckles and foolishness. I the king," he paused and grinned at the witch next to him. "And the witch who birthed them must be as barmy as me."
"Hence why you're unattached," Hermione laughed and climbed from the bench. "I'm going to go see what Victoire and Teddy are up to."
"Dear, would you assist in cleaning them up for dinner? They had painted earlier and made a mess of themselves," Molly voiced with a curl to her lips.
"Of course," Hermione sighed and kissed Harry's cheek as she rounded the table. "That's what family is for."
Fred wagged his fingers under his chin at the witch hugging Ginny. "I'll come to mess them up for you soon."
Hermione snorted and pressed down her smile. "Don't you dare, Freddy. I'll curse your hair white. We all remember when you and George tried that trend before. It wasn't attractive."
"Oh, you wound me," Fred smirked.
"Take care of my niece," Hermione told Ginny before moving toward the staircase.
Ginny was setting up her teacup as she glanced over at Fred. Harry had sat down, and George joined, but there was something odd between the twins. Fred's smile had faded as he scrunched his brows and gazed over at George.
George shrugged. "She's gonna figure it out."
"She better not choose McLaggen," Fred grumbled.
Ginny's eyes grew, but Harry seemed to be unaware. "I doubt it, mate. She's going to pick someone far more intelligent than that."
George scratched at his chin as his mother sat down. "I wonder how long that list is. What if her choices are slim?"
"She'll find what works for her future. He has to be wickedly smart," Harry rocked his head before reaching over and touching Ginny's stomach.
"I just hope she finds someone that brings her joy," Ginny sighed before she sipped her teacup.
"I hope so as well," Molly exhaled. "That dear girl deserves happiness after her losses have been so heavy on her shoulders."
Arthur came into the kitchen and took the napping James from Harry. "Let me just take him up for a nap."
"Arthur, talk to her?" Molly asked with a small pout.
He rocked his head. "I'll be sure she's alright."
Fred grimaced, and the energy in the room dropped. "She's gonna have to pick from a lineup of wizards?" It was as if it just hit him.
"Same with you," Harry grumbled.
Fred grunted and climbed from the bench before slumping to the ice bin. He yanked out another ale and popped off the top. "Well, good luck to that witch. She's gotta be able to handle this family," he mumbled and headed to the backdoor.
"Tell William dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes, dear," Molly declared.
Fred just bobbed his head and left the Burrow. George was scowling after his twin and hummed. "I wonder what he's buggered about."
"You don't know?" Ginny asked.
"Not yet, but I'll find out," George responded.
The family unit created with the lives and love of the Weasleys was only beginning to feel the effects of the bill. There were only so many corners to hide in and those affected had their reasons for evading the result for so long… the question wasn't how but why.