Chapter two- Mountain high

Ronald Weasley was surprised to hear his phone ring. All of his friends knew that tonight was his date with Miss. Lovegood (she had told him to call her Luna but old habits die hard). They had all teased him about it for weeks. Who would call him at this of all times?

"Hello?" he said. His voice cracked with embarrassment. "What? ... Slow down sis I can't understand… What letter… No it's okay… I will be there as soon as I can… of course… I'll see you soon"

He turned to face Luna. "Something is going on at home." he said, "I need to go find out what. I'm so sorry it had to happen tonight. I promise I will make it up to you. Please come with me according to Ginny this affects all of us.

Luna smiled sweetly and placed a hand on his. "Of course I'll come" she said.

"Right then," said Ron, "Waiter the check!"

--- Later at the borough ---

In the end the party had expanded to fifteen people. They stood in a semi circle around the front of the house. All of the unmarried members of the party except the new born Lilly and James held letters from the ministry that read identically. Just in case someone was unaware of the exact text, Molly Wesley read it out loud:

Dear recipient,

The Ministry of Magic hopes this letter finds you in good health. We are delighted to have this opportunity to inform you of a new law to be enacted on the third of September this coming fall. It requires all unmarried witches and wizard of legal age to marry. Any witch or wizard who lacks a proper partner upon the activation of the law or their seventeenth birthday is required by law to present themselves to the newly founded Ministry of Reproductive Affairs where they will be assigned a life partner based on an aurora compatibility test. Failure to do so will result in forced relocation on the person.

Yours truly,

(Here there was a fancy and largely unreadable signature.)

Minister of Magic

P.S. This is a courtesy note. Ignorance of the law is not justifiable reason to disobey it.

When Molly was finished no one dared speak. They all silently looked at their feet or comforted their loved ones silently. The infant twins fussed against their mother. Fleur handed James to Charlie while making sure his sister was free from his hold. Anyone who dared a glance was overwhelmed by the adorable copper haired pair. Hermione was the first to speak.

"Ministry of Reproductive Affairs," she spat out like it was a curse. "How dare they? How dare they!"

All of her friends looked on thinking the same thing; it is a rotten time to be single.