The door slamming open was a rude awakening for all six occupants of the bed. The second most jarring moment for Hermione was that she'd gained extra husbands during the night without realising.
"Fred? George? What the hell… Kings? What the fuck is this? Platform 9 ¾? Why is everyone in my bedroom suddenly at… 4 am?" she asked as the lights came on and people flooded her room. Groaning and flopping back into her bed she wondered if she could ignore them long enough anyone who wasn't going to let her sleep would just go away.
The room remained silent making Hermione sit back up.
"Fine, if you're not going away tell me what's going on, so we can fix this," she growled.
"You're not going to be happy…" Severs trailed off as Hermione eyed him. Her eyes narrowed as he gave her a look right back.
"There are many things that I'm not happy about Severus. This can just be another in a long line that I'll deal with eventually. Unfortunately for you Kings, you're at the top of that list. So shall we get this started, please."
"It's MACUSA," Kingsley started. "They heard about the results of the rituals, yours, in particular, Hermione, and went crazy. There have been several papers that ran articles saying we were not allowing America to be part of the selection process, that we are trying to cut ourselves off from them and that we are even using this as a power play to gain control of North America," he rushed out. He sounded so tired and sad but also in a complete blind panic that Hermione's frown melted, and she sat up straighter. She didn't like what she was hearing. Before she could start she was cut off by an angry, arrogant voice.
"They weren't part of our war in any way, but they want to reap the benefits of having our strongest breeders mixed with theirs. They didn't suffer our trials, they didn't lose their families and friends in the numbers we did. They weren't forced to live the atrocities. They weren't threatened and kept under the thumb of a man with a proclivity for torture as a reward. They're protesting the unions but wouldn't lift a finger to help us in our time of need. They seem to think they are entitled to be part of our decision when they wanted nothing to do with us," the last sentence came out ragged. Hermione went to Lucius and took his hand pulling him to sit on the edge of her bed before curling up next to him and lightly running her fingers over his forearm and hand in a soothing manner. She waited until he was sitting back up straight and breathing normally before addressing Kingsley.
"MACUSA seem to be missing one simple fact Kings. We aren't American, and they can't do anything to us because we have different laws. We are a different nation and have different needs. None of which, by the way, are taking over North America. Didn't they see that we went through? Why would we stage a coup after being decimated in the way we were? Who is even in charge over there? Are they being serious with this drivel?" she asked pointlessly. She knew her actual-but-not-quite-but-sort-of-really husbands had the same knowledge that she did, but she just had to vocalise.
"Think about it, Hermione. Severus was dead. Fred was dead. Goyle was dead. Sirius was dead. You've resurrected three family lines, you've gone and brought people back from the bloody dead. Do you understand? They don't care about the war or who we are or what they haven't done, all they want is the power and they're using the same tactics that Voldemort used. Spreading propaganda and trying to take it by force," Harry said. A look of realisation crossed her face before it was replaced with a look of rage
"They want me to bring people back from the dead like some kind of fucking necromancer? They have access to the rituals they can force this farce on their own people. Besides, I'm not able to do it again despite their wishes," She sneered as she folded her arms.
"That's not even the end of it Hermione. They've convinced Chinese and the French Ministries that we are no longer fit to govern ourselves. They're using this, the ritual, as an example of us being out of control. They want to come in and abolish the unions. They want to tell you all that you're no longer 'married' and to go about your lives." Kingsley said, collapsing into a couch near the door.
With that statement revealed the room was in uproar. Lucius remained silent looking at Hermione's hand which had returned to his before standing and casting a wide-reaching silencing charm.
"I understand that we don't want this to be taken away from us. Regardless of the feelings, we had before the rituals I find myself reluctant to be apart from Hermione now. I think that if we are going to manage this and move forward we should…" before he was able to finish the charm was broken by Kingsley.
"I'm here with a solution. We have one week before they come. That will give us enough time to sort everyone but again I'm asking a lot of you. I'm here to perform the marriage ceremony tonight Hermione. We need to get you done first…" he looked like he was about to keep going but the wand at his throat drew him up short.
"I think, Minister, that you think carefully on what you're about to say to Hermione. We may be friends but she and the rest of the women being treated by cattle isn't sitting well with me. Not to mention that we were shown the rules mandated by the Ministry, and I, for one, am not impressed," Remus said. Hemione had never seen him like this and she liked the rough and angry side of him. Especially since he was championing her cause.
Kingsley bristled. Neville who had gotten up and had been standing quietly to the side came over and lowered Remus' wand and moved him to sit on the other side of Hermione. Her other hand moved up to run through his hair. She had remembered that he found it soothing for his hair to be played with because it's what Teddy does. The tension left his shoulders and it made Hermione smile. She looked up and thanked Neville with a look.
"Married. Tonight. I had a few plans and we had dates organised but there's nothing to stop us from doing the dating after being married. However, Kingsley, I want a word with you and the board in charge of the rules not tomorrow but the next day. You're not going to like what I do but you're going to do it or you're going to lose the Ministry and your citizens. Now, if you'll all excuse me, I must floo call Ginny and transfigure something into a dress. You all have until 6 am to be ready and in the sunroom. It's going to be a dawn wedding," she finished. She stood and moved them all out of her room. She closed the door and leaned against it with closed eyes trying to regain her composure.
She almost had when fingers slid into her hair and started massaging her scalp. It felt nice, so she didn't bother opening her eyes. The hands were large and warm. She sighed as they tugged slightly, and it somehow released the pressure that had been building towards a headache. She took a deep breath and found that whichever husband it was smelled strongly of cypress and sage. It was woodsy and warm and smoky and just a little bit spicy. It was now one of her new favourite scents. To the point where she leaned forward to smell more and ended up face first on a hairy, muscled chest.
And she knew who the chest belonged to.
"Charlie," she said straightening up and opening her eyes. His laughing at her the other night was still fresh and hurting. They hadn't spoken to eachother yet. No-one had wanted to bring it up again and Charlie had been waiting to apologise on their date. He'd run out of time for that though.
"I'm sorry. I'm so unbelievably, fucking sorry, you have no idea. I just want you to know that I'd never laugh at your insecurities. I was laughing at how you could think any of those things. You are the single most brilliant witch I've had the pleasure of meeting. You've not failed a single thing you've tried since… well since you were born probably, I know you haven't failed anything since you were eleven. When I ended up on that stage I wasn't expecting to be worthy of you. I sat in the crowd and prayed I'd be with someone agreeable, but I never even had the hope I'd be with you. When I teased you earlier in the day it was wishful thinking to the highest degree. I know that I… I hurt you, but Christ I never meant to. I want to do nothing but adore and worship you for the rest of our lives. Hell, I'm pretty sure I already love you. For a while now if I'm honest with myself," he said. The statement hung in the air for a few moments and then Hermione's lips were on his.
It was a wet kiss. They'd both started crying during the confession-slash-apology and their combined tears made their lips taste salty. One of Charlie's arms left her hair and wound around her waist lifting her up against his chest. Her feet dangled for a moment then her legs wrapped around his hips and he used the new position to push her against the door. The thud it made caused them to pull back and breath deeply. Charlie's lips found their way to her neck and Hermione arched against him. The movement caused a moment of friction that had them both hissing and Charlie bucked against her. The thin shorts both wore weren't enough to dull the feeling of his hard cock against her clit. His hand ran down her back and ended on her backside pulling her even closer. Using the wall as a holding point he took his other hand and slowly edged his way under her top and up to her breast. The feel of his calloused palm against the sensitive skin drew a shuddering breath from Hermione as her hips started undulating on their own accord. Perpetuating the pleasure, Charlie used Hermione's movements and his own strength to move her against him. They were a few moments later Hermione started to fall apart in his arms. Her crying out as she came pushed Charlie over the edge and they both rode it out together.
"Wow. I think that possibly the best apology I've received in a while. Unfortunately, we don't have time to bask in the afterglow, we have to get married," she laughed as he groaned and pushed his face deeper into her neck.
"I just want to stay here for a bit Mia," he mumbled. She pushed him back.
"Mia? That's a new one."
"Well I think its easier to say, plus its cute and quirky, just like you," he said. He released her arse and she slid down him until her feet touched the ground. He reached up and pinched his cheek.
"I'll give you cute Charlie Weasley. Now be gone, your sister and I need to plan my wedding in… 40 minutes, it's going to be nearly impossible," she lamented. He blew her a kiss as she left not arguing with her about wanting to stay and not wanting to ruin the apology by taking away her precious planning time any more than he already had.
As her doors closed she rushed over to the fireplace and chucked in a handful of the green powder before sticking her head through.
"GINNY" she yelled. She knew they were staying at the Burrow and the fireplace was near literal miles away from Ginny's bedroom. A flurry of steps sounded, and Ginny appeared. Followed by Molly and Fleur.
"What's wrong? What's the matter? Are you ok? Is someone hurt?" the young redhead rushed out trying to glean information from the fiery face of her best friend in the flames.
"Something happened, and we need to plan an immediate wedding. Molly Fleur, I would love your help too if you're free?" her tone was hopeful, and all three women went to grab their bags and pen a quick note for their men before rushing through the fire. They didn't have long but just maybe they could be miracle workers.