Sorry for the delay! My 2yo and I caught a bug that just wouldn't go away. But we're feeling better now and I've slept some in the last week so here's the next chapter! Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon. Sorry no dinner/FDHG yet but this chapter is important too.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the Harry Potter universe and am not making any money off this fic.

The Daily Prophet, Opinions, Page 27 [Tuesday Morning]

"While there is undoubtedly a population crisis as a result of the recent war, I don't believe it's necessary to resort to such drastic measures as forcing members of society to marry and procreate. There are plenty of alternatives that can be taken first, such as incentivizing foreign immigrants to come here, offering an exchange program for our single adults to see the world and perhaps bring home a family, etc. I certainly hope after escaping one tyrannical reign, our society does not quickly vote to enter into another one. We haven't heard any proposals or plans from Ignatius Thromball yet. Hopefully he is open to a broader perspective and array of options to meet the demands of our current predicament. Signed, A Very Concerned Citizen"

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The Daily Prophet, Front Page [Wednesday Morning]

Weasley Threatened, Remains Strong

"Ron Weasley responds to recent criticism to his character and calling him a tyrant and akin to the likes of He Who Shall Not Be Named by reminding our citizens that he was on the front lines in the war. If a "concerned citizen" thinks they can do better, both in the war on terror and in our present plight, he recommends they run for Minister themselves instead of standing in the shadow like a coward. His plan, widely praised and accepted, is fully anticipated to pass easily into law and has a higher expected success rate than any wamby-pamby 'exchange program' could have. Weasley himself has made the required sacrifice by starting his own family with Chudley Cannons superfan Meredith Cragin. They have a wee one and Meredith is rumored to once again be 'in the family way'. Additionally, Weasley has 6 siblings who are expected to follow his lead and produce a veritable clan of magic users. On the other hand, no plans or any effort has been shown by uninspiring candidate Ignatius Thromball. We at the Daily Prophet shame naysayers and wish all the best to political hopeful Ronald Weasley."

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The Daily Prophet, Miscellaneous, Page 41 [Wednesday Morning]

A letter received by the Daily Prophet: "One must beg the question: If Ronald Weasley is such an excellent candidate, why have Harry Potter and Hermione Granger not come out with public support for his candidacy? Many of us who attended school with Ronald knew him to be lazy, rude, unmotivated, and not in any way prepared for the stresses and duties of the Minister for Magic. It would perhaps be prudent to elect to our highest office a more mature and experienced individual. Signed, A Very Concerned Citizen"

The Daily Prophet would like to remind our readers that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger have asked for privacy and we have dutifully respected those requests. We have also had no word from any other school peers corroborating these slanderous remarks.

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The Daily Prophet, Front Page [Thursday Morning]

Hermione Granger Wrote Tax Law Reform

"There have been many questions about why Harry Potter and Hermione Granger haven't come out in support of the third member of the Golden Trio, Minister for Magic hopeful Ronald Weasley. However, it appears they are just camera shy. The Daily Prophet has obtained irrefutable proof Hermione Granger was an advisor and collaborator in the development of the tax law plan. If anything, this should provide peace of mind to any remaining sceptics of the plan and Weasley himself. We at the Daily Planet are rooting for you Mr. Weasley!"

"Mione? You there?"

She could hear Harry's voice coming from the fireplace but was rather too busy screaming into a pillow to respond. She had worked so hard all week writing innumerable letters – to the Daily Prophet and other publications, school friends, Ronald, and when he didn't respond, Ignatius Thromball. She had sent both of them full packets with completely written up plans, including summaries, statistics, implementation guides and talking points. And now she's been outed as at least a collaborator on the tax law. She couldn't support it in any way and had hoped she wouldn't have to publicly voice her opinion against Ronald, but now she can't even privately work against him, because if Thromball is smarter than even a pill bug, he wouldn't trust the advice and writings of the person who is touted as both the best friend of his opponent and the author of the opposing plan.

Harry made his way into the kitchen and wordlessly started making some tea. He had been present for many of her efforts and tried in his own way as well, but they were pretty well backed into a corner now. He could still speak out publicly against Ron, and he may still, but at this point it seems rather pointless and people need hope and consistency, not more chaos and division. Himself not excluded. He and Hermione had spoken briefly of actually running against him, but the deadline to enter the race had passed, and anyways, neither of them had any desire whatsoever to be Minister.

"Mi, your tea is ready. Hot and grossly unsweetened, just how you like it."

Hermione lumbered herself off the couch, but was still in a mood and did not find his teasing entertaining at the moment. She huffed herself into a chair and inhaled the aromatic steam before taking a sip. "Thanks Harry. I'm sorry I'm bad company right now. I just wonder sometimes if it's even worth trying to do the right thing. Or if perhaps I'm the one in the wrong and this is a perfectly fine plan that isn't a threat to freedom and happiness. I'm starting to wonder if I should just… leave. If I'm the problem here and I can't accept this change, maybe I should remove myself and find a life somewhere else."

"Well, you're not leaving without me then! I'd offer to marry you, but there's still the issue of having children that I'm just not ready for. And also, no offense to you personally, but ew. You're my sister."

Hermione swatted Harry over the head and let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, well I feel the same."

Harry faked outrage and they were involved in a very sibling "take it back, no you take it back" argument for several minutes before they dissolved into laughter.

After their laughter died down, Harry got a contemplative look on his face. "What do you think our options would be? I mean we could stay here without children and pay an incremental tax that goes up to 90% over the next 4 years. We could stay here and have children right away and pay a normal tax rate. We could stay here and have children in a few years and pay a lot higher tax but only struggle those few years (assuming we can pull ourselves together in that time and suddenly develop a desire to be parents at our age). We could actually leave the country but I don't even know where we'd go. Our ministry covers all the English speaking countries here in Europe so we'd have to make a pretty significant change. That itself would present a lot of unknown issues. I mean it's like… you choose the devil you know, right?"

Hermione had been nodding along and sipping her tea while trying to think of any other alternatives. "Well, um. I've actually been practicing my French a bit this week. I learned it growing up in my primary school, you know, and kept studying over the summers with my family since we travelled to France frequently. Fleur wrote me earlier this week asking if I'd like to meet her for dinner tomorrow and that just got me thinking. I want to ask her tomorrow what it would take to move to France."

Harry nearly snorted tea out of his nose when he heard Hermione's idea. The thing is, he could actually imagine Hermione living in France, drinking a glass of wine on a sunny patio and reading a book. Or perhaps working with their ministry for magical creatures and their rights. The question now became whether or not he could imagine joining her. After a couple minutes of contemplation, he finally spoke up. "Wow. I mean I can totally imagine you there. And to be honest, I think that even without everything going on here, it would be a good fresh start for you to go somewhere you're less recognized and where you haven't had to give up so much of yourself. It could be a good change for me if it wouldn't be weird if I came too. I just have felt so depressed and stuck in the past here. I love my job, but maybe it would be better if I got a fresh start too."

"Harry! Of course it wouldn't be weird! I'd love to have you along. You could probably get a work visa, but I'm not sure how that all works. I'll have to do some research and see what Fleur knows. I'm starting to really like the idea of moving there, and this is the first real excitement I've felt in so long. I think I'd be willing to do a great deal to make it happen."

Harry rounded the table and gave Hermione a big hug. He knew she had been struggling, as had he, and this truly felt like the first ray of hope for both of them. Apparently it was time to start brushing up on his French.

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The Daily Prophet, Front Page [Friday Morning]

Weasley Unchallenged

"Ignatius Thromball, former Minister for Magic candidate, has pulled out of the race. He cites a rising number of letters urging him to take action and form a plan, but he believes the plan [former opponent] Ronald Weasley has presented is sufficient and will perhaps run again when the political landscape has calmed down. As a result, elections have been cancelled and Ronald Weasley will be inaugurated on January 1. You heard it first at the Daily Prophet!"