Chapter 5

The Marriage Law

Lucius paced in his cell, furious that the guards had taken his Prophet that Draco mentioned he'd sent him in his latest letter. In fact, there were sections of Draco's letter that had been blacked out so he couldn't read it. It was censorship, pure and simple. There was something going on, something that the Ministry didn't want the inmates of Azkaban to know about. The perforations on the margins and throughout the letter told him a little of what was going on. He held his letter to the light and reread the secret code, 'Just like in the emancipation acts in 1070, eh, Dad?' Lucius swore. Why would the Ministry lower the age for girls to marry? Surely, parents will not approve of their teenage daughters getting married before they finish school? That archaic practice had been abolished!

He turned the page so he could make out the other message; 'Reinstated the old Bridal Contracts Act and annuls the legal age set during the Reformation, doesn't it?' He squinted his eyes and turned the parchment in the sunlight. 'Just like during the Inquisitions... all over again... Wizengamot denied Nott and Flint to marry their girlfriends, but Longbottom is able to marry Abbott.'

He let his arm drop and stared at the wall. The Ministry is up to something, controlling who gets married to whom and allowing young witches to marry. What are they up to?

He tried reading Draco's handwriting through the ink the guards used to black out his letter. He couldn't make out much. Frustrated, he threw himself on his cot and covered his eyes with his arm. Whatever was going on, the Ministry didn't want him to know. Draco would come to visit during Christmas hols. He'd find out what was going on then.

Hermione and Ginny ambled down to the Great Hall Monday for breakfast as usual, talking about the Hufflepuff game the first Saturday of December and wondering why Mr. Weasley had insisted that Ginny and Hermione stay at Hogwarts for Christmas hols. When they entered the Great Hall, they both noticed that Headmaster McGonagall and the Heads of the Houses, Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Wright, and Podmore were suspiciously missing from the High Table, as were several other professors including Professor Pendergast and Hagrid. Hermione took her seat, reached for the toast, spread some marmalade on it, and stared at the nearly vacant table. As the Hall filled up, murmurs and chatter became louder as everyone started speculating or commenting on the professors' absence.

"What do you suppose is going on?" Ginny asked, her head turned away as she stared at the High Table as well.

Hermione shrugged, unseen by her friend. "I have no idea."

"I know," Luna said from behind them. Ginny and Hermione had been so preoccupied by the empty chairs at the High Table that neither saw Luna until she spoke.

"You know what, Luna?" Hermione asked, making room for her to sit down between her and Ginny.

"Hi, Ginny. You flew well last Thursday in practice. I hope you win this weekend against Hufflepuff," Luna said, helping herself to a sausage as if she'd had all her meals at the Gryffindor table. "My dad wrote to tell me that Mr. Margulies sent my dad a letter. I was hoping to talk to you about it. He is printing a special issue of The Quibbler for everyone at Hogwarts...well, every fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-year, and the eighth-years too, I suppose. You and Ginny aren't going to like it."

"Why? What's going on?" Hermione asked, feeling her heart drop into her gut.

"The Ministry of Magic is taking a census," Luna said as casually as you please.

"THEY'RE WHAT?!" both Ginny and Hermione screeched.

"Over Christmas, everyone fifteen and older will have to fill out a census form," Luna stated blandly.

"NO!" Hermione gasped as Shelia and Valerie sat down.

"What's going on?" Shelia asked, looking questioningly at Hermione, then curiously at Luna, and back.

Ginny sucked in her breath and then exhaled. "That's why he doesn't want me to come home! Do you think it has something to do with the S.H.M.R.C.'s Muggle-born Registration Commission?"

"That's who is conducting the census. Hi, I'm Luna Lovegood. Our fathers are friends," she said, extending a hand to Sheila.

Shelia accepted Luna's hand. "Nice to...what's this about a census?" she asked, letting go of Luna's hand and plopping down in her seat.

Luna explained what her dad had told her about the census. "It'll be in The Quibbler today."

The professors entered the Great Hall just as mail started to arrive. Hundreds of owls swooped in carrying what looked like a bright yellow rolled up newspaper that was delivered to every single fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and returning eighth-year. Hermione unrolled the magazine and gasped at the bold black headline type on the vibrant yellow front page.

The Ministry of Magic Approves A General Census Of All Citizens, Wizarding Residents with a Visa, and Permanent Magical Residents.

The Muggle-born Registration Commission and the Social Heritage, Marriage, and Registration Committee has ordered to effectuate the Census Act under the guidelines of their charter to assist in the enactment of the Emancipation Act and the Fair Marriage Acts set forth by your Ministry of Magic.

Everyone age fifteen and up, and any fourteen-year-old whose fifteenth birthday is before March of next year, are required to register with the S.H.M.R.C. by the end of December.

For details see page three.

The rest of the mail was forgotten as the rustle of the several hundred students quickly turned the page to read the article about the census.

"May I have your attention, please," Professor McGonagall's voice rang out in the Hall over the commotion caused by The Quibbler. "All first- through third-year students will please return to your common rooms until further notice. All fifth-year through N.E.W.T. level students will remain in their seats. If you are fourth-year and will have your fifteenth birthday before the end of March, please remain; those who will not, may join your housemates in your common rooms."

There was a general scramble of students rising to their feet, whispering 'byes' and 'good lucks' to their friends as the younger students left the Great Hall. Hermione felt a sense of dread at their departure. She looked over at the Slytherin table and caught Draco's eye. He looked angry, but nodded to her all the same and held up his copy of the special edition of The Quibbler.

"As you are all aware," Professor McGonagall spoke up after the doors finally closed, "the Ministry of Magic is conducting a census. The Ministry informed me of the census early this morning, and I have held an emergency meeting with the staff in preparation of your questions and concerns regarding this matter. The announcement of the census, as I was told, wasn't to come out until Friday. However, I can see that you all have been notified prematurely. The Ministry official is not due to arrive until later this morning to apprise me of the details, but what I do know is that everyone of you must register."

Outraged and confused murmurs spread among the students.

"Quiet, please," Professor McGonagall shouted over the growing discontent of the students. "All of you will be dismissed from your morning lessons, and we will all reconvene after I have a chance to question the Ministry official personally. Please be assured that your professors and I will make ourselves available to you to discuss any and all of your concerns over this matter. You may go now to your common rooms or, if you prefer, the library. Please do not wander elsewhere."

Hermione and her friends rose to return to the common room, trying to speculate on the ramifications of the announcement in The Quibbler. As she reached half way up the stairs, Hermione felt someone grab her elbow. She turned around, surprised to see Draco, Greg and three Slytherins on the stairs behind her.

"Got a minute?" Draco asked, letting go of her arm.

"Yeah, sure," she said, indicating that they follow her.

Draco and Greg took the lead at the top of the stairs, heading for the Room of Requirement. Several of the Gryffindors followed, Hermione, Ginny, and their friends. Draco rounded on her as soon as they entered the room. "So you see what's going on, right?"

Hermione stopped a few feet from the door as everyone who'd followed them filed into the room. "Draco, it's a census to enable the Muggle-born Registration Commission to update their lists..."

"To make lists of all wizards and witches of marriageable age, according to the past actions of the Commission," he sneered, holding his hands up with his fingers wide in agitation. "They will start telling us who we can and cannot marry."

"They're doing that already," Benders hissed from behind him.

"Only those who we cannot, you prat," another boy said behind him.

"No, they are letting anyone marry a Muggle-born, but pure-bloods are not allowed to marry just anyone," Ginny stated as she moved forward through the group to stand close to Hermione and Draco.

"They are gearing up to make good on Healer Creswell's paper," Draco stated, running his hand through his hair as he paced back and forth, then stopped.

Hermione watched him, knowing there was little to nothing that they as students could do in the situation. "Draco, I think you may be right, but until..."

"May be?" he snapped, rounding on her again.

"Yes, you're speculating...although, I agree with you, it seems the most likely thing. So far, they are only telling us who we can marry based upon Healer Creswell's paper. But I see your point, things are escalating in that direction. However, until we know for sure, there isn't anything we can do about it," Hermione tried to reason with him. Several of the other students began to voice their dissent. "No, wait, all of you. Hear me out. Let's say we do know that the Ministry is going to tell us who we have to marry...until we know for sure there is nothing we can do. Even if and when they make an announcement about some program that meets with Healer Creswell's theories, the public...our parents...will not stand for such nonsense."

Draco wiped his face with his hands, and Goyle and Benders looked ready to argue with her.

"Well, the Muggle-born and Muggle parents won't," she stated firmly. "I know my parents wouldn't!"

"Yeah, like those Muggles were able to stop wizards from taking their magical children from them," the boy behind Benders sneered. "Them kids have not been given back, Granger."

Hermione turned on him, her mouth gaping open. "But I thought..."

"Okay, look, Hermione and I, we have connections," Shelia said, stepping in between Goyle and Benders and nodding to Hermione. "Let's see what's going on...really going on. If I can, I'll get the legislation on this census. But for now, Hermione's right...what can we do? Most of us are still kids! Even those of us of legal age are still looked at as merely students."

"Of legal marriageable age!" Victoria Combs, a fifth-year Gryffindor, whined.

"Let's see what happens. Professor McGonagall said that a Ministry official is meeting with her today to tell her the details. Once she knows something, I'm sure the Heads of Houses will tell us. But until we know anything definite, there is no reason to panic," Hermione said, hoping that she sounded far more assured than she felt. "Draco, how can I find you if I need to?"

Draco's eyebrows shot up for a second before he lowered his head and rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "I might have something." He looked up at her. "Do you still have that coin thing for the DA?"

"Yes," Hermione stated, "but you don't have one."

"But you can make them, right?" Draco asked. "You can connect one of my Galleons to yours for me."

"Yes," Hermione said, nodding.

"So here, use these half pence ones," Goyle said, pulling two two-pence coins from his pocket. "I certainly don't need them."

Hermione pulled out her wand and connected the coins with the Protean Charm. Several other students pulled out coins both Muggle and wizard. "Let's keep it simple for now. Draco will be the Slytherin contact, Luna Lovegood, Ravenclaw, and I'll ask Susan Bones if she wants to be lead contact for Hufflepuff. If the Ministry does pull what you think it will, Draco, we will be stronger if we all stand together on this."

"And get the facts of what they are planning early," Shelia stated.

"So for now, if you hear anything, tell me, Draco, or Luna. We'll tell everyone in our houses. Agreed?" Hermione asked everyone at large. There was a mumbling and general uttering of agreement. "Good. Now, Draco," she said, pulling him aside. "Our common room is at the end of the hall at the portrait of the Fat Lady. How do I find the Slytherin common room if I really need you fast?"

"Just activate the coin and come down to the dungeons," he said. "I'll find you."

"Good enough," she said, turning to go.

Later that morning Professor McGonagall entered the Gryffindor common room and asked all the students who needed to register to follow her to her classroom, as did Professors Sprout, Flitwick, and Wright in their respective houses, although Professor Sprout used a large room on the first floor. Hagrid and Professor Podmore stood by as Professor McGonagall explained to the Gryffindors that each and every one of the students who met the age requirement had to comply with the census, writing down the name of the fourth-years on a list.

By noon, it was all anyone was speculating about: why the Ministry was doing this and who would fall prey for defying the new registration requirements. Between classes, notes were passed, whispers and defiant protesting could be heard in every corridor, nook, and even in the loos.

One week later, the Daily Prophet, the Sorcerer's Sun, and The Quibbler all carried a bombshell announcement:

The Department of Muggle-born Liaisons Commission, The Social Heritage, Marriage, and Registration Committee proudly announce the passing of the Marriage Law and Proper Unions Act

In order to ensure the production of healthy and viable children to secure the future of wizardkind, Charles Polister in cooperation with Healer Creswell and Healer Brumfeild have devised the most feasible and plausible way of guaranteeing the health and viability of our future generations.

The Marriage Law and Proper Unions Act, as based upon historical wizarding laws, any and all single wizards and witches shall be matched by Ministry approved Betrothal Charms to match respectable and desirable witches and wizards based upon specific magical compatibility profiles and magical abilities. All such matches will be considered valid unless reasonable explanations for dissolution can be ascertained, subject to approval of the Ministry of Magic. All those who comply will receive Ministry compensation and a handsome honorarium. Marriages need only last long enough to produce four (4) viable magical offspring, at which time the couple may choose to remain married or ask for an annulment. Any and all current engagements must be approved by the Social Heritage, Marriage, and Registration Committee prior to obtaining a marriage approval certificate. No marriage license may be obtained without Ministry approval of the persons desiring to wed.

Failure to comply with the Marriage Law will result in sterilization, internment in Azkaban, and having your wand snapped. Therefore, all witches and wizards age fifteen though forty are required to register with Graceilla Warblock Head of the Social Herritage, Marriage, and Registration Commission. Failure to comply will result in immediate internment in Azkaban. A grace period for compliance of two weeks for all students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry shall be in effect or until the end of Christmas holidays.

Below it was another article with a picture of an elderly witch with horn-rimmed glasses, short, curly, salt and pepper hair, red lips, and brown eyebrows she'd apparently drawn on her face.

The Ministry of Magic is pleased to announce the hire of Edithe Havershiems as Coordinator of Betrothal Arrangements for all the eligible young witches and wizards enlisting in the new Marriage Law program. Mrs. Havershiems, a registered Yenta and successful matchmaker for several decades, has agreed to put her considerable talents to the task of helping potential brides and grooms make magically sound choices. "I have a wide knowledge of Plight and Betrothal Charms at the ready to assist our young people. With the help of the register of Heritage Committee, all members of our society can look forward to a respectable and proper match."

The article in the papers caused an outcry in the Great Hall, as almost all the young girls, ages sixteen and up, realized that they could be forced to marry a pureblood or a Muggle-born according to the Ministry of Magic's new laws.

Bernice was looking at The Quibbler. "Oh, listen to this! 'Then there is that insane attempt of the Ministry to enforce arranged marriages between the pureblood families and Muggle-borns or those with close Muggle ancestry. Once word gets out of what the Ministry is planning, the general outcry will be heard around the continent. Of course, the proposal for the program was in general committee for revision for weeks as Mr. Arthur Weasley and Mr. Polister argued in front of the Wizengamot. In the end, Mr. Polister won out. It is this reporter's opinion that Mr. Polister is off his hippogriff. Enforcing our young people to register over their Christmas hols...' But...how could they agree to this?"

"Who wrote that?" Valerie asked, looking up from her own copy of the Sun.

"Betty Beetle, I have no idea who she is," Bernice said, her forehead wrinkled in confusion.

"It's got to be an alias," Hermione stated. "The article sounds like one Rita Skeeter would write. Get this; 'The Marriage Law Project is a public interest legal assistance program that seeks to reaffirm marriage between a magically compatible couples of no related lineage. Ideal shall be that of the union of a pure-blood with anyone of new-blood, that being of half-blood or less, so as to widen the genetic pool of viable partners for future generations. Permission of a marriage union shall be granted only if the intended couple can establish suitable past heritage and meets the requirement of Register of Heritage Committee...' At least the Sun's reporters are cutting through the Prophet's bull."

"A lot of good it will do us unless we find a way out of this," Shelia stated.

"We'll have to get a copy of the legislation, the exact wording," Hermione said, dropping the Sun on the coffee table.

Over the next few days, nothing more was said about the Marriage Law and Proper Unions Act, or any engagements that had been denied by the Wizengamot. There were the normal engagement and a few wedding announcements from the Social Heritage, Marriage, and Registration Committee in the Daily Prophet, but everything seemed to have quieted down. Still, the general outcry and disgruntlement of the students could be heard around the castle and in every publication except the Daily Prophet, which spouted the Ministry's propaganda in favor of the law and its reasons.

Every morning, many letters of assurance were sent from caring parents in regards to their daughters and sons, especially the sixteen-year-old girls, concerns about having older wizards requesting marriages through the S.H.M.R.C. For the few girls who had beaus who'd already graduated, a few of the families had submitted the required information to receive approval of the matches. The Wizengamot had apparently considered the engagements, and those who met approval of the S.H.M.R.C. were published in the Daily Prophet. But those who did not were sent letters from the Department of Muggle-born Liaisons Committee that stated that the approval was 'pending confirmation.'

By dinner, owls arrived from parents telling their daughters that they are unable to circumvent the law and that each girl must register and abide by the regulations or face loss of their wand, magical sterilization, and imprisonment.

Hermione used a penname to the Ministry of Magic Office of Magical Regulations, and Legation Archives Office and the Administrative Offices of the Wizengamot, requesting a copy of the Marriage Law legislation. Likewise, Draco and two other Slytherins contacted their family solicitors and barristers, trying to obtain copies of the Marriage Law. Hermione met with Draco twice, to discuss getting a copy of the original bill.

Friday when post arrived at breakfast, an owl carried an official packet to her with the Wizengamot seal. Another packet arrived the next morning from the Archives Office. During her break that morning, Hermione pored over the documents, highlighting various important key elements, and managed to decipher the poorly written legislations and break down each component in her search for any loophole that they students could use to get around the law.

Draco sought her out in the library with a thick folder from his solicitor and a copy of the Marriage Law. The barrister had added tabs and highlights of the key elements as well as a brief explanation. "Draco, this is great, but I have two copies already. Give me until tonight to go through this," she requested.

"Sure, we're meeting for Muggle Studies tonight, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, tonight...right after dinner," Hermione said as she tucked the folder in her bag and hurried to class.

Hermione read as much of the material during her break as she could, her eyes widening at the annotations made by the solicitor as she did. That evening, Shelia, Ginny, and Bernice came with her to her Muggle Studies tutorial.

Draco, followed by several Slytherins, approached her before Hermione had time to drop her bag. "Did you read the folder my solicitor sent us?" he asked.

"I perused it, yes," Hermione said, pulling out the Sears catalogue and the books: What Do People Do All Day, Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, and Busy, Busy Town.

"Did you read the part he'd underlined about the previously agreed engagements clause?" he asked, placing his hands on the desk Hermione generally sat on.

Hermione stood up and looked at him. "Skimmed it, but the Emancipation Commission for Fair Marriage Contracts and the Marriage Law and Proper Unions Act both annul any previously arranged..."

"Except where bridal dowries have been formalized and all parties involved have signed the contracts," Draco said smugly.

Hermione gave him a quizzical frown. She sat down at the desk, pulled out the folder and turned to the marker Draco indicated. She withdrew her notebook with her notes, the articles from the newspapers, and her copy of the Marriage Law. The room filled up with students from all the houses, all waiting, watching as Hermione finished checking the annotations and comparing them to her notes. Her brows creased, then rose, only to crease again as she scowled at the parchment.

"Okay, give," Draco snapped at her. "Am I right about the previously agreed engagement clause or not?"

"I think you're right, except it won't help anyone pure-blood who wants to marry another pure-blood. Even if you have a previously arranged engagement, the Wizengamot is, under this new law, forced to invalidate it. Only any engagement between a half-blood or less to a pure-blood, preferably a pure-blood and Muggle-born or new-blood, is acceptable," she looked up at the four Slytherins who'd come with Draco. "I'm sorry. However, I might be able to figure out a way of surmounting and evading the Ministry's attempts of forced marriages."

"All right, give," Thomas demanded, looking at her intently.

"It isn't really something to help the guys, per se, but will in a round-about way. If the girls were to become pregnant, then there is a clause, poorly written and easy twisted around, that states that she could insist on marrying the baby's father as long as the child was deemed healthy and sound. The engagement would be allowed as long as the offspring showed no magical deformities. However, until the child demonstrated significant magical abilities, they cannot actually get married. It's a long shot, but feasible."

"You mean we have to have sex and get pregnant?" Miss Bowers, a sixth-year from Hufflepuff, screeched.

"My father would kill me!" another girl cried out.

"The Bastard law?" Cecil asked, clearly affronted by the idea.

"You're kidding," Greg sneered.

"I might, in time, be able to formulate ways of surmounting and evading the Ministry's attempts of forced marriages. There is always the Pseudopregnancy or Pseudocyesis Potions. They are supposed to imitate a false pregnancy. That is if any of the girls want to take it. I saw the potion directions in the Restricted Section once. If I can find it again...I can make it. That might buy us some time to figure out a better idea," she suggested. "But I'll have to find the book again and get all the ingredients."

Bernice broke out in a huge grin. "Oh, I can help with obtaining the ingredients, and as much as you need."

"Really?" Draco asked. "How's that?"

"My father and uncle are Searchers! They run a supply business for the Apothecaries. I can get you anything," she said, blushing and lowering her head.

"That takes care of the ingredients," Hermione said, looking up at Draco. "How about helping me find the book?"

"You're on," he said, grinning.

Greg looked confused. "How's that going to help us not get roped into marrying someone we don't want to?"

Cecil snorted a laugh. "If all the girls are pregnant, none of them will be eligible. If there are no eligible girls...there can't be anyone to force us to marry."

"Well, almost. If each girl claims that she is pregnant, and names a 'boyfriend' who is the father, that might tie things up for at least a few months. Or, until we are discovered," Hermione said and turned to face Greg. "Either way, it will effectively eliminate half of the equation. If all the girls are ineligible, there's no one to match the guys up with, and they can't match up a guy who is already charged with a paternity claim."

"So we use the Bastard's Law against them," Cecil said, apparently pleased with Hermione's solution.

"I think it's brilliant," Draco said, grinning mischievously. "We just make the potion, get every girl to drink it and match everyone up."

"What happens if they make us marry the girl?" Greg asked.

Draco clapped a hand on his shoulder. "They can't. The Paternity Charm cannot be used until the third trimester. So, it's the girl's word against the bloke's kind of thing. They always side with the girl until paternity can be ascertained. Under the Bastard Law, the responsible bloke cannot be betrothed to anyone else until his responsibility for the baby is proven or disproven. It's prefect!"

Shelia didn't look convinced. "As soon as the Healers find out the girls are not pregnant and therefore the guy is obviously not responsible...we're back at square one."

"But that gives us six months to come up with something else," Hermione stated. "And believe me, I will find some way out of this. I am not about to let the Ministry pick my husband for me."

Hermione had never seen a larger smile than the one that appeared on Greg's face.