AN: Here we are again folks. This chapter may seem like just filler, but I needed a situation for some things to be discussed. While this main story will be MMAD, their is definately a side story brewing that could be very SSHG. Probably won't happen anytime soon, but setting up for it anyway.
Thanks for reading, and if you have any comments/suggestions let me know. Btw, I'm currently writing chapter 8 and it's getting exciting, which means, difficult to get right. Plan is to post a chapter each Saturday, giving myself some space to change things as I go. An explosion of reviews/follows could change that though!
When lunch was over, Minerva quickly asked the other heads of house into the staff room for a word, only inviting Dumbledore as an afterthought.
The four other staff filed in after her, Pomona and Fillius followed her nearer the fireplace, but Severus took his usual seat as far away as possible, and Albus just stood around the doorway, fiddling with old newspapers.
Minerva began, "I believe each house should call a meeting for the seventh year girls, to discuss the new Marriage and Repopulation Act. They should be aware of all of the requirements and allowed to ask questions so they will be prepared to make an informed decision when it comes down to it."
Fillius and Pomona nodded their agreement. The others still seemed disinterested.
"Few of our students have received a letter as of now, but there will be many more to come in the next months," she continued. "I suggest each house include any sixth years with birthdays that fall in the summer months. I won't allow any younger students, as I anticipate questions regarding physical acts."
A snort came from across the room from where Snape was sitting.
Not in the mood for his inappropriate humor, Minerva offered, "If you have something to add Professor Snape, then please do."
Not moving, or even looking toward the small group, Snape elaborated, "You are delusional if you think even your fifth years know nothing of these "physical acts." In all probability, they are more informed than yourself on the subject."
After a very tense pause where Minerva Glared at Snape, and He inspected his fingernails, Minerva continued on. "With professor Snape's inability to take this situation seriously, I suggest that Pomona talk to the Ravenclaws as well as Hufflepuffs. I will take the Slytherins and Gryffindors. Perhaps it will be easier to ask questions to a fellow witch."
Another snort from Snapes Corner.
"More complaints?" Minerva asked.
"Not complaints precisely," he began, "but you can't seriously think that a mixed group of Slytherins and Gryffindors will get anywhere near the topic of sex. They barely speak to each other at all, much less ask their teachers embarrassing questions in front of each other."
"Severus Snape," Minerva scolded, "This is a very serious issue for our entire community and especially for the young girls who will be forced into marriage and motherhood before they even have a chance to become adults. I am aware of the animosity between these houses, but I am confident that they will be able to get along long enough to discuss this. Now, if you don't want to have this "embarrassing" chat yourself, shut your gob."
It was times like these she wonders how the child she knew as Mr. Snape, grew up to be this man. Over the years, Minerva has lectured the man more than she ever did the boy. It's a pity she didn't have the authority to give him a detention.
The staff finished their meeting and dispersed to make an announcement to their pupils. The Gryffindors and Slytherins would meet in the Transfiguration Classroom, and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws would meet in the Charms Classroom after dinner.
Leaving the Great Hall after dinner, Minerva was a little anxious about the upcoming meeting. Even though she acted confident earlier amongst the other staff, it was not going to be easy to discuss said things.
She walked through the door to her classroom and immediately decided that the desks would not be suitable. Quickly she transfigured the desks into arm chairs and arranged them in a more conversational orientation. She had gotten the newspaper from that morning and the official version of the new act in order to have a starting point for this discussion.
Soon enough the Gryffindor girls arrived at the door, looking nervous.
Not moving from her chair, Minerva called, "Come in and find a seat."
Looking around at their classmates, they made their way into the classroom and chose seats together.
Another few minutes and the process repeated with the Slytherins.
There were 15 students currently in attendance: 7 Gryffindors and 8 Slytherins.
Sitting up straighter, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to gather their attention, although unnecessary, and asked, "Are there any more Slytherin students that should be in attendance?"
The young witches glanced around at each other and indicated that they were all there by shaking their heads.
"Well then," Minerva continued, shutting the classroom door wandlessly. "We have a lot to discuss tonight, so let us get started."
Quickly she went through the specifics of the law, which were mostly already covered by the Daily Prophet article. Finishing the easy bit, she went on to ask if there were any questions.
Not a whisper, not a peep was heard.
Trying to coax a question to start things off, Minerva added, "Within this room, you are free to ask any question you think of. I cannot speak for everyone here but I think your classmates are probably thinking very similar thoughts."
After a little more reassurance from their professor, they finally started to ask questions and talk about the ways in which their lives were going to change.
Minerva noticed that many of the girls were convinced that they would be marrying the boy they were currently dating. While that may be a good option for some, she wanted to give them some warning about their male counterparts. "This may be difficult to hear, but the Marriage and Repopulation Act does not apply to wizards in general. The boys you may be expecting to marry may have other plans that don't involve marriage. That is their choice, and I urge you to consider all of your options before making a decision. If you need to, you can always ask me or any of the other staff for help, or advice, but in the meantime don't take anything for granted."
After a few more clarification questions about marriage, one of the students asked, "Do we have to have a baby as soon as we are married?"
Getting to the more embarrassing questions, Minerva prepared herself, "Strictly speaking, no, you do not have to become pregnant immediately. There is a time line of three years before extreme measures are enforced, but most of you, baring medical problems, will most likely become pregnant within a year."
Her answer was met by more 'why's and confused looks.
Glancing around at the young naive faces, Minerva was reminded that these witches were no more than children. The Ministry's expectations were unfair.
"The rules here at Hogwarts prohibit any intimate acts among students. We do what we can as staff to enforce the rules, but we are not perfect. Regardless of whether you have followed that particular rule, you have been protected by contraceptive charms that have been in place for years. These charms have kept you safe and prevented pregnancy, but they may have given you an unrealistic idea of your own fertility. Once you are married, the Ministry prohibits contraceptive charms, potions and muggle contraceptives. This makes it very difficult to avoid pregnancy."
Shyly, a Slytherin across the circle asked, "Can't you just, not...?" Then she looked away, embarrassed.
"In this case, the Ministry of Magic has practically forbidden abstinence as well. As a married couple, you and your husband would be required to consummate your marriage on the same day as you signed the contract. After that, the law requires weekly intercourse to increase the chance of pregnancy. At the cost of some embarrassment, I will tell you that they describe sexual intercourse as the achievement of the male orgasm through penetration."
The embarrassment was real. It could have been a Weasley family reunion for the amount of red faces, especially from the Gryffindor side.
Minerva took a deep breath before asking the very silent room, "If there are no more questions, then you may all go back to your common rooms. I expect there will be more questions along the way, but for now you should all try to get some rest."
The Professor stood up and walked to the door opening it for the students to leave. Once they were all gone, she shut the door and headed for her office.