The Population Multiplication Act of '99

Dragon Taming Enchantress

The truth about what happened to me after the war was simple, though many try to read further into it than nessicary. After witnessing the brutal demise of Ron during the final battle, and nearly losing Harry as well, I decided to take an extended holiday and find myself. I'd spent the past seven years of my life on the frontlines of a war as a teenage solider, and I decided I wasn't going to spend another moment wasting my youth... which is why I fled England, and the aftermath of the wars destruction, for the Romanian Dragon Reserve just hours after Ron's funeral alongside the one and only Charlie Weasley. Charlie struck up a conversation with Harry and I shortly after the funeral and offered both of us a job working under him on the reserve if we wanted it; He had stated that the reserve was underhanded and they'd be honored to have us inducted into their organization. Harry had been quick to decline, but I jumped at the offer and rushed home to pack my bags. I only informed two people of my leaving, swearing them to secrecy about current location: Harry Potter and Mr William Weasley.

I've been in Romania for nearly a year now, and I can honestly say I love my job. Nothing in my life has ever even come close to being more exhilarating or blood pumping than rescuing my first dragon. I'll never forget that first mission, I remember it like it was yesterday. Charlie and I along with a few of his other tamer friends were sent to Sweden after reports of a rogue Short-Shout attacking a local muggle farms flocks arrived at camp from the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The four of us spent two weeks tracking Indigo down to her cave, and another ten hours after that battling the beast into submission so we could trap and transport her. The most memorable moment of my time here on the reserve is when I first looked Indigo in the eyes and felt no fear of the creature, despite knowing of her might and danger. Not everybody understands my newfound love for these dangerous beasts- but not everybody has looked death in the eyes and felt no fear or anxiety at the thought of their possible painful demise at the hands of an angry XXXXX Classified Beast.

In the year I've been here not only have I had a hand in the rescue of Indigo, our beautiful Swedish Short Shout, I've also rescued a nest of orphaned Opal Eyes and had my hand in the capture, tagging, and release of over fifteen of the endangered Chinese Fireballs. Charlie and I are currently planning a three week out of the country trip for tracking a supposedly diseased Peruvian Vipertooth. If this lead turns out to be true then we're going to be forced to put it down- Vipertooths are the original cause of Dragonpox and if this dragon is a danger to both the wizarding and muggle communities in the area. "Oi, Granger! Someome wants to see you in the office... and you've got a letter from the British Ministry in your box." Pulling my eyes away from the maps spread before Charlie and I, I nod my head in understanding at Head Tamer McCarthy and head out in the direction of the main office. Just before I reach the office I spot Clover McCormack packing her bags, swearing under her breath the entire time. "Clover?" I call, watching as the pretty Irish girl whips around to face me.

"If you value your freedom, Hermione, I suggest you flee now instead of walking into that office. Once you enter, you'll have no option of walking away." After her cryptic warning I contemplate avoiding the office, but decide I better just get this over with. My steps towards the office quickening when I spot Harry and Zabini waiting instead of the usual representative from the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. "Whats going on, Harry?" My voice draws he and Zabini from their conversation, the latter of the two openly checking me out with a raised eyebrow. "Unspeakable Potter and I have come to personally deliver your PMA letter and escort you back to London so you can get settled back in before the ceremonies." What the bloody hell is a PMA letter? "Harry? I'm supposed to be leaving for Peru in ten minutes! What's the meaning of this?!" I stomp my leather clad foot in frustration upon realizing I'd probably be forced to miss out on my mission due to the Ministry's impeccable timing. "They've passed a new law, Mione... things back home are getting bad. We've got the option to comply with the law or face time in Azkaban."

Harry offers me a letter and I snatch it from his grasp, taking notice to Charlie as he enters the tent to see what's taking so long. "Hey, Amazon, everything alright?" Charlie crosses his leather clad arms across his chest as he eyes Zabini and Harry wearily, his nickname for me raising both the visiting mens eyebrows. "The ministry's passed a new law, I'm going to read what of in just a moment, but according to Harry I've either got to comply with the law or face time in Azkaban." Moving to stand next to Charlie I tear open my letter, angling my body so Charlie can read over my shoulder. For each line I read my blood grows colder, and I can feel a rise in Charlie's temper as he grows rigid behind me. "They can't force her to be some blokes bloody baby maker! This law is outrageous! I'm twenty six years old, will I be forced to turn some bird into a breed mule? Why does Hermione have a letter yet I don't?" While Charlie shouts at Harry I re-read my letter over again, just to be sure this isn't some insane nightmare.

Hermione Granger,

We, here at the Ministry,are writing to inform you of the passing of The Population Multiplication Act of 1999.
Due to a significant decrease in the population of our once thriving magical community the Ministry of Magic has decided to take matters into our own hands in the hopes of keeping our kind from endangerment and eventual extinction.
The Population Multiplication Act of 1999 states that any unmarried witch or wizard that holds citizenship in any of the three countries under the jurisdiction of the British Ministry of Magic (England, Ireland, and Scotland) is to be partnered with a Ministry chosen spouse and expected to begin bearing children within a year of their joining in holy matrimony.
Each approved match will have exactly three months after meeting their match to marry, and seven months from time of meeting to be expecting their first child.
All matches will be expected to produce at least four magical children by the year 2004.
Anyone not in compliance with the terms of the law will be sentenced to life in Azkaban.

We apologize for this inconvenience,

Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Charlie, you're technically no longer under the jurisdiction of the British Ministry. You've been legally considered a citizen Romania since your eighth year of residency here- It's mentioned in your contract with the reserve." Harry explains as Zabini retrieves another letter from within the pockets of his robes, his attention fully on me. "Everyone back home received their letters three weeks ago, this envelope contains the name of your match as well as your summons to appear at Hogwarts first thing tomorrow morning for the bonding ceremonies." He says as he extends the second letter towards me. Carefully I take the letter from his outstretched hand and open it with shaking hands, making sure to read it over very carefully- gasping when I read the name of my assigned spouse. "Amazon? What's it say?" Charlie asks, attempting to withdraw the letter from my grasp. "Ms. Granger, citizen of Wizarding England, we are pleased to assign you to Mr. Oliver Wood, citizen of Wizarding Scotland, as approved matches in accordance with The Population Multiplication Act of 1999." I read aloud, my body trembling with an unknown emotions... I'm being forced to become a baby maker for my former classmate, and there's nothing I can do to prevent it.