Chapter-2

Two weeks had passed since Harry's suggestion and they were having breakfast when-

"HERMIONE! WHAT THE HELL?" yelled Harry.

He was wiping the milk she had spat on his face after reading the letter she had been delivered by an official looking barn owl. There was also the usual owl bringing her newspaper nearby pecking on something.

Miss Granger,

This letter is to inform you that a suitable match had been found for you by the Department of Marriage and Family in accordance with the newly passed Marriage Law, 1998. Your Ministry approved match is Mr. Severus Snape. You have a period of one month to arrange your marriage which is to be conducted in the presence of a Ministry official.

For more information contact the Department of Marriage and Family.

Sincerely,

Regina Matthews,

Dept of Marriage and Family,

Ministry of Magic.

She immediately snatched her newspaper from the owl and started reading it. She started making angry noises which were soon joined by others who were reading their own newspapers. Their curiosity piqued, Harry and Ron leaned over her shoulder and started reading the headline

MARRIAGE LAW RE-ENACTED

Owing to the War of Hogwarts which had led to a huge setback in the wizarding population of Britain, the Ministry has passed the Marriage Law. Minister Kingsley Shackbolt said that he regretted passing such a law but that the pressure of dwindling population was too much to ignore. A Ministry official said that the casualties had not been this bad even during the time He Who Must Not Be Named first rose to power. Also inbreeding among the pureblood families has resulted in an astonishing increase in the amount of squib births. It seemed the end of British magic population when the Ministry decided to bring back the Marriage Law which was first legislated during the witch killings of 1700s. The pairing is decided using an advanced method of match making based on magical compatibilities so as to reduce the number of squib births as well as to save the British wizarding race from dieing out. Witches and wizards who are of age have to abide by the law. Present marriages will not be dissolved. All eligible will be receiving the information through a Ministry letter.

More information on Pg 5.

She couldn't believe it. They are bringing back the marriage law? She looked sideways to see shocked expressions on both Harry's and Ron's face. How could Kingsley allow this? Sure wizarding population was dwindling but was that the way to solve this?

Two more owls fluttered nearby to rest in front of Harry and Ron. She looked around there were Ministry owls in front of many people, including some of the staff.

OH MY GOD. Staff! I am going to have to marry Professor Snape!

She began to panic. She couldn't even dare to look at him to see if got the letter. She can imagine the look on his face when he gets the ill-fated letter. She was about to escape into the seclusion of library when she heard Ron shout "WHAT!"

That was when she registered the fact that both Harry and Ron had opened their letters too. Harry seemed jubilant. She peered into his letter to see his Ministry approved match was Ginny. It seemed luck was on his side this time. Ron on the other hand was not faring so well. He had got Luna. She couldn't help but smile when she thought how that would turn out. But the smile faltered when she thought about her own fate. She knew there was no way to escape this. Even if she could she won't because this was not some stupid act of the ministry. It must have been a serious problem if Kingsley agreed to bring back this law. She was not going to throw a tantrum about this. Sure this is against her feminist and modern principles but the wizarding has been through a lot and everyone must do what they could do to bring it back to its former glory.

Still she couldn't help but fear what her life with Snape would turn out to be. Being married to a man who was in love with a woman was bad. It is worse when the woman is dead. But she wasn't going to this with love either so there is no problem right? She finally dared to raise her eyes to the Head's Table only to find the potion master missing.

He must have gone to unleash his anger on some unsuspecting first years.

Quickly composing her mind she turned and offered Harry and Ginny, who had just joined them, her congratulations on their luck. Ron seemed to be in a daze. She took it as good sign that he wasn't cursing or throwing tantrums. He seemed to have matured a little after their breakup. He would definitely need it with Luna. Also she will be a good influence on him with her nature of telling uncomfortable truths, which is really needed in the case of Ron.

When the bell rang they went to their first class of the morning which was Charms. Charms class always provided ample opportunities to talk and also to think. This time each of the trio was using it for the latter, immersed in the matter of the upcoming changes in their life. It was when they were going to the dungeons for double Potions that she remembered she hadn't told Harry and Ron who the Ministry had selected for her. They were too shocked or happy that they forgot to ask her before but she felt the need to prepare them for the extra terror Snape is going to be.

"Uh Harry. I just remembered that I didn't tell you who my Ministry approved match is. It's Professor Snape."

They didn't have the time to reply because Snape just opened the door to let them in. She only saw the looks of shock on their face before they went inside. She thought Harry looked kind of happy too. Unfortunately Snape wasn't so. His face was thunderous and he scowled at her. She flinched. It remained like that for the rest of the period with everybody losing their points even the Slytherins. When the bells rang signaling the end of class everybody gathered their things and rushed to the door.

"Miss Granger, if you would stay behind. I have some things that I have to discuss with you." drawled Snape as she reached the door.

Suppressing a sigh and ignoring the pitying looks sent by Harry and Ron she went back to his desk, where she sat in a chair offered by him. The scowl was still on his face and she wondered what he was going to say.

"As you know the useless Ministry passed a law today which forces you and me into a marriage. As tasteless as it is I have no opinion but to follow the rule because I don't want to end up in Azkaban or live as a muggle. So I have decided to ask your hand in marriage. I hope you are also not entertaining either of the choices. When you have made your choice inform me."

" Sir, I had already made the decision. I would marry you. It is after all the best choice. Besides it is my duty to the wizarding world."

"Ah yes. Duty. Nothing less should be expected from the Miss Perfect" sneered Snape.

She didn't say anything. Even though she was to marry this man within one month, he was still her professor. She knew he was looking for a reason to take points off by baiting her. She remembered how it was for Harry and so she waited for him to dismiss her.

"If you want any details on the rule read this" said Snape giving her a roll of parchment.

"Thank you sir"

"You may go"

With that cold dismissal, she left the classroom clutching the roll tightly out of anger.

She didn't know why she was angry. He is just like he was before. After hearing Snape's tragic love story from Harry she had begun to respect him but then he started behaving like a grouchy git again. She wondered just how she is going to get through this marriage.