The rose Chapter 4: The Proposal, a harry potter fanfic

HI! Missed me? – hope so!

Either way – here's my fourth chapter… yay!

And I'd like to thank my beta of course, cause without her this story would've been close to impossible to read… ah, maybe not that bad – but you'd be frustrated.

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Hmmm… -ah- I'd also like to thank my reviewers; it's nice to know that you're not alone out there with your LM/HG obsession.

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And now the not-so-funny-part:

Disclaimer: This is cruel, over and over and over again I'll have to admit that JK are the one and only parent to Harry and co.

Disclaimer: And the lyric then – belongs to Edguy… terrific band by the way – and the song is named The Key to my fate

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Right… ehm – what are you waiting for?

The Proposal

Am I totally blind this time when I'm dreaming'
the dreams that I fear, some call it nightmare
And some call it life, what is the sense of

Existing in here
And I think of the sadness when I'm dreaming' of
Leaving' the pain I don't get all that madness
and it drives me insane

The weeks passed her by, but there was no sign of this ridiculous law anywhere. Slowly everything went back to normal, Hermione's dreams were once again about what they should be about; she dreamt about the potions essay and other school subjects. She was up late at night, studying for the ancient runes test the next day when she fell asleep over her desk in her room.

Five past, seven she awoke, thanks to her new clock radio which was making awful noises. She got up grumbling that when she got out of school, she would sleep until she awoke on her own accord. She began her usual morning ritual; took a shower, brushed her teeth and her hair, put on some clothes and served Crookshanks his food and then (as usual) ran to the great hall and for her breakfast.

But when she reached the great hall she felt that this wasn't a usual day. With great concern she gazed over to the head table, her eyes fixed upon Dumbledore – he was pale and for the first time since the war he looked almost as old as he should be. Suddenly she discovered something at the head table that wasn't as it should be – a short, chubby man with a white beard and a strange hat sat at the edge of the table.

A bell rang in her head, this was one of the ministry employed… this couldn't be… could it? With cold hands and feet she made her way to Harry and Ginny – the two of them were silent. She swallowed against the lump in her throat; surely this wasn't about…?

"What's going on?" She whispered to Ginny, the redhead gave her a short glance and said with badly hidden anger in her voice:

"That" Ginny pointed at the chubby man at the end of the head table: "Is Raoul – my dad has told me about him, he is the one that carries out the dirty jobs for the ministry… this doesn't look too good."

"But… is it about that horrible law?" Hermione fell silent when Ginny didn't answer her: "Ginny is there anything you two haven't told me?"

"All the pureblood families were informed last week… we got a letter…" Ginny's eyes searched Hermione's like she wanted to be forgiven. "In that letter the ministry told us that we had to make the proposals and… and we did – all of us did."

"All of you?" Hermione said with shaking voice.

"We didn't want to tell you about it because we weren't sure… but Fred," Ginny sighed, "We know you wanted Ron, Hermione… but as the situation is for now he can't make a proposal to you, so Fred offered to do it."

Hermione's eyes widened, she didn't know what to believe, one part of her was relived that Fred had made a proposal to her and one part was screaming that it was so wrong! What if Ron woke up from his trance like state and she was married to his brother? And what about Fred, did he want to marry her? Didn't he already have a girlfriend?

"What about Angelina then?" Hermione asked in a dead voice.

"She understands, Hermione, she really does… Fred talked with her and she understood. She's a pureblood like us and that it's possible for her to make a proposal to one of her half-blood friends. It'll be alright, 'Mione, you'll see."

"Who is it that George and the others chose for their future brides then?" Hermione had an edge under that ironic voice, really – why didn't they ask her about it?

"Charlie is already married – you know that right? He and Fleur moved to Paris this very summer." Ginny searched Hermione's eyes and the brown eyed girl nodded – she knew that.

"Ah well – then there's George… well he and Katie Bell got on very well in their last year so when he heard about that law he kind of stormed home to her and proposed… he's such a romantic fellow that one." Ginny snorted and gave Harry a meaningful glare, the black haired boy smiled in agreement.

"And Bill – well we still had Alicia Spinnet to deal with in our friends circle so he made a proposal to her." Ginny paused once again and threw a look at Harry with love in her gaze, "And you must know for whom I made my proposal."

"What about Percy?" Hermione whispered and was rewarded with a loud snort from Ginny's side.

"Oh, that great bugger! Well he's been engaged with Penelope Clearwater for a while now."

"But isn't she…?"

"A pureblood? Yes." Ginny snorted once again, "But when they heard about this law they were married in a whoosh and we couldn't force him now could we?"

"Oh – My – God, something is happening over there!" Hermione pointed towards the head table where Raoul stomped forwards on his short legs and tapped Albus on the shoulder, the old wizard nodded slowly and rose from his seat – the hall went deadly silent.

"Children – it's in sorrow I have to admit that I have failed you all," Albus' voice died on his lips and his gaze was filled with sorrow when it searched each child's eyes, "I failed you because I couldn't stop what's to come – the ministry decided…"

The old wizard slumped back in his chair, he breathed heavily, Hermione feared that he might die – he looked so old, so tired, so sad… her heart filled with sympathy. He had tried, she knew that, tried his hardest for their sake, but he was old, weak and he had lost his respect in the ministry. Minerva walked over to his side and offered him some water. The old wizard declined what she offered and rose once again, cleared his throat and said with shaky voice:

"The ministry has decided that this law that forces muggle born and half-bloods to marry purebloods without own opinion or will shall carry out this very day… and I thought we'd passed these ridiculous thoughts and valuations when Voldemort fell…"

There were murmurs amongst the crowd before the old wizard; clearly the dark lord's name still spread terror, even though he'd been dead for almost half a year. Hermione saw the tears in Dumbledore's eyes, she saw how much he despised what was to come, and she herself had to hold her tears at bay, and amongst the other students she saw tears and crying. This was a gloomy day.

"I'm so sorry – I can't do anything to stop this," Albus Dumbledore fixed them with his stare, "But if someone needs me I'll be there and I'll try once again because you've all been through enough sorrow and deserve a decent, happy life!"

There was applause amongst the students, some of them screamed and whistled. Even if the ministry had lost their faith in Albus Dumbledore the students hadn't and Hermione felt warm inside, she thought that this at least would comfort him a bit. Raoul cleared his throat and Albus Dumbledore rewarded him with a cold stare, if looks could kill Raoul would have been a dead man. Hogwarts headmaster raised one hand in the air and the hall was once again silent; he made a gesture towards Raoul and said with cold voice:

"This is Raoul. He's a ministry employee and he's here today to declare the proposals that have already been sent to the ministry."

Raoul stalked forward and the look upon his face told the students that he was a total arsehole who didn't care if they so were to marry a cave troll.

Now hear me cry, I'm in quest
Of the key to my fate
I might be nigh to the key
In the abyss of hate

Annihilation in my brain
What is the price that we will be to pay
When will you lift our little poor souls
When will you take us oh lord away

"Well then students, I'm Raoul. It's nice to see so many potential young minds that later in their lives will be a great resource to our lovely ministry! Before I read these proposals for you, I'll just clarify what this law is good for, because I think that the headmaster here happened to miss that little detail, didn't he?"

He didn't get any answer, the hall remained silent and the ugly little man turned to the teachers but they where just as silent. At that moment you could have heard a needle fall to the floor.

"Have it your way then! I'll tell you anyway!" he spat, "The marriage law was created by our minister of magic to prevent the rising number of newborn squibs to become even higher. We've discovered that the magic is weak in the old families and that new blood has to be mixed with the old, only then the number of squibs will be stabilized to the normal. Therefore, all of you who are of proper age from this day will be an asset to the ministry in this noble task."

(A/N – I know that the proper age is 18, but I just have to include Ginny so I just pushed this line a bit further, and I don't know how old you have to be in England to marry, but in Sweden we are allowed to marry when we've passed fifteen so… what ever.)

There was no applause this time, the hall was dead silent and Hermione felt a lump in her throat. 'This is it,' she thought, 'This is the end of my freedom. I'll be Mrs. Hermione Weasley in the future. I'll have seven billion babies and a husband that never grows up.'

'Or love you.' a cruel voice whispered in her head. She felt the tears in her eyes but tried to reason with herself. He's nice, he always makes me laugh and he's kind of cute with that red hair and those freckles. He may not love me but he'll treat me with respect and… wait a minute respect from one of the Weasley twins? Oh I don't think so!

'Oh get over it, Hermione. It could be worse!' She sighed. She knew the voice was right… she could have been forced to marry Draco.

Her mind shivered at the thought, she wouldn't stand for it! Being forced to marry that Ferret would be her worst nightmare. And to have his children. 'Ugh what a terrible thought,' to sleep with him and lose my virginity to him? 'That wouldn't happen. I would rather kill myself and laugh afterwards.'

Oh when will we die
Why to suffer to stand up right
We are victims of time
We have to fight till the end is in sight

What's the reason to carry on
What's the reason to fall
After days of living hall
After we had to crawl

"Under Ministry Law 202, article 20, Pansy Sophia Parkinson, pureblood witch, represents the Parkinson bloodline, daughter to Marwelton and Henrietta Parkinson, is hereby betrothed to Seamus Finnegan, half-blood wizard, son to the witch Helena Finnegan and the muggle Peter Finnegan."

"What the fuck! This is bullshit!" Seamus bellowed. Dean Thomas tried to clam him down and held him by his arm.

"Take it easy, Seamus." Dean tried but the raged wizard draw his wand and pointed it against the Slytherin girl who was smirking at his reaction.

"That devil spawn over there is trying to ruin my future. Fuck this! I'd rather die then marry her! This is bullshit!"

Seamus tore his arm loose from Dean and stormed out from the great hall. After him Pansy called in a mocking tone:

"Sweetie, where are you going? You'll see. We'll get on perfectly!"

The whole Slytherin table laughed. Hermione noticed that her fists were clenched and her eyes threw daggers at those laughing snakes. Together, with her, the whole Gryffindor table drew their wands, and if Albus Dumbledore hadn't bellowed that they should stay calm, only god knows what would have happened next.

"Hrm, hrm!" Raoul coughed and the attention was turned to him once again.

"Under Ministry Law 202, article 20, Vincent Coopey Crabbe, pureblood wizard, represents the Crabbe bloodline, son to Harvey and Penelope Crabbe, is hereby betrothed to Laura Madley, muggle born witch, daughter to Anne Johnson and Peter Madley."

There where a shriek at the Hufflepuff table. The blonde and cute witch that was Laura fainted in pure agony. Hermione gasped, that poor girl! Forced to marry Crabbe! Hermione knew the girl; she was always smiling and bouncing like there was something funny going on everywhere.

'Well this isn't funny!' Hermione thought with her heart in her throat, that poor girl!

"Horrible!" Ginny gasped: "Horrible! She was such wonderful person. I used to be paired with her during Astronomy."

"Ahem… these things happen. You there!" Raoul pointed at a third year boy in Hufflepuff, "Take that girl to your mediwitch. She may be in need of medical care."

The third year tried to lift the girl from the floor but didn't succeed. Soon he was helped by three more third and four years. Together they carried the unconscious girl through the door.

"Why didn't they cast Mobilicorpus?" Ginny questioned.

"They were probably in shock." Hermione answered quietly.

"Alright students, listen up now!" Raoul bellowed, "Under Ministry Law 202, article 20, Ginerva Louise Weasley, pureblood witch and represents the Weasley bloodline, daughter to Arthur and Molly Weasley, is hereby betrothed to Harry James Potter, half-blood wizard, son to Lily and James Potter."

This time there were no horrified screams or tears. There was applause and wolf whistles when Harry and Ginny kissed each other with fiery passion. The two of them could rest assure that at least their future would hold some happiness. Hermione smiled, this at least would be something positive for her to remember from this gloomy and depressing day.

"Good, good," Raoul said with bored vice, "Under Ministry Law 202, article 20, Neville Guss Longbottom, pureblood wizard, represents the Longbottom bloodline, son to Frank and Alice Longbottom, is hereby betrothed to Luna Marietta Lovegood, half-blood witch, daughter to Martin and Fanny Lovegood."

(A/N – Before all you people start screaming that both Luna and Neville are purebloods, give me some space to explain myself… alright – I just thought that they were such a sweet couple… aren't they? I mean – can't we just pretend that Luna's mother was a muggle? Pretty please?)

They were in the great hall for hours. Hermione chewed anxiously on her bottom lip, something she had to stop doing, it was a very bad habit, but she couldn't help herself, when she got nervous that just… happened!

There were so many tears that day. Hermione could barely count all of the girls who were now engaged to older men no-one had ever heard of. Hermione thought it was perverse of those men to marry someone half their age! The boys who were engaged to women outside and inside Hogwarts stomped off in anger, cursing everything in their way. Natalie McDonald, a seventh year girl in Ravenclaw was suddenly engaged to Blaise Zabini. The poor girl ran off screaming and cursing the day she chose to become a witch.

Are we totally blind this time
can't you tell me the nexus of freedom
and pain and desires and hate
and even the holy ones

What's the reason to carry on
what's the reason to fall
after days of living hall
after we had to crawl

Hermione couldn't count the number of friends who were now engaged against their will. Emma Dobbs (Sixth year and belonged in Ravenclaw), Andrew Kirke (Sixth year and belonged in Gryffindor), Dean Thomas (One of her closest friends in Gryffindor), and Cho Chang (Ravenclaw seventh year, she wasn't Hermione's friend though, but when she became engaged to Goyle, Hermione couldn't stop herself from pitying the beautiful black-haired girl) were just a few of them.

"And now we have the last one on the list."

Raoul's voice reached Hermione's ears, she felt like she was going to faint on the spot. This was it, she just knew that her name would be the last one, she just knew it! 'Oh please, please, please tell me that it's Fred, tell me it's Fred!' She begged to some unknown power (if there were any).

"Under Ministry Law 202, article 20, Fred Thomas Weasley, pureblood wizard, represents the Weasley bloodline, son to Arthur and Molly Weasley, is hereby betrothed to He…"

"Stop!" The doors in the Great Hall flew open and in came another ministry employee. Hermione saw from his clothes (formal and strict) that this man, whoever he was, was no errand boy. He had a high position in the ministry; his clothes alone spoke for that.

"What is it, Malcolm?" Raoul questioned when the strict clothed man named Malcolm reached the head table.

"This came to us early this morning. It was delivered exactly when you apparated," Malcolm handed Raoul a ceremonial ministry scroll and said: "This is what you're going to read to the students!"

Are we totally blind this time
can't you tell me the nexus of freedom
and pain and desires and hate
and even the holy ones

What's the reason to carry on
what's the reason to fall
after days of living hall
after we had to crawl

Hermione held her breath. What was wrong? What had happened? What was written on that paper? Why didn't he just tell them all that she was engaged to Fred Weasley?

"Hrm, hrm." Raoul coughed and gazed nervously over the crowd before him. Something on that note had made him unsure. "Seems like we've had some last minute changes… I'll read this to you and…"

"Get on with it!" Malcolm growled.

"Yes, yes." Raoul answered half-heartedly. "Hermione Jane Granger has received more than one offer and…"

Hermione was about to faint; this wasn't good, this wasn't good! Two offers? That couldn't be? Who was the other man? Why her? Why couldn't…

"According to article 212 in the ministry law 202 arranged marriages, the ministry have made an investigation in this case and it's perfectly clear that Fred Weasley's proposal is the one to be rejected."

'Alright, Hermione, this is the moment when you're supposed to faint.' her mind resonated.

"What the…?" Ginny bellowed, "What's happening, 'Mione? Wasn't Fred supposed to…?"

The Great Hall boiled with confusion. Hermione's mind was spinning; she glanced over to the Slytherin table. There was just one person there who hadn't made a proposal; Draco Malfoy! He caught her staring at him and smirked at her. This couldn't be! He couldn't, could he?

"Under Ministry Law 202, article 20! Hermione Jane Granger, muggle born witch, daughter to Anton and Nicole Granger," Raoul bellowed, "is hereby betrothed to Lucius Avery Brian Malfoy, pureblood wizard, represents the Malfoy bloodline, son to Leopold and Cassandra Malfoy!"

'This isn't true! This isn't happening!' Her mind screamed. She had heard him wrong, hadn't she? If that was so, then so had the whole of the Great Hall because she could hear shocked screams and angry calls.

'Alright, Hermione – THIS is the moment when you're supposed to faint.' her mind resonated again, and now she did as she was told, everything faded to darkness.

What's the reason to carry on
what's the reason to fall
after days of living hall
after we had to crawl

No? What's this? The end? Aww...
But fear naught my friends ;) I'm posting next chap right away!

Btw. feed my ego with som revews will you?