The Aftermath

04

AFTER SCOUTING THE entirety of the Hogwarts Express, Hermione and Draco finally made it to the castle — each hauling their own luggages as well as other left-behind belonging of clumsy first years. And throughout the entirety of it, the time was spent in silence.

They barely even saw each other when inspecting the train. Hermione had started from Coach D, by the Prefects' Carriages, while Draco started from Coach A.

Rubeus Hagrid had greeted them upon their arrival at the castle. Hermione's seen Draco quite literally bite his tongue — she suspected it was to hold back the insults piling inside his head. While Hagrid handled all the luggages they brought, Hermione and Draco were instructed to immediately come inside the Great Hall.

Hermione ran towards the Gryffindor table as soon as she entered. "Hey!" Ginny greeted with a smile. The redhead was currently sat by Seamus and Dean. Hermione greeted her back then proceeded to sit across from Ginny, by Neville's side.

"Sorting's 'bout ta start!" Seamus announced from his seat, motioning towards the crowd of nervously cowering and awed first years. "I didn't realize there would be so many," Hermione muttered.

"It's because of the war," Neville replied in hushed whispers while the others in the table agreed, some shuddering at the memory. Hermione looked at Neville curiously, asking mentally for an explanation. She didn't know much of the going ons in Hogwarts when she had went hunting for Horcruxes — everyone who stayed at Hogwarts were very tight lipped. She suspected it was traumatizing though— that was why she hadn't bothered to ask them much about it, they would speak when they were ready.

"McGonagall stopped the flow of first year muggle-borns and half-bloods from coming in the last year," Dean quietly explained to Hermione. Hermione nodded, having figured as much. Handing first-year muggle-borns and half-bloods to Alecto and Amycus Carrow on a silver platter is certainly not a wise choice. Also, Snape, whom at the time was undercover.

Hermione knew now that Severus Snape had only been keeping them safe all these years. In fact, Harry had given her his memories to view. Of course, the only people that were given the pleasure of viewing Snape's memories had been only a selected assortment of very few important people — such as Kingsley, McGonagall (whom actually figured it out way before the battle), and Hermione.

She shuddered at the thought of having to be stuck in the castle with a psychotic set of twins as well as Severus Snape.

The sorting came to an end and the feast begun after Headmistress McGonagall's short speech about rebuilding the community as well as inter-house unity. It was a good speech — one that Hermione's heard of too much times within the past few months.

McGonagall also announced that all of the common rooms will be open to all students — to further implement inter-house unity, and making new friendships and connections.

After the feast ended with most of the students full and tired, McGonagall called for everyone's attention. "Fifth Year prefects, please see to it that the first through fifth year students get to the respective common rooms orderly," McGonagall asked. "Sixth, Seventh, and returning Seventh years please stay seated for an announcement by the Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt."

Hermione froze. Her gaze unconsciously drifting towards a certain blonde sitting on the Slytherin's table. It was time, she thought and frowned. She saw Draco standing from his seat and made his way up to the platform, Hermione quickly mimicking the boy's actions. The two Heads stood below the platform's podium, each flanking the front of the Minister for Magic. Aurors were stood nearby, all tensing up and readying their wands. The tension was palpable in the hall.

"In light of loss population all over the world due to the second Wizarding War, the International Confederation of Wizards see it fit to procure a new international decree. This was discussed during the most recent gathering, on the fifth of July 1998. The new decree states that all witches and wizards, ages 17 to 45, will be paired up and to be married. All made marriage contracts, blood-contract or not, prior to this announcement are to be annulled," Kingsley shared to the Hogwarts students.

Hermione observed — everyone's wearing a mask of horrified expressions. They were angry, sad, appalled, disgusted. It was all a flurry of emotions. Screams and riots of disapproval and horrible words — that she's sure could qualify as treason against the Ministry for Magic — were being thrown left and right.

Hermione, however, was set on a particular student, sitting still and seething. Then, Hermione paled at the sight of a Ravenclaw student, holding her wand tightly—discretely— waving about, as if casting a spell. Without much thought, Hermione immediately conjured up a shield — just in time to block the flashing beam of light from hitting the Minister for Magic. Her war instincts were piqued, making her steadily aware of everything and anything occurring all around her. Then it was quiet.

The hall was silent, in shock, as the light hit the shield, making a crackling noise, before the beam of light dimmed and eventually perish. Hermione was sure that whatever had been casted towards the minister, that had caused such a furious red color and angry sparks and crack, wouldn't be in anyway student-friendly.

"Miss Oartellire!" McGonagall called, sternly. The Ravenclaw paled while students turned to look at her, either in awe or shock, and aurors were marching towards her.

"Thank you, Hermione," the Minister for Magic whispered, planting a firm hand on her shoulder, and a nod of gratefulness. Hermione narrowed her eyes to him, "don't thank me just yet, Kings," she said coolly.

Kingsley Shacklebolt didn't respond.

Once the Ravenclaw witch's wand is confiscated, for the time being by McGonagall, the minister continued. "The pairs are and have been picked by the Goblet of Fire. The announcements of the pairings, and the law, will be in tomorrow's morning issue of the Daily Prophet."

Seeing no change of response from the student body, Kingsley took his cue to continue. "For now, you will all stay in your respective dormitories until the new tower for married students is completed. Paired students need to be married by the end of this year. Please, if there are any more questions, do not hesitate to send enquiry owls to the Ministry. That is all, thank you for your cooperation."

The Minister and his plethora of aurors all but vanished after the announcement, leaving the headmistress to deal with the angry riot of students. Hermione and Draco stood in their places, uncertain of what to do. Professon McGonagall motioned for them to go to their respective seats once more, and the hall quietened.

"I assure you, nobody is happy with this law," McGonagall began to say, taking her place on the podium. "You are no longer children. You've fought in the war, seen countless deaths and misery. You grew up too fast, and I am sorry for that. You've seen what war can do, and now you've seen its aftermath. However, I urge you to comply with the Ministry - no matter how wrong they may be to you. You did not survive this war to throw it in vain by being confined to Azkaban or worst, stripped of your magical identity and memories. You are all intelligent witches and wizards." Professor McGonagall's eyes roamed the halls, and the students seemed to understand the message. With a heavy sigh, the headmistress sent them of their way.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts," Ginny grumbled sarcastically with her arms crossed. Ginny, Neville and Hermione made their way out of the Great Hall with deep thoughts and ire, sadness and a few other mixes of emotions.