Hey! Gotta say I love my readers!
*HG pov*
I woke up early the next morning and felt a little feverish. I checked on the potion, and it was done so I drank my portion. Since it was so early I decided to take my shower, and get ready to leave before I gave them the potion.
I thought of the diary I read last night as I showered, dried my hair, and charmed it to stay curly. Last night I hadn't gotten much sleep. When I finally got to sleep I was dreaming of my parents and their stories.
After reading my mum's diary and then seeing her in her memories, I was fascinated with her. She was so intelligent to have made up her own spell. She she was so beautiful as well. No wonder my dad loved her. She had, had blonde hair, and really pretty blue eyes. I could tell I had her body type and her facial features, besides her smile. I had my dads big teeth (but they didn't look too big on him, they fit him.), and then his curly brown hair and brown eyes.
I walked out of my bedroom and got my healer bag. Time to face reality. No more dreaming of meeting your family. I made my way to Malfoy's bedroom, and knocked.
"Come in." A voice commanded behind the door.
I walked in and set the two cups on their breakfast table. They both looked overly tired, and a sick, "Drink these, and you won't be contagious to others. You'll also feel better. I drank mine when I got up this morning and I feel better already."
Mrs. Malfoy gave me a tired smile, "Sorry dear, I didn't realize you were sick also."
"It wasn't as severe as your case, but yes I had it. I have to get going, just owl me with concerns." I said as I walked out the door. I have no idea why, but recently Mrs. Malfoy has seemed so nice. Maybe it's because I'm her friend's daughter and pureblood
I walked around and tried to find my way out of the huge manor, but I ended up totally lost. All of the large corridors looked the same! I was about to send up a red spark like Harry did in fourth year during the Triwizard Tournament, when I heard someone walking close by.
"Excuse me!" I said louder than normal.
I heard the footsteps getting closer, and suddenly Malfoy came around the corner.
"Granger, what are you still doing here? Looking around for money, because you're living on the streets?" He asked with a sneer.
"Actually Malfoy, I was trying to leave, and I got lost. What way is the front door?"
He smirked at the look on my face. I hate being vulnerable in the presence of people who will use it against me. I probably look so pathetic right now. "Just follow me." He said. He turned around and started walking quickly back down the way I had come, "If you can keep up."
"Oh I can." I said just loud enough for him to hear. What a prat! I came and helped him when he was sick, and this is how repays me?!
We've been walking for a long time. I hope he really is showing me the way out, and isn't bringing me to the dungeons or something. Does this house have dungeons?!
We were starting to get close. I could tell because I was starting to recognize some things, "Malfoy, shouldn't you be in bed resting?"
"If I was, you'd still be lost." He said with no emotion.
As much as I hated to admit it, he had a point.
We reached the front doors. "Thanks," I said quietly as I left the Manor. I hurried out the door and apparated as soon as I could.
I arrived at Grimmauld's place, and felt like I hadn't been there in ages. I could hear someone in the kitchen. Since it was about 8 in the morning, I knew it wasn't Harry.
"Gin?!" I called excitedly as I put my bag down in the front room, and walked towards the kitchen.
"Mione!" She hurried towards me and gave me a hug. "How are you feeling? I wasn't sure what time you'd get here, but I'm so glad to see you! You look a little sick!"
"I've been better. I just spent over 24 hours in the same house as Malfoy. Is that reason enough?"
She laughed, and went back to cooking. "I have to cook brunch for everyone, when they come over for the meeting. Harry decided it should be a brunch, so everyone feels comfortable."
"That's a great idea. Here, I'll help you." I started to make some more batter for the pancakes as we talked about random things.
…
"Yeah, Harry's worried about the marriage law. He's afraid someone is working behind the scenes and is setting this up for ex-death eaters. For a while, he's been thinking the Minister is weird at times, but you know how Harry's suspicious about everything."
I just nodded. The whole marriage law thing was something I did NOT want to think about.
"I wonder who you'll be paired with." She contemplated, continuing the topic. "I bet they put you with Ron. I mean, you've been a couple for forever, and you're both heroes."
"I don't know Gin, something big is about to happen. I can feel it." I'm so nervous. Tthe letter that decides my whole future is coming today! I've learned that anything can happen in the wizarding world, so nothing can surprise me. Nothing.
…
"Thank you all for coming." Harry was saying as everyone continued eating. "I thought it would be best if we were all together for this, considering what a big change it will make in all of our lives." He looked around the table at all of us. There were a lot of people there. ((All of the Weasleys and their spouses, me, Luna, Neville, Katie Bell, McGonagall, and Hagrid.))
"What time were the letters supposed to come Harry?" Alicia Wealsey asked him, as she gave a reassuring smile to her best friend. Katie Bell had joined a qudditich team after the war, and had never met a man. She, like me, was a nervous wreck.
"Sometime soon actually, the Minister told me sometime around 11."
I looked at the clock. It was 11:15, so WHY WEREN'T THE LETTERS HERE YET?! We continued eating, and people were talking about the law, but I wasn't really listening, or eating really. I hadn't eaten a real meal in a long time and Ginny was right, I was starting to lose weight. It's just that my life has been so stressful!
Suddenly an owl swooped in and delivered a letter to Luna. Everyone at the table froze, and looked at Luna. She picked up her letter, not even the least bit dazed. typical Luna opened it. In the mean time an owl came for Neville, Ron, Charlie, Katie, and then me.
Luna was sitting next to me, and I saw her skimming her letter, and I tried to listen to who she had been assigned to. She mummered " Rolf Scamander."
WHO WAS THAT?! WHAT IF I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHO I WAS PAIRED WITH?! I tried to control my breathing and not hyperventilate. While I had been listening to Luna, Charlie and Katie had opened their letters.
I heard Charlie telling his mum he was with some girl from the dragon reservation, and Katie telling Alicia that she was with Oliver Wood. She was saying how he would never love her, and would only love qudditich. I could tell she was glad to be with him.
Ron and Neville were both just holding their letters with scared looks on their faces. Neville started to open his, so I reached for mine. This was like an out of body experience. You know like when you feel a little dizzy and you can see everything around you from a view other than yours, but can't control anything …
I started to break the seal, when Ron asked Neville nervously, "Who are you with?!"
I looked up to see Neville smiling, "Hannah Abbot."
I smiled at him. See, I told myself, you CAN be paired with someone good for you, "Congratulations Nev." I said as I went to take the letter out…
Hermione Trina Montresor,
After many tests done by the Ministry, we have found your match for the Marriage Law. You must marry your partner by the end of the year, and have a kid within the first three years, and follow all of the other guide lines of The Marriage Law. You must go and visit your partner soon to get plans sorted. If you have any questions you can go to the new office in the Ministry made for this law. You must also go see Danielle Tiffin within the week with your partner to schedule your wedding date. If you do not comply with the law you will have your wand broken, and will be sent to Azkaban.
You're partner will be, Draco Malfoy.
I looked at my letter in total shock. I guess I COULD be surprised. I just stared at my letter, trying to regain some composure. I just kept rereading my letter. This HAD to be some sort of joke. Or at least a glitch! ME AND MALFOY?
Who ran these so called tests?! They were obviously the stupidest person in the world, if they ever thought Malfoy and I could get married. oh bloody hell, and create a child.
"Mione are you okay?" I heard Ginny ask worriedly. She sounded so far away. I tried to pull my eyes away from the letter to reassure her I was fine, but I couldn't.
Suddenly I heard Ron yelling, and it broke my spell of staring at my letter, "HOW THE BLOODY HELL AM I WITH LAVENDAR BROWN?! THIS LAW IS NEVER GOING TO WORK! THE MINISTER HAS FALLEN OFF HIS ROCKER" all the while he was saying this he was looking at me with worry in his eyes.
I was sort of hoping I would be with Ron, but I guess I was stupid to think I would be that lucky.
After Harry quieted Ron down, he turned towards me, "Mione, you never told us. Who are you with?"
I swallowed nervously. I love my friends, but I don't think they can handle this…
"Seriously Mione, you look like a scared deer. It's not like it could be THAT bad." George joked from across the table.
I looked down at my letter and closed my eyes, because I didn't want to see their appalled reactions, "Draco Malfoy." I said with no emotion in my voice.
I heard a couple of gasps, and a couple of swear words from the males in the room, but I opened my eyes when I thought everyone would have composed themselves. Boy was I wrong. Everyone was still sitting there in shock with their mouths hanging open.
I gave them all a weak smile, and tried not to throw up the brunch I had eaten earlier.
"YOU'RE JOKING?!" Ron yelled at me as he finally got over the shock, and when I didn't say anything he continued, "MALFOY?!"
I just nodded my head.
"WHAT?! YOU CAN'T BE WITH MALFOY!" He came over and grabbed my letter out of my hands. He read it quickly and then frowned deeper.
"How can this be?!" Harry asked, as he too read my letter.
Ginny came over and gave me a hug. She looked worried, and now that I look around, everyone looks worried, greaaat.
I sat down at the table trying to think of a worse situation. Oh wait, there isn't one! Malfoy has been my enemy for as long as I've known I was a witch, there was no way this marriage was going to work.
I took a deep breath and tried to wish away the headache that was starting to come. This can't be happening! Everyone was talking amongst each other, and I've always gotten headaches when I'm overly stressed and tired. I got up and started to walk towards the fire place.
"I'm going to floo home." I say to no one in particular. "I haven't been home in like forever, and I'm tired, so no one bug me until at least tomorrow. If you don't need me, I'll see you tomorrow for Sunday night dinner at The Burrow."
I threw some powder into the fireplace, and was at home in no time. It felt good to be home. I went into my bedroom and put my healer bag in my closet and my mum's diary on my bedside table. I changed into my favorite purple sweat pants and white t shirt.
The whole Marriage Law didn't seem real to me, yet so I grabbed my favorite muggle book, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. I made some of my favorite hot tea, and sat down on my couch and started to read. I wasn't even to the part that Lizzy's cousin comes to visit, when there was a knock at the door.
I walked towards the door and called loudly, "I told you guys earlier, that I'll see you tomorrow! I seriously don't feel well, so please leave if you want me to stay sane."
I opened the door to see who I was going to have to hex tomorrow at dinner. I forgot my wand in my room. To my surprise Malfoy was standing outside of my flat leaning against the opposite wall of the narrow hallway.
"oh, it's you." I said in a small voice.
"Sorry Granger, I wasn't aware of the no visitors rule, and since I'm already here." He said arrogantly as he brushed past me and into my flat, "It's not like you're sane now, either." He smirked and sat down on my couch.
"Did I say you could come in?" I asked him with a glare.
"No, but it's not like I actually want to be here." He matched my glare.
I decided to end it there even if it is a little sudden. Review!
-Grace