The Ministry of Magic has passed a law that requires all unmarried witches and wizards that survived the war to submit to Legilimency at the Marriage Registration Office, and one week later they receive an owl with their intended's name. This is my take on the marriage law scenario.
A/N: Takes place three years after the final battle with Voldemort. The characters all belong to the brilliant J.K. Rowling. Sadly I only own this plot
Chapter One
Three years have passed since the final battle at Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic has passed a law requiring Muggle-borns and Half-Bloods to marry Purebloods. The law requires them to present themselves to a Ministry trained Legilimens, so that the Ministry can pair up Muggle-borns and Half-Bloods with Pure-bloods. The use of an expert Legilimens, ensures that each match has a better than average chance of working out.
Harry, Hermione and Ron had all survived the war, and Hermione and Ron had gotten engaged after dating for a year after the war. Harry and Ginny had rekindled their relationship and the foursome was frequently seen around wizarding London out together.
Harry and Ron were living at number twelve Grimmauld Place. Hermione and Ginny shared a flat in London, very near to Grimmauld Place. The Golden Trio was in the Auror program together, and Ginny was training as a healer. They were all so happy and in love and that is when tragedy struck.
Two of them had cornered some Death Eaters still on the run. They had managed to kill three of them and even got some backup from Narcissa Malfoy who happened to be walking past the alley where they were fighting for their lives. She immediately joined them in fighting off the Death Eaters. They had each killed one when another Death Eater joined into the fray and shot a Killing Curse at Narcissa. Ron dove in front of her and took the curse meant to her. Narcissa killed the remaining Death Eater.
Harry apparated right outside her door, he didn't know how to tell her who she was required to marry. She was going to be devastated when he told her. It just wasn't fair. How could the Minister require Hermione to list herself on the muggleborn registry? She had helped save the wizarding world. She and Ron had helped him kill the most evil wizard of all time.
She needed more time to grieve. Ron had only died 3 months ago, how could Kingsley do that to her. Hermione and Ron should have lived happily ever after. Instead, Ron was dead, and Hermione was going to have to marry that foul git. The worst part was that she was going to get her notice in a few hours. The head of the Marriage Registration Office was Percy Weasley, and he had given Harry a heads up since Hermione was supposed to marry his brother yesterday.
"Of all the wizards in Britain, all the wizards on the pure-blood list, how do I tell Hermione that she has to marry Malfoy?"
Hermione had just returned from the Burrow visiting Ron's grave and she saw her best friend standing at her door. She forced a brave smile to her face and was about to greet him when she heard him talking to himself. She felt all the blood drain out of her head before she crumpled in a faint. Harry heard a gasp followed by a thump behind him. He slowly turned around and saw her lying on the ground, passed out.
Entering Malfoy Manor, Blaise immediately started shouting, "Draco! Where are you? Have you received your letter yet? Did you find out whom you are to marry? I got mine today, and you will never guess who is going to be the next Mrs. Zabini . . ." he slowly trailed off when he saw the white face of his best friend.
"Are you OK mate?" he asked
Blaise took the parchment from Draco's hand and skimmed over it before looking at him with complete shock on his face.
"Granger, Blaise. I have to marry Granger. How could those idiots at the Ministry pair up me and GRANGER" Draco raged. His face was now bright red in his anger. "I thought the Legilimens was supposed to match us up with the person most likely to be our soul mate? How could I have to marry Granger?"
"Her fiancé died saving my mother's life, she was tortured by my Aunt Bellatrix, and my father tried to kill her. Talk about having in-law problems. Hermione will never accept this. She hates me and my family, and who could blame her."
"Merlin, Draco. I don't even know what to say." Blaise said. "I would have never thought that the ministry would foul up that bad."
"Well Blaise who did you get. I know that your match has to be better than mine."
"Parvati Patil. I mean I know she was a Gryffindor, but she is really pretty, and Ginny told me she is really nice too," Blaise said. "Hey, maybe the four of us can go out together to make it more comfortable for all of us."
"Well, I may as well get this over with" Draco said. "If you don't hear from me by tomorrow morning, you can have my broom."
"Very funny Draco. It can't be that bad."
"No Blaise, it is that bad. I have liked Hermione since the Yule Ball in 4th year. She hates me Blaise. How am I supposed to live knowing that the only reason she married me was because she was forced to."
"My friend, look at the silver lining. You get to marry Hermione. If you ever had a chance to make her love you this is it."
Draco looked up at him, a hopeful smile taking over his handsome face. "I reckon you're right mate. This may just work. For sure this is going to be the only chance I will ever get."
With a loud crack he disapparated to go see his intended. Blaise smirked over at Draco's parents who were standing just behind where Draco had just been standing.
Lucius had a satisfied look on his face when he looked over at his wife and said "I was right my dear. Our son is in love with Ms. Granger."
