A Fated Marriage

I’m so sorry it took so long for me to post the next chapter. You see my Muse ran away from home and finally came back married to a trucker name Pete. Oh well, on with the story!

Acceptance

Fred had read the article. He jumped up and stormed over to the fireplace. Without a word to anyone he Flooed over to the Ministry of Magic. Mr.Weasley and his two oldest sons shortly followed the Boy Who Triumphed on his quest to confront the people who had just so drastically changed his friend’s life. They were gone for several hours, and when they finally came home the three red heads and Harry all looked like someone had broken their favorite broomstick.

While they were gone, doing Merlin only knows, Ron had taken it upon himself to reassure everyone that this was a mistake. The Ministry could not choose Hermione because she was the smartest witch to grace the halls of Hogwarts in over three centuries. Taking her away from school would be a great disservice to the whole Wizarding community. After all she was planning on becoming a Healer and she was going to come up with a ton cures for the world. Taking away her education would have a huge negative effect on the world. Of course his explanation was not nearly that eloquent and it involved a lot more swearing and smacks over the head from his mum. To say that the Weasley house was in complete and total chaos during the week after the announcement would be like saying You-Know-Who was simply a misunderstood man. There were people going in and out of the Burrow at all hours of the day. Every single one of them had a single goal in mind: Get Hermione out of her arranged marriage!

It started with Harry soon after

After his finished his speech the twins argued that her brains were the very reason she was chosen in the first place. And would he please just shut the bloody hell up?! Needless to say that sparked a shouting match and a few coffee cups went flying in the air. When one of the pink cups broke Mrs.Weasley went in a rage and shouted at the boys. When she was done they all shut up and hung their heads in shame. Nobody could make you feel guiltier than a Weasley woman.

During all the noise everyone failed to see that there was one person who was silent the entire time. Hermione never said a word about the article after it was read and she never mentioned it afterwards. Deep in her heart she knew that if Harry was unable to achieve anything than nobody would, unless they were Merlin himself. So the night her fate had been printed in the paper she went the garden alone and cried. She cried for her parents, for her freedom that had been taken from her, for other witches and wizards who’s lives would never be the same, and for herself simply because she needed to cry. She allowed herself that one night of crying and feeling sorry for herself. However when she was done she quickly composed herself and went back to bed, vowing to make the best of whatever came her way.

For the remainder of the week the family went into a quiet, tense sort of acceptance. Finally the day arrived for the young lioness to meet her future husband. She dressed in a white spaghetti strap sundress with an elegant red ribbon tied around her waist. Her hair had been tamed, with the help of a charmed brush, and tied back with a matching ribbon. Around her neck a small ruby teardrop pendent on a silver chain. She took one look at herself in the mirror and sighed, “Oh you look lovely dear. He’s a lucky one.” The sweet antique mirror told her giving her a reason to smile a little.

She walked down stairs to meet Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who were acting as her guardians. Standing in a very solemn row was the seven Weasley children, Harry, members of the Order, and even some of the staff from Hogwarts. All looked like they were witnessing a funeral. Hermione tried to put on brave smile and find some humor in her situation, “Oh come on guys. It’s not like I’m dying. I’m just getting engaged.” She said with a little laugh. There was still silence, but finally it was broken with Harry’s soft chuckle. Even when her whole life was changing faster than a Firebolt Hermione could still put on a brave Gryffindor face.

“Your right. Today should be happy, and just look at you! You look absolutely lovely.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead. “I can’t believe my little sister is getting engaged.” He said with a small hug. Ever since the news of her parents arrived Harry referred to Hermione as his sister. Everyone soon followed his lead and offered the young woman words of congratulations, encouragement, and luck.

Hermione had to wipe away a few tears from her eyes as the people she loved showed her how much they cared. After it seemed like the hugs and kisses would never end Mrs.Weasley pulled the girl away from everybody. “Now enough of that. You don’t want to wrinkle that pretty dress of hers.” She told everyone while fixing the red bows.

Hermione gave everyone one last smile, “I’ll be back for dinner. So you don’t have to worry about me.” With that she walked though the fireplace. Taking a pinch of Floo powder she nearly shouted, “ the Ministry of Magic” and stepped though.

She really hated the feeling she got when using the Floo Network, so she tightly closed her eyes waiting for her journey to end. Suddenly she felt herself land with a thud yet it did not feel like the floor that she was laying on. “I know that traveling by Floo is not the most pleasant of experiences and landing can be the most difficult part. However do you mind getting off of me? I can’t reach my glasses.” A voice came from under her.

Hermione opened her eyes and quickly rolled off of the person she had landed on. Under her was a man in his early thirties. He was fit, but not toned. You could see the beginning wrinkles around his mouth and eyes, although it was easy to tell that they were caused by many smiles. His brown hair, with the slightest hint of gray, matched his warm chocolate eyes. He was good looking. Not handsome, but his smile was very nice.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean land on top of anyone! You’re not hurt are you?” she said getting up and handing him his wire-rimmed glasses. He took his glasses and stood up.

“No harm done. I need something to get my mind off of today.” He said wiping his glasses. “I’m afraid I’m about to be engaged. Dreadful thing really.” He said sighing. “My name is Edward Thomas Nole.” He told her offering her his hand.

She laughed a little giving his hand a gentle shake. “I know how you feel. I’m Hermione Granger.”

Before he could say anything else to her warm motherly arms wrapped around her. “Oh dear. I’m afraid we went to the wrong place. Somehow we ended up at Mister Minrey’s Potions Palace…” The matriarch hugged the girl so tightly the she started to choke.

“Molly. Molly you’re killing the poor thing.” Arthur told his wife gently.

When Hermione caught her breath she introduced her guardians to her fellow victim.
While pleasantries were exchanged a Ministry official walked up to them. “Excuse me, but Selected must follow me for the Matches.” He told everybody. Hermione’s guardians gave her one last hug and she walked down the hall with Edward to go meet her fate and future husband. It seemed to take forever, but they finally reached the room where everyone was meeting. There was a bunch of people in there that she assumed that they were all Ministry officials and the other Selected. She felt very alone and very small, that is until she heard one voice call her name.

“Hermione?”

“Viktor!”


All right. I’ll have another chapter up in a few days where you’ll meet the other Selected and see whom ends up with whom.