The next chapter is up! Guys please review! I love reading them, and it encourages to update my story even faster!

It was the next day, and Hermione hadn't told anyone of the events that had happened the previous night. She straightened her school skirt and looked in the mirror. She had definitely blossomed into a beautiful young 16 year old woman; slim, dimples, almond shaped chocolate brown eyes, full red lips and long, wavy brown hair. She had noticed that she recently got a lot more attention from the boys, but she didn't feel the need to have anyone else in her life. She felt complete as she was; independent and free. She shrugged on her school robe and headed for the Great Hall for breakfast, but was stopped by none other then Draco Malfoy before she could reach the doors.

"Hello Mudblood," he smirked at her as he blocked her entrance. Hermione rolled her eyes. She was not the same insecure girl that she was in her first year, she had now morphed fully into the girl who dared to slap him in their third year.

"Don't you think that's getting a little bit old? Are you not mature enough to go past name calling?" she said, rolling her eyes as though she were talking to a five year old. Draco clenched his jaw, insulted, and grabbed her wrist yanking her close, so that their faces were no more then centimetres apart.

"Listen here you insolent little….." he started, but before he could get any further a familiar voice called silkily from behind him.

"Is there a problem here Mr Malfoy?". It was Professor Snape, towering above them with his dark hair curtaining his eyes, his arms crossed in a predatory stance. Draco was sensible enough to know that he should continue this conversation later, so he let go of her arm. Before leaving, he whispered into her ear "you won't be as confident after the crackpot's speech at breakfast", he smirked and then stormed off into the Great Hall.

Hermione stood there, dazed for a while, wondering what Draco meant until a voice interrupted her from her reverie.

"Are you quite alright Miss Granger?" Professor Snape enquired. She nodded, touched that he would care until he sneered.

"Good, then would you mind unblocking the entrance?"

Hermione blushed and ran into the Hall, cursing herself for thinking that Professor Snape could be compassionate, and took her normal seat inbetween Harry and Ron.

"'Eya 'Mione," Ron managed to say as particles of food sprayed themselves across the unfortunate people sitting opposite him.

"Ron, you do realise that is disgusting?" she said as she picked up a pancake and held it to her lips. Harry was eyeing the head table nervously, and he hadn't touched his food.

"Have you noticed that Dumbledore looks….upset, and angry?" he asked Hermione and Ron. Ron shook his head, blatantly meaning 'I don't care' but Hermione couldn't avoid the fact that he didn't have his usual twinkle in his eye. She frowned and was about to mention that fact to Harry, when Dumbledore stood up and called for attention.

"I'd like to announce something which will be affecting some people in this hall, and possibly not for the best either," he said, and even Snape looked uncomfortable. "As we all know, the Ministry have made some…changes which are meant to benefit society, therefore a new law has been passed."

Hermione picked up her goblet of pumpkin juice, feeling curious as to what the new law would be. She felt a penetrating gaze on her, and looked up to see Malfoy staring at her, smirking happily at something. He then winked at her and raised his goblet in a fake toast, before turning his amused gaze back onto Dumbledore. Hermione raised her eyebrow, confused at this display, but nonetheless turned her attention back to Dumbledore.

"As we know the interbred Pureblood marriages have created a genetic blood disorder affecting the quality of magic of the babies, therefore rendering them either weak, or even into a squib. The ministry have therefore passed the Marriage Act, meaning that any muggle born over the age of sixteen must," Dumbledore looked dangerously angry now, but he knew he couldn't do anything to stop it, therefore he continued, "be married off to a Pureblood family before next Saturday, or they will be thrown out of the wizarding world."

Hermione spit of the contents of the pumpkin juice she had in her mouth, and stood up suddenly.

"WHAT IN THE BLOODY NAME OF FUCKING MERLIN?"

Everyone in the hall stared at her, shocked to hear such words out of her mouth, but the other muggle borns in the room shared her feelings completely.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO US!" she yelled again, and as Dumbledore started to explain his situation to her, she stormed out of the rom, slamming to door behind her leaving about 600 outraged students.