Chapter 8
Hermione meets Ginny at platform 9 ¾ on september first. After fixing up her parents house Hermione has been staying there instead of at Hogwarts. Hermione is looking forward to a year without much responsibility. Minerva has offered her the position of Head Girl but she has declined, longing for a normal year. Or at least as much of a normal year the magical world allows.
Hermione is surprised when she sees Ginny has arrived before her and she's even more surprised when she sees Ron and Harry standing there.
"Hi Hermione." Harry greets her and hugs her. Ron is standing next to him obviously unsure whether or not to hug her. Hermione takes the choice out of his hands and pulls him in for a hug.
"Harry, Ron how good to see you. What nice of you to come see us of." Minerva told Hermione last week both Ron and Harry had not yet enrolled for their final year. Hermione has not had a chance to talk about it with the boys but she assumes they have taken a job offer at the ministry.
"We're not here to see you of. We're going back to Hogwarts to finish our education." Harry tells Hermione.
"But Miner… Professor Mcgonagall told me last week the two of you had not yet enrolled for this year." Hermione says in surprise.
"I didn't plan on coming back to be honest. Ron made a good case though a few days back. So we wrote Mcgonagall and here we are." Harry explains.
Hermione turns to Ron. "You convinced Harry to go back to school? Who are you and what have you done to Ronald?" She asks laughing.
"Well somebody told me it might be a good idea to go back to Hogwarts. After all that happened last year the regularity and relative anonymity of school might be a better environment for dealing with the aftermath than a job at the ministry." Ron explains. The somebody Ron is talking about is probably his therapist so Hermione decides not to press the issue. "Well I have to agree it is a wise decision to complete your education and I for one am looking forward to a Voldemort free year for us."
The four of them get into the train and find an empty compartment. It turns out Ginny and Ron are early because they spend the night at Shell Cottage with Bill and Fleur. Fleur is a lot more punctual than Molly it turns out.
"Why didn't you mum want you two home last night? She usually has a huge dinner party the evening before we're off to Hogwarts." Harry wonders.
Ginny and Ron look at each other a little uncomfortable. It is eventually Ginny who gives an explanation. "Well they wouldn't tell us why, but we guess it was to have sex." Harry mouth falls open. "What?"
"Earlier this week they received a letter from the ministry informing them they fall under the new law and have until september 1st 2004 to produce 2 more children. According to a conversation we overheard between mum and dad, yesterday mum was at her most furtile. So they kicked us out to go at it." Ginny further explains while chuckling.
The rest of the trainride the four spent catching up on each others lives.
When they have settled at the Gryffindor table for the feast and the new first years arrive Ron looks confused. "Is it me or are there more first years than usually?"
"It's not you. Last year with Voldemort on the rise muggleborn didn't get an invitation. So this year they have not only this year's muggleborns but last years as well." Hermione explains.
"That makes sense." Harry mutters. Suddenly a shadow appears over Hermione. She turns around and is faced with a nervous looking Draco Malfoy.
"I-I… I want to thank you for your testimony at my trial."
"We only told the truth Malfoy. No need to thank us for that." Harry tells him. Malfoy nods and looks around. He seems to want to say more. He takes a couple of deep breaths before continuing. "I also want to apologize for my behaviour these past years. You have no reason to forgive me so I won't ask for I. I do however promise I'll do my best to show you I have changed and maybe one day I'll prove to you I am worth forgiving." Before any of the Gryffindors could react Malfoy was on his way to stand in line with the first years.
"Did Malfoy just apologize to two Weasleys, Harry Potter and a mudblood?" Hermione asks her friends.
"Don't call yourself that Hermione!" Ginny admonishes. Before they can talk more about Malfoy's apology the Sorting Hat is set on a stool in front of the teachers table and starts to sing his song. Once he's done Professor Flitwick calls all first years to the Hat in order to get them sorted.
When only Malfoy is left Minerva stands to address the students.
"As some of you might have heard or read Draco Malfoy has been on trial this summer. It has been determined that although he did break some laws he did not do so in free will. Therefor the Wizengamot has decided not to sentence him to serve time at Azkaban. He has been sentenced to community serves which he already served this summer. Another part of the ruling in his case stipulated he had to finish Hogwarts, but is not allowed in the Slytherin common rooms. As headmistress it is up to me how to handle this stipulation and I have decided Mr. Malfoy will be sorted by the Sorting Hat. Mr. Malfoy if you would be so kind to sit and place the hat on your head."
While Malfoy sits down and puts on the Sorting Hat everybody in the Great Hall is whispering about him and the speech of Minerva. The moment the Hat is safely seated on his head all outside noise is drawn out. 'Hmm Draco Malfoy. Yes I remember you. You were looking to please your father when I sorted you all those years ago. Where shall we put you this time. I've been told Slytherin is no option. Though it looks like you wouldn't be sorted there now even if it was. Hmmm… you thanked and apologized to the Gryffindors you tormented for so long, good. Very good indeed because you'll be staying in … GRYFFINDOR'. The last word is shouted to the Great Hall. Malfoy's shoulders slump while he walks to the Gryffindor table and sits down on the edge a little away from his new housemates, knowing they do not want him in their house. And rightfully so, he has never in his live showed an ounce of the world famous Gryffindor courage.
Malfoy feels eyes on him all through dinner and is glad when the Headmistress stands for her announcements signaling the end of this torturous affair.
"Before you are off to bed I would like to inform our first years, and remind some of the older students, that the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that all Weasley Wizard Wheezes are forbidden as well as a list of other products. The full list can be found in his office. It is up to me to inform you of some changes that will be made to Hogwarts to accommodate the marriage and repopulation act. In the next few weeks a new building will rise on the grounds, next to the Quidditch pitch. This building will have several apartments to house married students. Any student getting married to another Hogwarts student needs to contact their head of house in order to arrange their transfer to the apartment building. If you're marrying someone who is not a student at Hogwarts you need to set up an appointment with me. There are strict rules for people who are not student nor staff to stay at Hogwarts which I will discuss with anybody who these rules affect. If a couple so wishes it is possible to live at the new building before they're married as long as the marriage has been registered at the ministry. There has been an important change in the school rules in regards to pregnancy. In the past pregnancy meant immediate expulsion from Hogwarts. This rule no longer applies if your pregnancy is a result of the marriage and repopulation act. The hospital wing has been stocked with pregnancy related potions and every monday a ob-gyn healer from St. Mungo's will be available for any questions you have and tests you require. I would like to remind you all that you don't need to have conceived a child until you're married one year and you don't need to be married until september first 1999. I would therefore urge you all to take your time and concentrate on your studies. All student of 17 and up who have not yet registered their marriage are scheduled to take their aptitude test tomorrow after breakfast at the Great Hall. That's all. Good night."
The next morning after breakfast is finished and students have gotten their schedules all students seventeen and up wait outside the Great Hall while Minerva readies the room for the aptitude test. Outside the hall almost all students who are affected by the law are waiting. Only a few slytherins are engaged all other students have either not found a spouse, are talking their chances with the ministry or, like Neville, are still in denial.
"They can't force us to marry can they?" Neville asks his friends.
"The law is passed so yes they can." Hermione answers.
"But is it even needed? I mean wouldn't things work out just fine without this law?" Neville continues.
"I studied the research Neville. Magical numbers are really low and if they don't pick up within the next year or so it might very well be too late." Hermione explains some more.
"Oh… I had no idea it's that bad. I wondered why hardly anybody was protesting the law. I guess I should have known Hermione would look into things and if she doesn't protest it than it's all good." Neville says with a chuckle.
"Really Longbottom? You didn't even think of looking into the research? The Ministry made their research public to give everybody the possibility to look into the reasoning behind the law. Not looking into it is just stupid." a familiar voice speaks up from behind Neville.
"Shut it Malfoy. Just because that stupid hat put you in my house does not mean I'll talk to you." Neville snaps at him. Before Malfoy can respond Minerva appears at the entry of the Great Hall. "Ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention please. Inside you'll find the aptitude tests on the desks. Remember this is not an exam. There is no place setting nor will there be a time limit. I do however ask you to be quiet to give everybody the chance to fill out their test in peace. Once you're finished you hand in your test and resume your classes." Minerva explains before stepping aside and letting the students into the Great Hall.
Harry, Ron and Neville sit down at the first free table, like most students, while Hermione, Ginny and surprisingly Malfoy walk all the way to the front to find a more secluded desk to fill in their aptitude tests. As soon as Hermione is seated she opens the package and starts writing.
Name:
Hermione Jean Granger
Gender:
Female
Day of birth:
19 september 1979
Are you a pureblood, half-blood or muggleborn?
Muggleborn.
If you attended Hogwarts, what house where you sorted in?
Gryffindor.
If you attended Hogwarts, did the Sorting Hat contemplate sorting you into an other house than the house you were sorted in? If so, what house?
Yes, Ravenclaw.
What was your favorite subject at school?
Transfigurations.
The aptitude test continues with page upon page of questions about Hermione's abilities, beliefs, plans for her future and what not. Obviously intended to get a good view of Hermione's character. No questions about love or potential partners though until the last page.
Do you have a preferred gender for a partner? If so write down the gender
Woman.
Would you prefer a partner you can be best friends with or one to love passionately?
Ideally it would be both. If however I would be forced to choose between the two I would choose the best friend. I believe this to be a better foundation for a healthy loving relationship than passion.
Name no more than three qualities you would avoid in a partner at all costs.
(blood)prejudice, cowardice, bullying.
Describe your ideal partner in no more than five words.
Smart, loving, friend, energetic, romantic.
Hermione expected most of her school mates to fill in the forms hastily, not taking the test serious. Needless to say she is surprised she's one of the first to finish.
