A/N: I have absolutely no idea if december 1st 1998 fell on a sunday and I'm to lazy to look it up. But since this is fiction I figured we all just go with it. *shrugs*

This chapter the ministry matches will be announced.

Enjoy!

*edit: I forgot to include Fred's match. I fixed it and re-uploaded the chapter.


Chapter 11

Hermione has a hunch what Draco's secret might be, but without confirmation from him she is not going to voice her idea. She decides to not bring anything up to Minerva, however if Minerva asks she will tell her what Draco told her. Minerva of course brings it up during their next tea time. Ginny has quidditch practice and is not able to attend.

"Have you been able to talk to Mr. Malfoy Hermione?"

"Yes I have."

"And what have you learned?"

"He said that come december first something he has kept a secret for a long time will become public knowledge. He believes it might make the other boys uncomfortable and sleeping in the common room might make things less awkward."

"Hmm I see. Since the head boy and girl are Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff this year the Gryffindor headroom is not used. I guess he could sleep there for the next two weeks. But after december first he'll either have to move to the apartment building together with his match or the dorm. I can't give anybody special treatment."


With the deadline for ministry pairing approaching the proposals coming in for single students get so out of hand Minerva decides only mail from previously approved people can reach Hogwarts. It takes some effort to put all the magic in place but it does give the students some much needed rest.

Eventually it is time for Hermione, Harry and the Weasleys to go to the Burrow.

As much as Hermione looks forward to seeing her parents and the rest of the Weasleys again she is also a little sad Draco will be alone when he receives his match. Hermione hasn't brought up Draco's little confession to him, but after their Transfiguration assignment they have developed an acquaintanceship of sorts. They study together regularly. Mostly just Hermione and Draco but Ginny joins them fairly often. Hermione hopes that over time they will develop a friendship.

Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione have to go to Minerva's office after dinner on friday to floo to the Burrow. When they arrive only Molly and Arthur are present. The rest of the Weasleys and Hermione's parents will arrive on saturday afternoon. They will have a family dinner on saturday evening and everybody will stay the night so the four Hogwarts students, the only ones not paired yet, can open their match letters surrounded by their family.

Everybody calls it an early night friday and is up early on saturday.

When they have almost finishes breakfast Molly leaves the table to return with a paper bag.

"You mum took me for a girls day out last week. She took me to a muggle spa. I had so much fun I figured you girls might like to have a home spa day. With the match arriving tomorrow I imagine you are quiet tense and this might help you relax?"

Hermione smiles enthusiastic while Ginny looks a little confused never having been to a spa.

Molly turns to the boys. "I figured you two would rather go flying to relax, but if you want I'm sure the girls would he willing to share."

"No Mrs. Weasley, that won't be necessary. I'm sure Ron and I can relax best on a broom." Harry is fast to answer.

Molly gives the paper bag to Hermione. "Your parents will arrive at six and dinner will be served at seven. Make sure you're ready by then."

"Don't you need any help mum?" Ginny asks.

"No. I've got everything under control. You girls enjoy yourselves."

After Hermione explains all the stuff Molly has packed for them Ginny feels like strangling her mother. She's sure this is some sort of last effort to get her and Hermione together. There is a ton of body massage stuff in the bag that Ginny will absolutely not use with Hermione in the same room. Tomorrow Hermione will find out Ginny has kept her sexual orientation a secret for her best friend. Spending the day before half naked with said best friend will lead to uncomfortable awkwardness tomorrow. So Ginny decides to go for all the facial and hair masks in hopes of Hermione following her lead. Unbeknownst to Ginny Hermione is having a similar debate with herself and is tremendously relieved when Ginny only wants to do the facial and hair stuff.

Its nearly six when they're finished and they go downstairs to wait for Hermione's parents and Ginny's brothers.

Dinner is a somewhat quiet affair, since everybody is aware Fred, Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione will get a life changing letter the next morning. Again everybody goes to bed early. Harry and Ron, their bedroom has been given to the Grangers, sleep on the couches.


The ministry will sent off the match letter at 8 o'clock on sunday morning not knowing how long the owls will take to get to the Burrow everybody is ready for breakfast at 8, even though the four friends are not hungry. All of them in thought.

Harry is hoping that maybe he will be paired with Ginny. Even though Ginny told him she's in love with someone else Harry still has hope. She is not yet engaged so maybe Ginny's love is not returned.

Ron is nervous because he has no idea who he will be matched with. He can only hope and pray his family and friends accept the match if it turns out to be more surprising than they expect.

Ginny is terrified of Hermione's reaction if she gets paired with a girl.

Hermione is also a nervous wreck continually talking herself in and out of coming out to Ginny at the last second.

Finally at eight thirty Arthur spots four owls coming to the burrow.

A soon as the owls have dropped off their letters a nervous silence falls upon the Burrow. The four friends look at each other and tear open their letters


Dear Mr. Harry Potter,

As we've informed you a couple months ago the ministry has passed 'The marriage and repopulation act'. Because of this law you have to be married by september 1st 1999. You have five years from the day you get married to produce two children.

For same-sex couples and straight couples with trouble conceiving we have opened the repopulation ward at St. Mungo's. Here healers are available to either answer any questions you might have about the process of conceiving a child or help with the medical aspects of said conception.

If you don't get married or produce offspring in time the ministry will bind your magic and you will be evicted from the magical community.

Since you have not registered an engagement with the ministry you have been assigned a partner based on your aptitude test.

We urge you to contact your partner post haste.

The aptitude test has revealed your best suited partner is:

Miss Luna Lovegood


Dear Mr. Ronald Weasley,

As we've informed you…...

The aptitude test has revealed your best suited partner is:

Mister Draco Malfoy


Dear Miss Ginerva Weasley,

As we've informed you…...

The aptitude test has revealed your best suited partner is:

Miss Hermione Granger


Dear Miss Hermione Granger,

As we've informed you…...…

The aptitude test has revealed your best suited partner is:

Miss Ginerva Weasley


Dear Mister Fred Weasley

As we've informed you…...…

The aptitude test has revealed your best suited partner is:

Miss Minerva Mcgonagall


A/N: I know this is a really short chapter but I want to give people's reactions to the letters a chapter of its own.