I'm so sorry this has taken ages to be posted but I'm back at Uni and it's been so hectic. I want to thank Scarlet White who gave me the idea for this and following chapters. It is because of her that the story will go on for longer.

Enjoy!!

The Final Term

Things seemed to have turned a corner for everyone. Ginny had apologised to Harry for assuming the worst and he accepted. There wasn't the closeness between them that there had once been but at least there were no arguments or looks of contempt. There wasn't much time for bitter feuds anyway, not with their exams fast approaching. The fifth and seventh years were barely seen anywhere except the library and the common room, piles of books in-front of them. The sixth years only had the end of year exams, but there was still pressure. If they performed badly in any of them, then they weren't allowed to study that subject next year. 'Harsh but necessary' McGonagall had explained when her sixth year transfiguration class complained. 'If we didn't do this then everyone would continue in every subject and may not realise that it is completely beyond their capabilities.'

In the final Quidditch match of the year Gryffindor had had an easy victory over Slytherin even after all of Harry's anxieties. His Chasers were excellent and saw to it that the Slytherins barely even held the Quaffle for a moment, let alone score with it. There had been no pressure on Ron; the Quaffle was never closer than fifteen feet away. Harry had seen the Snitch after twenty minutes or so and caught it before Malfoy even realised he had found it.

Because of all these other diversions, the 'marriages' had taken a bit of a back seat. McGonagall told them all though that, though there were less classes at the moment they were still to keep up the communication and still keep looking after their children.

Harry and Katie still had no trouble with Paul. He was as comical and relaxed as ever and had been as good as his word. His marks weren't fantastic but he had never had a late piece of work and, when Sprout had conducted a surprise interview with all the second years he told her that Katie monitored his intake of fruit and vegetables and Harry coached him regularly in Quidditch so that he kept his fitness up. As a result of this they had received top marks for care. Both had decided to take Paul to Hogsmeade again on the next day out and buy him as many sweets as he desired.

Hermione had gained some ground with Helen. The pair were united in their loathing of Ernie. Hermione had now finally given up bothering with Ernie and had been seething about his inability to do anything when Helen had turned up. She had suggested placing a curse on him but Hermione had declined, saying it was a bit harsh, even for Ernie. The two girls had still struck up a friendship that revolved around annoying Ernie as much as they could without getting into trouble. They blanked him in the corridors and the Great Hall. They did the homework set together and refused to let Ernie be involved. Whenever Ernie disciplined Helen for something, Hermione congratulated and rewarded her. Occasionally Hermione did get bouts of guilt, but not enough to make her stop what she was doing. He deserved it. She had put up with his pestering and complaining for two terms. It was time to teach him a lesson.

Ron and Cho were no further with Meliz than they had been all those months ago. Infact there was even less communication. Since the incident when Cho had been found in the scoreboard room, Ron had never forgiven Meliz for not altering him before and Cho was still annoyed with Meliz for going to fetch Ron. The poor girl couldn't have won either way. She had retreated into a world of quiet contemplation and barely said a word to either 'parent'. Ron and Cho themselves were more content than ever. Cho, her work load having been relieved by Ron wasn't struggling so much to fit everything in. She had also made a vow never to return to the scoreboard room and, so far she had stuck to it, though the temptation was there. Ron was actually enjoying having an important part to play in the marriage. He had taken over full responsibility and did all the work, though he always got it checked over by Cho and used her ideas. He finally felt that they might just pass at the end of the year, providing there were no more hiccups.

Ginny hadn't spoken a word to Malfoy since they had parted in the corridor after leaving Dumbledore's office. Whenever they had been in a similar vicinity one of them changed direction. Ginny had been surprised. She had assumed that Malfoy and his mates would have been throwing as many insults as they could think of. The only reason that she could think that he was being so sullen was that he was planning some huge revenge scheme. Because of this, she was on the constant look out. And because there hadn't been any marriage classes since the start of term, Ginny hadn't bothered to find out if she was still to work with Malfoy- in-case she still did.

One Monday morning a notice appeared on the boards in all the common rooms. All 5th-7th year students were required to attend a meeting in the Great Hall that evening at half six. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny all arrived together and selected seats at the back of the Hall. It was very crowed and noisy. Many people were moaning that they were loosing out on precious revision time, whereas others were pleased, the meeting gave them an excuse to put their books down and think of things other than how many spoonfuls of mudweed were needed to make a stupor potion.

A platform had been erected along one side of the Great Hall and on this stood Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Sprout. As the clock in the Entrance Hall chimed, Dumbledore rose, and everyone fell silent.

'Well, here we are again, 2 terms on from the start of your marriages and I have to say that you are all doing extremely well. I've been very impressed with the amount of co-operation and compromisation that has taken place between the couples. Along with other members of my staff, we have been talking to the second years who are children to some of you and I am pleased to report that we have had a great many compliments from them.

'Now I know that I am keeping a great number of you from your studies so I shall not delay anymore. Your marriage classes will resume the Monday after your exams are over and will continue as normal until the middle of June. After that, well, we have arranged a little surprise, since so many of you have been performing so well in your marriages. From the 17th June you will be transferring, in your pairs to the Muggle world. You are all going to be assigned a place of residence and jobs to do. For part of the time you are in the Muggle world, your 'children' will be coming to stay with you.' Dumbledore paused for a moment as mutterings broke out among the students. He then held up his hand. 'There is more. To ensure that you do not accidentally expose yourselves to the Non-magical community, all of your powers will be taken away, yes even those of you who are 17 and over. We have had consent from nearly all your parents and therefore we are taken a decision based on the majority. This project will last until the day before the end of term, precisely one month. You will then return here to have your powers reinstated and attend the presentation ceremony for the awards for those who have successfully passed the course. If you have any questions, please address them to your marriage tutors' he indicated towards the three other members of staff on the platform 'and they will try and answer them. However would Misters Malfoy and Longbottom and Misses Parkinson and Weasley please come to my office with me now. Thank-you very much for your attention.' And with that Dumbledore waved his hand to dismiss the students and he began making his way out of the Hall himself.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny just sat there; silent. None of them could quite believe what they had just heard. Harry was so excited. A whole month of living with Katie. Just the two of them, it would be amazing, the best experience of his life ever. And he was used to not using magic. He could hardly wait; this was going to be the best month of his life, other than the very first one he ever spent at The Burrow.

Ron wasn't sure. Just living with Cho could be interesting enough without the addition of having no magic. Though the two of them had been getting on better recently he wasn't sure if living in each others pockets would help. And having to have Meliz to stay. That would be awful. And no magic! It was a shame he had to take pat in the experiment and not his father.

Hermione was despairing. One month with Ernie. She would shoot herself. He would be unbearable, truly awful. And he wouldn't have a clue about living without magic. She made a mental note to herself, that whatever job she was given, she would get as many hours as possible. The less time spent with Ernie the better. And on top of that she wasn't too sure how Helen would react to not being able to use magic.

Ginny, on the other hand, was totally numb. What was Dumbledore thinking? Couldn't he see that Malfoy would make her life Hell? It was just cruel to do that to her. Well, she'd have to refuse. Her mother would back her up, she knew it. So engrossed in her thoughts, Ginny didn't realised she was being tapped on the shoulder. It was only when she heard her name being called that returned to the present. It was Neville.

'We've got to go and see Dumbledore. I thought you might not have heard.'

'Thanks Neville, I'd completely forgotten.' She waved to the other three and followed Neville out of the Hall, past the queue of people at the platform, clamouring to have their questions answered and up the stairs in the Entrance Hall. What could Dumbledore want? Unless it was to warn them of their behaviour. Ginny knew that Pansy would be awful to Neville so maybe it was to mark her card as much as Malfoy's. Well, she would use this opportunity to tell Dumbledore that she wouldn't live with Malfoy. He could fail her, she didn't care one bit. Anything not to live with him.

Pansy and Malfoy were already seated when Neville and Ginny arrived in Dumbledore's study. Dumbledore smiled and motioned to them to sit down as well. He then stood up.

'Thank-you for arriving so promptly. Now, I know that you probably have concerns about this upcoming experience and I have called you here so that I can reassure you that there is nothing to worry about.' Had Ginny imagined it had his head inclined slightly towards her and Neville? 'I have decided, that, asking you two' he motioned towards Ginny and Malfoy 'to live together is not a sensible idea or a very pleasant one. I have always known that you do not get on and the latest incident has left even more resentment and bad feeling I'm sure. However there is also the more delicate issue of you already being betrothed Ginny.' Dumbledore looked directly at her. 'I have already spoken to your parents and they are in agreement with me that I should pair you with your future Husband. And you Draco will continue the course with his estranged wife.'

'Excuse me Dumbledore but I am still unaware of who I am betrothed to?' replied Ginny. 'At the time when I found out I was so I forgot to ask and have feared doing so since.'

'Can you not guess?' smiled Dumbledore 'After all I have asked him to be present at this meeting.'

It took a moment for this to sink in with Ginny before she jumped and looked over at Neville, who was looking at Dumbledore, totally gob-smacked. Malfoy has understood the situation much more quickly and a smirk spread over his face. He seemed to like the outcome of this and he looked at Pansy.

'You and me together again babe' he said and put his arm round her waist. She grinned 'always how it should be.' She looked at Dumbledore. 'Can we go?' He nodded his head and the two of them rose and left the office, embracing as they went.