Author's Notes: All characters are property of J.K.Rowlings; this writing is for my own enjoyment, and hopefully yours.
Time line: Harry's second year after graduating Hogwart's; it is believed Voldemort has been defeated, but his followers are still strong.
A multiple pairing story; HET.
--The Bachelor's Curse--
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Chapter I
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The Weasley House: July 29th
"BACHELOR'S CURSE PREDICTED TO STRIKE AUGUST 1"
The Daily Prophet
It had been exactly thirty years since the Daily Prophet had first forecasted this dark prophecy to the wizarding world. In fact, the last time the prophetic headline had run on the front page, over two hundred witches and wizards jumped the broom before nightfall; including Molly Smithwick and Arthur Weasley. With bone- chilling accuracy, three days later, on August first at exactly midnight, a green aura filled the sky, and the next morning over 50 unmarried British wizards between the ages of 18 and 50 lay dead in their beds, struck down in their sleep by the Unum Solitas, (or the Bachelor's Curse, as it was commonly called).
Thirty years ago the Bachelor's Curse had been a weapon of the young, but increasing powerful Lord Voldemort; however, it wasn't a new curse. The Unum Solitas had been recorded in several ancient, classical texts. Yet, it hadn't been used in thousands of years due to its ability to cause indiscriminate carnage, and thus, like many things not used, it had been nearly forgotten by the magical world. Thirty years ago, a respected seer, Humberdink Trelawney, great grandson of the famous Cassandra Trelawny and grandfather of Hogwart's own, Sibyll Trelawny, experience the fated vision of the rebirth of this man-killing curse and although, several wizards headed the Prophet's warning and became wedded within the hour, several more, unfortunate single men, did not.
"This is bad news, boys, very bad news," Arthur said looking over the morning paper as Molly, Percy, Fred, George, Bill, Ron and Ginny crowed around the table.
"Thank goodness you all came in this weekend to celebrate our anniversary," Molly said dumping a plateful of steaming blueberry muffins on the kitchen table. "Unfortunately, I think we're going to have to make some other plans."
It was rare that Ginny ever saw her brothers at a lost for words, but this was one of those occasions. There was no reason to speak, because they all knew about the Bachelor's Curse, and they all knew it was either get married or die, but right now, it was hard for the young men to decide which fate was worse.
"So who's going to be first to tie the knot today," Molly asked, trying to give an encouraging smile.
The boys grunted and only Fred and George seemed well enough to attempt to eat breakfast.
"So dad, I don't have to get married do I?" Ginny asked tentatively.
Arthur tried to smile, "No Ginny. Not unless there's some fellow that you want to umm...help out."
Ginny nodded, as she took a bite of her biscuit and ponder who she might have to 'help out', briefly eyeing Harry.
"Molly perhaps you and Ginny could go out to the garden for a bit, while the boys and I have a talk here."
Molly nodded to her husband, gave Ginny a slight tug towards the the garden door, the youngest's voice trailing off, "But why can't I stay, mum? We're not children anymore."
It was the same thing that everyone was thinking.
"Well, then," Arthur nodded at his sons and Harry, "It would be best if everyone were wed by tonight; we've enough money to pay for the licences for all of you."
Bill shook his head, "Why couldn't I have just gone back to Egypt last week."
"I can't believe Charlie isn't effect by this bloody curse! It's just not fair." Percy quipped.
"So goes things, Percy. He wasn't in England when it was forecast, but the rest of you, and this is no joking matter Fred, George," both nodded their understanding, "you have three days, until midnight of August first to sign a marriage contract." Then casting his eyes away, "Whether or not you decided to consummate it, well, it's that's up to you."
"I thought you didn't have to ...ummmm...to consummate it, just sign the licence," Percy commented.
"If you need some tips with the ladies Perce, Fred and I will be willing to share," George laughed; Ron and Harry exchanged muffled grins.
"Boys!" Their father scolded. Talking about sex with his sons was something he been lucky enough to avoid, being that they had all ended the talk before it had begun, but now that the issue was unavoidable, redness filled his aging cheeks. "It might be that you're protected with just the licence, but just to be on the safe side," lifting his eyebrows, "well, in this case you might gently push the issue. The marriage, even if you get divorced or annulled two days later, is legal."
Fred laughed, "Well now we all know how Bill came into this world."
Bill was not amused, "Very funny you two. Anyway, I think we've got picture dad." Then standing, "I guess I'm going to visit Katie."
"About time, you made her an honest woman," George called out after him. Very soon, they'd make honest women of them all.
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Ron had bid a short farewell to Harry. There wasn't much to say in a situation like this and he wanted to get to his intended's house before anyone else did. He felt like a complete fool as he stood on the doorstep of Grainger house at nine o'clock in the morning.
"Ron Weasley, come on it, she's been expecting you" Hermione's mom opened the door to her daughter's boyfriend.
Hermione had been spending most of her second year in arduous auror study, but she had spent nearly every vacation and holiday with Ron, who was now working in the Strategies Department of the Ministry. Even though he was playing down their relationship with Harry and his family, he was secretly crazy about Hermione; yet, he still wasn't completely sure how she was going to take the Unum Solitas .
"Hermoine!" He said surprised. She was sitting in her parent's living room in a white dress on a Saturday morning on her summer holiday. "You're up early and dressed in lovely white gown-"
She had a 'Prophet' in her hand. Her smile held her understanding, "Got the paper earlier than usual."
"Right," he scratched his head, quite aware that her parents were standing in close proximity of their only muggle daughter. "Well, ummm, I was thinking," then looking up at the Graingers', "that you might ummm...be up for helping me out that."
"Ron my parents already know about it. Of course I'll marry you." She answered in her matter-of-fact way.
"You'll marry me? Brilliant!" His heart was pounding a mile a minute. "Dr. Grainger?" He asked before throwing his arms around Hermione.
"Welcome to the family Ron." The dentist shook Ron's hand with familial respect.
Hermione instantly popped of the couch and hugged her red headed sweetie, "Don't worry Ron, being with me will be better than eating slugs."
Ron laughed, feeling much relieved at her willingness and happiness over the entire situation. "Hermione Grainger, marrying you might just be better than quitch."
With her muggle parents in tow, they left to find a minister.
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The instant Remus Lupin read the headline, his heart skipped a beat. Of all the horrible, humiliating, and life threatening curses for an aging wizard to face, this had to one of the worst.
Three points in particular made it extremely life threatening for him. One: he was a werewolf. Two: He didn't have many female friends, so sympathy to fact one was probably out of the question. Three: He was forty-two and there certainly weren't many unmarried witches over the age of forty running around England who wanted to marry a graying, sometimes sickly, out of work, poverty stricken, werewolf/ professor.
With a stiff upper lip, he raised his cup of tea to his lips and lamented that this might be his last few days on this earth, his last cup of Earl Grey; a pity really, because he always had hoped to die in a more spectacular situation, like his friends, than alone in his bed.
From the living room, a door slammed, a vase crashed to the floor, followed by, "Oh damn, that hurt!"
Jumping out of his kitchen chair, he quickly proceeded to the foyer, where one Nymphadora Tonks had crashed a plant stand on the floor, which had in turned broken a vase and splashed the floor boards with a covering of water, leaves and muck.
"Hey Remus," the small woman with heart-shaped face and pink hair smiled, "sorry about that. Just wondering if you'd read the morning's paper?"
For the second time that morning, his heart skipped a beat.
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One marriage down, a bunch more to go; Will they all find a match or will one be let go???
Perhaps Lupin will be next, maybe not. :)
Please let me know if you think this story should continue... Lyra