I had a crazy idea, again, and my Magzillasaurus told me, do it. She's my sidekick in the clean up of my grammatical and other mistakes. Plus the girl who says, I'm curious for the next chapter. I hope you like it! ps.: I love reviews, suggestions, heart confessions...

Chapter One

The arm flew straight in the air, fingers tense and upright, "Minister Shacklebolt, a question."

Snorts and chuckles arose within the amply sized room where all people had gathered upon invitation; the Ministry had lured everyone in, under the pretence of an urgent matter concerning the majority of the Wizardry population. The people who recognised the voice, murmured there she goes again, rolling their eyes at her antics.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"If I got this right, you're forcing us into marriage?"

"Yes, Miss Granger, we don't see another way out." A condescending answer with its matching head inclination. Kingsley readied himself for a lecture.

"Because you failed to protect the community, Minister?"

"Unfortunately, I must agree with your assessment."

"So, we the youngsters are paying again for your mistakes?"

"Can you come to your point, Miss Granger."

"I'll get there in a second, Minister. I don't want to overlook any detail."

Especially in the Slytherin corner, you could see the headshakes and the pinching of noses, plus hear the snickers. They all listened to the same speech, leave it up to the swot to make it extra clear was a general thought. As if they could escape their fate. Hermione noticed their expressions but was convinced they would support her, once her point of view became clear.

"You force us to get married and shag like bunnies until we produce a considerable amount of heirs to restore Wizarding society." Now the eye-rolls were replaced by nodding. She made a valuable point.

"I don't see the point for such a vulgar expression but we do indeed want you to contribute to the restoration of the wizarding community by increasing its numbers."

"And to this end, you'll appoint each of us our so-called 'perfect match'."

"Miss Granger, experienced wizards and witches are developing a complex process which will determine your perfect match, yes. We trust the magic to find the ideal partner."

"What will you use to this end, Minister? A crystal ball you purchased at the nearest Ikea? Or will you employ the use of tea leaves you can buy by weight at the Asda around the corner? Some old bats with their overused wands?"

Pansy shooed the boys, "Shut up, the swot has got a point. Listen."

"Miss Granger, please. It's was not an easy decision for us either."

"I'm sorry, but I don't give a sickle about your feelings when you came up to this barbaric conclusion. I fought a war against prejudice, in return, you're forcing me to become a baby machine and you don't even give me the freedom to choose my own life partner."

Not one soul in that area laughed anymore about her lecturing, her point of view was undeniable and now it was foremost curiosity that prevailed, the wish to know how the Minister would get away under her scrutinizing words.

"As I said before, I trust the magic."

"Well, Minister Shacklebolt, with all due respect. I don't."

"It's the law, Miss Granger. Abide or leave our world."

"I want to have the freedom of choice." A unanimous muttering rose in the air. "I'll play by the rules with a partner that I chose, not one that is forced upon me."

'So do I' floated in the air, all around the room.

"But we want results within the year, if it were that easy to find a husband, I believe you would have a ring around your finger by now, Miss Granger."

His assessment only enraged her more and Hermione's jaw clenched. "I wasn't looking for one."

"Why don't you let us do our job then?" Kingsley gave her a patronising glance.

Pansy spoke up, "Give us a period of time to find one, and if we fail, we'll let you do your job." The two witches shared a look.

"Besides, if we all give birth at the same time, I'm sure Headmistress McGonagall will have trouble accommodating so many first years inside the castle. The House's dorms do have limits." Hermione lost count of her personal score, to make it easy she gave it a five for her one for Kingsley, though she was surprised at the unexpected support.

"The Golden Princess has a new valid point, Minister." When women combine forces… Hermione rolled her eyes at the Silver Princess before giving her a half smile.

"Do you have something in mind, Miss Granger? Miss Parkinson?"

"I suggest to throw preconceptions overboard and start from a blank slate. Muggles…" she paused to force a silence after the new series of smirks and comments, "Muggles use a series of speed dates to find a kindred spirit. This way, no prejudice will cloud their judgement. A fair start." Hermione looked at Pansy for confirmation. "If you could be so kind, allow me, Miss Parkinson and a few others come up with extra activities to this end."

"I agree completely, Miss Granger." Never had Pansy used such a friendly tone towards the swot, but there was always a first.

Blaise added his two knuts, "There must be some wizards during those meetings, women alone can't be trusted. I offer myself up."

"If he goes, I go." Ron came to Hermione's side.

It became slightly heated, but Kingsley used his authority to calm the crowd down. "Calm down! Miss Granger, Miss Parkinson, please select a small team to discuss this suggestion of yours and get everything ready. I give you a time limitation of three months. If after this period any wizarding folk remain single, they will be forced to follow our protocol."

"Of course, Minister. And if any wizard or witch doesn't want to try our way, they are free to ask your aid already. I'm not forcing anyone to support me." It was her turn to look condescending, and the Ministry knew it.

-oOo-

"Granger, a word." Pansy sought her out from amongst the departing mass.

"Never thought I would say this, but here it goes: I'm grateful that you had my back. Those old bats are insane." Her rage still boiled, but Hermione felt content with the outcome. At least she had something to say in the matter.

"At first I thought you were daft, woman; but I have got to give you, your points are valid." Pansy checked her nails once again. "You and Me, Blaise and your Weasley, we need some badgers and eagles to balance, to keep it fair. I don't want to be accused of partiality, my bad reputation precedes me already."

"Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott?" Hermione thought immediately of these two names.

Pansy suggested quickly, "That Patil sister and the cute guy, what's his name again Michael? Michael Corner?"

"I'll owl and invite them. Where? Three months my arse. What do they think we are? Robots?"

"What are those, girl? Magical creatures I don't know about?" Pansy rolled a tress of hair around her fingers thinking of a location, "One of the rooms above the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Perfect. Tomorrow at nine o'clock?"

"Not too early, girl, I need my beauty sleep. Make it ten."

"Never heard of: you snooze, you lose?"

"This pretty face, Granger, needs enough rest. Ten o'clock, witch. See you then." She gave Hermione a last cheeky grin before joining the awaiting group of Slytherins.

-oOo-

"What about me and Harry?" Ginny had one urgent question.

"We have three months to find our partner. In my opinion, you found yours already, unless you want to try this speed dating to see if Harry is your true soulmate."

"What if it turns out to be Goyle? Or Harry with Milicent?"

"Merlin's saggy tit, don't jinx it. We're not partaking."

"Yes we are, it's a test for us, Harry."

"I thought you just said you are against it, Ginny."

"I've changed my mind, it's a test for both of us, would we choose each other all over again? I'm up to a challenge."

"Women." Harry shook his head.

Ginny batted her eyelashes, smiling, "You love me and we are made for each other."

Ron and Hermione exchanged a grin, their path wasn't what they hoped it to be, but their friendship just solidified even more after the break-up, becoming more overprotective of each other. The war ended a year and a half ago and during this time, he focused more on healing and being there for his family after the loss of Fred; dating was the least of his concerns. This speed dating didn't sound so odd, "Hey, 'Mione, could we add a cooking test to this thing we're doing?"

"Are you thinking with your stomach again, Ron?"

"It's vital to know if your future wife knows how to handle themselves in a kitchen." He shrugged matter-of-factly.

"You want her to be your mother's clone?"

"Hermione, you have to agree, my mother's kitchen it smells heavenly. Why can't I wish it for myself?"

"Ron, what if the woman of your dreams can't cook?" She swirled her glass of butterbeer while pursing her lips.

"I'll send her to my mum's for a crash course." Ron grinned and Hermione slammed her palm against her forehead, shaking her head.

"Pans, my darling, we need to make sure we have a beauty pageant. My future wife has to be easy on the eyes."

"Tits and arse prevail against feelings and understanding?" Daphne scowled.

Draco shrugged, "I don't see the issue, Daphne. Imagine, you have an amazing connection with a wizard until you see him and think, oh no, he's ugly."

Pansy decided, "Beauty pageant for both sides. Draco, don't give me that face, you just said it, what if my soul mate turns out to be a foul teethed, greasy haired Filtch?"

"Pans, but the pageant thing must come after Granger's speed dating. Heart and soul are more important than tits, arse and abs."

"Daph, you're a hundred percent right." The women high-fived.

The men didn't agree and continued discussing it amongst themselves, "Looks are more important than a brain. You can always pretend you listen to a witch." Draco mocked Pansy's expression behind her back.

She gave him a dirty look, but it didn't stop Blaise from adding to the pile, "Maybe we should add a witch test ride."

"Oh, no, don't you even think about it, wanker."

"Talent in bed and in a blow job are also uttermost vital." The other wizards clapped on Blaise's shoulder after his statement, congratulating him for such a smart comment.

The women gave him a dead look, "If that's the case, then we should also judge a mans dick according to his talent at satisfying a woman. And believe me, Blaise, that's not for everyone."

"Pans, it was a one-time thing, I wasn't in full capacity."

"Still, your performance was barely an A, more of a P."

Daphne whispering suggested, "Shouldn't you take Theo instead of Blaise? On the other hand, it could be fun to see Granger hex his arse." Pansy answered with a wicked chuckle.