The Cost

The Monday after what happened and Hermione was still devastated. She still had what happened with Lucius Malfoy on her mind. He was inviting her for dinner and to discuss their arrangement. She knew that this was the only way to save her family and avoid the destruction of her parents' livelihood. She knew that if she refused his proposal, her parents would not be able to foot the bill for her school tuition, and she would be forced to give up her dream of becoming a prominent muggleborn in the Wizarding World who helped change it for the better.

However, she did not want to marry a man old enough to be her father who tried to kill her in the past, much less have his children.

So, with that in mind, Hermione had chosen to confide in her closest friends, Harry and Ron, about what had transpired.

In her apartment bedroom, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley are sitting on the bed, looking concerned. She had yet to tell them about what transpired the night when she was supposed to have announced Ron's promise to propose to her.

"So... do they know?" Ron asks.

"No... didn't get the chance to tell them, what with what Lucius Malfoy did." Hermione said with her head down.

Both her best friend and her boyfriend shared a look of uncertainty.

"So, Hermione, what did Lucius Malfoy threaten you with?" Harry asks.

Hermione took in a breath.

"Due to a law, a stupid law, that I supported, he must take in a muggleborn as a wife to replace the one he lost, and a half-blood child to replace the son he lost." She responded.

Ron failed to understand it.

"What's that got to do w-"

"I'm a girl, old enough to marry, young enough to have more than one child, and because we don't have the bloody engagement ring, I'm technically on the market, do the math!" She responded angrily.

Both Harry and Ron pulled away, shocked at her reaction.

"O-Oh..." He went, realizing his error. "But... you said no... right?" He asks, trying to push that bit of stupidity aside.

Hermione shook her head before resting it between her knees as she leaned on the wall.

"He said he would ruin my parents' dentistry business if I didn't agree to marry him and have his new heirs." She admitted.

"How?" Harry asks.

"He bought the building they use and threatened to increase the rent for usage..." She explained.

"I'm gonna assume they're already paying a lot." Ron said.

"They are. To top it off... he threatened to use memory charms to make them think they molested me, even threatening to do it to other people." She said.

"What?!" Harry asks.

"Okay, that's definitely a law he's breaking." Ron said.

"I actually looked it up. He can't do it to other people... but I'm quite positive he was bluffing because my parents would be fair game." Hermione said.

"What?" Harry questioned.

"Because my parents know about magic, since their only daughter they're trying not to lose is a witch, they're in that grey area where it's technically not against the law to alter their memories. Seeing as I myself got away with it, you can see why he doesn't seem to have an issue with it." Hermione explained.

"So... you can't say no to him?" Ron asks.

"There is... I just need to prove that I don't need him. I have until this weekend to become properly engaged and have the funds to support myself to show him and the Ministry I don't need his money. The problem... is that I already saw my bill." Hermione said, reaching for the paper.

"And...?" Harry asks before seeing the paper.

"Not exactly affordable. That's more than half what I make at my part-time job." Hermione complained before hitting her head on the wall. "I can't afford to take more hours because of my assignments."

As Hermione took a deep breath, neither of them knew what to say at the time to help her feel better.

"Hermione...?" Ron asks.

"If I can't find a solution... I can kiss my future goodbye and kiss him at the end of the aisle..." She said with a tear in her eye.

"That's horrible! We can't let that happen! Not after what we went through!" Ron went.

Turning her head, she smiled at the man she actually wanted to marry and reached out for his hand.

"I would love nothing more than to be with you... but it's not looking so optimistic right now..." She said.

"We both offered to help pay for your tuition, but you said you can't accept it." Harry said.

"It's not that I don't want the help, but you two are struggling too. Being war heroes isn't enough to justify a free tuition..." Hermione said.

"That's no excuse. Why weren't you given a scholarship?" Harry asks.

"Yeah, with your grades, you should be here for free." Ron said.

Hermione huffed, remembering what she went through when applying.

"Due to what happened in the wizarding war, scholarships won't be available for another year. I checked before we got in. This special little program to apply to work in the Ministry of Magic isn't exactly cheap... and if something doesn't change... I more than likely can't even continue because I'll be too busy... doing things with Lucius Malfoy." Hermione said, unwilling to say just what exactly she'd do as his wife.

"Merlin's beard... That man is so old." Ron went before a disgusting thought came to him. "Do you think he's... got hair that color... there?" He asks.

"Where, Ron?" Harry asks.

"Y'know..." Ron went, pointing down to his crotch.

"He's 44 not in his 80's, Ronald! Good god! His hair is platinum blonde, he's not greyed up!" Hermione went in disgust.

"S-Sorry..." Ron went, pulling back and regretting what he said.

"I'm sorry... I just... really not wanting to think about it. But... I suppose on the bright side, I can confirm your theory..." Hermione went with a sarcastic tone in her face and an equally sarcastic smile.

Wanting to make up for what he just said, Ron held her hand once more.

"Well I'm gonna get you the ring by the end of the week so you don't have to agree to Lucius Malfoy's demands." He said. "I promise... I will save you and marry you." He assured her with a confident look in his eyes.

Seeing the sincerity in his tone and the love in his eyes, Hermione felt relieved.

"Thank you! I just hope you get the money in time to save my family." She said.

"Don't worry, Hermione. We won't let Lucius get away with this. I'll pitch in too..." Harry assured.

Ron looks determined as they all look at each other for a moment, all agreeing to save her from wedding and being bedded by Lucius Malfoy.

However, Hermione felt something other than joy. She felt fear.

Fear that they won't make it.

The Granger Home

Though she wanted to put on a brave face, Hermione felt a tinge of cynicism over what their plans are.

I don't know if we can make it. I want to remain positive... but given how much I make and how much everyone else still has after the war, it's not looking very optimistic. She thought.

To top it off, Hermione knew her parents weren't exactly swimming in riches. They made enough for their home and business, but not enough to show she was well off without marriage or to afford rings. With a heavy sigh, she had made it to her parents' front door and, with a key, opened it.

"Mum? Dad?" She called out upon entering.

"Hermione? In here, darling!" Her mother called out from the living room.

Hermione headed towards said room, seeing her parents looking at something in the mail.

"What is that?" Hermione asks.

"Well, this is a wonderful way for that Malfoy to convince us he'd be a wonderful son-in-law." Mr. Granger said with deadpan sarcasm.

"What?" Hermione asks.

Upon seeing the parchment in her father's hand, Hermione realized that her parents had received the bill for their clinic, which had been sent by Lucius as he had bought the building they were renting from. The amount was 10 times the amount they normally pay, and he had said he would only accept their original pay this month, but not next time.

On the bill, it reads 'Monthly Rent: 4500 Galleons'.

"What's a galleon? And how much is that in Pounds?" Mr. Granger asks.

"It's Wizarding currency, worth about 5 Pounds." Hermione explained.

"So... 4500 times 5 equals... more than 22,000. That sounds about right." Mrs. Granger said, doing the math in her head.

"So, if he is to increase times 10... that would make... 200,000 at least!" Mr. Granger exclaimed. "We can't afford that! Doesn't he realize how important our job is?!"

"Not to wizards, Dad. Remember, they don't need dentists. Your profession to them is as useless as a sailor in a landlocked country." Hermione explained.

"But still, over $200,000?" Mr. Granger questioned while confused. "I've never seen a rent bill that high before!"

"It could only be be from someone as greedy ad cruel as that... That Lucius..." Mrs. Granger said in intense anger.

"Yes, I understand how you feel, love. But I'm sure Hermione will find a way." Mr. Granger said.

"And what way is that?" Mrs. Granger asks angrily. "Have that man sire our grandchildren?!"

"Do you actually think I want that?! Do you think we should actually do that?!" Mr. Granger questions.

"Absolutely not! I won't let him near our daughter to greet her, let alone marry her and sleep with her!" She snapped.

Seeing her mother upset, Hermione cleared her throat loudly to get her attention.

"It's okay, Mum. I'm sure it'll be alright." Hermione said.

Mrs. Granger looks at Hermione with love and worry, then looks back to her husband.

"No. I won't let it happen." She said.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine." Mr. Granger said.

With a nod, Mrs. Granger looked to her daughter.

"I won't let that..." She hesitated before sounding defiant. "... Lucius Malfoy near you. Not even to say hello, let alone to marry and sleep with him."

"You think I want to have his... seed in me?" Hermione questions. "Let me remind you that it's me who would have to be bedded by him and breed a new era of his family." She pointed out.

Mrs. Granger huffed in sadness as she recalls who would be suffering the most.

"Right..." She said.

Mr. Granger looks at his wife, then back at Hermione.

"Don't worry, love. We'll find a way." He said to her.

"Right..." Hermione responded.

Hermione nodded, but keeps her real thoughts to herself. She knows she may have to go through with Lucius's marriage proposal if Ron isn't able to get the ring or sufficient funds in time. She takes her parents into her arms in a hug.

Although she felt love from her parents, Hermione felt she was running out of time.

Two days later

Hermione, cloaked in a heavy jacket, took a long sigh. She had arrived to the Weasley home, despite the poor weather, and wanted to see if any real progress was made to save her from being Lucius Malfoy's trophy wife.

Please have something... please have something... She thought in repeat like a mantra.

Raising her fist, she knocked on the door. Mrs. Weasley is the one to open it. She is surprised, but also relieved to see her.

"Oh Hermione!" She went with a big smile as she hugged her. "You're still with your maiden name, I take it?" She asks.

"I take it Ron's told you?" Hermione questioned.

"Of course he has! You're practically family! We had to know!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed as she pulled her inside. "Please... make yourself at home."

Hermione takes off her heavy jacket off as she enters the living room.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione said graciously.

"Think nothing of it, dear. Can I get you some tea?" She offered.

"Thank you, but I'm here to see Ron. Is he home?" Hermione asks with much hope in her voice.

Mrs. Weasley looks at her sadly and nods.

"Yes, he's in his room. Granted, he hasn't told me anything about his plans for the ring... so don't get your hopes up too high." Mrs. Weasley said.

Hermione nods and goes up the stairs.

Upon seeing his door, she knocked.

"It's open, Mum." Her was heard sating.

Hermione enters Ron's room. Ron was in the middle of packing, and looks up when he sees her.

"Mum? Odd way to greet your girlfriend, is it not?" She asks happily.

Ron smiled upon seeing her.

"Hermione! What are you doing here?" He asks.

"As wonderful as it is to see you... this isn't really a social visit." Hermione's smile dropped. "The first bill came... the last bill my parents will get with their original fees. Granted, it's in wizarding money but I was able to help with conversion... though we had to get it at a price."

"Wanting to be paid in wizarding money and not caring how much trouble that is for muggles, that sounds like something a Malfoy would do." Ron said with much distaste.

"I'm running out of time. I came to see if you had gotten the ring in time. Please tell me you have something? Even a receipt at a pawn shop would be helpful at this point." Hermione went with much urgency.

Ron sighs and shakes his head.

"No, I'm sorry. It looks like we're more broke than we thought..."

"You are?" Hermione asks.

"With my brother's funeral and what we've donated to those hurt during the war, we don't have much money left." Ron explained.

Hermione nods and looks at the floor in defeat.

"I understand." She said before recognizing his bag. "Were you going somewhere?"

"Yes. I learned in Diagon Alley the other day that some blokes are hiring wizards for a... job." Ron said.

"... what kind of job?" Hermione questioned, not liking how he said that.

"The kind that... well... I'm pretty sure it rhymes with muggle... but starts with an S." Ron admitted.

"Smuggling?!" Hermione questioned loudly. Ron tried to shush her, but she refused. "You're smuggling? Smuggling what?"

"Um... not sure... I think it's alive and I think it's going to America. I get paid more than I need for an engagement ring." Ron assured.

"And risk getting arrested?! Ron, even if that worked... you'd be under an investigation that'd get you in jail! Likely before a marriage could happen and likely making it look bad for both of us!" Hermione pointed out.

"I know..." Ron went.

"You cannot be seri-"

"Hermione." He said flatly, getting her attention. "I don't want to lose you... not to him." Ron assured as he held her by her shoulders.

Hermione briefly calmed down.

"I don't want you to either..." She said before Ron let her go.

Both of them were silent for moments. However, that's when Mrs. Weasley enters the room with a determined look on her face.

"There will be no need for any black market jobs that'd risk you safety!" Mrs. Weasley assured.

"Why's that?" Ron asks.

"Because... you two can use the engagement rings your father and I used! That's why!" She said with a big smile.

That lifted both of the lovebirds' moods.

"Really?!" They went in unison.

"Indeed. All you two have to do... is promise me... no smuggling!" Mrs. Weasley said sternly, mostly towards her son with a disapproving finger wag.

"Mum, if this works, I'll never even scratch myself in public again!" Ron said with a big smile.

"Well then... just wait for me in the living room and I'll bring those rings to you both." She said before leaving.

With that, Ron and Hermione shared relieved and joyful smiles.

"I'm free..." Hermione said.

"You are..." Ron told her.

"I'm free of Malfoy. Once we're seen with those rings, that'd be more than good enough to show the Ministry I'm off limits!" She said.

With that, both of them hugged and kissed deeply.

Finally, it looked like things were going up for them.

Both of them sat together in the living room, both feeling incredibly giddy and relieved.

"I can't believe it... I'm gonna propose to you properly." Ron said.

"You sure are." Hermione said, taking a deep breath and basking in her freedom from becoming Malfoy's new wife.

As that went on, Ginny entered the room.

"What's this I hear? Hermione's to become my sister-in-law so soon?" She asks with a smile.

"You heard correctly!" Hermione went before realizing something. "Wait... did you hear too?"

"I... kind of told everyone." Ron admitted with a guilty look on his face.

Hermione, to his relief, didn't look upset.

"I'm very glad you did. It means... they can help us. And they did! I'm not marrying that dirty old man, Lucius Malfoy." She said with a happy smile.

Ron and Ginny shared a laugh with her.

"Could you imagine? Malfoy, so desperate to continue his bloodline that he'd rob the cradle?" Ginny questioned.

"Desperate is right. Then again, he tried to aim for the best, what with how brilliant and beautiful my Hermione is." Ron said, holding Hermione close with an arm around her.

"I can at least respect his choice in the "best" of muggleborns." Hermione said as she rested her head on Ron's shoulder.

"Well..." Ginny took a seat in the recliner. "Since you're both getting engaged, might as well plan now. Any ideas for baby names?"

Turning as red as his hair, Ron took a pillow and threw it at his little sister.

"Seriously?!" He questioned.

"It's alright, Ron." Hermione said. "I don't mind having children. I mean, not now, obviously, but at some point in the future." She added while lightly patting his chest.

Ron took in a breath and smiled at the thought.

"We can live in the muggle world, give them a chance to learn how their mother lived." Ron said.

"That'd be wonderful." Hermione said.

"Where the pictures aren't alive and you eat beans that only have one flavor? Granted, that last part does sound like heaven." Ginny said as the three went into a laughter once more.

As they laughed, they didn't see Mrs. Weasley enter the room.

"I call dibs on naming our firstborn." Ron went, raising his arm.

"Why do you call dibs?" Hermione joking asked.

"Well, I'm the one fathering them." Ron pointed out.

"I will be the one carrying them and, I should point it out to you, that's the hard part." Hermione said.

"It sure is." Ginny said, only now noticing her mother. "Right, Mum?"

Mrs. Weasley was now noticed by the other two. However, to their surprise, she didn't seem remotely happy. In fact, she looked horrified and outright brokenhearted.

"Mum?" Ron asks.

"Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione asks. "What's wrong?"

"I... I looked for the engagement rings." She managed to say.

"And...?" Hermione asks.

Mrs. Weasley did not answer immediately, instead, she sobbed.

"Mum?" Ginny asks, getting up and going to her mother. "What's wrong?" She asks as she had an arm on her shoulder.

Mrs. Weasley sobbed again, louder than before.

"Mum?" Ron asks, getting up.

"What's wrong?" Hermione questioned as she too stood up.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I am so sorry..." She managed to say.

"About... what?" Hermione questioning, fearing she already knew the answer as her face turned even paler than it usually was.

"I... I thought I could give you the engagement rings my husband and I had the in a box I kept. I went to look for it. But..." Mrs. Weasley said.

"But...?" Hermione asks, dread filling her up.

"Mum?" Ron asks. "Where are the rings?"

"I though I still had them... but I had already sold them to pay for our bills." She managed to say.

There was a long pause.

"...what?" Ron asks.

"I sold them. We're not exactly swimming in riches, y'know! What with your brothe-" Mrs. Weasley stopped herself, unable to say it out loud. "Anyway... we're broke. I couldn't afford new rings no matter how much I wanted to."

Hermione smiles sadly and looks at Mrs. Weasley.

"Then... what do we do?" Ron asks as he and Ginny shared the same horrified look.

"I... I don't know..." Mrs. Weasley admitted.

There was a long and uncomfortable silence.

Hermione understands the gravity of the situation far better than she should. The Weasleys were among those who suffered the most. They lost their son, after all, and their youngest son was on the run for being friends with the legendary Harry Potter.

She will not let anyone suffer for her, especially the family of the one she truly loves.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Weasley. Seeing how much you're suffering, I've made my choice."

Ron looks at her confused.

"What do you mean?" He asks with hesitation.

Hermione looks at Ron and takes a deep breath. What she said next, she knew she was going to hate. However, she won't go in defeat, but for those she truly loves.

"I'm sorry, Ron. I'm going to marry Lucius Malfoy." Hermione said quickly.

It took moments.

"Scuse me?" Ron asks.

"I'm sorry... but your family is hurting enough. I don't want it hurting more because of me. So... I'll marry him." Hermione said in displeasure.

"W-What?" Ron asks.

"He said that... if I were to wed him, I can use his money to help those hurt by his former friends. That will include you. In fact, he wants my answer and I plan to negotiate so that you're the first to be-"

"No." Ron went, interrupting her. "Hermione, there is no way we're accepting that man's money."

"Half of it will be mine... and I will use it to make sure you're all out of debt." Hermione said.

"No! Please no..." Ron went, begging her now.

"I'm sorry... but it's clear I have to do this." Hermione said with a visibly saddened look on her face.

Ron is left shocked as Hermione groaned loudly and made her way to the door.

"Hermione?!" Ron called out for her in protest.

Ginny then ran in Hermione's way.

"Don't do this. Not to my brother, and not for us." Ginny begged.

Hermione was to respond to her, only for Mrs. Weasley to step in the way.

"That's enough, you two. Can't you see she's hurting enough?!" She went.

Ron and Ginny were speechless, seeing their mother defend Hermione's clearly poor choice.

"Mum?" Ron asks.

"You're... defending her?" Ginny asks.

"That man may not be welcomed in our home, but Hermione and whatever child of hers he fathers is." She said in all seriousness before looking at Hermione over her shoulder. "Be safe, Hermione. Whatever he does to you... be strong."

Hermione gives them a sad smile and bids them goodbye.

"Thank you for everything..." She said with a said smile before going.

"No, Hermione, don't do this! Please!" He called out.

Mrs. Weasley stops Ron and gives her pained son a hug.

"Ronald." She said.

"Mum! Please! Don't let her do this!" Ron said.

"Mum?" Ginny asks as her mother held a hand out to keep her from going to Hermione.

"I don't want her to do this either, no one does, but we have to know that she's doing this for us. As much as we wanted it, Hermione Granger-Weasley is not something fate accepts." She said sadly.

Hearing this, Hermione stops at the door. With a sad sigh and nod, she leaves the house. Left inside were the Weasleys, torn up by this information. Yet the one most torn up was Ron, the one who loved her most.

Morning

Malfoy Manor had long since been repaired since that dreadful night.

Lucius Malfoy sits in the grandiose study of Malfoy Manor, reading a letter. He looks up with a smile, his eyes sparkling with joy.

"Wonderful..." He said under his breath.

Lucius got up as he made his way to the lavish dining hall, making sure everything is in order. He takes a deep breath and exhales with a satisfied smile.

"Master?" One of the house elves asks.

"It looks like my future wife will be joining me for dinner after all." He said.

"Oh... joyous master. The mudblood is lucky." The same house elf said.

"Of course she is, fool." Lucius scoffed. "Now... get everything ready for when she comes on the weekend."

With that, the house elves began everything.

One did the cleaning.

One went to get ingredients.

One was overlooking the menu

Lucius stands outside of the manor, looking out into the horizon. He takes a deep breath and smiles, feeling a sense of victory.

"Even a mudblood knows better than to say no to being with me." Lucius said with a victorious smile.