A/N: this is the chapter with the introduction to the marriage law.
Narcissa Malfoy was grinning from ear to ear as she read the front page of the Daily Prophet. She called for Mipsy, "Mipsy, can you get me some parchment and a quill? And please hurry, this letter I am writing is of utmost importance."
"Of course mistress, Mipsy will be very quick." Mipsy scurried off. When she returned, Narcissa wrote her message in her neat and scrawling cursive.
Dear Minister,
On behalf of Draco Lucius Black Malfoy I would like to place a proposal. Maybe we can have lunch today so I can discuss the lucky witch? We can have it in the greenhouse, be over around 12ish, we have much to talk about.
Narcissa Malfoy
Narcissa knew the lucky with Draco would soon have permanently in his life will be to his liking.
Hermione was furious, she had just finished reading the main discussion on today's prophet.The Ministry is Ringing Wedding Bells
After a new decree that was passed late last night, all witches and wizards from the ages between 20 and 30, who are not yet married must be so within one year or the risk being removed from the wizarding society entirely. This decree is not just in England but also all over the world. The ministry has only given a few brief words regarding the new marriage-law. One being, if a proposal is mad, the witch or wizard must accept.
"What the hell!" Hermione didn't even bother finishing the article. How can they do this? She flooed Ginny to vent at her. "what are they thinking? Do you know how many divorces are going to occur from this?" Hermione asked Ginny.
"Well that's the thing, you're not allowed to."
"What?"
"Honestly Hermione, didn't you even bother to fininsh the article?"
"No" Hermione grumbled.
"Look it can't be that bad, besides you'll be pushed into a loveless marriage and have to have a child within 2 years after the marriage."
"Gin, you're not helping, and your also biased since your lucky ass is already married." Hermione said as she rubbed her forehead. She felt a headache coming.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I can't help you with this, if you want I can get Ron to mae a proposal on you?"
"EW Ginny! Ron's like my brother. That would be disgusting and horrid." Hermione shuddered.
"I don't think you'll have to worry to much, it's not like you'll get a proposal this week. I'm sure It'll take a few days for it to pass through the ministry. If you're lucky, people will be so outraged they'll change the law?"
"Maybe, well Ginny I have some grocery shopping to do and Flourish and Botts sent their weekly newsletter and there's some new arrivals I want to purchase. I'll talk to you later."
While Hermione was having the worst day of her life, Draco felt like he was having the best. He woke up at an early 2pm in the afternoon and went to find his mother after showering and dressing for the day. His new Wizard Armani robes came in as well fitting perfectly as always. He was informed by Mipsy, his other was still having lunch with the minister since 12 o'clock.
Draco was curious, what would his mother be doing with the Minister of Magic? She practically hated him.
"Oh Draco dear, have a seat and drink some tea." Narcissa said when she saw Draco standing in the doorway of the greenhouse. She was in a good mood. Her proposal to the minister was approved!
"Mr. Malfoy, how are you?" the minister asked.
"Fine, Minister."
"Well I see a congratulations is in order."
"For what?" Draco asked looking at his mother suspiciously over the rim of his teacup. His mother had busied herself with a scone and was avoiding eye contact.
"For what? For your upcoming nuptials," the minister chuckled. Draco spit out his tea.
"Nuptials! To who?" Draco screamed. The minister looked taken back, he had assumed Draco knew of the arrangement, but the paperwork was done and Narcissa was very generous to the Ministry and we was not going to try and take away was Narcissa was hoping for.
"Mother?" Draco knew this was his mother's doing.
"Well you see Draco, as of today, you are an engaged man," Narcissa giddily said.
"An engaged man!"
"Draco, please stop repeating what is being said."
"And what does the ministry have to do with this, Mother?" She gave Draco the prophet for him to read the Marriage-Law article. Draco's eyes grew wide as his brain processed what he was reading. Then he groaned as he realized his mother's choice was already approved and he couldn't get out of it.
"Mother, may I ask who the witch is, or is that not my decisions to make to ask?"
"Stop being so dramatic, I happen to know your future wife is an amazing choice, which you will like very much. Her name is Hermione Granger, her blood may not be shall we say similar to ours, but she is the perfect choice." Draco spit out his tea for the second time that day. "Draco stop that, you're getting us all dirty from your childish behavior," Narcissa scolded.
Draco was appalled; he was going to be married to Hermione, THE Hermione? It sunk in and a smile began to form on his lips. He swiftly stood up from the table. "Where are you going?" Narcissa asked.
"I don't know about you, but I have an engagement ring to go buy," with that Draco apparated to the family jeweler.
"Well Ms. Malfoy, I see my work here is done, I've already sent the proposal to Ms. Granger. Please come to the ministry tomorrow for the official contract signing."
"Of course Minister, thank you for everything."
Hermione came into her flat carrying 4 bags of groceries and quickly placed them on the kitchen counter. At that moment an owl flew in through the opened window and landed in front of her. Hermione recognized the official looking owl as a Ministry owl. She took the letter from it and fed it an owl treat. What could the Ministry possibly want, it couldn't be a proposal already? She opened the letter, which seemed to go on forever.
"I'm surprised the owl didn't die from all this weight." She mumbled to herself.
Dear Ms. Hermione Jane Granger,
We are pleased to tell you that you have a marriage proposal from Mr. Draco Lucius Black Malfoy.---------
Hermione screamed.
Hermione was shocked, no shocked didn't even describe she felt.
"This can't be happening to me," she mumbled to herself as she tried to control her emotions. How was she supposed to have a relationship with the biggest egotistical prat in the world. She began putting away her groceries.
CRASH!"I'll have to give up my virginity to him!"
"No, no, no, no, no, no, why me?" Hermione broke down. How was she going to tell her friends? And her parents, they wouldn't be happy with their only daughter being forced into a marriage. Malfoy was probably ecstatic about the situation; he did make the proposal after all. She'd have to face his sexy…no vain self tomorrow to sign the contract, and to think she was starting to warm up to him since his birthday ball last night.
She didn't have a choice. Knowing the ministry, they probably wouldn't allow a fallout, so convincing Malfoy to change his mind was out of the question. Hermione needed sleep, because tomorrow shed also need all her energy to scream and yell at Draco Malfoy.
Draco happily wove his way through the crowd in Diagon Alley. He had just come from purchasing a ring for Hermione. Knowing Hermione, she didn't go for the traditional white diamond. He distinctly remembered her favorite color being yellow, so he purchased a 26-carat canary diamond ring (A/N: BEAT THAT PARIS HILTON, bitch.) for his future wife. He didn't know that after his purchase, the so-called trusted jeweler immediately flooed the prophet explaining that he was one of the first to know the notorious Draco Malfoy sexgod extraordinaire was getting married.
