There we are, new chapter, new outlook on the fiction life! I like this half much better already, it's much more me I found. I like the descriptions more than the talking most times. Anyways, here we are, here we go, let me know what you think! And apparently totally told a lie did not get this out in an hour.
And by the way, since I haven't done one yet: I don't own this story line. If, you know, thought I might. I don't.
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A few days later found the trio on their way to the Ministry, fully covered by Harry's invisibility cloak, feeling much safer with the well known cloth. Hermione had insisted on small covering charms in case the cloak slipped or when they had to remove it for security checks. Nothing had stopped them from the Floo all the way to Kingsley's office. Once they had reached the door, they were forced to remove their cover to answer the security questions spelled into the door. The door was vibrating lightly, a dim green glow emanating from the grain of the wood. A deep robotic voice was already whispering, repeating over again and again, "Mr. Potter, on whose broomstick did you ride during the escape of The Seven Potters?" Harry looked at Hermione in confusion.
"Harry, its making sure you're who you say you are. Kingsley must have instilled questions only you would know into the wood of the door." Harry nodded before turning to the door to answer it.
"I didn't, I rode on the side of Hagrid's motorcycle." The door accepted the answer with a light rumble before asking the next question towards Ron, repeating itself a few rimes before Ron understood it was asking him.
"Mr. Weasley, what are the names used for two, after the original two tricksters perished." Ron grinned, and leaned in to the door.
"Gideon and Fabian," The door rumbled happily, taking a moment to pause before asking the next question. Hermione took the pause as a chance to ask Ron quickly, "Just who was that about?"
"Fred and George; It's their middle names, not that they'll ever tell anyone. They were mom's twin older brothers. I caught mom calling them by their full names when I was younger." Hermione nodded, and continued to wait for her question. Ron suddenly tapped her shoulder, "Please don't let them know I told you." She only smiled, and heard the door speak to her again.
"Miss Granger, which word in the muggle dictionary is spelled incorrectly?"
"What? Why didn't you get a personal question like ours? Anyone could figure this out!" Ron fumed, frowning at the wooden door ahead of them, though he obviously couldn't figure the answer to the riddle. Hermione rolled her eyes and whispered the answer.
"Incorrectly," the door rumbled once more and swung open with a heavy groan. She turned to grin at the boys before practically skipping into the office. Kingsley was waiting for them behind his desk, grinning at the young witch as she made her way to one of the three empty seats made for them.
"Ah, I see you made it through the new security system, very well done." The tall wizard rumbles out to them in his deep voice, giving Hermione a special smile once she sat down, "And a very good job on your question Miss Granger. I was sure you would figure it out, though I didn't believe it would be so quickly."
"Of course Kingsley, I told you that one in my fifth year if you recall." Harry and Ron took their seats on either side of her, shaking their heads knowingly at one another over the shared knowledge between the other two. Kingsley laughed at the bright young witch, seating himself behind the large wooden desk. The miniature phoenix woke from his slumber at the interruption, launching himself off his roost to soar above their heads. He was no larger than a teaspoon, flying in circles before settling on Ron's shoulder. The freckled boy couldn't seem to decide if he should leave it alone, or risk a burn in trying to remove the tiny bird. Hermione took pity on her friend, using the tips of her fingers to extract the magic bird's talons from Ron's jacket, instead moving it to sit on the knee of her jeans. The phoenix happily settled on the denim, pawing at the fabric before settling down with a fiery sigh, singeing a small spot on her trousers.
"Sorry about him, hasn't quite grown accustomed to life in an office." Kingsley apologized once he noticed Hermione petting the small creature. She only shrugged, accepting the damage without a thought.
"I've had worse. Now, why exactly have we been summoned here Kingsley?" The Minister straightened in his seat, shuffling through a few papers lying across his desk. The surface was completely covered in what looked like letters, none in the same written hand. Most looked short, and to the point, while others looked quite lengthy and rather angry. She swore she even saw a Howler peeking out from underneath a heavy looking tomb about unicorns. They had to be requests and complaints about the law, all going straight to the Minister himself to be dealt with. Each one was opened, each had been looked through, but there were no responses sitting next to them waiting to be sent out.
"Yes, I figured you would like the chance to yell at me in person rather than hope I receive your letters in time." The older wizard smiled grimly at the trio, with only Ron giving him a small smile, "I thought it only right to allow the heroes that saved the Wizarding World a chance to have a say in their future."
Ron's smile slipped from his face, "You mean we can be pulled out of the running?" Kingsley's face fell fractionally as he shook his head sadly.
"No, I'm sorry. The law magically connects each eligible witch and wizard to a contract of sorts. There's no way to remove you from the pool. I was thinking you could have a better chance at choosing your partner, face-to-face with me, rather than hoping your request went through before you received your letters." The trio looked at each other happily, realizing how wonderful this opportunity was. Harry especially looked like it was Christmas morning. He was the first to speak up, "I was just engaged this morning. To Ginny,"
Kingsley smiled widely at her friend, "Congratulations Mr. Potter. I can't say I'm very surprised, I'm sure it would have happened regardless of the law." Harry's cheeks went red, but he was still smiling, making Hermione grin happily at her best friend. Kingsley then looked right at her, "And you, Miss Granger? Have you decided on anything for yourself?" Hermione frowned, thinking for a moment before she really realized what Kingsley was insinuating.
"Oh, no, Kingsley, Ron and I aren't getting married! We decided it wouldn't be a good idea, we're just going to hope for the best with everyone else." The shocked looks from Kingsley and Harry caused a feeling of unease to crawl through her stomach. Honestly, they hadn't been together all that long for them to be shocked over this. Yes, they were friends, and yes, there had been something between them. But they were adults now, and she knew they had reached the right decision together.
"Though, if it's not too much trouble, I would really appreciate it if we were still paired with another Gryffindor. It makes me a lot more comfortable to know Hermione's not going to end up with Malfoy or someone else from Slytherin." Ron spoke up; keeping eye contact with Kingsley the whole time he asked his prejudiced question. Hermione didn't even have time to act shocked before Kingsley nodded gravely, marking something on the sheet in front of him.
"I'm not surprised; I've had the same vague request from quite a few past Hogwarts students of the last few years. It seems the houses weren't quite as united as we believed." Kingsley took this time to glance at the three of them over his notes, not surprised to see them all fidget uncomfortably. It was no longer a secret on how the trio worked during their school days. "Any objections to Mr. Weasley's request, Hermione?" She didn't say anything, shaking her head minutely.
"So it's settled then? That's it?" Harry asked, beginning to stand. Kingsley nodded, losing the books in front of him.
"That's all. You are all dismissed." Kingsley smiled unhappily at them, waving them away, "Good luck,"
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The trip back to the Burrow after their visit with Kingsley was a long one. Ron still had an aversion to Apparating, with was understandable after their bad few runs during their hunt. Hermione had agreed to walk back with him, Harry grudgingly following them through Diagon Alley. She had told him a few times to go ahead of them to tell Ginny the good news, but he insisted he could walk with them. The last few minutes of silence from them and dragging his heels almost caused her to send him back herself before they reached the bright and cheery store front of the twins reopened joke shop. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was bursting with customers; the constant flow of children and adults alike making the store seems like it was being pushed around. The bright orange walls had been repainted recently, the orange and mixing in with sparkling purple and magenta, clashing horribly but creating a very exciting look. Hermione knew the twins' robes were matching horrendous colours, making their bright ginger hair even more otherworldly than regular. She hadn't visited the shop since it had reopened, instead focusing most of her energy in the marriage law. The sudden need to soak up the flavourful shop had her tugging Ron's sleeve towards his brothers shop door, "Let's peek inside for a hello."
"You want to go inside?" Ron asked her, acting rather shocked the small witch was willing to go in on her own.
"Why not? We're here, and I know neither of you have gone in since it opened again." She began to walk in the door, dodging the two ten year olds who were darting away with mischievous grins. As soon as she had the door open, a cacophony of music and noise was blasted through the alley. Hermione slipped in with Harry right behind her, a much more wary Ron following his friends in. The difference between the rambunctious store now and the store of the past was amazing. Every shelf had been doubled in size, some reaching the top of the ceiling, accessed by the third landing or the overly large ladder than had a very strict, 'Employees and Weasley's Only. And Granger's. And We Suppose Potter's as Well.' sign that had Hermione giggling loudly as she continued to peruse the store. The twins had put obvious care into the new and improved setting. The walls had been repainted, and the curtains were a brand new magenta, clashing horridly with the orange walls. All the product shelves were bursting with different sized boxes, and the Pygmy Puff cage was standing proudly in the center, boasting a rather large circus style play yard in which the multicoloured puffs were jumping happily. She couldn't seem to spot either of the Weasley twins, but their second in command Lee Jordan was waving them over to the cash register. Hermione moved to greet him, leaving Harry and Ron to stare at the new improved Puking Pastilles, guaranteed to keep you out of at least two classes, but keep the stomach-ache away.
"Hey there Granger! Fancy seeing you here." Lee greeted her warmly, going so far as to gather her up in a friendly hug. She returned it warmly, having missed the older, not Weasley-but damn-close, boy.
"Yes, nice to see you Lee. We were just at the Ministry, and I pulled Ron and Harry in to see the new shop." She poked at the gelatinous green blob sitting in the corner of the counter, startling her when it tried to poke her back. Lee pushed her fingers away, swatting them playfully as If she were a small child, "It looks like troll boogies."
"It might be. I honestly don't know myself." His completely serious face caused her to laugh aloud, raising a grin from the boy. Just then, a rather startling explosion burst form one of the last aisles, an alarming shade of pink billowing out in mushroom clouds. Lee jumped around the counter, rushing to the aisle and the culprit. Hermione watched in amusement as he was instantly consumed by the pink cloud sucking him in to nonexistence.
"That was rather too easy," A familiar voice whispered behind her, causing a new grin to spread across her face. Without looking, she knew one of the twins was watching the same scene she was, amused expressions plastered across both their faces.
"Was that you then?"
"What?" definitely a fake gasp of hurt pride, "in my own shop? Waste away perfectly good Candy Clouds? Never," She turned around to continue the amusing conversation, believing Lee to be perfectly capable of defending himself in the cloud of pink. Fred was leaning against the opposite counter, grinning mischievously down at her, while still assessing the cloud situation.
"Is it flavoured?" Another grin at her, this one shifting to leering.
"Of course. Though it may taste a bit like Lee now. Candy Floss Lee." the two broke into laughter together, Hermione tearing up when she noticed Lee stumble out of the candy cloud, bits of it sticking into his dreadlocks. He stood tall once more and charged back in, causing a few tufts to fly around. Hermione calmed herself and turned back to the lone twin, her happy smile still tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Why have we distracted Lee then?"
"Why, to make sure you've eaten enough today. Can't have our Hermione waste away in the middle of my store." Fred smiled down at her once more, noting the bright blush colouring her cheeks.
"I'm fine, Fred. I had brunch with Harry and Ron." The smile had completely disappeared, the heavier topic causing her to crash back down to reality. He nodded in acceptance, but still he pulled out a tray of fluffy looking sweets and what she was sure were left over biscuits from Mrs. Weasley's dinner last night. She sighed, but took a few sweets for herself, eating them under his watchful stare.
"I'll get you fattened up soon enough, Granger." She shot him a baleful glare.
"You're lucky I understand you Fred Weasley, or you'd be sporting a hex by now." He nodded sagely, his grin throwing the kicked puppy look out the window.
"Is food the only reason you caused your shop duress?"
Fred shook his head, leaning in like he was going to take another sweet, but stopped to whisper in her ear, "Mom just flooed me. The letters arrived a few minutes ago."
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They were lined up along the length of Mrs. Weasley's kitchen table; one after the other with George's laid just above Fred's. Hermione thought it was rather cute the way she treated them as one, like she knew they would grab both at the same time. Everyone had arrived a moment ago, Ginny being the last to Floo home from her shopping trip with Luna. They could have opened them as soon as they had left the twins shop to come to The Burrow, but with one look at Harry's face, Hermione had told everyone to wait for Ginny, and then for the twins to close up shop.
Ginny took a seat right next to Harry, threading her arm through his, "Let's get this over with then, yeah?" Everyone nodded and agreed, and Hermione took a large breath in before she reached for the letter with her name scrawled across the front. Ginny snatched her up, handing Harry his as it was scooped up with hers. Hermione could feel her heart beating through her entire body, her head throbbing from the power this little envelope held over her. Her name had never looked so intimidating, scrawled in some unknown witch or wizard's hand, one who couldn't realize how horrible their writing felt to her.
"Should we just do it?" Ron whispered, like he was scared to break the silence. Hermione didn't wait for anyone to answer; she just began to rip the seal off. The sound of ripping and crumbling envelopes surrounded her as she began to read the letter to herself,
'Dear Miss Hermione Granger,'
We at the Ministry of Magic are happy to inform you your request has been accepted, and we have been able to match you successfully. Please note all wedding dates must be forwarded to the Ministry two weeks after receiving names. Your match has been named,
Mr. Fredrick Weasley, co-owner of Weasley Wizard Wheezes, official member of The Order of the Phoenix, member of Dumbledore's Army, and fought in the battle at Hogwarts.
Thank you, and congratulations,
Matilda Hopkirk, Secretary to Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shaklebot
Hermione couldn't breathe. She couldn't even tell if her eyes were crossed or not, the blurry letters getting worse as she continued to stare at them. There was no noise surrounding her, everyone else being completely silent. Even Harry and Ginny hadn't said a word, though everyone already knew their letters had each others names. No one could have seen her match coming, not even if it had flown by on a big purple hippogriff.
"Well, don't leave us in agony, who did you get?" Charlie nudged George, inviting everyone to speak up. George looked up at Charlie, an uncharacteristic shy smile spread across his face.
"Angelina and I got accepted." Charlie grinned, slapping his brother on the back in congrats. Hermione didn't even realize the couple had put in a request. Percy was next, announcing his match was some girl named Audrey. Ginny and Harry happily confirmed they were matched correctly, accepting the happy hugs Molly and Arthur handed out.
Bill looked over at the remaining three of us who hadn't spoken yet. Ron's face was puckered into a sour grimace, "Who'd you get then Ronnie?"
"Romilda Vane," Harry grimaced consolingly at his friend, aware of the girls past habits. Hermione barely knew the girl, but had been filled in after Ron's accident. She couldn't still be rotten, she had after all seemed perfectly nice during the DA meetings, and she was sure Romilda had been spotted during the battle at the school. Suddenly, Hermione could swear she felt eyes on her, like they were expecting something from her.
"You, didn't get Hermione's name?" George frowned at his younger brother, seriously questioning why the two weren't sobbing or yelling over one another. Ron looked over at Hermione, and she saw his eyes looked just as shocked as she felt. With a dull pain in her head, she realized they hadn't told anyone, except for Harry but even that had been an accident.
"Uh, no, uh," Ron stammered incoherently, making him sound like he was stumbling down a steep hill.
"We decided to wing it," Hermione said, but it came out in a much more feeble whisper than she had anticipated. Charlie looked at her strangely, and she tried to duck her head to avoid his gaze, and everyone else's confused ones.
"Yeah, we just wanted to be with other Gryffindors, keep it in the family, right?" Ron tried to lighten the mood, and Hermione smiled wryly at him, hoping to relieve the tension.
"Who did you get, Hermione?" Ginny asked from the seat next to her, her whisper loud in the dead silent room. She took a deep breath, but choked on the dead feeling air, swallowing hard instead. Ginny frowned and nudged her friend in the side, trying to raise any kind of reaction from the bushy haired girl. After another moment of silence from Hermione, Ginny sighed and gave up, reaching for the letter herself. She took it at the same time George snatched his twin's, who was sitting as silently as everyone else. George practically jumped out of his seat once he read over Fred's letter, Ginny gasping as she finished Hermione's.
George began reading aloud as Ginny pushed Hermione's hair out of her face, ignoring the hand trying to bat her away, "Dear Mr. Fredrick Weasley, The Ministry of Magic has matched you successfully, yada yada," he skimmed over the bit before reaching the name, "Your match has been named, Miss Hermione Granger, member of the Golden Trio, founder of Dumbledore's Army, Order of Merlin First Class, fought in the battle of Hogwarts." He stopped after her last achievement, looking up to stare at her, as did the rest of the family.
"That," Ron spoke up, his voice cracking a bit, "is not what I meant by keep it in the family, Mione."
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Finally, good lord above and any others out there, that took me a while. It wouldn't leave my head and transfer itself to the computer. So, I'm sorry for the delay, but I hope it was worth it. No explosions from anyone, as I don't believe they'd do that, and I'm over stories where all Ron does is yell, and Fred's a constant sweetie pie. Things will happen here, and they will be good and bad.
P.S. this is my longest chapter so far!
Don't know when the next one will be out; I have a day off in a couple days that may be a constant writing day.