Ugh, I know you guys probably hate me right now.. All I can say is that I'm sorry :( I'll try as hard as I can writing as many chapters ahead as I can while I'm still on vacation, so that I'll be able to update more regularly. As it is, I've been a little stuck with this story, but finally got to write more today! No more writer's block! WOO! :D

DISCLAIMER: ... Not even going to attempt one.

Chapter 5

Hermione Jean Granger – soon to be Weasley – realized just how hectic an upcoming marriage was. She and Mrs. Weasley - who (again) insisted she start calling her Molly, now that she was to be a part of the family - spent many nights discussing plans; flowers, dates, food, guests, music – it was all rather exhausting really. It had barely been a week since the bloody letters had come, and the Burrow was already chaotic, with family dinners, and meeting the "in-laws", trying to coordinate dates and shopping, food and themes.
All the soon-to-be-Weasleys were already becoming better acquainted, Lisa and Ron were working things out, trying to get accustomed to being in-laws instead of in-loves. Charlie had time and time again apologized to Ron, and not until Ron had finally snapped and told him that it sucked, but it was not Charlie's fault, had he stopped and though a bit weird, the brotherhood bond they shared was as strong as ever.

They had all met Percy's fiancée, Audrey, and they were all agreed that she would be perfect for him. She shared the same love for rules, though she was adventurous as well. When Percy hesitantly told her about his plans to travel, during a family dinner at the Burrow, she had let out a sigh of relief and then a squeal, saying she would be more than happy and willing to come along. She worked as a Healer at St. Mungo's, but really wanted to study other countries' and cultures' method of healing. They would stay for the weddings, of course, but then they would leave to travel the world. Of course, they had to get special permission – not only from Mrs. Weasley, but also the Ministry – to do so, because of the required children. Percy and Audrey had to have at least 3 kids.
The 'at least' part of that requirement irritated Hermione. She didn't like that she had a minimum; what if she only wanted to have one child? Granted, she had always thought it was a little lonely growing up with no siblings, but still! She never said anything though, because she understood the reason behind the Ministry's meddling. And she was afraid she might end up sounding like Cho Chang; she had overheard her telling (more like whining) Angelina – who wasn't too fond of Cho, either – that she didn't want to give birth to 4 children, because it would ruin her figure. Her figure! Honestly! Angelina had pointed out she wasn't the only one who had to give birth to that many children, and there was this thing called exercise. Hermione had to hide her giggles in her hand.

The only Weasleys out of the five that had received a letter, to not have 'at least' four children were Charlie and Lisa, and Percy and Audrey. Hermione found this extremely odd; because her theory was that the Ministry had made the number of children couples were to have, based on their age. And since Charlie was only 6 years older than Fred and George, who were to have four children, it really didn't make sense. It was even odder, because he was only eight years older than Lisa, and they were both at the prime of their age. But really, it didn't change much, other than a single pregnancy less.

Hermione had always considered herself to be independent; she was strong-willed and had chosen the path of a career instead of that of a housewife raising children. Sure, she'd always wanted children, but she never thought she'd be forced into pregnancy at nineteen. It was hard to wrap her head around the fact that within the next two years, she'd have to have a baby. If she didn't, she and George would have to take a fertility test, to see if there was anything wrong. If there wasn't they'd be given a fine. If there was, they'd be reassigned to another man or woman.

Since the date Hermione and George had been on, they'd had little time together. Hermione had been by the shop with lunch a couple of times, and George had popped up at her work once or twice. At the Burrow, they didn't get much alone time, and it was starting to freak Hermione out. She was to be married to this man, and she wanted to know him well before she was. She wanted to build their relationship on friendship, and not forced love. She didn't want to end up resenting him for something he had no control over. Ginny told her she was overthinking things, but for Hermione, these possibilities just kept plaguing her mind. They'd not even started looking for somewhere to live together! The flat above the Twins' store could do for now, but they needed more space if they were to raise a family of 'at least' four. Not to mention Fred and Angelina had to have just as many kids.

And once again, Hermione was thinking of the pregnancies. She understood that the magical people needed children in bucket-loads to replenish the population, but she couldn't help but think this was pushing it. 4 children per household was really a lot. In the Weasley family alone, this meant that Mrs Weasley would have 18 grandchildren. And while Hermione had no doubt that Mrs Weasley would be overjoyed, it was still a lot. They wouldn't be able to go to Sunday dinners at the Burrow anymore when all the children had come to; there would simply be too little space.
Not to mention when all the children would be going to Hogwarts! In eleven years time, the Hogwarts-staff would be severely overworked, what with all the children coming to get their education. Even if Hogwarts was as magical as it was, that would mean so many more children than just between 4 and 6 of each sex in every house. If the Ministry regulations were to be followed, then Hogwarts would have at least 5 Weasley-kids in the same year. And if the Weasley family-tradition was any indication, then the Gryffindor Head of House was in for the ride of his or her life. Weasley children )perhaps with the exception of Percy) apparently had a knack for getting into trouble; whether it was the prank-pulling kind Fred and George were up to, or the life-threatening kind Ron got himself into.

The next unsuspected surprise for the Weasleys had come with the Daily Prophet, and envelopes with the Ministry seal on it, on a Sunday morning, as all the Weasley-children and their intended were gathered for breakfast at Mrs. Weasley's order.
"They're for you, Harry and Ginny, Bill and Fleur," Mr. Weasley said with a frown. Hermione saw Harry pull his fiancé closer, holding onto her, as if he was afraid the Ministry was going to take her away. Ginny clasped his hand as well, a frown evident on her face. A frown marred Fleur's beautiful face as well, as Bill accepted the letter from his bewildered father. With shaking hands, Ginny accepted the letter as well. Harry tucked her even closer as she opened the cream-coloured parchment.

"I don't believe it!" Ginny shrieked when she finished reading. Harry's face was set in a grim mask. Immediately, Hermione worried that the Ministry had decided to split married – or at least engaged prior to the Marriage Law – couples, and she was already on her way over to her distraught friends. Harry passed her the letter, and she soon realized that she wasn't the only one with an expected pregnancy hanging over her head.
"Oh Gin, I'm so sorry; this completely ruins your plans" Harry groaned into her ear. Ginny let out a sniffle as Bill explained to the others what the letter were about.
"It seems that the Ministry isn't done screwing with people's lives. A new law was passed last night, apparently. A Children Law, so to speak. They've sent out these letters to all married and engaged couples, saying that not even they are free from the essence of the Marriage Law; we've gotten a number of children we're expected to have. Fleur and I, are to have at least 3." Mrs. Weasley was about to scold her son for his half-bad language, but instead she broke into tears.
"Oh Merlin!" She cried, hugging her son close.
Ginny had a steady stream of tears rolling down her cheeks, and Harry tried his very best to console her. Hermione only had an inkling as to what it was all about.
"Ginny, what is it?" Hermione worst fear for her friend were confirmed with Ginny's next sentence.
"Hermione, like you, I have to have a baby within the next two years. I've just gotten signed to the Harpies, but a pregnancy is going to ruin my career! When I'm pregnant, I won't be able to fly, and they'll have to release me from the contract!" Ginny was very passionate about her Quidditch-career. Even though she still had a year left of school, she was still signed for a contract with the Holy-Head Harpies. She had been approached by a manager, after a Quidditch-fundraiser the old Gryffindor Quidditch team had been to.
It was while Hermione had been in Australia; Oliver Wood, who was now playing full-time for Puddlemere United, had heard of this Fundraiser for the ruined St. Mungo's and Hogwarts, and had gathered the old team for a game. Unfortunately, Alicia Spinnet had been injured during the Final Battle and was still recovering, so Ginny had stepped up to play. (Of course, the Fundraiser had been very successful, as everybody wanted to see the world's most famous war-hero and conqueror of the Dark Lord, Harry Potter)
Harry had also been approached, but he thanked them no, as he was already very happy with where he was in the Auror apartment. Ginny had been so excited; it was one of the few things she had written to tell Hermione about while she was with her parents. Ginny had always wanted to play Quidditch, even if she did have a back-up plan as a Medi-witch at St. Mungo's. After all, Ginny did want children, and Quidditch wasn't a career you could keep your entire life; you simply became too old at some point.
"I'm so sorry, Ginny" Hermione told her. At least Hermione's job didn't depend on her like a Quidditch career would. In Hermione's position, she'd be able to work from home, and when the time came, that was what she intended to do.

Ginny was understandably upset for the rest of the day. She had gone to write a letter to the Harpies, when a thought had struck Hermione.
"Ginny, you couldn't possibly be the only witch with that problem. Maybe they'll understand, and you won't lose your career at all!" Ginny had had a hopeful look on her face, and Hermione had felt immensely better at the thought that Ginny might still have a chance. Fred and George had decided to stay the rest of the day at the Burrow, so Hermione siezed her chance.
"George, could we take a walk?" She asked, as she came into the kitchen, where he and Fred were bent over some piece of parchment.
"Sure 'Mione, can I finish up here first though? Fred and I are just going over the stock and inventory, seeing what we'll have to restock a lot of, all that" Hermione smiled at him, and told him she'd wait outside.
It wasn't 30 minutes later, when George joined her in the Gardens behind the Burrow. He lead the way down a used path, the path that lead toward the small piece of land the Weasleys owned, where all the pick-up games of Quidditch were held.
"George, I've been thinking about something. You know as well as I do, that the flat above your store isn't going to be big enough for both our, and Fred and Angelina's families. We'll have to go looking for a house somewhere; somewhere we can start and raise a family" Even as she said this, Hermione cringed a bit. She didn't like the thought of being pregnant before she was 21. She hadn't planned on having a baby until she was at least 25. By the time she was, she'd probably have more than one child already.
George noticed her cringe, and froze. Did she really not want to start a family?
"Why'd you cringe?" His part harsh, part hurt tone startled her. Her wide eyes stared into his, as she tried to gauge why he was upset.
"Do you not want to start a family with me?" The way he empathized the 'want' and 'me' in that sentence made Hermione flinch.
"Oh George, it's not that, it really isn't!" But George must have already made up his mind, and he stormed away, further up the path, leaving Hermione confused in the middle of the trail.

Uh-oh!

Am I forgiven? ;)

Love,

MissH-95