AN: hello everyone! New story, which was actually inspired by beetlebug9's fanfiction "Sometimes Problems Are A Good Thing" (which I highly recommend!). Anyways, I think it kind of has a bit of a rough start, but it'll get better. Then again, I'm always really critical of myself, so maybe it actually is a good start. Not entirely sure, but you be the judge! Please Review, I love all your comments! Thanks, and enjoy my story.

Disclaimer: as we all know, I am not J.K. Rowling, therefore I do not own the characters, any content or ideas from the books, and only the characters I created and the plot (though snippets of the plot belong to beetlebug9, she was my basic inspiration!)

Chapter 1:A Summer Day Gone Bad

Hermione Granger was tired. It was a beautiful summer day, vacationers exploring London, malls filled up, parks busy, swimming pools bursting beyond capacity, and everyone having a good time. But not Hermione. Instead of visiting with family and friends, enjoying the warmth, she was sitting in her stuffy little office, where she'd sat since the morning before, working diligently on her current assignment. Upon arrival at work the day previous she'd picked up the assignment, and was running around collecting information from all offices. Then, late in the evening, she'd sat down to pull together every. What she'd originally intended to work on for a few hours eventually turned into the full night. It was already morning by the time she bothered to glance at the clock.

A light knocking sounded at the door, and wearily the young woman looked up, brushing back a strand of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. A man, looking to be somewhere in his late fifties smiled at her from the doorway, his head cocked to the side as he took in her appearance.

"Miss Granger, did you go home at all last night?" he asked, though his amused tone suggested he already knew the answer.

She smiled sheepishly in response, "I just really wanted to get this done. There's that meeting on Friday, and the stuff in here could really help my case for S.P.E.W."

He shook his head, walking into the room holding a newspaper. The gray haired man studied her as he leaned against her desk, eyes searching her face. Hermione felt a blush forming, so ducked her head, shifting awkwardly in her chair.

"Did you need something, Mr. Levise?" it came out after a small, hesitant pause.

He simply shrugged, "Oh no, I was just coming in to see how you'd taken the new. Considerably well, if I must say so."

The brunette frowned. News? What was he talking about? "I'm sorry sir, news?"

Eyebrows rising, the head of her department looked at her in surprise, "You have read this morning's Profit?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, sir, I haven't left this office since yesterday evening."

He sighed, "Well then." Slapping down his copy of the newspaper, he looked grim, "I suppose it's a good thing you're already sitting down then."

The young woman was beyond confused by now, "I don't—"

He held up his hands, "Just read, you'll understand."

Frowning, Hermione unfolded the paper, looking at the front page headline.

Repopulation Act Passed!

As of last night, August 11, The Repopulation Act was read and signed by the Minister. In the makings since last December, it is only now that the requirements and knowledge have been accessed that will ensure a future population of magical witches and wizards. Minister Shacklebolt believes that this new act will be successful. Early this morning when questioned, he said, "I believe people will resist at first, as everyone does in these circumstances, but it is for the greater good."

The new law entails the marriage of witches and wizards of age who are capable of reproducing. The ministry has a way to sort through names and pair up couples based on their compatibility. This will help ensure that the marriage will be successful and painless as possible for both parties. After the marriage, the new spouses will give a piece of their hair to be used in a spell, which will then create children. It is similar to a complex idea created by muggles called "cloning," however, it instead mixes two sets of genetic codes together to create a living, breathing child. It is exactly like any development of a child, though at an accelerated rate outside of the womb.

Those who qualify for the law will be contacted within the day with a letter stating who their intended is and when they will meet with their Ministry officer—a councilor of the newly formed Department of Marital Management and Affairs. They will go over all the requirements and fine details on one's meeting date. Resistance to the law will result in automatic termination of one's magic, and banishment from the Wizarding world.

Hermione reread the article multiple times, looking at the pictures of Shacklebolt talking to multiple reporters, searching anything for some sign of this being a joke. Some sort of loophole, or out. She saw nothing, just a cold reality. She either married and became a mother much sooner than she ever wished, or she lost her magic. It was really very simple. One or the other. One evil, over another evil. There was a lump in her throat. She felt like she was choking as a large hand landed on her shoulder, rubbing it soothingly.

"Miss Granger, I would like you to take the day off. You worked the whole night, you must be exhausted, and this shock isn't doing you any good. Go home, get some rest, talk to your friends." Levise said, voice filled with sympathy. Of course it would be. He was married already. He'd had four children and had six grandchildren, with another on the way. He'd done his job to populate the Wizarding world, he had nothing to fear.

"Miss Granger, please." He repeated, giving a small shake, unfreezing her from the shock. Shakily, she nodded in agreement, standing from her chair and gathering her things in a daze. Levise watched her with worried eyes as she left the office, looking as though the world had ended. It seemed she wasn't taking the law nearly as well as he might have hoped.

0o.o0o.o0

Upon leaving her office, Hermione knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Her mind was too occupied. So, instead she apparated straight to the Burrows, wishing to seek comfort from the large family. Hermione didn't even manage to knock on the door before it was swung open, revealing a distressed Ron Weasley. He was frowning, eyes squinting, suggesting a headache, and his ears were red with anger. Seeing her, he wasted no time in pulling her into a hug.

Hermione melted into his hold, burying her face into his chest. Their relationship was a peculiar one. They'd been on again, off again since the end of the war, though currently they were in an "off again" faze. Despite this, the two would always be friends. Hermione often wondered why they even bothered trying to make things work. They fought too much, were too strong willed to accept the other's compromises, and were simply too different for it to ever work between them. They were both better friends, and they'd openly admitted to each other that was for the best. And yet, somehow or another they found themselves together again.

At the moment, their hug was nothing but platonic, two stressed and desperate souls recognizing the distress in the other, and taking comfort in each other's anxiety. Hermione breathed in his familiar smell, fear gripping her heart.

"What took you so long?" Ron mumbled, pulling back and looking at her. "Everyone's already been here for hours."

"Sorry, I was working... pulled and all-nighter, I only just learned..."

Ron's lip twitched, though only slightly. Hermione wondered if anyone would be able to smile again. "Typical Hermione, working all through the night." He kissed her head affectionately, then nodded towards the kitchen. "We've all gathered in there. I'll warn you now, things aren't looking good. Harry and Ginny are in this depression thing—they're worried they won't be paired together. Charlie was so angry he actually broke some of Mum's good china..."

Hermione sighed nodding tiredly as she reached up and held his cheek in one hand, searching his face. What were the chances they would be paired together..? The paper had said they would pair people up based on compatibility. She and Ron were not compatible. They never had been. Yet she still wished things could have been different. They both understood they couldn't be together, but she had always believed they would have time to adjust to the reality. Now... Hermione feared deeply that things would turn out awkward between them.

He seemed to sense her thoughts, because he slung an arm over her shoulder, rubbing her arms comfortingly, "We'll be alright, love. No matter what happens today, you are always going to be my friend." Ron made his voice strong, but they both detected the slight tremor of uncertainty. But Hermione wouldn't call him out. He probably needed those words of comfort as much as she did.

Nodding in silent agreement, they two moved into the kitchen. Hermione took in the people around her. Harry and Ginny were, indeed, in something of a depressed state, clinging to each other, Ginny sitting on Harry's lap at the table, her arms wrapped around his neck with her face buried in his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist and head resting on the top of her fiery head. Charlie was pacing the floor, looking stressed and irritable, with Bill watching him, arms crossed and he tried to calm the fuming redhead. The remaining Weasley twin sat at the kitchen table, fingers steepled with his chin resting on them, seeming deep in thought. As it was becoming more frequently seen, there was a frown marring his once happy face. Percy and Arthur Weasley were standing by the back door, talking in hushed tones, Arthur looking concerned and tired, Percy irritated and a bit desperate. At the kitchen stove Molly Weasley stood cooking up a storm, Fleur quietly helping the woman, passing her herbs and spices whenever asked as she held her fifteen month old daughter. And sitting by Harry and Ginny was the one and only Sirius Black, frowning as he murmured inaudible words to the couple.

Yes, Sirius Black. It had been a shock to everyone when it was reported that he was found in the Ministry, disoriented and sickly. In all the confusion of the end of the war, he was shipped back to Azkaban, which now was simply a prison, absent of any dementors. After Harry pulled about a million strings, and Sirius was put through a month long trial, with dozens of eyewitnesses and testimonies, the Wizengamot came to their decision. Sirius Black was found innocent, and all charges were cleared of his record. He was a free man.

Since his freedom was declared Sirius had been enjoying his life to the fullest. Harry had insisted on returning the Black fortune, having his own high paying job as an Auror, along with the remains of his parents' fortune. He was also given Number 12, which is where he lived for the last two years. With the help of many dinners at the Burrows, and lots of exercise, he was a new man, his appearance less hollowed and broken. He was quite a babe magnet and spent most of his weekends partying at pubs and getting laid.

As Hermione entered the kitchen Molly glanced up, gasping and hurrying over, pulling the girl into a hug, "There you are, dear. I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

The young woman hugged the motherly woman, taking comfort in the familiar embrace. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley, I was caught up at work."

They pulled apart, and Mrs. Weasley patted her cheek, smiling softly, "Don't you worry dear. Lunch is nearly ready, why don't you sit down."

Hermione could see the strain in her smile. The woman was just as upset about this law as everyone else. Through her mothering and cooking, she was burning off the anxiety, but Hermione could see the strain in her smile.

Ron and Hermione moved to the table, settling down across from Sirius, Harry, and Ginny. Sirius shot them a helpless glance, and Hermione leaned across the table, catching Harry's eye.

"I don't know what you're worrying about. The both of you are completely compatible. You love each other, so that's another point in favor for you. Plus, you're close friends to Kingsley, I'm sure he can throw his weight in there for you." she reached a hand out, squeezing Harry's when he placed his on the table. "You two will be fine. I'm sure of it."

The two seemed to relax at Hermione's words, Ginny even shifting her face so it met the brunette's gaze. She gave a watery smile in thanks. When Hermione returned to Hogwarts to complete her education, Ginny and she had grown very close, becoming good friends. They'd always gotten along before, but now Ginny was as close to her as Harry and Ron had always been. And seeing Harry and Ginny both so broken up was killing her inside.

A tapping at the window caused everyone to freeze, even the bustling Mrs. Weasley. Finally, Arthur stepped forward, opening the window and taking the many letters it had. Fingering through them, he handed each one to whomever it was addressed to, a pained look on his face. The last letter made him pause. All the unmarried Weasleys' and Hermione had their letters. Yet one remained.

"Arthur? Who's is that?" Molly asked, moving forward and gasping at seeing the name. Her eyes shot up to land on Sirius, a hand flying to her mouth.

Arthur frowned, stepping forward and holding the letter out to the dark haired man. "It's for you."

"Me?" he gasped, snatching the letter and looking it over, comparing it to Harry's and Ginny's. They were identical, aside from the names they were addressed to. "This must be a joke! I'm forty years old for Merlin's sake!"

"By wizard standards, that is still plenty young enough, especially for a man." Arthur murmured. Looking at all the people in the room, unmoving, letters unopened, he added, "Best get on with it, all of you. It'll only get harder the more you wait."

Hermione once again found a lump in her throat. Swallowing hard, she looked at everyone around her, watching as they all reluctantly began tearing into their envelopes. Breathing out a shuttering breath, she too broke the seal of her letter, and with shaky hands pulled out the letter, carefully unfolding it.

Dear Ms. Hermione Jean Granger,

As stated in the new Reproduction Act signed last evening, you are required to marry and care for the children you are present with. On August 13, at 10:45AM you are to report at the Department of Marital Management and Affairs, level 2. There you will meet with Alfrred Baliss, who will lead you through the process of your marriage and parenthood. We suggest you meet with your intended before the meeting, but if not you will also grow acquainted here. Should you fail to appear at the office at your designated time you will lose your magic, and your future spouse will be given another partner.

Your partner's name in Sirius Orion Black.

Sincerely,

The Ministry of Magic

Hermione couldn't breath. She couldn't think. The only thing that seemed to have registered was that last line. Your partner's name is Sirius Orion Black. Sirius Orion Black. Sirius Black!

Hands shaking violently, the young woman slowly brought her eyes up from the paper, brown orbs connecting with the horrified gray of the man across from her. Everything was going fuzzy. She felt suddenly very lightheaded, and still it was difficult to bring oxygen into her lungs. Her eyes weren't focusing, clouding up in a black fog. The world went dark, and Hermione fainted.