Disclaimer: obviously this is not the quality of work usually associated with JKR... so we can safely assume I don't own the HP universe.
"I think you're making a mistake." Hermione Granger spoke up from the back corner of the Wizengamot in a rare moment of quiet.
50 wizards and witches dressed in purple robes of distinction turned simultaneously to look at her. A sea of mixed expressions adorned their wrinkled and mostly bearded faces.
"I beg you pardon, Ms. Granger, but I don't think I have to remind you that you are not a member of this exclusive group. You are but a voice to represent the few - the very few - of the group that you uniquely identify with. Not a vote. A voice. And you have shared your dissenting opinion many times over the course of this debate."
Hermione stood carefully so as to see everyone, and perhaps to feel less like a schoolgirl on the end of a reprimand. "I understand that my position on this council is as a non-voting representative of the muggleborn population in Wizarding Great Britain. But if I could just note - again - that this law you are on the verge of implementing will effect more than muggleborns, it will be changing the futures of an entire generation of witches and wizards. You will not be affected by this at all. Unlike me." That last comment was said quietly under her breath but by the scowl on the grey-haired wizard sitting closest to her it did not go unnoticed.
"Be that as it may, Ms. Granger, unless you have a NEW idea that is impossible to pass up, we will be continuing with our work now." The head of the wizengamot turned around effectively dismissing her but she spoke up again quickly.
"Actually, I did just remember an ancient spell that might be more effective than posting a list of matches in the ministry hall." She snuck a side glance at the witch who had suggested that little addition to the law.
"You have three minutes to give us your explanation before it's time to break for tea. If you can't convince me that your theory is a better one that our law - which is already written and ready to be signed - then I'm sorry to say that you'll be the first to be matched." The old wizard hardly looked sorry, in fact his long beard was twitching with a barely concealed smirk.
It took everything in Hermione to keep her eyes from rolling at his expression, but with a deep breath through her nose and a long exhale through her mouth, Hermione began to succinctly explain her idea.
"There's an ancient spell created by Merlin that was reportedly used one time with excellent results. It's a soul mate spell and potion combination. A group of people take the potion and have the spell cast on them. A small mark appears above the thumb of the wand hand and will glow in the vicinity of the soul mate. My plan would have the group of people you'd like to include in the marriage law brought together to experience the spell."
Hermione paused and looked around at the appraising looks, trying to judge whether the faces were showing her approval or dismissal.
The old bearded wizard in charge spoke again, "there appears to be potential in your method, Ms. Granger, but I'm concerned about the time frame. With the law as it's written, the matches would be paired up through questionnaire results and required to bond immediately upon being selected. How would you suggest we perform the selections if we don't known who is paired with whom?" He sat down and raised a thick white brow in challenge.
Hermione was not to be deterred. She had stayed up all night considering every angle of this process once she had discovered the spell in an ancient Merlin text. "I would suggest that the young people are eased into the idea of being forced to marry for the sake of strengthening the community and building the population. The spell and potion could be administered during a celebration - a gala perhaps - and once everyone is aware of how the magic works, they would be told the time frame. Perhaps a 6-month interim where matches could get to know each other and come to, if not love each other, at least respect one another. Rather than being forced to marry immediately, they'd have the opportunity to get used to the concept of marriage. Some of us never intended to marry or have children."
Hermione bit out that last thought with more irritation in her voice than she'd intended, but it couldn't be helped. She was annoyed. In fact, she was enraged that her life plan was being so dramatically altered and she had no say in it. She was going to be the youngest Potions Master/best-selling Historian/and most revolutionary Headmaster of Hogwarts that the Wizarding world had ever seen. Her grand plans did not leave room for a husband or children. She shivered at the thought. Not that she had a problem with children, she loved to babysit Teddy, but she also loved giving him back at the end of the day.
The old wizard stroked his beard in thought and glanced around the room, "there is potential here, Ms. Granger. Perhaps even merit in your idea. Let's break for tea. When we return in an hour we can put this plan to debate and see if we can hammer out enough details to be able to vote before supper." With that final statement a gavel was slammed and a quiet roar of voices echoed around the room, nearly drowning out Hermione's thoughts.
She'd done it. Well, nearly. She'd gotten them to consider the idea as an alternative to their half-baked scheme that would have brought turmoil to all of the British Wizarding world. She tried to surpress a grin as she made her way slowly out of the room, up the lift, and across the street to the quaint Muggle café with the best Earl Grey and scones with clotted cream in all of London. She grinned into her tea cup and mentally patted herself on the back.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter for my take on the marriage law concept. I expect this story to run about 15 chapters long if I stay true to the outline I have sketched out. It will ultimately be Draco/Hermione, but I'm going to try and do a slowish burn rather than the smutty one-shots I generally do. There will definitely be lemons galore once the action really gets started, so the M-rating is there for a reason!
Ok. After the longest author's note EVER... please review and let me know what you think!
Xoxo Court