Married by Law

Chapter One: By Order of the Minister

Hermione Granger awoke on what seemed to be a normal snowy Friday in mid-December. She sat up and stretched, rolling over to stare out large window beside her bed. Sure enough thick, white flakes fell from the gray abyss above. She pulled her covers off of her warm body, shivering as the cold Hogwarts air twisted around her body. Hermione grabbed her bundle of clothes for the day and shuffled into the Gryffindor girls bathrooms. After a swift shower she used magic to tame her bushy dirty blonde mane, into a pretty, slightly curled success. Absently she pulled on her skirt, blouse, tie, and knee high socks. Finally, she was ready for the day.

"Time for another day." murmured Hermione, shouldering her bag. The young woman walked through the corridors, her mind wandering to a Potions essay she hoped she had done well on. Her thoughts were pushed away as she saw Ron and Harry, who had his arm around Ginny. Ginny did not look well.

"Ginny, are you alright?" asked Hermione kindly as she sat down beside Ron. He kissed her cheek quickly. The redheads face was pasty and her brown eyes flat.

"Mhm." mumbled Ginny. Harry rubbed her back soothingly.

"Ginny seems to have caught a bit of a bug. She vomited earlier, but refuses to see Madam Pomfrey." sighed Harry, disapproval clear in his voice.

"Gin, are you sure you're alright?" asked Hermione, her eyes widening.

"I'm fine." snapped Ginny. She turned away and began to furiously dig through her bag. Hermione gave her a look, before fixing herself a plate of eggs. She began to absently eat them and pulled out her battered copy of Hogwarts, A History.

"Attention students." called Headmistress McGonagall. Hermione regretfully tore her eyes away from the text.

"Will all students age seventeen and above please stay here following breakfast." Whispers spread like wildfire.

"Wonder what she wants?" pondered Ron as he took a rather large bite of sausage. The group cast each other wary glances. For the remaining time, they ate in silence. Ruefully, the underage students were forced out, leaving seventh years, eighth years, and a handful of sixth years.

"I ask all students in sixth year to please leave, this doesn't apply to you." said McGonagall. The sixth years grew angry but left without another word. Finally it was only them. Hermione stared at McGonagall as the aging woman began to speak.

"Last night a new law was put in effect." began McGonagall slowly. Murmurs erupted as she pulled out an official looking document. "By order of the Minister a marriage law is being placed in effect. In order to preserve the wizarding race witches and wizards between the ages of seventeen and thirty five are to be married within three month and a child is to be brought forth within one year of the marriage. Signed, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt."

Shouts and cries of resentment sounded throughout the hall. Hermione's eyes widened and she swore her heart stopped. Ginny began to sob, clutching onto Harry. She shook her head furiously, crying about 'not now'. Hermione's breathing began to shallow.

"You will each receive a letter later this evening of who your match is." said McGonagall grimly. In a zombie like way the students stumbled out of the Great Hall. Hermione saw a flash of red as Ginny sprinted away. As her best friend, she ran after her. Ginny ran into the nearest bathroom, tears streaming down her face

"Slow down!" gasped Hermione, bursting through the door. The younger girl was in the corner, sobbing.

"Gin! Gin! What's wrong?' begged Hermione, taking her in her arms. She rocked the young redhead back and forth gently.

"Hermione, I can't be separated from Harry! I can't!" sobbed Ginny.

"I know, you love him." whispered Hermione, though she highly doubted that Ginny would be paired with someone else.

"No! You don't understand. I can't." snapped Ginny.

"Well then help me understand." replied Hermione desperately. Suddenly Ginny jumped up and ran to the toilet, heaving. She flushed and went to rinse her mouth and face. Ginny faced Hermione her eyes red and swollen.

"I'm pregnant."

Later that evening Hermione kept sending Ginny looks. Ginny had revealed that she was twelve weeks pregnant with Harry's child. It had been an accident, she had said. Hermione was disappointed, but was happy for her friend. She had calmed her down, explaining that she could use the baby as a way to get Harry back, if lost. Now it was nearly eight o'clock, meaning there letters would be coming soon. The Gryffindor seventh and eighth years were tense, while the younger kids careless. Suddenly at least ten owls fluttered into through an open window.

"Oh my god." gasped Hermione from her perch on Ron's lap. He squeezed her hand.

"Mione, we're going to get each other." whispered Ron. Two owls came and dropped the letters on Hermione's lap. She handed Ron his and stood up.

"Ready?" asked Ginny, as she and Harry came up to Ron and Hermione.

"One, Two, Three..." whispered Harry. Together the four ripped open their individual letters.

"Oh my god!" gasped Ginny, attaching herself onto Harry. Hermione turned her attention to her own letter.

Miss Hermione J. Granger,

Due to the diminishing wizarding population, I have been forced to enact a Marriage Law. I understand it is not a popular decision, but it is a necessary one. We have chosen your match based on age and personality. I assure you, your match has been well thought out.

Your match is: Draco Lucius Malfoy.

And with that hermione fell to the floor in shock.