"Welcome, students!" Professor McGonagall said to the students in the Great Hall. The first years had just been sorted into their houses. McGonagall was the new headmistress, after Dumbledore and Snape.

"I want to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is still off-limits. Also, I would like to congratulate our Head Boy and Girl." Hermione grinned. She had been called to Hogwarts over the summer to talk to McGonagall about being Head Girl. However, she and the Head Boy had been called in at separate times, so she didn't know who he was going to be. "Ladies first! Everyone please welcome Miss Hermione Granger!" McGonagall gestured for Hermione to come up. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the rest of the Gryffindor table cheered louder than any other house, although since she helped defeat Voldemort, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and even Slytherins were about as loud as the Gryffindors.

Hermione walked up to stand on McGonagall's right side. McGonagall put her arm around Hermione's shoulders. "And everyone, please welcome Hogwart's Head Boy, Draco Malfoy!"

There was an audible gasp from the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff tables. Slytherins were silent at first, but clapped the loudest as Malfoy walked up to meet McGonagall and Hermione.

"I am pleased to announce the Head Boy and Girl!" McGonagall whispered to the pair, "Shake hands." Hermione and Malfoy reluctantly did as they were told. Everyone in the hall cheered. "And now, it is time for our feast! Everyone dig in!" And the students did just that.

Hermione and Malfoy prepared to return to their seats. "Hold it, you two." Professor McGonagall gently grabbed one of each of their shoulders, pulling them back. "I must talk to you about your living situation for this year."

Malfoy groaned. Hermione glared at him. "Now, I'm sure you understand that, generally, the Head Boy and Girl share living quarters. However, given the new marriage law, this might prove to be a problem. I am going to announce this to the students later, but…" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "All students 16 and above are going to be given a magical journal. They will write their information, including names, grades, qualities, and so forth in it, and then, through the Ministry's choice of a match, each student will be able to write back and forth with their future spouse."

"Will the students know who it is they are writing to?" Hermione asked.

"No, and that is what the Ministry intended. To make it more of a game, I suppose. It makes it more appropriate for the younger crowd."

"Yeah, because it's so appropriate for 16 year olds to be getting married." Malfoy said, snidely.

McGonagall glared at him. "Well, that's what is going to happen, Mister Malfoy. I would like you two to live together until your spouse is determined since, well, to be frank, we don't have living quarters for you other than that. Also, you two have been granted the power to apparate on Hogwarts grounds if the need arises. Now, if you would join the other students. And do not tell them about the Marriage Journals."

The Head Boy and Girl headed back to their seats. "Marriage Journals. That's what they decide to call them, Marriage Journals!" Hermione heard Malfoy mutter, shaking his head.

Harry already had a face full of food, Ginny sitting next to him while eating daintily. Ron hadn't yet taken a bite. "Well, Hermione, do you have to live with Malfoy or not?"

Hermione nodded. "At least for the beginning of the year." She filled her plate.

"What does that mean?" He asked nervously.

"McGonagall said I can't tell you. But you'll find out at the end of the feast."

Ron looked shocked, and for once, he ate very little. Given, it was still more than Hermione, but it was a small amount for him.

OOOOO

"Students, may I have your attention, please?" Professor McGonagall addressed the hall. "I hoped you enjoyed the feast, everyone." Many heads around the hall nodded. "Everyone born after June thirtieth, 1982, is dismissed. Please follow the prefects to your houses, first years!" Most people exited the hall. The remaining students were littered around the hall.

"Everyone, please move to the front of the tables so I don't have to yell anymore." McGonagall said with an uncharacteristic giggle. After everyone did as she said, she started her speech.

"Now, students, thank you for staying." She cleared her throat. "I'm sure you all have heard about the new law put in place by the Ministry. If any muggle-borns haven't, it entails that anyone ages seventeen to forty must get married and produce a child within two years of their wedding." A hand raised from among the students furthest back.

"Yes, Kevin?" McGonagall said.

"Then why do we have to be here if we're sixteen?"

"Anyone seventeen and older must marry, but those of you asked to stay who are sixteen will turn seventeen by the end of the school year. The date you all must be married by is June thirtieth of next year." There was an audible gasp and small chatter between many girls. "Students, please!" McGonagall looked tired. "There is a unique way you will be matched up according to the Ministry." McGonagall bent down and picked up a book beside her. "This is one of the Ministry's Marriage Journals. Each of you will be given one of these. Your job is to write every day in this journal. The first two pages are filled with questions that you will answer about your name, age, interests, grades, personality, and other things about you. The journal will be locked by your wand so that you are the only one who can open it. Once the Ministry receives your information, your journal will be linked with your future spouse's, and you will be able to write back and forth to each other. Your identity is protected until you choose to reveal it. You may reveal it as soon or late as you wish. You may even wait until your wedding day if you so choose, and have a surprise. However, if you choose to reveal this information to each other, you will be moved from your dormitory to a separate living quarter designated for you and your future spouse to live. Each couple is given a one- week honeymoon after their wedding, as well. I know this may not be ideal, but, in all honesty, this is a preferable choice to what adult witches and wizards are offered. They get owled a letter stating their spouse and are expected to marry in three months. So be greatful! At the very least, you get to enjoy a year of classes before… well…" she took a long awkward pause. "See you tomorrow. You are dismissed."

All students stood up. "She'd not very like herself, is she?" Hermione asked Harry, Ron, and Ginny.

"No, she's not." Ginny said, running her hands together. "I… I can't believe this. I don't want to get married!" She burst into tears. Harry hugged her.

"Come on, Ginny. Let's go sit in the common room. We can still be together." Harry said.

"Harry, don't you see? The closer Ginny and you get, the harder it will be for her to accept her new husband!" Hermione said.

"Yeah, Potter, don't you get it?" Malfoy said, suddenly standing behind Hermione.

"Malfoy, did you just apparate?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, being Head Boy has its advantages." Malfoy said, smugly. "Ready to travel to our quarters, Granger?" He put an arm around her waist. Hermione shifted to get him to let go of her. He just held on tighter.

"Sure. See you all tomor—" Hermione was cut off by Malfoy apparating them to their new living quarters.

OOOOO

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the twist! And the journal idea! I will be posting the next chapter soon.