AUTHORS NOTE : This is my first fan fiction I have ever written, please be kind if you choose to review. The only reason I am even attempting this is because you have to have stories published on this site in order to apply to become a beta. That being said I don't know where this is going rating wise, or even who Hermione will end up with. This story will not be epilogue compliant tho. I will not have Hermione and Ron together tho. I never liked that pairing to start with. This is a marriage law fic.
Disclaimer: I do not now or will i ever own anything that came from JKRs world. I just borrow her characters to pass the time.
CHAPTER ONE... GINNY'S NEWS
The English morning was gloomy, just as many others before whilst Hermione slept fitfully despite or possibly because of the recently ended war. Entangled in the bedding, sweating profusely at her apparent nightmare, Hermione tossed and turned in a spare bed located at Grimwald . She hadn't slept soundly in over a year and it didn't appear she would be blessed with that pleasure now, if yesterday's edition of The Daily Prophet was anything to go by.
The Ministry of Magic was enacting a marriage decree. According to studies that had apparently had been in the works long before the rise of Voldermort, the magical population was in serious trouble. The rise in stillbirths and squibs that resulted from generations upon generations of inbreeding was decimating their population. If not for the serious loss of magical life that occurred during the war other options may have been available. Minister Kingsley had briefed the order earlier in the month about the situation.
A high pitched squeal followed by a abrupt tug on on Hermione's blanket quickly drug her from her sleep."Ginny, what in bloody hell are you doing in here? What time is it, half seven? And why do you look like you've been overdosed on a cheering potion?" Hermione grumbled stowing the wand she had grabbed reflexively upon her unexpected awakening. Ever sing the fall of the Dark Lord she was a little jumpy. Not that anyone could blame her, a year on the run from snatchers, deatheaters and all did that that to a person. Constant vigilance as Moody would say. Ginny didn't even flinch at the drawn wand. "Hermione. He asked me!" Still blurry eyed, Hermione was not sure what she was on about and said as much. "Who asked you what? Wait, are you saying what i think your saying? Oh Merlin I am so happy for you Gin. When did he ask? Has he had the match approved?" Hermione hugged her closest girl friend fiercely.
"He woke me up this morning. Harry said he had a surprise for me, to follow him outside. When I got outside he pulled me into a hug, and turned me so that we could watch the sun come up. Hermione it was so romantic. The next thing I knew he was down on one knee. My head went fuzzy the next thing I know we're kissing. I love him so much." Ginny's broad grin was contagious. She jumped up again. " I have to tell mum!" And with one last squeeze Ginny relinquished Hermione from her grip and ran out the room to inform her mother.
With Ginny Weasley out of the room. Hermione shook her head . Reality of her own situation brought her happiness to a sudden stop. Hermione got out of her four poster and preceded to ready herself for the day, all the while thinking about the marriage decree.
It was pretty straightforward really. No one of the same blood status could marry, and all witches within child bearing age 17-55 and wizards 17-70 were included. Each person has to examined by the ministry to ensure fertility after said appointment they had sixty days to submit their choice of spouse to the ministry for approval. Upon approval the aforementioned witch and wizard had a fourteen day grace period to marry and consummate their union. At this thought Hermione groaned. She was a 18 year old virgin and a ministry enacted law was not a very romantic way to change that fact.
A year ago, had this law come into play she would have married Ron and been done with it. That was not to be. After the final battle she and Ron had exchanged a heated exchange brought on by the exhilaration of the end being so near. But that's all it was. A heated exchange both of them realized that now. They were meant to be friends, family even. But that was all. That kind of love just didn't exist between the two of them. Sure, Ron would ask her any way, but she wouldn't accept. Not if it would make both of them miserable in the end. She would give both of them at least a fighting chance to find happiness. Hopefully one of them would.