NOTE: Please read Saving Hermione before you read this story as this is the sequel!

The wizarding world was just recovering from the defeat of Lord Voldemort and were trying to rebuild their lives while grieving for the loved ones they lost because of Voldemort and his nasty followers, the Death Eaters. Ron Weasley, who helped defeat Lord Voldemort alongside his two best friends; Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, was suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and had been abusing his now ex-girlfriend Hermione. He had been sentenced to a year in Azkaban prison then would be staying in a special ward in St Mungos after. Hermione had originally gone to live at Shell Cottage with Ginny, Fred and George in a bid to stay away from Ron but moved back to the burrow with the Weasley family after Ron got sentenced. However trouble was about to brew once again for the wizarding world but this time Lord Voldemort had nothing to do with it nor was it anything the Boy-Who-lived-Harry-Potter and his faithful friends could fight.

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Chapter 1 – Bombshell Dropped

It had been a week since Fred and Hermione had admitted their feelings for one another but they decided to keep everything quiet for fear of feeling the wrath of their family. Hermione thought this was best as she was still a bit confused as to how she really did feel about Fred, nor did she want to rush straight into another relationship straight away. Yes, she did really like Fred but obviously she was worried. Plus she had her secret task of finding her parents to focus on.

Hermione, Fred and George had all moved back to the burrow days after Ron's trial as he had been sent to Azkaban. Arthur Weasley had just appeared in the kitchen of the burrow looking slightly flustered, as he pushed his glassed onto his nose properly. All the family were there except for Ron obviously. Bill had gathered the others around the kitchen table as Arthur desperately wanted to talk to the four of them.

"What's up Dad?" Ginny asked, casually as she sat down at the table.
"Something wrong?" Bill asked.
"It's the Ministry." Arthur spoke.
"It hasn't fallen again, has it?" Fred questioned.
"Has something happened to Kingsley?" George asked.
"No it hasn't fallen and nothing has happened to Kingsley." Arthur replied.
"Well do tell us then." Fred urged.

Arthur took a deep breath. What he was about to tell his children, Molly, Harry and Hermione was not going to be easy.

"The Ministry are bringing out a new law, next week." Arthur spoke.
"What sort of law?" Bill questioned, placing a hand on Fleur's shoulder.

Fleur had just announced that she was pregnant with her and Bill's first child which was due in May.

"This cannot be good, whatever it is." George commented.
"A marriage law." Arthur spat out, not actually wanting to say those words.
"A what, sorry?" Fred questioned.
"A marriage law." Arthur repeated.
"And what exactly is that?" George asked, sounding confused.
"Basically every witch and wizard between the age of 17 and 35 will be partnered with someone that the Ministry feel suitable and will be forced to marry them, then have children with them within a set time limit." Arthur explained.
"WHAT IN MERLIN?" Ginny shrieked in a high pitched voice.
"They can't do that!" Fred shouted, causing Hermione to jump.
"Can you all just calm down a minute and listen to Dad." Bill pleaded to his siblings.
"Bill you're obviously exempt from this since you're already married." Arthur spoke.

"What about those of us already in relationships?" Ginny questioned.
"Unfortunately that will be completely up to the Ministry." Arthur replied cautiously. "I'm sorry."
"There's not a hope in hell that I'll be breaking up with Harry!" Ginny spat, her face turning red.
"Well failure to comply with the Ministry will result in your wand being snapped and maybe even a stint in Azkaban." Arthur stated.
"That's so stupid, Dad. They can't force us to marry someone we don't know or like and then force us to have kids with them." Ginny shrieked, shuddering at the thought. "It's against our rights."
"They can't really do this, Mr Weasley, can they?" Hermione asked, speaking for the first time.
"Unfortunately they can, Hermione. Too many precious lives were lost during the war and they're scared of magical blood running out and scared that too many kids will turn out to be squibs." Arthur answered.
"So they want us to marry someone, some random person just so they can keep magical blood from dying out?" Fred questioned.
"Something like that." Arthur answered.
"And do we get any say in the matter? It is our futures after all?" George asked.
"Well, as far as I know you can appeal for your partners to be changed." Arthur answered.
"You'd have to have a very good case though." Bill added.

"How exactly are they pairing people off?" Fred asked.
"I honestly have no idea how they are doing it all. I shouldn't even know about the law yet. Kingsley would go mad if he knew I told you all." Arthur answered.
"Will you keep us updated when you find out more information?" Bill asked.
"Yes of course I will. The others already know too but please don't be telling anyone else." Arthur warned. "And please don't be doing anything stupid."

Arthur couldn't tell his sons, Ginny, Hermione and Fleur anything else as he didn't know anything more. He thought this new law was completely stupid and uncalled for. He did trust Kingsley and hoped his boss knew what he was doing but Arthur also knew that 101 things could go wrong with this new law. He knew that people could kick off and attack the Ministry. It could easily start an uprising against the Ministry. Many of the Ministry workers had loudly voiced their concerns over the new law, especially those who had sons or daughters who would be forced to marry people because of it. Kingsley and his team were not very popular within the Ministry at that moment in time.

"I've got to go back to work. I'll see you all later." Arthur spoke.

He stepped outside the cottage and disappeared in a crack leaving his family completely speechless and shocked.