Disclaimer: Geniphir Dae does not own Harry Potter.

Okay so I thought I would get away from the whole Voldemort thing. Now picture this for me, Harry Potter is in seventh year, Voldemort is dead; Ron and Hermione are not together, Ginny and Harry are not together. forget the couples, throw them out the window!

A new Law from the Ministry is being put into effect. All sixth and seventh years must marry by the end of the year. The wizard population is declining and the Ministry is trying to rebuild it.

Dumbledore is alive and well and also is for this new law. Without it the magical age may die. He regrets that his students are being brought into this new law but also thinks that they are ready to be thrust into the real world.

The Wedlock Law

Are They Insane?!

"I cannot believe this!" Hermione Granger looked up from the Daily Prophet and looked across the table to see Ron and Harry stuffing themselves with Mrs. Weasley's delicious breakfast.

"Rut's wong Ermione?" Ron spat with his full mouth.

"Just listen to this you pig!" she was definitely not in a good mood.

Marriage on the Mind?

According to sources unknown, there has been

a new law passed by the Ministry. Our tipster,

who will remain anonymous, has informed the

Daily Prophet that all wizards ages sixteen to

Thirty three will be required to marry by the

End of the school year for Hogwarts School.

Many complaints have already circling the

Wizading World and riots have been formed. The

Minister has assured the public that it is for the

sake of the population that they should be required

to marry. Also, it is rumored that there will also be a

child bearing law that is to be fully announced in

December. All persons that fall into the category will

be receiving a letter from the Ministry tomorrow about

the details of this new law. Sources say that partners

may be chosen, but if not engaged by January 14th,

the Minitry will choose for you. So pick your parteners

you young ins, or you may be stuck with your worst enemy.

"What do they think they are doing? We have to get married? Why the hell would we have to do that?" Ron was in one of rants and never waited for an answer.

"Ron you must calm down! Now, they do have it for a good reason I guess. But why us? I mean we are so young!" Hermione had started to tear up and Ginny went over to comfort her.

"This really isn't fair! I just turned sixteen a few months ago! Now I have to get married?" Ginny and Hermione silently cried together. Mrs. Weasley entered the kitchen to see what all the fuss was about.

"Why are you two crying? And why do you look like you are going to be sick?" she gestured towards Ron who had turned a light shade of green.

"Just look at the front page of the Prophet." Said Harry meakly.

They watched her silently as she quickly scanned the paper. Her face got redder and redder as she continued to read.

"ARTHUR WEASLEY COME INTO THE KITCHEN NOW!" she screamed as she too began to cry.

"What is it dear?" he said coming in with a guilty face.

"You knew about this didn't you?" she looked at him with a discusted look on her face.

"Now Molly please don't be angry. The law was only passed to rebuild our population. We are losing our numbers fast. No one seems to be having children anymore!"

"You mean you agree sending our children off to be married just like that?! Think about your sons Arthur. Think about Ginny. Are they going to force her to have a child when she is only sixteen years old? Are they going to ruin the lives of all of these people just so they can gain a few more numbers? Arthur these are children! Our children!" she pleaded with him.

"Molly, the minds of the entire Ministry has been made. It was a unanimous vote. We are all in favor of this. It isn't like I want to send my children out like that. But it is best for the whole community. Sacrifice to the few, gain to the many. Please just listen to me?"

"NO! HOW COULD I BE MARRIED TO SUCH A COLD HEARTED MAN LIKE YOU? JUST LEAVE ME BE!" Mrs. Weasley ran up t her room and slammed the door shut.

"I am really sorry kids. I hope you do understand." He left the kitchen somberly and apparated off to the Ministry.

"So that is settled then?" Hermione asked out loud, "We are all doomed for eternity but the community will go on." She had a hardened look on her face but seemed far away at the same time. "Sacrifice for the few, gain for the many."

"What did mum mean by having a child?" Ginny asked afraid of the answer. Harry took the paper from the middle of the table.

"It says something about child bearing laws being placed in December." He threw the paper down, discusted.

"Draco? Draco come out. it isn't that bad!" Blaise had been trying to coax Draco out of his room since he got the Daily Prophet. Draco had read the news and then ran off to his room.

"No! I am not coming out! Not if you made me!" He could not believe his father had agreed with this terrible law! But then again, Draco had disowned him.

Draco and Blaise now lived in Diagon alley in a little flat above the Weasley's joke shop. They had rented it out from them. Draco couldn't believe that the Weasleys had been so understanding and had taken them in.

"Come on mate!" Fred replied joining Blaise outside the door. "We all knew something like this was going to happen! It affected me too you know!"

"Yeah, but you already love someone! I don't even have a girlfriend! You and Angelina were going to tie the knot soon anyway!"

George now joined the crew trying to coax Draco out and added, "Well what about me? I don't have a girlfriend!"

"Yeah but you fancy that Katie Bell! I don't even think I like anyone!" Draco had begun crying into his pillow. He wasn't ready for marriage. And he definitely wasn't ready for family!

"We don't really have a choice Draco! And you can't stay locked up in here forever!" Blaise was starting to raise his voice. How could Malfoy be such a coward?

"Fine!" he slowly opened the door. The others could see the tear stains on his cheeks but knew better than to say anything. "Happy?"

The whole day at the Weasley house was full of tears and hugs. No one could quite grasp the thought of getting married. None of them had boyfriends or girlfriends. They were all alone. Harry was trying to comfort the girls while also getting comfort from Ron who was comforted by food. Mrs. Weasley refused to come out of her room. Mr. Weasley left a note saying he would be staying at the Ministry for the night to let Molly cool down. Silence filled the day.

"When do you think we will be forced to marry?" Harry dared to break the silence.

"I don't know. It just says that we have to be engaged by January the 14th or they will choose for us." Hermione answered. They had looked at that one article so many times that she had memorized it.

"What should we do?" asked Ginny who was watching the sun set through the windows.

"How about we all sleep together. My room is big enough for all four of us. " ron said with a small forced smile.

"Ok. Let's go upstairs." Hermione said quietly.

They left the living room and went upstairs. Each of them knew that tomorrow would mean they were no longer free. It meant they were no longer children or even teenagers, they were adults.

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! Draco realized he had fallen asleep at the counter of Fred and George's joke shop. He looked up to see four owls pecking at the front door. Quickly he opened the door and seized the owl that flew towards him.

"Owls are here!" he yelled loudly so that Blaise, George and fred could hear. They cam thundering down the steps at the sound of his voice. Blaise's hair looked as though he had been electrocuted. Fred and George looked like zombies. Nevertheless, they jolted awake when they saw the owls. Each of them took their letters and began to open them.

Draco hesitated before opening his but decided it was no use to wait. After ripping off the seal he unfolded it.

Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy,

We are very pleased to tell you that at age seventeen you fall under the new rule that has been established in the Ministry. You are to be engaged by the end of January, and married by June. Precautions have been taken and I am afraid to tell you that you have no choice. Please know that you may be sacrificing a lot, but we need you to rebuild our weak numbers. If you fail to find a suitable partner by the end of January the Ministry will choose for you. If you try to avoid the new law you will be found and imprisoned. You may only choose a partner who is currently going to Hogwarts and is in sixth or seventh year. The Ministry is not trying to control your life but to protect the future. Reminders will be delivered to you shortly about your engagement.

Sincerely,

Rufeous Scrimgeour