[a/n]There are multiple stories about our hero reacting to the obligatory marriage law. Here's mine.

Harry Does Different CDLXXI

Pureblood Fears

"I shall be watching you closely, Baron Malfoy." The new Minister's voice was full of menace.

The long-blond-haired wizard inclined his head slightly to the black man "I expected no less, sir. And I congratulate you on your well deserved elevation. I am certain your prior duties kept you from detailed monitoring of legislation during the recent unpleasantness."

"I suppose that is one way to describe a bloody civil war." Kinsgley didn't quite sneer "And we are lucky the larger magical nations did not involve themselves."

Though he hated the late unlamented Headmaster, Lucius had learned the 'wise adviser' manner affectation "And surely, in this mutual state of mistrust, we can work together for the betterment of all. And your mention of larger powers segues excellently to my purpose. Before his unfortunate demise, your predecessor was resisting Wizengamot legislation aimed at ensuring the continuance of the race. I would like to put my name, in an effort to redeem my reputation, beside yours in support."

"On this issue, Mr. Malfoy, it seems to me our interests coincide." Said the Minister "And it would be valuable to me to distance my administration from any position Thicknesse held."

Lucius bowed a bit deeper than before and said "I deeply appreciate your time, sir. I advance myself t hrough your good graces." Only after he left the office, behind his perfectly pleasant mask, did he allow himself to think 'Foolish peasant! A simple lie and I both further my agenda and sanitize my reputation.'

Abcij

The Wizengamot moved with rare speed to approve the bill that previously saw little movement. The general Wizarding public learned about it in the first editions of every paper all over Britain. In some households, like that of the Finnigans, there was delight. They were celebrating the close of a business deal, by which Aberforth Dumbledore would semi-retire from his bar in favor of a takeover by Dean Thomas and their son, Seamus. Who summed up the news with a whoop! "Hot damn! I get to do the nasty with Daphne bloody Greengrass! Slytherin's Ice Queen herself!"

"Arranged marriages?" asked the senior Finnigan.

Aberforth nodded after reading the article "Somewhat out of favor in recent decades. But if I read this correctly, it seems almost like a revolving door situation. Every fertile witch must have children by at least three different wizards. And same for wizards."

Abcij

"My goodness Harry! This is quite a surprise!" exclaimed the witch who opened the door to #19 Watson Dr.

The hero of the Wizarding World grinned at the enthusiasm. Despite the problem consuming his mind, he hugged her warmly "Great to see you, too, Hermione. How are things with your parents?"

"We are coming to terms with what was done to us." Another female voice interjected, then its owner appeared and introduced herself with a tone of disdain "Michelle Granger. Harry Potter, I assume?"

The barely trained Auror nodded "I was hoping for a bit of a chat before jumping to business, but that's ok. Mrs. Granger, the Wizarding World …or rather, England's Ministry… has decided it wants to run our sex lives."

"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione, blushing vividly, then more coolly "Maybe we should calm down, and you can explain."

Almost smiling, he quipped "Who's shouting? Anyway, I'm sure a letter like this" he showed the women a very official looking envelope "will make it here soon. But, you won't have a lot of context until you read this." And Harry handed over a Daily Prophet with large, boldfaced letters WIZENGAMOT DIRECTIVE #69."

"The Wizengamot finds the following" Hermione read from the newspaper 1] That British Magical society has been decimated by internecine warfare 2] That many families, long the cornerstones of our world, have been reduced to unsustainable numbers 3] That only drastic and immediate action can stave off population collapse. Well, they got that right."

Shaking his head, Harry ordered "Continued on page two."

"The Wizengamot orders as follows" Hermione went on, her mother clearly becoming angry "All eligible witches and wizards: Eligible being defined as anyone age twelve or older and confirmed by healer testimony as fertile: will be paired with a minimum of three suitable mates. Such matches to be determined by the Wizengamot High Council. Members of the Wizengamot may select for themselves from the general population, unless specifically overruled by the High Council. However none are exempt from the previous paragraph. Allowance will be made for a noble line of succession. This legislation will come into force thirty days after passage."

Michelle Granger looked sickened "That is absolutely barbaric!"

"So that's where she got it from." Said Harry with dark humor "And you didn't get to the enforcement clause."

Hermione noted where to turn at the bottom of the column and skipped over every other item of usual interest "For emphasis, no fertile wizard or witch is exempted. Refusal of an assigned mating will be punished, first by fine. Continued non-compliance will be enforced by Auror intervention. Aurors are authorized to use the Imperius, without discrimination to sex. The Cruciatus is a last resort due to its effect on the body, and may not be used unless approved by the Director of Magical Law Enforcement. This is beyond barbaric! Harry, you couldn't possibly? Could you?"

"Of course not! Don't be ridiculous." He replied "I've been under that spell and I'll never use it on anyone, let alone some little kid! But you're overlooking a point here. I'm engaged. You and Ron aren't, but still pretty serious. None of us are exempt. We couldn't be. ESPECIALLY me. Mrs. Weasley probably isn't. As an Auror, I got a little preview and Ginny isn't on my approved list. Three of them are either too old or too young to have been in Hogwarts with us. Guess who is? Marrietta bloody Edgecomb!"

Hermione looked distressed, so much that she forgot to be embarrassed when speculating "Her?! She's as likely to stab you in the back as snog you!"

"I did not wish to impede the discussion with my presence." Ian Granger wasn't particularly large, but he had a presence that could not be ignored "You know our circumstances. While we've made peace with our daughter, and ignoring the fact a certain redhead is stealing her away, I have little to say that is good about your group. Which fits the description of a cult to me."

Harry smiled unpleasantly "Even last week, I would have argued with you, Mr. Granger. Now? I want options, but I don't see any."

"I notice one qualification in everything my daughter just read." Said Mr. Granger "I imagine you know we're both dentists. That means medical doctors. That law specifies a fertile person, does it not? Hermione? I don't especially like the notion of you doing things that produce babies, but I really do NOT like the thought of you as a baby factory."

Mrs. Granger interpreted "In case you don't get the meaning of my husband's dancing about the issue, Harry, there are drugs that will make either a man or a woman infertile."

"Neither can be guaranteed, Mum." Hermione countered "I don't even know if the drugs will work on magicals. Besides, I read about the Imperius. That is mind control. An Auror can simply compel a victim to not take the medicine. End of discussion there."

With a distinct frown, Mr. Granger added "There are surgical options, but they tend to be permanent."

Abcij

"My Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, good morning." It was not very common that the Minister for Magic himself would open a session, except for the ceremonial first of the year, so there was some media coverage "I declare this, the seventeenth part of the 604th session formally to order. Now, before ordinary business, I ask unanimous consent to allow a pair of notable young citizens to appear."

Speaker Longbottom rose and spoke for the record "Without objection, so ordered."

"Thank you madam." Kingsley offered a formal bow "I was not offered details of the speech, so I cannot offer any opinion as to either topic, or opinions. The Minister's sponsorship of the speakers in no way implies an endorsement. That said, I ask you to give your fullest attention to a pair of heroes from the Voldemort War. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger."

The chilly look both speakers had was not lost on Minister Shacklebolt. They stepped up to the sound of vast applause. Instead of graciously acknowledging, both wands flash-banged a demand for silence. "I think yours was a trifle louder, Mione." Harry quipped.

"All I see is a bunch of spineless jellyfish." The young witch sneered.

The cheering and clapping stopped with impressive speed "Watch your tone you filthy little mudblood." Came from a non-specified location.

"Very clever." Hermione squeezed all her contempt into the reply "First time I heard that was from a 12-year-old wannabee bully. Is House Malfoy represented here today?"

Harry affected a professor persona, scolding "Now now Miss Granger, this is no time for ancient grudges. Not when we have a bigger issue. We are here to publicly denounce the Population Recovery Act. How dare you impose on who we choose to marry, or have sex with?"

"Now Harry, this is not the proper venue- -" the Minister interjected.

Hermione interrupted "No, Kingsley, the proper time was before this travesty was even put to a vote."

"I completely denounce and utterly oppose this bill." Harry cut through the sudden noise. No one thought the jar he'd set on the podium was particularly important. He went on "I will not force anyone to have sex unwillingly. Certainly not kids. Not with someone he or she doesn't know. For myself, there is not a chance in hell of me sleeping with Marietta Edgecombe. I will not use Unforgivables on anyone!"

One outraged protest began "How dare you- - -"

"I bet that's Earl Edgecombe." Hermione sneered.

Another voice lashed out "You'll obey orders POTTER!"

"Do you need a letter, Robards?" Harry looked at his superior coldly "Or is telling the whole Wizengamot that I resign sufficiently official?"

Just what the pair had been building to was supplied by the new law's prime sponsor "That makes matters all the more simple. Neither of you can avoid having compliance with the law enforced. Perhaps you can resist an Imperio, Potter, but can your precious Mudblood?"

"Like father, like son, huh Lucius?" Harry retorted easily as he lifted the little-noticed jar. It was cloudy with yellowish tinge. He swirled it around a bit "See, my …ahh… friend here, her parents pointed out that your crazy law applied only to fertile witches and wizards. A little Muggle surgery and I am not, neither is Hermione."

Long hair whipping around furiously, the insulted lord shouted "Nothing Muggles can do better than magic. Or that we cannot undo. Whatever you did."

"I think you do not grasp what we did, Lucy." Hermione held up a similar jar "These are my ovaries. Those are Harry's testicles. Feel free to have a Healer scan us, if you like. Though we will not have that a spectator event."

Harry added "And before someone gets the clever idea of mentioning the Weasleys, all of them …including George's fiancée Angelina, and Bill's wife Fleur… either had it done, or soon will." He concluded with a careless flick of the wrist that sent his jar into the hands of Mr. Malfoy.

"Shall we?" Hermione took his elbow and the pair walked out of the chamber, leaving a shocked audience to gape after them, or at each other.