A Chance of Breath. A Severus Snape Fanfiction (Stopped)

Chapter 6: Outrage and Anticipation

"I just think it's strange..." Said Ginny to Hermione a few months later in the Great Hall.

"What?" Said Hermione, looking up from her toast.

"The Snape thing... You were, he loved being with you. You were friends. I mean you saved his life, and he just turned on you?" She said, shaking the paper in her hands. Hermione lowered her toast and glared at her friend.

"Ginny Weasley. We have spoken about this. I don't know what happened. He just went weird and hasn't spoken to me since except in lesson. And even then it's... Cold. Now stop bringing it up!" She said quietly, yet with an edge to her voice that made the redhead promptly close her mouth. She turned the page of the paper and carried on reading, before looking at Hermione again.

"Sorry. I know you don't like talking about it. But you're clever Hermione. Even you must have thought of why he changed so, suddenly?" She said, before looking back at the paper once more. Hermione, however, did not get a chance to reply. "What the hell?!" Ginny shouted, causing most of the students, and even some staff to fall silent.

"What?" Hermione whispered, looking around at the students who were staring at them expectantly.

Ginny looked around also, noticing the attention she had caused for herself. Unaffected by it however, she stood up on her seat, and began to read.

"The Ministry of Magic has announced, on this day the 12th of December 1999, the introduction of Matrimonium Lex, or Marriage Law. Due to the loss of many of Britain's younger generation of Witches and Wizards, this new law has been created to help build the magical community back up again. As of December 20th, any Witch or Wizard aged 19 to 40, shall be subject to testing, and pairing. This excludes any with an illness which shall keep them from work for a time longer than a Six Month, Half-Breeds, Those already in a long term relationship, (Of three years or more.) Those who are engaged or married, or have been married in the past, and those working in the Auror or Dragon departments. (Due to the dangerous nature of said Professions.) Testing shall consist of a standardized legal magic and wand assessment, any Witch's or Wizard's ability to produce Children, and other general health matters. After which all Wizards and Witches shall be paired with another by Ministry officials based on compatibility through Magic. There is no appeal system to this and the Ministry's decision is final. Couples shall then marry, and will have 3 months to conceive a child, or Ministry action will be taken to enforce it. That is all." She sat down to silence, as during her reading everyone had stopped to listen, even though many probably had the same paper in front of them. As soon as she was sat, the room erupted with noise, and it got to the point that McGonagall stood up.

"Silence!" She shouted, and the room looked at her expectantly. "If I hear word that the announcement of this law has interrupted classes, I shall not be happy. It is not a matter that concerns any students. We also only have one member of staff who this applies to. So it is not to concern anyone. Don't let it." She finished, and sat down. Chatter started once more, although it was considerably quieter than before. Ginny looked at Hermione with a smile, before seeing the shocked look on the girls face.

"Hermione?" She asked quietly.

"It applies to me." She whispered, looking down at the table.

"What?" Ginny replied, and Hermione's head suddenly shot up, revealing her eyes that were full of tears. 

"It applies to me! I'm above 19! And not in any of those categories! You're fine! You're fucking engaged! WHAT THE FUCK DO I DO?!" The distraught Witch shouted, beginning to hyperventilate. 

"Hermione..." Ginny began in reply, this time it was her who looked around at the students, who had stopped what they were doing for the third time. Ginny never got to finish her sentence, for Hermione had stood on her chair, jumped over the table, and sprinted for the door, before she had even thought of something to say.