very neat take on the Marriage Law prompt.

A wonderful bittersweet tale of hope and second chances at love... thank you so much!

This story was the perfect balance of sorrow and determination to survive despite horrible laws that made no allowance for emotion.  Well done.

Author's Response: Thank you!  This is the first that I've spent any length of time with these two characters, and they wove so nicely into this story.

That's a new twist to the Marriage Law. I felt so sad for their losses and so I'm glad they manage to find each other despite circumstances.

I am primarily an SSHG shipper, but I was captivated by this beautiful story.  The contrasts and similarities of the characters are exquisitely done.  From the beginning, their shared pathos and uncertainties made me want to tell them to go for it, that the best of good marriages are built on a shared history, and in as much as they had that and had come to terms with the war and their childhoods, they had a better than average chance to make a go of it.  The Marriage Law would make them marry one way or another, so in light of their history I thought they could do a lot worse than each other.  The way Cissy explained why the law came into being in the first place is the only scenario I've read that gave me to understand why it would have been a necessary evil.

The starting premise that each had lost the love of their lives in the same horrible disaster gave this story an element I haven't seen before in a Draco/Hermione story, but it was the perfect foundation for this tale of good people coming to terms with devastating tragedy and coping with the necessities required by their shared culture. 

Draco’s sensitivity in choosing a wonderful and inconspicuous place for their first date made such good sense and put everything in perspective.  "The furniture is comfortable, the tea excellent and the location away from prying eyes."  Neither of them could tolerate the nosiness of the Daily Prophet or other modes of gossip.  However, their second date lead to them giving themselves to one another, and the pain of it for Draco was palpable.  He wanted Astoria.  And he knew that Hermione had shed the same tears, and had the same thoughts, and missed Ron as much as he missed Astoria.  It had been a wonderful experience for him, but he missed his Astoria.  How very sad.

A moment of levity came when Cissy was talking to her portrait and told Narcissa to stay out of their bedroom and quit spying on her and Lucius.  However the beginning of their discussion was about Draco and his broken heart.  Narcissa had been in her portrait in the hallway of his home when he had returned from Hermione's, and he fell into despair after having slept with her. 

Their third date, in a Muggle pub had them talking about their week and Hermione confessed that she had thrown out boxes and boxes of Ron's saved memories... but she had gotten to the point that she didn't even check what was in them, she just needed to do away with these old memories.  I think she must have felt very disloyal because she hadn't given a thought to whether Rose or Hugo might have wanted them... she just needed to get rid of them.  Unless someone has experienced this same thing I'm not sure if they could understand how anyone could just do that, just get rid of boxes that had been saved for years by their spouse.  But I have, and I understand the feelings perfectly.  This was very true to life and very well written.

During their walk in the park, their talking led to Hermione asking why they were seeing each other, and ultimately Draco said something that she thought was out of line.  I could see why he would have said that, but she was incensed.  His explanation said better than I ever could that he knew her sense of integrity would not allow her to say yes to getting married if she didn't think she could be dedicated to him.  Respect.  It is essential for any relationship to grow into that miracle we call "true love."

By the time they had been married for ten years, we are allowed to see this miracle built upon a foundation of integrity and respect.  The loving family they made out of the ashes of despair is evidenced by the photographs in the study.  We see that Ron and Astoria and Scorpius have not been banished from their lives.  Gods, this is so important in a situation such as this!  We see how much Hugo and Rose adore their younger siblings.  And the most wonderful photograph in Draco's eyes is the one of him and Hermione smiling into each others eyes just before they notice Polaris, the Pole Star, "that ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken," that star by which mankind has charted its course since before the Assyrians.  It warms his heart to see himself and his wife gazing at this star.  "Pointing with her, the man admires the object for a moment before taking her hand and drawing it down to him. He raises it to his mouth, allowing his lips to linger on her fingers, watching her eyes drink in the sight of him."

This story has warmed my heart.  Thank you, mystery author, and well done!Beth

Outstanding love story, I enjoyed it so much. 

I really love this story. I like the imagery, the honesty, and the pacing. Realistic. Good work.

WOW... I rarely find myself at a loss for words.  This was spectacular.  I don't usually read Draco/Hermione relationships because I just don't buy it.  This, however, was totally different.  It wasn't truly about them as a couple; it was about two people from two separate lives being forced to move on from a similar tragedy long before they are ready.  The emotion evoked by this was just breathtaking and had me in tears.  I'm having that overwhelmed feeling from getting so invested in the story that I sort of forget that I am reading about someone else.  You didnt wreck it by throwing them into a happily ever after.  It is sort of a contentedly ever after and it felt very fitting.  Thank you so much for sharing.

Really quite a touching story.

You have managed to bring such a beautiful and heartbreaking. Story. Neither one wanted to remarry because they were both in love with their previous spouses, but were finally able to find the comfort in each other, without taking anything away from their previous relationships. Such a haunting and beautiful story.

Oh!  Congrats you lovely witch!  *gives roses and chocolates* Two of the stories I voted for won and rightfully so.  This was a wonderful and delightful addition.  *smiles all around  Sara

Beautiful, breathtaking, lovely ending to a story that takes a familiar situation and brings it into totally new territory. I especially love the theme of how Draco and Astoria started with respect and grew to love.  The photographs at the end were a lovely, gentle epilogue.

Very moving story. I'm glad you entered this for our enjoyment. I can't say how much the heart felt grief nearly made me cry, as well as the anguish Draco and Hermione had. The Marriage Law seemed exceptionally cruel in comparision. I'm glad that things worked out in the end.

Lovely story even though the subject matter was bittersweet. Thanks for sharing!

A lovely story of true loss and the need to deal with it.  Six months... not nearly long enough.  But they made the best of it, and it's nice to see they found love again eventually.

I really like the premise you set for this story, both the "Hermione and Draco are taken by surprise by the marriage law" and "their families die in a freak accident".  It's fascinating.  And I love the idea of Narcissa and Lucius having paintings of themselves around the house that they talk to.  There is a sort of peaceful, stark beauty about your writing here. 

Oh this was lovely.  I liked the way you showed Draco's grief and sorrow,in knowing that he had to re-marry because of the law but hating the idea because he was still deeply in love with his wife.  And Hermione with George? What was Molly thinking , I agree with Hermione, that would feel icestuous. (ick)I'm glad they came together and made a happy marriage in the end.  Bravo, mystery author! 

This is exquisite. I love the way you adapted both the Variety Challenge and the old Marriage Law Challenge to include the epilogue, even in what's left unsaid. I can just feel that they both supported each other and gave each other space for their continued grief as they grew to love each other. Wonderful job, mystery author. I'm looking forward to the reveal.

Desolation. That is the word that came to my mind reading this story. They are both so very much devastated by deaths of their beloved ones. You managed to convey the melancholy very politely and moreover, their courtship was poignant with respect to their pasts. I loved that aspect of the story. They both knew what they needed to accomplish during their hesitant dating, yet they tried to be as honest about it as possible. I'm very happy for both of them to find happiness once more.My favourite one-shot of the challenge.

A really, really good story. I thought the plot and the characters were very well drawn, especially considering it was a one-shot. You told a very complete and poignant story.

.

Lovely, absolutely lovely. Wonderfully written! i usually not a DM/HG fan but this story might just change my mind.

Very nice.Original view on the MLC.

What a beautiful story.  I'm glad Hermione and Draco found happiness again.  Thank you. 

What a beautiful, thoughtful piece of writing.  I enjoyed this tremendously, thank you

Well written. I like how they both loved before, and never lost the love for their spouses, but their own relationship was able to mature and grow into love for each other.