Hermione was wedged between Harry and Ron looking between the twenty-three faces of their colleagues seated at the same table. Kingsley had sent out memos for each of these people to join him in Conference Room 3 on Friday afternoon. Judging by the confused and concerned looks coming from the Ministry workers at the table, none of them had any clue what was going on, including Hermione.
Hermione did notice that this gathering included most of the younger generations working through the Ministry, which only raised more questions. Why wasn't anyone older there? There were people from nearly every department… maybe they were just asking the younger workers for some ideas to lessen some of the archaic policies…
Finally after about fifteen minutes of waiting Kingsley finally stepped through the doorway, followed by the undersecretary Genevieve Hogg. Once he reached the head of the table, the Minister offered a tight lipped smile to the faces looking back at him.
Truth be told the Minister looked like he hadn't slept in a month. His eyes were bloodshot with dark circles beneath them, and his jaw was quite tense. Compared to his usual relaxed and friendly demeanor, Kingsley looked almost unrecognizable.
"Good afternoon everyone, sorry to keep you waiting. I was busy wishing I didn't have to deliver this news to you. Clearly, that did not work," Kingsley spoke with a frown.
"Excuse me, Minister Shacklebolt. We're not being fired, are we?" Asked Corrine Casey with a terrified look on her face.
"No, no. It's nothing like that. Although, I'm sure a few of you will wish that was the case," Kingsley continued with a grave face, "Alright I'll just get to it. Last week the Wizengamot issued a new decree that directly affects all of you. The official announcement will be in The Daily Prophet this Monday. However, I thought it prudent to inform all of you personally before the media did."
At this, Harry spoke up, "Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt, but a few of us —myself included— are members of the Wizengamot, and we were not made aware of any new legislation."
"Yes, when first introduced, it was requested that any members that would be included in said decree not be in attendance due to a conflict of interest."
"Minister, could you please explain what the new decree is?" asked Hermione, nearly ready to explode with curiosity.
"Yes, of course. Please, if you could wait until the end of my speech to ask your questions and comments, I would be most appreciative. I assure you that I am not happy about this, but it is officially out of my hands," with a deep sigh Kingsley continued, "As it is, the wizarding population has been on a great decline since the First War. There weren't many concerns about it until this past year. It has been eight years since the Second War and we are still showing declining rates. As it turns out, marriage rates are also lower than we've ever seen. Our projection rates show a huge loss to our population over the next century if something is not done.
"As a solution to this problem, they have created a temporary decree. This will stand for the next five years, beginning Monday, September 1st. It enforced any unmarried witches and wizards between ages 25 and 35 to find a partner within six months. You must marry within a year and bear two children within the five year time restriction. If you meet the requirements before the five years is complete, you may file for a divorce if you do not wish to remain married to your partner.
"There will be exemptions for those unable to reproduce, there will be a form in my reception area for you to complete if this pertains to you. However, persons with a differing sexual orientation will still be expected to uphold the requirements by seeking conception in different manners. If you have not found a partner by March 1st you will be paired with another person who is also without a partner.
"We have collaborated with George and Fred Weasley from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and they have developed a product to assist you in finding a partner. Do not look so betrayed, Mr. Weasley, they were not told why we needed the items. We haven taken an idea from the Muggle World and adjusted it to fit our needs. You will answer a handful of questions within a journal that will be provided to you momentarily, and then you'll be paired with compatible witches or wizards to communicate with. The journals are all connected, but you can only communicate with certain people. You will be able to remain anonymous until you see fit to reveal your identity, if you would prefer. We have chosen this mode of communication so that you do not have to upend your lives so quickly.
"We do understand that we are asking a lot of you and it is not our wish to wreak havoc on your lives, we are simply trying to ensure the survival of our world. I deeply apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you."
The room was fraught with tension. The longer Kingsley had spoken, the more outraged everyone looked. Hermione, in particular, was so livid her hair was practically standing on end and crackling with magic. If eyes could cast Avada's, Kingsley would have dropped dead several minutes ago.
As soon as the Minister finished speaking, Hermione shot to her feet, "so you're telling me that because we lost our childhoods to defeating a madman and have decided to take our time before settling down, that we are just going to be forced into doing so, so we can be breeders for the Ministry? What if we don't comply?"
Kingsley looked like he was expecting this outburst from Hermione. He simply cleared his throat and spoke very clear and slowly, "you will be held in contempt, and sentenced to six months in Azkaban."
"This is rubbish, Kings and you know it!" Hermione barked, before promptly stomping out of the conference room, slamming the door behind her.
"Does anyone else have any questions," at the silence he received, Kingsley continued, "Alright, you'll find a stack of journals on the table beside the door. Please take one. Mr. Potter, if you wouldn't mind taking one to Miss Granger… You are all excused from work for the rest of the day, I know this is a lot to take in. Thank you for your time."
After the last person shuffled out, Kingsley slumped into his chair. "Genevieve, I'm going home early today. I'll need all the rest I can get before Hermione comes back Monday morning."