AN: Thank you for all the lovely reviews! I'm definitely carrying this on. Vampiregirl811, thank you for the lovely review, and I will do my best to keep Ron relaxed, I agree that he should be because he should support what happens even if he doesn't agree. Penmora Zenith, I completely agree, like any relationship theirs needs to develop, even more considering the circumstances, and I'll definitely read your recommendations.

I have just finished exams, so I have plenty of time to update, so I hope you keep reading and all enjoy. Thanks again for the lovely response and feel free to leave criticisms and ideas.

As the thestral drawn carriage slowly made its way up to the castle, Hermione was as always amazed at the beauty of Hogwarts. Despite the war only a few months ago, the castle was beautifully re-built (by magic of course) and returned back to its former splendour of towering turrets and hundreds of windows, flickering with candle-light against the black sky. Ron and Harry looked at her with child-like enthusiasm and excitement, and she felt exactly the same. Although they hadn't been there for a year, it felt like a life time and she felt like a first year once more; excited, nervous and astounded. Stepping out of the carriage and glancing over the lake, dotted with rowing boats, she wondered if the new first years would spend their time at Hogwarts with as much exhilaration as she had.

Hermione, Ron and Harry stepped through the heavy oak doors and filled the great hall with the other bustling students and made their way to the seats Ginny saved for them. Silence fell as Professor McGonagall swiftly marched up the central aisle with her usual sternness, followed by a crowd of nervous looking first years. Throughout the whole sorting process, Hermione was amused by Ron's mutterings "I hope there are Yorkshire puddings – bloody starving" and "Jesus, they're only on G, I'll waste away by the time they're done!"

Shortly after the sorting had finished, Dumbledore made his usual speech. He welcomed all the new students; Hermione admittedly wasn't paying much attention until he said "Although, all of us have endured many stresses over the last year, I hope that we are all prepared for any drama that may follow". "Drama?" Hermione shrieked in her head, she knew the meaning of that now and was hoping for a much more peaceful year. Looking around at the other confused faces, Hermione noticed others who were retaking the year such as; Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Neville and Ernie Macmillan. Hermione was slightly comforted by this. Her comfort was soon ended when she glanced over to the slytherin table where she spotted a glistening head of white hair; of course daddy had got Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle back into school. Harry and Ron both spotted who she was staring at and let out a sigh of discontent. "I was hoping for a peaceful year", Harry retorted, "Exactly my thoughts", replied Hermione. Ron opened his mouth to comment but before he had chance, mountains of mash and platters of food appeared on the table and he was unsurprisingly sidetracked.

After seconds and thirds of the food, people began to leave the tables and make their way to their dorms. As her eyes had grown heavy Hermione was thankful for this, and with Ginny at her side, she made her way up to her dorm. The room greeted Hermione with that familiar and oddly comforting smell of dust, as well as two other girls who were friends of Ginny's. Hermione said hello as she made her way to a bed and got changed. Getting into bed, she realised she was much more tired than she previously thought and fell asleep as soon as she settled.

The room was filled with the gentle glow of the moon, and the sound of one of the girls softly snoring. Hermione woke up with a start, as she had been doing for weeks on end, she had forgotten the last time she slept all the way through the night. Donning her dressing gown and slippers, she decided to find the library. Even though it was pitch black in the corridors, Hermione knew the route to the library like the back of her hand, and soon was there. She whispered 'lumos' and a gentle glow came out of the end of her wand, and she scoured the shelves of the library. Hermione had missed having such an expansive library of books at her disposal and picked up a copy of Quintessence: A Quest. To her surprise, she heard a floorboard creak and she quickly whispered 'nox' to extinguish the light. As she spun round to leave the room, she was met by long black hair, pale skin and onyx eyes; "Well, well, well, Miss Granger, haven't even been back a day and you're stealing one of poor Miss Prince's books. I can't have you and your friends walking round this school thinking you're exempt from the rules just because you're a year older", Snape spat at her

"That isn't the case at all; I've just been struggling to sleep ever since the war, I'm sorry professor", Hermione replied with the least amount of sincerity that she could get away with.

"No excuse, everyone found the war hard, yet it is only you skulking around the school, 20 points from Gryffindor and a detention with me this weekend"

"Can I keep the book though?" Hermione added tauntingly, Snape just looked at her angrily and walked out the door. "Well he didn't say no", she whispered quietly and made her way back up to bed.

That morning sat in the great hall, Hermione was in an unusually good mood, and put it down to being back at Hogwarts, but that was soon ruined with that morning's mail. Hermione was surprised to receive a letter on her first day back; she was even more surprised to receive two. The first was an official looking envelope and Hermione prised it open and read:

Dear Miss Granger,

The ministry will tomorrow be announcing a new law that states any muggle-born female who has left school must marry a wizard, who has also finished education. We induce this law with apologies but with also reassurance that this is the only step remaining to reinstate our people's existence within the world, after such tragic losses in the war. Another term of the marriage law is that within the first 3 years of marriage, reproduction should occur.

If you decide to ignore this letter and the new law then the wizarding law will ignore you, we assure you that this is the only measure to ensure our safety and your co-operation is necessary.

The ministry understands that this may come as a shock to you, and this is why we have informed you before it is revealed in the Daily Prophet tomorrow. Also it is recommended that the marriage process is closely monitored by a wizard advocate for you, which you are able to select.

We hope for your reciprocation, and we hope you are well

Yours sincerely,

The Ministry of Magic.

Hermione stared blankly at the page, with a thousand thoughts running through her head, she didn't know whether to cry or scream. With hope of more explanation or a way out, she opened the second letter:

Miss Granger, you have been excused from first lesson, after breakfast please come to my office

Albus Dumbledore

Sitting in silence, Hermione couldn't stomach another mouthful, and with trembling legs, walked towards the headmaster's office.

AN: Don't worry, the detention bit won't be cheesy and smutty, and they aren't going to suddenly fall in love.