Written for: Hogwarts - Muggle Art - Task #2: Write about a character taking a risk despite being told not to.


Her Choice

Hermione/Neville

"Mate, I wouldn't do it," Ron said, glancing across the room to where Hermione sat talking to Luna. "I already asked her."

Neville looked away from the girls, turning to Ron. "You did what?" he asked.

"Asked 'Mione to marry me," Ron said. "The new marriage law said we have to be married in three months or they'll choose someone for us, so I thought I'd do her a favour. She turned me down though. I've been friends for so long so I'm used to her, but she might find it harder with someone else."

Neville glanced back towards Hermione. He stiffened as a man walked over to her, only to sigh in relief when the man struck up a conversation with Luna.

Neville watched for another moment, surprised when she turned her head, looking straight at the group. She excused herself, leaving Luna to talk to the man, and walked over.

Ron patted his shoulder.

"I wouldn't even consider it," Ron said. "No point taking the risk and getting rejected again…"

Neville bit his lip, unable to forget how hard it had been asking Hermione to the Ball back in their fourth year, only for her to turn him down. He suspected that she would have said yes had Viktor Krum not asked first.

Though he wasn't sure if that was wishful thinking or whether Hermione would have still turned him down. Maybe he'd never know. After all, he'd never ask her, and—

"Neville!"

"Hermione, hi. How are you?" Ron's hand moved from Neville's shoulder and he ignored Ron mumbling something about Lavender Brown before wandering off.

"I'm… well, as good as I can be in these circumstances," Hermione stated, grimacing. "I've had a few days to think about things…" she trailed off, looking around.

"Come on, let's sit down and have a drink," Neville offered. He offered Hermione his arm, before leading the way to the bar and ordering a couple of Butterbeers. He tried to push away the feeling of Hermione's hand on his arm. In a different life, maybe they could have had it like this on a Hogsmeade weekend.

But in this world, Hermione Granger was just too good for him.

He led Hermione to one of the vacant booths and placed the drinks down. She slid into the seat facing him, staring at him thoughtfully.

"So, do you have a plan?" Neville asked. "I… uh… heard Ron asked you."

Hermione snorted. "He offered to do me a favour and marry me. Maybe that's not what I want."

"Well, what do you want?" Neville asked.

Hermione stared at him for a long moment. "You know, when I first heard about this law, I thought you were going to ask Luna… but you didn't. I considered that you might ask Hannah, but again, you didn't. It was pointed out to me that you were holding out for the right girl."

Neville felt the blush begin to stain his cheeks. Clearly Hermione was aware of his feelings.

"Once I thought about who you would marry, I…" she faltered, her own cheeks reddening. "I… well, I felt jealous. I could understand Luna because you've always been close with her. Then I saw you talking to Ginny, and I thought maybe you'd ask her."

"I don't feel that way about her," Neville quickly supplied.

"But there is someone?" Hermione asked. She took a deep breath. "Neville, I may be too forward in asking, but is that someone me?"

Neville wanted to deny it. He wanted to shake his head and give another name.

Instead, he nodded slowly.

What he hadn't expected was for Hermione's face to break out into a wide smile. "So, you've not asked anyone because you hope that I'll choose you?"

"Well, you've been turning people down. I thought maybe you'll leave it too late, and you won't want the Ministry to match you to a stranger, so…"

"Neville," Hermione murmured. "You need to realise that I've been jealous over whoever you get to pick. I've known you for more than half of my life and you're so important to me. If I thought about who Ron or Harry were going to pick, there wouldn't be an ounce of jealousy. Maybe I've considered you a friend for so long, I've overlooked other, growing feelings."

Neville nodded. "Hermione," he began, reaching for her hand. "Do you think you want to be stuck with me? I mean, I'm nothing special, but if you want to get married to me, I'll… I don't even know what I'll do. I've never considered a situation like this."

"Only if you want to be stuck with me," Hermione replied. "I'm a know-it-all bookworm and people only know who I am because I'm Harry's best friend. I would love to be stuck with you."

His grip on her hand tightened. "Are you serious? Are you agreeing… Hermione, will you marry me?"

"Yes!"


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