Disclaimer: See chapter 1

A/N: For those still following, thank you and enjoy. Only two more chapters to go.

-oOo-

Chapter 18

-oOo-

August 27, 1997

London, England

There was a more relaxed atmosphere around the room than in months past. The Wizengamot had had a string of reforms in the last three months that saw most of the old 'Blood Laws' overturned or replaced with laws meant to make a more even playing field. The numbers of marriages, births and pregnancies had ticked up in the right direction.

Amelia also found herself quite pleased with Susie's husband. The boy, well young man, was taking to the lessons that Susie and a tutor were giving him to understand what was expected of Master Bones. She also saw Susie smiling more than she had in a long time when at home.

With a pile of reports before her, she was ready to open the meeting. "Thank you all for coming. I think most of the heavy work this board was called for is well underway or done. For now on, we will only be convening once a month, unless there is an emergency to handle."

There was a murmur around the room of agreement.

"To start off, Head Parkinson, what is the status of the covenant?" Amelia asked.

The woman opened a folder before her. "Much better than we thought a year ago. Of the seven hundred and thirty-seven betrothed or matched, five hundred and sixty-three couples are now married. With the dates we have been given, they will all be married by December fourteenth. Three hundred and seventy-four are already pregnant," the woman said with a nod.

When no one said anything, she went on. "As for already married couples, I can confirm that six-hundred and fifty-three are pregnant or have already had a child under the covenant. We have found a few couples are having difficulties, even though the tests said they were compatible. St. Mungo's is working with them to see if they can resolve the fertility issues they are having."

"What happens if they cannot bear children?" Amelia queried. The last thing she wanted was for a couple to lose their magic or something else.

Unspeakable Number two spoke up, "It has not been reported yet, but we have been able to confirm that if any of them are having honest fertility issues, then they will not be punished by the covenants. This was why the compatibility tests were performed, to ensure magical children as much as possible, but we were not required to break up already bonded pairs."

Amelia let out a breath. In all their rush to enact the covenants and ensure everything went as smoothly as possible, she had never thought about couples not being fertile enough. At this thought, she jumped to another. "What about those in Azkaban?"

Unspeakable Number One answered. "They are exempt until released. From what I understand, there are twenty-four people that would be affected?"

Roberta nodded. "Yes. Fourteen men and ten women. Unfortunately, seven of those men represent some of the oldest lines in Britain. We really should make an allowance."

"If they broke the law, they broke the law," Amelia stated, not willing to change any sentences just to satisfy the covenants. The four boys from Hogwarts deserved to be there for what they did. Last she heard the youngest Greengrass girl had birthed a child with blond hair. The child could be any of the boys, but a rumour said the child was born with very light blond hair, leading to her suspicion it was the child of the Malfoy arse, especially since the Greengrasses were more a golden shade.

Before there could be any argument, she asked, "Anything else we should know about?"

Roberta pursed her lips. "No, Minister."

"Head Williams, any updates?"

"Nothing past what we talked about last time. The budget committee has approved the reduction of six percent of staff, starting next month. Lady Exeter and Lord Chang have pushed the reforms for the DMLE, Creatures, Education and Magical Games. Most of Magical games will be laid off, hopefully to be rehired next year, but with the decrease in attendees for Quidditch and long-distance broom racing, there isn't as much need for so many," Head Williams commented.

"What does this mean for the Quidditch teams? There are hardly enough referees as there is," Lord Galston worriedly said.

"We recently found out that three teams had asked for suspension from the league in the last few years stating that gate and licensing sales were no longer covering their costs," Head Williams told him.

"I have been in talks with Head Reynolds. He has agreed that a lot of his staff just doesn't have enough to do many times. We plan to keep all the referees on staff and grant the suspension for the Chudley Cannons, Kenmare Kestrels and Banchory Bangers. That alone will eliminate six jobs, since each team is required to have Magical Games staff from the Ministry to ensure they are following league rules," Amelia informed the room.

"Merlin," Lord Galston said.

"I am hoping they will be able to re-join the league in a few years, but there just isn't enough wizards going to games," Amelia commented.

"How many people are we talking about for a six percent cut?"

"Twenty-two from Magical Games. Twelve from the DMLE. Four from the Regulations of Creatures. Three from Education and two from Magical Accidents," Head Williams responded.

"This shouldn't be a big surprise. We have been talking about this for over a year and it is needed. As our population increases again and more tax revenue comes in, I expect the Ministry will have to expand again. For now, I don't see any other option," Amelia put to them. "The good thing is that there are more than a hundred requests for private businesses, so everyone should be able to find a job easily."

There was silence.

After a moment, she turned to Minerva and Poppy. "Is Hogwarts ready for everyone to come back?"

"We are. There have been some rule changes since a few of the married couples will have one of them already graduated. We will have twenty-five couples in the new rooms," Minerva confirmed.

"That is less than you said last year," Roberta replied in concern.

"Yes, well, there were seven less couples than expected at the start of last year and five of the six couples with older partners are choosing home schooling for the year and to take the NEWTs at the end of the year. From what I understand, three of them are already pregnant," Minerva said in her severe voice.

"Do we know who?" Roberta asked.

"I am not at liberty to discuss the private affairs of my current or former students," the headmistress replied.

"That is not the important point," Amelia said. "So, twenty-five couples. Are you expecting more to join them this year?"

"Yes. We have already received word of six betrothals from our six and fifth years, with three of them planning to be married over Christmas," Poppy replied.

"How many more do you expect this year?"

"From my records, there are another seventeen that will be old enough this year, and twenty-three next year, though most will be fifteen before December twentieth," Poppy answered.

Amelia thought that next year it might be closer to forty in the married quarters.

"Are you ready for the girls that are pregnant?" Amelia asked, pretty sure that Susan would be before long with how Ron and her were getting around Grace Hall.

"Yes. Healer Tonks will be a big help when the six couples we already know to be pregnant are due, and Healer Anne will be able to help those not dealing well with this. We expect the stress to really climb as NEWTS approach since all the pregnant women are in their seventh year," Poppy supplied. "I am most concerned for those that aren't yet. The closer to the start of November we get, the more likely they will be due around the end of the school year."

Amelia let out a long breath. "I will talk with Marchbanks about holding a few sessions of NEWT testing over the summer. If any of the young women are not ready in June, they should have options."

"That would be appreciated, and I am sure it will lessen the stress of many," Poppy replied.

"Anything else with Hogwarts?"

"Any chance that the covenants are done with now?" Minerva enquired.

"Our calculations now project a tripling of the population to occur in about sixty years. The covenant will not go back into hibernation before that population limit is reached," Unspeakable Number One stated.

Minerva didn't look pleased.

-oOo-

September 1, 1997

London, England

Ginny was looking around the platform. The last few weeks had been a lot. Her mum had had complications delivering her sisters. Luckily, they all made it through.

Yvette and Evalyn were the cutest babies she had ever seen. It felt odd that she was an older sister now. She had always thought she would be the baby of the family. Maybe this would finally mean they would all treat her like she was sixteen?

Either way, she needed her friends. She hadn't seen anyone but family since the start of August.

"Ginny!" Demelza called out.

"Elza!" Ginny replied, rushing to her side. They embraced. "I've missed you the last few weeks."

"I just got your letters last night. It was too far for the owls to fly to China," she said. "Are you alright? What about your mother? And your sisters? How about your dad? He must have been so worried. Why didn't you tell me about you and Grant!"

Ginny winced as Demelza stepped back and punched her arm. "Hey, you slag. It's not my fault you weren't around!" Ginny shot back.

"I had no clue your life would get so complicated. You haven't answered my questions," Demelza demanded. The pretty brunette gave her a look that said Ginny needed to answer now.

Ginny looked around. With all the other parents, friends and family around on the platform, their interaction really hadn't been noticed. Even so, Ginny didn't want to talk about this out here. "Let me just say goodbye to my dad and brother Bill, then we can go find a compartment."

"You are telling me everything," Demelza demanded.

After a quick goodbye and a few hugs, she was soon walking down the train with Demelza. Her best friend was looking all around. Ginny didn't miss Demelza looking at Lavender, searching to see how far along she was. They passed a few other compartments with a few girls about as far along. "Is that going to be us next year?"

"I hope not," Ginny said. She really wanted to try to go professional, but if she had a kid or two in tow, she didn't see how that was possible. If things played out, she could get through her next two years before having to have her first child.

They found a compartment that no one was in yet. After closing the door, Demelza spun on her before they could even get their trunks up. "It was awful," Ginny told her. "The twins had just come. I was helping dad wash them off when the midwife said mum was bleeding out. We had to take an emergency portkey to St. Mungo's. I heard dad and Bill the other night... my mum almost died, Elza."

Demelza moved over to hug Ginny. Demelza just held her for a few as Ginny was shaking. She didn't feel like crying, but her eyes still stung. "The healers said that complications are not uncommon for older witches." She shivered. "I don't know if I want any kids after seeing that."

"It's alright, Gin." Elza hugged her tighter before levitating their trunks up to the rack. "Do you want to talk about it anymore?"

"No. I do want to hear about Tristram Bassenthwaite," Ginny said, a smile coming onto her face. She couldn't think of her twin sisters and her mother any more or she might go spare.

Demelza's whole face brightened. "I came back to a betrothal offer last week."

"YOU WHAT!" Ginny yelled, catching the attention of a few younger years passing the compartment.

Demelza laughed. "No, not really, but I was hoping," she said, which had Ginny hitting her arm.

"You are such a slag!" Ginny yelled low enough to not filter through the door of the cabin.

"Oi! That is my good throwing arm," Demelza complained, hitting her back.

"Are you that close with Tristram now? I know you saw him a few times over July," Ginny said excitedly.

"I think so, but I haven't seen him in almost a month between his family going to Sweden and us going to Asia. I was hoping to see him on the platform, but you got me first," Demelza told her.

"Why are we sitting here? We should go find him," Ginny told her best friend.

"So, you can see Grant too?"

Ginny's face brightened. "Maybe."

Demelza laughed. "I think it's more than maybe. The last letter I got before going away sounded like he had snogged you."

"Well, my mother did send him away after we were saying goodbye for a little bit," Ginny said, her chin sticking up.

"And how long was a little bit?"

"Maybe a half hour," Ginny replied.

"Who's the slag now?" Demelza said with a huge smile.

"I never let him touch anything but my hips," Ginny protested. Well, his fingers may have brushed over her bottom, which had sent shivers through her that had her feeling things she never had. She also found her knickers had been a little damp after he left.

They didn't get to say anything else when a knock came on the glass. At the door were the four Slytherin they had hung out with towards the end of last year. More importantly, Grant was in the group. He had grown another inch or two over the summer and had started to fill out. He wore nice clothes that hinted at the hard body that was hidden beneath them. Ginny never thought she would feel this way towards anyone again after Harry, but the way Grant was smiling at her had butterflies soaring in her midsection.

The door opened. "Mind if we join you?" Tristram asked.

"Please," a smiling Demelza said, patting the seat next to her.

"We'll see you at the Welcoming Feast?" Heather Thatcham said to the boys. The blonde looked even leaner and taller than she had at the end of last year with curves that Ginny knew most boys would kill to get their hands on.

Adelaide Muton looked just as haughty as usual but gave them a brief smile. "Do try to keep them out of trouble," she told Ginny and Demelza.

"I can't promise anything with Elza here," Ginny said and laughed as Demelza tried to hit her again while exclaiming, "OI!"

Heather laughed at them while Adelaide didn't look impressed.

"We'll see you at the feast," Grant told the girls. "Go and find your new beau's."

"Oh, who?" Demelza asked, excited at the new gossip.

Adelaide sniffed. "We are going to sit with our other year mates."

"You just want to sit with Roland," Heather said with a knowing smirk.

"Well, father wants me to get to know him. The Phipps are a respected family," Adelaide said, but there was a hint of something else on her voice.

"See you later. You boys behave," Heather told their friends.

"It's like we get up to trouble all the time," Grant grumbled, sitting on the bench next to Ginny.

"Well, we do," Tristram said, making sure their trunks were levitated up to the racks above.

"I do not get into trouble," Grant said.

"And the tongue lashing we got for being found in your father's liquor cabinet this summer?" Tristram reminded Grant. He sat next to Demelza, and the girl's smile broadened when the boy kissed her cheek. "Hey. I missed you over the last month."

Demelza put a hand on his face and pulled him in. They shared a long kiss before she said, "I missed you too."

In the meantime, Grant rolled his eyes. "Get caught once and he never lets it go."

"I take it you don't get caught often?" Ginny put to her boyfriend.

Grant gave a sly smile. "It seems only my father and your mother catch me."

Ginny's face brightened. Her mum approved of Grant, but she thought they had been too much into each other's mouth for their age. She had turned sixteen that day, she needs to be betrothed this year and Grant was hot. "Well, if it means anything, I was enjoying it," Ginny told him with a smirk.

By now, Demelza had started to really kiss Tristram. Ginny had never seen Demelza act that way before, but she didn't want to feel left out, so batted her eyes at Grant.

Grant smirked back. "Well, it wouldn't be so bad if I caused a little trouble," he said, moving a little closer.

"My brothers always say life isn't fun if you aren't causing trouble," she commented, her voice a lot more sensual than she meant it to be.

His smirk grew into a cheeky grin. "Why, Miss Weasley, what would they say if a Gryffindor Prefect was found kissing a Slytherin?"

"I really don't care, Sparkford," Ginny said, closing the gap and kissing him.

-oOo-

About the same time...

The train lurched as it rocked into motion, the platform of King's Cross station starting to slip by the window as Hermione and Dean walked down the length of the train. They had put their luggage with Seamus, Parvati, Harry and Lavender. Neville, Susan, Hannah and Ron were in the next compartment. With about half of their year-mates now married and not living in Gryffindor, the house was going to be a little empty this year. Ron had to give up his prefect's badge. Hermione still thought Harry should have gotten it, but now Dean had the seventh years boy's badge.

Hannah had lost hers too.

On the way down the train, Dean tugged on her robes they had already changed into. "What is it?" Hermione asked as Dean nodded towards the compartment. Hermione didn't usually investigate the windows, not wanting to have to use her new Head girl status. When she noticed Ginny snogging a boy she didn't really recognize, Hermione did a double take.

Dean chuckled. "She didn't kiss me like that fifth year."

"Are you saying I don't kiss that well?"

"Far from it. Once you learned what to do, you are the best kisser," Dean said cheekily.

Hermione harrumphed. "As long as she isn't late," Hermione stated.

As Head girl she should already be in the prefects' cabin, but this year Michael Corner and her had decided to do a walk around the train to make sure all the first years were in a cabin and to make sure everyone was well. The prefects meeting would start at noon.

Dean chuckled. "Yeah, getting a demerit on the first day doesn't look good. You know who the Quidditch captain is this year? I didn't see the badge on Harry."

"He turned it down," she told him as they walked up the length of the train.

Dean looked shocked. "I thought he was just joking about that."

"Lavender is due in three months. Harry won't have the time and he recognizes that. He thought Ginny would be the best option and Babbling was going to offer it to Ginny this week," Hermione informed him. That was all news in the last week, and they hadn't seen each other in ten days as she prepared for the year, and he was busy interning.

"Well, there goes the house cup," Dean said a little dejectedly.

Hermione snorted. "That is all you care about?" she said to her boyfriend, knowing that wasn't true. "I thought you preferred football?"

"I do, but I like having the cup in the common room," Dean replied.

"How was the end of the summer at the law firm?" Hermione asked.

"Brilliant. Busy though. There was a major case that my mum got me on the research team. You really should intern with me next year before we go to Uni," he told her.

"I was busy with tutors. I am scheduled to do my GCSEs in July," she said.

"I am too," he reminded her.

"I know," she said. Hermione wanted to take his hand, but they had decided to act professional when they were on duty. Hermione didn't want to show favouritism.

"You want to go into Hogsmeade Friday night?"

"I have duty. How about Cardiff on Sunday? Parvati says there is a nice little Indian place hidden there," she countered. With the changed rules, she was happy to be seventeen, soon to be eighteen.

"Sounds like a date. Do you have duty that night?"

"It's my weekend unfortunately. I do have my own rooms though," she said, giving him a furtive look. "McGonagall told us that we are allowed to have anyone over seventeen in there after curfew if we want."

Dean's eyes grew a little. They hadn't had sex yet, but they had come close. "I won't get into trouble?"

"Not if you play your cards right," she said with a little wink. That was one thing she had found she liked with Dean, she had become more playful and really liked how he made her feel.

Dean got a knowing smirk. "Should I bring a change of clothes?"

They passed an excited group towards the head car. Hermione bit her lip. "Let's see how you do Saturday."

When they made it to the prefects' lounge, they were the second pair to arrive. A pair of fifth year Slytherin were here. Looking at them, Hermione was reminded of the letter the Headmistress had sent them. There were no seventh year Slytherin in their house, and she wasn't sure if the sixth year Slytherin, Ravenclaw and one of the Gryffindor prefects would last the year. To make up for the missing seventh year prefects, and soon to be seventh years from Slytherin, Hermione had suggested to Professor McGonagall to offer the badges to other fifth years.

As people filtered in and Corner joined her, she noticed that more than half the prefects had traded hands.

A little before noon, the trolley lady started her rounds in their cabin and Hermione waited for everyone to get settled to clear her throat. "Hello everyone. I am Hermione Granger, and this is Michael Corner. We are head girl and boy this year and would like to welcome you all back. Before we get into the typical start of year rules and schedules, we wanted to address what is going on, as some of you see we have no seventh-year Slytherin Prefects."

"It's because of the laws, isn't it?" a girl with blue tips on her hair said in a condescending tone.

"Yes. This has caused many to have to follow the laws and move out of their houses at Hogwarts and into private quarters," Corner said to the Hufflepuff fifth year.

"We know all about their special privileges," the girl snarked. Hermione searched her mental list of prefects and realized it was Trudy Galston. Her sister had married over the summer to Ritchie Coote.

"You know they didn't have a choice, Trudy," the boy next to her said.

Trudy huffed. "Just like I won't next year," she said bitterly.

Hermione might need to have a talk with Trudy. If she was going to have this attitude, Hermione wasn't sure the girl could continue as a prefect. Especially as Trudy's comment seemed to hit home to a few in the compartment.

When the meeting was done, Hermione motioned for the other fifth year Hufflepuff to go and for Trudy Galston to stay.

The girl looked a little petulantly at Hermione. "Would you like me to call you Ms. Galston or Trudy?"

"Depends on what you want to talk about," she replied petulantly.

Hermione took the seat across the aisle. "Are you going to have this attitude all year or will you be more pleasant? I can't have a Prefect that people won't approach because they have an issue that turns everyone away."

Trudy just glared at her. "I earned this badge."

"Not if you keep acting the way you did during the meeting. I take it that you are affected by the covenants?" Hermione asked in a kinder voice.

She could see the anger glistening in Trudy's eyes. "You mean I am being forced to marry someone," she spat out.

Hermione frowned. "You do know that you can try to find someone. Will you be sixteen this year?"

"I turned sixteen in January. I will have to be matched this year," she told Hermione.

Hermione tried to give her a knowing smile, but even seeing her best friends go through it all, she really didn't understand how they felt. "Trudy, if you really don't want to be matched or find someone, have you talked to your parents about maybe going to Beauxbatons or somewhere else until you are married or to stay away?"

The girl's defiance melted as she collapsed into herself. "My parents won't let me," she said in a small voice, before breaking down.

Hermione moved over and embraced the girl. She cried into her shoulder for a few minutes. "Brenda... my sister...," Trudy said. "She was... matched."

"I'm sorry," Hermione said. "Is it bad?"

Trudy hiccupped. "He is... two years... younger," she got out.

"Your sister is Brenda Galston?" Hermione asked. She had been a seventh-year prefect last year.

Trudy nodded. "It's Cootes now," she said after a few, seeming to get control of her emotions. "Brenda graduated last year. She married a few weeks ago. She is going to be living in the castle the next two years as she works on a Mastery with Professor Flitwick."

Hermione conjured a handkerchief and offered it. "That doesn't sound so bad," Hermione said, trying to find a silver lining here.

When Trudy backed up, she still looked devastated. "I don't like boys," Trudy said in a whisper that Hermione almost didn't hear.

"Oh," Hermione said.

Trudy's tears started again. "You think I'm wrong too, don't you?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. I don't. If you are a lesbian or straight, I really don't care."

The girl's brown eyes searched Hermione's, like she didn't believe her. After a few, Trudy asked, "What am I going to do? Mum and dad think I'm a freak and think all I need to do is settle down."

"Right," Hermione said, trying to figure this out. If Trudy was seventeen, that would make things easier. She had no clue what to do about this. Hermione needed help. "Trudy?"

The girl sniffled as she cleaned her face. When the girl didn't answer, Hermione went on. "Can I talk to a few people about this? I won't tell them who," she said quickly as the girl pulled away. "I promise, I will keep your identity hidden."

After a moment, Trudy nodded. "I don't want to get married."

"We'll find a way to help you," Hermione promised.

-oOo-

September 6, 1997

Hogwarts, Scotland

Neville stood stock still, the pot with the newly planted mandrake seedling settling into its new home. Hannah stood on the other side of the table. Her blue eyes investigated his, hoping for a reaction from him. "Neville, please say something," Hannah begged.

Neville blinked. "Pregnant?"

"Madam Pomfrey confirmed it. About eight weeks," Hannah said.

"How..." he said rather stupidly.

Hannah looked rather unimpressed. "Do you really not know?"

Shaking his head, Neville heard the reproachful tone from his wife. Putting the pot down, Neville put his hands on the table for a moment, before saying, "I know how we made a baby." Looking up, he gave her a tremulous smile. "It's been rather fun too."

Hannah gave him an unimpressed look, but there was a slight uptick to her mouth. "If you want more fun, you need to say more than that," she told him.

Plucking up the new courage he had found in the last few months, he started to make his way around the table. Opening his arms, Hannah rushed into them. "Are you happy about this?" Neville asked.

"It doesn't matter. What do you think?" she said into his chest.

After taking in and letting out a long breath, Neville smiled into her hair. "I think you are going to be a great mother and we need to tell Gran."

Hannah pulled back, looking up to him. She searched his face for a while. "You aren't upset with this? I know you didn't want to be a father yet."

Neville leaned down and pecked her lips. "Doesn't matter, right? We are having a child."

"You aren't upset?"

He pecked her lips again. "Hannah, I want you to have my children, I just hoped it could have waited. I think I am starting to like the idea. As long as it's a little girl with your ponytails."

Hannah chuckled. "It's going to be a boy."

"How do you know?"

"You are a Longbottom. Gran gave me a book going over your lineage. The Longbottoms have had a son for the first born for the last nine generations. I doubt that will change. You know how magic usually works this way," she told him seriously.

"I still want a girl," he said.

Hannah smirked. "Well, we have at least two more to try for after this one."