WARNING: THERE IS DUBCON IN THIS CHAPTER, BUT ITS JUST THIS CHAPTER AND THEN ITS ANGST AND EVENTUAL FLUFF
May 28
Stiff creamy of an ecru color with a shiny embossed ministry seal, smooth to the touch but powerful in nature.
Two young wizards and one witch held a letter a piece as they sat around a fire pit, a fun new addition to the small backyard that Grimmauld place held. A contrast to the otherwise gloomy setting about the three young people.
The letter they each held would determine their partners, that one individual chosen as their "perfect" match. A match that was decided in order to save the extinction of their kind.
A match that would guarantee children.
Or so the ministry hoped.
A match that they could no more wish away as it was determined by an ancient spell and subsequent law.
A match that they'd been dreading since they'd received their first letters a week prior.
Each looking to one other in a state of purgatory, of limbo, not wanting to be the first to open their letter.
The dread of the seriousness, the reality of the entire situation falling on them like a ton of bricks.
Each waiting for the other to make the first move.
With a huff the red-headed young man of the three clears his throat, his two companions startle at his sudden noise and instinctively look to him.
"I guess there's no use putting it off, I'll go first," the young man states as he begins to open his letter with trembling hands.
His palms sweaty as he breaks the wax seal and opens the letter flap, he takes a steading breath and pulls the letter within out with one hand, while the other sets the envelope aside.
The letter is folded to fit the envelope and glares back at him in the shiny embossed shine of a typical ministry paper, prim and proper.
Ron takes another breath to steady himself before using his thumbs to prop the folded letter open.
Dear Mister Weasley, it is incumbent upon us at the MInistry to wish you good fortune and health on your upcoming marriage. By order of Magical Decree Wizarding Founding Law 000184191 it is our greatest delight to inform you of your chosen spouse, Miss Luna Lovegood of the wizarding family Lovegood. We hope you and miss Lovegood have a blessed union and look forward to seeing the both of you on your scheduled day of matrimony June 21, 1998.
From all of us at the ministry, have a blessed union.
Taking careful care to re-read the letter once more the young man looks up at the wide expectant eyes of his friends.
Releasing a breath he hadn't known he was holding Ron finally says "Luna,"
Both his friends wait for him to gather himself, neither wanting to get in the way of his new reality.
"I'm to marry Luna Lovegood," he says a bit more confidently, the nervousness previously felt dissipating as the reality seeps in.
He'd be marrying a friend, and not just any friend, one that had been instrumental during the final battle. Looking up to his nervous looking friends they each give him sheepish smiles.
"That's great Ron," Harry says with as much happiness as he can muster for his friend, his own nerves and letter weighing him down.
"That's fantastic Ron," Hermione acknowledges as well as she too tries to steady her rapidly beating heart.
The young man in question can't help but feel lucky at his lot in life. He'd be marrying a friend, someone he knew and not just a mystery person he had no prior knowledge of.
He nods in turn at his friend's congratulations before uttering "So who wants to go next?"
Taking a moment to settle his rapidly beating heart Harry utters with a shaky breath "I suppose I will,"
Taking a hold of his letter Harry makes quick work of breaking the ministry seal and taking the letter from within.
Dear Mister Potter, it is incumbent upon us at the MInistry to wish you good fortune and health on your upcoming marriage. By order of Magical Decree Wizarding Founding Law 000184191 it is our greatest delight to inform you of your chosen spouse, Miss Ginevra Weasley of the wizarding family Weasley. We hope you and miss Weasley have a blessed union and look forward to seeing the both of you on your scheduled day of matrimony June 13, 1998.
From all of us at the ministry, have a blessed union.
Taking a careful moment to re-read the contents of his letter once more Harry shoots up in unbridled joy, "Ginny! It's Ginny!"
Startled at first at his outburst both his friends look up at their beaming friend in absolute delight.
"That's great Harry!" Both Ron and Hermione exclaim as they get up to hug their beaming friend, grins all around.
Two for two, so far two out of their trio had been matched with friends and lovers. A welcome bit of news to the otherwise dreadful start to the day.
Taking several minutes to pat Harry on the back for his great bout of luck the three quickly turn back to the last letter at hand.
The letter held by the Golden girl of their trio.
Taking their seats around the fire-pit once more, both boys provide solem nods of encouragement to their friend.
Taking a shuddering breath to calm herself, Hermione breaks the ministry seal and pulls the letter from within, taking careful time to set the envelope aside before opening up the parchment within.
Dear Miss Granger, it is incumbent upon us at the MInistry to wish you good fortune and health on your upcoming marriage. By order of Magical Decree Wizarding Founding Law 000184191 it is our greatest delight to inform you of your chosen spouse, Miss Fleur Delacour of the wizarding family Delacour. We hope you and miss Delacour have a blessed union and look forward to seeing the both of you on your scheduled day of matrimony June 29, 1998.
From all of us at the ministry, have a blessed union.
Taking careful breaths, dread begins to seep into Hermione's being.
Fleur.
She had been matched with Fleur Delacour.
Fleur who had a holier than thou attitude, who had not so much as spared her a second glance aside from the time she'd tended to her wounds during the war.
Who was currently engaged to Bill Weasley, Ron's brother.
Fleur who-
"Mione? Is everything ok?" Harry asks, breaking Hermione's train of thought. Looking up at the two expectant boys Hermione wants to do all else but run.
With a shuddering breath Hermione looks between her two friends before muttering "Fleur, I've been matched with Fleur," in an instant both her friends' gazes shift from concern to wide and alarm.
"Blimey! Mum's going to have a cow," Ron exclaims, his mum would definitely be happy that his eldest brother would not be marrying Fleur, as it had been no secret that his mum had not been the warmest at her eldest son's choice in spouse. Still he could not help but wonder how his eldest brother would take the news.
"Fleur's actually rather nice," Harry tried to sooth as he stared at his nervous looking friend.
"She hasn't said more than a few words to me since 4th year," Hermione states as her friends look between each other to try to calm their concerned friend.
"I'm sure if you just gave her a chance sh-" Harry tried to reason once more.
"She was very adamant she would accept no one else besides Bill, was downright rude during dinner at the burrow," Hermione interjected in frustration, pulse a rapid thumping within as she thought back to dinner a few nights prior.
Fleur had made it clearly known that she would not accept her chosen partner if it was anyone other than Bill. Had been outright hostile about the whole thing, a lot more than Hermione herself had been to be honest, and now here they were. The day of their matches, letters in hand and partners revealed.
And here Hermione sat, letter in hand Fleur's name glaring menacingly back at her in defiance.
How would she even try to converse with Fleur about the matter at hand. How was she expected to recite vows of matrimony much less consummate their marriage if her partner would readily jump at the bit to tear her head off before she uttered so much as a syllable.
For they had been informed in their first letters that they were all required to consummate their unions on the day of their matrimony, if not the spell would subject them to it in order to validate the union in all perpetuity.
It could not get any worse than this.
Letter falling from her hands, the young woman brings her hands to bury her face in.
"What am I going to do," Hermione groans as a pop goes off a moment later.
They each startle at attention, wands drawn as the voice of Ginny Weasley filters throughout calling for them.
"In the back Gin!" Ron shouts as his sister bursts through the door a moment later and readily launches herself at Harry who in turn catches her with as much gusto.
"Its a miracle," Ginny mutters from within Harry's arms as she holds him to her. Harry in turn happily holding his girlfriend to him, allowing himself a moment of elation at their matching before quickly sobering up at his friend's dilemma.
"I'm really happy for you both but now's not exactly the best time," Ron interjects as Ginny looks up from Harry's arms and takes a careful step back from the raven haired boy to observe the other two people in the yard.
"Sorry, I take it you both didn't receive the best news in matches?" Ginny offers an apology as she takes in their worried looks.
"Its not me, its -
"Me, I got matched with Fleur," Hermione cuts her friend off as Ginny stares back at her in shock.
"Oh shite,"
- x -
"Granger!? 'Ermione Granger!?" shouts rebound around the simple london flat as a blonde haired young woman stomps about.
Her red-headed fiance in an equal state of distress as he watches his fiance, or could he even call her that anymore. It would seem the powers that be sought to prove him wrong, envelope still in hand and the words Penelope Clearwater glaring ever defiantly back at him, he shudders at their new reality.
They'd been so sure!
They hadn't been worried in the slightest that they'd be matched with anyone other than each other.
So sure that they'd been granted early access to Shell Cottage via aunt Muriel in order to decorate it as they saw fit.
Only to have it blow up in their faces for they had not been chosen for the other.
Fleur had been matched with Hermione Granger and he'd been matched with Penelope Clearwater.
Penelope he had a vague recollection of from his younger brother's school days, but Hermione they knew.
Hermione who was Ron's ex-girlfirend and best friend.
The third-half of the Golden Trio or so their world called them.
Of course Fleur would be matched with someone of high standing, the young man can't help but feel the bitterness seep through as the thought of Hermione Granger taking his Fleur to bed irritates him.
No!
There was something that they could do.
Something that they had to do.
And its then that it hits him, as his partner paces about muttering expletives aloud at the injustice of the entire situation.
"Lets elope!" he exclaims as his partner turns to him in an instant, her pacing stopping altogether.
She looks at him with love and clarity, "yes!" she exclaims in equal finality.
They would not submit themselves to this barbaric spell.
They would not be forced to marry people they did not love.
Clearly the spell was flawed, they were perfect for each other.
Their love would get them through.
"We need to pack and quick," the young man utters as he takes Fleur in his arms.
She nods into his embrace as they set about packing in haste.
If the powers that be were willing to take away their happily ever after then they'd have to simply take it for themselves.
Making quick work of condensing their clothes into singular suitcases, via the help of an undetectable extension charm. They find themselves at the fireplace of their modest abode as the sky outside has gone dark, they'd spent the better part of the day packing all in the hopes of escaping this nightmare.
"To love," Bill utters with all the emotion within.
His partner smiles back in turn as she utters "To eternity wiz 'ou mai love,"
No sooner do the words leave Fleur's lips than do various pops rebound around them and do they find themselves pulled apart by two Auror's a piece.
Rough hands take firm holds of their arms as their hearts race.
How had they been found out?
They'd only gotten their letters that very day, surely the Ministry should not have had the means to find out their spur of the moment plot.
Feelings of dread and hopelessness fill them as they watch a stout man of simple stature approach them, two Aurors flanking him.
"By order of Wizarding Founding Law 000184191 do I find you both in contempt of possible violation of your chosen partners as decreed by a most sacred of law of our world," the looks between the two of them before continuing once more, "In seeking to attempt to marry to ones not chosen for yourselves and thereby violating the founding law did you both trigger the subsequent trace placed upon you,"
At that does blonde finally find her voice, "Trace? Ou 'ad us traced!?" the indignity of the very debasing of their basic right to privacy seeping into her every word.
"A failsafe that came with the spell and law Miss Delacour, you were informed of it in the fineprint of the first letter you received," the official counters, contempt clearly evident in his features.
Delacour? Now if he recalled correctly this was surely the Fleur Delacour that had been matched with Hermione Granger, the Golden Girl of the Golden Trio that had vanquished the Dark Lord. A most venerated a war hero. She'd been lucky to be matched with Hermione Granger and this is how she repaid her lot in life?
The wizard can do naught but scoff at the impudence.
"You cannot be allowed to do this! We have rights!" the young red-headed man exclaims as he struggles against the Auror's holds.
"Rights that you both waived when you decided to break the law Mister Weasley," the ministry official states in finality as he flicks his wand and the two young people find themselves lost of their voices.
"Now I do so hate to do this to your chosen partners, but as you have both seen fit to be proven liabilities the ministry has no choice but to call upon your respective partners for a haste union," the ministry official states as the young man and woman allow the dread to engulf them.
They would be made to marry in this moment.
There would be no escape.
No escaping.
The two Aurors apparate away a moment later and re-appear but a couple of minutes later in turn.
Each alongside two disheveled young ladies.
Hermione Granger with her bushy hair in disarray, crumpled red sleep-shirt and matching crimson bottoms taking in her surroundings and Penelope Clearwater in a similar state of dress.
Both had been dragged from their beds rather abruptly by the Auror's sent to fetch them.
"I do apologize for the bother Miss Granger and Miss Clearwater, but it would seem your chosen partners saw fit to violate their responsibilities to you both and thereby the subsequent violation of founding law 000184191 and thus are considered liabilities," the official explains as the wheels begin to turn in Hermione's head.
This could only mean….
"And so it is prudent of us at the ministry to officiate your unions in the eyes of the ministry officials present, I do apologize for the suddenness of this but it must be done in order to ensure the continuation of our world," at that the official flicks his wand the Bill and Fleur find themselves able to speak once more.
"And what if we don't go through with it!" Fleur exclaims defiantly.
The official calmly turns to face her, face betraying no emotion.
"Then you subject your wand to be snapped and your wizarding core to be subjected to no more than that of a squibbs, you will be able to produce wizarding children but will not be able to produce magic by your own means,"
And there was the consequence.
The reality for those that did not adhere to the law.
Hermione had tried to research a way around it but had come short of finding a solution.
All of her efforts had been in vain and she had quickly sobered up to her new reality.
She'd simply have to make the best of her situation, now the problem was would Fleur?
"Now Miss Granger, Miss Clearwater if you would please stand to either side of your chosen partners," the ministry official calmly dictated as both young women did as they were told.
They'd both heard the official 'wands snapped and magical core reduced' where the exact words he'd uttered and neither was of the persuasion to have either or happen and so they each stood beside their respective matches and waited for further instruction from the official.
"Lovely, now let us commence," the official began as he cleared his throat for good measure and began "we stand here in the sight of wizards and witches to witness the unions of man and wife and wife and wife: one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever"
The official motions to the Auror's holding Bill and Fleur as they shift their holds on the youth's arms to motion for them to hold onto Hermione and Penelope's respectively.
"If you would please join hands with your respective partners," the official dictates in slight annoyance as he watches the red-head and blonde hesitate.
"Y-You can't make us" Bill utters as he hesitates to clasp hands with Penelope, Fleur beside him nodding in agreement.
"I certainly can't Mister Weasley, but I am well within my power to allow the spell to reduce your magical core to no better than a squibs," the official threatens as both Fleur and Bill hesitate for a moment before reluctantly clasping hands with their respective partners.
"Now, I will commence the tying of your souls," the official states as he swishes his wand and a bright bands appear around both couple's clasped hands.
"This symbolizes your unions, let it be known that William of house Weasley and Penelope of House Clearwater are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be they who would seek to tear them asunder" the official exclaims before turning to Fleur and Hermione.
"Let it be known that Hermione of House Granger and Fleur of House Delacour are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be they who would seek to tear them asunder!"
The bands flash bright as the unions are solidified, souls bound for all eternity.
"In the sight of wizarding kind, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words"
Both couples reluctantly look into each other's eyes as they recite the words "I am hers and she is mine. From this day, until the end of my days," "I am his and he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days."
"Good good, now Mister Weasley if you would," the official instructs as Bill begrudgingly utters "With this kiss, I pledge my love" and quickly plants a kiss on Penelope's lips.
"Excellent, now Miss Delacour," the official instructs.
Fleur looks into her partner's eyes with anger, disdain and complete reluctance but regardless utters the words, heart clenching as she recites the vows she'd meant to recite to Bill, "Wiz zis kiss, I pledge mai love," she utters as plants a quick kiss to Hermione's lips.
"Splendid, now that this has all been sorted we will escort you each to your respective abode's, Auror's if you would," the official instructs as each respective set of Auror's takes a hold of a respective couple and apparates away.
Appearing a moment later the Auror's, Fleur and Hermione in tow appear before an elegant two story home with brown bricked walls and white trimmed windows, in a quiet middle-upper class suburb of London.
"Where are we?" Fleur asks as the Auror's move them toward the home's forest green oak door.
"My home," Hermione answers as she pulls a set of keys from her pajama pocket and moves forward to open the door.
The keys jingle as she inserts them into they key-hole, turns the knob and opens the door wide for the Auror's, Fleur and herself to go through.
Moving their way into the home, they find it lined with elegant pictures along the walls and furnishings of equal elegance, a modern home.
Hermione takes a deep breath as she takes in the look of her childhood home. She'd not been back since she'd been found passed out on the floor by Harry and Ron. The home brought too many memories of her family and how it'd all once been before she'd obliviated her parents.
Looking around she noticed that some of the furnishings had been slightly modified, it would seem the boys had gone about doing her a favor while she'd spent the week encased in books.
Trying to find a solution to the conundrum she now found herself in.
"Where is the master bedroom?" one of the Auror's asks, breaking Hermione's train of thought.
Startled but quickly shifting focus back to the matter at hand, Hermione motions for them to follow her up the stairs and to the left where a set of double doors greet them.
The Auror's push open the doors and motion for the two young ladies to step inside.
Fleur turns to look at them a look of confusion on her face, "And what do 'ou expect us to do!?"
The Auror's look at each other before one of them pulls up his left sleeve to reveal an odd watch of sorts.
"By the bylaws of our world and the partnership that you have both entered in you are required to consummate your union in all perpetuity," the Auror states looking between the two women.
This seems to snap Hermione out of her stupor as her eyes open wide and she retorts, "That's absolutely barbaric, you can't really expect us to have sex when we've just been married against our will?" "Mon dieu! You cannot really expect us to engage in sexual relations!"
The Auror's don't flinch at the young women's outburst before calmly speaking once more.
"We cannot make you do anything but the spell in place can, so either you both willingly consummate your union or you will be made to without your consent, we are simply here to ensure your union reads as consummated," the Auror explains pointing at the odd watch on his wrist.
"This watch is enchanted to read a consummated union so as not ensure the sanctity of your union and the survival of our world," the second Auror further explains as as both young women huff in annoyance.
They would be made to consummate their union regardless of their choice in the matter. So in order to prevent the spell taking over their bodies to consummate their union they'd have to consent to doing so of their own free will.
Nodding the blonde turns her face away from the Auror's and utters "Leave us!"
The Auror's in turn nod and back out of the room closing the double doors behind them as they step out, "We will be right outside should you both need anything," and with that the doors closed shut.
Both women stare at the large king sized bed before them.
"Harry and Ron must have purchased all of this," Hermione utters in an attempt to break the silence between the two.
Fleur scoffs as she walks to one side of the bed, "Lets just get zis over wiz, ze sooner it is over ze better,"
Hermione hesitates for a moment before taking a calming breath and walking to the other side of the bed.
Neither woman make a move to begin undressing, let alone getting on the bed.
A tense silence befalls the women before the blonde snaps once more, "Do I 'ave to do everyzing!?" she shouts as she starts stripping her clothes; blouse, bra, pants, underwear and all.
Hermione as if struck takes that as her cue to start slowly undressing, she removes her pants and underwear before hearing a slight gasp from her companion, "And just what is zat?"
Taking another calming breath Hermione makes eye contact with Fleur directly before responding, "That would be my penis,"
"Your penis?" Fleur states, staring at Hermione's lower area causing the younger witch to take the covers of the bed and crawl inside so as to shield her modesty.
"I was born with it," Hermione states with an air of finality, tone conveyancing her unease at Fleur's questions.
Sensing this Fleur does not prod further and follows Hermione's lead and gets underneath the covers as well.
"I 'ope you don't expect me to be a maid, William saw to zat," Fleur bites as Hermione takes her shirt off, removing the last of her clothing.
"Your body is yours to do with as you see fit, I don't particularly care," Hermione retorts, she just wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.
Silence befalls them as they stay rooted to their sides of the bed
"Dos it even work?" Fleur asks as breaking the silence.
"Y-yes," Hermione responds, 'what an odd thing to ask?'
"Very well let us get zis over wiz even if you will be inadequate compared to William" Fleur bites out as she reaches over, grabbing Hermione by the back of her neck pulling her into a chaste kiss.
Hermione pulls back as Fleur's tongue tries to probe within her mouth for entrance.
"We don't have to kiss throughout this," Hermione breathes out as Fleur reaches over once more and pulls her a hairs breath away from her face.
"If I 'ave to do zis zen I might as well find some pleasure from it non?" Fleur mutters pulling Hermione's lips against her's once more.
'Fleur was right, she either get this over with or the spell would subject them to it, no matter how violating it might feel' Hermione thinks to herself as she feels herself getting hard. Erection forming, pulse quickening. This is not how she expected her first time to go. Not how it should have gone no no no!
As if sensing Hermione's reluctance Fleur pulls back once more, "Are you a maid?" Fleur asks as Hermione simply stares at her in befuddled silence.
"I suppose you aren't ze brightest witch of your age after all," Fleur smuggly states as Hermione's befuddled state shifts to one of anger and she pushes Fleur onto her back, looming over the french national Hermione looks on at the unimpressed look of Fleur Delacour, or was it Granger now? Oh bollocks, what did it matter!?
"I don't want this as much as you do, but I'm not insulting you," Hermione bites out as Fleur looks up at her, unimpressed look unwavering.
"I am simply being honest, do you even know where to put it?" Fleur says with a laugh.
"I-I do, I just don't -
"- don't what? Want to do zis? Well its a bit late for zat Mademoiselle Granger," Fleur retorts as she takes ahold of Hermione's stiff member.
"If we don't do zis, ze spell will make us and I would rather 'ave some semblance of free will," Fleur states as she lines Hermione's member up with her entrance.
"I can do it," Hermione defends as her pulse quickens.
"Zen do it," Fleur demands as Hermione brushes her hands to the side and takes ahold of herself.
"Tell me if I'm hurting you," Hermione states.
"Oh please as if 'ou could 'urt me," the french national retorts before taking a sudden gasp.
She had misjudged, Hermione was of a size with William if not a little larger.
"Are you ok?" Hermione asks a moment later as she fully sheaths herself in Fleur.
"Oui just do what you 'ave to so we can get zis over wiz," Fleur utters, face turned to the side.
Hermione nods as she begins to move in a steady rhythm, in and out, in and out.
The sensation is overwhelming as Hermione allows herself to feel the pleasure of being with another, while at the same time feeling as if she's been violated.
This should have never have happened, but it did and it was, as the blonde witch allows a moan to escape.
The sensation betraying, how could she feel pleasure when her rights had just been stripped away, her happily ever after. After all they'd had to endure during the war.
This is how fate paid her back in turn.
Married to some teenager against her will and being forced to feel as they penetrated her like some broodmare. This was simply not done! She'd been meant to marry William! Been meant to marry a man worthy of her, not some teenager who didn't even know what they were doing!
With this Fleur wraps her legs around Hermione's waist and reaches forward pulling Hermione closer and further into her.
This perplexes the younger witch as a sudden feeling of pain hits her, the blonde rakes her nails across her back with enough force to draw a small layer of blood.
"Why did you-
"Can't let you 'ave all ze fun," Fleur bites out as she shifts her hips to match Hermione's thrusts.
The odd combination seems to do the trick as the younger witch finds herself falling over the edge in an instant, her sudden eruption catches the older witch off guard as she feels the gryffindor spilling within her.
This frustrates the older witch as she pushes the younger off of her person a moment later.
"Zere it is done now get off of me," Fleur bites out as Hermione finds herself pushed back, herself slipping from within the elder witch.
"I'm sorry you didn't get to-
"It does not matter, I didn't get to do alot of zings 'ou don't see me griping about it!" Fleur bites out as Hermione tries to gather her wits about her.
"Look its not the most ideal of situations but maybe we could be friends?," Hermione asks as she shuffles away from the older witch, in an effort to give her space.
The whole experience had been jarring for both of them to say the least.
This earns her a scoff from Fleur.
"Friends? After zat?" the older witch derides as she gathers the covers to herself, shielding her modesty.
A jab at her pride regardless Hermione tries once more, "You don't have to be so insulting, I'm in the same boat as you,"
"Ze same? Where you forced to marry someone you didn't want while the man you should 'ave married married anozer?" Fleur bites out.
This makes Hermione backtrack, she was right, she hadn't had to endure that, but she had been made to marry someone not of her choosing, the least they could do is try to make the best of the situation.
"Ou couldn't even find a solution to all of zis! What makes you zink I would ever want to 'ave somezing to do wiz someone so incompetente!" Fleur shouts as Hermione can do all else but feel the cutting words.
She was right, she hadn't been able to find a solution.
She really had let everyone down.
She'd let her parents down, her friends, even Fleur.
The young witch looks away and maneuvers herself off of the bed.
She bends over to gather her clothes before saying, "I've left the keys by the key hook downstairs," with that she walks into the bedroom's adjacent bathroom, quickly puts on her clothes and apparates away a moment later.
Only once hearing the distinct sound of an apparation pop, does Fleur allow herself to break, allowing the sobs that escape her to course through her.