Disclaimer - Nope, still don't own the Harry Potter Universe. And for those who've read this far...thanks.
Chapter four.
The week was a whirl of activity for Hermione, every time she went into Diagon Alley to gather supplies, such as the latest 'Transfiguration through the Ages; the evolution of Transfiguration, dated before Merlin' book or a large stock of quills and ink, more wizarding robes and, well, more books from Florish and Blotts, she had been accosted by large crowds; the downside to being one third of the Golden Trio, Hermione surmised.
Then Harry would frantically call her up and cry for help from a rabid group of fan-girls trying to convince him to marry them, so she'd help him get out of the house by saying she needed some help in gathering supplies in Muggle London, then Ron would desperately attempt to use the phone again and cry for help as well, trying to hide from a mood-swinging Padma, so he'd join them in their quest in Muggle London, but he'd be so curious about all the things around him that they ended up giving him tours and rush around gathering things at the last minute.
Then, when she finally got home, she'd get accosted by her little sister, yanking several different Maid of Honour dresses on her as she organised her wedding. When she finally slipped out of her grasp, she'd be in her room until late, working out several lesson plans and interesting assignments, before collapsing on her bed and sleeping like the dead until the next day, when it started all over again and she soon forgot all about the Marriage Law.
So it was to her surprise, that just as she was about to apparate to Platform 9 ¾ in Kings Cross that a Ministry owl flew in and delivered a letter. All the teachers would be arriving the day before the students, so there was enough time to sort everything out and get settled in, so Hermione didn't want to miss the train.
Hermione just took the letter, gave the owl a treat and tucked it into her dark blue travelling robes to read on the train. She just had her small beaded bag that was under the undetectable extension charm that held her trunk inside it (The reason why she kept the trunk was that it was so much more convenient to grab things from) and the owl cage that held Nyx, a beautiful barn owl that Ron and Harry had given her for her last birthday.
She appeared just outside the Hogwarts express, steam billowing out and around the train. All the Professors were milling around and Hermione quickly sorted out Neville from the crowd, "Hey Nev, mate! What's been going on in your neck of the woods?" Hermione asked cheerfully and Neville smiled down at her.
"I take it then, that your fiancé is someone you like?" he asked her.
Hermione balked, "Fiancé?"
Neville looked at her strangely, "Yeah, did you get your letter from the Ministry telling you who your fiancé is this morning? You know, for the Marriage Law?"
Hermione slapped a hand to her forehead, "I knew I'd forgotten something! So that's what the letter was!"
"You mean you haven't opened it yet?" Neville asked, amused and Hermione turned her big doe eyes to him, worriedly.
"I will now!" She fished around in her large robes before pulling out the slightly rumpled letter and took a deep breath.
"Who did you get, Neville?" Hermione asked, eyeing the letter nervously and fiddling with the edges.
"Hannah Abbot." Hermione looked up and smiled beautifully.
"Neville, that's wonderful! She's such a nice girl! But how are you going to stay together for the required time? She runs the Leaky Cauldron, doesn't she?"
Neville nodded, smiling bashfully, "She's going to move to Hogsmeade and run the Three Broomsticks while Madame Rosmerta goes and runs the Leaky Cauldron."
Hermione smiled, "I'm so happy for you!"
Neville indicated her letter with his head and smiled. "Your turn."