What We Made Here

A/N- I admit, the second chapter was a bit weak, especially at the end there. I sort of lost my train of thought, and just wanted to get it done. I hope this one is better. -Bex

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We try with all of our might to be strong in the presence of danger, and laugh in the face of death, but what do we do when we are thrown in to a predicament so foreign to our wildest dreams, that we could not have fathomed such an injustice?

When Hermione discovered the reason behind the latest Order meeting, many thoughts were racing through her head, most of them so incoherrent as to never be gathered and formed into a real topic. She lay on her bed, waiting for the older witches and wizards to divulge upon her the information that she had already heard. She, Hermione Granger, was going to be forced into a loveless marriage in less than two weeks. She had no idea who the man she was to marry would be. She shuttered at the thought. The Ministry had really done it this time.

The Ministry of Magic had so thoughtfully passed a law that would certainly have the entire wizard community writhing in disgust and discomfort as soon as the information was made completely public. According to part A of clause 2345CD to Ammendment 234 of the Wizarding Rules and Regulation Code, all half-bloods and Muggle born wizards by law have to marry a pure blood within the next three weeks, or a tremendous fine, with the possibility of Azkaban's unwelcoming cells would be placed on the wizard in discordance with the rule.

Hermione buried her face in her pillow and allowed herself one great sob, and a single tear before composing herself completely.

'Dumbledore will find someone decent for me to marry. Someone who will treat me right...'

Rolling back out of bed and checking herself in the mirror, the young witch made her way back into the kitchen and prepared herself for what was to come. Everyone was looking rather upset, many of them giving her looks of sympathy, regret and pity.

'I really wish they would just get on with it... and here i was haveing a great day, flirting for once in my life, and now thats all about to end.'

Dumbledore, bless his heart, was the only one not looking at her as if she were about to die of some terminal illness.
"Miss Granger, with the connections you have, I'm sure you have already heard the news. I think you would be pleased to hear the tad bit of good news that comes with this position, however small it is."

Hermione visibly perked up, but knew it was pointless. He just pointed out that in 'this position' there was some good news, so she was apparently not getting out of the task at hand. She nodded once and waited for him to continue.

"We have given a great deal of thought to your situation, and we would like to give you the choice to choose who you would marry out of a selct few Trusted allies. Everyone, please excuse Miss Granger and myself for a moment."

Dumbledore led the way out of the office and into the library. He performed a quick charm without speaking. Hermione could only guess that it was to stop some rather mischievous teens from listening to their conversation. He gestured for her to sit in one of the large arm chairs beside a large fire that she was sure had not been in the grate a moment ago. They sat for a moment, neither of them speaking. Hermione was beginning to grow rather impatient just as Dumbledore took a breath to speak.

"I know this is a trying time, and i am most apologetic that all we can offer you is a chance to choose the husband that you will be forced to marry. I am sure you are aware, however, that if we don't put you with an Order member, you may fall into the wrong hands, and we certainly cant have that."

After a moment's pause, the old wizard continued,"The choices are these: Ronald Weasley, Severus Snape, or Sirius Black. That is all we can offer you. You have two days to mull it over before we have to have an answer. I am sorry," and with that, the headmaster departed.

She couldn't believe it. Those were her only options? three people? She had her hopes up, and they were now magnificently deflated. Out of the three, her original choice had immediately been Ron. She knew him the best out of the three, and he was certainly nice, if not a bit of a prat sometimes. She had completely ruled out Severus Snape from the start. There was no way she was going to marry that greasy sniveling man. She mulled over the idea of the third name, Sirus Black. He was certainly a great looker, but she hardly knew a thing about the man. Hermione was convinced there was a deep compassion in his heart, whether he showed it often or not. He had to have a heart, he loved Harry after all, and he and Professor Lupin were practically brothers. Yes, she surmised, Sirius Black was definitely capable of love and compassion. She was still however, torn by the fact that she didnt know him at all well.

So she decided on Ronald Weasley. Her best friend for several years, someone she could trust. She was going to try to make her sour lemons into lemonade.

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Supper rolled around slowly but surely, and Hermione felt slightly better, having made her decision. She wasnt sure when she you release this little bit of information, but she was content to keep it to herself for the moment. When she entered the kitchen, everyone was once again looking at her as if any moment she would be pushing up daisies.

"I'm starving, what's for dinner, Molly?" came a rich deep voice from a chair at the far end of the room from Hermione.

"Oh really, Sirius! Cant you have a bit of compassion, the girl is having a hard time and you are completely ignoring that fact!" cried Mrs. Weasly

Hermione piped up in a voice that she hoped would sound cheerful, and halfway normal, "No, im quite famished. I'm curious to know what we are having as well." Giving Molly Weasley her most convincing smile, she quickly darted over to an empty seat beside Sirius. "mind if i sit here?" she asked.

Sirius smiled graciously and stood to hold out the chair for her, "of course not, angel." She blushed slightly at his reply and addressed him again, this time in a whisper meant for his ears only, "Thank you for getting them to stop looking at me like ill break at any moment. It was really quite dreadful."

Mr. Black, scooped up her hand and kissed it in a tender display, only just escaping notice of the rest of the wizards at the table, as food had just begun to be served. He gave her a suggestive wink and a sultry smile before digging in along with everyone else.

Hermione was sure her heart had stopped beating altogether, and a curious lump had begun to grow in her throat.

With a final look at Sirius Black, Hermione Granger reconsidered her options and made a choice without knowing at all what she was getting herself in to. 'Lemonade, indeed,' she mused.