Hermione walked down the corridor towards the Marriage Law Inquiries Office dreading the meeting she was about to attend.
Rodolphus and Rabastan were two of the most trusted and depraved Death Eater's in Voldemort's ranks. They were everything Hermione had fought against in the war, and they had witnessed and been party to her torture at Malfoy Manor.
Another reason Hermione was dreading the meeting was because she, Harry, and Ron had broken into their Gringotts vault and stole the cup of Helga Hufflepuff, which had belonged to Voldemort.
Reaching the reception area, Hermione waited her turn to be seen.
"How can I help you?" the receptionist asked.
"I have an appointment with Mr Robard, the name is Granger."
"If you would like to take a seat I will tell him that you are here, and he will see you through." The receptionist said pointing to a corner of the room with several chairs
About ten minutes later a man wearing very expensive looking robes came and greeted her.
"Hello Miss Granger, my name is Leon Robard. The Misters Lestrange are in my office already if you would like to follow me." He said leading Hermione down one of the corridors from the main reception to his office.
Stopping and turning to Hermione before they entered his office he said, "The brothers had their magic limited before you arrived so there is no reason to be apprehensive about meeting them.
Robard pushed open the door and held it as Hermione entered.
Rodolphus and Rabastan stood as Hermione entered. A sign of their upbringing Hermione thought.
"Gentleman, may I present Hermione Granger."
"Miss Granger, it is nice to finally meet you properly." Rodolphus said moving toward the witch.
"It is nice to finally meet the both of you properly too." Hermione replied. She had wanted to mention that it was better than the last time they had met, but thought that it would not be a good idea.
Rodolphus grinned at her response and pulled out a chair for her.
"Thank you." Hermione said.
The brothers did not sit until after Hermione had and then turned their attention to Mr Robard.
"The Ministry have asked for this meeting for two reasons. One is so that you can meet in a neutral setting and the second is to go over some finer points of the law."
Hermione's brow furrowed. She thought that they had been given all the information in regards to the law. From the expressions on the brother's faces they also did not know that there were other conditions.
"What other 'finer' points Mr Robard? I thought we had been told everything about the law?" Hermione asked echoing the brother's thoughts.
Shifting slightly, Mr Robard answered, "it is a detail regarding the conception of children."
"I thought the only condition was that Miss Granger had to bear four children, two to each of us." Rabastan said questioningly.
"Well yes that is a condition of the law, but the other is that the first child must be born within the first year of marriage."
"No offence Mr Robard, but does the Wizengamot think it's that easy? It can take years for a couple to have a child even with fertility potions, and mapping the woman's cycle, and you expect it to happen in a year?" Hermione said fuming.
The brother's looked at their fiancée during her little speech and loved the way her eyes lit up when she argued.
They still struggled with taking the infamous Muggleborn as their wife, but had remembered her fire, her determination, and her passion for the cause she was fighting for. They also didn't want to spend the rest of their lives in Azkaban. It was a way for them to redeem themselves and their name, and to become respected in the world once more.
"I agree with Miss Granger," Rodolphus paused. "When my previous wife and I tried for a child it never happened. We used everything we could to make it happen, but it never did. We were both tested by healers and we found out that she was barren, but it was my duty to try. I was the eldest son, and I am now head of my family, and it had been made clear that I was responsible for carrying on our family name."
"I am sorry to hear that Mr Lestrange, but the Wizengamot will not budge on this. Both the Minister and several fertility specialists have requested more time for this requirement but have been denied." Mr Robard said not sounding at all sorry for the other man.
"Is there anything else we need to know?" Hermione asked wanting to get away from Mr Robard as soon as possible.
"That's everything for today; you may go now if you wish."
The three of them stood at once and walked out of the office.
The brothers saw that Hermione was furious and decided to try and take her mind off Robard and the Ministry by discussing their wedding.
"Miss Granger." Rabastan called.
Hermione turned around to face them.
"Would you care to join us for a drink? We could perhaps get to know each other a little?" Rabastan asked.
"That would be lovely," Hermione answered smiling slightly. "Where will we be going?"
"The Serpents Lair." Rodolphus said. "May I take you side-along?" he asked offering his hand.
Hermione walked forward and took his offered hand. It was slightly calloused compared to her soft skin but it felt good. He pulled her closer and then she felt the familiar twist of apparition.
They appeared outside of their destination with Rabastan not far away. The street was nearly deserted but a chorus of people could be heard from inside the pub.
Taking her hand into the crook of his arm, Rodolphus led her inside.
It was not what Hermione had been expecting. The room was decorated in soft greens and was warm and inviting, and the opposite of what she had been told it was.
"What would you like to drink Miss Granger?" Rabastan asked.
"A Butterbeer please."Hermione replied.
Rabastan went to the bar as Rodolphus lead her to a table near the back. Suddenly their way was blocked by a bulky guy who Hermione recognised as Marcus Flint.
"That filth doesn't belong here." He sneered.
"Miss Granger is not filth, she is my fiancée and if you know what's best for you then you will not insult her again." Rodolphus said through gritted teeth.
He may not have wanted to marry the young woman next to him, but he had been raised to show respect and unity with his affianced, or wife, even if there were problems between them.
"Fiancée? Why would you sully your line with her?"
"Miss Granger is a great witch with many admirable traits. I would go as far to say that she is more admirable than most pureblood witches. In response to your inquiry, the Ministry has matched us under the marriage law."
Outrage poured from the crowd around them and Hermione felt herself move closer to Rodolphus for safety.
Rabastan walked to where they were standing and asked, "What's going on?"
"This man insulted Miss Granger by saying she was filth and not worthy to marry into our family. I just happen to point out that she was a greater witch than most pureblood witches put together." Rodolphus explained.
Rabastan turned to Flint and said menacingly, "It would be wise if you did not insult our fiancée again, or you will regret it."
"Regret telling the truth? I don't think so somehow." Flint sneered again.
"Miss Granger has several commendable qualities which make up for her impure blood. It is something which can be overlooked due to many of them."
Flint snarled but moved out of the way.
"I suggest you watch your attitude, you don't know who you're dealing with." Rodolphus growled.
He then led Hermione and Rabastan to a deserted table near the back door.
"I thought it would be best if we were near the door if we need to make a quick exit." Rodolphus explained.
Hermione nodded.
Rabastan looked at Rodolphus who seemed to understand his thoughts, nodded slightly.
"Miss Granger-"
"Hermione, please call me Hermione." She said cutting Rabastan off.
"Hermione, there is something which you should know before we talk any further," he paused. "Rodolphus and I were under the imperious curse when we served under the Dark Lord. We do not, nor have we ever denied the crimes we committed whilst under it. The curse wore off during our time in Azkaban and was placed on us once again when we had escaped."
"What my brother is trying to say Hermione, is that what we did to you at Malfoy Manor was not entirely our own doing. Yes, it was us physically, but it was not our minds, or our wishes to do so." Rodolphus finished hoping the young witch would understand.
Hermione nodded once again, but this time was in deep thought. She prided herself on being a good judge of character, and could normally tell when someone was lying to her.
"I believe you."
"Thank you Hermione." Rodolphus said.
"Is there something you wanted to ask?" Rabastan enquired.
"I was wondering why you didn't use that as your defence." Hermione asked quietly.
"It doesn't matter if we were under the imperious curse or not, we committed those crimes knowing what the consequences would be if we were caught. We may never have joined the Dark Lord on our own but we still supported his views, his goals, and what we thought would be the outcome." Rodolphus explained.
Hermione wasn't shocked by this. She knew from Harry that their father had been one of the first Death Eater's in Voldemort's service and she would be surprised if they had not at least supported Voldemort's cause and donated money to it.
"I assure you Hermione that this isn't easy on us. We were raised to hate you, to hate all Muggleborns, and this is hard for us. I have no doubt that you are finding it hard to, but at least you have friends to support you through this."
"I know. Thank you for being honest with me." Hermione commented. She looked at her watch and realised that it was nearly time for her to be at the Burrow.
"I have to leave. I promised my friends I would have dinner with them. Thank you for the drink." Hermione said as she got up.
"We will escort you to the door Hermione. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Shall we owl you requesting another meeting?" Rabastan said standing when Hermione did.
"That would be great. I am normally free in the evenings and the weekends as I work during the week."
"That shouldn't be too hard to fit into our schedule." Rodolphus commented.
Outside the pub the brothers watched their future wife disapparate with a crack.
"That went well." Rabastan said turning to his brother.
"It certainly did." He replied.