Disclaimer: I only own the plot. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling

Well, here's the second chapter. Tell me what you think:

The next morning was no better; Hermione was constantly being pulled out of her day dreams by Harry and Ron. She followed the boys around all day, grateful for that fact that they had all the same classes. She was confused as to why her mind refused to think about the lessons, and instead seemed to focus on muscular arms, strong wide backs, the weight of a body on her own. The feel of his breath on her cheek, the feel of his lips on her own.

"Hermione! Snap out of it!" whispered Harry.

"Sorry." She replied.

They were currently in History of Magic, and Hermione seemed to have an even harder time concentrating. She managed to pay attention for the rest of the class, and copy down a few main points of the lecture. They were making their way to lunch when she realized she had forgotten her book back in the classroom.

"Go ahead. I'll catch up in a minute." She told the boys.

She watched the boys nod their head, and made her way back to the History classroom.

"You know Mudblood, it might be dangerous to wander the halls alone."

"But I'm not alone. You're here."

"Ah, but you see, I'm the one you should be afraid of."

"Okay Malfoy, whatever you say." She laughed. "Now just let me by, I have to get my book."

"A book you say? Well I'm sorry but I can't let you go by."

"Are you serious? This is the best you can do. The terror of the halls and all you can come up with is not letting me get my book? Move I need this book for homework."

"No Mudblood, I don't think I will."

"Why? It's of no importance to you."

"You want your book right? Well, that's the only reason I need to not let you go by."

"Malfoy if you don't move out of my way right now I am going to hex you." She sighed as she rubbed her eyes.

Hermione was in no mood to be confronted, especially by Malfoy. She had a hard time meeting his eyes. She imagined her mind had a good laugh making her eyes trail over Malfoy's body.

"Threats again Granger? Don't you remember what happened last time you did that?"

"Yeah, I almost castrated you."

"Very funny Granger."

"Yeah I suppose it would be, if I was kidding." She said as she pulled her wand out of her sleeve, and for the second time in three days, and pointed her wand at Malfoy.

She watched as he shoved a hand into his own pocket. She was just about to cast a jinx when she heard a cough behind her. She turned her head and saw McGonagall standing there in the hall.

"Hand them over you two." McGonagall said. "This is such a disappointment. How old are the two of you?"

"Seventeen ma'am." They both replied.

"That's what I thought. Somehow I knew it would be you two. If there was a first for anything it would be you two. Follow me." she said.

Hermione walked behind McGonagall, listening to the older witch murmur under her breath. She shot Malfoy a few quizzical looks, but found him looking straight forward. They walked along the corridors for what seemed like an eternity before they stopped in front of a pair of gargoyles. She heard the woman whisper something under her breath. Hermione stood by, enthralled, as the gargoyles leapt to life and a spiral staircase began to raise form the floor.

"Let's go you two. We have a lot to do tonight."

Hermione caught Malfoy's eye and shot him a questioning look. He shrugged his shoulders and followed McGonagall onto the staircase. When the stairs finally stopped moving they we're facing a simple wooden door. McGonagall knocked once and then opened the door for the two students to walk through.

"Here, Albus. I finally found them. About to hex one another from the looks of it. Are you sure about this? I'm sure we could pick a pair of nice Hufflepuffs to be the first. It would be so much more pleasant."

"No Minerva. The first step is the hardest, and so we shall the pick the most prepared pair."

"I'm sorry to interrupt sir, but we don't even know what you're talking about. How can we be prepared if we don't even know what's going on?" Hermione asked.

She watched Dumbledore laugh, and noticed that Snape was there as well. Oh great, she thought, it's a reunion of the teachers I have been in trouble with the past three days.

"Don't worry Miss Granger, you are not in trouble. Please, take a seat. You too, Mr. Malfoy. We have gathered you today to talk to you about a new law that was passed this weekend. News of it has not yet been publicized, but I was able to get a preview of it from our dear Minister of Magic."

Upon those words Hermione watched Cornelius Fudge and a few more ministry officials walk through the door.

"Ah Minister! We were just talking about you. As I was saying children, for the last five years the Minister and I have been conducting a research team. The cause of research was the decline in magical students over the years. The results of these tests were very disheartening. We have found that less and less magical students are being produced every year. We thought about the causes for the last two years, when I was invited to a former student's wedding. While I was there it occurred to me that the reason for this decline started at the wedding. Cornelius here has kept a record of every wedding for the last ten years, and these records show more and more witches and wizards marrying muggles. While they can still produce magical children, it seems that the odds are against it. The results show that two parents from muggle backgrounds or two parents with pureblood have a difficult time creating magical children."

"Well, sir, I don't think that's entirely true. The Weasleys themselves could repopulate the school and the magical world." Malfoy said.

Hermione had to stifle a laugh, and saw that the teachers and officials had to do the same.

"But what does this have to do with us?" she asked.

"I was getting to that. Pureblood lines have been producing more and more squibs every year. The exact reason is still unknown, but we think it has something to do with the fact that there is too much magic within one person. Over the years we have found a way to ensure our survival. We have followed new couples for the last few years, and the results have shown us what we must do. There have been two couples that have an outstanding record for having magical children. The first is a couple where both parents have muggle blood as well as magical blood. The other has been people like the two of you."

"Like us? What's that supposed to-" Hermione began.

Suddenly she knew why they were there. She understood why everyone was giving them sympathetic looks. She tried to catch Malfoy's eye, but he seemed to be lost in the ceiling. She looked back at Fudge, and again turned her attention to Dumbledore.

"You have to be kidding me."

"I am afraid not Miss Granger. It seems the other couple that had the best results was a couple much like yourself and Mr. Malfoy. One pureblood parent, and one muggle born parent."

"What does this have to do with the new law? You began by telling us about a new law." asked Malfoy.

"Yes, the law. Well, we have decided that the Ministry must step in and create a base for the next generation. We passed the law late Saturday night, and you two shall be the first to become acquainted with it." Fudge said.

"Well, what is it? You've done a good job running around in circles. Would one of you please tell us what the new law is?" asked Malfoy again.

"The two of you are to be married. As you are both of legal age we have all decided that the two of you will be the first, among many, to be forced into this." Snape said.

"Forced? You can't force us to do anything. I am not marrying him!" Hermione yelled.

"You have no choice dear girl. Can you not see that the future of our world rests on you and your friends? You are the strongest bunch of witches and wizards we have seen for many years." Fudge said. "Without your cooperation our world will become extinct. Think about your children. Wouldn't you want them to have the same abilities you do? This is the only way we have found to help our future."

"Fine."

"That's good to hear Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said.

Hermione looked at Malfoy. How can he agree like that? He should be kicking and screaming! she thought. She shook her head, and knew she had no other choice. After hearing all of their research, Hermione could not deny what she was hearing. She had stayed in touch with friends after they had graduated, and she knew that they had problems having magical children. She knew that if there was any way she could change that she had to take that option.

"Okay. I'll do it." She said.

"Not that we really had any choice." Malfoy said.

Hermione laughed, and silently agreed.