A Fated Marriage

A/N: Thank you to my reviewers. Here's another chapter for ya.

Announcement

Hermione sat at the table kitchen with the Weasley family, Harry, members of the Order, and other close family friends. All were waiting for the Daily Prophet to arrive. There was absolutely no noise whatsoever; even the twins were unusually silent. Hermione sat in her chair with a full cup of cold coffee in her hands as she watched the window anxiously. It was a strange feeling knowing that your whole life could change with an owl and a newspaper. Once in a while she would raise the cup to her lips, but just as soon as she would take a sip the wind would rattle the window and she would jump setting the cup back down.

“Maybe you won’t be chosen. I mean after all there are all millions of witches out there.” Said the youngest red headed boy also known as her best friend Ron. There was some nodding in agreement though nobody else spoke up. Hermione sighed and sipped the cold coffee not trusting her-self to say anything. She was terrified that she would end spilling out to all her fears and make a fool out of herself. Or worse…that she would start crying.

Mrs. Weasley went over to the young woman to give her the kind of hug only a mother can give. The matriarch could feel her heart break for the girl, she had experience too much pain for one so young. After the Golden Trio’s fourth year the Order of the Phoenix gathered as soon word had gotten out that the Dark Lord had risen again. Everyone worked nonstop to help Harry find the Horcruxes, but nobody had stayed closer to him than Ron and Hermione. The Death Eaters struck hard and fast to try to buy their lord some time. They ambushed every witch and wizard they thought could be member of the Order. The main purpose was to draw out the Boy Who Lived and his friends. Many innocent lives were taken.

When they could not draw out the three that way, they started to target those closest to the Trio. Lupin, Sirius, Tonks, Percy, and others lost their lives. Each death was another stab in the heart to those who loved them. Each death was a reminder of the evil that was trying to take over. Everyone took the losses as well as they could, knowing that death was a natural part of war. It was hardest on Harry blamed himself for the deaths. Ron and Hermione did their best to support their burdened friend; then word got to them that the Grangers had been found and killed. Hermione had stared at the letter for a long time without saying a word or shedding a tear. Then she folded the letter, tucked it in her pocket, and went back to the library to do research.

After a few months the final battle started. It came a lot sooner than everybody had expected, but it was thought that the Dark Lord had attacked when he felt the Order was still weak. Many more lives were lost, yet in the end Light prevailed and Harry Potter became the Boy Who Triumphed. The first night of true peace was filled with fireworks, dancing, drinking, laughter, and pure joy. Children were conceived that night; many of them would later be named after one of the three great Heros.

Harry became a different person after that battle. The kind of person who is fully at peace with his past, his present, and his future. He could have moved into his parents house, but he chose to live with the family he had come to know and love. Together with Hermione they were unofficially adopted into the Weasley clan. It seemed as if every witch and wizard shared his peace. The whole Wizarding world became more lively, cheerful, and peaceful after the last battle. A dark fog had been lifted from the world and it’s people intended to enjoy every ray of sun they could. Only one person did not share in the celebrations and newfound feeling of freedom. She stayed quiet in her room silently mourning for those she had lost though not once did she openly.

Life became quiet and everyone settled into a comfortable routine. Since Hogwarts had closed for their fifth year the Trio was often found studying with Ginny at the kitchen table in the always wonderfully overcrowded Burrow. Then all was upset when the Daily Prophet came out with the article explaining the International Marriage Law. The uproar in the house had be near chaos. Mr. Weasley and Kingsly had used some of their influence to see who might be on the list. A few names had been thrown out, but it was Hermione’s name that was cause for concern. The Order had been called into its first meeting in months. All tried to come up with a way to diminish her chances of being the chosen witch from England, however there was nothing that could have been done. Not even Harry pleas to the Ministry seemed to help. All they were told was that there was no guarantee Hermione would be the chosen witch for England.

When the morning of “Engagement Day” had arrived all those who loved and respected the young witch met around the Burrow’s table. There was more silent waiting in room when suddenly a tap at the window made everyone jump. Mr.Weasly calmly let the owl in and gave it a Knut tip. The paper laid the table for a while as everyone watched it. Finally Fred cleared his throat and picked it up. Flipping through it quickly he paused for a moment. “Will you look at that, the Brazilian Boldhearts beat the Japanese Jewels.” He said offhandedly. There were some mummers from the men that accompanied the sound of flipping pages. Finally he stopped. Taking a deep breath he read the article out loud.

England’s Honored
By
Arnold Penwick

“Over the last couple of weeks there has been a great deal of noise concerning the newly stated International Marriage Law. The entire Wizarding Community knows about it. A Muggleborn witch and a Pureblood wizard from each of the six countries, that stayed so close in friendship after the Second War, are going to marry a spouse from another country. The couples will be carefully paired up a week from today.

I will bet every Galleon I have that everybody wants to know whom the lucky and most honored from our own great country of England are. After great debate and many discussion the Pureblood wizard will be Edward Thomas Nole. Mr. Nole is thirty-two years of age and best known for his achievements broom designs. He is the creator of the Nimbus series, the Firebolt, and the newest broom to hit the market the Thunderclash. We all know he will represent England with great pride.

There was a great deal of commotion about who our Muggleborn witch would be. Many were taken into consideration, but it was finally decided that she will…”

Fred stopped in mid-sentence to stare at the paper for a moment. Everyone held their breath as they waited for him to continue. He cleared his throat and continued reading.

“There was a great deal of commotion about who our Muggleborn witch would be. Many were taken into consideration, but it was finally decided that she will Hermione Jane Granger. Miss. Granger is seventeen years of age and is best known for aiding Harry Potter in the fight against You-Know-Who. She is the youngest witch to receive an Order of Merlin First Class and is the highest ranking in her class at Hogwarts. Miss. Granger rare witch indeed whom England is greatly pleased to share with the rest of the world.

There will be more updates pertaining to the Marriage Law and our two Chosen. This has been a Penwick Report, have a nice day. ”
soon.