My very first fan fiction. I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters in this story...

A new day has begun and shocking news waits ahead for everyone in the wizard world. Today is a very special day for Hermione Granger, for it is not every day that you turn 16! However, she did not have a very pleasant morning for she had just woken up after having a nightmare about god knows what for all she heard was cries and pleas for help and it sounded like it was her voice! Shaking she got up from her bed and drew back the curtains around her bed while her roommates were waiting impatiently for her to do so. No one would say that she was ready to celebrate her birthday for she looked like as thought she could collapse that very instance. Nevertheless, none of her dorm mates commented on her disheveled look for they are all used to this now. No matter how hard Harry and Ron tried to persuade Hermione to go to Madam Promfrey for a sleeping draught, she stubbornly refuses to do so for she believed that nightmares are part of everyone's life.

After a hasty trip to bathroom Hermione got ready for what seemed like just another typical day. Little did she know that her day is about to take an extra ordinary turn which would change her life completely.

After taking a seat between Harry and Ron and with a quick exchange of "Good morning" along with "Happy birthday 'Mione" the three of them settled down for breakfast. Harry and Ron were engaged in a conversation with Ginny which was without a doubt about Quidditch, a highly dangerous game played on brooms. After pushing her food around the plate without actually taking a bit, Hermione waited impatiently for the post so that she can read the Daily Prophet newspaper.

Meanwhile at the Head table the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore along with the Deputy Headmaster, Minerva McGonagall and the Potions Master, Severus Snape were waiting for the same, each lost in their own thoughts and in the mean time observing a particular bushy haired girl sitting in Gryffindor table.

After what seemed like forever the Great Hall of Hogwarts were soon covered with hooting of owls and a buzz of excitement as each and everyone in the Great Hall waited to receive their post for the day. "Oh thank god! The post! Finally! Mom must have heard about Fred and George's latest prank by now so she would definitely send a Howler! Ahh! There it is… This is going to be so much fun! Right mate?" said Ron. "Ya! Hey we should most probably cover our ears if we don't want to be deaf. Hey! George you are in trouble!" replied Harry. The whole Gryffindor table laughed at this for they are used to Fred and George getting a Howler in every single week. Hermione seemed to be the only one who did not find this amusing but still held back her comment for she knew better than to do so.

Her attention was diverted to an owl which settled in front of her. It was carrying a letter stamped by the Ministry of Magic and she knew it meant nothing but trouble. Deciding to open it later so that the Ministry of Magic would not be able to ruin her day, she hastily shoved it into her backpack and decided to read the newspaper even though no one else does nowadays for the Ministry of Magic is now under the influence of Voldemort, the most feared dark wizard by the whole wizard community that very few even manage to say his name which includes Harry and Dumbledore. For everyone else in wizarding world he is known as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or for his followers the Dark Lord.

Hermione unfolded the newspaper and gave a loud gasp which got the attention of Harry and Ron. They were surprised to see Hermione Granger speechless and terrified at the same time. "Hey! Hermione! Hermione? You OK?" Harry shook her gently and she came back to her senses. "How could they?" she replied in such a deadly voice that Harry and Ron feared that she might actually blast off who ever that caused her anger. "What?" Ron replied in a confused tone. "What's wrong?" "Listen to this!"

" THICKNESS APPROVES OF MARRIAGE LAW!

Due to the recent increase in birth of squibs the Minister of Magic has passed a marriage law proposed by one of his adviser and this law comes to affect immediately!

Anyone of the age 16 and above is subjected to this law. From this very moment onwards, marriage would only be accepted between muggleborns and purebloods or halfbloods. Those who do not obey this law would be sent to Azkaban forever.

The law states that:

- When a muggleborn witch or wizard turns 16 he or she would have 2 weeks to marry. In these two weeks he or she would be given the choice of picking a suitor from the list of eligible purebloods or halfbloods that the Ministry of Magic proposes of.

- Each marriage should be consummated before 12 o clock midnight and failure to do so would declare the marriage void and the couple would be sent to Azkaban for 2 years.

- Regular consummation should be carried out once every week and those who failure to do so would face dire consequences.

- A child must be born after 1 and half years and failure to do so would result in the marriage to be void.

- A second child should be born after 5 years from marriage and any form of contraceptives both muggle and magic is strictly prohibited and those who do use any of such would be sent to Azkaban forever.

While speaking to reporter this morning the Minister of Magic said "It is for the best of the wizard world that I have decided to enforce this law for it is my duty as the Minister of Magic to ensure that the wizarding community remains healthy and happy". "

"I don't believe this! This is barbaric! How could they? This is their idea of best?" A very upset Hermione Granger screamed at the top of her voice diverting more than thousands of peoples' attention towards her.

The Headmaster decided that it is time to do what is necessary and stood up and called Hermione "Miss Granger, please meet me in my office as soon as possible. I enjoy lemon drops. Rest of you head back to your classes." With that he along with Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape left the Great Hall.

Still fuming Hermione grabbed her belongings and ran out of the Great Hall with Harry and Ron trying their best to keep up with her leaving behind thousands of confused students.

By the time Harry and Ron were able to get out of the Great Hall Hermione was no where to be seen. "Where is she?" Ron asked. "I don't know... Maybe she took one of the shortcut? Come on this way!" Harry replied and they both ran to the Headmaster's office.

"You think she is here?" asked Ron. "I don't know let's check…. Lemon drops!" The gargoyle guarding Headmaster's office leapt aside allowing the two boys to enter the office where all the three Professors who left the Great Hall were present. "I'm sorry to disturb sir, but where is Hermione?" Harry asked the Headmaster as she was no where to be seen. "I'm afraid I haven't seen her since I left the Great Hall. Isn't she with you?" was the reply that Harry and Ron got from a very anxious Headmaster. The boys silence was enough to confirm his fear and with a slight nod to Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall he sent both of them to search for Hermione Granger. He assigned Professor Snape to check the forbidden forest and Professor McGonagall the grounds.

Meanwhile Hermione was running as fast as she could into the forbidden forest without paying much attention to the surrounding.

Hermione stopped short when she heard a person clearing his throat and soon fell into unconsciousness…..

There you go... I would really appreciate your feed backs... So tell me what you all think of...