One Last Try [HP Jamione fanfic]

41. The Way I Love You

16th September 1977

"'Min? What's that on your wrist?" When Hermione looked up from her bowl of porridge it was to Frank, Lily, Dorcas, and Alice all staring at her left wrist, adorned with a new, shiny piece of jewellery.

She stared down at it for a moment like she'd not seen it before, and then looked back up at her friends, a light blush dusting her cheeks. "Uh, James got it for me." She held her wrist out to Frank, who'd asked, and he took a gentle hold and pulled her wrist closer to himself, examining the beautifully wrought gold bracelet, dotted with miniscule rubies, that James had given her from the Potter vaults.

"Wait!" Dorcas held up her hand, leaning forward so fast that her braids fell over her shoulder and landed in her coffee. She ignored it and swept them back carelessly in favour of getting the good gossip. "Does that mean what I think it means?" Her voice got higher and higher with excitement.

Hermione laughed, jiggling her wrist and holding it out for Dorcas to look at once Frank was done, "Depends what you think it means, Dorcas."

"You know!"

"You're betrothed?!" Alice demanded, holding her hand out to see the bracelet too. "Lemme see!" Hermione grinned when Alice took a hold of her wrist, bringing the bracelet up close to stare at it.

"When did this happen?" Alice prodded. The students of Hogwarts had been shocked at the revelation that James and Hermione were dating when they'd all come back after the summer holidays, and neither of them had mentioned the betrothal contract to anyone.

"Our parents drew it up in August, James gave me the bracelet last night." She smiled down at the jewellery on her wrist. She wasn't really one for sparkly pieces of jewellery, or expensive gifts, but this meant more to her than that, this was a symbol of - if not love because surely it was too soon for that - then at least deep affection from James.

"It's beautiful, 'Min." Frank wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her to his side tightly. She hugged her best friend back, as always happy that their relationship hadn't been ruined by the end of their romance.

"Wait, sorry." Lily interrupted, looking slightly confused. She held up a staying hand, tucking her red hair behind her ear as she frowned at her friends. "Explain this all again for the Muggleborn. You're engaged?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, we're basically at the start of the process that leads to engagement. James could choose not to propose at the end of the betrothal period, and I could choose not to accept, but that's rare."

"I see." Lily frowned slightly, her pale cheeks suddenly flushing, "Sirius isn't going to do that is he?" She whispered, leaning forward as she did. She looked overwhelmed and worried as she glanced towards the Great Hall doors where the Marauders had yet to appear that morning.

Hermione laughed and shook her head, "Definitely not. He's not the type for betrothals and contracts, especially now he's got out of the one his parents made for him."

Lily heaved a sigh of relief, sitting back up straight, "Merlin, no matter how long I've lived in the wizarding world, the way it works still baffles me."

Dorcas laughed, "You're not the only one, Lily, don't worry."

"I don't get it, why is betrothal so important, though?"

"Partially because no one wants to move away from all the ridiculous traditions." Hermione said scathingly. As much as she loved their world and would never leave it, there was a lot she didn't agree with, and would try to change once she had the chance. One thing at a time though, and currently Voldemort was the biggest thing to worry about.