****I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters…I merely play around with them for my own enjoyment ***
This is my first story, so please bear with me. Feel free to leave suggestions, but go easy on me. I'm definitely not an English major. Reviews are definitely helpful ;)
This is an edit of the original chapter I had up. Once again, a very special thanks to my amazing new beta, Lupin's Mistress. :)
I woke up the next morning feeling groggy, though I wasn't surprised as going to bed with a migraine always does that to me. Luckily for me, a shower helped. After the relaxing shower, I made my way down to the Great Hall and took the open seat next to Severus. Glancing across the table, I spotted Hermione sitting next to Draco talking quietly. Looks like they're making headway. Good. Harry seriously needs to get past whatever his issue with Draco is. It's not like it's going to change the fact that the Ministry paired them together. Honestly!
I was brought out of my reverie by Severus asking me a question, "What happened to you last night? You weren't at dinner."
I chuckled lightly, "Miss me?"
He raised his eyebrow, "Merely noticed it was quiet without your mindless chatter."
"Mmm, if you say so." I smiled and added, "I had a migraine last night, so I took a headache potion and went to bed."
"I have a migraine potion if you need it. These dunderheads we call students have often given me migraines in my years of teaching. I've found that the headache potion doesn't particularly help with a full on migraine. I've modified the potion to make sure it does. Next time, you are welcome to ask for some if you need it," he told me.
Progress!
"Really? That'd be great! It'd be nice to not be out of commission for a good part of the day. Thank you, Severus," I replied gratefully. This would really make my life much easier.
His reply was cut off by Ministry owls flying in. Envelopes were dropped in front of both of us. I stared at mine for a moment, wordlessly, and then chanced a glance at Severus who was opening his. Before I could get a chance to ask him who he was paired with, his chair scraped the floor and he was rushing out of the Great Hall. I frowned to myself. Well that was weird. He must not be happy with the Ministry's choice for him.
I looked back down at my own envelope and held it for a moment longer before finally opening it carefully. This envelope held my future and I was terrified of what it contained.
Dear Miss Billette,
The ministry would like to congratulate you on your betrothal to:
Name: Severus Tobias Snape
Age: 37
Status: Half Blood
Please review the Marriage Law guidelines below.
1. All witches and wizards between the ages of 19 and 60 are required to comply with the Marriage Law.
2. Every citizen that this law affects, whether currently in the country or not, shall be sent an official owl with a form to fill out. You must place one drop of blood on the signature line. This will help the experts within the ministry to connect you to your soul mate.
3. Within a week, you will receive another owl from the Ministry which will give you the name of your betrothed.
4. Once you receive the name of your betrothed, you have 3 months in which to marry.
5. Once married, each couple must copulate weekly. To ensure that the couple is copulating on a weekly basis, without contraceptives (both muggle and magical), a binding ritual is stated along with the marriage ceremony. The first night of marriage must involve intercourse to seal the magical contract. Failure to adhere with this rule will have the consequences of a fine. The couple will also be forced to engage in sexual activity in the presence of an audience. Failure to conform to fidelity will result in painful blisters in the genital area. Infidelity is now a crime. Those married will be fined and imprisoned.
6. The couple will be required to produce a magical child within 2 years with a second magical child within 5 years of the marriage.
7. As always, divorce within the British magical world is illegal.
8. All those who cannot conceive are exempt from the act. However, Healer documentation is required for exemption.
9. None of the produced children may be given up for adoption. Failure to adhere to this will result in imprisonment. If by any chance, a family cannot care for the children financially, the Ministry will support all income and necessities.
10. If any witch or wizard flees the country while the law is in effect, (pureblood or muggle born unless they are of dual citizenship) they will face a loss of magical powers.
11. Magical spells and potions may not be used on a child at any time. This includes potions for twins, triplets, boys or girls and the like. Magic used on children during their time in the womb may have dire consequences.
Please contact your betrothed and discuss your arrangements. You have 3 months from this date in which to marry your bethrothed.
Sincerely,
Matilda Cussler
Magical Law Department
Wow. Was I really that lucky as to get Severus? Thank God it's not some creepy old guy! I started to smile a bit when it hit me. As soon as Severus had read his letter, he'd swept out of the Great Hall. He doesn't want me. He's not happy the Ministry paired us. Why would he be? He can do so much better. I sat there just staring at my letter.
I was brought out of my thoughts by Hermione, "Hey, Elle, are you alright?"
"Oh. Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just going to go to my rooms. Enjoy the rest of your breakfast," I responded while standing.
I got to my rooms and just sat down on my couch. He doesn't want me. He doesn't want me. The thought just kept running through my mind over and over again. I sat there for a long time, just thinking about it. I missed lunch but seeing as I didn't think I could face him yet knowing he wasn't happy to be paired off with me, I didn't care. Skipping lunch was one thing, but I couldn't forgo dinner. Not when my stomach was aching with hunger. I slowly made my way down to the Great Hall for dinner.
I found an empty seat by Hermione and took it, figuring that Severus wouldn't want to deal with me tonight, not after finding out he was going to have to marry someone he didn't want.
After eating a few bites, I heard Hermione trying to get my attention and looked up to show I was listening.
"How are you doing, Elle?" Hermione asked.
"Um, I'm fine. Thank you, Hermione. Just thinking." I replied.
"So, who'd you get?" She inquired.
I wasn't really in the mood to discuss my current situation with anyone. "I'll tell you later," I said. "I'm not really hungry anymore. I'm going to go back to my room. I'll talk to you later, Hermione," I told her. I just wasn't in the right mindset to carry on a conversation with her about Severus.
"Alright. I'll talk to you tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, that sounds good," That said, I went back to my rooms.
Once there, I changed into my pajamas and just laid in bed, tears slowly slipping from my eyes. At some point, I fell asleep.