The Marriage Law

Nostalgia

Wilhelmina sat on the edge of the black lake with her legs in the cold waters. Though she no longer studied here, this lake was the only place where she felt peace. During her school days, whenever she felt uneasy or lonely, she would come down here and sit for hours. Since her fourth year, this became her place to sleep at night. It started when Harry was chosen by the goblet, something about her best friend's life being in a constant danger, feud between Harry and Ron causing a strain on their strong quad, made her restless and she started having nightmares. To get away from all that she sneaked out one night and came here. This proved to be one of the best decision she ever made.

The dark, deep, unending and sky, decorated with bright, twinkling and silvery stars. The large lake filled with cold and clean water, the luscious green forest surrounding it. The cool and soothing blow of wind and dark shadows cast by trees dancing and keeping her company. The serene view that she was gifted with as she laid on the grass, stargazing, chilling winds touching her skin, and goosebumps inviting themselves on her arms. Something about it not just cleared her mind, but it she found it soothing her heart and purifying her soul. Since that night she always spent her night there. Though the nightmares never stopped, at least she found something that became her 'own little heaven'

She smiled softly at the horizon, at the fleeted moments and at the silent nostalgia that seemed to be her companion.

She was brought back from the memory lane when a hand rested on her shoulder gently. Turning around, she groaned loudly at the familiar man, she was not happy to see him, and she made no effort to hide it.

"Pleasure to see you too" spoke Dumbledore, with wisdom lacing the tone.

Back at home.

After Wilhelmina left, Hermione went back to her room and asked to be left alone. She locked the door with a spell and collapsed onto the floor. Angry tears escaped from her eyes. Guilt, regret and terror filled her heart. She didn't mean a single word that came out of her mouth. Earlier, rage had clouded her senses and now when her mind was clear; she realized that if Wil  was at the ministry. Announcing her decision, then Hermione would never see her again ever, and the last thing Hermione said to her twin was those words laced with venom and hatred.

Everyone else was sitting in the living room, with dead silence spread amongst them. Nobody uttered a word; they all were disturbed by Wilhelmina's decision and worried about what this absurd law would bring for the Grangers. Harry's mind was baffled and fear settled in his nerves. After losing so much, he didn't think that he was ready to lose his best friend too; someone who he had believed would be there forever beside him. But he realized that now they might be torn apart and another friend would be forced to be with someone. Ron was just as scared for the Grangers. He didn't know what to do to save them from this. He didn't want Hermione to marry someone who she doesn't love and didn't want Wilhelmina to give up on magic. He was tempted to go to the dining table where the letters containing names of partners were sitting. But one look from Molly made him rethink, and he slouched on the couch.

Hours passed.

Late in the afternoon when everyone glumly went back to their work.  Molly, Hermione and Remus were the only ones in the house. Molly was sitting on the couch and knitting, her face held a distant look, her glazed eyes fixed on a spot on the wall in front of her. Remus was sitting in the library, trying to read; but his mind was too restless to concentrate. Hermione still in her room, sitting near the window and absently looking at the horizon. Her heart yearned for her twin, she desperately hoped to see Wil and make things right with her.

Hermione's attention was caught by a figure that apparated near the house. She leaned on the window pane to get a closer look, she almost shrieked with happiness when she saw Wilhelmina walking towards the house. Hermione ran out of her room, down the stairs and opened the door aggressively,  making it bang against the wall. Molly's trance was broken by the bang, she stood up looking at Hermione's back. Remus who had heard Hermione running, now stood beside Molly.

Hermione ran outside and threw her arms around Wilhelmina, engulfing her in a tight hug. Wilhelmina looked like a startled cat, she looked at Molly and Remus who were now standing at the door, again her eyes found Hermione; she opened and closed her mouth a few times, looking a gaping fish. Then finally she hugged Hermione, she was gentler than Hermione, who she thought was secretly trying to choke her to death in the veil of hug.

Hermione pulled back and punched Wilhelmina's arm. "Owww, what was that for ?" Wilhelmina cried out, while rubbing the spot, "Bipolar, huh ?" she muttered with a frown on her face.

"That was for leaving so abruptly, never do it again. Now get in, we have to talk" Saying this Hermione started walking back in the house, gracefully, with Wilhelmina, following her; like a clumsy ducking.

"Talk about how you wanna fall on your knees and apologize to me, while begging me to forgive you and you agreeing to be my servant for a month" Wilhelmina spoke, with amusement lacing her tone, as she tried to keep up.
She almost slipped, when Hermione turned and looked at her. That look wiped away all amusement, instead she gulped fearfully.
"No, I mean you are absolutely forgiven, yeah. It's all cool, huh, sisters never apologise to each other, yeah forgiven and forgotten." She added instantly, with a nervous laugh at the kind.

Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled her on the couch.
"If you are giving up on magic, then here I have thought about your future. Right in this diary" Hermione pulled out a diary from her pocket and placed it between them "is every thing written: jobs that you can do, countries you can live in, expenses that you will have, bank accounts, car, loans, bills, and some things that are left I will tell you tomorrow." Hermione spoke in a hurried manner. Breathing deeply, she glanced at her twin.

Wilhelmina's eyes were wide open and a look of disbelief etched on her face, she looked like a baffled owl. She looked at the diary and again her eyes went to twin, she continued turning her eyes between the diary and her twin. After almost half a minute when she still did that, Hermione groaned loudly. "What?!" she asked, with fake annoyance.

"Well, I left for a few hours, n you managed to get all this ?!" Wilhelmina asked with disbelief. "Yes! Because though I hate you decision, you are still my annoying idiot baby twin. So of course I have to make sure that you have a smooth life. So later we can discuss things, there's so much that we have to plan for you." Hermione started rambling. Wil sensed this and quickly interrupted her twin before she switched into her full on mother hen mode.

"Oooo!! Wait, wait. Stop. Before you go on and on about your future plans for me. I need to tell you something, actually I have to tell everyone something." She said with a sigh.
"Now what news are you dropping on us?" Hermione asked with a hint of fear.
"Not yet, at dinner when everyone is present, that's when I will reveal it" she declared and quickly hopped to her room, not giving Hermione a chance to speak.

Hey! So finally the fourth chapter. It took quite a long, but I was out on a vacation (completely unnecessary information) but now it's going to be regular. Comment if you like, vote (it's free).  Bye!! Au revoir.