Summary: POST-DH, Year 7. The battle is over, yet a new war is only starting when Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy are paired together for the Ministry's new Population Decree, mandating everyone aged 17-30 to marry and have a child in the next four years. Surely the war heroine can look over her spouse's dark past and overall ferret-ness to find happiness. Right?

Rating: Mature sexual content and explicit language ahead.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters, plots, and details belong to J.K. Rowling. I, sadly, own nothing.

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TO BE ALONE WITH YOU

Chapter One: Return

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The window rattled incessantly against Hermione's curly head as she leaned against the fogged glass. Beside her, Ron was telling Harry and Ginny about a new model of the Firebolt that the Chudley Cannons had purchased, his voice devoid of its usual cheeriness.

After the Battle and Fred's death, Ron had lost it. The worst night was in mid-June when Hermione had Floo-ed into the Burrow to find Ron smashing plates, drunk and screaming. She managed to calm him down, and his screams had faded into sobs over his lost brother.

That was when they realized that if they were to be in a relationship, they both would need time alone to process things.

After the breakdown, he started picking himself back up and attending grief counseling. To an outsider, he seemed fine and back to his old self, but Hermione noted the way his eyes would flick down anytime someone brought up the past or the way he would occasionally knit his brows together sadly.

"So," Harry said, changing the topic to include Hermione, "why do you suppose the Ministry made attendance a requirement for the seventh years?"

Hermione picked her head up from where it had rested against the cold window and shrugged. "I don't really know. I suppose we did miss quite a bit of schooling-"

"If you can call what we did last year schooling," Ginny added.

Hermione nodded. "Exactly. Did Kingsley say anything about it when you talked to him last week?"

"Nothing." Harry gazed out the window, his thumb rubbing Ginny's hand rhythmically. Hermione sighed at the couple, both happy and saddened at their obvious love.

"I wish we could've taken that Auror position, though," Ron sighed. "Would've been bloody brilliant."

Hermione let her head fall back against the window and closed her eyes, the steady rocking of the train lulling her to sleep.

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It felt unnatural to attend a feast that Dumbledore didn't lead, but McGonagall's speech was nothing short of perfect. She touched on the importance of acceptance, unison, and education while welcoming the students back with joviality.

"After we enjoy this delicious feast, I ask that all Seventh years, both returning and normal, stay in the Great Hall for an important announcement regarding the Ministry. Enjoy!" McGonagall sat down with a nod to the students and chatter broke out in the hall.

Ron, of course, filled his plate as full as he could and dug in with fervor, whereas Hermione took a modest amount and ate quietly, pondering the forthcoming announcement.

Hermione wondered what McGonagall had to say to them, as did Ginny, who voiced her worries, "Do you think this has something to do with the war?"

Harry's eyebrows knit together as he thoughtfully chewed on his dinner. "I dunno. It's probably got to do with dorms and classes, y'know?"

"I agree." Hermione nodded.

Ron caught a glance of someone across the Great Hall, behind Hermione and his face quickly dropped the curious expression, replacing it with a look of rage.

Hermione swiveled around in her seat to see what Ron was looking at, but nothing looked out of the ordinary.

"What the bloody fuck is Draco Malfoy doing here?" Ron seethed.

Harry and Hermione shared an uncertain look. Ron hadn't been present for Draco's trial so he didn't know about the terms that the Chief Warlock had decided for him, which included retribution through attending Hogwarts.

Draco sat between Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini, although he didn't appear to be listening to their exaggerated and expressive conversation. He looked better than he had in Sixth year, healthier, but something about him was off, as though part of him was missing. Draco sensed eyes on him and looked around until his eyes landed on the staring 'Golden Trio' as the media had labeled them.

He shot them a frown before resting his blonde head on his hand, pushing the meal around.

Hermione, still studying the Slytherin, replied, "It was part of his sentence. It was this or house arrest, Ron, and Harry and I testified for him because of the Malfoy Manor and the Room of Hidden Things."

Ron's skin was turning an undeniable shade of red. Hermione could practically see the gears turning in his ginger head, associating Draco with Death Eaters and, probably, Fred's death.

"Mate, don't worry about it. He won't and can't try anything; the Ministry placed a cautionary spell on his wand that forbids him from doing Dark Magic," Harry comforted his friend.

Ron nodded stiffly but abruptly rose from his seat. Alarms began ringing in Hermione's mind. Was he going to confront Draco? That would only end in disaster.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed in a hushed tone. "What are you-"

Ron started walking away but stopped to reply, "I need a break. I'll be back."

Hermione watched Ron retreat out of the Great Hall and could only hope he'd remember to return for McGonagall's announcement.

Harry and Ginny tried including Hermione in their conversation, but her mind was elsewhere. She was worried about Ron. Although they weren't dating, the slimmer of a crush she had held for him in Sixth year had only grown and she wouldn't mind being with him, romantically.

Her thoughts gradually shifted until she reached the subject of Draco Malfoy. He was obviously changed by the War, as was everyone, but Hermione was curious as to what beliefs he now held about blood purity.

Ron rejoined the group just in time for the end of the feast, and the group remained seated as the first through sixth years left the Hall. When the last of the students left the large room through the tall, curved doors, McGonagall rose from her seat.

"Students!" she called, earning her everyone's attention. The Seventh years knew that McGonagall was not one to mess with. "As stated earlier, the Ministry of Magic has an announcement that has been placed upon my shoulders to share with you. Save your questions until the end."

Hermione thought that comment may have been directed at her.

McGonagall pulled a scroll of parchment off the podium and began reading, "As we all know, the recent war and destruction was the source of many losses and deaths," Hermoine saw Ron flinch across the table, "Unfortunately, as our population was already on a sharp decline, the number of losses suffered from recent tragedies will extinct us if nothing is done about it. It is for this reason, that the Ministry of Magic has passed the Population Decree Number 7,348."

Hermione's eyes widened. Surely this couldn't be what she thought…

McGonagall continued reading, "This Law states that all witches and wizards living in Britain, Ireland and Scotland between the ages of 17 and 30 are hereby legally bound to marry and reproduce one magical child in the next four years-"

The Seventh years erupted into protests and complaints upon hearing what the Population Decree was.

"How could they?" Ron spat, glaring at McGonagall. "Do we have no free will?"

Harry's stone-cold stare was unnerving on his usually neutral face. He was clearly very annoyed with the Ministry of Magic (something that he was not foreign to).

Hermione was shocked. Of course, the difference in progressiveness between the Wizarding World and the Muggle World was noticeable, but Hermione hadn't thought the Ministry to be so… barbaric.

"Silence!" McGonagall instructed over their voices. "All questions and thoughts may be voiced after I have finished explaining the Decree. Do I make myself clear?" She peered over her glasses with a warning glare. When no one said anything as they silently seethed in their seats, the Headmistress continued, "-reproduce one magical child in the next four years. The Ministry of Magic has supplied us with advanced magical tests to determine genetic and personality-based compatibility when assigning spouses-"

The outrage that exploded was deafening. Hermione didn't hold back from loudly proclaiming, "This is completely backwards! Choosing our partners?"

She was furious, completely and utterly enraged, but she kept her head and forced an unbothered expression. If they tried to force her to marry and have a child, she would come at the Ministry with legalities and lawsuits. While the prospect infuriated her, of course, she was slightly optimistic that nothing would happen and protests would shut the Decree down.

"What are we going to do, Hermione?" Ron moaned quietly. "I'm not marrying some random Slytherin because the Ministry tells me I have to. You'll Avada me if it's Millicent Bulstrode, won't you?"

Hermione patted Ron's shoulder mockingly. "Of course, Ronald. I will march up to you and murder you in cold blood because the Ministry thinks that you and Millie will make a lovely family."

Ron shuddered despite the obvious sarcasm that tinted Hermione's voice.

Harry and Ginny were talking seriously, obviously discussing what they would do if they weren't paired together. Frankly, Hermione was surprised that they were so certain in their relationship at age 18 and 17. She was glad that they had each other, though.

After five minutes of loud, vocal complaints, the Seventh years were silenced once again by McGonagall. "If you're quite through! Now, the pairing will occur as soon as you gather your wits and act like the young adults I know you are, and I do not want to hear any more of this immature, unintelligent insubordination!"

The students had the good sense to stop talking and sat awaiting further instructions. Hermione fidgeted anxiously. They were already being paired today?

"Thank you. If the ladies would move over to the right side of the Hall, and the young men opposite?" McGonagall instructed the Seventh years. They rose from their dispersed seats and shuffled over to the wall quickly, most of them too nervous to speak.

Hermione and Ginny moved to stand next to the other Gryffindors on the right side. Ginny was frantic, her eyes watery and her hand nervously tapping against her leg. "I-I can't, Hermione, I can't be separated from Harry!"

Hermione wasn't quite sure how to comfort the youngest Weasley (girl talk was never quite her thing) so she simply tried acting like how she imagined her mum would comfort the hysteric girl. "Shh, Ginny, McGonagall said that the tests would pair us with who we belong with, and magic doesn't lie. I'm certain that you and Harry will be partnered. The magic will sense your love."

That seemed to work, as Ginny inhaled and exhaled slowly, offering Hermione a nod of thanks. "You're right. And you'll end up with Ron, I'm sure. It'll be fine."

Hermione didn't know what to think about that. Sure, she loved Ron, but what kind of love? Could she really spend the rest of her life with him? Of course, she couldn't voice these thoughts to his sister, so instead she settled on, "Yeah, maybe."

"I can't believe how nonchalant you are with all of this, Hermione," Ginny whispered to Hermione out of the corner of her mouth as she sent a reassuring nod toward Harry across the room. Beside Harry, Ron looked ready to spew slugs again as he surveyed his possible lovers.

Hermione shrugged, "Honestly, Ginny, I don't see this decree actually going through. I'm going to talk with Kingsley first thing tomorrow and see if there's any way that this law contradicts itself."

Ginny started looking over the other men standing on the left. When her blue eyes reached the Slytherins, she shuddered. "Godric, imagine marrying a Slytherin."

Hermione followed her gaze, noting a few that weren't too horrid, but wasn't ideal or friendly. She noted the infamous blonde hair of Draco Malfoy standing beside Theo and visibly frowned. "I'd rather throw myself naked into the Great Lake during winter than marry one. Most of all Draco Malfoy."

Her red-haired friend nodded largely. "I one hundred percent agree. I feel bad for the poor girl that will get saddled with that arsehole."

Hermione exhaled loudly. "Yes, well, whoever it is probably won't be with him for too long if I can pull this off. Perhaps I should start with a petition…"

"Ahem!" McGonagall loudly cleared her throat to start explaining the next step in the process.

The Headmistress was now standing beside the stool where the Sorting Hat lay, looking awfully similar to how she had when they were First years being sorted. "I am going to call each young man up to the hat. When a partner's name is called by the hat, whoever is chosen shall join their, er, fiance. Does everyone understand?"

The other girls beside Hermione and Ginny were chattering away, some nervous like Ginny and some eager like Parvati Patil. They all nodded in response to McGonagall's question, as did the boys (who were looking rather notably green).

"Very well." The elder woman pressed her lips into a tight line of pity as she pulled a scroll, presumably with the list of names, out of her robe. "First, Mr. Terry Boot."

The students fell quiet as everyone craned their necks to get a look at the poor bloke. The blonde Ravenclaw gulped and stumbled forward to the stool, his footsteps echoing off of the walls of the now silent room.

Hermione winced internally. Of course, marrying Terry wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but he felt more like a newspaper reporter with his constant fawnings and questions about the 'Golden Trio's' adventures.

McGonagall placed the hat on Terry's head and every girl in the room held their breaths.

The raggedy hat remained on his pale head for a few moments until it decidedly yelled, "SUSAN BONES!"

All of Susan's friends surrounding her broke out into a relieved chatter and Susan blushed as she walked over to join her future spouse. Terry itched the back of his neck awkwardly but Hermione caught the coy smile he sent her way.

Perhaps the hat did know a thing or two about the pairings.

Michael Corner went next, and was surprisingly paired with Millicent Bulstrode. Hermione raised an eyebrow in surprise at his lack of complaints, but Ron's relieved expression wasn't missed by her.

The pairings continued, Seamus was happily placed with Isobel Macdougal, a pretty and bright Ravenclaw, and Justin Finch-Fletchley with a beautiful Slytherin girl from Ginny's year named Astoria. Justin seemed skeptical of the tall, thin, blonde woman, and scowled when he realized that she was related to blood purists.

That would be terrible, Hermione frowned sympathetically, to be paired with someone whose family thought you to be lesser than.

The tension in the crowd was quickly disappearing ("MEGAN JONES," the Sorting hat called Anthony Goldstein's new partner out) as people realized that most relationships were remaining intact and the hat wasn't pairing at random.

Neville's name was called out, and he took a timid seat on the stool. It was rather ironic that he was still rather shy and clumsy given the manly physique he had built during the war and the awesome Horcrux-slaying he did at the Battle.

The hat sat on his head for a bit longer than everyone else's, but it came to its conclusion as it decidedly called, "HANNAH ABOTT!"

Hannah sheepishly grinned, as did Neville, before she moved to join him at the table where couples had emigrated to.

Ernie was called next and when Fay Dunbar, a Gryffindor in Hermione's year was called, no one seemed to bat an eye. The two of them had been best friends since third year.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow and continued, "Mr. Draco Malfoy, please take a seat for your sorting."

Everyone seemed to freeze while they processed McGonagall's words. Of course, they knew that someone would marry him, but the reality of the former Death Eater being forced to marry and procreate with one of them was terrifying.

Especially to Hermione. Hopefully she wouldn't have to worry about that, though, as the hat would obviously see them to be incompatible.

Draco's face maintained its unbothered expression, but his eyes revealed the nerves he was obviously feeling. He sat up straight on the stool and microscopically winced as the hat was placed on his head.

Immediately upon touching his hair, similar to how his sorting had gone in first year, the hat yelled, "HERMIONE GRANGER!"

Both Draco and Hermione swiveled to face McGonagall, the same mortified look on their faces. The students were awestruck for a moment before gasps and loud whispers were heard from all around.

No. No, no, no, no no!

"Oh, Hermione," Ginny whispered, her hand covering her mouth. Across the room, Harry's jaw was hanging on the floor and Ron was turning red with anger directed at either the Ministry or Draco. Probably both.

Hermione shook her head clear of the spiraling thoughts and purposefully marched up to McGonagall. She loudly stated, "I'm sorry, Professor, but I will not be marrying Malf- Draco."

"You think I want to marry you?" Draco, standing beside her, looked down to glare at her.

Hermione pursed her lips together angrily, trying to keep her composure. "Not now," she bit out. "Surely you must understand how… how wrong it would be?"

McGonagall looked helpless. "I am sorry, Hermione, but this is final, according to the decree. This is out of my hands. Even if you were to try and appeal this decision in court, nothing would happen. Others have already tried and failed, as no preceding Wizarding laws prohibit these sorts of decrees."

Hermione felt her breaths start coming in short. She would actually have to marry and… have children with Draco Malfoy? Tiny blonde-haired menaces with big brown eyes and smirking about their money?

This was impossible.

"No," she muttered. "This can't be happening."

McGonagall looked down sadly at the young Gryffindor. "I'm sorry."

Draco began moving away and his future spouse followed, still dazed with disbelief. Draco looked angrier than Hermione had ever witnessed before Hermione exclaimed, "Wait! Let me try the hat on!"

McGonagall opened her mouth, prepared to explain that wouldn't be possible, but closed it with a curt nod, feeling for the girl. "Quickly, then."

Hermione felt a new spark of hope burning in her chest. She certainly wasn't compatible with Draco; the Sorting Hat would be able to tell instantaneously. Draco, a few feet away, crossed his arms and watched the scene unfold before him.

She took a tentative seat on the stool and felt the large brimmed hat move onto her curly hair. The surprised discussion of the other students faded away as the hat's voice came into her head.

Ah, so you weren't pleased with my choice, were you, Miss Granger? The hat asked in her mind.

Hermione frowned, Absolutely not. I will not marry a Death Eater that hates me and who I share nothing in common with.

The hat quickly replied, Oh, my dear girl, but you do share many commonalities. Mr Malfoy is ambitious, quick-witted, smart and can be thoughtful. Together, you will be powerful.

I don't want to be powerful! Hermione lied. Of course she wanted to be powerful, just not with Draco Malfoy. I want to marry someone who will love me, so I don't have to worry about being murdered every time I go to bed!

The hat continued, Tsk tsk tsk, but you misunderstand me. Love will grow between you two. You are both very passionate people with passionate feelings toward each other-

Passionate feelings of hate! Hermione interrupted.

I placed you in Gryffindor for a reason. Perhaps I was wrong and should have put you in Ravenclaw after all…

A surge of angry pride swelled in Hermione's chest. I am a Gryffindor. But just because I am brave and loyal doesn't mean Malfoy and I are meant for each other.

I have not changed my mind. The man you will marry shall be-

"DRACO MALFOY!" the hat's voice was no longer in Hermione's mind as it restated what everyone already knew.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut tight and willed the angry tears pricking her eyes to dissolve. When she opened them, the entire hall was watching her with pity.

"That's a load of bullshit!" Ron protested loudly. Harry looked determined and ready to use his power against the Ministry as 'The Chosen One', but Hermione doubted that she could actually do anything against the Decree. Especially now that McGonagall confirmed her worries.

"Take your seat together, then," McGonagall instructed, gently moving her toward Draco.

Draco glared at Hermione, and she returned the hateful look as they moved to sit beside each other at the middle table. The surprise of the hall died down as the sorting resumed, and Hermione quickly turned around to look at Draco.

"Look," Hermione began in a whisper, "we both hate each other. Let's make this easier and put everything off for as long as possible. Maybe by then, the law will be repealed."

Draco scoffed, "For once, you have a good idea."

"For once?" she exclaimed quietly. "I'm not going to justify a response. You're a total prat!"

Draco glared icily at her. "That fucking hat had no idea what it was saying."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Thank you, Captain Obvious."

"Who?"

She groaned quietly in frustration. "Merlin help me!"

"The rag told me we were similar," he shook his head with disgust as he spat out the words. "I'm not a total prudish bookworm, so I don't quite see how."

Hermione nodded as she inhaled deeply to regain her calmness. "Me too. It totally disregarded my point about, oh, I don't know, not loving each other!"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Salazar, you're such a Gryffindor."

Hermione shot a stinging jinx under the table, earning a swift kick to the shin from her future husband.

"Git!" she spat.

He sneered, "Bitch!"

Draco resumed the angry stare that he was alternating between the hat, Hermione and the ground as Hermione turned around, frustrated.

A few more pairings were made that Hermione cared enough to pay attention to after she calmed herself down from her short argument with Draco. Finally, McGonagall called one of her friends to the stool.

Ron sat nervously and waited for the hat to decide upon a name. After a few seconds, it shouted, "PANSY PARKINSON!"

Hermione's eyes went wide and she watched Ron ball his hands up into fists to resist the urge to attack something. A loud thud from the girls' side of the hall drew everyone's attention to Pansy, who had fainted and was sprawled out on the ground.

"Abso-bloody-lutely not!" Ron protested as he quickly got up. "Professor, you have to see how wrong these pairings are! I mean, Parkinson and I for one but Hermione and Malfoy? How can you even-"

"That is enough!" McGonagall sharply cut him off. Her nostrils were flaring with anger. "Will someone please reenverate Miss Parkinson so we can get on with the rest of the pairings?"

On the floor beside the girls, Pansy sat up with a start. She saw Ron looking at her with an angry stare and several emotions flickered on her face until she landed on despair. Loudly, she started sobbing- "For fuck's sake," grumbled Ron, -and wailing.

"I can't! I won't! I'd rather kiss the Giant Squid!" she threw her face dramatically into her head.

At least I had the sense to control my tears, Hermione thought. She had no hesitation when it came to insulting and judging the Slytherin, especially after Pansy had volunteered to send Harry to his death and had yet to apologize.

Draco also had yet to apologize or even thank Hermione for coming to his trial to testify.

"Oh, get over yourself! Do you honestly think I want to marry you, you pug!" Ron snarled, marching over to sit near Hermione. The insult was rather outdated as Pansy's face had grown rather nicely into her nose and she no longer resembled the short-nosed dog.

Pansy's sobs only continued at the insult, but one stern look from McGonagall sent her sniffling to take her seat by Ron.

"Are you okay?" Hermione whispered to Ron when the next man was called to the hat (this time Zacharias Smith, who was to marry Tracey Davis, a Slytherin).

Ron shook his head. His ears were still glowing red. "No, I'm not. You?"

Hermione gave him a grim look. "Of course not! Look at who I'm supposed to spend the next four years of my life with, Ron!"

Facing the other direction, Draco snapped, "Fucking shut up, Granger."

"Shove it, Malfoy," she hissed back.

"Yeah, I guess we both got the short end of this stick," Ron grumbled and sent a small glare to the weeping girl sitting next to him.

Hermione looked over at Draco with a disgusted expression, lightly exhaled and replied, "I'd say so."

"Harry Potter," McGonagall called the third of the trio to the stool. Hermione and Ron stopped talking to see if he would be paired with Ginny.

Harry sent a small nod in Ginny's direction. There weren't many girls left, only Parvati, Lisa Turpin, Leanne and Luna Lovegood.

He took a confident seat on the stool and everyone watched in anticipation as the hat made its decision. A few seconds later, the hat called, "GINEVRA WEASLEY!"

Harry breathed a loud sigh of relief (as did most of the others in the room) and immediately joined Ginny in a tight hug. Hand in hand, they trotted over to take a seat beside Hermione, Draco, Ron and Pansy.

"Congrats, guys," Hermione smiled but her happiness didn't feel genuine. How could it when the reminder of her future was sneering at the table right next to her?

"I knew you were right, Hermione!" Ginny widely smiled. "But how could it put you- er, I'll talk to you about this later tonight."

Hermione started to smile assuringly at Ginny when she felt a sudden wave of tears coming over her. Quickly, she put her hands in her arms and took deep breaths to try and stop her sadness. She really didn't want to cry in front of everybody.

Beside her, Draco made a snarky comment about her being too emotional and felt happy to hear her friends snap back loudly at the Slytherin.

When the last couple was paired (an odd pairing that surprised everyone; Luna Lovegood and Blaise Zabini), McGonagall looked worse than Hermione had ever seen.

"I have just a few things to announce. Firstly, a copy of the Decree has been sent to each of your nightstands to look over provisions and details. The Ministry has asked me to inform you of the following terms, however. Marriage must take place before December 31, 1998. If you fail to marry before then, you shall be sent to Azkaban for approximately six months and face a fine of up to 300 galleons-"

"Bloody hell!" Ron whispered at the high number.

"-If you wish to have a small ceremony with no guests, Kingsley Shacklebolt will be officiating private ceremonies in the Room of Requirement in the next month. See me for details. Next, private apartments will be provided for each couple that includes a small kitchen, common area, a master suite and a bath. Now," she raised her eyebrows and looked expectantly at the students, "I am aware of certain… connotations that marriage holds, but Hogwarts has a strict no-sexual-activity policy."

A few people in the crowd snickered loudly. Hermione felt mortified, her head still resting in her arms. She couldn't even begin to imagine Draco in a… sexual way. Was he as demanding as he was in real life?

Good Godric, what was she thinking? Luckily, McGonagall finishing her small speech interrupted Hermione's perverted thoughts. She pulled her head off the table to warily listen to the Head of Gryffindor. "Lastly, I would just like to say that I feel for all of you. Everyone made sacrifices during the War," she looked over the silent crowd with a wise expression, "and this will be the ultimate sacrifice. We may be working toward the goal of the greater good, but that does not discredit whatever emotions you may have. We have implemented an hour into everyone's schedule dedicated to making this relationship work between you and your partner. I truly am sorry."

The Seventh years were silent, a few hanging their heads in remembrance of the fallen and others wistfully gazing at McGonagall. Hermione took a deep, steadying breath, collecting herself.

Just think, she told herself, Harry was prepared to die to defeat Voldemort. Surely you can handle marriage to help the Wizarding world?

"Well, then," McGonagall quickly wiped a tear away from the corner of her wise eyes, "Now that we have finished the Sorting, allow me to show you to your dormitories. If you would all follow me."

Hermione's stomach dropped to the ground. She stood up dumbly and followed the group as McGonagall led them into the main stairway. They were already moving in together? In a shared bedroom?

Ron and Hermione shared a look of mutual disgust at the thought of living in close quarters with Pansy and Draco, respectively.

"Bloody hell," Ron moaned quietly, trailing slowly behind his future wife.

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A/N: Before I continue this fic, I have a few things to say. I don't want this to be super unrealistic, which can go both ways (in my opinion). I don't want too much fluff and humor because the students, especially the trio and Draco would have a lot of PTSD and baggage. On the other hand, I don't want it to seem too drab and dreary, so I really want to portray all the characters in a healthy and realistic way (including no Ron bashing!).

Review to let me know what you think! Thanks for reading :)

Gracie