Marriage Law

Author: Bea Mendes

Pairing: Hermione Granger x Draco Malfoy

Genre: Drama/Romance

Rated: T

Summary: A Marriage Law is released, bounding Hermione and Draco. What will happen?

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and it's characters are not mine. Don't sue me.

A/N: Hey! So, I wrote this ages ago and decided to post it to test the waters, you know?

Well, please let me know what you think, OK? I'm super excited about this one.

The story's name may change, I just don't know what to call it yet.

I'm having a major author's block with this one, I'm hoping that with some feedback I'll be able to continue writing it.

With no further ado, enjoy!

Edit 12/09/2010: this chapter was beta-read by the lovely Ms. Hellfire! Thanks so much darling for improving the ML!

Chapter One

King's Cross Station.

September 1st.

It was the beginning of Harry Potter's sixth year. It was only two months before that he was able to show to the Wizarding World that Voldemort had returned.

There were students with their families; all waiting for the Hogwarts Express to board and leave the station. This year, however, everything was different. They didn't have smiles on their faces. No signs of joyous emotions of an exciting year that lay ahead—an awaiting adventure. No signs of nervousness of being away from home for the first time or even for an entire school year. The only expression –all their expressions— showed was fear.

There were many families that didn't let their kids return to Hogwarts this year, most of them were Muggles, even though Hogwarts was probably the safest place for muggle-borns. They wished that everything could return to the way it was before.

Many Death Eaters had been taking up residence in the five by eight cells of Azkaban, most were in Voldemort's highest circle: Antonin Dolohov, Walden McNair and Lucius Malfoy. Most had been captured during the raid at Ministry. The same day the Wizarding World had rediscovered Voldemort. The same day that Sirius had gone through the Veil.

Harry still hadn't recovered. It was still a shock. Even though he and Sirius hadn't spoken often, he was still his Godfather, and for two years he was the only real family Harry had had. Close or not; when you lose both your parents when you're one, are forced to live with people—family — when you think living alone, maybe even on the streets, would be better – to discover someone that can make your life feel a bit more whole, someone whom you can truly call family… to have them die right before you eyes, it's not something from which you recover easily.

Harry stayed his required month at Four Privet Drive, then off he went, to the Burrow, where (big surprise) Hermione joined him and the Weasley's, also. The Golden Trio had, once again, been reunited. It was funny; they couldn't stand being apart longer than a month before the three of them would go insane! In the beginning, Hermione, more so than Ron, noticed that Harry was somehow distancing himself from them; emotionally that is. They knew that they couldn't let this happen. So they helped him, or at least they tried. This is how things worked between them.

The train was about to leave and Mrs. Weasley bid her goodbyes, giving each "son" a sandwich. The train was full, so Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had to share a cabin; however, they were grateful that it was with Neville and Luna. For twenty minutes conversations passed among them before Hermione interrupted saying, she and Ron, had a Prefects Meeting to attend.

Sliding open the door to the cabin, Hermione dragged a reluctant Ron along behind her. The meeting was the same as the one last year. Although, Hermione took notice of one small change, there was one person that wasn't there. That was of course was none other than Draco Malfoy himself. Not that she cared, no, far from it! Draco Malfoy was a big boy and could do whatever he damn well pleased, not that he normally didn't anyway. Hmm? That was one thing they had in common, neither one of them could actually, ever, be made to do something they didn't want. It only, slightly, irked her…well, because she thought that he always did that kind of stuff and always got away with it, since his father is Lucius Malfoy. But now he was in jail, so would things should have been different, right?

The Prefects were dismissed wander off to the different cars on the train to see that everyone was behaving. Hermione was patrolling with Ron -he went to break up the gathering crowd

of Slytherins that were tormenting some first-years. Hermione continued on by herself. The hall and the cabins were quiet for the most part—save for a few kids laughing loudly. Suddenly, a rush of angry, then quiet, then angry sounding murmurs caught her attention. It was coming from a cabin near the end of the train. As she neared the closed door, she listened more closely. Hermione could hear the unmistakable voice of Draco Malfoy.

"It's over Pansy." There was a pause, and maybe a choked sob— it sounded female. "I'm gonna go now."

She turned and ran back to the cabinet that her friends were in.

"Hermione, are you okay? Your face is flushed."

When she heard Luna she became very aware of her hot cheeks. She hadn't noticed.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just..." She looked at the open cabin door and saw Draco passing by. He looked frazzled, but handsome still. This time, she blushed, she was sure of it, and turned her gaze to the floor. A very interesting fact that did not go unnoticed by Ginny. "I was just trying to break up a fight between some first-years and a couple of taunting Slytherins. That's all." Remembering Ron's reason for an early departure. She wasn't used to lying, she hated lying - especially to her friends.

During her years in Hogwarts she realized that she - sometimes - needed to lie to others, to protect herself, Ron and Harry. So, as time passed, she became a master at lying to other people. But still, she had trouble lying to the two boys; there were no secrets among them. Because even if she did try and hide something from them, it was never a secret for long, they always found out.

Lucky for her Ron and Harry weren't really paying much attention to her at the moment continued their conversations about Quidditch. She couldn't understand why they liked it so much. Merlin, they were obsessed! But when she really thought right down to it, she realized that they loved Quidditch, just as much as she loved her books.

Night began to fall over the rolling green hills the train continued to leave in its wake; they all took that as their cue to change into their school robes. Everything seemed normal enough as the train slowed its way into Hogsmeade's station. The horse-less carriages were off to one side ready to take them to the castle. Hargid was stomping along the train's platform with his jumbo lantern — waving it wildly in the air — hollering for the first-years to follow him. Yes, everything was as it was supposed to be…that was until Dumbledore made his speech.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! First I'd like to remind all students that the Forbidden Forest, as its name implies, is forbidden. Dangerous creatures live there and I can assure you that they are not merciful. We also have curfew this year; at sunset all students must be inside the Castle. After dinner in the Great Hall, you must head directly to your common rooms. No detours. No Exceptions, without written permission by either a teacher or your head of House. Prefects and Head Boy and Girl are allowed out of their Common Rooms until eleven."

Some students were murmuring furiously to each other, but stopped as soon as the Headmaster continued.

"We have a new teacher this year among us. Please welcome Nymphadora Tonks, a former auror that will be your new teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts." Gryffindors began shouting in joy when they heard about Tonks.

"Now, for the bad news. The Ministry released a new law this afternoon. All six and seventh year students will soon receive a letter that informs you about the new proceedings to take place. Many of you will not be happy about. And let me be the first to say, I am truly sorry to inform that there is nothing I can do about it to change it."

As soon as Dumbledore finished his speech the food -as usual - appeared. What was unusual were the owls flying over some students , dropping letters from the Ministry. Hermione opened hers while she ate a bit of chicken. She nearly choked when she read the first line.

'Dear Miss Granger,

This afternoon, The Ministry of Magic approved a new Marriage Law, by which you are affected. All six and seventh years students are required to get married within the month. Couples have been chosen by our system. If you and your fiancé do not comply, you will go to trial and may go to Azkaban.

This Law was created with a simple purpose: unite people. Muggle-borns have been selected to stay with not only Purebloods, but also with Half-bloods. Half-bloods can have been selected to stay with a Muggle-born, Purebloods and even Half-bloods.

It was not selected a Muggle-born to be with another Muggle-born or a Pureblood to stay with a Pureblood. Our reason for doing so is for the next generation to be born Half-bloods, and therefore a new war will be avoided.

This is the only change in the Marriage Law. Further down you will find the name of your future spouse and the date of your wedding.'

Hermione swallowed hard; her eyes rocketed down the page as she searched for the name.

'Mr. Draco Malfoy. Date of the wedding: 09/23.'

And upon that note, Hermione Jean Granger …fainted.