A Kindred Spirit Chapter 1, a harry potter fanfic

A/N A little ditty for you based on the marriage law... Please review, my updates wont be really fast because I work 45 hour weeks and I have a MASSIVE social life! (cough – not – cough)

DISCLAIMER I own naff all, apart from the plot, but even that belongs to my imagination really.

A HUGE THANK YOU to my fab beta, who I neglect constantly! I am so sorry Jeni-Tall... please show some forgiveness!

With short, shallow breaths, the thick ivory coloured parchment dropped from her fingers and landed gently on the plate below.

''No...'' she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief.

''What is it 'Mione?'' Ron ground out through a mouthful of scrambled eggs. He received no reply as he watched Hermiones eyes flick away from the parchment and meet with those of a certain professor.

"'Mione? Hermione! Are you even listening? Answer me!''

Hermione sat, silent. Ron grabbed the parchment from her empty plate and gasped as he read it.

Dear Miss Granger,

On behalf of the Ministry of Magic I would like to deeply thank and congratulate you for your efforts to ensure the safety of Harry Potter and others during these times of serious struggle in our community. We feel that you have dedicated much of your time to saving the wizarding world and believe that you deserve to be compensated for your efforts. Your personal Gringotts account has been credited with 5000 galleons as a thanks to you and all you have done for Great Britain.

Unfortunately, due to losses from both sides of the battle, the highly intelligent muggleborn and half-blood population of Great Britain has decreased to nearly non-existent. The Ministry has therefore put a new law into practice whereby the top fifty most intelligent wizards shall be required by law to marry their equally intelligent counterpart. We hope that passing this law will help to bring a new generation of highly intelligent wizards and witches into existence.

You have been selected a husband of equal intelligence to yourself and the Ministry would therefore like to congratulate you on your betrothal to...

Professor Severus Snape, Master Of Potions.

At this point, Ron choked back a yell and looked at Hermione, who appeared to still be staring at Snape. He shook his head and looked back to the letter.

You both ranked the second most intelligent muggleborn or half-blood wizard and witch currently residing within the magical boundaries of Great Britain. Congratulations! Your marriage must take place before the 31stOctober in order for it to be valid. Failure to accept this proposal of marriage will result in either one or both of the involved parties wands being snapped and full banishment from the wizarding world.

The Ministry has also given you a generous dowry of 10000 galleons to be passed onto your future husband on the day of your marriage. On that day, any remaining Gringotts accounts still in your possession will be closed and all funds transferred directly to your husband's account. You will seek his permission to open a new account and all private funds will be controlled by him. You will also need to seek your husband's permission if you want to further your education after repeating your seventh year at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and permission must also be requested if you desire to go straight into employment.

We wish you the best of luck in your new marriage and look forward to hearing from you concerning the date on which the union is to be held.

Yours Faithfully,

Meriadock Brockhouse

Head of Marital Relations

''Hermione... can they do that? I mean, is it even legal for students to marry teachers?''

''Well, it would seem so, Ron,'' Hermione whispered. ''I need to find out what is going on.'' Glancing back up at the head table, Hermione now noticed that Professor Snape had left the hall.

''We'll speak to McGonagall! She'll be able to help us and stop this from happening.'' Ron said. His voice rang with determination, but Hermione could still see the worry etched across his face.

''I really hope so Ron. I really hope so.''

Ron was shocked at how well Hermione took to the prospect of being married to the Bat. He handed the letter back to her and watched as she re-read it, almost as if she were in a trance. All of a sudden, a spark illuminated in her amber eyes as she screamed, ''WHAT THE HELL? THEY WANT WHAT?'', only to be quickly silencio-ed by Ron, and dragged from the great hall kicking and screaming in silence.

Professor Snape dropped his croissant back onto his plate as he read the letter that had just been delivered by a great horned owl.

Dear Professor Severus Snape,

Unfortunately, due to losses from both sides of the battle, the highly intelligent muggleborn and half-blood population of Great Britain has decreased to nearly non-existent. The Ministry has therefore put a new law into practise whereby the top fifty most intelligent wizards shall be required by law to marry their equally intelligent counterpart. We hope that passing this law will help to bring a new generation of highly intelligent wizards and witches into existence.

You have been selected a wife of equal intelligence to yourself and the Ministry would therefore like to congratulate you on your betrothal to...

Miss Hermione Granger

You both ranked the second most intelligent muggleborn or half-blood wizard and witch currently residing within the magical boundaries of Great Britain. Congratulations! Your marriage must take place before the 31stOctober in order for it to be valid. Failure to accept this proposal of marriage will result in either one of both of the involved parties wands being snapped and full banishment from the wizarding world.

The ministry has also given Miss Granger a generous dowry of 10000 galleons to be passed onto you on the day of your marriage. On that day, any remaining Gringotts accounts belonging to Miss Granger shall be closed and their funds placed directly into your own account. Miss Granger will seek your permission to to open a new account and all of her private funds shall be controlled by you. She will also need to seek your permission if she wants to further her education after repeating her seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or if she wants to go directly into employment.

We wish you the best of luck in your new marriage and look forward to hearing from you concerning the date on which the union is to be held.

Yours Faithfully,

Meriadock Brockhouse

Head of Marital Relations

Snapes eyes rolled up to meet those of Miss Granger, as she looked at him with an expression of fear and incomprehension. He swallowed deeply as he watched the bloody red-head tearing the letter out of her hand. Soon he was going to have to face her, but for now, all he needed was to get back to his chambers and have a drink.

Severus walked quickly along the corridors to his private chambers. He pulled out a bottle of Ogden's finest and poured himself a large glass. As the last drop of amber liquid was swallowed, his fireplace turned green and he heard Minerva's voice pierce though the silence of his lounge.

''Severus.''

''Headmistress,'' he replied.

''Severus, I suggest you get yourself to my office right now.'' McGonagall didn't sound angry, Snape thought to himself as he stepped into the green flames in his fireplace, but more... concerned.

''Headmistress, Miss Granger, Mister Weasley,'' Severus greeted quietly as he entered the Headmistress's office.

''Ah... Mister Weasley, I think lessons began about five minutes ago,'' Professor McGonagall spoke kindly to Ron in an attempt to make him leave the office happily.

''But, Professor... Hermione... she needs me!''

''It's OK Ron, I'll be fine. You go to lessons and take down all the notes I will need to copy from you later.'' Hermione decided the best course of action was to get Ron's mind off of the situation, at least until he got to lessons.

''Oh, if you're sure...'' Ron sounded uncertain but didn't get to finish his sentence before Hermione interrupted.

''I am sure Ron. Now please... go!'' Hermione was getting aggravated with the whole situation now. She just wanted to speak to the teachers in private and get the whole issue sorted out. Ron left the room quickly as Professor McGonagall began to speak.

''It seems that this law can not be overridden," said Professor McGonagall, her voice somber.

Professor Snape began to protest, ''Not even between a teacher and a student?''

''Unfortunately, the Ministry no longer sees Miss Granger as a full time student, due to the fact that she is here of her own free will, and is nineteen years of age.''

''You seem to know an awful lot about this law Minerva,'' Severus said accusingly as he stared at Professor McGonagall through narrowed eyes.

''I'm afraid, Severus, that I was told about this law, but I was never told who it would affect.''

''Yet you didn't think to inform me?'' Severus asked.

''Why would there be need to? I did not think that any student could become involved.''

''As you can see, they clearly could, so-''

''-so what?'' Minerva interrupted, wondering how a situation like this could come about.

''So... what do you propose we should do?'' Snape replied, thoroughly annoyed at the woman's idiocy.

''I propose, Professor Snape, that you and Miss Granger begin planning your wedding.''

Hermione suddenly drew attention to herself once more, after sitting quietly in the corner of the office for the past few minutes.

She said, ''Well, I am going to my quarters. The password, should you wish to speak to me, Sir, is memor vivo, I will be in from nine o'clock onwards tonight. Good day to you both.''

And with that, Hermione left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

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