Blessing in Disguise

The Ministry does it Again

**Laurens POV**
  Ginny and I were currently in DADA and while Bill's lectures were normally entertaining with stories of his time as a curse-breaker in Egypt, today I couldn't focus. Between classes and homework, shadowing Madam Pomfrey and Gin and I's training schedule with our first house match coming up I was barely getting enough sleep to function that no amount of coffee could help. To say I was exhausted was an understatement.
  "Miss Anderson, can you tell me why the bedazzling hex would be useful" Bill called out. I didn't have to be looking at him to know he had smirk on his face for catching me sleeping. The rest of the class watched the exchange with humor, enjoying the scene that was unfolding.
  "The usefulness of the bedazzling charm William" I began, using his full name just to get a stir out the rest of class and knowing that Bill hated begging called anything other than Mr. Weasley inside class to keep things professional.
  With a pointed look from Bill I continued "the bedazzling charm disguises objects and therefore would be useful in hiding objects you don't want some else to find" I finished with a smirk.
"You really need to stop teasing Bill like that" Ginny whispered quietly next me, I just shrugged a smile on my face. I knew Bill wasn't that bothered by the teasing. Besides the 7th years and the repeating 7th years all had an unspoken agreement, we fought in war, we could get any job we wanted we didn't have to be here. Technically we did since the ministry forced us all to return just so they could keep an eye on us and use there "Marriage and baby classes" as a way to make sure we were following the guidelines of the Marriage Law.
  Thankfully class didn't go on much longer before Bill dismissed us, with a reminder that we were to stay back after dinner tonight as there was an important announcement to be made. With a sad grimace we were dismissed to do as we pleased as it was the last class of the day.
  Ginny and I had another quidditch practice today to get ready for our first match in 3 days. As a team we were more than ready, we were tight. Between all the training and workouts Ginny and I did all summer and the intense training schedule we've stuck to, I knew we had this match in the bag.
  I was more nervous to have both Bill and Charlie there watching, they were practically quidditch royalty and it would be the first time Charlie would see me play. I knew I was good, and that Ginny and I both had strong chances of making a professional team after graduating but I was still a little nervous about what Charlie would say about my game.
  We decided to keep practicing simple today, just a friendly match between our team split into two with our reserves mixed in to allow them some play time and to keep things friendly. We had been training hard and we all deserved to have a little fun to lighten the mood going into game day.
  After practice ended we returned to our rooms to shower and get ready for dinner. I was on high, my team had beaten Ginny's and I wasn't about to let her forget it to easily. "I sure miss when you had no energy earlier today" Ginny teased. "You're just upset your keeper missed the last shot allowing my team to take control of the quaffel and scoring the winning goal before time ran out" I told her. In response she just playfully stuck her tongue out at me before heading into her room to shower.

  Dinner was uneventful, it wasn't Friday so I didn't get to eat dinner with Charlie and my energy from earlier in the evening was wearing out. Plus I was on edge with this announcement that we would be receiving after dinner so I remained pretty quite the entire meal.
  "Lauren, everything all right? You've been quite all dinner and from what I heard earlier you should still be rubbing your win against Ginny in her face" Draco playfully bugged me in the side. Giving him a weak smile in return I just shrugged "something feels off tonight. I don't like that we have to stay behind and listen to this announcement. If I had any guess this announcement has something to do with the marriage law, I guess it just has me on edge that's all.
  "Hermione has been freaking out over it all evening as well, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I also feel unsettled by this but I've tried to remain calm for her." He told.
  Before anymore could be said on the matter, Headmistress McGonagall had dismissed the younger years back to their common rooms while the 7th years remained. Charlie left his spot at the professors table and joined me at the Gryffindor table.
  I immediately wrapped him in a hug and melted into his embrace, welcoming the sense of warmth and comfort that always ran threw me when he was close. "Hello love, how was your day? I bread a little rumor that you beat my sister in a friendly quidditch game" I looked up at him, a smirk on his face with one eyebrow raised. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips despite the still uneasy feeling about the announcement we were about to receive.
  "If you could all quite down please, Minister Shacklebot is here to deliver some new to you" the displease-meant evident on headmistress McGonagall's face as she stepped aside to let the Minister take the spotlight.
"I am sure you have many questions as to why I am here tonight and I'm not here to leave you in suspense any longer. I'm going to get straight to the point. I along with the rest of the Wizengamot are pleased with how well all of our couples are adjusting to this new law and have decided to move timelines around." Not giving anyone a chance to interrupt him he continued "All couples are to be married by the end of May, and must become pregnant within six months of marriage.

**Authors Note**
Okay, i know I know I promised this chapter days ago it well life has other plans sometimes. Next chapter will be up by next Saturday as I have finals coming up at the beginning of next week. Hope you all have safe and wonderful Turkey day tomorrow how ever you are planning on celebrating (if you celebrate) Happy start to holiday season