Compatibility

Compatibility
Chapter 3: Slapping On A Smile





Hermione arrived at Platform 9 3/4 all alone to board the Hogwart’s Express. Multiple Weasleys had offered to accompany her, but she didn’t feel like accepting any of their offers. Not even Ginny would be returning this year, as she was fully prepared to settle in for married life without her N.E.W.T.s. The idea was like blasphemy to Hermione’s way of thinking, but then again, she knew Ginny had been looking forward to this as long as she’d known Harry. Slapping on a smile to hide the worries within, Hermione set about having her trunk loaded and finding her way onto the train. She’d been offered the position of Head Girl for the year, but as much as the position was one she’d long coveted, she highly doubted she’d have enough time for it between seven classes and the bloody ‘Marriage Compatibility Law.’



She made her way through the train with a sigh, but still determined to wear a smile in spite of it all. She quickly found an empty compartment and cast several wards around it to prevent other students from realizing there was room for anyone else inside it. She wanted time to herself where she wouldn’t have to feign happiness, because soon enough she would be spending hours on end among groups of people. It was strange to be travelling without Harry and Ron, but she supposed she’d have to get used to it eventually.



-x-x-x-x-x-



She had slept through most of the journey, and when Hermione entered the Great Hall she wondered how long she’d be able to keep up the charade. The first thing she noticed though was the return of Severus Snape. She knew she was staring, but she couldn’t help it. In the Shrieking Shack she’d done what she could for him, and sent medical help later, but she had yet to hear of the outcome. It seemed he’d lived, and he looked more relaxed than she’d seen him in all the years she’d attended Hogwart’s.



When she took the time to look around, it quickly became clear that the marriage law had already shaken up the student body. Tables no longer held houses individually. Now couples sat with one another, and the majority of those who had no match sat together as well. Hermione found an empty spot next to Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott and joined them, refusing to announce her match-less status to the entire populace if she could help it. She ate quickly though, dodging what questions she could and leaving as soon as possible.



So few older students had returned to finish out their N.E.W.T.s that those who did were given separate quarters from the rest of the houses. Since all of them would be past the age of majority, they would soon be needing to live as husband and wife anyway, and the castle’s magic was adjusting itself to handle the changes.



Hermione’s room was rather conveniently located on the fourth floor between the library and the common bathrooms. It was hidden by a rather lovely young witch who introduced herself as ‘Clare.’ The room itself was tastefully decorated in Gryffindor red and gold, though it was not overly large. She had no common room, as she was still technically to use the Gryffindor Tower common room, but in addition to the bedroom she did have a private bathroom which pleased her greatly.



The bedroom had a large four poster bed placed in the center, with a large wardrobe against the wall to the left of it next to the door to the bathroom. To the right of the bed was a decent sized desk and a small sitting area with a couch and a couple of matching chairs. Unpacking was simple enough, as Hermione already had everything completely organized within her trunk. Her books she took out first, stacking them on some bookshelves she found beside her desk. After that were her clothes, which she carefully folded or hung up in the wardrobe. Everything else she left in the trunk for the moment, figuring she would unpack those things after she’d decided whether or not to change the layout of the room.



-x-x-x-x-x-



By the time all this was done a house elf had delivered a note from Minerva McGonagall asking Hermione to join her in her office. She’d been expecting such an invitation, though perhaps not so soon, and she dutifully made her way to the Headmistress’ office.



After giving McGonagall’s password and making her way into the office, she found the Headmistress fixing herself a cup of tea. “Ah, Hermione,” said the older woman kindly, “please take a seat.”



“Thank you, Headmistress,” said Hermione as she sat down.



“After all that has happened you may at least call me Minerva,” said McGonagall. “Now, tell me, what is to become of you under this new law? I had thought you and Ron would marry, but when he didn’t return to Hogwarts with you...”



Hermione didn’t wait for Minerva to ask outright to answer. After all, the truth would come out eventually. “Our match wasn’t considered favorable, and I’m afraid that I see now just why that was. Ron has matched with Lavender Brown, and I’m sure they will be marrying shortly.”



“Then what will you do?” asked Minerva in concern.



“I don’t know yet,” said Hermione honestly. “I really don’t know that there are many good options for me, but I’m trying not to let it interfere in my schoolwork. I’m hoping an answer will present itself soon, and I’m keeping an open mind. Unfortunately most of those I would have considered have already been matched.”



“Yes, well, I’m sure we will think of something,” said Minerva, full of encouragement. “This law really is causing such a stir. Did you know that even Severus will be subject to it? You really should have seen his reaction to the Ministry’s letter. If it wasn’t such a serious situation it would have been quite humorous.”



Hermione laughed outright at that mental picture, then sobered instantly. “It’s good to see that he was alright. No one seemed to know anything of what had happened to him.”



“He didn’t really care to announce his status,” said Minerva with a shrug. “I do think the poor dear is afraid of attention, though I don’t know that I can blame him after everything. And the Ministry took it’s own sweet time in acquitting him of the charges against him.”



“I wish I could say I was surprised,” Hermione said bitterly, “but my opinion of the Ministry hasn’t really improved over the years.”



“Aye, nor mine,” agreed Minerva. “Well, Hermione, it is getting late and I’m sure you want a good night’s sleep before your first day back in classes. I’ll keep an eye out for prospective matches for you.”



Hermione laughed as she was walking out, and couldn’t resist saying one more thing before she left. “Between you and Molly Weasley, I’ll be matched in no time.”



-x-x-x-x-x-



This year the Hogwart’s Express brought everyone in on a Tuesday afternoon, and then classes began bright and early on Wednesday morning. On Wednesdays Hermione had four classes: Potions, Arithmancy, History of Magic, and Charms. She had breakfast brought to her room to avoid facing anyone, and was surprised when she made her way to the potions classroom to find that Slughorn was teaching it. She wasn’t entirely sure why she had expected Severus Snape to teach it other than that was what she was used to for the most part, but she supposed with Tom Riddle’s curse on the Defense Against the Dark Art’s position being lifted that Snape must have finally gotten his wish to teach it permanently.



“It’s too bad,” she muttered under her breath, “cause I’m sure the first year dunderheads would be better off under his tutelage for Potions than Slughorn’s.”



Class passed swiftly, and then came History of Magic. Hermione found that Professor Binns was just as boring as usual, but was thrilled when she realized that she was actually ahead of the rest of the class rather than behind as she had feared.



Where her classes had gone well, lunch was another matter entirely. She again sat near Neville and Hannah, but this time there was no avoiding the questioning. “How’s Ron?” asked Neville, not knowing what a sore subject it actually was.



“He and Lavender are quite well,” said Hermione snidely, “and I’m sure we will all be receiving the wedding invitations shortly.”



“But--“ began Neville, then Hannah nudged him in the ribs to silence him.



“That’s too bad,” said Hannah, “but I’m sure it was for the best. You’ll find a better match in no time.”



Hannah sounded a lot more convinced than Hermione felt, but she said nothing against it. She really wasn’t comfortable with the line of questioning, so decided to leave things well enough alone. Her eyes wandered around the room, half heartedly studying the matches that surrounded her.



“I wonder who Snape has found to marry,” she said softly, not even realizing she had spoken aloud until Hannah answered her.



“Nobody yet,” said Hannah with a laugh. “Though nobody’s surprised. He might be a war hero, but I highly doubt there is any woman who’d want to put up with him, and so far he’s been refusing to even try. He’ll run out of time, no doubt, and then he’ll be forced to marry whoever the Ministry chooses for him.”



Hermione winced, trying not to think about the chance of that happening to her as well. That was definitely not a good option, as she was sure the Ministry would find someone truly miserable for her to marry. “That’s too bad,” said Hermione, trying to hide her own reaction. “He really must be a pretty decent sort of guy. If he’d just put in a little effort I’m sure he could find somebody. Anything has to be better than letting the Ministry choose for you. When they start running out of actual matches, they’ll be matching the leftovers to whomever’s available! They might not admit to doing so, but I’m sure they will.”



“Why don’t you marry him then,” joked Hannah. “You’re smart enough for him.”



Hermione glared at Hannah at that. “I know you aren’t serious. There is no way he would ever go for that. I’ve been one of the banes of his existence for seven years. That and he’s way too old for me. And not even my type. Not that I’m his either, really. Though I can’t say I even know what his type is. Does he have a type?”



“I think the lady doth protest too much,” said Hannah, winking. She was obviously still joking, but completely oblivious to Hermione’s growing discomfort. Neville snorted, pairing the image of Hermione with the boggart Snape in his mind. Hannah elbowed him in the ribs again, but it did very little good.



Hermione sighed. Loudly. “I’m going to be late for Charms,” she announced abruptly, grabbing her bag and rushing out of the hall.



-x-x-x-x-x-



She arrived in the Charms classroom half an hour early. It was good to see Professor Flitwick again, and they chatted animatedly before the beginning of class about the upcoming school year. Hermione was very happy that he had no interest in discussing the marriage law, and wondered briefly if his partial goblin heritage had exempted him from it. If that was the case then she wasn’t complaining, as it was nice to have a break from the constant questions.



They did discuss her two wands though, which she had brought with her specifically to question him about. Flitwick was particularly interested in the possible applications of it, and after a little experimenting they agreed that her wand with the dragon heartstring core would be far better for use in class.



Losing herself in Charms and then in Arithmancy, Hermione actually managed to go over an hour without thinking about the looming marriage deadline. When she did she was in the library with a table full of open books and a parchment with two feet of notes that she suddenly lost interest in.



She really was running out of options, and she didn’t know where to look for the answer. Locating the wizard she’d be happy with and would meet Ministry approval was like looking for a needle in a hay stack.



But then, wasn’t that what magic was for?

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A/N: For the portrait of “Clare” which serves as the doorway to Hermione’s room, I have in mind this painting by John William Waterhouse: http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/view.cfm?recordid=26



meankitty69 -- yeah, something about marriage law fics is just appealing... maybe the fact that they are practically forced together? lol



Voracious Reader -- thank you!



neelix -- oh god... it's amazing how some authors can write such brilliant books but then they go and add in the most ridiculous and illogical pairings imaginable. Hermione and Ron being the perfect example. lol







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