The war had been over for a little over a year; however, many death eaters were still scattered. The Ministry had sent out Owls a few nights ago informing everyone that an important message they were required to read immediantly would be sent today. As a result, everyone was off from work and left lounging around the Burrow. Molly had requested her boys, Fred and George return home since they couldn't open their shop. Heromine and Percy were also home from their Ministry jobs, and were obviously nervous about the messages they would be sent, but they weren't sharing.

At exactly 4:00 pm a noble, snowy owl knocked at the window carrying multiple, thick envelopes with the ministry seal. Mr. Weasley collected the enveloped and called the family to the kitchen and Heromine silently took a seat next inbetween Ginny and George.

"Before I distribute these, I feel it's only fair to warn you of the conents," Mr. Weasley sighed. "There has been an infiltration to the Ministry, and we believe that the Minister of Magic is under the Influence of the Death Eaters when he passed this law. Inside these letters you will learn more about it and know that we tried to stop it. I am sorry." He distributed the letters silently to all of the children and they slowly opened them.

Heromine read through her letter carefully, though she already knew the law:

In response to the Wizarding World's drastically low population, the Ministry has therefore issued a "Marriage Law" to try to repopulate. Each wizard and witch between the ages of 17 and 35 in Britain will be paired with their best match and forced to wed by the end of the year. The marriages must be consumated and the use of contraceptive potions or spells is strictly prohibited due to the need for at least one child to be conceived by the end of the next year. If you believe you have a better match or a pre-existing relationship you may petition the Ministry.

Heromine Granger will be matched to Gregory Gule. Please make contact with your match by the end of the week.

Signed,
The Ministry

Heromine rereads the letter multiple times before dropping it to the floor and burying her face into her hands and emitting sobs. Surely she will be killed.

However none of her friends seem to comfort her, Harry and Ginny are kissing and joyously celebrating at their good luck and Ron seems stunned into silence by receiveing another chance with Lavender Brown. Instead George slings his arm around her and asks her what was wrong.

"I-I-Groyle!" She sobs brokenly and suddenly all the conversation stops.

"Groyle?" George repeats quietly. She raises her head and nods, tears still falling down her face.

"No, we will call an Order meeting at once! She'll be killed, someone in the Order must petition for her," Mrs. Weasley insists,"Surely no one else had this misfortune!"

George reports he had been paired with his girlfriend Alicia Spinnet, Fred with his former girlfriend Katie Bell, Percy with a girl no one knew, Harry and Ginny, and Ron with Lavendar Brown.