The One for Me?

Hermione sat staring out the window of her Common Room. She has a clear view of the Quidditch Pitch and can even now, during dusk, see little figures zooming about their practice. Glistening tears sting her eyes as she looks down at the crumpled piece of parchment in her hands. Hair frizzy as usual, slowly gnawing away on her bottom lip she once again opens the parchment and continues to stare at the words before her.


Dear Miss Granger,


As you may of heard, on October 11'th a Marriage Law has been enacted. Anyone over the age of seventeen is required to be married within the next nine months. The Ministry has pre-determined who your betrothed is to be. You are to meet your betrothed next week on the 17'th of October. Know that neither of you can harm one another by magical means or otherwise. You will meet in front of a Ministry Representative to read the Law's rights, then can continue to get to know one another over the next hour. Please arrive at the Ministry promptly at 11 o'clock A.M.


Have a wonderful day!


Strugis Popcorde
Marriage Law Council


"Oh yes, I'm sure the rest of my day will be wonderful, bloody fool" Hermione spoke out loud wrinkling her nose in frustration.


Once again Hermione crumpled the paper but this time decided to throw it in the fire. Looking outside once more she could no longer see any figures flying about. She straightened her robes and wiped delicately at her eyes. Instead of homework she desolately stared into the fire, waiting the arrival of her friends. Quickly glancing to her left, on the table, were three more Ministry envelopes, each one addressed to one of her friends. Most of the Common Room was quiet, all thinking of their own fates, except those young enough to get away from it. About fifteen minutes pass and she can hear voices coming through the portrait hole.


"What's this rubbish we're hearing?" asked Ron, an incredulous look on his face. Hermione looked over to see all of the team still in their robes.


"Don't tell me that the Ministry is really doing this! We help save the bloody wizarding world and now were forced into marriage? What kind of thanks is that?" Harry announced loudly.


"Apparently not a good one" said Hermione slowly and a little sadly. They all look over, not knowing she was there. "There's letters on the table for all of you, I've already read mine."


Ginny looked suspiciously at Hermione "Well? What did it say? Did it say who?"


"No."

Ginny went over to the stack of letters and found her name. Opening it slowly like it's going to attack slowly she begins to read. As she continues her face slowly droops. With sad eyes, she looks at Harry and with a sniffle says "I honestly don't know if we can be together now. We are finally free to be together and look at what they do!" Her voice slowly getting a higher pitch, but not yelling. She drops onto the couch Hermione is occupying with a thud. You can see the tears starting to form in her eyes.


Harry walks over "You don't know that. For all we know they could have picked us as soul mates. I, for one, believe that we are." He tries to put on a brave face, puts his arm around Ginny and sighs.


"Are you going to stand there are night looking dumbfounded or are you going to join us?" Hermione says to Ron, for who this whole time had been standing there with his mouth slightly opened. He closes his mouth, looks sheepish, and sits on one of the rather comfy chairs. He grabs his letter and tear its open.


"Well, I'm supposed to head to the Ministry on the 18'th at 3 o'clock. When are you guys headed there?"


Hermione looks a little sadly at him and tells him she's the 17'th at 11 o'clock and he too, looks disappointed. Ginny announces she's to head the 17'th also but not till 2 o'clock. But Harry has yet to open his letter. He sees all of his friends staring openly at him with wide eyes, waiting in anticipation.


"O.K. jeez." Slowly he opens his letter, grins slightly, looks at Ginny. "2 o'clock on the 17'th."


Ginny looks so happy she could faint and gives him a loud resounding smack on the lips. Blushing a little, Harry looked down at the ground. But yet, Hermione looks too sad to even giggle. Her thoughts are elsewhere, if not Ron, then who? Her heart twinged a bit as she looked over at him. His beautiful red hair, light freckles, bright blue eyes, and for shame his pouty lips that begged to be kissed.


Hermione remembers only too well the kiss they shared in the Room of Requirement a couple months ago. It was passionate and beautiful, almost earth-shattering. They still had never become an official couple, but did share kisses over the summer, and some heavy petting which makes her blush just thinking about it. Yet, they still had not used the terms 'boyfriend and girlfriend', but Hermione had thought they were close to becoming that.


Now all her dreams were dashed away. Apparently someone else was her 'soul mate'. It was inconceivable that the Ministry do this to them so shortly after they had lost so much. They had been to many funerals within the past few months, and watched as Hogwarts became rebuilt. One hot summer day McGonnagal had come to them telling them that Hogwarts would reopen and they, including every other year, must repeat their last year of schooling. The few that were at the school last year didn't mind repeating, for it hadn't really felt like school to them anyway, and Hermione was more than excited to be back to earn her NEWTS.


Slowly Hermione looks over to Ron just to see him openly staring at her with longing in his eyes. Those all too familiar butterflies form in the pit of her stomach as goosebumps begin to rise on her skin.


"Ron, would you like to take a walk with me?" Hermione asks shyly.


"More than anything."


And they begin the long and nerve wracking walk, to where? Well where it all began, the Room of Requirement.


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Note to all: This is my first fan fic ever! I am warning you this is a work in progress and it WILL be a Draco/Hermione story. But do not fear I will never just stop writing, I am very dedicated, and would like constructive critism. Hope you guys like!