The Marriage Law
Chapter One: Fudge's Great Idea
A/N: I decided to try something a little different so I wrote the first chapter. If anyone likes it, I will continue to write it. Suggestions welcome, and comments. Read and Review!
A Bit of Info:
This takes place in Hermione, Harry, and Ron's 7th year of Hogwarts. As the story goes on, you will find out who has died, and when.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; I don't own J.K. Rowling's work. The only thing I own is this plot, and everything else is someone else's.
The war had been going on for years. Ever since the Boy Who Lived had come back to Hogwarts, the Dark Lord had been stirring up trouble. But the past year had been the worst, with even Dumbledore being killed off. The Minister hadn't listened to Dumbledore's wise warnings and now he regretted it greatly. If he had only listened, he might have more information about how to get rid of the one person who was evilest of all.
The wizarding world's population was dwindling, and Fudge knew that something had to be done about it. "But what? What was it that could bring the wizards population back up, so that they would not be demolished completely?" He thought. The cause of the population decrease had been because of Voldemort and his followers. Those that supported him killing at least fifty wizards and witches each month really had hit the wizarding community hard. Not to mention the number of the muggle population was decreasing drastically as well. Only two months ago was the Pope killed along with the President of the United States. "So what to do about it?"
Fudge had only just recently become Minister of Magic yet again. With Rufus Scrimgeour gone (He had run away, out of fear of Voldemort's return) and Dumbledore dead, the people had wanted him back as the head leader again, probably figuring that he could help in some small way.
Fudge knew he wasn't the brightest wizard, but he did know that the Ministry would not be able to overcome this. He had been trying to convince himself of this for months but it wasn't working, and a second plan needed to be publicized. Fudge had met with all surviving advisors that hadn't been killed off in the past months. Thrown at him were suggestions of going into hiding, a draft forcing wizards and witches to join the ministry's defense program, or even making illegal spells legal to help out in this horrible war. But none of these ideas suited the problems going on. Fudge felt that even if he did all of the topics suggested and argued over, He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named would rule over all sooner or later. There simply was not enough brilliance in the wizarding world left to help the community overcome Voldemort.
Especially in the past few months, there had been signs of the Dark Mark speckling the sky like stars. Along with it, were the words "Surrender to your Doom." Fudge had escaped death twice already, only because of a mistake both of the Death Eaters made who had been after him. He had been contemplating over whether or not to simply give in to this horrible wizard. "Maybe if we give in and surrender now, we will be spared. It may be what we need in order to survive. We could fight back later, when we are stronger again." But he knew he was fooling himself. "What am I thinking? Giving in to the Dark Lord would be as if we were giving ourselves away to death without any resistance."
The Minister of Magic put his head in his lap, covering it with his hands. He was at a standstill, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, Percy Weasley burst into the room, carrying Penelope Clearwater. Both had been working by his side as hard as they could as assistants for three years now. He also knew that they had been dating. "Percy, what is the meaning of this intrusion. I'm busy, you know that!" he said, standing up and straightening his robes. "I know sir, but I had to tell you. Penelope and I are getting married. I just proposed and she told me yes!" Penelope laughed. "That's wonderful news, I'm so happy for you," Fudge said with a smile and shook the young man's hand after he had put Penelope on the floor.
Mr. Weasley had died seven months ago to date. Since Percy spent so much time at work, and after the loss of his father, the Minister of Magic had become a fatherly figure in his life. "Well Percy, that really is great," Fudge said, grinning again. Percy looked overjoyed. "I told you she would say yes," Fudge chuckled to himself. Percy had been debating for months whether it was the right time to ask the girl if she would become his wife. Fudge had put up with a lot of worries from the young Mr. Weasley over the past year about it and was glad that the matter finally had been settled. Percy and Penelope chatted with the Minster for a few more minutes about it and then left to go eat out to celebrate the engagement.
The Minister sat back down in his chair after they had left and he had waved goodbye. He sighed, looking out the window at two birds in a nearby tree.
He was so happy about what had happened to Percy. After the loss of a few of his family members and relatives, he was so glad that something good had finally happened. Marriage was always a great step in life and he knew Percy would love it.
"WAIT!" Fudge was getting an idea. He started speaking aloud to better think things over. "What if there was some way to gain a better population by more marriages…what if there was suddenly a large amount of weddings...and after that of course there would have to be a large baby boom period. Oh, but how do I make all of this happen? It'd be so nice, but how?"
The Minister sat down on the carpet in his large, brown office that he had been reassigned. Sitting right on the floor, in one of his nicest set of dress robes, he thought about how to make this possible. After thinking for a while, he gave up. There was no way that would ever be able to happen. It would be very enjoyable if he were able to somehow convince the people of the baby boom because all fame would come to him. Fudge imagined it in his mind. Reporters crowding around him, asking how he, Fudge alone, had defeated the Dark Lord by having the brilliant idea to repopulate their world. He would respond, telling them how the dazzling plan had come about him one day in his office. Therefore, he would have defeated the enemy and all would praise him for years to come.
"Yes, it may be a bit far-fetched" Fudge thought to himself, "but it is a nice thought. No one would ever doubt my judgment again, and everyone would forget about my silly encounters with that Dumbledore."
Suddenly, it hit him right in the face. "What if there was a way to make the people do it. Yes, they would all hate me at first, but I have good reason for it. The population is decreasing severely by the day, and the end to our magical society could come in the next decade if we're not careful. A certain decree announcing a law of marriage would help our community. The couples could have children, and that would help us out in many ways. And if this works out to my benefit, I will be loved by all by the time this is all over!" A smirk came over the Minister of Magic's face. He had the idea that he had been waiting for. He knew what he was to do for once in his life and he had thought of it himself.
Cornelius Fudge stood up hastily and wiped the dust from his hands on the front of his robes. He walked over to his desk and sat down quickly, making the seat squeak loudly.
Fudge took out a quill and a piece of parchment from the top-right desk drawer. He said a simple charm so that the quill would write what he said and began to talk. "To All Whom It May Concern," he started to say.
Before he knew it, he had written up a whole decree for his newly established marriage law. He made a copy of it with his wand, stood up and went to the window, and called for his owl Barney from its perch in the corner of the room. Barney flew over and Fudge attached the note to his right foot. "I want you take this to the Department of Magical Transportation. There will need to be thousands of copies made out and delivered by owl to all that need them. Now hurry and go. Do not stop along the way, and bring me a message in a response that they have received my decree."
Barney hooted an understanding of what the Minister meant and soared out into the dark sky, flying fast and with every intention of doing what the Minister had said. Fudge watched from afar as the bird flew out of sight, and then relaxed once again in his chair.
At 10:58 pm, the Minister of Magic sat in his office, still waiting for a reply from the Transportation Department. Just as he was drifting off to sleep, Barney flew in the window, greeting him with shrill clucking noises indicating that he was happy to see his master once again. Bolting right up in his chair, the Minister checked his watch. "It's about time, I've been waiting at least a couple of hours!" he grunted.
Fudge went over and got Barney an owl treat from a large bag near Barney's things. He then unattached the note from Barney's leg and the owl flew swiftly into its cage, content yet again. Cornelius Fudge opened the note, reading that the copies were being made as he read and one would be at every house by late morning. He also saw that there was a copy of his decree sent back, to show what it would look like officially. Fudge was pleased. He sat back in his chair with his arms crossed behind his head and listened to the sounds of the night as the copy of the decree fell to the floor reading…
To Whom It May Concern:
Due to the drastic loss of population in our wizarding society lately, the Ministry of Magic orders a required Marriage Law to all with magic powers of any sort.
Marriage Law Requirements as of November 30, 1986:
All wizards and witches between the ages of 17 and 50 years old are hereby ordered to find and marry a suitor within 40 days of receiving this notice. Anyone unable to find a suitor will be assigned one by the Ministry of Magic.
Other Requirements:
1: If you are muggle-born witch or wizard, you are hereby ordered to marry into a pureblood family. No exceptions will be made in this matter.
2: Widows are not excluded from this law. If a past spouse has died, marriage is still obligatory.
3: Squibs are not required to follow this notice.
4: Anyone that needs to be assigned a marriage, please report to the Ministry of Magic within forty-eight hours of receiving this notice.
5: All married couples must stay together for at least six years. After this, a divorce is permitted.
6: By the seventh month of any marriage, all women should be at least 3 weeks pregnant with their first child.
7: All couples are required to have at least two children. Having three or more will get you beneficial help from the Ministry if eligible to meet the requirements needed to apply.
8: The second child should be born by the beginning of the couple's third year of marriage.
9: A Ministry official or authority figure shall be assigned to each and every couple to follow up on the status of each marriage and birth requirements. You will be checked on every 3 months. A name at the bottom is who your mentor will be.
10: We must state the fact that no same-sex marriages will be tolerated. Sorry to all for the trouble, but it is impossible for two of the same sex to reproduce.
11: If you are cheated on by your marriage partner, you do not have the rights to divorce until after the six years are over. We are in high need of the population to grow, and no exceptions can be made to this.
12: The same requirements are directed to already married couples. Please refer back to numbers six, seven, and eight for reminding.
13: For those who already have two children, for every child that you have after that, you will be awarded 100 galleons.
14: Any students at any magic school are not excluded from this decree. This applies to all students too.
For those not willing to follow thy law:
It is mandatory that everyone follow this law. Partners may be chosen if one fails to find their own mate on their own after the 40 days are up. If one refuses to marry who was chosen for them within one week of being assigned, they shall face the consequences. Any citizens of our magical community that fail to follow the above shall be banished from the wizarding forever. Wands will be taken away and broken along with any other magical capabilities and memory of the wizarding world eternally if this event occurs at any time.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Fudge
Minister of Magic
A/N: If I get at least a certain amount of reviews, I will continue the story. If not, I'll discontinue it and assume no one likes it. Not saying the number, so again, read and review :D
Oh and btw, I'm not going to mention who the main characters of the story are yet, it's a surprise, so don't assume who it is because you may be wrong...