Disclaimer ~ As it has been since I started writing Dramione fanfics, I do not own anything but the plot. All recognizable and even some unrecognizable characters belong to their creator JK Rowling.


One Simple Mistake

Chapter One: An Archaic Law

Ministry Of Magic Headquarters, Whitehall, London

June 1, 2003


If one were to ask for a person to describe Hermione Granger, they would get a plethora of answers from various sources.

If you asked that question, to anyone who had ever heard of Hermione Granger but did not actually know her, they would answer the same. Hermione Granger is one third of the Golden Trio, the best friend of wizarding world savior, Harry Potter and the brains that helped him defeat the dark wizard Voldemort.

If you asked her former professors, they would tell you that she was a studious girl, extremely intelligent and hard-working, and the brightest witch to walk the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since founder Rowena Ravenclaw was there.

Acquaintances, including former classmates and fellow employees, would most likely call her levelheaded, book-smart, extremely focused, and quite logical to show her more favorable traits, while some may say they found her slightly bossy, a bit of a know-it-all, and at times quite stubborn as her more unfavorable ones.

Then there is the handful of people who are truly close to her. Her family and closest friends would tell you she is unfailingly dutiful and loyal to them, extremely protective, and a person who could be counted on. They would tell you, that she has an extremely compassionate side to her personality and is quick to help others, especially those who are defenseless.

One thing though, that everyone would agree on about Hermione Granger, is that she would always fight for what she believed in, whether it was fighting for a muggle-borns right to be apart of the magical community, or working for the rights of underprivileged non-humans. So it came as no surprise to anyone when the witch in question came storming through one of the atrium fireplaces, with a look of pure disgust and fury plastered across her face. Ministry employees stopped to watch as the angered witch headed towards the lifts. Her work robes were billowing out behind her, her long chestnut curls, bushier then usual, bounced with every forceful step and her fists, one of which seemed to have a crushing hold on that days Prophet, were clenched tightly at her sides. It was quite obvious, Hermione Granger was pissed and no one with a sense of self-preservation wanted to be in the path of that particular storm. Everyone watched in silence as the angry witch entered one of the lifts, and as the doors shut some of those employees closest to her could hear her say only two words. "Level One."


Hermione barely noticed as employees hurried to get out of her way as she stormed through the ministry. In fact one would have to believe that even if she had have noticed, she honestly would not have cared at all. The only thing Hermione cared about this miserable morning was the atrocity that she had seen written in the paper.

Her day had started fine. She woke up, had a lovely morning jog before taking a quick shower and preparing for work. She had just sat down in the kitchen with her morning tea and bumbleberry scones when an owl arrived with her morning Prophet. The front page headline was enough to make her drop the tea cup she was holding, and scream out profanities that no one would ever believe came from her mouth. By the time she had finished the article she had already come up with at least three possible ways of killing Kingsley and not get caught. The reporter had gotten one thing right, the law was archaic and the fact that they thought that this was the only option showed that the ministry was being run by closed minded idiots. There was no way Hermione was going to take this lying down. She did not help defeat the darkest, most psychopathic, wizard alive just to have the Ministry make decisions for her life. No bloody way.

She walked purposely towards Kingsley's office, her sensible heels clicking sharply against the highly polished dark wood floor. She passed the offices of Senior and Junior Undersecretarys to the Minister for Magic Percy Weasley and Penelope Clearwater respectively, both of whom were staring at her from their doorways. Percy took a step towards her, as if to try and stop her from reaching her destination.

"If you value your chance to birth children Percy, then I would suggest you rethink that thought." She said calmly, her eyes not once leaving the large mahogany, double doors at the end of the hall. He obviously took her warning to heart because he stopped in his tracks, turned around and hurried back into his office.

"Give him hell Hermione. For all of us." Penelope said with a small nod of her head. She too would be affected by this farce of a law and she hoped Hermione was able to put a stop to it. Penelope's words only infused Hermione with more purpose. This was not just about her. This was about a whole community of people who would have their lives changed for them against their will. Hermione reached the double doors which displayed a gold name plate with the words MINSTER of MAGIC in bold black writing, and pushed them open, ready for a fight.


"No other choice? No other bloody, fucking choice! Are you kidding me, Kingsley! Of course there are other choices!" Hermione had tried her very hardest to be calm and levelheaded when she first entered the office, however after about thirty minutes of "calm" discussion which involved Hermione explaining why the idea was completely preposterous while Kingsley pretended to listen, she finally lost it.

"Language, Miss Granger." Kingsley said, in what Hermione considered to be quite a condescending tone, incensing her even more. Kingsley sighed. "Our world is on the brink of extinction, Hermione! More and more squibs are being born and while the pure-bloods continue to shy away from the half-bloods and muggle-borns the more likely we are to see less magical children born! This is the only way!" He exclaimed slamming his fist down on his desk.

"So let me see if I have this correct." She said, starting to pace back and forth, in thought. "The magical community is on the brink of extinction due to the fact that almost the entire pure-blood community refuses to leave behind their blood purity beliefs, most likely because no one has taught them any differently. Am I correct in this theory?" Kingsley looked at her oddly, but gave a nod of his head.

"Yes, but ..."

"And because of this," She said, not giving him a chance to respond. "You and the rest of the Wizengamot think that the best thing to do is pair these pure-bloods with the very people they hate. Some of which they probably tried to kill during the war! Not to mention imprisoning and banishing those who choose not to follow through with it, thus only diminishing our population even more!" She through her hands up in frustration.

"You of all people know that all the death eaters have been rounded up and are securely locked up in Azkaban." Hermione let out a harsh laugh at this.

"Oh please Kingsley." She said shaking her head. "You can explain your ideas, tell me your theories on how this is going to work, but do not and I repeat DO NOT insult my intelligence. You know as well as I do that not everyone who supported Voldemort was marked as a death eater, and that they are still walking the streets of Diagon Alley looking down their noses and cursing us in their minds. You might as well be leading lambs to slaughter with this law. How many deaths or sudden unexplained disappearances are going to happen when this law is in full effect."

"Damn it Hermione! Why can't you see ..."

"See what Kingsley? That this whole thing is outrageously inappropriate not to mention completely archaic! I have never been so ..."

"ENOUGH!" Hermione jumped at the sound. She had not been looking at him during her rant but as she looked up at him now, she could see her own fury etched on his face. "The law has been voted on and has been passed. You, like every other eligible witch or wizard will receive a letter announcing your betrothed and you WILL obey the law Hermione, or you WILL find yourself wandless, obliviated, and banished from the magical world forever. Do I make myself clear, Miss Granger?" Hermione glared at him, so furious that she was visibly shaking.

"You do not have the right to ..."

"Actually, Miss Granger, as one of the law makers of this world, I do have the right." He sneered at her. "Now," He said going and sitting behind his desk. "I have important matters to attend to and since this discussion is now over you can leave." Hermione's eyes widened with fury, but instead of saying anything, she turned on her heel and headed towards the door, stopping when she reached it to look back at him.

"This is not over Minister."

"I beg to differ Miss Granger. It is official, you either marry or are banished and there is nothing you can do to change it." He said, not even bothering to look up from the paperwork in front of him.

"We'll see about that." She said before turning and exiting the room, slamming the door loudly behind her.


Hermione tapped her fingers along the top of her cherry wood desk. After she had left Kingsley's office, she headed straight to her office on level five, hoping that doing a little work would help calm her down. Unfortunately though, the mornings events had left her in a rather preoccupied and frustrated mood, making any chance of getting any work done impossible.

"Arg!" Hermione let out a frustrated growl, throwing the proposal she had been trying to read for the past hour, down onto the desk. Hermione sat back in her chair and ran her fingers through her hair.

Who in the hell does Kingsley and the rest of the Wizengamot think they are? Trying to control peoples lives. Making decisions for them. She thought angrily. And Kingsley! Speaking to me as if I were a child. As if I did not have a brain in my head. I am Hermione Granger damn it! Brightest witch of my generation, a member of the trio who helped save their sorry arses from one of the darkest wizards ever to live and he acts as if I am just some simpleton muggle-born.

Hermione leaned forward and banged her fist against her desk. There was no way in hell she was going to allow the ministry to tell her who she was going to marry or try to strip her of her power and memories. She had rights, both wizard and muggle and she was not going to take this lying down.

There has to be something, some kind of loophole.

After another thirty minutes of standing around thinking, she was more frustrated then before. Throwing her hands up in the air, she once again yelled out in frustration. "Come on Hermione! It cannot be this hard to find a loophole. They are found all the time in muggle laws." She stopped pacing, something she had not even realized she had been doing, when she was suddenly hit with a thought. Running over to where she kept her files, she searched for the one concerning the agreement between the Ministry and the British Prime Minister. As head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Hermione had access to all treaties between wizarding London and all other wizarding communities in the world, along with the treaty with muggle London. After finding and reading the treaty, Hermione could feel her frustration fading away and a large smile graced her face.

"Check mate!"


A.N. ~ Well here it is, chapter one. I would love to hear your thoughts on it and the next chapter should be up within a week. Have a great day!