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Background: The war has been over for two years. Dumbledoore didn't die, it was staged to make Voldemort vulnerable. The Lestrange, Goyle and Malfoy families were working for the light side by the end of the war, but still aren't fully accepted by society.

Last Chance

Chapter 1

Headline, Daily Prophet.

Ministry of Magic reinstates two hundred year old marriage law.

Yes dear readers, the Ministry has dared to go where no one guessed. Below is a copy of the original Decree delivered to this office by Minister of Magic himself, Scorpios Scrimpag. May Merlin have mercy on all of us.

Editor in Chief, Marsaus Branston

Witch Marriage Decree

Due to the declining numbers of true witches and wizards in our society, by order of the Minister of Magic, this 12th day of October, we reinstate the Maximus Matium Marriage Law.

All unmarried witches over the age of 17 must marry before New Years Day. As mandated by this decree, all unions are required to produce one offspring within the first year of marriage. Any witch not in compliance with this decree by the allotted time will have a suitable mate appointment for them by the Ministry of Magic, Compliance Department and subject to a 100,000 gallions fine. Any witch found in willful defiance of this decree will be imprisoned for up to five years in Azkaban.

December 30

Ginny sat at her writing desk reading over past issues of the Daily Prophet. After that first initial article, the Wizarding World seemed too explode. No one knew what to think or feel about this new law. It took the Ministry over a month to make people aware that the law was real and that those who did not comply would be heavily fined.

Several influential people spoke out against the injustices of forcing young women into marriage and parenthood at so young an age, but the Minister would not relent. Instead they countered with disturbing numbers and figures taken during the last census. The population of the Wizarding World had dwindled considerably. On record there were only 200 births to magical families within the last five years. The Ministry's stance was that if something wasn't done soon, the Wizarding race would die out.

Finishing reading, Ginny set the paper down and headed out of her room. The Burrows had been extremely busy since that first article was printed. Molly Weasley became a firm activist against the marriage law and spoke publicly about the Ministry's lack of for site in dealing with the current population decrease.

Ginny was in agreement with her Mother one hundred percent, but unfortunately it was she who would have to suffer under this new law. Hundreds of witches had already been married and many more were scheduled to be performed tonight.

Ginny and Harry's included.

"Ginny, hurry up. We have to get to the church on time." Molly Weasley's loud voice carried up the stairs.

Ginny just grinned and moved faster. She was nervous to be sure, but marriage to Harry Potter was everything she wanted and more. Almost a month after the law took effect, Ginny asked Harry to marry her. He didn't hesitate with a loud "YES."

She still smiled thinking back on that day. They had been so happy, so carefree. Not two days later Hermione and Ron got married in a double ceremony with Fred and Angelina in the back yard of the Burrows.

This law wasn't affecting the Weasley family that much, but Ginny knew there were Wizarding families struggling to meet the deadline.

"For Merlin's sake Ginny, you are going to have to hurry and get to the church. Don't want to keep Harry waiting." Molly sounded impatient, but Ginny knew she wasn't. Molly was happy to see her married to Harry; it was just getting everything done that got her Mother biting her finger nails.

Instead of an outdoor wedding as Ron and Fred chose, Harry wanted a church ceremony. Ginny had been surprised at the suggestion, but agreed wholeheartedly, not caring where they got married as long as they did.

Stopping in the middle of the family room, with a wave of her wand, Ginny conjured a full length mirror to check her dress and makeup charms one last time. Her hands shook as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Hermione had insisted she put her hair up, and Ginny had relented, but she felt now that the style didn't suit her. With another flick of her wand, her hair cascaded in loose fiery ringlets down her back and shoulders.

Ginny turned in the mirror watching the folds of the silken snow white material move and swish against her bare ankles. She was still astounded to have found such a find, if she searched for a hundred years she would have never found another of its kind.

Ginny and Hermione had been looking at shops in muggle London when they came across the confection displayed in the front window of a vintage clothing store. Ginny instantly fell in love and immediately bought the dress without even trying it on. Once she got it home and modeled it for Luna and Hermione, they all knew that it was perfect.

With thin silver straps and fitted bodice, the simple ankle length white silk dress accentuated her slightly rounded curves without being too overstated. The most amazing feature of the gown lay in the silver and emerald dragons that peaked out amongst the rows of glittering stars that ran along the bodice down the slight train to end at the hem. It truly was a one of a kind, it was Ginny.

Molly walked into the room and immediately stopped in her tracks, "You look beautify honey." She said with tears in her eyes.

"Thanks Mum. I just can't believe it's me." Ginny said truthfully as she continued to stare at the auburn beauty in the mirror.

"I can. I've always seen you that way, and so has the world. It's you that has trouble believing it."

Molly hugged her daughter and tried to contain the tears. Today she would give away her daughter to Harry. After tonight she would be a married woman and soon a mother.

"Well, it's time to go. Don't want to get all soggy before the ceremony."

Ginny and Molly pulled on their winter coats and walked out of the house and into the new fallen snow. The landscape around the Burrows was coated with a thick glaze of white as the mother and daughter made their way down the drive to the apparition point just outside the estates wards. Mother and daughter shared one last look, and with a quiet "POP" apparated to the church. Soon she would be Mrs. Harry Potter.

The church was in chaos as Ginny and Molly arrived. Ginny caught sight of friends and family already seated inside the chapel as well as Hermione and Ron standing at the church's entrance.

"There you are. I swear you are going to be late for your own funeral." Hermione Weasley's voice greeted Ginny.

"You look beautiful Gin." Ron whispered as he gave her a careful hug. He had already gotten a lecture from Hermione about ruining her makeup charms; he didn't need another from his little sister.

Ginny smiled good naturedly at her brother and friend, "Thank you Ron, I wouldn't miss this for the world." Hermione stepped forward and gave Ginny a briefly hug.

"I know. Neither would I." Hermione whispered, turned away to talk to Molly leaving Ginny to her own thoughts.

With Ron at her side, Ginny walked through the double doors and into the sanctuary. The interior looked beautiful, just the way she had always imagined it would. White roses, star lilies and ivy covered every available surface. Glittering fairy lights twinkled and danced merrily from the walls and ceiling, giving a dream like quality to the whole room.

Ginny stood transfixed for several minutes just taking in her surrounding. She spotted several of her friends from Hogwarts, as well some distant family members. In the front row, Fred and Angelina sat beside Bill and Fleur talking quietly together as Charley and Arthur stood talking to Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. There had to easily be two hundred guests sitting in the ribbon bedecked pews, surprisingly more than Ginny thought there would be. But then again she was marrying "The Savior of the Wizarding World."

The one person that she wanted to see the most was mysteriously absent. Ginny turned to her brother and asked, "Ron, where's Harry?"

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