Chapter 2: Hermione's Solution

Hermione thought about what Dumbledore had said. She knew that he cared about her safety and she respected that, but she had no idea who she should marry. Who would put up with her Know-it-all attitude or liked what she liked? She didn't even talk to Harry and Ron during dinner, Dumbledore's words still floating around in her head.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"Ya, I'm fine," Hermione lied. "I'm just worried about things, that's all."

Ginny gave her a strange look, but didn't ask any questions. Hermione was glad that she hadn't.

The next morning Hermione once again found herself facing 'the list' and looking at all the names of those that had been in the Order. Kingsley Shacklebolt was out because she really didn't know him and he was also an Auror. She didn't think she could take having to wait for word that he had died. There was Fred and George, but she counted them out. Both one of them would spend their time pranking her and she didn't want her children growing up to be just like them.

There was Moody, but Moody gave her the creeps, even the fake one had done that. She just couldn't bear having sex with a man that didn't have two strong legs and a creepy eye.

"Well there's always Lupin," Hermione muttered.

He was sweet and kind and liked books as much as she did. She went upstairs to get the blank scrolls and filled out the name of the Pureblood that she had chosen. She then left for the Owlery, knowing that she would miss breakfast. She figured that she could just get something from the kitchens.

"Where were you, Hermione?" Harry asked when she hurried into Potions.

"Sorry, but I had to take care of some important business," Hermione said, just as Snape looked up.

"Miss Granger, I know that you think you're above everyone else in this classroom because you're such a know-it-all, but I would like it for you to become one of normal people and be on time."

Hermione glared at him, but didn't speak.

"Now that Miss Granger has decided to grace us with her presence, I'm going to leave this classroom for five minutes and when I come back I expect to see that you've gotten somewhere with this Stinging Solution. If not, I won't care what house you're in, I will take points off."

And he glided out.

Five minutes later Snape did return and he was pleased to see that everyone was deeply involved in their potion work. He gathered up the samples when they were finished and watched them leave. He then left to go to the Headmaster. He just hoped that he was doing the right thing.

"Enter," Dumbledore called.

Snape opened the door and glided in, closing it behind him. Dumbledore looked up.

"Yes, Severus," Dumbledore said.

"Um…I was wondering if I could ask you for something."

"I hope it's not the Defense Against the Dark Arts position," he said.

Snape shook his head.

"Then what is it?"

"I've received word that Voldemort has managed to find out about the law and wants to marry off Ginny Weasley. Since he's a half-blood he can ask for her hand."

Dumbledore became worried about this.

"But she's not of age yet."

"I know, but Tom doesn't care," Snape said. "He wants her because she can start baring him children. I was wondering if you could allow me to marry her so that Tom doesn't get his hand on her."

Dumbledore gave him a hard look, but he could only sense despair. It hit him hard and left him nearly shaking. He had never seen his Potions Master like this and he didn't think he could stand seeing it again.

"Very well, but tell Miss Weasley that your doing this for her protection," Dumbledore said. "I will see what I can do."

"Thank you, Headmaster."

And he left.

Hermione didn't sleep much that night, thinking about what would happen when Professor Lupin got the notice that she wanted to marry him. She suddenly felt as though her life was going out-of-control and she couldn't stop it. And she wanted it to stop. The next morning she received a letter from the Ministry.

To Miss Granger,

We've received your request scroll and have sent word to Remus Lupin. He has two weeks to give you a response in accordance to the new law.

Sincerely,

Richard White

Department of Magical Marriage and Births

Ministry of Magic

Hermione now felt even more nervous then before. Professor Lupin now knew that someone wanted to marry him. Would he hate her or feel sorry for her? She didn't know. She jumped when she heard the bell ring and gathering her things she headed off for her first dreaded Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Professor Lupin had been shocked when he got a letter from the Ministry. The last time that he had gotten a letter from them it had been when he was little and had gotten bitten by a werewolf. What they wanted with him now, he didn't know. He opened the letter and read:

To Remus Lupin,

You've been chosen as a husband by the new marriage law. You've got two weeks to turn down or accept the witches offer.

Sincerely,

Richard White

Department of Magical Marriages and Births

Ministry of Magic

PS! If you want to contact the witch to set a meeting up put your time, date, and place, and seal it with a drop of your blood. That will send it to the witch that has requested you.

Professor Lupin was a little confused by the shortness of the letter. It didn't tell him what witch had been crazy enough to want to marry him. He shuttered to think that it might be Tonks. However he was interested in knowing who the witch was so he pulled out a sheet of parchment and started on his letter.

To the witch that wants me,

Meet me at the Three Broomsticks this Friday at noon. We'll have a nice lunch date. Please wear a purple cloak with silver stars so that I know it's you.

Sincerely,

Remus Lupin

He then sealed it with a drop of his blood and the letter magically disappeared.

Professor Snape watched the door, feeling as though his whole world was going to end when he told Miss Weasley of what Voldemort intended to do to her. He shuttered to think of what child she would have and how evil it would be. When he heard the knock he snapped at the person to enter. When it opened he saw that it was Miss Weasley.

"I got your letter, Professor," Ginny said.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "Could you please close the door and we can talk about my reason for requesting you here."

Ginny closed the door.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asked, his tone polite.

Ginny shook her head.

"Well then I guess I should get started. As you know Tom Riddle (Ginny shivered at his name) has discovered the new law. He wishes to use it to his advantage and that means that he plans on using you."

Ginny gasped, which told Snape that she had some idea of what he was talking about. He continued.

"He wants to marry you and since you're a Pureblood and the law states that a Half-blood or Muggleborn can choose who they marry, he's got some dark plan to kidnap you and marry you himself."

Ginny felt her world disappear. What would happen to her? What would happen to Harry, her family?

"Miss Weasley, I've already told the Headmaster of this development and he's as worried as I am about what will happen if Tom gets his hands on you. He believes that he might control you and make you do horrible things. And trust me, if you think his younger self was bad the older man is worse."

Ginny didn't say anything, just nodded.

"So I approached the Headmaster with a little plan that would keep you safe from Tom. It's bending the rule, but since I'm a Half-blood myself then I can save you from Tom."

"H-How," Ginny asked, almost afraid of the answer.

"I've decided that you should marry me."

Ginny fainted.