Foreign Marriage

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to any of the characters and I'm only writing this story for fun.

Author's Note: For purposes of this fic, Hermione is already of legal age.


For Hermione Granger, it started out like any other day. The alarm clock on her bedside table rang shrilly and as she woke up, she could imagine it being her intolerant, nagging Aunt Evelyn...on her mother's side. The alarm clock and her aunt had a funny resemblance between the two. Hermione allowed her eyes to blink a few times to adjust to the new day's light. Yawning and stretching, she threw the covers off her and got out of bed.

Walking to her dresser, she noted that it was still a good month or so before she had to take the Hogwarts Express back to Hogwarts...for her seventh and final year. She could not believe it. In less than 365 days, she would be a fully qualified adult witch. Time did fly fast when one had fun...or in the past couple of years' case, when one was dodging death and destruction. This would be the first time in her magical education that she would not have to worry about the terror of Voldemort or his agents hanging over the school like a dark shadow. No Sorcerer's Stone, no Chamber of Secrets, no dementors, no Barty Crouch Jr., no Umbridge, and no war. She couldn't think of anything that might cause her final year to go haywire...except for the preparation of the N.E.W.T.s that is.

When she took the O.W.L.s back in her fifth year, she found them mildly stressful, except for the Astronomy exam which she found frightening considering she, Harry, Ron, and the rest of the class witnessed Umbridge's attack on both Hagrid and McGonagall. But from what older students had told her last year, the N.E.W.T.s would truely be nasty. You really had to know your stuff if you wished to receive high marks on them and get the job you wanted.

Taking an outfit for the day out of her dresser, she then slipped on a bathrobe and made her way to the bathroom to take a shower. After a thorough shower, she stepped out, dried off, and got dressed. He noted her watch and found she just had time to wish her parents goodbye as they went to the office for another day's work...they were dentists.

"Morning, Mom, Dad," she said as she entered the kitchen. They greeted her and she treated herself to a filling breakfast. Just then, a couple of owls flew in and dropped two letters in front of her. Fortunately, they did not land in her scrambled eggs. She recognized both seals on the envelopes: Hogwarts seal and the Ministry of Magic seal. She guessed the Hogwarts letter contained her seventh year booklist, but had no idea what the Ministry letter could be. She decided to open the Hogwarts letter first.

Picking up the envelope, she noted that it was heavier than usual and she felt an object in the envelope. She didn't dare to hope. With trembling fingers, she opened the envelope and a golden badge fell out. It had Gryffindor colors, but had the Hogwarts crest on it and the word HEAD on it. Near the badge was a letter. She opened it and read it: "Dear Miss Granger, We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as this year's Head Girl. Enclosed is your Head Girl badge and your booklist. Please be sure to live up to our expectations for the privilege and responsibility you've been entrusted with. Sincerely, Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."

"Mom! Dad! I've been selected as Head Girl!" she squealed with delight, and showed them the badge and the letter. Mr. and Mrs. Granger examined them, smiles breaking out on their faces. They hugged Hermione and offered their congratulations.

Mr. Granger looked at his watch just then. "Oops...Helen, we've better go. We're running a bit behind," Mr. Granger said. Turning to Hermione, he said, "We'll see you tonight. Have a good day." Then he and Mrs. Granger left the kitchen and the house. Hermione heard the engine of her parents' car start and heard the car pull out of the driveway and then drive off into the distance.

She was so excited about having been selected as Head Girl, she almost forgot about the Ministry letter. Sensibly lessening her excitement, she opened the Ministry letter carefully, wondering what in the world the Ministry could possibly want with her. What she read was the last thing she expected or even wanted.

"Dear Miss Granger, Our records show you are of age and therefore are eligible under a new law. The law in question is titled 'The Law for the Preservation of Magical Blood' and it requires all muggleborns to marry a pureblood, if said muggleborns or purebloods are not married nor are capable of reproducing. For the full details of this law, please refer to the attached forms. Also, quickly following is a petition that you have one week to agree to unless you receive more petitions. Sincerely, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic."

Hermione was furious...more than furious. She had to get married? To a pureblood? Incensed, she took the attached form and read it. Her emotions soared from outrage to horror. She had to have a child within two years of the marriage? What kind of arrogant (alternative word that her parents would not have approved of) would make such a law, she thought. Just then, another owl swooped in and dropped an envelope in front of her and there was another Ministry seal...no, not Ministry...a family crest. It was small, black and white, but had the image of a snake.

She didn't recognize the family crest, but had a bad feeling of who it was from. With trembling fingers (of fright, not anticipation), she opened the latest envelope and began to read. "I, Lucius Octavius Malfoy..." She didn't read the rest. All that Crookshanks, her cat, knew was that a scream of fright erupted, disturbing his nap.

For the next hour, she stormed around the living room, definitely voicing language that would've shocked her mother and Mrs. Weasley. Crookshanks decided to play it safe by not emerging from his hiding place. The only thing he feared than dogs was his owner whenever she was on a frightful rage.

At that moment, the doorbell rang and, still in her foul mood, Hermione went over and answered it. She immediately breathed a sigh of relief when she saw who it was: her Head of House, Professor McGonagall. "Professor McGonagall, I'm so glad to see you," Hermione said, hardly aware that tears had formed in her eyes.

"I take it you're aware of the law?" McGonagall asked, then looked down at the letter in Hermione's hand. "I see that Lucius Malfoy has already sent you the petition."

"How did you know?" Hermione asked.

"We receive copies of all petitions affecting students, so we already know about the Malfoy petition. But not to worry. We believe we might have found a solution to this...at least until we can work to get the law repealed. But you will have to stay at Grimmauld Place until school starts...just in case the Malfoys start to pressure either you or your parents," McGonagall replied.

Hermione nodded and went to pack her school trunk. A half hour later, she was ready. After leaving a note to her parents, telling them that she had to spend the rest of the summer somewhere else (omitting details to avoid worrying them excessively), she left with McGonagall. The deputy headmistress assured Hermione that there would be a detail around the clock on Hermione's house just in case Lucius Malfoy did decide to pressure Hermione to marry Draco.

Since Hermione was of age and did pass the test, she didn't need McGonagall to use a portkey. McGonagall apparated to Grimmauld Place ahead of her, to alert them to Hermione's arrival. A minute later, Hermione followed. McGonagall was waiting outside the house...or at least where it was supposed to be, since only numbers 11 and 13 were visible.

"Do you remember how to get into the house?" McGonagall asked her.

Hermione nodded. Then, whispering, she said, "The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix can be found at number 12, Grimmauld Place, London." She thought about what she had just said for a minute. Then, a house appeared out of nowhere and seemed to force its way between numbers 11 and 13, but the other houses and their inhabitants hardly seemed to notice.

Taking a deep breath, she and the deputy headmistress walked up the steps leading to the house. Opening the door, teacher and student stepped inside before the door was closed. Hermione looked around and saw that the lamps and lanterns had already been lit. Since they were no longer hiding from the Ministry or Voldemort, the house didn't need to remain dark, although the Fidelius Charm was still in effect. She heard a door open in the background and footsteps walk toward her and McGonagall. At first, she didn't recognize the young man who came to a stop in front of her. But then recognition crossed her face.

"Viktor?"

Krum chuckled, which was something that Hermione still had to get used to, especially since she hadn't seen Viktor for over a couple of years. "Yes, Hermyown," he said and Hermione was surprised to hear that his English was much more pronounced and recognizable than it had been. "Until...arrangements have been made," he began in his Bulgarian accent, "perhaps you should address me as Professor Krum, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."