Socium Perfecta CHAPTER THREE: Socium Perfecta, a harry potter fanfic

-CHAPTER THREE-

"And I thought girls were moody. He's worse than Ginny!"

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Hermione sat fidgeting with her skirt at the Gryffindor Table surrounded by the entire Sixth and Seventh Year cohort. The day had been successfully ordinary so far –she'd avoided Draco all morning, she'd been early to breakfast and she'd even squeezed in half an hour of study- but now she was sitting in the Great Hall waiting for information on one of the most important events in her life -the words 'Arranged Marriage' continuously dancing around in her head. She'd been bursting to tell someone but hadn't, fearing McGonagall would be less than pleased.

She heard the doors to the hall open and flicked her head up as Professor McGonagall strode past leading several Ministry Officials behind her. The only woman amongst the officials had a tall frame wrapped in deep purple robes, her blonde hair framing a round face with arching eyebrows above glittering blue eyes and a warm smile. Flanking her either side were two slightly shorter men, both with broad and muscular builds -probably low-ranked Aurors. The two men looked rather intimidating and they each sported short raven hair and cold grey eyes –the only difference being the patterning on their navy blue robes. Butterflies began having fits in Hermione's stomach as thoughts rushed around in her head.

What details had McGonagall left out? How were they being assigned their partners? How much would this new law influence the rest of their lives?

Each question prompted another surge of nausea and Hermione felt herself going pale.

The Headmistress reached the podium and looked out at the sea of students before her. She cleared her throat before beginning, "Students, it seems we have everyone present. I'm pleased that you all chose to come today –I hope you will find what our speakers have to say very," she paused, searching for the right word, "enlightening."

Enlightening, McGonagall? More like distressing, thought Hermione.

"I would like to introduce to you all Ms. Chiara Rumeur, Head of the Department for Education at the Ministry of Magic. She will be spending the rest of this year with us, so I'd like you all to make her very welcome."

Hermione joined the wave of applause which swept across the Great Hall. Several people had begun to whisper but all her attention was focused on Ms. Chiara Rumeur who was gracefully moving toward the podium. Her rich voice suddenly rang out, clear and calm.

"Good morning students and thank you, professor, for the warm welcome. I'm so looking forward to my stay at Hogwarts this year. I was a student here myself –a Hufflepuff in fact- so this brings back some wonderful memories," she paused, waiting for silence before continuing, "now, I'm sure many of you are unsure as to why you have been summoned here today instead of attending classes and I can tell you, the news I bring will not be pleasant for some. As you are aware, the British wizarding community has suffered great loss with the deaths of so many during Voldemort's final stand. We, the Ministry, are aware that some countries may try to take advantage of our current state of disarray and attempt to remove us from our governing power –this cannot be allowed to happen."

Ms. Rumeur paused to let her words sink in and Hermione shook her head in disgust. She was playing a game with the students, forcing them to feel sympathetic to the Ministry before revealing the unjust law. Hermione didn't know how anyone could be so cruel and yet, so kind. She lifted her head to meet the woman's welcoming eyes as she began speaking again.

"After much debating we have come to an agreement and believe me when I say it was a very long and hard decision. It is our belief that we need to restore and strengthen our community as soon as possible. To do so, we need your help. Recently, a new law was passed by the Wizengamot. This law states that any member of the wizarding community who is sixteen years or older and is not currently married or engaged is eligible for 'marriage pairing'. I will try to explain this as simply as possible. Each of you will take a test made up of four sections –Personality, Ideas, Knowledge and Ability. Your test will then be processed and sorted with a newly developed spell, Socium Perfecta, which matches you with your perfect partner based on the results of your test. If you are matched with someone, you will be bound to them and the pair of you will be set deadlines and rules which you will learn more about later. I can see that some of you are uncomfortable with this law but I'm afraid matches are non-negotiable. You will take the tests, your tests will be subjected to Socium Perfecta and you will marry if you are partnered."

Quiet murmurs rustled through the hall: the Hufflepuffs were discussing the fairness of the new law; the Ravenclaws were debating who they believed the best and worst matches would be; harsh glares were being sent at anyone who so much as glanced toward the Slytherins; and the Gryffindors were all staring incredulously at McGonagall's surprisingly passive expression.

Ms. Rumeur motioned for silence but no-one paid any attention. She stood affronted by their display and flashed her eyes in Hermione's direction. Being the only student not talking, Hermione figured she must have stood out. Hesitantly, she rose to her feet and made her way to the front of the hall, standing beside Ms. Rumeur at the podium.

"Attention everyone... please... Hogwarts Students!" she shouted, "Would you please pay attention. Ms. Rumeur has come here especially to speak to us, to explain what this new law entails and you're all being as rude as Crookshanks on a Wednesday!"

Every student in the hall turned and glared at her. Hermione mumbled a shy thank you before hurrying back to her seat at the Gryffindor table, ignoring the stares of her classmates.

Ms. Rumeur cleared her throat before continuing her speech, "Thank-you Miss Granger, your Headmistress told me you were an excellent Head Girl," Hermione's cheeks burned and she glared down at her feet.

"Now, as I was saying, you will all have to abide by the terms of this law –there will be no exceptions. If you are paired with someone you don't like, there will be no changes –the spell works perfectly, there can be no incorrect pairings. This law is also being implemented in several countries, not just Britain, who are also suffering the effects of Voldemort's attacks; in fact, students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will be undergoing similar proceedings to you. This means that whilst a majority of you will be paired with other students within Hogwarts, some of you may find yourselves matched with someone at one of your two sister schools. The only difference will be your deadlines, which will be set at later dates. Finally, I should make it clear that only Seventh Year students are guaranteed a match. Sixth Year students will find themselves free of the effects of this law unless their test is paired with a Seventh Year from Hogwarts or one of the sister schools. Now, I think you are all sufficiently informed –are there any questions?"

Hermione's arm flew into air, her elbow making a sharp crack. As no-one else raised their hand, she quickly stood and addressed the official.

"Ms. Rumeur, one thing you haven't explained is when we'll be doing these tests and how the pairings will affect the rest of our year."

"Ah, I knew someone would mention that," a smile was evident in the woman's response, "the testing will, in fact, take place today. More precisely, ten minutes from now- we're merely waiting for the papers to arrive. As for the effects of the pairings, if the Seventh Year students have looked over their timetables, which I believe were handed out at breakfast, they will have noticed a blank space on one of the days. This will be filled by a new class I will be running called 'Relationship Studies'. This class will focus on creating a nice harmony between you and your partner and will include working towards your deadlines and making plans for your futures together. I will be expecting everyone to pay as much attention in my class as you would in any other. As for Sixth Year students, only those who are paired with a Seventh Year will find themselves in this extra class which will replace one of your Study periods. If that is all, I believe we are ready to begin."

Everyone's eyes flicked toward the ceiling as the rustle of wings filled the air. Another wave of murmurs swept through the hall. Several students were nervously chewing their nails whilst others glanced anxiously at their friends. Neville Longbottom, who was seated next to Hermione, looked about ready to pass out and was turning a light grey as he swayed in his seat. Some of the Sixth Years at the Slytherin table were taking bets on who would be paired up –Hermione simply stood as the long tables were replaced by desks and prayed her match would be Harry or Ron.

PERSONALITY: Section D: Defining Characteristics

Are you an Introvert OR Extrovert? (please circle)
INTROVERT: Quiet, Independent, Private, Concentrated, Thinker, Reserved
EXTROVERT: Talkative, Sociable, Public, Outgoing, Doer, Enthusiastic

Are you a Sensor OR an Intuitive (please circle)
SENSOR: Practical, Detailed, Constant, Realistic, Experience trusting
INTUITIVE: Theoretical, Broad, Inventive, Inconsistent, Feeling trusting

Are you a Thinker OR Feeler (please circle)
THINKER: Objective, Honest, Direct, Critical, Achiever, Analytical, Debates
FEELER: Emotional, Compassionate, Appreciator, Empathetic, Avoids conflict

Are you a Judger OR Perceiver (please circle)
JUDGER: Organized, Responsible, Serious, Punctual, Decisive, Prepared
PERCEIVER: Flexible, Playful, Casual, Tardy, Indecisive, Spontaneous

Hermione flicked back to the Personality Test. She'd answered all the basic things easily but she kept returning to those last four questions, hoping she'd made the right choices. Those four little questions could easily change who she was matched with and she didn't want to take any chances. Reading through her answers to the Ideas and Knowledge sections of her test thoroughly, she smiled before finally laying down her quill.

Glancing around Hermione noticed that she was the only person finished before time –as usual. She peeked to her left and caught a glimpse of Harry's paper –he was somewhere on the second last page. That meant he was probably stuck on the question about Uric the Oddball –which wasn't surprising seeing as he'd missed every History of Magic lesson the week they'd covered the famous Ravenclaw last year in favour of meetings with Dumbledore. The paper asked for a summary on the life of Uric the Oddball. Though Hermione had just managed to cram his whole life into a little over a page and a half, it didn't look like Harry was even going to make one paragraph at this rate.

Hermione continued to survey her fellow students; Neville's quill was resting limply in his hand, eyes glazed over and directed at the ceiling; at a glance, Ron appeared to be concentrating extremely hard on the test but doing a double take Hermione realised he was merely drawing on one of the Ideas pages; further forward, Draco Malfoy was relaxing back in his seat with his hands resting behind his head –as if sensing her gaze, Draco slowly turned in his seat and flashed his trademark smirk at Hermione. She flicked her head down to avoid his unpleasant stare –for some reason though, knowing he was looking at her made her face warm.

The clock bell chimed signalling an hour was up. The parchment booklet closed and rolled itself into a tight scroll on the desk before disappearing with a pop- the quill and ink bottle following soon after. Now all they had left was the Ability test but Hermione wasn't worried. According to the front sheet of the booklet, all they had to do was brew a potion, show a few transfiguration skills and perform a couple of charms –simple... and yet... strangely, she was nervous. Not just any nervous, nervous as in if-I-screw-this-up-I'm-going-to-have-to-live-with-the-consequences-for-the-rest-of-my-life-and-that-would-be-absolutely-horrible kind of nervous. She rose with the rest of the students and made her way into the Entrance Courtyard to await her turn –knowing that whilst she was out there the butterflies fluttering in her stomach would quickly transform into something much more vicious.

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The tension in the Entrance Courtyard was running high. The Sixth Years were taking their Ability test first so the Seventh Years had been left to their own devices –clearly, that had been a bad decision. Several students, namely Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott, Neville Longbottom, Fay Dunbar, Su Li and Wayne Hopkins, were seated under the fig tree in a tight circle consoling each other over their test woes –apparently, none of them had finished the Knowledge section and Neville hadn't known a single one of Gamp's Five Laws of Elemental Transfiguration.

Hermione found herself squashed between Harry and Ron on a small stone seat towards the rear of the courtyard. As she'd expected, Harry had had a dismal time trying to answer the Uric the Oddball question and, to her dismay, Ron's drawing had taken the place of his opinion on the necessary creation of the 1692 Statute of Secrecy. Hermione merely sat and listened to the pair's incessant complaints, all the while pondering her own concerns. Whilst everyone was fretting over the Ideas and Knowledge tests, Hermione's woes revolved around the Personality test.

Once more, those last four questions ran through her mind. What if I classified myself wrongly? That could change everything, she fretted, there's a big difference between being an ISTJ* or being an ISTP**. If I made one incorrect choice I'll be screwed for life! I could end up with Justin Finch-Fletchley or Stephen Cornfoot or worse- a Slytherin! That would be the worst-

Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud bell ringing through the school –the Clock Tower may have been on the other side of the castle but it could be heard all the way to the Hogwarts Lake. She could see the Sixth Years slowly filtering out of the Great Hall to trudge off to their classes but instead of rising with the rest of the Seventh Years and making her way to the Great Hall, Hermione continued to sit in her obsessive daze.

A quiet cough broke the trance. Looking up, Hermione blinked back her surprise to find none other than Draco Malfoy standing in front of her in the now abandoned Entrance Court Yard. Draco shifted uncomfortably under her confused stare –he obviously hadn't thought his actions out too much. Finally, Hermione frowned, prompting Draco's explanation.

"If I were you, uh, I would probably want to get inside the Great Hall as soon as possible. They're, um, starting with the Gryffindors."

Oh no, Hermione's eyes widened with shock, I can't believe I didn't notice! Why didn't Harry or Ron tell me, a pang of sadness washed over her, they just left... everyone left. No one even thought to get me except- She shook her head in frustration before jumping up and frantically sprinting toward the castle doors. Suddenly remembering Draco, she paused and turned back to his still figure.

"Thank you! You're the only person who seemed to notice. I can't believe it but you did! You've just saved my future-" she stopped and silently scolded herself, that had been way too rushed and urgent sounding, "um... so, are you coming or what?"

To her amazement, he began walking in large strides toward her. But, unfortunately, his kind mood had passed.

"Wouldn't want the know-it-all to miss out on the big test now, would we?" came his sarcastic reply, smirking as he strode past her.

And I thought girls were moody. He's worse than Ginny! was all Hermione's baffled mind could muse before remembering she had a life changing test to complete in the Great Hall.

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*ISTJ = Introvert/Sensor/Thinker/Judger
**ISTP = Introvert/Sensor/Thinker/Perceiver

A/N:
-Wow, its been a while hasn't it! I'M SO SORRY! :S I had a major case of writer's block and a certain friend (who know's who they are) being a tad
impatient (you're forgiven).
-This chapter doesn't really do much. Its basically just to tell you guys how the matches are being made, hence why I got a little stuck (plus, its rather short).
-I modelled the questions for the Personality test on a test I found online at www . personalitytype . com / career _ quiz (remove the spaces) and I recommend checking it out (they work out your personality type eg. I am an ISTP)

I hope you guys forgive my absence :)
~Morsmordre Mascara