Marriage Law: Four Separate Tales, One Magical Story

The New Customs?

As everyone gathers in the great hall, finally restored to its former glory, Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny leave luna at her house table and reach their table. They are sat next to Neville, Seamus and Dean.
             Chatter of students catching up to their friends that they have had little contact with this holiday. All to be shushed when professor Mcgonagall raises her hand for silence.
          "Hello students, as you all know there has been a slight change, for this year, because of recent events causing most to miss their N.E.W.Ts, there is a seventh year. Now that that issue has been addressed I'd like to welcome the new first years! As usual the first years will be sorted into their houses and then enjoy a great feast. This year, however, is a little different... I cannot tell you what has changed yet but I need all sixth and seventh years to stay back after the feast everyone else will be escorted to their common rooms to settle in for the night." A mumble slowly rises forcing Mcgonagall to raise her hand for silence once more..."Ahem! I know you are all curious and confused, but for now sit quietly and enjoy your evening meal... And please, don't frighten the first years!"
            The sorting ceremony begins immediately after Mcgonagall's- rather long- speech. The conversations start, and if you were at the back of the hall you wouldn't hear the sorting ceremony.
            "I wonder what we need to stay back for?" Hermione continues, "it must be important did you see how distraught she looked?" Ginny hums in agreement.
            "Mmhm, but I doubt it's that bad, we probably just have a different time table, I think the reason she is crying is something else..." everyone nods, except Hermione who isn't paying attention. her eyes are caught in a certain blonde, who is staring into her mesmerising, hazel eyes.
              The sorting is finished, finally, and everyone that isn't required to stay leaves. After a few minutes of shuffling Mcgonagall brings herself to speak.
            "Children, if you would so kindly come closer to the front..." Her eyes glued to her podium."Some of you may know the numbers of the wizarding community have drastically decreased as a result of the terrible events of last year, and because of this the ministry have... the ministry have..." the pain in her eyes is clear as day, she struggles to speak. Everyone now sat in anticipation of what could possibly be so bad...
          Professor Sprout brings herself to comfort Mcgonagall and take over the speech.
         "Children..." her voice is calm, yet unnerving, "The ministry have released a new law...  a law that affects all wizards aged 16-30 ... the law is known as 'The Marriage Law'."
          Some kids just sit confused wondering what this law could possible mean, some gasp thinking of what the name can imply, ignoring this, almost, silent input, Sprout carries on.
           "The law states that any wizard, 16-30, will be forced to take a survey, this individual survey will then be matched to another which has the most corresponding answers..." she sighs at the expressions on the students faces..."If you refuse to participate your wand will be broken and you will lose all magic. When you are paired, you will need to be wed by the end of the school year and... and... and pregnant before the end of the following month."
          The hall becomes almost silent, the only noise is most of the girls sobbing or gasps of the remaining... Harry was most shocked, what if he wasn't paired with Ginny? Oh there was no way that was going to be allowed... no way in hell!
          "What if your already in a relationship!?" Harry shouts, holding tightly onto Ginny's hand, refusing to let go. "You can't force us to break up!"the hall nods in agreement, as a very small proportion of the hall is already 'coupled up'.
         "Mr Potter, I assure you, if you are in a relationship you will just skip the partnering up process as you have no need for it, but remember this is the person you will marry and bear a child with- it may be best to ensure compatibility." Harry sighs in release, ignoring that final statement- it was of no use to him- he sits back down and holds Ginny in an embrace, she holds him back, Ron stares in disgust! "Now since hat has been addressed I would like all, single, boys to sit at the Hufflepuff table and all, single, girls to sit at the raven claw table if you are already in a relationship you can sit at either the Gryffindor or Slytherin table."
          With a flick of Mcgonagall's wand, surveys land infront of everyone on the 'single tables'.
         "Now you may begin, in silence!" Once this is said professor Sprout leads, the still sobbing, Mcgonagall away to sit at the professors table.
             No one dares say a word, they fear losing there magic if they do. The only sound is the heart shattering sobbing, this coming from the professors that have watched these children grow since the beginning of their time here at Hogwarts, revisiting their innocence, soon to be snatched away from them, as well as remembering their displays of bravery only a few months before, when they vanquished the evil dark lord...Voldemort, they remember how valiantly they fought, and how sorrowful they fell.
               A few hours past, it felt like days, and soon they all finished. They all sat staring into space not daring to say a word, not daring to make a move...
                The following morning the students at required to stay after breakfast aswell... to find their pair. The time comes round and students are either: crying from not wanting to get pregnant, refusing to make a sound out of fear of being placed with the wrong person or sighing of relief from being able to stay with their former partner.
                 The first few names are called, then another few, then a familiar name pops up...
             "Hermione Granger, you are paired with Draco Malfoy." Hermione feels her heart sink as she stares across to the, paler that usual, Draco Malfoy. Reluctantly, they, head to the back of the room to sit with the other 'couples', Hermione chooses to stand next to Ginny and Harry and Draco is forced to stand side by side with her.
              The next familiar name is a Slytherin boy.
              "Blaise Zabini, you are paired with.... Luna Lovegood!" Blaises jaw hits the floor, Luna on the other hand stands up and skips to the back of the hall.
             "Ronald Weasley annddd... Lavender Brown!" Lavender and Ron aren't that bothered in all honestly, they have dated before and had a small connection, maybe it could grow to more?
             The rest of the names pass over quickly and soon Mcgonagall stands to make a final speech for today on this subject.
            "Students, I am so sorry this is being expected of you, we all tried to stop it though we couldn't change the ministry's mind... I have took the liberty of making new, four-bedroom common rooms for you, your....partner and we have tried our best to put you with friends, you will be lead to your room and given a password of which you must not forget. We, professors, will lead each group of you to your common room, once again I am so sorry you all have to go through this..." she starts to tear up but sniffles it back and continues her speech."Ahem, my apologies, the first group: Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Blaise Zabini, Ronald Weasley, Lavender Brown, Draco Malloy and Hermione Granger. If you would follow me, please."
             Silently, Mcgonagall leads the students up flights of stairs, along corridors, etc. Finally they reach their common room, a beautiful painting with a dark silhouette as the main focus.Mcgonagall turns to the students
            "Your password is 'Prevail', I hope you all settle in, I must go lead the next group." And with that she pushes through the small crowd and leaves without another word.
             "Prevail" Luna exclaims, dreamily, the portrait moves to the side and she skips through the door, followed by everyone else begrudgingly. The room is gorgeous, it has deep blue walls and dark mahogany wooden flooring, there are silvery white couches and a fire, glowing red. The accents placed all around represent each house except hufflepuff.
              "Wow, it's gorgeous!" Luna expresses, everyone nods in agreement.
               "That it is Luna, that it is..."Hermione adds!
         Ginny notices four doors all made of mahogany, each with a different engraving: one engraved: 'The Potters', another reading: 'The Zabinis', the next: 'The Malfoys' an the final: 'The Weasleys'.
            Everyone, still in shock, apart from Luna, that they're soon to be married, silently enters their rooms to unpack their stuff before drifting off into a restless sleep.