(A/N: THIS IS NOT A MARRIAGE LAW FIC. Nothing against them [I'm actually quite partial to good ones] but this is a bit different. I was reading some marriage law fics and they all basically sum up the idea that the marriage law is to 1. Breed up. Bring back up population numbers or 2. Mix pureblood and muggle born genes so that purity doesn't exist. I'm dealing with the first one specifically. Population concerns with an alternate way to fix the problem! Please be open-minded and enjoy!)
Disclaimer: …..No. Harry Potter isn't mine. I won't be getting anything from this but some pleasure in my twisted, little heart.
Heads and faces snapped at her so quickly, she contemplated conjuring up neck-braces for everyone that even tilted in her direction. Attention wasn't unusual. Normally, she'd get plenty of nods, a "hello" or two as she passed by admirers on the street. She was a war hero after-all, one of the famous "Golden Trio". She was considered the brightest witch of her generation, a shoe-in as Head of any department she would decide on in the Ministry, even Minister of Magic in a decade or two. But all that was old hat. She'd earned admiration and respect, but the days of eyes tracking her everywhere she went was supposed to be over. So, why all the attention?
It could have been the fact that Hermione Granger was struggling with the weight of her purchases, tucked under one arm...or it could have been that her other arm cradled a the weight of an enormous pregnant stomach, her ring-finger distractedly empty.
The war had taken it's toll on Wizarding Society in Britain. At first, it was the cost to re-build and renew. Then, there were those displaced by the madness and left out hungry and cold. Having magic only got you so far with Gamp's law in place. The Ministry struggled, but with Kingsley Shacklebolt and his determined new team, they were sure to bring the country back to it's former glory. Donations poured in from other countries who had not been so affected by the destruction...and also by those who wished to buy their forgiveness. The Malfoy's for one. Lucius, however, was forced to answer for his crimes, no amount of money absolving him from the atrocities he took place in. Draco and Narcissa seemed destined for the same path, until a well-placed word by Harry Potter himself swayed the Wizengamot in their favor. The money donated, though from questionable sources, helped keep the effort to rebuild moving forward, but it wasn't enough. The real threat became the decline in numbers of the magical community.
At first, though noted, few recognized an actual problem. But it slowly became apparent that there were too few of Healers, too few shop-owners, and even too few students at Hogwarts. Hermione was the one who did the reasoning herself: for the older population to be sustained, a new wave of younger generation must be born. They needed babies...and soon. The rumors began to float about the community, attaching and infecting anyone who caught wind.
"The lady in the sweet shop said she heard the minister saying purebloods are going to be forced to marry muggle-borns!"
"Jonathen Bagtrot said that his sister was approached for her good genes and offered money by a man to marry her and carry an heir!"
Though some of them got pretty close to the truth, there were some so wild, it became necessary for the Minister to say something. "As a society, we have faced more than most can ever begin to imagine. We've seen true evil and we've seen that love, above all else, can conquer. We are currently facing a new war that we never imagined we'd see, but it is the silent enemies we must fear most of all. With the help of the generous contributions we've received, we believe we may have found a solution to our problem.
"Before I explain, I ask you to keep an open mind and remember that this program will be optional, with handsome benefits for those who participate," Kingsley paused, flicking his eyes up towards the crowd. He'd had Hermione write his speech out verbatim this time around. Any small slip in semantics could incite a riot that they could never hope to manage in the state they were in. He saw the Daily Prophet reporter's quill running rampant. "To put it simply, the Ministry is offering monetary incentives for those who continue to expand the magical community for procreation. The rewards are as follows: Any child conceived or birthed within the next four years will receive a stipend every month of their lives to be placed in an account at Gringotts until they come of age. All children conceived or birthed during this time will also receive a form of 'scholarship' to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, should they exhibit the magical qualities required for admission. This 'scholarship' will cover the cost of supplies for the school as well as expense of the child's first wand."
The reporter's hand shot into the air. Without waiting for acknowledgment, he interrupted the minister. "What about those who aren't married? Or don't have the means to be with-child in the next four years? We all just miss out then?"
The Minister composed himself and continued, addressing the reporter's question in his next words. "As a community, we have faced worse. And single-parenthood is nothing to be ashamed of, especially in this day-and-age. For small financial reimbursement, males and females can donate the necessary elements for pregnancy and give the gift of life to others. That being said, if you choose to participate in the program but are un-wed, or otherwise unattached, there are techniques used in muggle-society..."
A roar rippled through the onlookers, bursts effecting the crowd until they all stood in indignation . As soon as muggle technique was mentioned, almost no one would hear about it. He tried to go back and explain the process and it's safety, before giving up and stepping down from his podium. The struggle of wizarding society always came down to accepting muggle practices. Even the year after the war, Hermione had managed to switch the entire Ministry to hand-held pens as opposed to quills, but she'd been fought every step of the way, debate over it being barbaric and unsafe. And that was just a writing instrument...as for a method of conception?
6 months into the program and only a handful of single-parents had signed up. Hermione and Kingsley sat in his office, hunched over files and numbers, trying to find a solution. "I've got it..." she said, setting her cup of tea on the desk and rubbing her exhausted eyes. "The reason they won't participate is a lack of trust in the techniques correct? I mean, with magic we've never had needs for surrogacy or artificial insemination. We've got spells and potions to ensure pregnancy, but that's only when there is two partners. To generate single-parents is not only scary, but through unknown methods? They've never seen any sort of science remotely like this," she paused for a moment, running a hand through her untamed hair. "Where's the form? I'm going to enroll in the program."
"Hermione...I don't think that is necessary. You've already donated enough eggs to aide males that may want to reproduce on their own. Signing up – "
"You know this is the only way that they'll trust the system we've put in place. We could wait years for word of mouth to catch hold. We don't have years. But if they see me..." she countered, grabbing a form from their stack. "This will work."
"It's the beginning of the program. This could be completely unnecessary," he argued.
She looked over her notes. "I'll give it to the year mark. Six more months. If six months from now, we don't see a rise in the amount of participants, I will be inseminated." Kingsley opened his mouth to retort once again. Hermione cut him off with a smile. "No arguments Minister. Remember this is an optional program."
Of course her theory had been correct, once it was openly announced and discussed that Hermione Granger herself had successfully gone through the process of artificial insemination to get pregnant and aide the Ministry's effort. It had worked. Within a month of the announced pregnancy, over 100 single parents had decided to have children...couples opting to have kids specifically for the lifelong benefits. Steadily, their community would grow once again. So, here she was, walking down the street with ankles the size of bludgers, heartburn that could rival a Norwegian Ridgeback, and a stomach that looked ready to quite literally, explode.
Hermione had been thrilled...at first. She hadn't made this decision hastily, but she'd ended up with more than she'd bargained for. As had been expected of her, she'd looked into all possible risks and outcomes, even before she considered insemination. She just never expected to be one of the women who ended up with one of the rarer results. As the healer waved his wand above her stomach, two distinct clouds formed above her stomach. Both blue, but definitely distinct. Oh God... "Twins," she said quietly, staring at the beautiful swirling patches. Three of them. Three Grangers.
"Congratulations, Ms. Granger!" She heard it from everyone. She'd hoped to avoid unnecessary fuss, but as it turned out, when you carry twins, the world becomes aware very quickly. Harry and Ron were supportive, but each had their own pregnant wives to think about. So, she'd written down her list of pros, cons, and wild cards that could and would effect her decision. When she'd mentioned the program to her friends, it had been obvious that the idea of having their children set up for life was a draw. She knew they'd be having their own kids and that they would have limited time for her and her own child. The difference being, of course, that all of her friends had a spouse in which to help.
She'd planned her new life with the one child in mind. A sperm specimen was selected based on health history and compatibility for a magical offspring, then she'd gotten to work. In the first trimester, she'd had the nursery ready, gender-neutral clothes filling the drawers. Motherhood had always been a plan of hers, so she tried to look at this journey like a step up in her plans. When those clouds floated above her stomach, she felt all of her assurances melt away. She was a firm believer that single parents could do just as well as a duo, burping, feeding, changing, loving...she knew that she was as capable as anyone. Two children though...at the same time. Managing and loving...it would be so much harder than she anticipated.
As she turned the corner to the apparition point, she collided with a solid form her bags spilling their contents to the ground. On instinct, she grabbed her stomach protectively.
"I'm so sorry," a mumbled reply came. Hermione recognized that voice. She looked up to none other than Draco Malfoy, who was trying to calm the squirming infant in his arms and staring at his own bags that had mingled with Hermione's on the ground.
She tried not to let her surprise show, though it seemed he hadn't even noticed who he'd run into. "Here, let me hold her. I'd offer to pick up the bags, but well...being the size of a whale has it's downsides." At her voice, Draco's eyes snapped up in her direction, eyes falling to the stomach that contained her 6-month gestated twins and then up to the girl in his arms. He wordlessly handed the girl over to Hermione and began to pick up the spilled contents and rearrange the bags.
"Hi!" The little girl waved once she was in her arms.
"Well, hello beautiful!" Hermione cooed, adjusting the swinging legs of the girl away from her stomach. "I'm Hermione. What's your name?"
"Cassie!" she responded cheerfully. At this, the little girl, who couldn't have been much more than a year old took one plump fist and grabbed a handful of Hermione's hair.
"Cassiopeia! That's not nice!" Draco, who had returned from the ground with the bags in his arms. Hermione looked at him. That sounded nothing like the Draco she'd known before the war. That sounded distinctly...paternal.
With another wave of her fist, she brought Hermione's hair closer to inspect and then brought a chunk of her own down, like she was comparing. "Daddy!"
Hermione tried to see what the girl was noticing, but the way Cassie was pulling her hair didn't allow for that line of vision. In an instant, Draco had carefully set down the bags and freed Hermione's arms from his daughter. "Congratulations, Draco. I wasn't aware you had been expecting."
"What? You start a solo-conception program and you don't see who your participants are?" Draco smirked, putting his child on his hip.
"You used my program?" she asked flabbergasted.
"Don't sound so surprised, Granger," he said, picking up a few of her bags and handing them to her.
"Yes, of course, I apologize," she said taking the bags from his hands gratefully. "Well, she's lovely. And very beautiful. Congratulations." There was an awkward moment, where no one said a thing. Random bubbly baby noises and words came from Cassie, but the two adults stood stock-still. Draco's eyes flicked from her stomach to her face. "Well, I should probably be going. I distinctly see a nap in my future," she smiled lightly, adjusting the bags in her hands. "It was nice to meet you Cassie."
She gave a little shake to the girls hand, who squealed with delight over getting attention again. As she stepped closer to the girl, she caught a better view. One of Cassie's curls fell in front of her face. As Hermione brushed it away, she seized for a moment. At first she noticed that it wasn't the trademark white-blonde, quite a bit darker.. It wasn't the color that caught her eye, however, it was the wild and unruly curls that called for notice. No. She shook her head and stepped away to see two sets of Malfoy-silver eyes locked onto her. Pregnancy hormones must be catching up with her. The odds...no. She told herself again shaking her head.
She walked once again towards where she planned to apparate. "Hey," Draco's voice caught her attention from behind her. "You too...I mean, congratulations to you too...Hermione." She gave a nod, and with a pop, she was only a block away from tucking into bed and calming her racing thoughts.
THIS IS A COMPLETE STORY...ALL COMPONENTS ARE FINISHED, JUST WAITING TO BE POSTED! The more reviews, the more incentive to post haha. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy.