Chapter Two

As it got nearer to 6pm everybody was getting edgier and more anxious. At 6pm everyone who had gotten a letter were to travel to Hogwarts to find out their new partner. For all Hermione knew she could be paired with anybody but the ministry must take in account to already strong relationships? But for once Hermione didn't know the answer. As it got to quarter to 6 everyone apparated to Hogwarts and slowly all made their way to the castle. Ron gripped Hermione's hand tightly while Harry Fred and George for once were silenced, Arthur and Molly were close behind the young wizards all worried about them. There were many faces who Hermione recognized from her time at Hogwarts and many faces she didn't see who were killed in the war, the thought made Hermione's heart ache. She had tried to forget her memories about that night but seeing everyone again made all the memories flow back to her.

Once they had reached the castle everybody made their way to the great hall. The hall was lay out into the four house tables, and all the ex-students made their way to their old tables. Hermione scanned the hall for familiar faces, she saw Dean and Seamus together further down the table both looking petrified. Hermione then looked across to the Slytherin table, the first face she saw was Draco's his hair slightly longer and messed up, the dark circles from the war still hung under his eyes and his jaw line was more noticeable. On his right sat Pansy whose arm lay entwined with Dracos, on his left side his mother sat upright. You couldn't miss her from miles away, her pale white skin matched Dracos perfectly and her Silvery blonde hair in sleek curls halfway down her back. No one could deny she was beautiful, but the last time Hermione saw her she didn't look as pretty as she does now.

After a while of thinking to herself she felt a tap on her shoulder, startled she turned around and saw Ginny. "Ginny! I am so happy you are here, it's awful this new law I can't believe it!" Hermione said with tears in her eyes, she was worried she would lose Ron again. Ginny sat down next to her friend and gave her a quick hug. "It will be fine Hermione they can't break you and Ron it's not possible" Before Hermione could reply Dumbledore announced his arrival.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts, I understand we have many faces that are not hear tonight and it is still difficult for all of us to be somewhere that relive many of our most terrible memories" Dumbledore stepped forward and grabbed a long list from Minerva. "All of you know why you are here and I feel awful I am the one to break many relationships but also have them forced" Dumbledore coughed and looked down to the list. "The ministry have told me to inform you that a village has been set up for the first year of this law where all of you shall live after the first year you are allowed to leave" People looked around the room most upset and some intrigued. "The village is called , just 5 miles from Hogsmeade" Everybody was getting anxious with Dumbledores speech, every student wanted to know their partner. Hermione was sitting nervously in her chair, Ron held onto her waist tightly.

Dumbledore looked up to make sure everyone was paying attention to him still, when he was satisfied he carried on. "Everyone has already been assigned a house to live in and the house elves are preparing them now, but alas it is time to announce the new couples" Everybody sat up after these words, Hermione kept hold of Ron's hand. This was the nervous many of them had been.

Dumbledore looked at the names on the list ready to read them out. "Once I have announced the names I would like each couple to stand up and go through into this door to then be shown to your new houses you may then send letters to your family and loved ones. Okay so" Dumbledore coughed.

"Theodore Nott and Lavender Brown" The pair slowly walked out of their seats not looking at anything or anyone but made their way to the door. The crowd did not ever expect that pairing so luck was not in their hands this time around. Dumbledore continued to read out the names.

"Blaise Zabini and Ginny Weasley" Ginny sighed and Hermione had tears in her eyes, this new law was cruel and absurd. Ron Fred and George looked even more furious.

"Fred Weasley and Angelina Johnson" George gave his brother a pat on the back.

"Harry Potter" The room went silent anticipating who the boy who lived was destined to be with. "And Pansy Parkinson" The room stayed silent apart from the loud shriek that came from the slytherin table. "You can't make me go with him you just can't Draco tell them! Tell them how we are together please Draco" Draco let of go of the girl secretly glad to be getting rid of her, he sighed and shook his head at her. She screamed once more and stormed off through the door. Narcissa had a smug look on her face easily showing her emotions towards the girl. Harry was heartbroken shocked and disappointed. Pansy just two years ago tried to sell him to Voldemort and no he had to marry her. Everyone watched as Harry made his way towards the door, Hermione was crying now she knew how much Harry despised the girl. Draco saw Hermione cry and just rolled his eyes.

"George Weasley and Katie Bell"

"Ron Weasley and Astoria Greengrass" Hermiones heart dropped and broke. She in that moment knew she wouldn't be able to have a family with Ron and her plans were ruined. She sobbed loudly and Ron held her face in his hands "Hermione I love you we will sort this out I promise you" He kissed her and carried on walking towards the door. Hermione's whole body sunk, she didn't want anybody's name apart from Ron's and now she was to share her life with someone who she didn't love.

"Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger" Almost the whole room were taken back by this couple. This could not be happening Hermione thought. Molly rubbed her arm and edged her to leave the table. Hermione dazed walked towards the door and a very angry Malfoy was still sat at the slytherin table. Narcissa and an apologetic face but was trying to make her son see reason. After a while Draco stormed off through the door where he met a crying Hermione and a house elf trying to cheer her up.