By Choice Or By Law

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. That all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

'Hey Grang… Hermione.' Draco had found Hermione at the back table in the library. All students had been invited back to finish their 7th year.

'Hi Draco.'

'Why?'

'Why… What?'

'Why did you do it?'

'Do what?'

'Stand up at my trial.'

'Because you didn't take the mark willingly. You took it to save your mother. You couldn't help me without risking your life. You apologized to me and Harry for everything you did during school.'

'But….'

'You harassed me because your father didn't think a muggle born could best his son. And if I'm truthful you might have even liked me just a little.' He blushed at her truths.

'Can I sit and study with you?'

'Well only if you know what this ruin is.' Hermione grinned.

'Oh, right.' As he grabbed a book and opened it to a chart. 'Here this one?' as he pointed to a drawing.

'Where did you get that book?'

'Brought it from home.' He grinned.

'Good thing your good for something.' As she started to giggle at the mock hurt look on his face.

~o~

'Hermione will you go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?' Draco asked as they entered the potions classroom.

'Um, yea I'd like that.' As they started class.

'Mione, you going into town with me right?' Ron yelled across the tables as he packed up his books.

'Sorry Ron I already have plans.'

'What? Who's taking ya?' Ron snarled, as he noticed Draco sitting next to her. 'Are you going with the ferret?' his voice rising with each word.

'Sshh, yes Draco has asked me, and I said yes.'

'But he's a snake.' Ron sputtered. 'How could you?'

'Ronald shut it, he apologized to us… or at least he tried to apologize to you.' As she grabbed Draco's sleeve and pulled him from the room.

~o~

'Granger, can you help me with this?' As Theo came around the corner, with a paper in his hand.

'Um, as long as you don't call me Granger.' She grinned. 'Check Draco's book.' as she pushed it towards him.

'Thanks, can I call you… Miya then?'

'Yea I like that. The boys call you Mione we can call you Miya.' Draco grinned. As Hermione and Theo nodded.

'Can I sit here and study with you two?' getting nods again.

~o~

'Did you see the morning paper?' as Theo dropped the Daily Profit onto the table, as Hermione snatched it up to read.

'How can they?' Hermione screeched as she started to read out loud.

'The ministry has announced that due to the war, the wizarding world's population has fallen, and they will be enacting the marriage law. For now, they are allowing the witches to pick their husbands, any and all witches not paired up by the new year will be matched by the ministry.' Hermione paused as she saw two envelopes sliding towards her. 'What's these?'

'Marriage requests.' Draco and Theo said in unison.

'You will be getting dozens by the end of the day. We wanted to get ours in first.' Draco said.

'Great, I have to choose, between the two of you?' Hermione huffed as she opened the letters of intent.

'Um, no you don't. Continue reading.' Theo said as he pointed to the last paragraph of the article.

'All witches will be married to two wizards and will be required to have two children each.' Hermione slammed the paper down. 'Two husbands and four kids, what about my dreams?' she started to cry.

'Hey Miya, we talked to Minister Kingsley and we got you an extension on the children.' Theo spoke softly. 'You have four years to get your masters first.'

'You did what?'

'We talked to him and told him about your dreams to get your masters and open an apothecary. So, with yours and Draco's masters and me with my business savvy we will open the best shop in town.' Theo grinned.

'Are you sure you two want to marry me?' Hermione sniffled.

'Hey if you would rather have Ron we will go find some other bint to marry.' Draco grinned.

'Yea, you can start popping out babies within the year after graduating.' Theo grinned as Hermione shivered.

'You are both sure?'

'We wouldn't have offered if we weren't' Draco sneered. 'I'm starting to think you might not be the best choice she seems a bit dim.' Draco turned to Theo. 'I was hoping to nab the brightest witch of our time.'

'Yea me too.' As they both went to leave the table.

'Oi, I didn't say no. I will say yes, I would love to marry you both.' Hermione grinned.

'You what? You agreed to marry them? The snakes? How could you, you cheating whore.' Ron bellowed as he walked up to the table. 'You didn't even give me time to send…' he was interrupted by owls dropping envelopes in front of the witches sitting down for breakfast. Hermione received at least a dozen herself.

'Ronald Weasley, you call me a whore one more time and you won't be fathering any children ever.' Hermione yelled at him. 'I want to remind you that I'm still a virgin. Every time I tell you no you go running to Lavender, so go give her a request.' She turned back to her two wizards. 'What do we have to do now?' as more requests landed in front of her.

'Well, a kiss will seal the betrothment.' Draco grinned.

'Fine.' As she reached out to kiss them, all of the letters disappeared.