Chapter Two: My Reality

She was Hermione Granger no more…

“You’re right, she is just a tool to me--but I’m as much her tool as she is mine. Or do you really think that she would always be the good girl forever? Even the Know-It-All has a dark side, Weaseley, no matter how much you don’t want to believe it.”

“‘E was a hellion, that woman with the Golden Trio or whatever ‘ey call themselves. We could all feel ‘er even before ‘e set foot in my club, ‘e was spittin’ mad that one and ‘er magic was out of control. The lights all shattered when ‘e blasted the door open and the second ’e set took a step the walls started to groan and moan as if ’e was putting the Cruciatis Curse on ‘em.”

“Anyway, when I looked up she was gone and all that was left of her was a scrap of red fabric and…black blood.”

The question on everyone’s minds, however, is what happened to Mrs. Granger?

--

She couldn’t move. Her arms refused to listen to her mind and move from the uncomfortable, awkward position they had fixed themselves into. Her right arm was set at an unnatural angle, twisted backwards toward her face. The other one simply hang limp, trailing through the grass as she was dragged somewhere. She knew she wasn’t moving on her own because she would never crawl backwards on a broken arm and probably a fractured leg. Besides, that wasn’t her voice talking aloud.

“….you really should thank me you know. If I hadn’t passed by you no one would’ve known you were there and then you probably would’ve been eaten or worse. You do know there are a lot of wolves around here, right? Uh-huh. And they aren’t friendly at all! Nope. Hmm…I wonder if you can hear me? Probably not.”

She wasn’t sure if the person who was dragging her around was male or female, it was young but there was a certain androgynous tone to its voice. There was one thing she was certain of though, this person, whoever it was, obviously did not know how to treat someone who was as injured as she was. And if there was one thing she hated above all else, it was pure, unadulterated ignorance.

She could hardly remember why she was here right now though. Why? Why was she being dragged around? Why was she hurt? Why did she feel like simultaneously wailing like a banshee and screaming at the despicable blue skies? That is, if she could open her eyes and confirm what her inner goody-goody was telling her had to be the color of the sky because that would be nice. Why did she have the uncontrollable urge to smack Ron upside the head or get into an argument with Harry? Why did she feel bad at all?

And then she realized that she could open her eyes and that the skies were blue. And green? No, something in her mind just kept flashing that stupid color in her eyes. As if it was important to her. But why? Why would…Oh, no…don’t tell me that was not a dream…Don’t--

And that horrible dream she thought was just a nightmare came rushing back to her faster than the fastest Seeker.

The betrayal.

Her trust.

His lies.

Going into Grindewald. Provoking those Deatheaters and wannabe Dark Arts fanatics to kill her. That damnable curse, the Avada Kedavra! She had felt that hateful, terrifying so many times the instant it hit her she knew it would hurt like Hell, but it didn’t seem to kill her or even injure her so badly. It just knocked the breathe out of her for a few minutes. And when she had felt that one of them had moved closer to her, she had flung the first spell that she could think of at him.

Then they had all attacked her at once, and it was at that moment that she had realized the stupidity of walking into a bar full of her mortal enemies and practically asking them to torture her for the fun of it. But the worst part was that they had all used the Ungorgivables and some other Dark spells. She was sure she didn’t know at least half of them, which chafed her thirst for knowledge but made her shudder in an agonizing comprehension when she understood that she had barely studied the Dark Arts and its powers. Not that she wanted to, but it had been imperative during the War that she knew her enemy and to know one’s enemy, you must study what they study.

But what had made her do all those incredibly stupid things again?

Oh, right. Him. David Salamander, her colleague, a friend once upon a time and her fake husband. That’s right. Her husband. Even she was surprised about the marriage proposal, but then he had explained his situation and then she had reviewed hers and decided that it would work out. It was just too bad that bastard decided to cheat on her, not that she was hurt so much because of that. She did feel hurt that he would risk their fake marriage by sleeping with somebody when not even a year had gone by after the rather informal ceremony. Actually, she didn’t really understand it herself exactly why she thought of any future with him beyond a year or two and why she felt so hurt by his actions. Indignation, annoyance and slight betrayal--yes to all three, she could understand why she felt that way, But rage, misery, depression and a heartbreaking feeling all at once? There was no reasonable explanation for that or the actions that followed. But more than that, she was hurt that he had broken the promise that neither of them would have lovers during their ‘marriage’.

She let out a small sigh of exhaustion that went unnoticed by--her savior? Captor? By Morgana’s wand, she remembered how it had all started so simple…or not…

--

Hermione checked the parchment in her hands one last time, the quill’s feather delicately nibbled on by chapped lips, courtesy of the harsh desert wind, and her eyes like caramel swirled with honey glinted with concentration as she wondered if she had gotten everything she needed. It would do her no good if she had forgotten even one thing on her trip to the hidden underwater cavern within Mt. Fuji where a migratory herd of Siberian Black Dragons were living. What was it? That one thing she didn’t have…Ooooh, it was annoying her to the point of insanity not knowing what she had forgotten for a trip this important.

A small smile of satisfaction curled her lips and stole the breathe of every young male intern who had come to work on this expedition not only because of their interest in dragons and the like, but because of her presence. She had a natural beauty that was unquestionable and unconquerable. She was a strong-willed, highly intelligent, courageous, compassionate, lovable and beautiful person who deserved the title as “the brightest witch of their generation”. And that title wasn’t just talking about her intelligence; she had an inner fire that burned away the doubts, fears and insecurities anyone had around her & she swept away the prejudices of old.

“Ms. Granger?” She turned around and met the respectful gaze of David Salamander, a handsome man who was also going on this trip and was one of her closer colleagues. He had always been friendly to her and they had more in common then they both thought possible, so a friendship had flourished immediately. And he acted the part of the chivalrous gentlemen perfectly, but the best part was that he was sincere about it. He actually meant the things he had said to her and everyone else, he never went back on his word and he was as honest as anyone can be.

Her smile widened in genuine affection for this man. “Yes, Mr. Salamander?” she questioned in mock-annoyance. She had told him time and time again not to call her so formally. It made her feel like some stuffy, Ministry official who hasn’t had their whiskey in the morning yet. “What do you want to talk about?” She asked not unkindly.

He smiled in return, dimples showing and making him seem younger than he was. He was so adorable sometimes. She tried to stifle the giggle that threatened to break loose when she imagined him in a teddy bear suit proclaiming his cuteness. He blinked in momentary confusion and then said, “I know you’re busy right now, so am I actually, but I wanted to speak to you about something very important to me. I was hoping to speak to you long before this but there were always others around or you were busy and I would rather speak to you about this just between the two of us.”

Hermione quirked an eyebrow, bewildered and not just a little bit apprehensive. “Just between the two of us?” Surely he couldn’t mean…she hadn’t been giving him mixed signals had she? “What was so important that you had to talk to me alone? Its not serious is it?”

His smile faltered somewhat and she could tell he was choosing his words very carefully before speaking them, which only hastened to confirm her suspicions, scant though they were. “Well, I guess it all depends on your definition of the word ‘serious’…But so you don’t worry, its not what you think. I haven’t come here to propose to you or offer a proposition. Well, not really, anyway. I would never dare to insult your intelligence or integrity like that. Though, marriage isn’t that far from my mind actually.”

“I…see. And is marriage what you wanted to talk to me about?” There was more to her question than just nerves or fear. There was a question of whether he was ‘serious’ or not. Or if this was just a cruel joke.

“I said that I would not propose to you and I won’t, but I would like to marry and I would like to marry you.” If it had been anyone but her, Hermione would probably been laughing by now or analyzing this very informal, bizarre marriage proposal because she had no doubt this was a marriage proposal, no matter what he said to the contrary. But it was her he was asking to marry and it was her who had to deal with it. So. He wanted to marry her. Wait. Marry her? ‘He wants to marry me? Me? Dear Merlin, I think he’s lost his mind. Or, at the very least, been struck by a dragon too many times. And here I thought that being a dragon keeper wasn’t that dangerous of a job.’

“I’m sorry, I must have heard you wrong. Did you say you wanted to marry me? Me? Hermione Granger? I don’t mean to distrust your judgment--You know what? Actually I do. Right now you’re making no sense at all and I’m liable to believe that you’re having a moment of insanity rather than speaking to me now with level-headedness. So, if you don‘t mind I need to finish packing and find that last thing I‘ve forgotten…Oh, where was it?” Abruptly turning around, she determinedly ignored his existence and pretended that their conversation had not just happened.

She knew she was being rude, scornful even but this was all going too fast. The marriage, his odd sincerity when he asked her to marry him and well, just this stupid jack rabbit pace her stupid heart was moving at. Damn it. She liked to talk to him, but marry him? She gave up all pretense of ignoring him and simply collapsed into the cushy arm chair she skillfully transfigured from a tea cozy. Still, she refused to look at him.

“Ms. Granger? Ms. Grang-Hermione…?” There, in his voice was a plea and a command intertwined at once. And here she thought that only Malfoy could ever accomplish such a feat.

Marvelous. Not.

This must be nothing more than a hallucination. It must be; there was no way that David Salamander was asking her to marry him. Then, she felt him kneel before her and take her hands gently in his. This just showed that even when it was his heart that was on the line, he still cared about her more than he did for himself. It was obvious in the way he was talking to her now and not pushing her for an answer as perhaps, others in his position would have.

“Please don’t ignore me.” She had no choice but to look into his eyes. They were like brownies, she thought off-handedly. Sweet, delicious and always comforting.

“Alright, I’m listening. Why me? Why now? And how?” She decided to at least listen to him, he was always friendly to her after all, before she went and broke his heart. She would rather do that knowing she gave him a chance to explain himself and seriously consider his offer before denying him the chance for anything. Besides, it didn’t hurt that he was handsome either…

His smile returned and a mischievous light entered his eyes. “Thank you, but I thought you were going listen to me--not ask questions?” She flushed in embarrassment. “But its fine. I chose you because you have all the qualities I would look for in a wife, you are an intelligent, capable, independent, beautiful, courageous and kind person who stands up for what you believe in. I heard about S. P. E. W. and I admire your determination as well in pursuing a path that most have forgotten is there, ignored or choose to remain willfully ignorant about. You have so much to offer everyone that I can only stare dumbfounded at what a wonderful person you are. Truly you are more than good for me, I’m not worthy of you but I hope you’ll let me finish before you potentially reject me.”

“Him dumbfounded?”She stared dumbfounded at him as he praised her beyond belief. “He thought that he wasn’t worthy of her? Merlin’s beard, he even remembered about S. P. E. W. and I only mentioned it once! I really don’t want to break his heart now…but I have no other choice. I‘m not ready for marriage yet.”

“Ah, David--”

“Please let me continue!” Her mouth promptly shut. “I know that this must be a great shock to you, but let me clarify some things first. Don’t take this the wrong way, Hermione but--” Uh-oh. Anything that started with ‘don’t take this the wrong way’ ended bad. “I’m already in a committed relationship right now and I want a marriage of convenience between us.” Hermione blinked furiously, trying not to jump to conclusions but failing.

“Huh. You know, this is starting to sound like he wants me as his mistress or something…Ha, ha, ha! But that’s impossible, no one would dare, especially, David…right? Merlin, let me be right!”

“I guess what I’m trying to say is if you’d like to have a fake marriage with me?”

“…What?”

“I said, I want you to have a fake--”

“I know what you’ve said! I meant, why do you want to get married with me if you’re really in a committed relationship as you claim? Why can’t you just marry this girl, whoever she is? And why would I accept this marriage proposal anyway? What do you--so you think I’m that desperate for a man in my life that I would settle for a fake marriage?!” She was acting hysterical and she knew it, but he was starting to annoy her greatly. “Why me?” She asked again in a softer, calmer voice.

“I…” David swallowed hard. It was now or never. “Look, I know you think I’m being a jerk right now, but a marriage of convenience would work out great for both of us.” At her slight hesitation, he hurriedly continued. Hey, whatever chance he gets he’s going to take it. “You’re just about to go on a trip that could very well make a groundbreaking discovery in the area of dragons and with Lord Malfoy as your sponser no less. You’re at the peak of your career and though you may hate me for saying this, the Wizarding World is still bigoted about some things, such as the fact that you’re not married, planning to be anytime soon or may not even want to be in the distant future.

“A lot of people are even hoping you and Malfoy will have some kind of whirlwind romance and end up with a fairy tale happily ever after--The Gryffindor and the Slytherin, once foes now lovers, muggleborn and pureblood…you know how twisted people can get.”

“Your point being what, that people really are as self-centered and starved of a good drama as you think they are? Honestly, I figured that out ages ago.” Hermione couldn’t help but add that snide and unnecessary remark, as she had nothing else going for her except for her witticism.

He rolled his eyes in an exasperated fashion. “Moving on, my point is that this marriage--note that its called a marriage of convenience for a reason--would take away all the pressures that can come from bigoted, old fools who have nothing better to do than criticize the progress of the present at our expense. Imagine this: You make some groundbreaking discovery about the dragon’s talons, and on the Siberian Black Dragons to boot, have your name linked with Lord Malfoy’s in an innocent, favorable way that would be greatly to your advantage and surprise everyone with a somewhat scandalous but believable marriage with a colleague who is ordinary enough that any dirt the press finds will be of the usual sort.

“This marriage would end within a year or few depending on how far you and I would want it for, the divorce proceedings would be amicable and professional and when we end it to pursue our…personal ventures, we could stuff it into their faces that we had them all fooled. Not only would that be ultimately satisfying, but it would solve any future problems that ‘proper society’ throws at us.” He finished on a triumphant note.

Silence.

Well, what the bloody hell was she supposed to say to that? Though what he said had made an unfortunately, uncomfortable sense to Hermione. She had been questioned by a number of individual already about not if she would marry, but when and to who. Honestly, it was beyond ludicrous that everyone, even some of her more intellectual friends, either expected her to marry someone or end up a lonely, old spinster.

Stupid traditions that had no place in the modern world. Gah! Why did so many of the magical community feel that a woman could have a job, but was still expected to marry at some point? Or worse, not get a job at all and simply hope for a man to sweep them off their feet and just live the rest of their life a house-witch? Moronic, bigoted, nonsensical fools…Unconsciously her hands curled into fists and she had no way of knowing that her expression at the time was making David rethink his recent speech and pray for a swift death.

“Okay. Fine. You’re right; I have been asked when I’m going to get married and the most likely prospect does happen to be Malfoy. So what? This isn’t the first time a woman has been expected to do little else but to marry and bare children for the sake of being women. This isn’t the last time I’ve felt prejudice and it won’t be the last. We both know that. And I have to admit, having a fake marriage and then throwing it in the faces of those old, bigoted men would feel good, but I’m not about to sacrifice my independence and freedom for that.” Her eyes felt like a Dementer’s kiss upon his face. “How do I even know you would keep your word that the choice to continue or end this thing would be both our choices and not just yours? A person can only know so much about another in just a few weeks you know…”

“Look, I can’t guarantee that it’ll be the perfect marriage, but I can promise you that I’ll try to make it work. I even give you permission to hit me if I do something stupid. How about that for an incentive?” He looked at her, waiting for her fateful decision.

Ultimately it was her choice that would seal their fate. She had no doubts that whatever she decided would be undisputed by David. He was far too kind to push further than he already had. In fact, it was amazing that he got this far. Usually, he would just politely ask a question and leave it at that. So. What should she do?

‘Come on, Hermione, think. Use that damn brain of yours everyone is always raving about. Okay.’ She consciously turned inward and reviewed the two most likely outcomes and the consequences as a result of her choice. ‘Icould marry a relatively nice, if not dull, sort-of-stranger in a fake marriage who she would be working with on an extremely important, possibly groundbreaking mission, under the scrutiny of Malfoy no less, who I was still trying not to kill on a daily basis as they were forced to work together for the sake of being a United front against outdated customs, etc. etc…and then secretly divorce him, reveal I secret to the public and have the satisfaction of showing all those old farts that I had fooled them and circumvented that stupid marriage law.’

And she remembered the real reason she was so flustered lately and absent-minded. Not like her at all! The reason why she was considering this half-baked plan of David’s, no matter that he seemed to have all the bases covered. She remembered the marriage law that was only known to the highest-level Ministry officials at that point and certain influential persons, her included. She remembered the reason she was trying to get as far away from Britain when she still could and why she had truly accepted this offer to study the then unknown uses of dragon’s talons.

That marriage law was a mandate from Hell: it required all witches who were officially unattached to be wed to a wizard of their choice, who had to be approved by the Department of Policies, Honors and Fundamental Wizarding Traditions, of course. Any witch who had already turned a year older, refused to comply with the law, tried to leave the country or in anyway tried to sabotage the law would be wed at wand point and threatened with the Imperious curse if necessary, had no choice in their husband and would be required to bare two children within a five year period. Potions would be administered if it got to that point. No knowledge would even have to be given to the witch by Ministrial decree seven hundred and something or another.

Hah!

She was so not going to be subjected to that stupid marriage law. Didn’t she deal with enough bull in her life already? She thought Voldemort was the worst foe she had ever had the unfortunate luck to encounter. She thought that was the worst it could get. Nothing should have been worse than fighting against dark wizards, Deatheaters and the evil git if all the evil gits themselves. But she was wrong, she had underestimated the scheming, backstabbing minds of all the stuck-up, pompous, big whigs of the ancient pureblooded families combined with the stupidity and greed of more than half the population of the Ministry.

This damn marriage law was somehow worse than all that and that was a sad ting of itself. So, she reviewed her other option. ‘Hmm…I could ignore this sadly appealing offer by a possibly very, very boring man to the point of tears, if not overly polite man, pretend life didn’t suck and get paired up with some half-wit of a wizard who wouldn’t know the end of either of his wands if his libido depended on it and have a bunch of kids that she would have to love because that was her nature and grit and bare stupidity all year round, inside and outside the house, which would be her only place to go because the law wouldn’t allow the witch to work, too, probably, or will soon add that clause, anyway, have all her hard work, research and titles be given to someone else who would be decidedly unworthy with only the next laundry day to look forward to for the rest of my life.’

And she made her decision.

"David, I accept your proposal.”

--

AN: So, what did you guys think about this chapter? Did it answer some of those questions you’ve had stewing in your mind? Or has this only confused some of you even more? ‘Cause if it did, then I only accomplished half of what I set out to do. What’s that--what was the other half? Well, if I told you that it would take all the fun out of this wouldn’t it? But I’ll tell you anyway because I’m a relatively nice person at heart: I wrote this chapter to tell you all who was the reason Hermione had an epiphany and decided that all men were scumbags deserving of castration and so on…

Also, to give part one of the answer behind her very stupid and wildly dangerous decision to enter Grindewald and basically ask to be hit with an Unforgivable. What--you didn’t think that just his betrayal of their fake marriage would turn her life upside-down did you? Come on now, Hermione isn’t so weak or so petty. Not to say that finding your boyfriend/husband/lover cheating on you doesn’t hurt or make you want to start stabbing voodoo dolls in the fashion of the one who betrayed you. But Hermione, for my purposes and thought process, did not break because of that one act of fidelity.

She didn’t love him.

She could care less that he cheated.

She just hates liars, cheaters and swindlers in general.

Anyway, the point of this Author’s Note is also to give you guys an incentive to review and remain faithful to me: Anyone who sends me a review with five or more reason to why Hermione acted the way she did or give me the correct guess as to who Hermione blames more for her current situation, herself or David, then I will send you a personal e-mail with a snap shot of the coming Chapter Four, Five and Six, plus a peek into the mystery surrounding Hermione’s bizarre actions the night of the Draconian Gala.

Hint: Hermione is a strong-willed person by nature and has dealt with a lot of nasty stuff for years, so what would be the only thing that could make her do something against her will or make her act without her knowledge?

That was a giveaway hint by the way, people, so you better review good because just listing the answers without giving an actual review is just plain rude and insulting! And one more thing. This will last only one week, starting from September 6, 2008 to September 13, 2008.

Good night for now, my precious! (Insert maniacal laugh and long-winded belch) Boy, I need to stop eating so late.