The Marriage of Hermione and Ernie (part two)

'Oh Ernie will you stop looking like you've lost your wand and get on with something' cried Hannah Abbot for the fifth time that day. 'We've got so much homework to do I'm surprised you have even a minute to stop and think.'

'I know but I can't finish my essay for McGonagall until I've spoken with Hermione. It's all about why a united front is best when bringing up a child and until I know what points she is emphasizing I can't write what mine are.'

'Why?'

'So I can make sure that we have both written along a similar theme.'

'But why do you both need to have the same answers? Everyone has a different point of view, that's why we work individually. Surely it doesn't matter if you say one thing and she says another. That must show that between you there is a wealth of ideas.'

'Hannah, dear, the essay title is- 'A united front. The ideal environment in which to raise a child?' If we don't have essays that match and we agree with the statement then what hope is there of the teachers believing us. They will think we have slack morals.'

'Slack morals. Oh Ernie please, listen to yourself. I don't think that with all the work she has to do, that McGonagall is going to read your essay and later on Hermione's and suddenly say ''well I never, those two have only agreed on two out of five points, I really must mark them down.'' If you think that you should try and get a perspective on how inconsequential these 'marriages' are to the teachers. They don't care if you think the same or differently. Look at Ginny and that Malfoy. They have gone from practically biting each others heads off to eating out of each others hands and the staff aren't fussed at all. They only reason they have expressed an interest is because the corridors suddenly got quieter and they wondered why.'

'I really do think you are under-estimating the concern the teachers have for us. They are hardly going to tell us that for one year we are to be married to someone, in many cases a perfect stranger, for one whole school year, set a load of work for us to do and then not take an interest until the last day.'

'Ok then if that's what you think, who am I to question you?'

'Ok.'

'So are you going to try and find Hermione?'

'Do you think I should?'

'Well if I was her I would very annoyed if you did but then she might appreciate it.'

'I'm going to go then.'

'Good luck.'

'Why did you say that?'

'Because if I know Hermione, you'll need it.'

Ernie was cold and hungry. After wandering around the seventh floor he had eventually found the painting of a Fat Lady. He was sure that he'd heard Hermione talk about her before. His question was answered when the Lady called 'Password.' Ernie had been taken aback.

'Erm, I'm sorry I don't know it.'

'Humph. No password, no entry.'

'Could you just give a message to Hermione Granger for me?'

'Absolutely not.' And with a final 'humph' she left the canvas. Ernie decided to sit down and wait. That had been five hours ago. The sun was beginning to set and the warmth was leaving the stones he leaned against. He was just debating going to get some dinner when the portrait swung open and two third years left. Ernie quickly took the opportunity to shout 'Hermione Granger' before it swung shut again. Moments later Hermione appeared looking puzzled.

'Ernie? Are you alright?'

'Yes I'm fine I've just got a quick question for you. In the united front essay for marriage class, what are you main focal points?

'I don't know. I haven't written it yet. Does it matter Ernie. You can read mine before the class and I'll read yours.'

'But I thought we should mention the same points in it.'

'Why? It doesn't matter. They are graded individually; it's not a joint effort. They set pieces of work like this so if there is one person who isn't participating in the marriage enough they will be found out.'

'Well I think we should have at least similar ideas in the essay. And I've been waiting here for ages so the least you can do is tell me which way you think you might go.'

'Excuse me! I think you are being slightly presumptuous Mr McMillan. The 'least I can do'. I don't have to do anything. Each persons work should be unique and you should know by now that I NEVER let anyone copy my work. And to have the audacity to say that I owe you answers because you have been waiting ages. I didn't know you were waiting and I never asked to wait in the first place.'

'But how else was I meant to talk to you, it's not our meeting night tonight and I didn't know the password.'

'I should hope so to, only Gryffindors are allowed through the portrait. You could have caught me at dinner or tried the library.'

'But we should be spending more time together. You are always working in your common room and it's not fair on me or Helen.'

'Well pardon me for having my priorities right. In-case you had forgotten, my best friend's wife is in the hospital wing, suffering with over-exhaustion and stress brought on by the very thing you are moaning about. This means that she is no longer allowed to do any work, until Madame Pomfrey says she is better. That means that Ron now has to do everything,on top of all the usual work he got from the rest of his subjects. And, because Harry and I are decent people, we have decided to help him, and let our marriages be put in second place. Katie hasn't been moaning at Harry so why the hell should you be moaning to me. If you are sooo concerned that Helen can't cope without the advice we give her that she promptly ignores anyway then I suggest you go and deal with her because frankly I have had ENOUGH.' With that, Hermione turned in her heel and marched back into the portrait hole, leaving a gob-smacked Ernie behind.

'How did it go? You've been away ages.'

'Not how I expected. I waited for hours and then she snubbed me.'

Hermione. Snubbed you? Highly unlikely.'

'Well she was off with me, said we should be working alone. Honestly she has never been like this before.'

'What did I tell you. She's just got a lot on her mind, what with helping Ron and Ginny's upcoming marriage to Draco-'

'What?'

'Nothing, nothing at all.'

'No you said Ginny is marrying Draco. Really!'

'Hush, keep your voice down, it slipped out I shouldn't have said a word. Don't mention it again. It's nothing.'

'Are you kidding me- its huge. Is it really true, she's marrying Draco?'

'From what Hermione told me it was an option but please Ernie don't say a single thing to anyone or I'll curse you into next year.'

'Yer, yer alright. Blimey. Ginny and Draco.'

Hermione re-entered the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron both looked up as they saw her walking over.

'You weren't that long. We thought Ernie would have you chatting away for hours, telling you that he was missing you and that you needed some quality bonding time together.'

'Oh shut up you two. If I'm very lucky I won't have to see Ernie again until the start of the summer term. Honestly he is so intense. I mean, I'm the first person who wants to do well in the marriage classes and I think I take them quite seriously but he is the limit. It seems he can't make a single worthwhile decision alone; everything has to be vetted by me. Even his essays!' Hermione flung herself into an armchair and groaned. 'Thank god it's only one more term.'

'I thought you were pleased to be paired up with Ernie. You didn't mind at the start of the year' said Harry as he offered her a chocolate frog.

'It seemed fine at first' replied Hermione. 'we both wanted to do well and neither of us minded working hard, we had those evening sessions and we could discuss issues and everything. But now...' she trailed off. 'Now it's almost like we've run out of things to have a conversation over. He isn't like you two and talks about Quidditch or what's in the Daily Prophet. All Ernie ever talks about is work.'

'Good Lord and there was us thinking it was your favourite topic as well as pastime' said Ron sarcastically. Hermione turned to him.

'Though I'm sure you find yourself quite amusing Ron, I do not. And for your information, yes think homework should be done to the highest possible standard and I don't mind discussing it, but not constantly! We have nothing else in common. He doesn't read books, play chess, have a pet- nothing. There aren't even things he does enjoy that I don't but that I could discuss. He doesn't follow Quidditch, he isn't into plants like Neville and he doesn't seem to have a family history to talk about like Malfoy always does.' There was a pause.

'Welcome to my world with Cho' answered Ron.

Several days later Harry and Hermione were working in the library when the door was flung open and in stormed Ron, bright red and looking furious.

'Harry. Hermione' he called loudly. There was a smattering of Shhs' but he ignored them. Harry waved and Ron marched over. As he dropped into a chair Harry began to ask 'Ron are you-'

'In a minute.' Ron waved his arm in Harry's direction. He turned to Hermione. 'Is it true that you knew and never thought to say a word?'

'A word about what?' asked Hermione. Ron starred at her. She looked back 'Oh, that. How did you find out?'

'I've just been to see Cho and she said that she had it on the authority of her friend Lisa, who heard it from her Husband Joe who heard it from Ernie, who got it from Hannah Abbott, who got it from you! Did you not think that it would concern Harry or me?'

'What concerns us?' enquired Harry. He wasn't heard.

'When she told me it was only speculation. She didn't know herself. There would have been no point in you getting worked up over something that mightn't have even happened.'

'But it is happening now isn't it!' declared Ron. 'And I had to find out through Cho. She was very impressed that she was giving me the news rather than the other way round. I felt like a right idiot.'

'I understand Ron and I'm so sorry. I'm also going to murder Hannah when I see her. She was told in the strictest of confidences because she saw too much not to be told the truth.'

'Erm, would either of you care to fill me in on the part I'm not getting' asked Harry. 'What is happening and who are you talking about?' Neither Hermione nor Ron answered. Hermione was looking at her work and Ron was gazing at the ceiling. 'Come on' continued Harry 'it's hardly fair that you get to gossip and I can't join in because I don't know what's happening. Hang on a minute- it involves me doesn't it!'

'A little' answered Hermione. 'You see, Harry-'

'I'll tell him, seeing as I didn't know until five minutes ago. Harry, it appears that Ginny and Malfoy have decided to get married- for real!'

'What?' Harry spoke so low that Hermione and Ron strained to hear him.

'I seems that they have been getting on much better since Christmas' continued Ron 'and they feel that after the end of term, they would like to remain married, so they are. I can't really believe it myself mate; Malfoy has clearly addled with her brain. There's no way she would ever agree to marry him I mean-' he stopped abruptly as Harry stood up and began to run out of the library.

'Harry, wait' cried Hermione but he only turned to scowl at her.

'You decided not to tell me. You've got no right to stop me doing what I like Hermione so just butt out.' As he left Hermione and Ron exchanged a brief glance.

'Oh well done!' they cried in unison before leaving in hot pursuit of Harry.