Hi! So this is my second fanfic and first Harry Potter fic and hopefully everything goes well *fingers crossed* I've read loads of HP fics and I really wanted to try reading one for myself so - here it goes! Please review or PM me and suggestions - I'll take all of it onboard and maybe use some of your ideas! Reviews seriously mean the world to me! Anyway - drumroll please - enjoy...
When Forces Collide
-After the wizarding war ended the magical population hit an all time low and all of the students have returned to a rebuilt Hogwarts to finish their school year. As a result the Ministry of Magic have issued a new law. A marriage law. Now every wizard aged 16 to 35 is paired up – no exceptions. So what happens when soul mates are split, enemies are matched and friends are torn apart?
Platform 9¾ was buzzing. Buzzing with new students, old students, worried parents and scarred souls. Everything and nothing had changed all at once. Relayed sandy bricks and re-plastered walls hid the visual scars but underneath the painted platform, nothing could hide the war's mark. As if nothing had changed: there were still the first years, bright eyed and dressed in oversized robes; the second and third years, thinking they know everything yet remaining so blissfully unaware; the fourth years clearly older than the innocent third years they were months ago however still too young; the fifth, sixth and seventh years, visibly shaken by the war they weren't supposed to fight in and the eighth years, returning students. The previous seventh years – those who survived. Yes it was all the same and all very different, but what Hermione Jean Granger couldn't decide was if it was a good different. An unusually perky voice belonging to Molly Weasley dragged Hermione out of her mind and back into reality. The new head girl smiled at the older woman and politely nodded attempting to hide the fact she wasn't listening to a word spoken. As everyone said their goodbyes, Hermione just kept on smiling and nodding, letting the whole experience wash over her. As Ron, Ginny and Harry said farewell to Arthur and Molly; Hermione considered her family. She had received reports that they were doing fine and were now in Australia. When she went to go and fix their memories she saw exactly how good they were doing – without her. She couldn't disturb their lives any more so she just left. First class back to London and then two days later: Hogwarts. That is where the bushy haired brunette stood now, preparing to board the school train.
From the first step, the familiar aroma of Hogwarts ambushed her senses and a warm comforting feeling filled her. As the golden trio made there way to an empty compartment accompanied by the youngest Weasley, they were all silent. All of them taking in there last year of Hogwarts. All of them still silently grieving the fallen. The four took their seats and remained quiet until Ron spoke up first.
"So…"
"So…"
"So…"
"So…"
They all looked at each other then simultaneously laughed. Like that the ice was once again broken and small talk filled the carriage. Twenty minutes into the journey Hermione left the three to talk while she fulfilled her head girl duties. After strolling up and down the train and informing the lower years to change into their robes, she wandered over to the head's compartment. The ferret like face that smirked back at her made her stomach turn. Malfoy. She was aware that he was returning to finish his education after he'd been dismissed of all charges however tension was still apparent. His father had been sentenced to Azkaban and his mother and him remained at home. No one had seen the Malfoys since the end of the high profile trial. Yet here he was, all the arrogance and self loving clearly untainted by the war. His appearance however had taken a hit from the war. His young skin was covered with small scars; his grey eyes lacked the over confident spark and his once proud and tall posture seemed to have developed a slight hunch. The war had aged him like many others. Just as Hermione started to feel a twinge of pity for the broken boy in front of her the cocky boy spoke.
"Granger, could have guessed you'd be here. You and your bloody friends get picked for everything. Late though – didn't see that one coming. Were you and weasel too busy snogging behind the sweet trolley?" With that one sentence memories of cruel remarks and painful taunting flooded her memory and the same loathing from previous school years returned. Without a response, she left the blond haired slytherin alone.
Thirty minutes after their brief encounter the Hogwarts express pulled up at the school station and the students once again fell into the familiar sequence. They all made their way to the castle, greeting friends along the waa, until they made it into the great hall. Despite the wreck it had been – everything had been re built and if they hadn't had been there during the war they probably wouldn't have guessed it was ever damaged. The sickly odour of blood had been washed away and the fallen soldiers bodies' had been respectfully buried.
Professor Mcgonagall welcomed everyone back and said a brief summary of how brave everyone had been through the tough times. Hermione stopped listening to the grey haired with and began to think. How could Draco have gotten the role of head boy. Malfoy of all people. As the first years stood up to leave for the dormitories Hermione began to rise only to be pulled back down by Harry. While she was daydreaming Mcgonagall had apparently asked the students 16 and above to remain seated.
"Well," she began after the lower years had left the great hall. "I'm sure your all curious as to why I requested you stayed behind. Now there's no point in lying to you. You see, tomorrow the minister of Magic will announce a new law that will change all of your lives. He has asked me to inform all of you now so you have a brief time to prepare." She adjusted her crooked hat before continuing, "There is to be a law stating all wizards aged 16 to 35 will be paired with another of the opposite sex as part of a new marriage law-" Instantaneously a great uproar came from the elder students. "Silence! All of you! I can't tell you much more simply as I don't know however I can say this: tomorrow each of you will be receiving letters stating who your partner is, why, the rules of the law and how to appeal if you are unsatisfied by your match. This will also be your last night in your house dormitories. As of tomorrow evening you will have a separate room in the newly built marriage wing of the school with your partner. As I'm sure a few of you have realized the age range means you are not guaranteed a partner within this school so some may have there own room until further notice however we have requested that the ministry pair up school children with school children." As a collected growl started to fill the room Mcgonagall silenced them once more and ordered them back to their rooms. Back to their rooms for their final night. Throughout the corridors students complaints filled the air. Hermione mindlessly followed the Gryffindor crowd back to their common room without uttering a word. She was rendered incapable of speech since the announcement. Without saying so much as good night to her friends, she trotted up the stairs and snuggled straight into bed. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't sure about marriage anyway let alone because of some stupid law. Surely they couldn't force her into a loveless marriage. Well, according to recent developments – they could. As the eighth year stretched out in her bed and shut her eyes – like most other nights – memories of the war haunted her mind as she feel into an uneasy sleep. Throughout the night she tossed and turned but no one dared wake her from the nightmare instead she just kept tossing and turning all night desperate for the next morning to save her from her nightmares. Although tomorrow morning would begin an all new nightmare that would be the rest of the young witch's life…
DISCLAIMER: I (unfortunately) don't own Harry Potter *sigh* however if JKR want's to hand over the rights - I'm up for it ;)
So - What did you think? Leave a review and thanks for reading :P
Until next time, which will probably be later today, love you guys
- ScarsAndStars