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

Hermione stared at the paper for what seemed like ages, before turning around and heading back into her cottage. A marriage law? There had been rumours of one- in order to allow for headier and stronger magic users. Though, Hermione never thought that one would be implemented. It made sense to a degree, she admitted to herself as she poured a glass of water. The decrease in reproduction due to Voldemorts return earlier within the decade had left a hefty impact within population rates. The entire idea of the Ministry choosing a spouse was the part that struck Hermione as repulsive. In two months. The whole thing was preposterous.

A knock sounded at the door, shaking Hermione from her thoughts. Glancing at the window, she noticed with a frown that the owl was still there. How had it found her? Shaking her head to clear it, she slowly walked to the door, and peeked out of the peephole. Bright blue hair awaited her, and she grinned lightly, opening the door.

"Brandi- hey. I just have to change my clothes and I will be ready to go. I forgot all about it."

Her friend grinned, a piercing on her lower lip glinting as it caught the sun. "Violet, forgetting? That is almost unheard of! Must have been a strenuous day at the bakery! Or was it the library today?"

Hermione giggled, and ushered her friend in, before heading to her room. "What kind of outfit is appropriate for a beach bonfire?" She stared into her closet, realizing just how empty it seemed without any bulky robes in it. Instead, it was color coordinated with dresses, jeans, tank tops and hoodies. Everyday mugglewear that Hermione had just gotten used to wearing again.

"Wear that green dress- the strapless one. I simply adore it. Especially on you." Brandi winked lightly, and Hermione rolled her eyes, before grudgingly removing the dress from the closet. "How on earth did you ever manage to dress yourself without me?"

"I didn't ever have a reason to dress." Hermione muttered, before blushing. "I mean- like- I never had any outtings to go to. I just worked all the time. And my job always had a uniform, so it was simple." Shutting her mouth, she quickly pulled the dress on, and removed her hair from the ponytail it had been in. With a frown, she regarded her almost-blonde hair, which had been bleached by the sun, and sighed.

"Allow me!" Brandi practically pushed Hermione on to the edge of the bathtub, and quickly pulled a curling iron out of a drawer. With skilled movements, she was soon taming Hermiones wild locks.

"If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever trust a woman with teal hair to brandish a hot iron near my face I probably would had laughed my pants off. Yet here I am, and not for the first time." Hermione giggled lightly.

"And I'm surprised you still let me after the first time! You honestly looked like a hedgehog. I am still embarrassed about it." Brandi grinned, and smothered Hermione with hairspray. "Ready?"

With a quick glance out her window, the young which noticed the owl was gone, bringing a small pang of worry to the girl. Standing up, she looked in the mirror, and tried to shake off her nerves over the encounter with the bird. She needed this night out, especially after the news she had just received. "As ready as I ever am."

The sun was just setting as Hermione and Brandi made it to the beach, the warmth of it making Hermione relax a little more. Not that she needed to- the half bottle of wine on the way to the party had soothed her sufficiently. Holding onto Brandi's arm she followed her friend through the maze of people, loving how free they all seemed.

"Violet- you did show up!" Suddenly an arm was draped over her shoulders and a dark haired man was grinning at her. "Usually you just say you'll come to my parties and end up being a no-show."

"That was one time, Shayne. One time. And, I had the flu. Which, is a very legitimate reason to forgo a party." Hermione nodded lightly, before squirming out from under the arm. It wasn't that she didn't like Shayne. He just reminded her of Seamus, which was someone she didn't really want to be reminded of.

"Ah, but you were perfectly fine the next day, were you not?" The man had a smile on his face, yet he regarded her with cool eyes.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist. I'm here now, doesn't that count?" She smiled sweetly, before scanning the crowd for Brandi. Standing on her tiptoes, she looked again, though the blue hair was nowhere to be seen. "I have to go though. I will see you later."

With a quick smile, Hermione shuffled away, moving quickly through the crowd. She greeted a few people she knew, stopping to chat a few times, before finally spotting the back of Brandi's head. Walking up behind her pal, she laughed lightly.

"You would think that you would be easier to spot with bright hair, but you seem to have a knack for disappearing." Looking over to who Brandi was talking with, Hermiones smile faltered.

"She doesn't seem to be the only one with a knack for disappearing, now does she, Violet- is it?" Draco Malfoy grinned, though his grey eyes stayed cold as they stared at her. "Pleasure to meet you. Brandi was just telling me a few things about you."

It seemed like today was not Hermiones day.