Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Rowling; this is written for fun, not for profit.

Author Note: My take on ministry-ordained marriages. I can promise regular updates, since I never post unless the story is complete. That's because, while I appreciate reviews, I don't wish for them to influence me. Also- I don't do graphic, or angsty (well, not much).

Thanks for reading!

Oddities Let Loose

This is the age of oddities let loose. (Lord Byron)

Chapter 1 – The Patriot

"I can't do that!"

Kingley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic, stared aghast at his visitor.

Algernon Croaker, Head Unspeakable, remained unmoved.

"Of course you can. Under the Wartime Emergency Act, the Minister has the authority to cancel all existing marriage contracts, and substitute others."

"But why? And, how?"

Croaker smiled. "The why is simple: contracts will not allow two parties of the same blood status, or who belonged to the same House at Hogwarts. That way, no one will ever claim blood supremacy again."

Kingsley looked grim. "This is meant to retaliate against purebloods."

"It will also benefit the muggleborns," Croaker pointed out. "For far too long, they've been held to subservient positions in our world."

"Can we allow some exceptions to this law?"

"Absolutely not!" Croaker leaned forward. "That is the one thing you positively must not do! Favoritism of that sort will sink the government, as much as you'd like to exempt the war heroes."

Kiingsley looked at the Unspeakable, his instinctive protest dying on his lips.

"How will this work?"

Croaker shrugged. "Names, bound by those restrictions, have been entered in the Goblet of Fire. That way we can claim impartiality in the pairings."

"They'll kill each other," Kingsley groaned.

Croaker was unconcerned. "I think you'll find they'll all adapt readily enough. The Goblet Will guarantee basic compatibility, after all. Besides, no one wants to lose their magic! They'll learn to get along, because there's no other choice."

"You know what this means?" Kingsley groaned. "If I do this, I'm bound to be voted out of office once the dust settles."

"Perhaps." Croaker smiled a reptilian smile. "But it will benefit the wizarding world in the long term. So decide! Will you be a politician…or a patriot?"

The Minister of Magic nodded slowly.

"A patriot."

Molly Weasley placed a plate of cinnamon scones on the kitchen table, but only Ron helped himself.

The others- Harry, Hermione, Ginny, George, and Percy stared at him in disbelief.

"What!? I'm hungry," Ron said defensively. "Not like starving ourselves is going to help, is it?"

"Nothing's going to help." Ginny was a miserable huddle on her chair. "How could Kingsley do such a thing?"

Percy, as always, was quick to support the Ministry. "He did it for the greater good!"

"If I never hear that phrase again, it will be too soon." Harry's voice was grim.

"Still," Hermione said unhappily, "Kingsley has an excellent reason. If no one can claim blood supremacy, then maybe these wars will become a thing of the past."

"But he should have left us out of it! How'll it be if I'm matched with some death eater's spawn?" Ron grumbled.

"You won't be. They are mostly purebloods, and so are you." Hermione pointed out. "I, on the other hand…I just hope my husband won't murder me someday."

"That won't happen; there's safeguards for that," Percy said quickly.

"From the Goblet of Fire?" Harry raised one eyebrow. "That's one magical artifact I'd never trust!"

Hermione sighed. "Expect the worst, but hope for the best."

George looked away from the window, and spoke for the first time that day.

"Owls are here."