Chapter 2
After her initial shock, rage began to settle in Hermione's veins. She stood from her place on the floor and raced to her wardrobe, pulling casual clothes to dress in. She slipped on a pair of shoes, grabbed her letter, and a handful of floo powder before racing to her fireplace. She screamed 'The Burrow' and was whisked away. She stepped out, brushing the soot from her clothes, hearing raised voices. She heard the familiar whoosh behind her and turned to see a familiar mop of black hair greet emerging from the flames. Harry offered a tentative smile to Hermione before they both made their way into the Weasley household.
All of the Weasleys (with the exception of Bill and Charlie) were gathered in the kitchen. The patriarch of the family was sitting at the head of the table, face grace and contemplative. Molly was on his right anger flashing in her eyes. Ron and Ginny were sitting on the left side of the table while the twins were sitting on the kitchen counter.
"It's not right that they are forcing us to marry. Haven't we been through enough already?" Ginny looked up as Harry and Hermione walked in.
Ron let out a sarcastic chuckle, "At least you have Harry and George has Angie. The rest of us are screwed."
"Oi, don't get pissy at us dear Ronniekins" George scowled from his place on the counter.
"Yeah, there's no guarantee that they will let us stay together. Mr. Bennett," Ginny spat, "Never mentioned couples who are in relationships or engagements."
Hermione sighed and moved to the table. Sitting down, she looked to Arthur, "Have you heard anything from Minister Kingsley?"
Arthur shook his head, "I'm afraid not."
Molly clicked her tongue and stood up from the table. "Well, there's no use getting our feathers ruffled just yet dears. I'll make us some breakfast."
Harry pulled out a seat beside Hermione, sitting across from Ron. Molly began passing out tea and toast and shooed the twins from their perch so she could have the counter space. Fred sat in the empty seat to Hermione's left and George sat across from him. A tense silence filled the kitchen. Only pans clanking could be heard.
After a few moments, Ginny finally broke the silence, "So no one has heard anything about this in the ministry? Dad?"
Arthur looked at his daughter, "Not a peep."
"Harry, Ron? What about you? You all are aurors, surely one of you must have heard something." The boys just shook their heads no.
Hermione heard a scoff from her left and turned to look at Fred, meeting his eyes. "if anyone would know anything, it would be Hermione. She's the one who is a lawyer at the Ministry."
"I'm not a lawyer yet, Fred. Besides, I haven't heard anything either. If I did, you all would have been the first to know, after I raised hell at the ministry. This has been a well-kept secret." Fred just rolled his eyes, but accepter her answer regardless. Fred had become more closed off, more reserved since the Battle of Hogwarts. Percy's death had changed him. Hermione shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She finished her tea and toast and looked at the time. With a gasp, she saw that the time was 6:15am, and stood from the table.
Molly looked at the girl and asked what was wrong. Hermione told her that she needed to be going, she needed to change in her work attire and head to the Ministry. The matriarch nodded, packed her some food, and sent Hermione on her way.
She would get answers today, even if she had to break down Kingsley's door to get them. So, it was with a new determination that Hermione flooed home.
Author's Note: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for reading this story. I hope to update as often as possible. Please review and let me know what you think. Thank you in advance!