Oliver

I had barely slept at all. I was cranky and more tired than I would have liked to be and the impending meeting didn't help my mood any. I went through my normal routines of showering, shaving, brushing my teeth and getting dressed as usual. The only breakfast I bothered with was a bagel and a cuppa as I rushed out of my flat via the floo network. As I appeared on Diagon Alley, I made my way to the Weasley joke shop to see my best mates. Luckily for me I arrived as they were stocking their shelves before the mid-day rush. The moment I stepped through the door, a toy of Dolores Umbridge cried my name to alert the Weasley twins to my presence.

"Freddie, Oliver is here!" I heard one of the mischievous men shout to the other. Just as I started to look around for the source of the voice, the two Apparated right in front of me.

"What brings you here so early mate?" the one I assumed to be Fred (only because George had a scar across his left ear) beamed down at me. Despite being a year older than them, they were still taller than me.

"I came here to tell you the allegedly joyous news," I sighed as George shoved a nearby box into my arms to help them stock the shelves.

"Oh? And what news is that?" George asked as I opened up the box and started placing their assorted candies on the shelves.

"I'm meeting the Minister today so I can be assigned a husband or wife," I groaned this time. Both the twins stopped their own stocking momentarily to stare at me.

"You actually applied?" one said as the other started filling the shelves once more.

"No, I didn't. I don't see why you think I would waste my time with such a thing," I snapped, still cranky from the lack of sleep.

"No need to bite my head off," the ginger mumbled.

"Sorry about that. I didn't sleep much last night," I mumbled as well.

"Obviously, considering you only snap like that when you're tired or severely hacked off. Still, why are you meeting the Minister if you didn't apply?" George asked, looking over at me.

"I'm being forced into a marriage. Since I'm only a half-blood who was refusing to apply, it was only a matter of time until this happened," I sighed, stopping momentarily to allow myself the pang of sadness.

The twins both stopped their work and approached me to place a hand on my back. While one made small circular movements, the other simply gave me a couple pats. All was quiet as we thought of how difficult and unhappy my new life was going to be. Finally, I shrugged off my self-pity and continued stocking their shelves. The twins exchanged looks of unease before continuing their own jobs.

"Well, if you think about it, they might pair you with someone you really get along with," George offered in a hopeful voice.

"And if they don't?" I asked with another sigh.

"I'm sure they will," Fred answered with a firm nod.

DunDunDun…

I sat, rather uncomfortably, in a leather chair placed in front of the Minister's desk. Kingsley Shacklebolt was seated behind his desk with a copy of the Daily Prophet in his grip. I wasn't even sure if he was aware of my presence. Just as I was about to clear my throat, he lowered the magical newspaper and stared me down but not unkindly.

"I'm glad you made it to this meeting, Oliver Wood," the dark skinned man greeted me with a small smile.

"That makes one of us," I mumbled as I folded one leg over the other, resting my folded hands on my knee. He adjusted his collar uncomfortably.

"I hate to put you in this position but you've left me with no other choice. The Ministry has given you several opportunities to volunteer and choose your future spouse, all of which you denied. This is the last course of action that I can take," Kingsley sighed heavily and rubbed his temples after shutting his eyes.

"I don't understand why it's so important that I be a participant," I responded rather bluntly.

"Oliver, you're one of the only heirs to a dying breed of wizard. We need you to participate in this program," was the only explanation I was given. I was dissatisfied.

My face was blank as I waited for him to provide with a name. That's the only reason I had bothered to show my face at the meeting. I wanted to know who the Ministry was assigning me to marry. Without warning, I heard the door behind me open but I didn't bother to see who had entered. It actually wasn't until the third party sat down that I bothered to focus on the figure. My eyes shot wide open. There beside me sat Marcus Flint, the sexiest Quidditch player alive…too bad I hated him with everything in me.

Marcus

All morning I had fret over my appearance. I had picked out a nice white shirt to wear under my favorite forest green half-zip jumper. I had even chosen to wear a brand new pair of dark jeans and black and white sneakers. It had taken me thirty minutes to perfectly style my hair before brushing my now straight teeth. All of that time I had spent on my appearance now made pointless. My looks were now being wasted on the hopeless dolt known as Oliver Wood.

While the brunette looked undeniably sexy in his white button-up shirt, tie and slacks, I still hated his guts. Just as I was mulling over how much I hated the Scotsman, Shacklebolt cleared his throat to catch out attention.

"You're late, Marcus," the Minister of Magic spoke calmly, addressing me.

"And you told me this would be a meeting to discuss who I'm going to marry. You didn't tell me I would have to discuss this topic with a man I hate," I hissed at the older gentleman. His lips curved into a smile.

"Well, you'll need to learn to get along with him," he chuckled a bit.

"And why is that?" I asked. Wood seemed to fidget and I could tell what his guess was. Please, Merlin, don't let him be right.

"You're going to marry him," Shacklebolt answered calmly once more. I was out of my chair in a matter of seconds while Wood remained seated.

The brunet's eyes were closed and he was pinching the bridge of his nose while his elbow rested on the arm of the chair. His other arm was hung over his leg. How in the hell could he be so calm?

"Is there a reason you're standing, Marcus?" the Minister asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"I'm pissed! You honestly expect me just go along with this?" I asked, my voice rising in volume with each word.

"Yes, I do," the dark skinned man answered with a smile.

"And if I refuse?" I asked.

"We don't get that option," Wood chimed in, his eyes still closed.

"Who asked you?" I snapped.

"You shouldn't have had to ask the question at all. Oh wait, I forgot how much of an idiot you are," he shot at me, finally opening his eyes to glare at me.

"Listen here you foul git and listen well. I have no intentions of marrying you or starting a family with you. If you think you can change my mind, then you're sorely mistaken," I hissed, my eyes narrowing.

"Gentlemen, you don't have a choice. If you don't comply with this order of business, you'll both be stripped of your titles as Captain and possibly forced to serve a five year sentence in Azkaban," Kingsley Shacklebolt interjected before Wood could snap back with some kind of sarcastic remark as he was known to do.

"You're going to take away my title of Captain if I don't agree to marry a man I hate?" Wood shouted, standing now. That was just like Wood. Of course he would care more about Quidditch than prison. Then again, I was the exact same way.

"Yes, Oliver, I will," the Minister answered coolly.

When neither of us replied, he took that as a sign of defeat. He then smiled and stood as well, setting a piece of parchment on his desk and sliding a quill and ink bottle up next to it.

"Gentlemen, sign your names on the assigned lines and we'll pick a date for you to be married. Also, there's the matter of the change of address and last name," Shacklebolt sighed and folded his hands in front of him.

"I refuse to change my last name," I snapped.

"I feel the same," Wood agreed, his eyes narrowed at the Minister.

"That's all fine and well. Changing your address, however, is a requirement," the Minister chuckled, waving away our objections.

I glared at Wood, not having to say that I refused to move. He looked as if he were about to object but then he closed his mouth. Without a word, he simply leaned down and signed his name. When he moved to the address line, I gave him the information he needed so he could write it down. It wasn't like him to just surrender, at least, not on the Quidditch field. When it was my turn, I copied his actions before sliding the parchment back to the Minister.

"Congratulations, gentlemen, you're now engaged," were the last words I bothered to listen to before I walked out of the office.

DunDunDun…

Well, this is the second chapter ^_^ I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am ^_^ I promise to post more soon! Please review! I would like to know your thoughts on the story :D

Love,

Hannya (^_^)