Married by Law

Chapter Six: Lets plan some weddings!

"Alright, so I want a nighttime wedding. Perhaps on a rooftop. Warming spells would be used of course." said Ginny, scrawling that down on her piece of parchment. Hermione nodded.

"Color ideas?" probed Hermione. She had been gifted with the role of Maid [Matron] of Honor. But she had decided, rightly so, that she would stand beside Harry and Ron. Ginny understood and was going to have Luna beside her.

"I was thinking emerald green and gold." Ginny bit her lip, obviously debating. Hermione smiled enthusiastically.

"It would compliment you too wonderfully. Wait a second Gin, when are you planning on having the wedding?" Hermione suddenly realized they were missing a key detail.

"Over the holiday. I want to be done and married before I'm as large as a whale. What about you?"

"January." sighed Hermione, pulling her knees up to her chest.

"Why aren't you pushing it till the last minute?" gasped Ginny. "I mean, by then you'll probably have figured out a way to stop the law."

Hermione shook her head. "I'm sorry Gin, but that is literally impossible. I have to marry Draco. And I wanted a winter wedding!" They hadn't been allowed to let Ginny privy to the information, which left Hermione guilty. She wanted her best girlfriend to know she was literally being forced to marry Draco Malfoy.

"Humph. Whatever. All I know is I'm pregnant and scared shitless." giggled Ginny. Hermione cracked a smile. She smiled as Ginny placed a loving hand on her belly. They was a small, barely visible bump. After all she was only fourteen weeks pregnant.

"So, how are you and Harry?"

"We're doing alright." said Ginny, a smile playing at her lips. "He's excited to be a father."

"I'll bet." laughed Hermione. Harry was a shoe in to be a fantastic father.

"So, I've came up with a few ideas for our wedding." said Hermione as she took a seat across from Draco in their spot in the library. The fire crackled merrily beside them as they sat with piles of books.

"Alright. But I have one very important question. Is it going to be big or small?" asked Draco, folding his hands together and staring at her. There was an underlying meaning to his words: cheap or extravagant aka expensive.

Hermione cocked her head to the side, deep in thought. "Well, I don't want it too big. Maybe a hundred or so people? Excluding the groomsmen and bridal party."

"Hm, speaking of what did you have in mind for that part?"

"Well Ginny is going to be my Matron of Honor, Teddy is going to be the ring bearer. My cousin, she's six, could be the flower girl...uh...Harry and Ron are both going to walk me up the isle. Draco...I think our main problem is our families." whispered Hermione.

Draco's eyes closed then reopened. "Mm, they will be a problem. My family will not want to be there if yours is. As much as I hate to say it, it's true. And I guarantee your family wouldn't be too pleased with my family."

"That will not be pleasant..." sighed Hermione. Draco placed his warm hand over hers.

"Hermione...maybe it'd be best to hold off on a large wedding. Y'know, maybe wait for our child to grow a bit. Because face it Hermione, we don't want to get married. And maybe by the time we've reached a good time to really get married, maybe the law will have been overturned." persuaded Draco.

Tears formed into Hermione's eyes as she realized the truth between their words. "In truth, we could never work. Truly work at least. I mean, we could get along but that's it. Not love, never love."

Draco flashed her a sad, soft smile. "You're right. Painfully so."

Hermione wiped her eyes and sobered up. "Alright. I'll talk to Kingsley. We can be married over the break. Each having a witness and that's it."

"Blaise. He'll be my witness." said Draco immediately.

"G-Ginny will probably be mine." sighed Hermione. She tucked her knees up under her bum.

"So...any idea what day?" asked Draco after a moment of silence. Hermione bit her lip.

"How about the day after Christmas?" suggested Hermione.

"Okay. I suppose I can figure something out for after the 'wedding'."

"After? We're not having a party!"

"No, but we do have to consummate the marriage."

Hermione blushed deeply. "I-I'm sorry...it's just a little weird. Still. Not that it ever would get not weird."

"Look Hermione, I'm not going to lie. I'm certainly not a virgin, but that could play to your benefit. I'll make it as smooth and not awkward as possible. Cross my heart."

Hermione offered a feeble smile. "All right. Look, I have to go. Homework. But so we're set? December 26th. Blaise Zabini and Ginny Weasley. I'll owl Kinglsey later tonight."

Hermione stood up and awwardly patted his shoulder. He chuckled a bit as she left the library. Hermione practically sprinted back to the Gryffindor common room. When she entered she ignored the looks of her peers as she ran up the steps, two by two. She ran to her desk and pulled out parchment and quill.

Dear Minister,

As you know the wedding of Draco and I needs to commence. We have mutually agreed it best to undergo a small, non ceremonial wedding. We would like a Ministry official and two witnesses. Those witnesses being:

Ginevra Molly Weasley and Blaise Antonello Zabini.

We would like to have the wedding held the day after Christmas. Please return with the final answer.

Sincerely,

Hermione J. Granger