The last days of summer went by fast. It was now the day to go back to Hogwarts! I was informed in a letter yesterday that Head Boy and Head Girl had to be at the station an hour before for meetings.
"You're not going to the station alone." My aunt informed me as I was about to leave. "I have gotten permission for everyone to go."
"Now, is this because you want me safe or the house to yourself?" I asked
"Both." She laughed. "Now everyone in the car."
On the travel to the station couldn't help but smile remembering the first time I went on to platform 9 3/4. Once on the platform I noticed Headmistress McGonagall talking to who I assumed to be the Head Boy. I couldn't see him because the pillar was blocking him. "Ah Miss Granger right on time. Let's get started. Oh, everyone else may head to the train and pick a compartment in the back. Tobias you will be upfront when the other students arrive."
"Looks like you brought the whole entourage." A deep male voice joked.
"Well, Malfoy, I had no choice but it's nice to have a big family."
"You're family is most certainly something."
"You can't talk. They were your friends first." I smirked at him knowing that I had him there. Then I lightly pushed past him to catch up with Headmistress McGonagall. I heard him mumble something to himself.
"Please have a seat." Headmistress McGonagall directed to the seats across from her. I sat and Malfoy sat to the left of me. "Let's begin. You already know the basics of points and detentions that you are allowed to do. You do need to live with each other now there some changes to the living arrangements and other aspects of school this year. As you know there are two more years added here at Hogwarts. 8th and 9th years will be attending different classes to guide them towards their career. Also 10th years will be back once every month for their check in after having marriage classes once a week for the first three months. However today EVERYONE under the age of 22 will be back at the school, for reasons I cannot discuss."
"I'm sorry professor but we already know." I decided to tell her.
"Well then I'll just explain. Everyone from 17 to 21 are coming back to be paired up. You will be paired very easily just drinking a simple potion and then a drop of blood on to a charmed paper. The bracelets on your wrist will give you hints to who you are paired with. They will not come off they have been charmed to your body. I know that sounds weird but it will be the first to know if you are with child." Malfoy and I looked at each other we hadn't know that information. I could see him glance at my wrist. "You two will be the first to go. Next the living arrangements you will be living with the other Prefects and their partners. There is a new wing created with three levels 7th year, 8th year and 9th year. Since you are to be available to the younger students you will be in a tower near the houses. Professor Snape is your portrait. As for the train the front of the train is for 1-6 years and the back are for the 7th through 10th. Go have your meeting and then direct the students to the correct places." Headmistress McGonagall.
I nodded in understanding and followed Malfoy out of the compartment. "I guess we should make the agreement to be civil in front of others and any disagreements we will deal with it in private." I held out my had to what I hoped would be an agreement.
"Fine by me." He mumbled walking past me to the prefect meeting room.
I walked into the cabin for the meeting and stood in the front next to Malfoy. I passed down the papers I had created for this meeting. Outlining the meeting and patrol duties. "Everyone please take a seat." I waited until all quieted down. There were many different students among the group. I smiled at Ginny then began. "Let me introduce myself I am Hermione Granger, Head Girl. My Head Prefect is Ginny Weasley." I noticed Ginny beaming with excitement. Nodding to Malfoy who continued.
"I am Draco Malfoy, Head Boy and my Head Prefect is Blaise Zabini." He gestured to his friend next to him.
Ron shouted "Why are the Death Eaters given power?"
"Ronald, Headmistress made this choice and you will respect it or I will be forced to strip you of your powers." I glared at him. Ron grunted.
Continuing the meeting "As you can tell we are working towards house unity therefor you have been paired up with someone from another house on the papers that have now just appeared in front of you are your parings and the dates you patrol. No you cannot change anything unless you drop your title." Malfoy said straight forwardly.
"Now, onto what you don't know. This year they are starting 8th through 10th years here at Hogwarts. They are considered a different school and will not cross our paths very often but in the halls. Once you hit your 7th year all will be explained." I was cut off by Malfoy.
"Therefor DO NOT ASK!" Malfoy growled at the prefects that looked like they were going to asked questions.
"As I was saying, we will meet every other week in the prefect common room that is next to the prefect bathroom. You may take points but you cannot give detentions. Your expectations are high and if you cannot perform to the ideals of a prefect you will be replaced. You will receive updates before everyone else so please respect what you know and do not spread rumors. You will all be helping the students to the carriages and Malfoy, our deputies and I will be taking the 1st years to the boats. You are to each patrol the train according to the schedule in front of you. I believe that is it. Do you have anything to add, Malfoy?"
"Yes if you take advantage of your position, you will be replaced. Welcome back. Oh and 7th year prefects please stay." Malfoy said. I was surprised at how blunt he was but I did appreciate it. I must have zoned out because Malfoy called me back to attention by elbowing me in the ribs. "Are you listening? We need to tell them."
"Yes" I looked around the room at our classmates. Everyone had scooted up as the table shrunk for all of us to discuss everything. The room was (from my left to right) me, Ginny, Ron, Parvati, Hannah, Rolf, Detrick, Theodore, Bella, Nina, Blaise and Malfoy.
"What is going on?" Parvati asked impatiently.
I took a deep breath. "We aren't supposed to tell you but you will know by the end of tonight so we are going to tell you." I looked to Malfoy.
"There is a new law...it's called the Marriage Law." Malfoy bluntly told them and all hell broke loose. I heard him mumble. "I'm glad I put a silencing charm on this room." I couldn't help but smirk a bit.
"Alright, shut it. What questions do we have? Because I feel like we will be the ones that will be questioned and told to put out the fires that this will cause. I don't know about you but I would rather know then get yelled at by our classmates." Hannah silenced the group. I had never heard her speak out like that but I was glad to have someone wanting to know more and not just blaming us. "Hermione how is our partner decided? Also do these bracelets mean something?" She held up her wrist showing off the bracelet.
I took a deep breath and then went to explain but Blaise interrupted. "You will be paired very easily just drinking a simple potion and then a drop of blood on to a charmed paper."
"How do you know, baby daddy?" Ron spat.
"I know because while Nina was at your house I went to the Ministry and did what the girls will do." Blaise took Nina's hand and squeezed it.
"So you are a girl." Ron mocked.
"No, you arse he did it so I wouldn't be stressed which is bad for the baby." Nina spat at Ron. If looks could kill Ron would be dead by now from all the looks he has gotten from my family.
"I'm glad your teenage pregnancy has brought you so much luck." Ron decided to keep pushing their buttons.
"RONALD, SHUT IT." Bella snapped and glared at him. Surprisingly he did shut up. "Thank you." Bella mumbled.
I decided to just leave it but I would be asking her about it later. I proceeded answer the second question. "I have found out the bracelet is telling your future. It's your initial and your partners, the two colors are your houses and the random beads describe you. Now I'm going to assume looking at my cousins when you are pregnant you will have a charm with the child's birthstone. They will not come off they have been charmed to your body." Hannah nodded in understanding.
"What if we don't want to do this?" Asked Detrick.
"You will lose your magic and be cast from the Wizarding World." Malfoy informed them.
"We will all be living together in the Heads Dorm. So after the matching or whatever you want to call it. Wait for Malfoy and me. We will lead you and your match to our living quarters." I explained.
"What are the details of this Law?" Rolf asked.
"The basics from what I have gathered are engaged by the end of this school year(1999). Married within two years(by the end of 2001). You and your match must conceive with in the next year(by the end of 2002)." Blaise explained
"That seems fast." complained Detrick. Most of the room seemed to agree.
"They originally wanted it to be all within the next year." Ginny informed the group.
"I'm glad that it isn't that fast." Rolf said almost as though a weight had been taken off of his shoulders.
"Why are they doing this?" Parvati asked.
"Because they are self-centered and they don't care about letting us live our lives." Grumbled Ron
"No it's because there were too many deaths." Bella pointed out.
"Yeah but why ruin our lives. We have already been through so much." Parvati pushed.
"Because we can have more kids then most and they want as many kids as they can get. Therefor the short time line. Think about it most of the population of Hogwarts will truly be pregnant by the end of our time here honestly probably even before that. If you make it that long I will have to give someone props." Nina joked. Though, no one laughed because it would probably be true. Silence took over the compartment as everyone was in their own thoughts.
"Well there is not much else to tell. Remember if I find out any of you tell about this to anyone I will make sure you regret it." Malfoy threatened. With that Parvati, Hannah, Rolf and Detrick left.
"That could have been worse." Theo put his feet up on the table, making himself comfortable.
"Worse? I might be matched with a Slytherin." Ron complained. "Or worse, with you." He sneered at Bella.
"Shove off, Weasley. You would be honored to be matched with my sister." Nina defended Bella.
"Nina he's not worth the words. Just leave, Ronald." Bella tried to sound strong but she couldn't look him in the face. With a grunt Ron left.
The group hung out for a while in the compartment that had changed to fit the mood, comfy sofas and a blanket for Nina who had fallen asleep on Blaise. Though she was only a week pregnant the curse took its toll on her mind and body. I felt bad for my cousin. Theo and Draco were playing exploding snaps. While Ginny, Bella and I sat talking about school and the boys we might be paired with.
"So who do you think you will be paired with?" Ginny asked.
"Well I have a green bead and one with a D. I figure they are Slytherin and their name starts with a 'D'." I said.
"Well the names starting with 'D' in Slytherin are slim pickings. Who do you think you are paired with Ginny?" Bella asked.
"I think its Harry there is only a few people in Gryffindor that start with an 'H' but only one is of age." Ginny said.
"I hope it is you and harry deserve to be happy." Bella said
"What about you, Bella?" Ginny asked.
"Well they are Gryffindor and start with a 'R'. Please tell me your brother isn't the only 'R'?"
"Well there is Raymond he was in George and Fred's grade. He was a bit odd though." Ginny said. Bella groaned and put her head in her hands.
"Bella everything will be okay. We will be there for you." I tried to reassure her.
The train had pulled into Hogsmeade Station. Everything was going according to plan. I couldn't help but smile. I had found out earlier that we (Ginny, Blaise, Draco and I) will get to see Hogwarts from the boats one last time. I got into a boat with Ginny and Malfoy and Blaise got into the other. "It's beautiful." I said to Ginny.
"Always has been always will be." Ginny responded. Once everyone was docked and lead to the entrance hall Malfoy and I gave the sorting speech. We were directed to lead them into the Great Hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Time Skip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The feast was ending each house had gained between 15 to 20 students. I was very excited for my cousin Tobias to join Gryffindor. He was already making friends with a girl named Calivina Daviau. 5th and 6th years lead the new students back to the dorms. As the doors shut behind them Minister of Magic appeared in front of the remaining students.
"Welcome back. If you are here you are between the ages of 17 and 21. A new law is in place that affects everyone between the ages of 17 and 45. I will just get to the point tonight you will be matched with your partner. You are your partner will have to marry and have kids. The details are all in the packets in front of you." the room erupted in protest "Shut it! If you do not wish to comply with the law you may step forward and hand me your wand. I'm sure the muggle world would love new people. Now if you are done I will continue." the hall went quiet. "That's what I thought. If you are paired with someone younger than you, that pair will go by the younger ones schedule. I want ALL the boys at the Slytherin table and all the girls at the Gryffindor once you are paired sit at either the Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw tables. Girls you will come up and prick your finger and drop it onto this parchment. It is about to see through all of your hormones by the potion you all ingested at dinner." The students moved to where they were told. I helped Nina into the seat next to me. She did have to go through the sorting but she was much more comfortable sitting with the girls until more were sorted.
She leaned in and whispered. "So, who do you thing the Slytherin D is?" She was referring to my bracelet.
"I don't know, to be honest. What about Bella's Gryffindor R? I have a bad feeling about it."
"Me too. Well here we go." Nina faced the front.
"We will start out the night by matching our Heads first. Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy please come forward." We met at the front of the Hall. The Minister directed me to the paper and knife first. I picked up the knife and cut a slit in my hand and let it drop to the paper. With a baited breath I watched as my blood spelled out. Draco Malfoy. I drew in a breath. "Well it looks like two birds with one stone. Hermione Granger is paired with Draco Malfoy. Please take a seat."
I decided to make the best of it. "You're drooling Malfoy." I walked past him and sat at the Ravenclaw table he followed me and sat a bit away from me. I wonder what he is thinking about. I watched the rest I could tell it was going to be a long night.
"Seeing as they both are now paired I will start. Abbott, Hannah" Kingsley called out. When the name was spelled out he yelled "Neville Longbottom" I'm glad that Neville will be living with us I thought. Then came over and sat across from us. What seemed like hours past until they finally got to my cousins. "Harlow, Rowland" Was called for Katie Bell. I like Katie. She would be a good person for Rowland. Maybe she can snap him out of his crabby mood.
"Harlow, Serabella" She was smiling as she walked up. It was almost as soon as the blood touched the paper it spelled out the name and Kingsley yelled "Weasley, Ronald" My heart sank I feel horrible. Bella came and sat beside me. She kept her head high and face emotionless. Ron on the other hand his face was red and he was furious. The anger was radiating off of him. Seraphina was of course with Blaise. They sat across from Bella. More people got paired it was now almost 11pm.
Finally it was Ginny's turn which could only mean that this is almost over we have been here for 4 hours now. She would either be paired with Harry or McLaggen. I was praying that it was Harry. Which I should have never doubted but of course I did. Thank goodness it was Harry.
"Now that the pairing is complete and it is late. I will bid you all a due. Follow the directions to your new living arrangements. Oh and no classes tomorrow. Take the day to complete the packet in front of you and to get to know your new living mates." Kingsley dismissed us.
"Everyone ready?" I asked getting up from the table. No one really responded. I believe everyone was in their own head until Luna spoke up.
"Hermione, are we all living together. Don't get me wrong I'm happy to be with friends but everyone else only has 4 per quad we have 8?"
"I was told it was so that if there was a problem others wouldn't have to go far to find each other."
"Oh okay." In a whisper she commented. "Some of the others don't seem too happy with their parings, particularly, Bella and Ron. Which I don't blame her he was a git to her."
I paused "Luna you know why she is upset? I've been trying to figure it out all day."
"I do but I'm sorry it is not my place to tell." Luna apologized.
"No I completely understand I'm sure I will find out at some point." I said thinking about how knowing Ron he will flip and I think it will cause Bella to spill it all or almost kill him. I'll just have to wait and see. Now, to my problem. I'm stuck marrying FUCKING DRACO MALFOY! How am I going to be able to handle this? I'm sure he's thinking and cursing me and my blood. Is it sad that at least this won't be the first time him and I will spend the nights in the same bed. Maybe we will luck out and the beds will be separate. I'm afraid that he will be a git to me just like all throughout school. I know my family is vowing for him but I don't know if we can move on from the past. No matter what he did the past few days in front of my family when it was just him and I it hasn't been the best.
"I think you and Draco are going to work out." Luna, somehow new what I was thinking.
"Thanks Luna but I don't know about that." Luna was about to reply when we reached the portrait of Snape. "Alright here we are."
"Good evening Students. I hope all is well. Ah Draco congratulations. I'm so proud."
"Good evening, Godfather. Thank you." Malfoy spoke. "The password is Semper."
"Oh that means always!" Luna happily pointed out.
Harry and I exchanged knowing looks. After the war Harry had confided in me about what he had seen in the pensieve. I turned to Headmaster Snape and smiled at him hoping to get on his good side. He surprisingly smiled back "Miss Granger congratulations."
"Thank you, Headmaster." I answered and he bowed while the door opened. I could have sworn I saw him wink at us. I decided to shake it off.
My jaw dropped the room was beautiful it was comfy and open. "Look the rooms are labeled!" Pavarti exclaimed, pointing to the doors at the back. "So Malfoy's, Potter's and Zabini's are down here. I'm going up and finding my room and sleeping so good night." quickly she retired up the stairs, those who weren't downstairs followed her up.
"Well my lady may I have the honor of carrying you across the threshold of our first abode." Blaise said to Nina while he wrapped his arms around her. She giggled. I was so happy for them and in a way a little jealous.
"Blaise, I don't want you to hurt your back by picking me up." Nina leaned back into his arms.
"Well to bad I want to and a feather weight charm does wonders." He said and quickly picked her up and carried her to their room, kissing her the whole way. I couldn't help but to laugh at them.
"Blaise is such a romantic fool." Malfoy scuffed.
"I think you are just jealous that he is better at wooing a girl than you." I commented and chose to poke at Malfoy a bit. I'm going to make the best of the situation. So I sashayed to our room. "Coming, green monster?"
"I am not green nor am I a monster, Granger."
I rolled my eyes and explained. "It's a figure of speech like green with envy and envy can be a monster to deal with. Therefor you are a green monster." I was now leaning in the doorway with my arms crossed, trying to look cute just to piss him off more.
"Whatever, Granger just move over." He pushed passed me and ruffled through his stuff.
I waved my wand and put my things away and quickly walked to the bathroom making sure to beat Malfoy and to take my time. This year may turn out to be fun after all. I thought to myself but I didn't know what was in store for our little group of friends.