Chapter 6
Dear Hermione,
Thank you For your letter, it came at a time when I needed the distraction. I am happy to be a confidante, I too need such in my life right now. I have had little correspondence with anyone since the war ended.
I am happy to know you have bravely taken steps to seek help, I have nightmares from that night and know first hand they could not come close to yours.
The Ministry is always good at pushing themselves into places it should not go. This law is just the next thing. I am confident that you will make the best choice for you, a man worthy of you will seek to help you and stand with you.
I am pleased my idiot Son has pulled his head out of his arse long enough to be of help to you. Please continue to see the change in him that is so long overdue. He should be catering to you to make up for his abysmal attitude over the years.
I do wish that things were different not only for your sake but for the sake of all you children. It is not fair that you face this so soon after the war we have lost so much already.
Please pen anything you wish to me if it helps you unbidden your spirits then I will listen with all attention. Knowing that even though you are not my child, the fate you have suffered under my sister has scared my heart deeply. Allow me to express my admiration and whole hearted wishes to see you whole.
Love from,
Cissy
Hermione sighed, setting the letter from Draco's mother to the side and pulling the Ministry letter to her again.
Important Ministry Information For
Hermione Jean Granger
B. 19 September, 1979
Miss Granger the casting of the Charm by the Department of Matching has been successful. It falls to me to report that the Charm has Provided you with the Following Matches based on Compatibility percentage. In a surprise turn out you have three suitors over the percentile cut off.
#1- At 97.6 Draco Lucius Malfoy
#2- At 88.9 Victor Sasha Krum
#3 - At 84.9 Cormac Thaddeus McLaggen
All other matches were below the 83.0 Percent average that we have set, enclosed are the letters from your prospective grooms. You will need to make a selection and reply to the gentleman you chose. All letters shall be routed here for assurance all parties are participating. You have 48 hours from now to select and send both letters.
Wishing you the Best in your Match,
Trolan MacDougal
First selection officer
Department of Matching
Ministry Of Magic
London, England
She just knew she'd have Victor and McLaggen as her matches but never did she think she would get a third match. And Have that be Draco, the man she had seen change before her eyes.
Victor had let fame change him a few years ago; she could have seen herself choosing the quiet Bulgarian. They had a quaint relationship of quiet afternoons in the library.
McLaggen on the other hand had always been the way he was. Hermione shuddered no, neither one would be a good choice for her.
And Draco's letter was quite sweet, something out of Jane Austin. She had always been a sucker for the cold aloof Prejudice Mr Darcy. Hermione snorted to herself amused, pulling her feet up wishing she was sitting at her window seat in her room at Grimmauld. She had taken over Regulus' room after cleaning it. Kreature had been the one to move her things to the room.
It was her place where she felt safest, Harry just down the hall in Sirius' old room. The library is just one floor down. The dull Slytherin colors made her feel oddly close to the man she never met. His room cocooned her in a way no other room in the drab house made her feel.
Hermione pulled a fresh sheet of Parchment to her.
Dear Draco,
Your letter came as quite a surprise almost as much as seeing that you are one of my matches, I never would have thought that you would ask for my Hand. As for only Suffering at the hands of the Black- Malfoy, That is where you are Mistaken.
The family I cried over on the Train, the people I miss, Sirius Orion Black And Remus John Lupin. They and Harry made up our little weird Family, they both took the role of Father, and Fun Uncle to Both of us. So you see I have as many good memories as I do bad.
As for Marrying you I agree I know OUt of my Choices I do believe you to be the best as you have already helped to Comfort me Twice when my emotional state has overwhelmed me. I know that I am damaged and may not be the Best wife to you. I fear that this may lessen the affections you say you have.
I apologize if my Indifference is alarming, I am suffering from what Muggles Call PTSD- A mental trauma that affects many who return from War mostly those who suffer physical trauma. I am trying to get help. I have been working with a Mind healer but Progress is slow. I do wish to warn you that this is not easy on me most days as you happened to See twice yesterday.
I will always try, that is all that I can offer at the moment, Perhaps it is all that I can do. I wish that I could offer more as I do believe you deserve better. Your actions yesterday have shown me you are not the Person I thought you to be, I ask for your understanding it will be an adjustment for both of us.
I expect to speak to you soon.
Best,
Hermione
Hermione sighed, folding the letter and sliding it into the envelope with the other two letters left un-open, marking the Ministry letter with her choice and sealing them together. Sliding another fresh sheet towards her she penned another Letter.
Dear Cissy,
For you this news may not be for the best but my letter with my matches has come tonight, and it looks as if Draco is at the top of my list. I’m remiss to Share that out of my options I felt that I had to Choose Draco. I apologise that I was put into this position, but know that my other options were no option at all.
I fear I am to be your daughter - in- Law and I know that I will not be what your son needs in a bride. But I will give you the same promise I gave him in my agreement, I will try to be a good wife to him. I will do my best to heal and become whole, that is perhaps all that I can bring to this.
To be frank I am so afraid, afraid that I will never be able to feel normal. Never have normal reactions. I'm so scared Cissy I'm terrified that I will never feel anything ever again. Your son doesn't need an emotionless wife.
I'm so sorry, please don't say anything to Draco.
Best,
Hermione
Hermione folded this letter up, sighing again, dinner would be soon and she would be able to take the letters after she ate. The sooner she responded to the Ministry the sooner Draco would know that she agreed.
The sooner she could face him, tucking her writing stuff away. She cleaned up her desk putting her writing things away in the Initial engraved box, R.A.B; Regulus’s beautiful Quills had been safe in the box they had sat unused for years until she found them. Upon moving into his room she had made use of many of his old belongings, sweaters and trousers she got good at sewing with the kit Kreature had brought her. The few skirts she had; had been pilfered from the many closets and trunks in Grimmauld, She had even nicked a few of Sirius’s old concert Tees from Harry’s closet.
Sighing to herself again she stood to Change her clothes. The nice thing about normal dinners; they did not have to wear uniforms. Sliding on a pair of trousers and a sweater, braiding her hair in a loose fishtail over one shoulder. She slid the letters in her pocket Exiting her room to trudge her way to the Great Hall.