Disclaimer - Once again - I claim no right to be doing this...but its so much fun! XD

Chapter two.

It had been dark for about an hour and Hermione was laughing and chatting with Luna, Parvarti and Padma as the boys started a drinking contest (That, Hermione thought, was bound to end badly) when a small ball of blue light penetrated the heavy wards, ending all lights and stopping the music. Harry, Hermione and Ron instantly came together, on guard, reminisant of the time during the War (Wizarding folk often calling it The WWW; The Wizarding World War), their wands out and pointed towards the potential threat. Everyone gasped and backed away from the glowing orb in the middle of the tent. Tendrils of light escaped from it and an image of the Minister came into view.

"In light of the recent Wizarding World War and the cause of it, the Ministry has decided that there will now be a Marriage Law for all wizards and witches aged 20 to 40. Purebloods will be arranged with Muggle-borns and Mixed bloods. These partnerships will be pre-arranged and cannot be changed. Those already in a partnership are given one week to register their engagement. The marriage itself does not require a child to be born and if at the end of two years the chosen couple do not wish to continue with the marriage, they must pay an annulment sum of one million galleons, to be equally payed, and tell, under Veritaserum, why they wish for the annulment. If the reason is not sufficient the annulment will be denied. If the annulment goes through and the couple are still within the Marriage Law applied age another applicant will be chosen. The chosen couple are also required to share a bed and cannot live separately for more than one week a month without applying for leave, if they need to be apart for more than the allotted time for things such as work, they must first file a form for permission for the required time, which will then be checked with the appropriate employers. During the engagement period, however, the couple are allowed to not share a bed, but MUST live in the same house. Whilst one is with their chosen spouse, engagement included, cheating is not allowed. Needless to say the Ministry will know if any of these rules are broken. In one week hence, all eligible witches and wizards will be owled the name of their spouse-to-be and the marriage will be expected to take place within a year's time. Have a good evening."

With that the glowing orb dissipated and Hermione's coloured lights lit the tent back up. Slowly, indignant chatter began to rise as everyone recovered from their shock and discussed the new law. Hermione stared dismayed, at Harry, whose face mirrored her expression, as best friends they would have to get past this together somehow. Out of the crowd a woman suddenly screeched, "THAT'S IT! Nils, this Marriage Law is the last straw! ' She yelled, impatiently and grabbed a surprised Nils' arm, 'If you aren't going to ask me, I will! Johnson, will you marry me?" A surprised silence descended on the whole group as they watched the unexpected proposal.

Hermione leant over and whispered in Harry's ear, "I know them, that's Susan and Nils, Susan's a squib, but Nils' is a neighbouring wizard, Em brought them together over a year ago." Nils started laughing and Susan's scowl deepened and she wacked his arm. "Not funny, Johnson! This is serious! I couldn't wait any longer!"

"Well, if you'd waited until the end of this party, that would've been the question you would've heard from me, Su!' Susan gaped and blushed, 'But, as it is…' Nils got on bent knee and pulled out a velvet box, 'Susan Halle, will you marry me?"

Gathering her composure, her hand still on his arm, she glanced around conspicuously and noticed everyone watching them amusedly, even the music had yet to restart and she blushed even more. "Well, I asked first! So whatever you're going to say, I'll say." She said childishly. Nils smirked and stood up, towering over the young, curvy woman and pulled her closer to him. He bent his head to whisper in her ear, too quietly for anyone else to hear and slipped the thin, gold band decorated simply with two intertwined emeralds onto the ring finger of her left hand. She buried her head into his chest in embarrassment as the crowd whooped and cheered. Hermione was smiling so wide in amusement, she was surprised that her face hadn't split in half, as she whooped along with Harry, Blaise and Ron. The music came back on and everyone chatted excitedly about the new turn of events.

When Parvarti went with her sister to congratulate Susan and see the engagement ring, Harry wandered over to Hermione.

"I got a question for you 'Mione."

"It better not be 'Will you marry me?" she giggled.

"No, and you know it isn't 'Mione! Now pay attention!" Harry growled.

Hermione slowly stopped giggling in bursts and sighed happily.

"Okay, you have my full attention."

"Could you, when I get married' he looked away and blushed, 'be my Best Man?"

She stared at him in shock, and then slowly grinned, "On one condition."

Harry turned his bright green eyes to her and looked at her with one eyebrow raised.

"Only if you be my Maid of Honour."

Harry grinned widely and in relief, "Of course!" he bent down and hugged the small witch, holding her up and swinging her around, ignoring her squeaks of protest.

Throughout the night, there were several more proposals, as people decided that tonight would be a good night to ask, what with the Marriage Law and the fact that the setting was so very romantic; a large white tent lit by tiny coloured lights on a large sprawling garden, what more could a witch want, right? Though, as the night drew on and more alcohol was consumed, the proposals soon turned ridiculous.

Hermione was chatting with Parvarti and Luna when Padma rushed up to them, holding her stomach and laughing. "Quick! You have to see this! The boys are pissed! They've started to propose to each other!"

Hermione glanced, startled, at the other two and quickly followed the waddling Padma outside. The night sky was littered with stars and there was no moon, so most of the light that was shed was streaming out of the tent. Just outside it, all the boys had congregated, drinking beer and chatting. Although at that point, for some reason, they all thought it'd be a good idea to start proposing to each other. Padma stood at the entrance laughing, as the other three came up behind her. Hermione's jaw dropped, Parvarti raised her eyebrows and Luna shook her head.

"I knew those Beer Snargles would cause some damage, but does anyone listen to me? No! Blaise should know better!" Luna said exasperated. Just then, Ron lumbered up to John Granger, his face pink from the liquor. Hermione's dad was no better, slightly swaying on the spot. Ron swung his arm up to land his hand on John's shoulder, "You know mate, what with this Marriage Law, we should get married!" Ron slurred.

John nodded to the best of his ability, "Th-that's a GREAT idea!" he swayed and the two blokes just stood there still dazed and already forgetting their conversation. Padma stopped laughing and stared along with Hermione while Luna and Parvarti laughed their hearts out. But just then Blaise stumbled over to Harry and fell onto one knee and proposed to him. Harry giggled and clapped his hands like a little girl, before keeling over and lying, unconscious, on an equally unconscious Blaise. Now it was Luna's turn to stare, gobsmacked, as Hermione, Parvarti and Padma returned to giggling, (well, Parvarti never stopped).

"Yep, I think its time we hit the sack. Thanks so much 'Mione, you did an absolutely brill job on this party! I'll take Harry back to his place before I go to mine," Parvarti said as she turned to the other ex-Gryffindor, hugging her and Hermione laughed.

"Well, thanks for coming and I can't wait to hold this proposal over Harry's head!"

Parvarti laughed, "Me too!" before she walked over to Harry and with a quick 'Enervate' he slowly looked up, with a sleepy look on his face.

"Up we go." Parvarti said as she hauled his form up and slung one of his arms around her shoulders so she could support him.

"Parvarti! I'll lower the wards for you so you don't have to carry Harry's inebriated state all the way out of the gates before apparating!" Hermione called and Parvarti turned around and smiled at her.

"Thanks 'Mione."

Hermione frowned, then muttered something and clapped her hands. The wards fluttered as they allowed the exiting of Parvarti side-apparating Harry.

"I think we'll all take this chance to leave." Padma said as she waddled over to Ron's unconscious form.

"Padma, I'll take him back to your place, I don't want you to worry about splinching."

Padma thanked her and gave her a relieved smile while rubbing her large tummy, before apparating away, the wards flickering. Other people had now come out and were laughing at their intoxicated partners before taking the chance to apparate away too, after once again shouting their congratulations to Emily and Nathan. Their squib friends and family side-apparated away with their wizarding friends. Hermione grabbed Ron and apparated away, landing on Ron's and Padma's porch. Padma was inside and the door was open, so Hermione levitated Ron onto the couch before poking her head into the kitchen where Padma bustled around making tea. "He's home and on the couch fast asleep, Paddy." Hermione said and Padma came up and hugged her.

"Thanks again for apparating him home, I get worried just apparating by myself with this little one here!"

Hermione smiled as she walked to the front door, "Well, if you ever want to go somewhere and DON'T want to apparate, just floo me and I'll bring the car around."

"Thanks sweetheart."

"See you later!" Hermione waved as she stepped out onto the porch, checked for any muggles before apparating away.

She returned to the Granger Manor and found it empty of guests, the tent had been taken down while she was away and it seemed like everyone was in bed. She slowly climbed up the large staircase and went into her bedroom, flopped down on the bed and fell asleep immediately.