Hermione woke up in the morning, dreading breakfast. Today she was to receive her letter, along with the rest of the seventh years, telling who she would marry. She didn't want to get married now! She had just turned 18, and was young. She wanted a job, a life, before she had kids. And heaven forbid she would end up with that foul slytherin, Draco Malfoy. With her luck, she would end up with him, or any slytherin for that matter.

Hermione took her time getting dressed. She wanted to put off receiving her letter for as long as possible. She pulled on her robes, looking around the familiar dormitory. It was empty now, but normally four other girls were in the room. They must have hurried to get their letters at breakfast.

Hermione was not happy. Today, she was going to find out who her fiancée was going to be, and to make it all better, she had run into Draco Malfoy, of all people, on her way to breakfast. He hadn't done anything overly horrible for Malfoy, just sneered and told her she would end up married to a blast-ended skrewt. Hermione angrily cut her sausage, imagining it was Draco's over-inflated head.

There was a whooshing sound as the morning post flew in, but nothing for Hermione. The letters didn't come. Maybe they decided not to make everyone marry! Her hopes were squashed when Professor McGonagall started handing out timetables, which she didn't get one, neither did any other 7th year. She continued eating her sausage and pancakes, dreading the next development in her day.

Professor McGonagall stood at attention in front of the remaining students, for most had filtered out of the Great Hall. All of the 7th years had stayed, owing to the fact that none of them had their timetables. "7th years, I would like to ask you to grace me with your presence for a few more moments, the rest of you, if you would please go to your classes, as you are nearly late." As the doors banged closed behind the younger students, owls fluttered through the windows, dropping letters in front of every 7th year. Hermione had made a point of ignoring Ron all morning, for he had been giving her this look, like 'we better get partnered together, otherwise I'll shoot myself.' She looked up at him and he looked a little green. She gave a small smile. Ron and her and tried to date over the summer, but he was so immature! She broke it off right before school started.

Hermione's letter dropped in front of her. She picked it up slowly, examining the envelope. Normal parchment, but it was written in blood red ink, almost like it was signed in blood – her blood. She turned it over gingerly and opened it. She pulled out three sheets of paper. One a letter, another a questionnaire, and the third was blank. The letter read:

Dear Miss Granger:

The ministry of magic would like to offer our thanks in your contribution to the Great War. Unfortunately, many died, and this has led us to make the Marriage Law. Every student of 7th year level, and those above that are un-married, must marry a suitable partner, in order to keep the wizarding population striving. We will be taking your opinion into consideration. The enclosed pieces of parchment are for you to pick your partner. Fill out the questionnaire, and describe your perfect partner on the blank sheet. If you are already in a relationship and wish to marry that person, you may do so, as long as those at the ministry feel it is a good partnership.

As I'm sure you know, if you fail to uphold this law, you will be forced to give up your wand, along with your partner.

Please send the form back by midnight tonight, you will receive your partner tomorrow morning. Dates by which to have things completed will be enclosed with your partners name tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Minister of Magic

Hermione stared at the parchment. She had a choice, at least. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, telling everyone to quiet. "You will be excused from your first class in order to fill out these tests. Tomorrow morning, you will stay after breakfast again in order to receive your partners name and further instructions. Get started." All that was hearable in the Great hall was the scratching of quills.

Draco was actually answering truthfully. Over the course of the war he had changed. Voldemort had killed the only people dear to him in order to get Draco's service. Those two people were Draco's mother and younger brother. All he wanted now was somebody to fill the void