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Post Traumatic Stress

by lookimacloud

Chapter

Not A Fairy Tale


Ministry Nutjob

It is a widely known fact that since the Ministry of Magic has defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, with the help of Harry Potter, the population drop has drastically changed the economy.

"I sit outside my shop every day waiting for someone who wants to buy an ice. They just don't come," says Florean Fortescue, son of the former Florean Fortescue who was murdered some time back.

Now that the trouble in our world has passed, our Minister asks that you be patient. He has come up with a new law that will not only fix the problems with our economy, but will also fix any remaining bad feeling between purebloods and muggle-borns. This writer has been told not to let you know just how much of a stupid idea she thinks the law is, therefore, we will move on.

Decree 4,618 of the Department of Reduced Expenditure

As per the Head Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, all pure-blooded witches

and wizards ages seventeen and above, are required to marry all muggle-born

witches and wizards also ages seventeen and above.

There have been lists created with the names and ages of all unmarried witches

and wizards. These lists are available for viewing. All unmarried persons on these

lists will have a choice of either choosing a mate, or being put into a singles

community that the Minister has created. This community will provide unmarried

witches and wizards one last chance to comply with the new decree before being

stripped of all magic and sent to live in the muggle world.

This writer, unfortunately unmarried herself, cautions readers about the community but cannot go into details.

Any unmarried witches and wizards must choose a mate by May 1st 1999 and will

be married on May 2nd 1999, as it will be one year after the final battle.

Singles may write to any perspective mate until such time as an agreement can be

made. No prospects can be turned down until the witch or wizard is officially married,

and all witches and wizards may be persuaded to change their minds until such time.

Due to this new way of life, the previous wedding vows have been modified to include

fidelity and married life arrangements.

As this decree is meant to populate the wizarding world as well as take care of any

remaining hard feelings within it, the married pair will also be watched to make sure

they do not break their vows.

If a couple should be caught not living together, or any unusual or suspicious behavior

is brought to the Ministry's attention concerning the matrimony, the marriage will be

investigated. If found guilty it will be dissolved and the pair will then remarry someone

of the ministry's choosing. The same will happen if the couple does not produce a child

in the allotted time of one year.

Due to the decree and the failing economy, this writer has decided to leave the Daily Prophet and move to muggle London.

- More of 'Life Living as a Muggle' on page four under Nutjob

Hermione Granger set down her morning paper and took in a shaky breath. The toaster popped and the smell of cinnamon bread filled the room. Hermione couldn't move, she needed to think. It was March. She had a month and a half to figure out her future.

A chair scraped across the floor and her Mother stood. Hermione followed with her eyes as her Mom went about the kitchen. The very muggle kitchen. Could she live like this forever? Could she give up magic?

Her Father's news paper crinkled as he turned to the next page, blissfully unaware that her world had just been turned upside down.

In through the window, flew four owls at once. Two letters were addressed to her from Harry and Ron. The other two were from Neville Longbottom and Ernie Macmillan. Hermione dropped her head into her hands. There was nothing like a good old fashioned threat to get the population multiplying.

ooooo

"Hermione I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Oh come off it Harry. You know you have liked Ginny for a while now. You can either ask her to marry you, or you can marry someone you barely know. Either way, I am sure this law will be overthrown in due time."

"But Hermione, marriage is not something that I wanted right now."

Hermione shot Harry an incredulous look. Like she wanted to marry any more than he did.

"Look at it this way," Hermione reasoned, "You marry Ginny, and I will marry Ron. We will truly be brother and sister then."

Harry looked a bit happier at that realization and Hermione was pleased. Harry and Ginny had always felt like brother and sister to her. Harry leaned down to kiss her forehead, and Hermione felt a blush rise to her cheeks.

She should probably find Ron and get to the particulars. She would plan the wedding as soon as it could be arranged, so that she would stop getting all of these letters.

In the two days since the public shock of the new Marriage Law, Hermione had thirty-six letters from former class mates, and twelve letters from wizards she didn't even know.

She had also forgone telling her parents about this business. If the law stayed in effect, then she would eventually have to, but she didn't want to make a big deal about it. Besides, she and Ron loved each other, but neither of them were ready for marriage.

Hermione gave Harry a quick hug and a pat on the back, then stepped into Ron's home.

The Burrow was its usually busy self. Three Weasleys were arguing the Marriage Law at the dinning room table, three on the living room sofa. Mrs. Weasley was mumbling about it under her breath as she directed the duster about the men, and Ron argued it with Percy coming down the stairs.

"It's a bloody stupid law. The worst the Ministry has ever thought of. We're no better than breeding animals to them. I ask you, will the Minister have to marry?"

"Well just hold on a minute…"

"Hello Ron." Hermione interrupted Percy mid-sentence. "Can I talk to you about the law for a minute?"

"Sure 'Mione."

Percy nodded once in her direction, and stiffly walked toward the kitchen. He would have no better a time convincing his bothers there, that the Ministry's idea was actually a good one.

Hermione and Ron left the others to their debating, and stepped outside the side door.

"So Ron," Hermione began, "I know we haven't discussed it, but if the law can't get overthrown, will you marry me?"

Ron took a nervous hand to his forehead with a quick swipe over his face. As agitated gestures go, that habit of his wasn't as bad as his others. Hermione knew Ron would answer her though, despite his agitation. They'd tiptoed around this since she'd arrived at The Burrow yesterday.

"Hermione, it will get overthrown. You know that. I know that. We don't have to get married."

"But what if we do?"

"Then we will talk about it then."

"Ronald, we really need to talk about it now. If the law will get overthrown, then why can't we just marry now and get it over with. That way we both stop getting all these owls. Then we can divorce afterward."

"Well," Ron paused. Hermione felt like slapping him. "What happens if we do get married but one of those owls comes and someone we really want to marry is one of them? I mean, I love you 'Mione, but what if we can only date? What if marriage ruins us?"

Shocked, Hermione was finally, for perhaps the first time in her life, speechless.

Ron rushed on, "You're a great girl Hermione. I love you. I just want to keep my options open. Now you see," he exclaimed at the furious look she couldn't hide, "this is why this law is so messed up! I don't want us to fight. I never wanted this to happen. We get along very bloody well, and then the Ministry has to go and take that away from us."

"You, you think the law is what is going to break us up Ronald? Do you have any idea what you just said? I am only here until you find someone new. Until you find that perfect girl. The one you would rather marry. How long have we been dating Ronald? How long?" she screamed, "You just kept me here, making me like you all this time, while you knew you would just toss me aside later? Who am I going to marry?" Heaving, Hermione had to restrain herself from slapping him. It was the most selfish thing he had ever done.

"Well Hermione, you have a stack of guys who really want to marry you. If you wait a bit, I'm sure you would get even more offers."

"You, you, ugh! I hate you Ronald Weasley! I don't ever want you to talk to me again. What a horrible thing for you to do to me at a time like this. I thought you cared about me."

"I do 'Mione."

"Don't." she yelled. Hermione turned to storm off, only to see the completion of her humiliation. Harry had heard something, and whatever he heard, made him look as furious as she felt. And as he rushed to her side, Hermione saw who he'd been walking with. Remus and Sirius. She was stuck in a paralyzed state of disbelief, when Harry's fist went flying just over her shoulder and into Ron's face.

As Ron fell, Harry grabbed Hermione into a tight hug. "Don't worry 'Mione. We'll figure this out."

Stuck in an unmoving embrace, Hermione hugged Harry back and watched Remus and Sirius give them some privacy. Ron wouldn't marry her. Ron wouldn't marry her. Ron wouldn't marry her. The repetitive phrase wouldn't leave her head. If Ron wouldn't marry her, then who would she marry? She wouldn't give up her magic. But she wouldn't marry someone she didn't even like or had never met before.

That limited her options drastically. Everyone she would even temporarily consider had a girlfriend.

"Don't worry 'Mione." Harry spoke again, his hand rubbing soothing strokes up and down her back.

"Maybe one of the Weasley brothers will do it and you and I will still be related huh? Don't panic."

If her spine wasn't stiff before, it was definitely stiff now. Hermione felt Harry move before she could respond. Hearing the thud of Ron's body once more hitting the ground, made her feel a bit better. Like hell she would be the pity bride of any Weasley.


Author's Note: I hope you all will enjoy my take on the classic Marriage Law Fic. Please let me know what you thought!