Unfortunate Privilege To Announce

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

'Prefects please take first thru sixth years back to the dorms.' Headmistress McGonagall spoke to the great hall. 'I have the unfortunate privilege to announce the new marriage law has been put into effect.' She paused for the students' reactions. Gasps and crying could be heard. 'The ministry seems to think the wizarding world's population is in need of help, to grow. Unfortunately, all eighteen thru fifty-year-olds will be affected and must get married this month. I held the seventh years back because this might affect some of you. If not, this year it will next year.' You will be getting a letter with your match as soon as we are done here, but for now you will need to get married by the end of the month.' Getting more gasps. 'Yes, I know this is fast, but they seem to think it will give you time to settle before children are required in two years.' Getting shouts from the girls. 'All girls in extended studies will be given a five-year pass to finish their studies and time to settle into their jobs. Anyone who gets picked up by a team will also get a five-year pass before children are expected.' Some of the girls cheered. 'Will the seventh years please come up here.' As Minerva pointed to the front table. 'How many of you are not dating or dating someone the same or younger than you?' hands went up. 'This new law will not affect you this year, so you are dismissed.' They left the great hall. 'So, you are all dating someone older than you?' They all nodded. 'You will need to decide, do you want to marry now or wait until you turn eighteen? I will give you a few minutes to think about it and let me know.' All but one boy stood and walked up to Minerva and nodded as they walked back to the tables. Five of the eight girls nodded and returned to their tables.

'Prof McGonagall, I wanted to finish school first and then play quidditch for a few years before I get married.' Ginny whined.

'I'm sorry, I hate this more than you do but you will need to fit marriage in there, either this month or next year after you turn eighteen.' Minerva looked defeated that her students' lives would go thru another shock.

'Fine we will wait.' Ginny groaned.

'And the rest of you?' as she looked to the others sitting there. One said she would wait, the other stood up and returned to the tables. The last student turned to his girlfriend.

'I'm sorry, I love you but… I'm not ready yet.' Getting a nod from her.

'You two are excused.' Minerva pulled the boy to the side after looking at her paper. 'She might not get picked this year so it might work out for next year.' She whispered as he smiled. 'I need to see Hermione Granger, Harry Potter.' She called a few others up. She had conversations with the others. 'You two please follow me.' She turned and looked to Hermione. 'Do you really want to marry him?' Hermione gasped at the question. 'I see him holding you back. I wanted to offer you a position here as the new transfiguration teacher. If you marry him, will he be happy for you?' Minerva turned to Harry, leaving Hermione to think.

'Ms. Weasley has decided to wait so…'

'Can I pick?' Harry asked hopefully, Minerva nodded, as he grinned.

'Hermione?' as he spun to her and dropped to his knee. 'Will you marry me?'

'What? Me?'

'Yes you, I have always liked you but…'

'Ron.' was said by all three.

'I heard he left you during the hunt, will he do it again?' Minerva asked.

'He did, this past summer.' Harry whispered. 'The broom, yes, I was miffed but I understood why you did it. And I know you want to wait until your wedding night to… it was wrong for Ron to run to Lavender when you said no to him.'

'Are you sure?' Hermione asked.

'I Harry James Potter, promise you Hermione Jean Granger to remain faithful, I will love, honor and cherish you until my last breath. I promise to support you in every way possible.'

'I Hermione Jean Granger, promise you Harry James Potter to be faithful to you, I will love, honor and cherish you until my last breath. I will stand beside you and support you in everything you do.' As Hermione finished her proclamation sparks of gold and silver popped over them.

'Well, the castle has decided to accept that as a wedding bond.' Minerva looked at her paper to see Harry and Hermione Potter- Married. 'I guess I need to say you may now kiss your wife.'

'Wife.' Harry smiled.

'Husband.' As they kissed, tentatively at first but then deepened.

'Hem, hem… we need to get back in there.

'We have rings.' Hermione smiled as she held her hand up. 'You know Ron will lose his shite when he finds out.' As they sat down envelopes appeared.

'What why is Millicent Bulstrode on my paper?' Ron roared. 'She's a fat cow.'

'Ronald, just because you wish you had Hermione who in my opinion is way too skinny and needs to gain about ten pounds to look fantastic.' Luna said as she looked to Hermione. 'Millie is only one size larger than Lavender, who you spent the summer shagging.' Ron blushed. 'And just so you know I think Millie is two sizes smaller than your mum, so are you calling your mum a fat cow?' Ron sputtered at Luns's statement.

'Ron you better not let your mum hear that.' Harry grinned. 'She will take you out to the shed and use the strop on your arse.'

'She will be good for you, so you need to learn some manners.' Luna growled at him. 'They picked our spouses because they will complete us.

'Who did you get?' Ron snarled.

'Draco Malfoy, I think we will make a cute couple.' she said dreamily.

'Oi, they stuck you with that… death eating prat?' Ron growled.

'Ronald Weasley, don't insult my husband or I will hex you.'

'Yea right.' He grinned. 'Oh, look here comes the ferret, now.' As Draco strolled up.

'I warned you Ronald.'

'What are you going to do?'

'Well let's see I was a member of the DA and I have spent the last six years friends with your sister.' Luna looked to Ginny to get a grin. 'She taught me the bat bogie hex.' Luna's wand was suddenly pointed at Ron's face. 'Or I could move it south.' As the wand slowly pointed to his crotch. Ron paled. 'Anything to say now?' Ron shook his head. "Hi husband.' As she kissed Draco's cheek. 'Join us.' As she scooted over, so Draco could sit. 'So will Scorpius Draco Malfoy work for our son's name?' Draco sputtered at the thought of acceptance. 'And I was thinking Cassiopia Narcissa Malfoy for the girl?' Draco choked on the juice he was trying to drink.

'That sound wonderful.' As he wiped the juice from his chin.

'Oh, just so you know Luna has been know to see the future.' Hermione whispered in his ear as she patted his back. 'So when will you be falling pregnant Luna?' Hermione asked.

'Um, Scorp will be born nine months after we graduate. Draco sputtered again. 'And Cassy should follow two years after that.'

'Well congratulation Draco.' Harry leaned forward.

'Hi, Ron.' As Millicent came up to the table. A muffled hey was heard.

'Ronald Weasley, I warned you.' As Luna kicked him under the table. 'Manners, maybe you should hang around Draco more often, you might learn something useful. Draco what is the normal way to great a person?' actually catching Draco stuffing a biscuit in his mouth. Draco's finger came up as he rushed to finish clearing his mouth.

'Sorry, you caught me mid bite, Welcome to the table Millie. I'm sorry you got stuck with him.' Draco grinned.

'See Ron that is how it is done, remember it for the next time.' Luna smiled, as she turned to kiss Draco's cheek again. 'Remind me to thank you again when we get back to the room.' Draco blushed at the thought of getting another more personal thank you.

'Yes, Ronald manners.' Harry chided as he giggled.

'Hey, why haven't you two opened your letters yet?' Ginny screeched.

'Um,' Harry looked to Hermione as she nodded. 'We were paired.'

'You what?' Ginny and Ron sputtered in unison.

'You stole my boyfriend?' and You stole my girlfriend?' was yelled simultaneously.

'Ron, you have been dating Lavender all summer so…' Hermione sniped.

'Ginny, you spent all summer out playing quidditch and parting with your friends.' Harry added.

'Yea because you weren't around.' Ginny whined.

'Ginny, I spent my summer helping to rebuild this.' As his hands flew up to show the great hall. 'I came to the burrow afterwards, every night waiting for you, I got tired of falling asleep on the sofa waiting for you, so I went home to wait for you, and you never showed up. And Ron how can she be your girlfriend if you're in Lavender's bed?' Harry asked.

'Ron, I want so much more than you are willing to give. Millie here wants children,' as Millie nodded. 'And she can probably cook way better than me too.'

'I love to cook, a nice big roast, potatoes and a large apple pie for dessert.' They saw Ron's eyes grow as he heard the menu.

'I hate you both.' Ginny screeched. 'So, who am I going to get stuck with?' Ginny screeched.

'Well, you have all year to meet your fellow seventh years.' Minerva said as she joined the table. So will you three be able to share a common room?'

'How many rooms?' Hermione asked.

'Six, I was thinking … Potters, Weasleys Malfoys, Longbottoms, Notts and Goyle. But if you cannot live next to Potter I will house you down the hall.' Minerva asked.

'Headmistress I think Ron will be fine. He just needs a little reminder every once and a while to behave.' Millie said as Ron nodded.

'Fine follow me to your new dorms.'

'Oh, look Pans, Draco got stuck with Loony Lovegood.' Theo said with a smirk.

'Nott I would shut it I were you. My wife hasn't taught me the bat bogie hex yet, but I will stand aside so she can. Her aim is deadly accurate.' Draco grinned as Luna stood beside him. 'Oh, honey I think he deserves the willy version.'

'The willy version?' Pans asked.

'Oh, he will have bats coming from his willy for the next few weeks.' Luna smiled as she raised her wand.

'Oh,' Pansy gasped. 'Shut it Theo. You will behave.' Pans swatted Theo's arm.

'These will be your quarters for the next year.' Minerva said as they approached the painting of a hippogriff.

'Professor McGonagall, I have changed my mind I want to marry Harry this year.' Ginny pleaded. 'Harry, I promise to do better and be home every night. I can't lose you.' Ginny pleaded.

'I'm sorry Miss Weasley it is too late.' Minerva said with a small grin.

'What do you mean too late?' Ginny screeched.

'I'm sorry Ginny but Harry and I have already said our vows.' As she held you their hands to show wedding bands.

'You what?' screeched Ron and Ginny in unison.

'Do you two need to be silenced?' as they both fell silent. Congratulations were given.

'Why?' Ginny asked as she was looking between Harry and Hermione. 'Never mind, I hate you both.' She turned and left the room.

'I can't believe you stole her.' Ron grumbled.

'Ron do you really believe you would be happy married to Hermione? She's bossy.' Luna spoke,

'Hey?' Hermione sputtered.

'What it's true, you have a need to do the best that you can do. Ron on the other hand barely does his homework because he knows you will do it for him and at some point, you will start resenting him and stop helping and he will get mad. Harry on the other hand will do his own work and only ask for you to review it for mistakes.' Luna looked between them. 'So, Ron you should be happy to be shot of her.'