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However I do appreciate reviews and comments on my stories that aren't ripping me and my stories to shreads. Constrictive critism makes me a better writer.
Chapter 4 – The News
Several long days had passed since Arthur Weasley had dropped the bombshell that the Ministry of Magic was bringing out a Marriage Law. All of his children were still reeling about this news and discussed the topic a lot over the next few days. There was a lot of speculation about what the law would entitle and who would be paired with who. A lot of questions were asked too but no one had the answers to the questions. Hermione had spent hours pouring over her large collection of books to see if she could find anything about a previous marriage law but none of her books proved useful. Even her History of Magic books.
"There has to be a loophole of some sort." She moaned after throwing another book onto the pile.
"I don't think you'll find anything in those books, Hermione." Ginny stated.
"I'm looking in the wrong place?" Hermione asked.
"Well, if I were you, I'd look for books on Wizarding Laws or Laws passed by the Ministry of Magic." Ginny suggested.
"I don't think I have anything on those." Hermione answered.
"Are you trying to tell me that thee Hermione Granger doesn't have a book on something?" Ginny questioned, pretending to look shocked.
"Surprisingly no. When I moved to the burrow last year, I only packed the books I thought I'd really need and Wizarding laws weren't really the topic I thought I'd need, other than Muggle-born rights." Hermione answered. "The rest were all taken to Florish and Blotts."
"Why don't we take a trip to the book shop tomorrow and see what all they have?" Fred suggested.
"Yes that would be a really good idea." Hermione replied. "The Hogwarts library would be handy right about now."
"When in doubt, Hermione goes to the library." Ginny laughed.
Hermione picked the cushion off the chair she was sat on and chucked it in Ginny's direction. Ginny caught it with ease and tossed it back to Hermione.
"Now, now ladies." Fred warned. "Mum will not be happy with you both messing up the house."
"Or ruining those expensive designer cushions." George chortled.
As they all laughed and chatted in the living room, a tawny owl flew in the open window, landing on the coffee table with five cream parchment envelopes attached to it.
"Oh this doesn't look good." Ginny shrieked as Fred pulled the letters from the owl and put a knut in its pouch.
"They're from the Ministry and are for us five." Fred stated. "Well me, George, Ginny, Harry and Hermione."
"Will we get our pairings now?" Fred wondered.
"Probably not today." Charlie answered, entering the living room.
"We better open them and see." Hermione said.
"Why didn't you get one, Charlie?" George wondered.
"Dad thinks I'll be exempt because of me living in Romania." Charlie replied.
"Lucky bugger if you are exempt." George said.
They all began ripping open their letters, tension filling the little living room. Charlie watched on with baited breath. He did not envy the others at all but he did feel very sorry for them while thanking his lucky stars that he was supposedly exempt from the marriage law.
"Well?" He asked.
"Dear Mr Fred Weasley,
Firstly I would like to thank you for your help and support during the war. I am very pleased to hear that you are recovering well. Unfortunately due to the war, we lost a lot of lives, a lot of precious magical blood was spilt. So we here at the Ministry have decided to enforce a new Marriage Law.
Any witch or wizard who is unmarried between the age of 17 and 35 will be sent a letter stating their match which has been specially chosen for you by the Ministry. As you are 20 years of age this will include you. You must marry within the next year and have children with this person within the next three years. Parings can be appealed at the Ministry but the likelihood that the appeal will be accepted is slim. Failure to comply with this new law will result in your wand being snapped and you will be sent to Azkaban for a year. Your letters will be posted by owl within the next few days.
Thank you Kingsley Shaklebolt
Minster of Magic" Fred read out to the others.
"Are all your letters the same?" Charlie asked.
"Something similar." Ginny replied.
"This is insane, they can't do that to us. They just can't." George ranted.
"It's against our rights!" Fred snapped.
"I can't believe they're actually going ahead with this." Ginny complained.
"This is actually happening, isn't it?" Hermione asked fear evident in her voice.
"Unfortunately it is." Charlie answered.
No sooner had they opened their letters, had Mrs Weasley appeared as she was out doing some grocery shopping with Fleur.
"Did you all get your letters?" She asked everyone.
"Yes we did. We've just received them." Ginny answered.
"Charlie didn't get one though." George said.
"That is probably because you've been living in Romania." Molly answered.
"I've been here since the start of this year though so I thought I was going to be included." Charlie answered.
"Let's just say, your father and I are not too happy with Kingsley at the moment." Molly stated. "We thought he had more sense than to do this to you all after everything you've all been through."
"I wonder if Ron will be included." Charlie wondered.
"I haven't heard anything about Ron or the other people who are in Azkaban at the moment. Hopefully Arthur will know something." Molly answered. "Percy's attitude really surprised me earlier. He went on a full blown rant about how the Ministry couldn't do this and how Fudge would never have done this and that Kingsley doesn't know what he's doing."
"He does have a point." Fred pointed out. "Not the part about Fudge right enough."
"He actually stormed out of a meeting yesterday because of it all." Molly informed the others.
"Percy Weasley stormed out of a meeting at work?" George asked, trying his best not to laugh.
"Our rule abiding, Ministry loving, brother, Percy Weasley?" Fred questioned.
"How many other Percy Weasleys do you know?" Molly snapped.
"Sorry. We were only trying to lighten the mood." Fred apologised.
"Look I've got to dash. I just popped in to leave the shopping in then I'm going to visit Andromeda Tonks." Molly stated. "Could some of you put away the shopping for me?"
"I'll do that for you, Mrs Weasley." Hermione offered.
"Please dear, call me Molly." Molly urged.
"Sorry. I guess I'm so used to calling you Mrs Weasley." Hermione apologised.
Hermione quickly disappeared into the kitchen with Ginny hot on her heels. They quickly began putting away the groceries into their rightful places, neither of them saying anything.
