Hermione Granger glanced around the great hall pondering to herself how…unchanged everything seemed. It had been four months since the Battle of Hogwarts, as it had been dubbed by the Ministry. Four months of attending countless funerals and an every ready stream of repairs. The first month had been the hardest, tainted with both an overwhelming happiness and a crushing sadness. The wizarding world as a whole was in celebration, the feared and seemingly unstoppable Dark Lord Voldemort had finally been vanquished by Harry Potter – "The boy who lived." However for those who had been there a shroud of crushing grief seemed to drape over them. The death and destruction far outweighed the triumph. Hermione's eyes glazed over as she remembered those who had died in the battle, both those close to her and the many students who had lost their lives fighting that night. The overpowering image of empty seats dotted though the hall caused her to squeeze her eyes shut, attempting to suppress her tears.
The headmistress' voice announcing for the sixth year prefects to escort the first years to their dormitories brought Hermione out of her thoughts. Her untouched meal had now grown cold but she didn't feel at all hungry. Harry and Ron, who would usually remind her to eat, would not be arriving till tomorrow morning as they were leaving from an advanced training boot camp in America. Hermione had managed to dissuade them from forgoing their seventh year, and after a deal from the auror department to allow them to enter at a second year level into the program they had agreed to come back. She didn't know if she could cope with coming back without them at her side.
Hermione rose with the other students just as Professor McGonagall requested that the seventh and eighth years stay behind. Once the hall was clear, Professor McGonagall allowed her pride to grace her face. Gesturing for the remaining students to gather forwards she began.
"First of all I must say that I am so proud of all of you and I am glad to see so many of you have returned to complete your seventh year. Now both because of the war and something I am about to inform you of, there will be no head boy and girl this year, and instead six "Year captains" have been chosen from both last year's seventh year and this year's class. They will collectively conduct the same duties and should be approached if you have a problem you do not wish to share with your head of house. When I call your name please come forth and collect you badge and meeting schedule." She paused to unroll a sheaf of parchment. "Ernest Macmillian. Luna Lovegood. Ginerva Weasley. Hermione Granger. Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy. These people have been chosen with great deliberation and myself and the other professors believe they will achieve much if house differences are put aside." The last sentence was re-enforced with a piercing look at the 6 young adults.
As they returned to their seats Minerva's gaze travelled over the group, taking in the small moment of joy and congratulation with a small twitch of her lips. "As you have noticed there is, for this year, an eighth year." She addressed the eighth years. "Because you have completed the majority of the 7th year course you will only be required to attend certain classes with the 7th years, in particular defence against the dark arts, and other review classes before we are confident you may sit your N.E. ." A buzz went through the students who had considerably brightened since returning to the castle. Her face closed off as she quietened her students, preparing herself for the worst.
Minerva took a deep breath and began in a steady tone, "Now I must inform you that as of yesterday evening a new law has been passed that effects all of you." She let this sink in, seeing worry in the faces of some. "The law that has been passed is a marriage law," gasps from many of her students interrupted her. "Quite! Now the law has been passed as it has been deemed "extremely beneficial" to the wizarding population. As you all well know wizarding numbers have dropped drastically due to the war and in an effort to promote magical birth this law has been put in place. As an act of kindness as the minister has phrased it any current students may continue their studies no matter what their spouse says." Several students flinched at the word spouse. "Another amendment for students is that they are given a year before a…child is to be conceived, however contraceptives are forbidden as of tomorrow when the law is released publically." Hermione's hand shot into the air, Minerva sighed, "Yes Miss Granger?"
"You said that because we are still completing our education we have a year before, um, we need to fulfil certain conditions of the law, "she blushed scarlet but continued on, "what happens to those who have finished their education or have chosen not to return this year?" Though Hermione was angry at the archaic law she wanted to have as much information about it as possible.
"Well Miss Granger those who are not completing their education would be required as you say to fulfil the conditions of the law within a six month period." This caused the girls to pale as images of themselves heavily pregnant while taking their N.E. came to mind. "Tomorrow morning, you will stay behind after breakfast and you matches will be revealed. If anyone here is engaged or in a relationship they believe would have eventually progressed to marriage would you please see me before you leave, as you will have to be approved by the ministry tonight. You will find out tomorrow if your relationship has been approved. Your heads of house will stay behind after breakfast if you wish to discuss anything with them or myself. If no one has any questions right now you may head off to bed." The pale teenagers split off with some heading to a night of tossing and turning and others surging towards Professor McGonagall in the hopes of saving the relationships.
Hermione watched as Ginny rushed forward to get a form, she found it difficult to believe that the Ministry would deny the boy who lived marriage to the love of his life. As she walked to her dormitory a thought pushed its way to the forefront of her mind that not five months ago she would have been eagerly filling out a form for herself and Ron, images of a perfect life together in her mind. Alas it wasn't meant to be. She and Ron had broken up not long after the war, they had needed each other initially for support when dealing with Ron's brother Fred's death but rather quickly they drifted apart. They didn't scream or fight though. One night when they had both woken from night terrors a mutual agreement to forgo their relationship was made followed by a strong nightcap.
Hermione climbed the stairs to her room, which she no longer shared with anyone. The thought brought on a wave of misery. Her roommate Lavender Brown had been mauled by Fenrir Greyback, a werewolf on Voldemort's side, during the final battle and died from her injuries. Pavarti Patil had been her other roommate and had been practically a sister to Lavender, she had not returned as she couldn't face Hogwarts without her. So Hermione was left to her thoughts all night, not getting a single second of sleep. She was too hung up on tomorrow mornings announcements, within 24hrs she would be engaged to a possible stranger and she didn't know if she could go through with it. What would happen if she refused? Could she run to another country? Try to find her parents again in Australia? Her mind whirled all night thinking of her future that was coming all too fast.