Devotion

Chapter 2

The next few days went by quickly. I'll spare you the details, but we basically just shopped for my school stuff, while I read as much as I possibly could about the wizarding world and magic.

Hermione helped quiz me on things, along with finding all the supplies I needed. I tried to push the resentment I had towards her aside for the time being, as I really did need help. She was thrilled that I wasn't angry with her anymore.

Hermione tried to talk me into getting a pet cat or owl, but I refused. It's not like I really had anyone to owl, and I wasn't sure if my soon to be husband would be allergic to cats. Of course, I didn't tell Hermione that. She still didn't know about the marriage law.

I couldn't stop thinking about it, however. Would I even tell him that I had no magical powers? I knew the Minister said I shouldn't tell anyone, but surely that didn't apply to my husband. He had the right to know.

But would he hate me for it? Probably. Bad enough to be forced into marrying someone, but to be forced into marrying someone with no magic? That must be hard for a wizard.

"Evelyn!" I flinched, and realized Hermione was trying to get my attention.

"Sorry, what?"

"What is Felix Felicis?" she quizzed.

"Ermm," I bit my lip as I thought. I should know this, she had just asked me an hour ago.

"A potion?" I said weakly, knowing it wasn't the answer she was asking me for.

Predictably, she rolled her eyes. "Yes, a potion, but what potion? What does it do?"

"I don't know." She whacked me with the book.

"Come on Evy, you need to know this! This is one of the classes you'll be taking!"

It was true. I couldn't take any of the classes that involved spell work, like Charms, DADA, or Transfiguration. But everything else, I was taking. Which included Potions, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Arithmancy, and Study of Ancient Runes. I was going to do Divination, but Hermione said it was extremely stupid, so I didn't.

"I know, sis, I know. But cut me some slack, I'm trying to memorize six years worth of information in three days!"

~

When we arrived at the train station, I let Hermione go with her friends. She offered to let me join them, but I didn't want to. I wanted to make my own friends.

But of course, I had never really been good at that. So for the whole train ride, I sat by myself. I got some questioning looks from people walking by, but I ignored them, reading a book instead to pass the time.

As the train came to a halt, I followed the crowd to the carriages. I sighed as I saw that none were empty. Guess it was time to start introducing myself.

I picked a carriage that had a single girl inside it, thinking it might be easier just to talk to one person. She looked at me, stunned.

"Hi, I'm new, do you mind if I sit with you?" I asked politely.

She looked at me, still a bit shocked, but eventually said, "No, I don't mind. But I'm kind of hated by everyone right now, so if you want to make friends, I wouldn't sit here."

I smiled. "Well, you seem nice to me, and I don't hate you. How about we try being friends?"

Her expression grew into a smile too. "I'd like that a lot. What's your name?"

"Evelyn Granger, and yours?"

Her face fell, and I frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Are you related to Hermione Granger?" she asked, looking at the floor.

"Yes, she's my twin sister, why?"

The girl sighed. "You really shouldn't be friends with me then. I, well, I bullied your sister—a lot—before the war, and, well, I've changed now, but—"

"Then I don't see a problem. That's in the past, and you've clearly seen the error in your ways," I said sincerely.

"But your sister won't—"

"I don't care if she likes us being friends or not," I interjected. "It's not up to her, this is my life. And I want to be your friend."

The girl smiled widely at me. "So, what's your name?"

"Pansy, Pansy Parkinson."

~

As we walked up the steps to the castle, my jaw dropped in awe. It was huge and beautiful at the same time. Pansy pulled me along, laughing at my expression.

"I get to live here?" I asked in shock. She laughed.

"Yes, all school year. Now come on, or we'll be late."

When we got inside, there seemed to be some kind of hold up. I stood on my toes and craned my neck to see what was going on, and saw a stern-looking lady in emerald robes arguing with a man whom I recognized as the Minister.

After several minutes, the lady seemed to look defeated as she called for silence from everyone. She glared at the Minister as she announced, "All students seventeen years of age or older are to follow the Minister for a new law that is affecting you. I'm sorry, but apparently it can't wait until tomorrow, as was originally planned."

As she finally opened the doors to what I knew was the Great Hall, everyone erupted into noise. Some conversed theories as to what it could be, while others were just annoyed that they were missing dinner.

"A law? What law?" Pansy asked me as we walked towards the Minister.

"I have no idea, but it doesn't sound good," I answered, lying through my teeth. I hated myself for lying to her. But I suppose she would know soon enough anyway, like everyone else.

All of the older students trailed behind the Minister, and I grew more anxious as we walked. I knew what was coming, and I wasn't ready. I would be meeting my husband tonight.