Song- nobody's home

"Hermione," Pansy started before they pushed open the doors to the castle.

"Yes?" Hermione paused, wide brown eyes meeting Pansy's own.

"I don't want this marriage to just be beneficial in terms of royalty. I want to marry you. So, I figure I should propose properly."

Hermione's hand fluttered to her mouth as Pansy sank down to one knee, extending the silver and red ring.

"Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?"

Hermione was stunned silent for a moment, before she breathed out a shaky "yes."

Pansy released the breath she had been holding, allowing the smile to overtake her face. She slid the ring onto Hermione's finger and stood, kissing her softly.

Hermione broke away from the kiss to study her ring. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

Pansy smiled, lacing their fingers together and pushing open the door.

"I have been awaiting a visit from Durmstrang, but to be perfectly honest, I was expecting Draconis," the sweet voice said.

Both girls looked at the girl before them.

She couldn't have been older than fifteen. Instead of a crown, her red hair was in a crown braid, with small yellow flowers dotted in it. She wore a long yellow gown, and instead of sitting on her throne high up, she stood a few feet away from them, pale hands clasped together. She smiled at them, warm and inviting.

Both Hermione and Pansy dropped into a deep curtsy, and when they rose back up, the girl gave them a curtsy in response.

"Forgive me, Your... Majesty, I was under the impression that Helga Hufflepuff was the ruler of this kingdom," Pansy spoke up.

The girl's smile was a bit more sad now. "My mother fell ill a few months ago. Two weeks ago she passed. The ceremony was kept within the kingdom. My name is Hazel."

"Deepest apologies, Your Majesty," Hermione said.

"Thank you. And you are?"

"My name is Hermione Granger. This is Persephone Parkinson."

Hazel caught Pansy's eyes. "The one who was to be wed to Draconis. Oh, I remember hearing about that fiasco. Durmstrang can be a truly judgemental and prejudiced place."

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

"And that would make you..." Hazel's eyes caught onto the glint of silver on Hermione's left hand. "Her wife?"

"Fiancee, as of five minutes ago, Your Majesty," Hermione laughed softly.

Hazel smiled. "Then I suppose congratulations are in order."

The formal tone was strange, coming from such a young person, but it seemed to suit her.

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, where is your counterpart? You seem far too young to marry, but the ruling of a kingdom is only allotted to two people," Pansy said.

Hazel's smile widened further. "I have indeed married. My... counterpart, as you say, wasn't needed for this conversation, so they went to their rooms. If you would like, you may meet them."

"Please," Pansy agreed, nodding.

Hazel turned to face a young man standing by the door, a guard. "Charlie, would you get Willow for me? Thank you."

The man nodded and walked away. Hazel turned back to them.

"What business did you need?" she asked sweetly.

"Your Majesty, there is a long story behind this and I will do my best to shorten it. There are six of us right now. Blaise, Ron, Hermione, me, Harry, and Draconis. Harry and Draconis are in love, as are me and Hermione. But Harry rules the kingdoms of Slytherin and Gryffindor, and Draconis rules Durmstrang. They can never see each other, and things are complicated. Harry has to marry soon in order to continue ruling. They have decided to coronate Blaise, Ron, Hermione, and I to rule Gryffindor and Durmstrang, and they are going to have Slytherin. But, seeing as we need the acceptance of each ruler of each kingdom, we ask for your blessing and appearacne at our coronation."

"That sounds like a dangerous situation," commented a light voice.

A girl stepped into the throne room with a concerned face. In an instant, all traces of Hazel's professionalism and grace fell away, and she rushed forward, hugging the girl.

Pansy studied her. She had very short curly black hair and deep brown skin. Instead of a gown like Hazel, she wore white pants and a yellow blouse. A small circlet of yellow flowers rested atop her head.

"Willow, this is Persephone and Hermione of Durmstrang. Hermione, Persephone, this is my spouse, Willow."

"Hello Willow. I see Hufflepuff is much more accepting of two women marrying than Durmstrang," Hermione commented.

Willow stared at her for a moment, before bursting out laughing. Hazel smiled too.

"Willow isn't a girl. Or a boy. Willow, rather than going by she or he, prefers to be referered to as 'them' or 'they'. They do not fit into either category," Hazel explained.

"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty," Hermione said, bowing. 

"Of course you are forgiven," Willow said, eyes sparkling.

"You two seem wonderfully happy together," Pansy commented. 

Hazel's smile widened. "We are. And I'll admit, I was a bit doubtful of what I would do, but your acceptance of Willow is greatly appreciated. You have my blessing to be coronated."

"As well as mine," Willow agreed. "If it wouldn't be any trouble, may we attend the wedding as well as the coronation ceremony?"

"There would be no higher honor," Pansy replied. Hermione nodded.

"I expect a wedding invitation soon," Hazel said. "Please tell dear Draconis I said hello. I haven't seen him in too long."

Pansy laced her fingers through Hermione's. "You may tell him yourself. I shall see you on the date of our coronation, Your Majesties."