Knock, knock

Odd, she thinks. Ginny would simply burst in and it's too early to be Ron and Harry. "Come in." she calls softly, assuming if they knocked they probably weren't a stray death eater. She shakes her head at herself. For a moment she'd forgotten about her fiancée! "Hi Fred. How are you? Sleep well?"

"I did, actually. Only woke up once." She assumes this is progress, but says nothing, just continues to rub concealer over her arm.

"Hermione," he hesitates, "if you don't mind that word…well, why do you hide the scar?" He hoped he hadn't crossed a line with such a personal question.

"It makes people uncomfortable," she gives him a smile. "Half know the truth, and feel bad for me. Half think it's scarification, and start judging. No one says anything, but when my left arm comes into view the wall behind me suddenly becomes very, very interesting. Or sometimes they can't look away." She adds, thoughtfully. "It's the elephant in the room as is, but at least they don't have to see it."

"Elephant in the room? You have a pet elephant? That's cool. I want to see!"

"It's a muggle expression, Fred." She stifles a laugh, not wanting to make him feel stupid.

"Oh." Although evidently he already does.

"I do not possess an elephant, but if I did, I'd let you take him for his walks." He nods vigorously causing a giggle to escape her.

"Anyway, I wanted to say," he bit his lip, "the thing is, I always wanted to get married. To a girl I loved. I'm not quite ready to give up on that dream so, um…wanna fall in love?"

She thinks about it, starts pacing, sits, paces again and finally answers. "I can't promise that I'll fall in love with you, and I can't promise that you'll fall in love with me but it does seem a pity not to try."

He shuffles his feet, "Pick you up at seven?"

She nods, "What should I wear?"

"Ginny knows I'm taking you on a date. Do you think you get a choice?" He chuckles, adds a farewell and apparates back to his flat.

"Hermione!" Ginny calls, busting through the door.

She sighs.

"Try this one."

"No."

"This?"

"Ginny!" she said, outraged. "You wore that the night you and Harry first had sex which is NOT the plan here!"

"Add a couple inches on the neck and hem then. It'll be great. Bye!"

The date was perfectly charming but Hermione couldn't help but remember some of what she'd heard in school. He did make really good dates, and he was a good kisser and good in bed.

But he was dangerously possessive.

Hermione didn't particularly care for that rumoured trait. If she wanted to have male friends and spend time with them then she would. Besides, the law would keep her faithful. Harry had managed to get his hands on a full, all-inclusive copy. It was devastating, but both Mr. Weasley and Percy had assured her that before it was amended the law was far worse. Wives were bought for one thing and there was a clause stating that a man had a right to his witch's body at any time. Both things had been eliminated, fortunately. According to Harry, that had been the work of Kingsley and one department. They'd also convinced the Wizengamot to add a clause that divorce be permissible if there was proof of abuse. It only applied to physical abuse but it was better than nothing. Lacking manpower, they'd had no choice but to pick their battles.

She was happy that things had worked out for the best for her loved ones and certain elements to the law were no longer in play, but it wasn't fair. The law explicitly stated children would be required. That meant edited clause or no edited clause, she still had to give her body to a man she hadn't chosen. It made it better that she knew him and knew he would be gentle with her. It helped that he was a good man. It helped that he was a friend. It helped that the crush she'd harboured in third year was resurfacing and that she didn't think she'd mind shagging him all that much.

As he looked at her, he thought the same thing.