Chapter 2: The Burrow, the Same Day

"Morning dears," Molly Weasley cooed to her children, some by birth and others by circumstances, as she breezed into the kitchen.  "As you can see, breakfast is ready and waiting.  I heard the owls a few minutes ago, so I'm off to read the mail."

The seven children each garbled some semblance of a response and began loading their plates with food.

The table was made up of five redheaded Weasleys, a bushy-haired girl and a raven-haired boy with the greenest eyes. 

At the end of the table sat perfect, prefect Percy, who now worked for the Ministry of Magic.  He was currently working on his most important project to date, regulating control of Mandrake juice and all three of its uses.

To his right sat the identical Weasley twins, George and Fred, who were known as the pranksters of the group.  Why just that morning they had graciously woken everyone by charming all the beds in the house to play "Wake up Little Suzy" at the wonderful hour of 5 am.  No one could really be mad at them though as, much to Molly Weasley's dismay; Fred and George's pranks had brought the once poor family a considerable fortune.

To the left of Percy sat the only Weasley girl, Ginny.  Her real name was Virginia, but no one called her that unless she was in serious trouble.  Ginny was sixteen and quite the beauty.  She was tall, like her brothers, around 5'9" and slender.  She had the trademark red hair, but with blonde streaks.  She was quiet and reserved.  She usually could be found alone, reading. However, she was also known for her fiery temper and long-standing crush on the Boy-Who-Lived; not that he had ever given her hope that a relationship was even possible.

To the right of Ginny, sat Ron Weasley. He was the youngest boy and aged 17.  He, too, had red hair and was an extremely tall 6'6".  He was lanky, but with strong hints of serious muscle development due to the fact that if he was not talking about Quidditch, he was playing it.  Moreover, to many female students' dismay, Ron was secretly in love. He was also best friend to the last two people at the table, a Miss Hermione Granger (his secret love) and Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. 

Hermione was Hogwart's resident know-it-all, a title that she secretly loved.  She was also deeply and secretly in love with her best friend, Ron.  This was why, even now, she was casting him glances out of the corner of her eye. Little did she know she, too, was receiving glances from the object of her desires.

Last, but certainly not least, (especially in the wizarding world) was a Mr. Harry Potter.  He was quite the good-looking young man with his raven colored hair, green eyes and well-toned body. He was known for the small round glasses he wore and the lightening-shaped scar on his forehead.  The scar was a gift from the world's most evil wizard to have ever lived, Voldemort. 

So they all sat there quietly, eating their breakfast and lost in their own thoughts.

That was until they heard Molly Weasley let out a yell of pure horror in the family's living room.

All seven of them quickly got up and ran to see what was wrong.

At the same time, Molly's husband, Arthur, was running down the stairs to find out what the commotion was.

They all arrived in time to see Mrs. Weasley tearing up.  She looked up at Arthur from her spot on their new couch and started crying like a baby.

Arthur quickly gathered her into his arms and asked her what could possibly be so upsetting at this time of the morning?

She simply pulled away and handed him a letter that looked remarkably like the one the Malfoy household had received this very same morning.

The seven children (for that was how Molly looked upon them all, despite their ages) looked questioningly at each other.

Arthur read the letter.  When he was finished, he looked at Molly.  He, too, had tears in his eyes.

"Daddy, what is wrong?  It isn't about Charlie or Bill is it?"  Ginny asked. 

Bill and Charlie were the two oldest Weasley children.  Bill was a curse-breaker for the Wizard Bank, Gringotts.  He was currently living in Egypt. Charlie was a dragon researcher and resided near a dragon colony in Romania.

"No baby, it is not about Bill or Charlie," responded Arthur.

Many mutterings of "Thank God" could be heard throughout the room.

"It is much worse," continued Arthur in a forlorn voice.  "Your mother and I need to speak to Ginny…alone.  The rest of you go finish breakfast."

While everyone was clearly concerned, they did as they were told.

Ginny, however, was very pale and afraid to ask why she had to stay.

"Ginny, I think you had better sit down," wailed Molly.

Ginny quickly sat down in the armchair across from her parents.  She searched her parent's faces for any answers, but could find none.

Arthur looked at Molly and said, "I think you better explain this, Molly."

Molly nodded, took a deep breath to calm herself and began explaining.  "Many years ago, I was very good friends with Narcissa Malfoy, well Narcissa Black then."

Ginny audibly gasped, but Molly continued.

"Narcissa and I did everything together.  We were as close as two people could be.  She was the beautiful blonde and I was the gorgeous redhead.  We were also quite the pranksters, not as good as the Marauders, but close.  One day, while coming back from Hogsmeade, three evil wizards attacked us.  Narcissa was hexed and I saved us both from a fate worse than death, as you can imagine. This letter, that we have received today, is a result of that day."

"I'm sorry Mom, I don't understand," replied Ginny.

"Well Ginny, it seems that on that day Narcissa took a Merlin Oath," stated Arthur.

"A Merlin Oath?"

"Yes, a Merlin Oath.  A Merlin Oath is much like a Wizard Debt only much more binding and absolutely must be fulfilled."

"But what does this have to do with me, Dad?" asked Ginny.

"Well, it seems Narcissa," continued Molly, "promised her first-born son to our daughter.  You, Ginny, are now the fiancée of Draco Malfoy.  Apparently, today is his legal age birthday. You are to be married within 3 months."

Ginny by this point was laughing hysterically.  "Good one Mom and Dad.  Who else is in on it?  Fred?  George?  Ron?"

"Ginny, we are NOT kidding.  Furthermore, no Merlin Oath has ever been turned down.  You have no choice and we have no choice.  You must marry Draco.  To deny this Oath, would mean certain death."

Ginny's laughter quickly turned to deep, gut-wrenching sobs.  Sobs that were so loud all the people in the kitchen ran back into the living room despite them originally being told to leave.

Ron and Hermione quickly ran to Ginny and put their arms around her in attempt to comfort her.

"Ginny, it will be okay.  Nothing can be this bad," soothed Hermione.

"Oh really Mione, well then why don't YOU marry Draco Malfoy then," screamed Ginny.  She wrenched herself out of their arms and ran out the door. Her leaving was marked by the very loud slamming of the screen door.

At this outburst, there were six jaws hanging wide open.

Ron recovered first and asked, "Mom, Dad, what in the HELL is she talking about?"