Chapter 2: The Choice
Hermione looked sadly at Gennie as she hug her sons and looked at Harry with expectations.
Hermione could see through her best friend. She knew that Genie wanted to believe that Harry will find an unexpected way and end the crisis their family was facing at this point.
But Gennie was a fool.
Her man would choose another woman, make the community proud and kill Genie bit by bit.
As the bitter thought started making Hermione angry, she mentally nodded in disapproval. She was becoming too skeptical and Harry didn't deserve such emotions. He was a good man and Hermione was venting her own frustration on him.
This was not good.
She needed to control her feelings.
While Hermione struggled to control her bitterness, Harry was losing himself to his abyss of depression.
His life centered around his wife and kids and soon someone else was going to burge in and spoil his paradise. The idea of having another woman in his life was beyond his imagination and acceptance.
But yes, he still had one advantage and his mind was racing how he could use that opportunity to keep his wife happy and comfortable.
Harry was already considered a hero and the Ministry was obsessed with more of his progenies. But considering his undying love for Gennie, the Ministry allowed him a favour. He was honored with a choice.
But a restricted choice was all he had.
Since he didn't have any preference, the Ministry decided to use the Magical Genetic Computer and give him his three best matches. He got the luxury of choice. One out of those best three. That was his liberty.
His own calculations made him realize, Hermione Granger may be one of those suitable three and if she chose to bury the decade old hatchets, she could very well help him and Gennie enjoy their happily ever after without breaking the draconian Marriage Law.
It was a selfish assessment and Harry was not even sure if the machine would support his guess. But, he badly needed a bit of luck to keep his life going. He stole a glance at Hermione who was no longer a rabbit tooth teenager but a gorgeous bewitching lady.
And he sighed.
Wasn't he expecting too much of her?
Even if she got a choice, would she ever choose him after his idiotic decision of choosing Ron over her? Would she be ready to be in a pseudo relationship with man who was madly love with his 1st wife?
Harry didn't know.
Hermione was now a stranger and he was afraid of her now.
Instead of succumbing to the depressing thoughts, Harry focused on the fact that general people were not this lucky.
Although Professor McGonagall was very considerate and her lecture on emotions made one big alteration to the initially proposed marriage law, the single people / widow- widowers/ people with infertile spouses were still ordered to trust the Magical genetic Computer and settle with a genetically compatible partner. But yes, the committed couples were not broken apart. The old lady had a simple point.... LET THEM GIVE MANY BIRTHS WITH THE PARTNERS THEY LOVE. IT WILL BE EASIER THAT WAY. WE DONT NEED SUPERKIDS AT EVERY HOUSE. WE NEED MAGIC IN THEIR BLOOD, AND MAGIC THEY WILL GIVE.
Harry cursed himself mentally for failing to protect Gennie two years back on that fated night. Only if he were more capable....
Instead of two, they would have three kids today and Harry would never need to stand in this hall.
But what was done was done.
And all Harry now has is hope, a hope called Hermione Granger.
Harry felt hopeless but kept his composure steady as an Auror fed a stand of his hair to a magical genetic computer.
He had only one chance to balance things out...
" Be it Meione... be it Meione", he prayed silently.
Hermione looked around as she settled in one corner of the room. Along with thirteen other exceptional witches and wizards, she was here today to create History. After McGonagall convinced the Ministry that committed common people be left undisturbed, there was a mixed reaction amongst the singles. Suddenly there were protests in front of the Ministry and young people started rebelling randomly. With an age group of 19 to 42 behaving recklessly, the only option the Ministry had was to create a League of Hero Campaign which read.... IF I CAN, WHY CAN'T YOU?
The Campaign was originally designed with 13 young and talented single/ widowed/ separated heroes. At the last moment Harry was included in the list to add more charm to the drama. Actually Harry was quite rebellious himself regarding this Marriage Law and Shacklebolt gave him options to make his situation a bit easier. But yes, other than the jury and the permitted people, the Campaign completely hid the word " option" for the general people. It was like a payment in kind to the famous for creating positive public opinion through the Campaign .
Hermione was not even interested to take part in this drama but Shacklebolt can be authoritative at times and now was one such time.
She already knew who her best match was. She had known that for almost a decade now. Today she was here just to ensure that the entire Wizarding Community also knows the name. Her life was complicated and she needed to make babies with that detasteful man to save someone precious. Hermione sighed and looked at the wall with a blank expression.
A decade back, in a vulnerable emotional stage she made a blunder. Now she knows how idiotic she had been. But that is an episode she couldn't undo. She had only one choice. Draco Malfoy. And she was determined to do what was needed to be done.
Memories from almost a decade back flashed across her mind as Hermione saw her own strand of hair entering the gene pool. She needed Malfoy's name and she knew Malfoy it will be. It was a matter of minutes now. She absolutely loathed him but this was a necessity and Hermione was determined to do everything in her power to get what she needed.
As expected, another wizard stood at the corner of the lab looking uncomfortable and agitated. He was here to oversee the smooth functioning of the Magical genetic Computer. Although he was present there as the lead scientist for Project Marriage Law, he knew deep down that today was going to be the worst day of his life. He knew Granger was his best match but spending life with her was impossible. He hated her from the core of his heart. But right now, he was badly trapped. He wanted to escape from this mess. But he had no choice. SHE was holding the most important thing of his life in her control and he had to watch, burn and comply. He knew she wouldn't let him escape but what choice can an ex death eater have at this demanding hour?
Given a choice, he would have killed the KNOW IT ALL SNOBBY WITCH at this instance, but, the b-i-t-c-h knew her game and Draco felt helpless. If only he could escape into the world he was building for himself and his mother.
He sighed and focused as the machine started giving out probable best candidates for fourteen privileged witches and wizards present in the room.
Since these people had the right to choice, The Ministry kept a parallel jury ready to take care of any controversy that may rise in the process.
Malfoy himself didnt have any privilege of choice but he knew the results from the 1st day of trial running on this machine. The machine was Granger's and his combined creation and the test they ran the very first time were with their own hairs. Who knew the results would create such sensation!!!
Hermione was the lady of the hour.
So the Auror first chose to discuss her results.
"Malfoy Draco, with best compatibility with trailing closely behind Potter Harry." There was a 3rd name also... some Rudolf or Rodoff but nobody cared for that guy.
Suddenly all eyes were focused on Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Everyone knew it was a destined match and everyone also knew the long history of enemity between the " mudblood" and the " pure blood". The choice was obvious, isn't it?
Harry looked uncomfortable but he atleast looked up this time. This was his only chance and he needed to make this work. He conjured his best smile and looked at Gennie who herself looked a bit relieved hearing Hermione's name. But the woman in question wore no emotion on her face.
A minute passed and a low humming could be heard in the room. " What is she thinking?", " Isn't the choice obvious?", " Finally, the heavens are giving them their fairy tale".... murmurs could be heard from every corner.
But a chilly voice broke all expectations as Hermione pronounced very slowly and clearly,
" Malfoy Draco".
There was pin drop silence.
Some people were awestruck, some were flabbergasted. How could it be?
Shacklebolt, who was heading the jury, coughed uncomfortably, " May be you should rethink ".
He tried to interject but Hermione stood there, like a statue. Everyone knew she had taken her decision.
To curb the awkwardness, the Auror who was the host for the event picked up the next set of results and soon his brows furrowed.
" There seems to be a problem with this result" he muttered in a hushed voice.
All heads turned towards him.
" What's it Edison?", Shacklebolt asked.
"The result for Potter Harry is kind of messed up. It says Generva Weasley Potter who is infertile, Chang Cho who is dead and Granger J Hermione who just settled for Malfoy!!"
Suddenly all eyes were back on Harry and Hermione again.
For the first time in days Harry smiled.
So did Malfoy.
They both knew Hermione will not be able to choose Malfoy when her friend needed her the most.
Shacklebolt turned his head and was about to speak when Hermione opened her mouth,
" Bearing progenies has nothing to do with sexual relationship. Even the muggles are having test tube babies these days. Considering the situation of Mr. Potter, I choose both Malfoy and Harry. But I intend to settle down with Malfoy. I wont mind carrying forward the Potter line too but my preference still lies with Malfoy. I hope Generva here will prove herself to be a great mother for both her kids and mine. I wish to give the Wizarding Community the best possible genetics and serve you all in this hour of crisis."
Immediately a pandemonium broke out.
Some applauded for Hermione while some nodded in disapproval.
The members of the jury whispered furiously and finally Shacklebolt spoke on their behalf.
" Then be it. The decision is a manifestation of great sacrifice, deep love and unparallel Community service. The jury stands by Miss Granger"
The rest of the choosing went unceremoniously and all the heroes were given a date for an unbreakable binding.
As Hermione turned to leave, Gennie ran to her and hugged her tightly. The past decade had seen a big fallout amidst the trio but that had never affected the love between these two women.
Gennie muttered a muffled " thank you" as she sobbed in happiness. Hermione gave her a tired smile and whispered back, " I better hurry, Mom must be crazy by now."
And with that, she apparated right away without giving Gennie further chance to cling to her.
Malfoy looked at the duo and his face crumpled in disgust as he heard the word MOM.
For heavens sake, that MOM was his, not hers.
And she was a thief.
She had stolen the only family Draco had. His Mom.
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