Hermione was stretched out on Ginny's bed with her mind wandering, as Ginny paced around her small cluttered bedroom. Ginny was gushing about Harry again, which in her defense wasn't normally like her, but she was happy and things were moving right along in their relationship. She was Hermione's best friend and all, but after hearing about yet another perfect date with Harry the nagging feeling in her gut started tearing at her, reminding Hermione that she was probably going to end up alone. Plus hearing about Harry's kissing was a bit unnerving, he as basically her brother at this point.

"I just don't know if I want to make the first move or, " Ginny cut off abruptly, and flipped her long red hair over her shoulder with irritation.

"Are you even listening to me?" Ginny let out an exasperated sigh, hand on hip looking very much like a young Molly Weasley.

Hermione snapped back to attention, and nervously tucked a stray brown hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry Ginny, it's just odd to keep hearing about Harry in a sexual manner," Hermione responded soothingly. Ginny had her temper every now and then, and this weekend was about her. Ginny smirked accepting Hermione's excuse, and her irritation seem quelled.

"Well, why you were zoning out, I was discussing the very important decision of me making the first move and all. You know past kissing…" Ginny crossed her arms, and blushed beside that fact that her voice was oozing with sarcastic importance.

"Ginny you've already made up your mind, my opinion isn't going to change anything." Hermione giggled slightly and continued on, untucking her legs and allowing them to rest on the floor off the edge of Ginny's bed.

"I always give you such great advice, and you just blaze your own trail anyway," Hermione finished with a slight shrug standing up. Hermione was definitely not ready to talk about Harry and Ginny actually doing it. "You're an independent woman Ginny, you'll know when it's right." Hermione smoothed out her jeans and started walking towards the Quidditch poster covered door. If she didn't escape now, she was sure that Ginny would start practicing lines on her.

Shouldn't it be Harry doing all this planning instead of Ginny? Hermione thought to herself. Ginny, realizing Hermione was done talking about boys, took Hermione's place on her bed.

"I suppose you're right," Ginny amended, staring up at the ceiling.

X

Hermione was vising the Burrow in honor of Ginny's birthday. Ginny was turning 22 tomorrow, and Hermione had taken a couple days off work for a celebration weekend. The Burrow in all its madness had become a second home over the years. She had spent many holidays crammed around the well-worn dining table with little elbow room.

Hermione walked around the table manually helping set the plates for the evening's dinner, some muggle habits were hard to break. But even with all the good memories, the Burrow was tied directly to Ron - which was tied directly to that nagging 'forever alone' feeling in her stomach. She and Ron had split almost 2 years ago. They gave it a good shot, but there was never much passion there. Honestly, Hermione felt that she had settled with Ron. He had grown into being quite handsome, she admitted to herself, but he still had the emotional range of a teaspoon. After the war their communication became even more strained as they each retreated inside themselves instead of sharing the pain. She wasn't looking forward to seeing Ron at dinner tonight, especially if he brought Lavender with him again.

X

The roaring sound of chatter, laughter, and love surrounded the dining table of the Burrow. The whole family had turned up, even Charlie surprised them by traveling home from Romania to help celebrate Ginny's birthday. Honestly, Hermione wondered how they all still fit at the table as she sat squished between Ginny and Fred. Fleur had elected not to sit at the table and was currently feeding Victorie. The cake had been completely devoured between the boys and Ginny herself, and there was a light hearted feeling in the room.

A small 'pop' could be heard among the household sounds, as Arthur appariated into the kitchen. He was disentangling himself from his traveling cloak as Molly hopped up from her seat at the table to magically warm up his plate for him. He quickly kissed his wife, hung up his cloak, and settled into his usual seat at the head of the table. He looked overworked and rather somber for a birthday party celebration.

"Happy Birthday, dear." smiled over at Ginny.

"I'm sorry to have missed most of the celebration, but there's been a lot of ruckus at the Ministry with the proposed legislature." This comment sobered up the rest of the party pretty quickly. The Prophet was having a hay day with the newly proposed marriage law. Wizards had become a dying bread in Europe after the recently ended civil war. Voldemort may have been vanquished six years ago, but his followers did not disband quietly this time, all-out war had broken out. Hermione's interest was piqued as she waited for Mr. Weasley to reveal more information. The law was voted on that very day, but the results wouldn't be released officially until the following day at the earliest.

Hermione speculated that the Ministry would not let the law pass. Even facing extinction, she didn't believe that the Ministry would try and impose a law forcing individuals to marry and reproduce strictly to increase numbers. It was treating the people like livestock, she had more faith in the system than most. Even if the law was passed, it would take months before the Ministry would be able to get adequate testing in order, paperwork lined up, and rules set in place. Hermione was banking on it taking the Ministry at least another year after the law passing before anything would be taken into effect. These things take time, she reminded herself.

Molly whispered urgently to Arthur as she set his plate down in front of him, "Any news on the results, dear?"

Silence blanketed the room, this ruling would affect everyone is the room but Bill and Fleur as they were already married. Hermione nervously clenched her hands into fists under the table as she waited for Mr. Weasleys response. Ginny had reached over to grab one of Hermione's hands. Hermione understood why she was pressuring Harry so much lately, if they weren't at least engaged the law could end up separating the pair. She could feel Ron's eyes burning through the back of her head, even though Lavender was sitting next to him.

Mr. Weasley took a deep breathe, and his shoulders seemed to slump.

"It appears that the law has passed, and matches have already been set up."