Chapter 1
Hermione was visiting Harry at his home at Grimmlaud place. It had been 3 years since they had been at Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione had gone back to finish school and since they knew more spells than most 7th years did, they had a shorter year. She and Ron had broken things off a year after Hogwarts and had gone their separate ways. Harry and Ginny had decided to just remain best friends and she later married Neville Longbottom. Back to the present, Hermione and Harry were both 20 years old and worked for the ministry of magic. Hermione worked in the Department of Muggle affairs. Being muggleborned helped things a lot. Harry had become an auror along with Ron, Neville, and Draco. She was sitting in the breakfast nook of the kitchen reading the Daily Prophet and exclaimed, "How could they!" She slammed the paper down onto the table as Harry walked in still slightly asleep. When she raised her voice and slammed the paper down he about jumped out of his skin while jumping a foot to the right. He looked at her wide eyed as he held his heart, "Hermione…what's wrong?"
In a fit of tears she handed the folded paper to Harry and then wrapped her arms around herself. Harry looked at the paper and read, "A New Wizarding Law has come into effect. All witches and wizards between the ages of 17 and 30 are to become married. Every young witch will be paired with twos wizards around her age. The young witch and her two wizards once paired will be made to marry within 4 months after the pairing. The only ones excepted from this law is if they are already married or if it is a life of matter and death. Expect the letters of the pairings to be sent out by the 17th of January. Harry face paled, "The 17th is today." Harry put the paper down as he noticed Hermione was crying. Harry walked around the table and wrapped his arms around her. She, in turn, lays her head on his chest and wraps her arms around him crying. He could feel his shirt become moist under her tears, but doesn't care.
After about a half hour of crying she finally calmed down and lifted her head. She smiled slightly as she wiped her wet eyes, "Sorry about that Harry." Harry smiled back, "Anytime Mione." Soon enough there came a tapping of an owl's beak on the kitchen window. Harry looks over her should and sighs, "Those must be our letters." As Harry got up he looked over his shoulder and could see Hermione was at the brink of tears again. He soon opened up the window and the owl flew in and landed on the owl perch on the counter near the window. Harry took the letters and gave the owl a few treats before the owl happily hooted as if to say thanks and flew back out the window. Harry walked back over to Hermione after closing the window. He handed Hermione her letter and then sat down across from her.
Harry looked over at Hermione and sighed, "Ready?" She nodded as he counted, "One...two...three." They opened up their letters together and Harry read his,
"Greetings Auror Potter,
As you've probably read in the paper there is a new wizarding law that has been made. You are within the age range and will by law be paired with a witch around your age, however, you will have to share her with another wizard who is around your age as well. Our apologies for not telling you of this beforehand, but we didn't need the added stress from our staff. We thought it wise to keep it quiet until now. On the other page is the name and all the info about the witch you have been paired to marry. So sorry for the headache. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Kinsley Shacklebolt Former Head Auror and Present Minister of Magic.
Harry sighed and shook his head before flipping over to the second page. His eyes got big as his saw the face staring at him was the same face that was on the other side of his kitchen table. The witch he had been paired with was none other than his best friend and secret crush Hermione Granger. Harry looked up at her and his emerald eyes met her chocolate brown. Hermione had read her letter and sighed. She wondered who she would be paired with. She flipped to the second page and was surprised to see Harry's face staring back at hers from the page. She looked up and was surprised again to see those same emerald eyes staring back at her from across the table. Harry and Hermione just stared at each other for minutes before Harry spoke up, "Hermione…are you okay with this?" She sighed, "Yeah, but what about you? I mean you are Harry Potter…Auror and killer of Voldemort. You can have any girl you want, but you get paired with me." He smiled and replied, "I'm great and to be honest I'm happy. Hermione I've had a crush on you since 4th year. Hermione, the reason I haven't married is because I've been trying to gather up some courage to ask you out and to eventually propose to you. The ministry just helped move it along." Hermione smiled, "Really? I mean Harry I…" She was interrupted as she felt his lips meet hers in a passionate kiss sealing their engagement.
Harry and Hermione broke apart because the need for air became necessary. Harry and Hermione smiled at each other trying to catch their breaths. Harry then spoke up as he wrapped his right arm around his future wife and asked, "Okay let's see who your second match is?" Hermione smiled and then turned to the second page. There staring at the two was none other than Draco Malfoy.