"This whole thing is just ridiculous," Ginny says, taking a sip of the Butterbeer in front of her before leaning back in her seat. Harry reaches over and squeezes her hand, not letting go. Hermione can't help but feel a pang of jealousy at this. After her failed relationship with Ron that ended a few months ago, she hadn't had anyone do something kind and sweet for her just because they wanted to in a long time.
"I know, but isn't like we have much of a say in it," Hermione replies.
"But we all helped save the wizarding world," the red-haired witch exclaims, causing others to look our way.
"I already tried talking to some people," Harry says, running his free hand through his hair. "They think that this will help us save the wizarding world again." He scoffs. "That we will want to help save the world again by doing this." Hermione takes a sip of her own drink, holding it in her hands.
She had really hoped this marriage law thing wouldn't be the only thing the three of them would talk about. The Ministry had decided that the wizarding population was getting low. They have always been worried about it, but the war made them finally act on the worry. And now, every witch and wizard who wasn't married would be given a letter the next day with the person they had to marry, and the date they were to be married. Although it wasn't brought up much yet, you and your new partner had to have a child within the first year of your marriage. For Hermione, a single woman who had only been in a long term relationship with one person, this whole thing was daunting enough. But for Harry and Ginny, a couple who didn't know if they would be able to live the life they had imagined together, she couldn't even imagine what they must be feeling.
"Can you imagine how many people are going to be at the Ministry tomorrow, complaining about who they got," Hermione asks, trying to somewhat lighten the mood. Harry grins at her but Ginny doesn't really respond.
"I wonder who you will get, 'Mione," Harry says, trying to change the topic.
"I hope you don't get someone terrible, like Draco," Ginny speaks up. Hermione can't help but laugh.
"Merlin, can you imagine?" Hermione shakes her head, taking another sip of her drink. "I have heard that he's changed quite a bit. I still hope I don't get him, but it's good. Him changing."
"I'm not sure I believe it. But let's not talk about all the what-ifs anymore. How's your job 'Mione?" Harry asks.
"I'm surrounded by books all day. So, it's pretty good." They both laugh at that. "Actually, I have a shift in a few minutes that I have to get to." Hermione puts her empty cup on the table then stands up and starts putting her coat on.
"We have to meet here tomorrow morning, same time," Ginny exclaims, looking between the two of them. "So we can tell each other who we got."
"I can come again tomorrow," Harry says, looking towards Hermione.
"Sounds like a plan," she agrees, smiling at them both. "See you guys then." She walks towards the back of the Leaky Cauldron, tapping the all to familiar stone with her wand.
As she walks into Diagon Alley, she can't help but notice how busy it is. People are everywhere, bustling between the shops. It's not usually this busy, it being November and not a time students are coming for books and other supplies. Hermione makes her way to Flourish and Blotts as people bump and jostle her. In a way, it's nice compared to what usually happens. When Diagon Alley is pretty empty, the few people who are there will stare at her as she walks past, sometimes whispering to each other. One of the bad things about being a member of the Golden Trio since the war.
Six hours later, after a busy and stressful day of work, Hermione begins her short walk home. She had found a flat ten minutes away from the Leaky Cauldron in the muggle world. It wasn't in the best part of town, but it was close to work and the rent was cheap. There hadn't been any reported break-ins in her time there, and it was just the right amount of space for herself.
Hermione unlocked her front door and tossed her purse onto the coffee table, putting her coat on the back of a chair. She heated up some leftover soup she had made the day before and poured herself a glass of wine. Turning on the telly, Hermione started watching whatever show was on. She wasn't really paying attention to it, her nerves starting to get the better of her.
This whole thing was just stupid. Forcing witches and wizards to marry a random person that the Ministry assigns to them, expecting a child or at least a pregnancy within the first year of marriage. And they hadn't even taken a survey or answered questions about themselves, making it even more random. She really hoped that she wouldn't get Ron. After what happened between them, even if it was just the once, was something that she hopes to never deal with again.
Noticing her glass is empty, she pours herself another cup full. After turning off the telly, she grabs a book and sits on the couch with a blanket over her lap. She sips her wine periodically until the glass is empty.
When Hermione wakes the next morning, it's to a loud screeching at her window. She sits up, rubbing her eyes, and looks around her. Hermione sighs, realizing she must have fallen asleep on the couch, again. The screeching gets louder, making her look over at the owl. Reluctantly, she stands and opens the window. The owl glides to her kitchen counter and holds out her leg. Hermione gently unties the two things from it, feeding it a small treat and sending it on its way.
Hermione starts making herself a cup of coffee before going over to look at the two things the owl delivered. She scans over the front page of the Daily Prophet, the main thing being talked about is the letters being sent out today. Hermione sets the paper down and looks at her own letter. She's not sure how long she stares at it before lifting it up and tearing it open.
She reads the page completely once, then once more. After that, her eyes can't seem to leave the top of the page where it says the person she is supposed to marry and the date of her wedding. She sets it down, not wanting to believe it, hoping it can't be real. She cannot be getting married to Lucius Malfoy!