Ch.19 plot the only thing still mine
A/n- 19 chapters, I can't believe it! For all you readers and reviewers, know that it's your reviews that keep this story going. And all true fans must thank Dogs die in hot cars for giving me the first little inkling of encouragement by telling me to breathe more life into this story.
Mare stared with an open mouth at the straining werewolf before her. She wondered how she would be able to go to school and live now, knowing that the guy who taught her on a weekly basis also went gallivanting around English countryside killing animals once a month.
Why me? Mare thought to herself. Why is it that I always manage to make friends, and get real close to them, and then they turn out to be werewolves?
She walked over to Sirius, who was in his dog form, and literally sitting on Remus to prevent any biting. As she didn't want to get bitten herself, she didn't stay long, and moved by Ash, resting her head on his shoulder.
The two of them watched the members of the Order finish off the remaining members of the werewolf mafia. Then, Dumbledore told them to take brooms and go back to the castle.
They flew together, holding hands, grateful that they could be together now, if only for a minute, without having to worry about what anyone else said. But Mare was still slightly bummed about what would happen once they got to the castle. She was still on a mission, which meant that she would still have to marry Malfoy come Hogwarts graduation in June.
Then Ash squeezed her hand, and she looked down at their intertwined fingers. She could sense that there was something important he wanted to ask her about, and she, in turn, had something to ask him.
You go first, he thought to her, already knowing what she was going to ask him.
I would like to know why I went insane, and became Malfoy's fluff-for-brains trophy girlfriend! My god, I slept with the guy like, ten times! I'm amazed that I'm not pregnant!
At this, Ash narrowed his eyes at her, and gave her a little punch in the shoulder.
Ash, are you mad at me for it?
Ash sighed deeply. No, I'm not mad at you for it. It wasn't even your fault. You were really sick. You had a disease called Soulmate Withdrawal. It's what happens when soulmates who actually like each other, and are physically close, deny one another their company unnecessarily. Then, they become attached to the first member of the opposite sex they see. For you, it was Malfoy. The other effects of it depend on the personalities of the individuals involved. For you, the result was sleeping with Malfoy, and being his trophy girlfriend.
What about you, Ash? Did you have it too?
He sighed again. Yes, I had it. You'll see the results in Hermione when we get back to the castle.
They flew for about four or five hours more, holding each other up during rough spots and Mare wondered all the while what was up with Hermione.
Hermione was in the library again, trying to study. But every so often, she would peek over her book to find Malfoy leering at her from the table where he, Crabbe, and Goyle were doing their Charms homework. Finally, she put her book down, and strode over to the table.
"Malfoy, may I please ask what in the world has come over you? You've been in the library every day this week and last week, and all you do here is stare at me! You hate me, I hate you. That is the kind of relationship we have. You like it that way, and I like it that way. Now can I please study in peace? Your leering is throwing off my concentration!"
She turned around to leave, and was shocked by a sudden light touch on her arm. She turned around, and was surprised to see Malfoy staring looking at her hopefully.
"About our relationship, I was hoping that we could change it. You know that it's Hogsmeade this weekend, right?"
Hermione nodded. "Right."
"Well, I was sort of hoping that you might want to come with me to the Three Broomsticks and have a butterbeer or something."
Hermione frowned at him. "Malfoy, are you asking me out on a date? Since when did you become interested in dating, and I quote 'mudblood Gryffindors' anyway?"
He grinned slyly. "When a certain mudblood Gryffindor stopped being a mudblood Gryffindor and became a vampire Gryffindor. You've changed a lot Granger, and I'm beginning to like it."
"What about Marie?"
He shrugged. "She likes Redfern better now, I can tell."
"Are you going to break off your engagement?"
"I think the two of us, that is to say Marie and I, know pretty much that it's over by now without having to say it out loud. But we're still going to have to have the wedding, or else my parents will get angry."
He cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"So, what about Hogsmeade?"
Hermione grinned slightly. "Sure, I'm willing to give it a try. But if we're going to have a relationship, we have to set some rules, but we'll talk about that later."
"Do you, Mary-Lynnette Carter take Ash Redfern to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"And do you, Ash Redfern take Mary-Lynnette Carter to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
"Then, by the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
After their long discussion about Soulmate Withdrawal, both Ash and Mare realized that they would have to do something so it would never happen again. So, although they were supposed to be at Hogwarts, they had taken a very long detour to Las Vegas, and one of the wedding chapels on the Strip, so that they would, at least, be joined together in the bonds of holy matrimony even if only the two of them knew it.
The only reason Mare herself had agreed was that Ash had told her that it was only temporary, and that when the opportunity presented itself, they would have the big ceremony with family and friends present.
But now, kissing Ash, it occurred to Mare that she didn't care where they were married. As long as they were together, that was all that mattered.
Eventually though, they pulled themselves apart, and left the chapel, mounting their brooms, and heading into the night sky.
"…So you see Professor Dumbledore, Malfoy likes me now. And Mare has been through an awful lot for the sake of this mission. Would it upset everything if I took over for her?"
Professor Dumbledore looked at Hermione thoughtfully, contemplating what she was telling him. She was right about one thing: Miss Carter had been through a lot for the Order and the mission. She did deserve a break.
He nodded. "Yes Miss Granger. You may take over the mission for Miss Carter."
After her and Malfoy's conversation, Hermione had come right down to Dumbledore's office to tell him what they had talked about. Now, as she left, she couldn't help but think about the look on Harry and Ron's faces when she told them about her job for the Order.
Mental Twitch- I'm glad I was able to make something familiar. Thanks for all the encouragement!
sexyirishBeep- Thanks! Hope you like this chapter!
Sorry for the disappointment with Mare, but I hope you like this chapter!
Thanks to Ghost and chocolatechik also!
