DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter.
The war was over. The destruction and chaos had come to an end. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had been rebuilt and was reopened. All the students including the sixth and the seventh year students of the previous year were invited to finish their studies. So the Golden trio was back at Hogwarts. Most of their year mates also came back including the Slytherin gang- Malfoy, Zabini, Parkinson, Goyle, Nott and others.
…
Hermione woke up early in the morning. It was the first day. She was full of excitement and enthusiasm. She looked around the room and saw Lavender and Parvati were still sleeping. She left her bed and started to get ready for the day.
She then went out and waited for Harry, Ron and Ginny in the common room. After awhile they showed up.
"Good morning" Hermione greeted.
"Morning" Harry and Ginny said. Ron yawned, "As usual you are up early Hermione"
Hermione smiled, "Old habits die hard Ron"
Harry started walking, "Let's get going guys"
"Sure. I am very hungry", Ron said.
"Aren't you always?" Ginny teased his brother. Ron glared at her and hurried towards the Great Hall.
…
They sat at their table. Looking at the usual familiar faces made Hermione refreshed. Luna, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Hannah greeted her. Ron barely said anything and started eating as the food was served.
Hermione looked at Harry "You seem quiet, Harry. Is everything okay?"
"It's nothing. Just tired. I can't still believe that the war is over." Harry sighed.
"Take your time, Harry. You have been through a lot. Now is the time for you to relax and not to worry anymore", Hermione smiled.
Harry nodded, "Agreed"
Hermione looked around the Hall and saw the Slytherin table was unusually quiet. The war had affected them as well.
Hermione looked at Draco Malfoy. He was quietly having breakfast with his friends. She remembered attending his trial. She and Harry testified for him that when they were taken to the Malfoy manor, Draco didn't identify them and also helped them escape. This helped him getting forgiven by the court. Narcissa Malfoy was also forgiven as she betrayed Voldemort and saved Harry's life.
Her thoughts were interrupted by McGonagall as the Headmistress started to give her speech. "Welcome to Hogwarts. We hope you all will start this year with a fresh and broad mind. No kind of prejudice will be tolerated in Hogwarts anymore. I hope that all the students, teachers and staff keep it in mind. Have a safe year everyone."
Everyone clapped. She continued, "Now, you enjoy your breakfast and attend your classes. I request the sixth and seventh year students to stay here after breakfast. I have an important news for you," McGonagall then went back to the teachers' table.
Everyone got curious to know what McGonagall wanted to say.
"What do you think she wants to say?" asked Ginny.
"I have no idea" Hermione shook her head.
Harry shrugged, "I am not having good feeling about it."
Ginny and Harry were comfortable with each other again Last summer, they broke up and then things had been quite awkward. But they had eventually moved on pretty well.
…..
After the breakfast only the sixth and seventh year students were left at the Great Hall.
Headmistress stood up from her seat, "Due to the war, our population has decreased in an alarming way. To solve this problem the ministry has passed a new law, the Marriage law. According to this law, people between the age 17 and 35 must get married within 6 months to their partners assigned by the ministry's approved system. If anyone disobeys, then their wands will be taken and they will be sent to the muggle world having no memories of the wizarding world."
There was pin drop silence. No one uttered a single word. If one looked at the students, they would think that somebody might have died. Then one by one all of them started shouting in protest.
"You have no right to do this"
"This is unfair. We just faced a bloody war!"
McGonagall put up her hand and said, "Quiet, please! The law is already passed in the ministry. Neither I have any control over it nor I had anything to do with it. I am doing my duty of informing you. If you really do not agree, you have the option to submit your wand and leave"
Hermione felt like to scream her heart out. She just had enough of it. She had just barely got out of the trauma of the war. Now she had to marry a person assigned by the ministry. She fumed, "This is just nuts"
She looked at her friends. Harry was quiet and looking very disappointed. Ginny was fuming in anger, "They can't do this to us. This is my bloody life, they have no say in it."
Ron even lost his appetite after hearing the news. He said something angrily but Hermione didn't understand.
McGonagall spoke again, "Your partners will be chosen by the sorting hat." She paused and looked at everyone's sad faces. "So let's get started. I will call out names, you will come and sit here. After your partner's name is announced, you and your partner will stand right there." She pointed to a place beside the teachers' table. "If any of you do not comply with the partner sorting process now, it will be considered that you want to leave the wizarding world. In that case, your wands will be taken at the end of the sorting by the ministry officials present at the table."
That was the last blow. No one wanted to lose their magic. So, the students just glared at the ministry officials. Many of them were crying thinking of their future.
"Dean Thomas," The headmistress called out. Dean looked nervous. He slowly went there and the headmistress put the sorting hat on his head.
"Padma Patil" The sorting hat shouted. Dean seemed a little bit relieved. Padma rose from her seat and went to stand beside him.
"Luna Lovegood"
"Theodore Nott"
Everyone became shocked at this odd pairing. Luna looked a bit shaken which was totally out of her character. Theodore Nott didn't look happy at all with his partner.
The sorting went on.
"Neville Longbottom"
"Hannah Abott"
"Seamus Finigan"
"Parvati Patil"
"Lavender Brown"
"Adrian Pussey"
"Daphne Greengrass"
"Ronald Weasely"
Hermione looked at Ron in shock. He angrily murmured, "Bloody Marriage Law" Then he slowly walked towards Daphne who didn't seem pleased either.
"Ginny Weasley"
"Blaise Zabini"
Hermione and Harry looked at Ginny. Her face was full of shock. So was Blaise's. His signature poker face disappeared for almost a minute. Then he seemed to regain his sense and somehow managed to walk where Ginny was standing looking furious.
Harry took a deep breath "Prepare for the worse Hermione. Anything can happen"
Hermione sighed but did not say anything.
"Harry Potter"
Harry walked to McGonagall and she put the sorting hat on his hat. "Interesting," The sorting hat said before announcing the name.
"Pansy Parkinson"
Everyone in the Great Hall gasped at hearing the name. Even McGonagall looked bewildered.
Harry looked rather disturbed. He slowly put the hat off and went to stand beside the teachers' table.
Pansy was sitting at the Slytherin table. She looked like she just got a death sentence. She was looking paler than ever. She did not make any movement to stand up.
Hermione noticed that Draco Malfoy nudged her arm. Pansy seemed like to regain her composure then. She nodded at Draco and rose from her seat to walk towards Harry.
"Draco Malfoy"
Draco stood up and walked towards the sorting hat. Hermione noticed that he still had the "I own the whole world" attitude in his walking.
The sorting hat was put on his head.
"Impressive" The sorting hat said and chuckled. "Hermione Granger"
"What!" a lot of students cried out of shock. Harry and Ron had their mouth open at this.
Hermione could not believe her ears. She was too shocked to say anything. She could not believe that it was happening to her. Of all the students they had to be paired with their enemies!
She remained still on her seat until McGonagall called her, "Miss Granger please come forward and stand beside Mr. Malfoy. If you remain seated for another 2 minutes, it will be considered that you want to disobey the law"
Hermione understood what she meant. Either she walked to him or she would lose her magic. At that moment she did not have much time analyze. So, she had to comply.
Draco's face didn't show any emotion. He stood calmly beside Pansy and Harry. Hermione slowly walked towards them.
"This is worse than the war. I would rather face Voldemort again than this" she thought to herself.