Choosing Love

4. Marriage Law Announcement.

CHARLOTTE'S POV

I drink a sip of my coffee when I receive an official letter by the Ministry. I examine the envelope and soon many more envelopes start to arrive with my classmates as recipients. I hear screaming, shouting, cursing.

I open mine to find the most despicable letter I have ever been addressed too.

" Dear Ms. Monclair,

Due to extreme magical blood loss during the War, you are now eligible for respecting the newly applied Marriage law. All unwed witches and wizards between 16 and 39 for the females and 16 and 150 for males are kindly requested to declare their significant other to the Ministry and proceed to marriage within 6 months. If no declaration is made, then the Ministry is allowed to proceed to petition and decide appoint a husband/wife accordingly.

Upon marriage, weekly consummation is required in order to achieve the first pregnancy within 24 months of marriage and the second one within 3-5 years of marriage, unless first pregnancy is with twins.

You are requested to declare your future husband within 48 hours.

Hoping you are well,

Mafalda Hipcurk"

If I weren't well educated, I would have shouted the worst curse ever.

As soon as I finished reading the letter, new letters started to arrive. One of them was from an 85 rich old single man who wanted to marry me! I was officially starting to panic.

I looked around and almost everyone was either crying or shouting from despair.

I decided to leave and go to my Dormitory.

As soon as I stood up, my eyes fell on Severus Snape who was also cursing behind grinded teeth for his misfortune. He would have to wed to and judging from his face, he didn't have any significant other half in his life.

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SEVERUS' POV

What the fuck? What the FUCK?WHAT THE FUCK?!

Marriage law ? really? and I am eligible ? WHY WHY WHY?
I looked down at the students who were crying and shouting and never have I wished to join them as much in the past.

I tried to spot Charlotte but she must have left without noticing her.

Dumbledore shouts so everyone calms down. He asks the students to go back to their Dormitories.

And he asks me to join him at his office.

- Severus, I received the Marriage Law last night. I also received a bunch of letters for our dear young Ms. Charlotte Monclair.

- What does this have to do with me?

- Well, if you don't have a significant other, Severus, I need to ask you to consider marrying her.

My face drops. What is this old fool saying?

- You must, Severus. You must protect her. The letters come from Deatheaters, from old rich men with filthy past, from violent old men who would rape her.

- I am also a deatheater. A former but

- You are able to love Severus. She has brains. You have brains. You could achieve a marriage of convenience together. You like her, don't you? I mean as a student. She is very bright, isn't she?

- And very modest, yes. She is a charming young lady. But I ain't the best choice, Albus.

- You are, my Boy, believe me.

- I cannot marry a student, Albus! You have no idea what you are asking from me"

- Do you prefer the thought of her of being raped by an older man ? A fellow Deatheater perhaps ? A violent man?"

- Of course not. She is very good as a student and with potential. But I am not anyone's savior. I am also a former Deatheater. My father used to hit me and my mother. I cannot have a family. I will turn to the same monster"

-You are not a monster, Severus. You know Love. You are capable of full love and complete devotion to someone. You could protect her and perhaps you could both be happy. She is young yet firm in her wishes. She will allow you to have your peace of mind. You will allow her to continue with her education. you are not a match made in Heaven , but you can be happy if you fight. You are both fighters."

- Have you talked to her?

- No, but I will. I will call her here right now.

- I am fine, as long as she agrees. If she declines, then you have to respect her opinion upon this matter.

- Of course, Severus.

I feel distressed. The last thing I need right now is a hard rejection by a beautiful, elegant and intelligent young lady.

She enters the room and my heart skips a bit

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CHARLOTTE'S POV

I enter the Headmaster's office.

I see Professor Snape and I greet both of them.

I try really hard to convey my panic for all the letters of marriage I have already received.

It is hard to believe, but I have never been in any kind of romantic relationship in my life before.

I am in fact a virgin. I have never even been kissed.

I always liked the idea of having a family, having a loving husband and making babies... but meeting him without arrangement was a prerequisite for me. I wanted to marry out of love, not like this...

Headmaster has a very intriguing suggestion to provide as solution.

It is very convenient. But I see him there, silent, lost in though. He isn't sure about it. He will consider me too young and perhaps a bit uncapable to stand by him as a wife.

I hardly think he is ok with it.

- Your idea is much more appalling to me than the despicable letters I received so far. But are you Professor Snape ok with it ?

- We need to discuss some things in private, but yes, I find it a better than worse option. Perhaps the best available for now.

He stands up and proposes me to go and discuss this immediately. I ask him permission to wear a non-school outfit.

He is surprised and states that he never thought I would consider putting anything with school insignia on.

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