Disclaimer: I'm doing this once, not mine, everything belongs to J.K. Rowling, I just take them out and play with them when I get bored, and she's nice so she's okay with sharing.
A/N: I'm also doing this once for a while, right now this is a WIP, but it could be completed. You read, you like, you tell me. Also, currently it stands as a T, but if you want me to continue I will bump it to an M so if you are not 15 years old, don't read! If you aren't 18, don't tell me to continue because then you can't read.
Chapter 1
By Decree of the Minister of Magic and the Wizengamont Council:
It shall be enacted the creation of the Marriage Law Act, where in which all wizards and witches between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, having graduated or left Hogwarts, must marry by the date 1 January, 1999. Said wizards and witches will be provided with a suitable marriage candidate by the Ministry of Magic. Wizards and Witches engaged or in a relationship soon to lead to engagements may petition the Ministry for exclusion providing they are married by such date as fore-mentioned above. Owls will be provided by the end of the fortnight to wizards, and witches of lesbian nature, declaring the names of their future spouses.
The Ministry and Minister would like to express their congratulations to the soon to be married witches and wizards.
"Express their congratulations, my ass." George Weasley shouted, slamming his hand on the breakfast table his whole family was gathered around that Sunday morning. His oldest brother had his arm wrapped around his wife's shoulder, a laughing smile playing on his lips. To Bill Weasley's right, Charlie continued eating his bacon, his lip turned up in a victorious smirk. Sitting beside Fleur was Oliver Wood, glaring at the glasses-wearing, curly haired red-head to his left. Percy was staring at the younger twin in shock of the language he'd used. To Percy's left was Ron, who was mimicking Fred on the opposite side of the table. They and Harry were all nodding their agreement to George's outburst. Hermione and Ginny mirrored each other on the opposite sides of the table by wearing agreeing smiles. Arthur Weasley sat at the end of the table watching his family's entertaining reactions. Molly sat between Hermione and Arthur, showing where Percy had come by his look of disapproval.
"George Weasley," She reprimanded, "watch your language."
"Sorry Mum," George offered, not really sounding apologetic, "I just can't believe they'd add that. It's a big fuck you if you ask me."
"George," Molly shouted.
"Sorry," he said again, instinctively. "It's just I don't like being laughed in the face."
"That's a bit hypocritical, isn't it?" Charlie asked the brother standing beside him.
"Maybe," George agreed, "I'm the one that does the laughing. How dare they try to pull one over on George Fabian Weasley. I don't think so. You know what? Thank-you for breakfast Mum, as lovely as always but I have something I must do." With that he left the table and walked out the back door.
"Well now, where is he going?" Molly asked, looking pointedly at Fred. Fred was still staring at the door his one-eared twin had disappeared through. He was wearing a confused frown when he looked back and saw all of his family had now given him their attention.
"Don't look at me," Fred said, holding up his hands in an act of surrender. "He cut off any twin telepathy channels. I'm just as surprised by his outburst, maybe even more so. I didn't see it coming."
"Alright," Oliver said, pulling the table's attention to him, "my turn. How could you not tell me about this?" He asked, smacking Percy upside the back of his head. Percy ducked, rubbed his head and looked at his boyfriend with a glare usually reserved for the brothers directly younger than his self.
"I didn't know," Percy growled. "Kingsley limits my access to certain councils. I'm afraid he thinks I'll rush off and tell the family things of this magnitude." He looked at Fred when he added, "And he's absolutely correct in that notion."
"Damn straight," Fred agreed, "you got some good graces to get yourself back into."
"I was thinking more of the fact that I don't want to keep things like that from the brother that was so quick to offer up his life." Percy explained. "I don't think I've asked today, but how's your leg?"
"Every day it's a little bit better," Fred answered, patting the large white cast covering his leg. "I just keep thinking, rolling myself around for a month is going to give me some killer upper body strength." Percy laughed as Fred rolled his wheelchair out from under the table and did a wheelie. "Tomorrow they take the cast off, and I can't wait until I can stand on my own two feet." The occupants all smiled at the joyous news. "Course I wouldn't be here without that one." He added, winking at Hermione.
"I didn't do anything," Hermione said, waving off his praise. "A few quick levitating spells and fast healing charms."
"I owe you my life," Fred told her, his eyes going dark with the seriousness he felt for his statement. Hermione looked down, always feeling uncomfortable when this exact topic was brought up. Ron was currently shoveling bacon into his mouth, and missed the exchange.
"Well then," Molly clapped her hands together, "Charlie is exempt because of his age and Bill and Fleur are already taken care of. That leaves Percy, Fred, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, and George, wherever he went. Percy, Oliver, I assume you are going to attempt to petition the Ministry?"
Oliver and Percy shared a look. Percy offered a shy smile. Oliver winked. Percy's smile grew confidant as Oliver wrapped his hand around Percy's. They leaned towards each other, shared a chaste kiss, and looked back at the matriarch, nodding.
"Great, Fred, you aren't seeing anyone, right?" Molly questioned.
"No, and in two weeks I have to go find some bird and tell her, "Hey, you get to marry the most eligible bachelor in all of Wizarding Britain, rich, war-hero, me"." Fred answered, sarcasm dripping from every word.
"Mmhmm, right," Molly sighed, dismissing her son's antics. She looked at the couple to her left and asked, "Ron, Hermione, will you be petitioning too?"
Ron raised his brow while Hermione frowned. Taking the lead, Hermione explained, "Actually, we both agreed that without the life-threatening war raging, our lives were finally calm enough to actually examine them, and we decided we make more sense as best friends instead of a couple."
"You broke up?" Molly asked, sadness in her eyes.
"Oh, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione gasped as she wrapped her arms around the older woman. "Even if I don't share the name I hope I'll still be welcomed as a Weasley, you're my family. I love you like my mother, and Mr. Weasley is like a father to me."
"Hermione, my dear, of course you'll always be an honorary Weasley. You're like a second daughter. I always wanted Ginny to have a sister, and we were blessed to meet you." Molly assured. The two women pulled away and Molly added with a smile, "I always did want you as a daughter-in-law, thought."
"You know," Hermione replied," For so long I thought I was going to be that it feels strange thinking I won't be a Weasley."
"You could always marry me," Charlie offered. "Course you'll have to move to Romania, and learn about dragons."
"It would be one thing to learn about, and another to live with." Hermione told him. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll have to pass."
"Ah, too bad," Charlie snapped his fingers in mock disappointment. "Probably for the best, but the bloke that gets you is going to be one lucky man."
"Hear, hear," all of the men at the table rose their glasses in toast to Charlie's statement. Hermione hid her face behind her hands at the praise.
"So Fred and Ron will be awaiting owls, but Harry and Ginny…"
"We're petitioning," Ginny interrupted her mother. "I've dated other boys," Harry twisted his neck, attempting to get an annoying crick out of it. "I've done the whole, not being with Harry "for my own good" thing," Harry twisted his head the other way. "No, I want Harry, and just Harry, forever." Harry nodded his head forcefully in agreement.
"Good, so just Fred, Ron, and Hermione," Molly said.
"Well I know who I want," Fred said with a smile.
"I do to," Ron stated.
"Oh, who?" Molly wondered.
"It's a secret," Fred answered.
"Luna," Ron smiled, "I just haven't said anything, because she's still dealing with the loss of Neville." The table shared a moment of silence for their fallen friend.
"This is going to hurt her," Hermione voiced, "Did they not even think about how many of us in this age group might be mourning loved ones?"
"I think they are trying to rebuild our population," Percy said, "And provide homes for the many orphans." Fred, Hermione, and Ron stared at the other man. "Of course, I do believe they are going about it the wrong way."