A/N: Many thanks to Muggle Jane and Krissy for looking this over. Thank you all for the reviews, favorites, and follows! I seriously appreciate it so much! xx

Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

Chapter 18

Hermione had barely walked into the Common Room when she was attacked by a cacophony of voices.

"Hermione, you got married!"

"Why wasn't I invited to your wedding?"

"You married Sirius Black! Isn't he a murderer?"

"What was it like?"

"Hermione!"

"Hermione!"

"Stop!" Hermione cried, unable to take all the questions. "Please, just stop. I have a large migraine at the moment, and I really would like to be left alone," she snapped, glaring at all the occupants of the tower.

"But, Hermione," Lavender whined. "Why won't you tell us?"

"Because it's none of your business," she snapped angrily. "I have more important things to do than sit here and listen to all your silly gossip." She looked around the room. "Ginny!" she shouted, trying to find her best girlfriend.

Ginny pushed through the crowd of people. "Get out of the way," she said angrily, shoving a few first years. Grabbing Hermione's hand, she pulled her through and up towards the girls' dorms. Once inside, Ginny slammed the door shut.

"I'm so sorry about all that!" she said, sitting on Hermione's bed. "The boys and I have been trying to keep everyone away from the Tower, but that obviously didn't work."

Hermione sighed. "There's no need to apologize. It's not your fault. It was in the paper, wasn't it?"

Ginny frowned, nodding. "Rita was absolutely horrid. I set fire to every paper I saw," Ginny said proudly. "It was like she had forgotten that the Marriage Law has been invoked. She just wrote about your secret love affair, and how you're leaving school to take care of your imaginary love child, and all that other nonsense. If it wasn't about you, I personally would have found the article to be hilarious."

Hermione couldn't help but smile. "That does sound rather funny. I have a child that I didn't know about?"

Ginny giggled. "Apparently."

"Where are Ron and Harry?" Hermione asked. "I didn't see them in all the chaos downstairs."

Ginny frowned. "They're in detention."

"Detention? With who?"

"Professor McGonagall. Apparently Malfoy was saying some really nasty things earlier, and both Ron and Harry hexed him. Professor McGonagall saw the whole thing happen, and now the three are in detention together."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Won't those two ever learn?"

Ginny arched her brow. "Apparently not, Hermione, although did we ever think they would?"

"Nope," Hermione said, laughing. "Now, I know you're probably dying to know what happened, but first, will you help me pack up my things? I'm moving to the married students section of Hogwarts. Headmaster Dumbledore explained how they opened the new wing yesterday."

"Yeah, they did. After we pack, I'll show you where it is, and then I want details!" Ginny said, grinning at her. "I want to hear every juicy little detail."

"Then you better get packing," Hermione said with a laugh.

After unpacking everything in Hermione's new dorm, the two girls lay spread out on Hermione's bed. They had found out that there were only two other students in the married students' dorm, and the two students had married each other. Hermione suspected that more students would move in as time went on.

"So, how was your wedding night?" Ginny asked, cutting to the chase.

Hermione blushed. "It was nice, Ginny. He was really sweet and tender with me."

"Was he?" Ginny asked, somewhat surprised. "Sirius certainly doesn't look like the type to be slow and gentle."

She looked at her friend. "What are you implying about my husband, Ginevra?"

Ginny blushed. "Well, er, just that Sirius looks like the rough and tumble type." At Hermione's arched brow, she continued. "He looks like the type of man to just go and take what he wants. Like, he'd want to tie your arms to the bedpost and ride you into oblivion."

"Ginny!" Hermione screeched, absolutely mortified. She threw a pillow at the girl. "Why would you say something like that?"

"Because that's what I think he'd be like in the sack!" Ginny retorted, laughing. "I'm sorry, Hermione, I didn't mean to talk so naughty about your husband."

Hermione laughed as well. "Now that you mention it, it doesn't sound half bad."

"So you definitely want to have sex with him again?" Ginny asked.

She frowned. "We have to have sex again either way, no matter what I want."

Ginny gave her a stern look. "You know what I meant, Hermione." She scooted closer to her on the bed. "You need to be honest with me."

Hermione sighed before nodding. "Yes, I do want to have sex with him again," she whispered. "He's just… It's different now that we're married, you know?"

"Not really," Ginny answered honestly, "But I can sort of see where you're coming from. He's your husband now, and you're going to be spending the rest of your life with him. It's only natural that the way you look at him has changed."

"Really? You think it's normal?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Of course it is!" Ginny insisted. "Don't be ashamed of your feelings, Hermione."

"I'm not ashamed," she said quickly. "It's just a bit strange. I always thought Sirius was attractive, but since we said our vows, I've been looking at him differently. He's just so sexy now. When I look at him, I want to hold his hand or run my fingers through his hair. I want to snog him senseless."

Ginny grinned. "You're falling for him."

Hermione blushed, ducking her head. "Yes, I suppose I am, Ginny."

"That's only normal," Ginny said once more. "You're allowed to look at him in a new light. You've always been a rule-follower, Hermione. Now that it's okay for you to like him, you find yourself liking him more. It's okay for you to want to snog him now, so you do. Makes sense?"

"When did you get so smart, Ginny?" Hermione asked. "That sounds spot on."

"Hey!" Ginny protested. "I've always been smart. It's not my fault that not everyone wants to see it."

Hermione shifted on the bed, resting against the pillows. "I'll being Flooing to Grimmauld Place every Saturday night so we can consummate our marriage."

"Have wild sex, you mean," Ginny corrected her. "That kind of stinks it's every week though. What if you're on your period?"

Cringing, Hermione shrugged. "I think we have to do it anyway. If we don't, then we'll both be fined. And on top of that, some creepy, old Ministry official will have to be present to ensure that we do it."

Ginny shook her head, a look of disgust on her face. "I still can't believe this law was passed. It's absolutely disgusting."

"But we both know it was Voldemort's idea," Hermione said. "I really don't think the Ministry had a choice."

"That just shows how bad things really are," Ginny said sadly, drawing her knees up to her chest. "I know the adults are trying to hide it, but the students can realize it. Things are getting bad, and I'm sure Voldemort is winning right now. We need to work harder at the D.A. meetings to get better. We need to be prepared to fight."

Hermione found herself crying.

"What? Hermione?" Ginny asked, realizing that Hermione was crying. She moved on the bed and wrapped her arms around her. "Shhh, don't cry. It'll be okay, Hermione."

"It's not fair," Hermione said with a sniff. "None of this is fair."

"I know," Ginny assured her. "I know it's not fair."

"Why couldn't we just have a normal childhood?"

Ginny frowned, trying not to cry herself. It really wasn't fair. They were all forced to grow up too fast because of the war. "This hurts, I know, Hermione, but we just have to push forward. We need to make the best of the situation we're in."

"It's hard," Hermione whispered. "Being forced to get married so young. What if I get pregnant right away? My Hogwarts education would be over."

"I know," Ginny soothed. "The law says you have a year. Hopefully, you'll have some time. And don't ever worry about your education. I know Sirius will always do his best to ensure that you're in school. He knows you're a smart girl, and he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize your future."

"Thanks for letting me cry on you," Hermione said, reaching up to wipe away some tears. "Will you stay the night? The bed is more than big enough for us both."

"Of course," Ginny said. "I'll always be here for you."

"Thank you," Hermione answered, pleased that she had a girl she could confide in. Harry and Ron were great, but sometimes a girl was just needed. Ginny was certainly that girl.

The two of them got ready for bed, and fell asleep hugging each other tightly.