Hermione fumbled her keys slightly, before fitting them into the lock, and swinging her cottage door open. Shifting her groceries, she kicked the door closed before walking through her small sitting room to the refrigerator. It had been four months since she had left the wizarding community, and she was doing fairly well for herself. She owned her own house, (mind you, it was only a two bedroom cottage with one restroom, and a combined dining and sitting area). Not that she needed much space for herself.
As she put away her groceries, she felt a slight pang of homesickness for her few friends. She had almost contacted Ginny once, but knew that she wasn't yet ready to explain herself. Not to mention the guilt that she would shove upon the red head. Not that she probably hadn't already guessed the reason. It was quite simple, really.
It had all started with when she was courting Ron and she had walked in on him another girl. Not once, not twice, but four times. It had took Hermione four different times to finally realize that she no longer trusted, nor needed him in her life. That is when she had engulfed herself in her work, trying to enable equality for all creatures within the magic society. She had received quite a bit of hate, and more than one notice saying she was fighting a lost cause, but she worked hard and had managed to push through new rights for muggleborns and laws regarding House elves.
That was the time she had hesitantly started dating again. Having a few flings with strangers, before running into Seamus Finnigan at a bar one night where they hit it off instantly. The first few weeks were steamy, and exciting, but things dwindled down when he started to tell her how she should act and live her life. They tried to patch things up a few times but his controlling attitude just wore her down. That was the same time she had found him in bed with another girl. But not just any other girl. Lavender Brown. The girl that Hermione had found Ron with the last time, and incidentally had just given birth to Ron's son. She had gone to Ginny and Harry to ask advice and the duo had told her that they would take care of breaking the news to Ron.
She never found out if they had, because she had packed up her stuff and left. She had realized that the love she held for magic was not worth living the sad, lonely life she had. Instead, she would recreate herself. Which she had done wonderfully.
She paused as she held onto a jug of orange juice, staring at an owl outside her window. Chills slowly ran down her back as she watched the creature groom itself. There was no way that anyone had found her. Not that she would get in any trouble… Hermione just hated the thought of having to face her old life. The mere thought of it made her feel depressed. With a quick shake of her head, she continued organizing her groceries, throwing the occasional glance at the bird. Finally, in order to ease her discomfort she walked to her patio door, and opened it, holding her breath. To her dismay the bird looked up at her and instead of flying off, lifted its left leg, revealing a scroll.
"Damnit." With a rather large sigh, she untied the paper, and regarded the owl with a rueful smile. "I have dog treats, but no snacks for you. Sorry." Her focus returned to the scroll, and she unravelled it slowly, a knot of worry in her stomach growing stronger.
Miss Granger,
Due to a shortage of adept Wizards and Witches, and a scarcity of
Witches and Wizards in general,
The Ministry of Magic is in the process of implementing a new law.
This decree will henceforth require all eligible citizens,
Above the ages of 18
To partner with another eligible resident.
If a suitable partner has not been independently obtained
Within the next (60) days then,
The Ministry will select one for you.
Regards,
The Minister of Magic
Kingsley Shacklebolt