A/N: Here is chapter two. It took a little longer than I expected, hopefully the next one will be up sooner.
Chapter Two – Misery Loves Company
Hermione filled her cup to the rim with coffee. She had a feeling she was going to need all the help she could get to make it through her first day. She unfolded her copy of the prophet, scanning the front cover for news of Harry's absence…nothing. Confused, she searched through the paper until she found an article listing those wanted by the ministry for violations against the Matched Matrimony Law. Hermione laid the paper out reading the surprisingly short list. It seems that the Ministry's plan had worked, no one wanted to risk being sent to Azkaban. Hermione got to the bottom of the list, and then frowned in confusion. She reread it, but still Harry and Ron's names were not there.
"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said from behind her, Hermione jumped. "I have your time table." She handed Hermione the sheet of parchment, and whispered, "The Ministry will not announce his absence. They do not want people to follow his lead." With that she moved on to the next student, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.
It was impossible for double Potions with the Slytherins to be pleasant, so Hermione waited uneasily outside the door trying to reassure Neville that he would not be too far behind. "You'll be fine Neville. Everyone knows there are more important things than doing well in class."
"This is not the Hermione Granger I remember," Neville responded, raising the corner of his mouth in a half smile. Hermione was about the respond when the Slytherins came to a halt in front of the potions classroom. She fell silent and focused her attention on the door, ignoring their whispers and triumphant glares. She was rescued when the door swung open eerily.
Hermione was only mildly surprised to see Professor Snape sitting at his desk in the potions classroom. But the memory of what he did only two months ago tightened her throat, and her eyes burned, but she would not cry, not because of him. She took a seat at a table with Neville, Dean, and Seamus.
"Welcome to NEWT level potions," Snape began, while surveying the class coolly, "It is obvious that I have returned to my previous position of Potion's Master. I am aware that some of you did not take potions last year, and thus will have to work twice as hard in order to meet my standards. However, I do not doubt that certain students," he paused here to look pointedly at Neville, "will not be able to succeed in this class, even with some sort of miraculous assistance." He glanced briefly at Hermione before pointing his wand at the black board. "Today you will begin to brew me a Blood-Replenishing Potion. The instructions are on the board. Begin."
Snape returned to his desk, and for once did not terrorize his students, most likely because the potion itself was so difficult and intimidating. Hermione added two drops of armadillo bile, some powdered Graphorn, and stirred her potion six times clockwise. It bubbled immediately, thickening to the perfect consistency. The only problem Hermione could spot was that it was cream coloured instead of off-white. She sat back, breathing a sigh of relief, after all it could be much worse. Neville's potion was a vivid shade of purple, and across the room Goyle was trying to mop up his blood red potion as it boiled out of the cauldron.
While Hermione waited for her potion to simmer, her eyes travelled around the room and landed on her professor, who she noticed had been watching her. She met his gaze refusing to look away first. However, Snape did not look away either, and before Hermione could realize what he was doing, the classroom dissolved from her vision and she was at The Burrow. The images faded out and she was face to face with Moody, as she was only yesterday, telling him that she would not tell Harry's secret. There was a pause again, and the small conscious part of Hermione's brain was screaming at herself to close her mind, but she couldn't. She was back in the common room, and Harry was about to tell her and Ron about the Horcruxes...
BANG! The explosion brought both Snape and Hermione out of her thoughts like an electric shock. Smoke clouded her vision, and her throat, but at that moment she was grateful for Neville's dismal potions skills. They had just saved Harry.
"Longbottom!" Snape roared across the classroom. The smoke cleared, and Snape loomed over their table.
"How is it that you managed to confuse essence of fluxweed with erumpent fluid?" Snape hissed, his voice now dangerously low. Neville shook silently in his seat, but did not respond. "A week's worth of detentions, and you will write me a four foot essay on the properties of erumpent fluid and why it is idiotic to use it in a Blood-Replenishing Potion. Now get out."
Snape returned to his desk, while Neville departed hastily, but Hermione did not dare look at him again. Her hands shook as she took her cauldron off the heat and carried it to the storage area for next class. Her heart was pounding as if she had run a mile. She could have ruined everything, one more moment and Snape would have known the most important secret. She had pushed Harry so hard to close his mind, but she could not control her own. She could not leave Hogwarts, but she would not be able keep the Horcruxes a secret if Snape looked into her mind again. Hermione's head was still spinning as she left the Great Hall after lunch and headed towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
"I am so pleased to be back at Hogwarts," Professor Umbridge began, and Hermione could tell she had prepared a long speech to torture them with for the first class. "It is the ministry's belief that young minds must be educated, for without formal education provided by ministry approved instructors, such as myself, young minds can easily be led astray." Someone coughed, and Hermione gripped her quill angrily.
"During my first post here at Hogwarts many students and teachers questioned my non-practical approach to teaching. I remain certain that the best knowledge can be obtained through reading the required text. Children, you may believe that it is your job to analyze the text and come to your own conclusions about the material, but it is not, as a student it is required that you support your ministry's educational guidelines and meet its outline requirements. That is all. You may now turn to chapter one of Herbert Dowry's, Ministry approved, Guide to Defensive Magic."
There was a rustle of pages and annoyed murmurs. Hermione cast aside her now broken quill fragments, and opened the book allowing the words to swim in front of her for almost the entire class before she was interrupted by Umbridge.
"How silly of me, it seems that I have forgotten to mark down the attendance," she simpered, pulling out the list and beginning to call names. "Granger, Hermione?" Hermione raised her hand silently, Umbridge looked around the room pointedly ignoring her hand, "Miss Granger?" Hermione cleared her throat loudly forcing Umbridge to look in her direction. She continued down the list, and Hermione was almost surprised when she called, "Potter, Harry?" There was dead silence in the room, and for the first time Hermione looked around and saw the shifting eyes of all the students as they were forced to digest that Harry was not coming. He would not arrive in a flying car, or on a dragon or thestral with some incredible explanation for his absence; he had left them.
Umbridge hummed to herself in satisfaction, "As I said boys and girls, if a young mind is not educated by the ministry's standards, it is not uncommon for it to be led astray." With that said, she finished the list and dismissed the class.
Hermione stormed out of the classroom, "That woman is vile, she couldn't even hide her glee that Harry is gone. She makes me so angry!" Neville was hot on her heels.
"I know what you mean," he replied, "It does make you think though…" He trailed off, and Hermione didn't bother to ask what he was talking about, and did not notice the mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"It makes me think how much she resembles a toad," Seamus added. Hermione couldn't help but laugh.
"And hasn't anyone told her that pink is not a fall colour, I mean you can wear it occasionally, but not every day," Lavender piped in from behind them. The boys all looked at her in bewilderment, but Hermione burst out laughing at this point, causing them to join in. The pointless, yet amusing, Umbridge bashing continued until they entered Professor McGonagall's classroom.
She was waiting patiently at her desk, as they filed in. The front two rows of desks each contained a purple ministry brochure. Hermione chose a seat in the front row, and glanced at the pamphlet: The Matched Matrimony Law and What It Means For You!
"The Matched Matrimony Law, or more commonly referred to as the Marriage Law, has officially been put in place by the Ministry of Magic," Professor McGonagall began, "This law will ensure the prosperous future of magical generations to come." Professor McGonagall sniffed irritably, before continuing to read her cue-cards. "I'm sure all of you have many questions regarding this new and exciting piece of legislation, and it is my duty to the ministry to help you transition into your new roles."
"What new roles?" Dean Thomas asked.
"Ah…how do I phrase this," Professor McGonagall pondered aloud sarcastically before referring back to her sheet, "Your new roles as husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers, abiding participants in the magical community. The ministry has designed the law in three stages: the first stage is the engagement phase. During this time period you will receive your eligible partners from the ministry, select your future spouse, and then announce it to the ministry."
"The Prophet said something about the first set of candidates receiving their choices this week." Parvati added, "How do we know which set we are in?"
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, and sighed, "This first string of candidates will have the largest selection of spouses, and they will be the first informed. After that paperwork will be sent to the second and third string candidates. So you will only know which section you are in based on when you receive notice from the Ministry."
"Why do the first string candidates have the largest selection? That's not fair!" Seamus said loudly.
"The first string candidates will also have the earliest marriage deadlines, and the third string will have the latest," Professor McGonagall added, and then continued as if there was no interruption, "It is possible to appeal for a different match, if your given candidates do not work out. However, the appeal process can be timely, and they may choose to further limit your selection. Phase two of the law is the Marriage segment, in which you will be bound magically and legally to your spouse."
"What do you mean bound magically?" Hermione asked sharply.
"Most marriages today are only bound by the law, or by religious officials, either of these practices can be reversed, in other words the couple can get divorced with relative ease. However, magical binding involves the use of certain enchantments to bind the couple for life. It was common in the Medieval era, but in the last century it has become obsolete. These bindings are much more difficult to reverse as there is no standard method. If a couple wishes to be divorced they must research a way to undo their particular bindings; it could be a spell, charm, or even a potion, the point is the enchantment grows with the couple and thus is unique to them. I'd also like to point out that unlike a state or religious marriage a magical binding ensures that vows are kept sacred; if a vow is broken the consequences are severe."
Hermione was about to ask about the consequences, but she thought better of it. Getting through the engagement phase would be difficult enough; she didn't want to think about the rest of her life just yet.
"The details of the third stage are still being finalized and will be announced when the Ministry sees fit. I think that is everything of immediate importance," Professor McGonagall said, "If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to come to my office. Mr. Longbottom, I'd like a word with you please." Neville glanced at Hermione, but she merely shrugged her shoulders, before gathering her things and heading to the library for her spare period.
Hermione's first day had given her more than enough worries and things to think about, but at the moment her mind was set on one. She decided that her most pressing concern would be closing her mind. So as she entered the library she immediately searched for a book to teach herself occlumency. It would be difficult, she knew that much, but it would be especially difficult because she would be learning it with no outside assistance. The only way she could test if had mastered the art of closing her mind would be if she allowed Snape to try and pry into her thoughts again. But she did not plan on giving him that opportunity. From now on she would be completely focused on whatever task she was doing, and if her potion was simmering she would use any means to keep her thoughts away from dangerous territories.
She read through the first three chapters on the basics to learning occlumency when familiar voices pulled her away from her book. She stashed it quickly in her bag, pulling out a sheet of parchment in its place. "Hey Hermione," Ginny whispered, sliding into the seat across from her. Neville sat down next to her.
"We have an idea," Ginny announced quietly, "Well it was Neville's idea actually," Ginny was grinning, and Hermione realized it was the first time Ginny looked truly excited since Harry left. "We are going to restart Dumbledore's Army!" Dozens of crazy ideas crossed Hermione's mind, but that had not been one of them.
"The D.A.? Really?" Hermione felt overwhelmed with joy. She did not have to sit by aimlessly while Harry and Ron fought. She could fight too!
"I told you being back in Umbridge's class got me thinking about things," Neville said, "if the ministry thinks they can bring that old hag back and we won't retaliate, they're dead wrong. There are much bigger issues than a ministry loving toad, but getting rid of Umbridge will be a start." He spoke so passionately that he reminded Hermione, for a moment, of Harry.
"We're not just going to teach ourselves defense though," Ginny added, "We want to cause some trouble, so she reports it back to the ministry. We have voices and we are not going to be ignored."
"I'm in," Hermione decided, though there was no way she could refuse such a tempting offer. "We won't be able to use the room of requirement again though, so we'll have to find somewhere else to meet."
"We know," Neville agreed, "We've been thinking, but we are back to the same old issues. The Shrieking Shack is too small, and the forest is too dangerous. So we will have to keep our eyes open for a new spot."
"We've been thinking, it might be worthwhile to use the galleons to communicate again. Umbridge never knew about them, and some people might think to check them now that Umbridge is back," Ginny added.
"I'll have to make some more for new recruits, and I'm sure some people have lost or spent theirs," Hermione noted. A brown-haired boy approached the table; he was a second year, whose name Hermione did not know. They silenced immediately.
"Um, Hermione Granger?" He looked at her uncertainly.
"Yes, that's me."
"You are wanted in the Headmistresses office." Hermione nodded and the boy scampered out of the library.
"I wonder what she wants," Hermione wondered aloud, "I'd better go." Hermione gathered her things and exited the library only to realize she wasn't sure where to go. It was her seventh year at Hogwarts, so she knew her way around, but now she was faced with a dilemma. Did she go to Professor McGonagall's office, or to Dumbledore's old office? Hermione hesitated for a moment before heading down the corridor, if she was wrong she would just have to turn around and be slightly late.
Hermione knocked on the door. No answer. She tried the handle; it was unlocked so she entered the office. There was no sign of Professor McGonagall, though the office did not look unused. There was a stack of papers on the desk that were grading themselves, and several notes stuck to the edge of the desk in an orderly fashion. Hermione noticed one note in particular, it was red while the others were gold, she took a closer look and read Kit Kat. Hermione understood immediately and almost laughed out loud at McGonagall's choice of password. Nevertheless, she headed to the new headmistress's office.
"Password?"
"Kit Kat," Hermione answered, her previous anxiety returning now that she was moments away from her meeting with McGonagall. The Gargoyle moved allowing Hermione passage up the revolving staircase. She had never been in this office before, so she took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Hermione entered the circular room, and took a seat in the chair across from Professor McGonagall.
"I'm glad you could join me. Would you like some tea?" She asked. Hermione shook her head. "I'm sure you are wondering why I have called you here, and there are several reasons. I have some information to discuss with you that I would like to keep between the two of us."
"Is it about the Order?" Hermione asked, not thinking that there were other private matters to be discussed.
"Well, partially," McGonagall hesitated, "Alastor has implored that I ask you about Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."
"I've already told him that I can't say what they are doing," Hermione replied hotly. The absence of her best friends, and the interrogations is caused was a sore subject for Hermione.
"Yes, I understand that," McGonagall said kindly, her eyes darting to the portrait of her predecessor. "But I also understand that this mission could be dangerous, especially for two wizards who have not even completed their education. I have tried to ask Albus," McGonagall gestured absently to the large portrait behind her, whose occupant currently appeared to be asleep, "But all he tells me is that my only concern right now is the safety of the students. While Alastor has other concerns, I want to help Harry and Ron as much as possible, if we were to know their whereabouts the Order could secure the area or provide backup when necessary."
"I don't know where they are," Hermione said, "Honestly professor, if I did know I would be out there with them, or if I couldn't be with them at least helping them somehow."
"I know Ms. Granger, I was only asking because it is my duty to the Order. But I have some other matters to discuss with you as well. I will not deny that you are an exceptionally bright witch, and though I do not choose favourites among my students, I find your intellect and individuality very admirable."
"Professor, I don't understand what you are talking about," Hermione interrupted, blushing slightly.
"You were, naturally, the first choice to be Head Girl. I just wanted to apologize that you could not have the opportunity because of the current tension between Hogwarts and the Ministry."
"Why did that make a difference?" Hermione asked, "I understand the power struggle because of You-Know-Who's influence, but how would me being head girl make any difference?"
"Well, for one you are Harry Potter's best friend, and also," Professor McGonagall paused her, "because you are a muggleborn. When you were first suggested the only student the ministry thought appropriate for Head Boy was Draco Malfoy."
"Malfoy! Please tell me you aren't serious Professor. He's a Death Eater!" Hermione stood up in outrage, and held back from slamming her palms against the smooth wood of the desk between them.
"Unfortunately, I am quite serious. That is why we decided upon two mutual students. I felt that you were owed this explanation at least. This will be a very difficult year for you."
"I feel like you have more bad news," Hermione said grimly, "What is it?"
"I did not want to concern the other students. The Marriage Law has already caused enough apprehension. What was not officially announced is the actuality of the three strings of candidates."
"It's based on blood status, isn't it?" Hermione whispered in horror. Professor McGonagall nodded.
"Purebloods have first choice, and muggleborns will have last choice," Professor McGonagall explained. "I know this will be especially hard on you, and I sincerely hope you have a decent selection of candidates when the time comes." Hermione nodded and blinked, in an attempt to avoid crying for the countless time in the past twenty-four hours. Professor McGonagall moved a box of tissues towards her, but apart from that pretended not to notice. Hermione waited until she was sure she had composed herself before speaking.
"Is that all Professor?"
"Yes, you may go," she replied. As Hermione was about to leave, she stopped her, "and Miss Granger, in relation to your extra-curricular activities, I suggest you take precautions. I have already lost two of my Gryffindors, I will not stand to lose any more."
Hermione opened her mouth in surprise at how quickly she had caught on to their plan to resurrect Dumbeldore's Army. "We'll be careful," Hermione promised before leaving the office.
Hermione headed to the common room and ignored the whispers that followed her up to the girl's dormitory. Thankfully it was empty, everyone was probably at dinner, allowing Hermione to search for her DA galleon in peace and then crawled into bed. In all her years at Hogwarts she had never felt this miserable.
In another part of the castle, Draco Malfoy was also taking advantage of the quiet while everyone was at dinner in order to sneak out of the castle undetected. He crossed the grounds quickly and with his wand alight made his way into the forest walking until he reached the boundaries of Hogwarts before pulling up his mask and hooded cloak. Then he disapparated the resounding crack echoing through the forest. It would, of course, be easier to floo to the meetings with Snape from the secure fireplace in his private quarters, but Draco refused to rely on him, not after what happened in June.
He arrived in the deserted field and quickened his pace as he made his way into the forest. There was an abandoned fortress there that the Dark Lord liked to use occasionally for meetings. It was secluded and hard to locate, which made it more practical for his purposes, it was one of the few places he used more than once for meetings. Draco saw more hooded figures as he approached the entrance, and scanned through them until he recognized the familiar form of his father. He casually strode beside him, lengthening his pace to keep up with him.
"Father," Draco greeted him quietly.
"Draco," he responded his voice tight with anxiety. Draco was curious about his tense stature, but did not ask. He wondered if it was about the Marriage Law. He had known about it before the article in the prophet, but they had not discussed it yet.
They entered the crowd and waited in silence, as the excitement mounted around them. The Dark Lord arrived at last and with a wave of his wand a disheveled body appeared in a heap before him. "Welcome Death Eaters," he called to the crowded hall.
"As usual, our first order of business today is the sacrifice of a muggle for our cause. This honour goes to Pius Thicknesse in celebration of his first act as Minister of Magic." Pius approached Voldemort on his knees, kissing the hem of his robes, before rising. Draco grimaced as Pius pulled a sword from within in his cloak and approached the whimpering body. Draco focused on Pius' face to avoid watching the blood being spilt, he seemed to be enjoying his 'reward'. Pius drew jeers from the crowd as he slaughtered the muggle man, drawing out his death for as long as possible to the amusement of his fellow Death Eaters. His ability to appease a crowd was what made him a valued Death Eater and the perfect candidate for the role as Minister.
When the deed was done Pius stepped back into the mass of people and He Who Must Not Be Named stepped forward drawing attention away from the body as house elves filled flasks with the fresh blood. They never saw what happened to the flasks, but Draco suspected they were being stored for use a potion, human blood was a common ingredient in some rather gruesome potions. Draco let his mind wander as the Dark Lord proceeded to the second aspect of the meeting, his routine monologue about blood supremacy and ruling the world. He was brought back to the present when the Dark Lord spoke of the Marriage Law.
"I know many of your offspring will be affected by this new law, and I predict acceptable matches for them. This opportunity will provide your sons…and daughters the chance to prove themselves worthy of becoming future Death Eaters." There was silence among the Death Eaters now, all unsure of the fate of their children. "And I am excited to announce that one of our own will be getting his opportunity today." Draco shuffled uneasily, the Dark Lord looked much too excited, and his 'opportunities' were never desirable.
"But first I have some celebratory news, Harry Potter has fled," he announced. The hall erupted with cheers, and someone sent sparks flying into the domed ceiling. "As I expected he did not return to Hogwarts this year, using the Matched Matrimony Law as an excuse to flee from his unavoidable confrontation with me. He can run, be he cannot hide from the wrath of Lord Voldemort."
"My Lord," Bellatrix spoke from the front, kneeling in front of him to kiss his robe. She lingered there longer than Pius, looking up at her lord coyly from beneath her lashes, Draco held back the urge to gag. "I would be honoured to offer my services in searching for the boy."
"Bellatrix, my ever faithful servant," Voldemort said, beckoning for her to rise. She did so, watching him with anticipation. "You services will be unneeded in finding the boy, for he will come to me." Bella withdrew into the crowd looking disappointed, but Draco was unsurprised. The Dark Lord was well acquainted with Potter's hero-complex, he would not be gone for long. "Potter has left behind his precious Mudblood." There were jeers from the Death Eaters and Draco reflected on the devastated look on her face when Pansy pointed out that her best friends were missing.
"Now we have come full circle," Voldemort commented, "Back to the opportunity for one of our newest members." Draco felt his stomach clench as red eyes met his own. He bowed his head, and waited to be addressed. "Draco Malfoy."
Draco lowered to his knees, kissing the robes quickly, Draco held back a grimace at the humiliating act. He rose once again, and stood back waiting for whatever new punishment he was in store for. "Very soon, you will receive a letter from the Ministry with a list of your eligible candidates. Of those eligible candidates, you must select Potter's mudblood to be your betrothed." Draco was mortified. His life was already a disaster, he did not think it could get any worse. The Dark Lord was smiling cruelly, and laughter was echoing throughout the hall.
"You will marry the girl," Voldemort continued, not bothering to stop the laughing, "and you will persuade her to join our cause."
Draco's only consolation was that his misery would be short-lived. She would never align herself with Death Eaters, and he would be unable to fulfill his orders. If things went as Draco expected, they would both be dead long before the end of the war.
Coming Up in Till Death Do Us Part:
"So what are you suggesting? We can't exactly put up a sign saying 'Dumbledore's Army: Now Recruiting'?"