A Fated Marriage

A/N: Hey everybody! I'm so happy that people are enjoying this fic. I really hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Matches

Everyone sat down their respected seats; Hermione was between Michael and Viktor. None of the Selected seemed very happy to be there. The room was round and the ones awaiting their fate were on one half on the room and the various Ministry officials sat around the other half. They all sat around pain smooth glass bowl that sat on a wooden platform.

The room was dead silent until a small plump man came to stand next to the platform. He cleared his throat and looked around at everybody. “There is no real need for ceremony since you all know why you are here. You dozen have been chosen not simply because you’re the best our world has to offer, but because you symbolize something greater. You are the difference between old ideas and new. The old ideas that purebloods are in higher status. The new ideas that it doesn’t matter what your blood is to achieve great things.” He said starting to walk around the room. “We need you to start breaking the barrier between the two groups who hold on to these ideas. If people see that it is a good thing to start mixing blood than they will follow suit. Our kind needs that now more than anything.” The little man said.

“So you are forcing us to get married? And if that was not enough you want us to start popping out babies as well?” Yoko piped up. The others remained silent, but it was easy to tell from their shifting bodies and somewhat hostel glares that they agreed with the designer. “It is not so bad for us older ones. We are in places in our lives settling down would not be such a bad idea. But what about the younger ones? Why take their futures like this?” she asked him.

“We are not forcing you. You have a choice.” The fat man said.

“Yeah. By choice you mean we either play the game your way. Or we are expelled from the only world we know.” It was Jason’s turn to say something. “That doesn’t sound like much a choice to me. Sounds more like a threat.”

“We are just want to show you how important this is to our world!” The official resorted starting to turn red in the face. Again the room was silent until he cleared his throat one more time. “But like you said there some conditions that go along with this. You must be married within the next three months. After the ceremony you have exactly fourteen days to consummate the marriage. Then you have a year to produce your first child.”

Hermione was playing with her hands when he talked about consummating the marriage. She was a virgin. She and Ron had tried to be more than just friends, but it became very awkward when the tried to kiss. After that she sort of faded away from the world of romance. Now she was going to have to have sex with a man she hardly knew. And not just once! As many times as it took to produce a child. She was wringing her hands until they started to turn white. A familiar hand took hers. Viktor could tell that Hermione was very nervous and uncomfortable.

“Now this bowl, the Matches Bowl, has been created to decided what the matches will be. The best match making witches and wizards in the world have charmed it. For those of you who know about the Goblet of Fire you will understand this bowl’s workings. It is simple. We’ve put your name it and out pops the matches.”

“Great. A bowl is deciding our fate.” A whisper from back said.

“Now as soon as these matches come out of the bowl they are final. This is your only chance to walk away. If you stand and leave this room you are choosing the live in the Muggle world.” Nobody stood. “As soon as you walk about of this room your three months time starts. Is that understood?” He glared sharply at the group who all nodded in understand.

“Alright than lets begin.” He went to the Matches Bowl. He muttered a little spell and suddenly bright streams of light flooded out of it. Another muttered spell and out popped a piece of paper.

“The first match is…Michael St. Paul and Irina Verski.” Poor Michael looked as if he was about to die. Irina simply looked disgusted.

The second match is… ah Edward Nole and Yoko Takashima.” Both looked alright with this information. They gave each other a sideways glance than looked straight forward again.

“The third match is…Marco Ruiz and Maria St. Paul.” Again both looked alright. It was the others who were starting to nervous. As the list became shorter the more fidgeting seem to be happening. Hermione’s stomach was tying itself in knots. She tried not to get her hopes up, but as the list was cut down she wondered if there was a chance she would be chosen to pair up with the only man that she felt at ease with.

“The fourth match is… Yukifuma Shizuma and Sara Black.” The two absolutely refused to look each other. Only four more names left. Viktor could not decide if he wanted to be paired up with Hermione. He still liked her, just as he had when he asked her to the Yule Ball over two years ago. But she deserved to be with someone better. He was nowhere near good enough for her.

“The fifth match is Jason Smith and…Isabella Montoya.” The new couple smiled at each other. The two would do well together.

“And finally Viktor Krum and Hermione Granger is the last couple. That is all for now. In four months you will receive an owl telling you when your first Ministry appointment is. Thank you for what you are doing.” And he and the other officials left.

“Zere is no way zat I’m marrying a lesbian!” Michael shouted standing up. “Zhat shouldn’t be allowed!” Irina just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Michael’s tantrum seemed to open the floodgates of noise. All the couples seemed to have something to say, good and bad.

Viktor leaned over and whispered into his bride to be’s ear. “I zink ve should leave. It is too loud in here to haff a conversation.” He told her. The young witch nodded in agreement and stood up. Without anyone noticing they walked out of the room into the quiet hallway.

“Well, I can’t say I’m not pleased with this match. I was actually really hoping we’d be paired together Viktor.” Hermione said blushing a little. She wanted to start out this relationship as honestly as possible. “Although…I would have rather ended up together in much different circumstances.

The Seeker took her hand in his and raised her chin to look her in the eyes. “Hermione…I can not promise you ve vill be happy all the time. There vill be times vhen ve fight. But that is life. Ve vill find a way to make up. I vill do anything in my power to make you. If you vant more school learning, I vill make it happen. If you vant to see the vorld than I vill go vith you. Your vish is my command. All I ask in return is honesty and trust.” His voice was deep and soft, so she would be the only person in the world to hear those words. His eyes looked straight into her’s, so that she would be the only want to see the sincerity and slight pleading in his heart.

Hermione’s own eyes had tears in them. He wasn’t asking for her heart. He knew that was something he could not ask for, but earn. He was offering her the world and all he was asking in return was the only things she really had to offer. She nodded her head and whipped at her eyes. “I promise to give you what you ask. Thank you…” was all she could manage to say.

Viktor linked his arm with her and lead her down the hall. “Now…I guess the next step is to meet the family.” Hermione swallowed suddenly dreading the reactions her adopted family would have after finding out who her future was.

A/N: Alright everyon that’s it for now. The next chapter you get to meet Viktor’s family. As always any input you have is welcome. Until next time!