The feast this year ended in rather a different way to say the least. There was a small bit of a riot, when the headmaster read out a new government law that would change the students lives fro good especially the two eldest years
"Students!" the headmaster had bellowed calming the stuffed crowd "This year your life will change dramatically, as it has been the governments idea to bring in a new law affecting no just you but the whole of the unmarried wizard population." The great hall was so silent you could hear the mass of food Ron Weasley had stuffed into his mammoth gob going through his digestive system. "This new law is not one I condone myself however due to a dwindling population-"
Draco Malfoy interrupted here "- not if the Weasleys have anything to do with it" Turning Ron the colour of his hair and causing Ginny to point her wand at him.
"now now settle down settle down" Dumbledore said softly "This law states that all unmarried wizards and witches are to be married, and to insure good offspring, as is the point of this ludicrous law you will be matched for compatibility and married to the highest one."
The hall was in uproar until Miss Granger had started to yell to ask him a question, the hall dulled nervous to the futures events
"Professor how will they match us?"
"I'm glad you asked Miss Granger" Dumbledore said with that familiar twinkle in his eye ."First is brains, you will be paired with someone equal in that front, the second is personality this was worked out by our own dear sorting hat he said with personalities he thought fit together best. I am sorry to say that we have searched and there are no loop holes in this law as soon as you turn seventeen you must be married if not before that. I am sorry." He had began to walk away from the podium however the great hall had erupted into pandemonium, this was enough for the head master, as he himself was dreading who he might have to marry.
"Silence!" He roared "Everybody calm please!" everyone sat down at once his voice softened but his tone was like steal liking their bones "Now then we are going to head back to our dormitories, tomorrow the slips will arrive and I say we will all deserve a weak of school after that!"
Hermione was still thinking over Dumbledore's speech as she sat in Gryffindor common room watching the fire listening to the other girls bet on who they thought they'd get.
"I better not get Snape!" Ginny said with a laugh, a few of the more light hearted girls giggled weakly at this notion.
"I hope I get Oliver Wood!" Parvarti squealed
"Or Blaise!" Ginny added excitedly Hermione was just about to turn around and join in to add her penny's worth when she heard lavender say
"Oh I do so hope I get won-won, No one else here deserves him as much as I do!" And with that deliberately hurtful comment Hermione stalked of.
It wasn't that she loved Ron or even fancied him, she just hated the idea of her being below anyone. She knew she wasn't the most gorgeous girl in Hogwarts (or at least in her mind) and she also knew that guys weren't queuing for her hand however she thought that with the extensive muscle she did so name her brain, she would be able to devise a logical and cunning plan for now however she needed to sleep.
Fearful dreams of marring the bully from her primary school who used to tug her braids, woke her up with a start to what appeared to be an empty room. She gazed at the clock "4-34" it read. The mail arrived between 5 and 6 so Hermione decided to be painstakingly slow in getting ready this morning. Despite this she found herself downstairs for quarter to five.
The hall was silent not even the ghosts were talking, she nodded hello at Harry but ignored Ron as he preceded to gnash down his sausage with his mouth wide open. Turning away disgusted with the sight before her, she preceded to look around the room practically the whole school was here nearly 3 whole hours early just to see their fate.
"Look Look!" A nameless six year shouted pointing at a brown owl coming in. The procession of owls to the students was like that of a funeral procession.
As the letters fell they all scrambled for them. Ron opened his first
"OH MY GWAD!" he yelled silencing the hall "Millicent Bullstrode what did I do in my past life!" He turned the flaming colour of his hair before preceding to run out the room. Now dozens of students had theirs, some squealing happily others crying.
"Harry who did you get?" Hermione asked whilst still scrambling for her letter, in vain though it seamed.
"Um well I suppose its not to bad really-"
"Harry just say!" Hermione spat now annoyed she didn't know hers yet
"Padma"
"Oh Harry that's really grea-THERES THE LITTLE-" she roared finding the letter at last
"Miss Granger 5 points from Gryffindor for almost using foul language" McGonagall snapped.
Hermione opened the letter to read the top sheet.
Dear Miss Hermione Jean Granger
In accordance with the latest marriage law contract you spouse is to be:
Mr Tom Marvolo Riddle with a 98% compatibility
Details of the marriage is on the sheets below
Hoping you are well
Mathalda Hopkirt
Hermione could not breath. Instead she grabbed the letter and marched all the way to the headmasters office there she barked the pass-word and knock franticly at the study door however upon entering she saw that the headmaster was not alone. However he was with the infamous…