Disclaimer: I own none of these characters or the world that they live in, they're all J.K. Rowling's.

Author's Note: This is my first time writing a Snape/Hermione fan fiction so wish me luck! I will try to do my best to keep everyone in character. This story was inspired by the many marriage law fics out there on the interwebz. Please R&R and I will do my best to update whenever I can.

"Can you believe that this is our last year at Hogwarts?" exclaimed Ron as the trio entered the Great Hall on the first morning of the new school year.

"I'm not even going to bother getting excited until after NEWTs," Hermione said, her arms full of books even though classes hadn't even officially started yet. Harry walked a few paces behind his two best friends, the difficulty of the past few years fighting Voldemort evidencing itself in his bowed head and slumped shoulders. He had defeated Voldemort in a large battle the previous year, but the guilt of the lives that had been lost during their final confrontation laid heavily on him. Gone was the Harry Potter they had known for their first six years at Hogwarts. He had been replaced with a miserable, solemn young man who rarely smiled.

They made their way to the Gryffindor Table, Hermione and Ron chatting away and trying to involve Harry in the conversation, but they hardly ever got any more than a "yes" or "no" out of him. As breakfast started to appear on the empty plates before them and owls flew through the Hall to deliver letters and packages, Hermione was surprised to have an official looking letter drop right onto her plate of two pancakes—it was lucky not to land in the syrup.

"What's that, Hermione?" Ron asked, his mouth full of porridge. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I have no idea, and please don't talk with your mouth full." Ron hastily swallowed.

"Sorry."

Hermione turned her attention back to the letter. It had an official Ministry seal and was addressed to Miss Hermione Jean Granger. After glancing around the Great Hall she discovered that many, if not all, the seventh year girls had received a letter just like it. Curious, she broke the seal and began reading.

To Miss Hermione Jean Granger,

This letter is to inform you that the Minister for Magic, Hugh Dobervio, has decreed that for the wizarding population to recover from the battle that resulted in the recent defeat of You-Know-Who as well as the deaths of many important witches and wizards, a marriage law must be put into effect. As of September fifth, nineteen ninety-seven, you will be eligible for this legislation.

Any male wizard who has completed his seven year education at Hogwarts or any equivalent institution will be able to petition for your hand in marriage. A team of psychologists specially selected for this task will review the petitions, if there happens to be more than one, and choose the wizard who they deem will be best for you. You will be informed of the match as soon as possible and be given two weeks to prepare for marriage ceremony.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Matilda N. Botswick

Cries of outrage and confusion filled the Hall as the other girls finished reading their own letters. Only Hermione didn't react, instead staring vacantly at the letter in front of her. She couldn't believe it. All her hopes and dreams, gone in one fell swoop. Ron leaned over her shoulder to read the letter for himself.

"What? How dare they!" Ron exploded, his face turning almost as red as his hair. He took the letter from Hermione's numb fingers and passed it to Harry. When he was finished reading it, Harry leaned on the table at put his head in his hands.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. This is all my fault. If we hadn't—If I had waited—" Hermione took his hands in hers.

"Harry, people came and fought that day because they were willing to sacrifice their lives to defeat Voldemort once and for all. Not one of their deaths is your fault," she reassured him for what felt like the one hundredth time, "It's those stupid wizards who are at the Ministry that are to blame for this. No one else."

"Cheer up, mate," said Ron, putting his arm around Harry's shoulders, "Besides, we've got to figure out how to get Hermione out of this mess."

"Today's September second, so we have three days to find something. I'll check the library, there has to be something there about wizarding legislation and I might be able to find a loophole in this new law." She gathered up her books and stood up, her breakfast not even half eaten. After watching her leave, Ron turned to Harry.

"Blimey, I hope she finds something, Harry, because I have no idea where else to look."

When Hermione went down to breakfast on the morning of September fifth, it was with dread in the pit of her stomach. She had failed to find anything that could possibly get her out of this horrible predicament in the library and had no idea what else to do. She gave a small smile to Ron and Harry when they greeted her and picked at her food, too nervous to really eat anything. Every time an owl flew over her head she expected it to drop a letter in front of her, revealing her husband-to-be. When the entire meal passed without interruption and it was time for class, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"There's an idea, Hermione, maybe no one will want you and you'll have nothing to worry about!" Ron said as they headed to Transfiguration, but Hermione tossed her head angrily.

"Gee, thanks, Ron. That was really thoughtful." Her voice was rich in sarcasm and she pushed ahead of him and Harry, leaving them behind.