More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter 4

The people at the breakfast table looked up is surprise when Hermione stumbled through the floo. She had left just over an hour ago and they weren't expecting her back so soon. Ron, who hadn't been awake when she left, still didn't know about last night's development or where she had been. “Morning Hermione!” he greeted her. “who did you go visit so early this morning?” Hermione shocked everyone in the room by bursting into tears.

“Oh dear,” Molly lamented hurrying to wrap her arms around the sobbing teenager. “I take it that your parents did not react well to your news,” she commented as she led her to the table, sat her down, and transfigured a cup of strong tea. She squeezed Hermione's hand until she calmed down and then gave her a hanky. “What happened?”

“Well, I told them about the new law and they were very angry at the idea of me being forced into marriage. They told me that they would try to speak to someone to try to get me out of it. I tried to explain that there wasn't really anything that they could do, but that just made them angrier.”

“Was it because of whom your marrying? If it would help I could talk to your parents and vouch that he has changed,” Harry offered.

“Oh Harry, that's what makes it worse. They didn't even care who the wizard was! I didn't even have a chance to tell them whom I'm engaged to. They just kept on saying that there was no way that I was going to be forced into marriage with a wizard.”

“Wait a second! You're already engaged? That happened fast! So who is, and why does everyone know except for me?” Ron asked a little put out.

“Please Ron, let me get through this and then I'll answer any questions you have about last night. I told them about my commitment ceremony this weekend, and that the wedding is in three weeks...”

“Three weeks?!” Ron spat out. Three people turned to glare at him, while Hermione ignored him. She was expecting that outburst so it didn't upset her. “I'm sorry, I'll be quiet,” he mumbled.

“When they heard that the wedding was in three weeks they said that between the war and this law they thought it would be best if I took a break from the magical community. I reminded them that I was an important part of the war effort, and that I was safer here than I was in the muggle world. Then I told them that I no longer had a choice about this marriage, and that even if the law was repealed tomorrow I would still be getting married in three weeks.” She took a gulp of tea before continuing.

“They then told me that the Hermione that they had raised would never accept someone else's decisions for her life, that she would fight to make her plans come true. They said that they didn't like seeing the influence that the wizarding world had on me, and they had realized in the past few years that I was moving away from them. They told me it was too painful to lose me little by little, and that it would be better to lose me all at once. They asked me not to contact them anymore.”

Everyone at the table looked at her in a stunned silence. The three Weasleys couldn't understand how a parent could simply turn their back on their child. After all, in the wizarding world family was the most important thing. They hadn't rejected Percy, even with everything he had done.

“I took what I could, and they are going to send the rest of my stuff to Hogwarts,” she informed them before giving a shaky laugh. “I'm afraid Molly that you've inherited another guest. I am sorry to be such a bother.”

“Hermione Granger! You are not a bother. You're family!” Ginny replied before her mother had a chance to open her mouth.

“Ginny's right dear. We love having you here, and I am glad that we will have these three weeks with you before you become a bride.”

“Oh Molly, there is so much to do in order to get ready. Are you sure I'm not causing you too much work?”

“Dear, it will be a joy to help you plan the wedding. I am sure that Minerva would love to help, so with Ginny that gives us four working on it. That is plenty of help.”

“'Mione, I know that a wizarding wedding isn't as expensive as a muggle wedding, but there is still some expense to it. You know that my parents and Sirius left me quite a bit of money. If you need money for anything you'll let me know right?” Harry asked her.

Hermione looked into his concern filled eyes and smiled. “Thanks Harry, I appreciate the offer, but right before I left my parents gave me this,” she said pulling out a Gringott key. “They said they didn't need it anymore.”

“I am sorry that they have made this decision 'Mione, but don't worry, your magical family will always be there for you even if your biological family isn't.”

“Hermione dear, I know that you probably don't feel like shopping, but we should go to Diagon Alley this afternoon. You will want a nice robe for this weekend.”

“Okay, I have done my best to be patient, and 'Mione you know that I do care about what happened between you and your parents, but won't you please tell me who you are marrying? You said that you're getting married in three weeks, you're not leaving school are you?” Ron asked in a panicked voice.

“No Ron, of course I am not leaving school. Dumbledore wouldn't have chosen someone who would have interfered with my education, although I was shocked by his choice. I didn't tell you right away because I know that you won't like who it is. The only reason that Ginny and Harry know before you is because they waited up for me last night. I'll tell you now but please try to stay calm.”

“I'm not going to get angry. Why would I get angry? Just tell me who it is?”

“It's Malfoy.”

Ron started to laugh. “That's rich 'Mione, that really is. Like Dumbledore would put you with a Slytherin, especially that Slytherin! I'm glad that you still have your sense of humor with everything that is going on. Now come on, who is it really?”

“Ron, I am serious. Draco Malfoy has been a spy for the order for over a year. I am going to marry him in three weeks.”

Ron looked at her in shock. He would have thought she was still joking had it not been for Harry's nod. “What?! Like bloody hell you are! Why would you marry him? How could you agree to this after everything he has done?” he shouted, his face as red as his hair.

“Ron, I don't have much of a choice. Both of us are oath bound to marry before the start of the school year,” she informed him keeping her voice even. She knew that he wouldn't take the news well. She only hoped that if she stayed calm herself, that it would rub off onto him.

“Oath bound? How in the world did he trick you into that?”

“He was tricked as much as I was. Professor Dumbledore did some quick maneuvering, and led us exactly where he wanted us to go.”

“Mum, how could you have let this happen? You were suppose to be helping her!”

“Ron, I suspect that Dumbledore had more than a little help from your mother.” Hermione watched as the older red head flushed under the four teenagers' scrutiny. “It's okay Molly. Its true that I was angry at first, not to mention hurt and confused. But as I talked to Harry and Ginny last night, and really thought about it this morning I realized that its okay. Am I thrilled about it? No. Am I still nervous and anxious? Of course. But Professor Dumbledore has never steered me wrong, and I know that you and Professor McGonagall only want the best for me. I don't see how the past will be forgotten, or how prejudices and feelings will be put aside. However, I must trust that the three of you know what you are doing, and accept this.”

“How can you be so calm about this?! Don't you know that he'll never allow you to be friends with us anymore?”

“Ron, we're still going to be friends. My marriage won't change that. Yes of course thing will change, just as things will change when you and Lavender get married.”

“At least you like Lavender. I can't stand the Ferret!”

“Okay Ron, that is enough,” Harry broke in. “I know that you're not happy about this, but there is no need to make the situation more difficult than it already is.”

“She is marrying our worst enemy! Whose side are you on anyway?” He asked angrily.

“I am on Hermione's side, and I am going to give her my support. This marriage is going to happen, unless of course you would prefer for her to die! And Draco Malfoy isn't our worst enemy, Voldemort is. Or have you forgotten about the war?” he answered.

Ron had the grace to look embarrassed. “I'm sorry Hermione. I just need some time to think about this,” he said as he got up from the table, and walked out of the room.

“That went better than I thought it would,” Ginny said. Hermione smiled at the red head. They were all used to Ron's explosions when things didn't go exactly as he wanted, or if he had to deal with change. “Hopefully he will calm down for in time for the ceremony. Or maybe I should say calm down again, since he still doesn't know that you and Malfoy are joining the celebrations.”



A/N: I know that this chapter is a bit on the boring side and a little short. The next chapter is much longer and more interesting. Thank you all for your kind reviews, this is the first time I have ever had the courage to put my stuff out for people to read and it has been really encouraging to get all of the reviews.