"Sybill? Sybill, what's wrong?!" Professor McGonagall asked, shocked. Professor Trelawney was standing, frozen, in the middle of the staff room at Hogwarts. Behind her thick glasses her eyes were glazed over, and her voice seemed caught in her throat. As Professor McGonagall stepped over to her to check her pulse, Professor Trelawney's voice boomed within the stone walls.
"She who shall be queen shall marry to-morrow. Wed to her greatest enemy, she shall stop the reign of terror. Only as wife may she be powerful enough. The laws of the evil shall be his downfall. Two souls as one shall defeat the evil…" She finished in a murmur. Suddenly, she broke out into a coughing fit, then snapped to attention.
"Oh, dear, Minerva, have I missed something? So sorry, Minerva. I'll take my seat." She placed a hand on Professor McGonagall's shoulder with care, then swept away to her seat in her usual urethral way.
Dumbfounded, Professor McGonagall rounded on the other teachers. "Albus, call for Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy." Her usually stony exterior turned to worry.
"Professor, you called for me?" Hermione Granger stood in the doorway to the staffroom, usually off-limits to students, and knocked quietly until called in. She had changed so much over the years, from the gawky, frizzy haired first year to the petite, beautiful girl she now was in her seventh year.
"Yes, yes I did. Thank you, Dobby. Please, come in, have a seat." Professor Dumbledore showed her to a large, plush chair across from the staff table, at which all the teachers were present.
She walked over, sitting down and crossing her legs daintily, waiting for further instructions.
"Headmaster, you called?" Came a second voice. There, standing in the doorway, was none other than Draco Malfoy. He'd changed too, from the smug, gelled-back-haired kid in first year to the tall, sophisticated seventh year. He'd even stopped gelling his hair!
"Yes, I did. Thank you, Winky. Please, take the seat next to Miss Granger." Dumbledore pointed to the seat next to Hermione's, and after giving her a roll of his eyes, he sat down.
"Now, we've brought you here today to discuss a very pressing matter." Dumbledore placed his fingers together, as per usual, and eyed them very seriously. "No doubt you have heard of the new laws that Lord Voldemort has put into effect. Such as the following: 'No muggleborn is to be unmarried at the age of twenty, and any muggleborn without parents must be under the care of a pureblood family, witch or wizard.' Miss Granger, as you know, Voldemort has killed your parents. Under this new law, you must not be, shall we say, single. Nor can you be attached to a muggleborn. This is, however, a convenient piece of legislation for us. You see, mere minutes ago Professor Trelawney gave us a rather pleasant surprise. She has prophesized something. Well, it's best if you hear it yourselves." Dumbledore took out his pensieve and prodded it, pulling up a small, ghost-like figure of Professor Trelawney.
As she slowly spun, she chanted: "She who shall be queen shall marry to-morrow. Wed to her greatest enemy, she shall stop the reign of terror. Only as wife may she be powerful enough. The laws of the evil shall be his downfall. Two souls as one shall defeat the evil…"
"Now, what do you think it means, Mister Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked politely.
"It means Granger here will be Queen, and that she has to marry her greatest enemy tomorrow to do so?" He asked, scared for the reason he was there.
"Yes, Mister Malfoy. And have you also realized your reason for being here?" Dumbledore pressed, a small smiled tugging at his lips.
"I'm her greatest enemy, and also a pureblood? But, sir, Professor, I can't! I refuse!" Malfoy stammered.
"As do I! To marry Malfoy would be an insult to me!" Hermione stood, infuriated.
"Sit, Miss Granger. As you have heard, your marriage will be the only way to stop this evil. For the good of all wizards, witches and muggles, I strongly urge you to do this." Dumbledore answered calmly, unfazed by her reaction.
"Well, in that case, I suppose I agree. Professors, I will marry Gran- er, Hermione, if that is what it takes." Malfoy smirked at the unbelieving Hermione, then nodded his head to Dumbledore.
"What?! Have you gone mad?!" Hermione was outraged. "I for one refuse! I will not marry Malfoy, under any circumstances!"
"Miss Granger, I thought you of all people would see the importance. Do you not see the selfishness of your refusal?" McGonagall said powerfully.
"Miss Granger, I will not force you into anything. I wish you to see the importance of this marriage. The prophecy said you will be married tomorrow. I will trust you to make the right decision. Go to your house tonight, speak to your friends. For the next hour, you will go to the Head's room to discuss this matter with Mister Malfoy. Do not stay up too late, but both of you will be allowed one hour after curfew so that you may discuss this matter fully with your friends and return to your dormitory. You are excused. And I mean, one hour in your dormitory first. You will not be able to go anywhere else until the hour is over. Goodnight to you." He dismissed them, and with a murmur of 'good night' from everyone, the Heads set out to their common room, one fuming and one smirking in delight.