Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter books.
Hi everyone, I'm back!!! (Pam: It's not as if you left. Me: Shut UP!). Anyway, I decided to write a Marriage Law fic; I've read quite a few and they seem really interesting. I'm just hoping mine will be original enough, to set it apart.
However, there are several things you should know before I begin this epic tale (Pam: -snort- Me: -glare-). It's completely AU. What do I mean by that? Thank you for asking, dear readers. What that means is that, from the fifth book on, no character who died in canon was killed in my story . . . except for Dumbledore. The Minister of Magic is Rufus Scrimgeour and the Headmaster – or should I say Headmistress – is McGonagall. And that's about it . . . oh! Plus, the war isn't over. It's close, but not over yet; Harry has greatly weakened Voldemort so Mr. Poopiehead (my little sister insists on calling him that -snicker-) is in hiding. And another thing, I'm going to be focusing on mostly "happy couples" . . . or maybe not. There are quite a lot of people. -shrug- We'll see. Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!!!
Chapter 1: WHAT?!
It was a perfect day at Hogwarts School of Witchraft and Wizardry. The sun shone brightly in a periwinkle-blue sky; a brisk breeze whistled around the stone walls of the castle, capturing loose leaves and petals to capture them into her entrancing dance. Even the Black Lake sparkled invitingly as the giant squid propelled its' way across, waving tentacles invitingly toward the Great Hall.
Students gazed longingly out of the mullioned windows, quickly gathering pieces of toast or egg to take out and enjoy this enchanting morning. But, alas, it wasn't to be. . . .
An earsplitting scream echoed through the Great Hall, in a pitch so high it was a wonder that the windows hadn't shattered. Wands were instantly drawn out, eyes darting toward the door for whatever intruder may have been the cause of the scream. Then, very, very slowly all eyes turned toward the Gryffindor table where Hermione Granger sat, eyes wide with shock, one hand gripping the table, the other, white-knuckled, held a crumpled paper in its' grasp.
"Merlin, Hermione! What the bloody hell was that?" one of her best friends, Ron Weasley, demanded, looking peeved. Hermione's mouth opened, closed again, and opened once more; choking on any words she had been about to say, she wordlessly handed the paper to both him and a dark-haired wizard sitting opposite.
MINISTER OF MAGIC IMPOSES NEW LAW
By Amelia Amour
Newly-appointed Minister of Magic, Rufus Scimgeour, has just imposed a new law – passed by the Wizengamot in a unanimous vote – reawakening the Marriage Act of 1759. The Marriage Act states that every witch and wizard seventeen and older must marry within the year. This act was first created in order to quickly repopulate witches and wizards after the violent acts of religious persecution by ignorant Muggles. Minister Scrimgeour now feels that, with the many deaths caused by the Second War, pureblood witches and wizards are dwindling and are in danger of disappearing altogether. In answer to outraged half-blood and Muggleborn magic folk, he answered, "I know it seems unreasonable now, but you'll see; it really is for the best. You'll be thanking me in ten years when the wizarding world has reached its' full potential. You'll see." It is unsure whether the Minister's words will truly come to fruition; his dissenters have certainly not been assuaged.
Those unmarried who are seventeen or older will be receiving letters at nine AM this morning, stating who their spouse shall be and further details on their courtship. In selecting spouses, a special Goblet of Fire-like system will be used in order to find the best candidate for you. By special permission of Minister Scrimgeour, the details of the Marriage Act will be briefly outlined in this article.
1.) Witches and wizards seventeen or older must be married within the year.
The couple must have at least one child within three years.
3.) There is no limit on the number of offspring the couple may have.
As Minister Scimgeour said in an interview with this intrepid reporter, "Remember, for all intents and purposes, we are trying to begin our world again. This new generation of young people will be our future."
"Holy shit!" the dark-haired wizard – whose named happened to be Harry Potter, the famous Boy-Who-Lived – cursed. Ron's mouth was hanging open, his loaded breakfast plate forgotten as drool dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Hermione, meanwhile, didn't bother to scold either of her friends for their uncouth reactions. She was still deathly silent, shuddering visibly as other seventh years received and read the front-page headline and subsequent article.
"Noooo!!!"
"This is . . . it's outrageous!"
"What is this – pedophilia?!"
"I'm too young!"
Hermione made a frightened-sounding noise. "No, no." She shook her head, hands shaking. "No, this . . . this isn't p-pos-" But she was cut off by the synchronized flapping of wings as owls swooped through the open windows, that same inviting breeze floating through, dropping letters – emblazoned with the Ministry's insignia – onto every seventeen-year-old's plate.
Cries of misery and yells of triumph – maybe a certain wizard was now engaged to his crush – as each of the "eligibles" opened their letters.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged looks over the table and, with a deep breath, they each reached for their own white slips of parchment, a simple piece of parchment that would change their life. Forever.
Well, here goes nothing. . . .
Love it? Hate it? Tell me what you think, all you have to do is click the little rectangular button. I will post the next chapter if I get at least ten reviews. So, if you want to know who gets who.. Review!!
