Chapter 11

Disclaimer: JKR owns everything, and I don't make any money with this story. The idea of the Marriage Law originated at WIKTT, I believe. I'm just borrowing...

a/n: AU since DH.

Chapter 11

The days after the Hogsmeade weekend passed quickly for Hermione. She concentrated on her classes, and whenever the ongoing hostilities from Ron and especially Ginny became too much, she thought back to the day she had spent with Fred. Thoughts about him never failed to make her smile, and it made the situation in the Gryffindor common-room and during the meals so much more bearable.

On Thursday the time for the Ministry had finally come to announce their new Marriage Law Act.

To those very few already expecting the law, signs had been clear that the Ministry was rallying to drop this bomb on its community. Hermione had been appalled to notice the increasing propaganda against Squibs. Articles were published not only in the Daily Prophet, but in every major wizarding newspaper and magazine (the Quibbler being the one notable exception), warning against the supposedly rising ratio of Squibs to wizards and the danger emanating from such an outrageous development.

Hermione could only snort disgustedly at each new article she read on the front page of the Prophet and hoped that at least the majority of the witches and wizards would see the Ministry's Anti-Squib campaign for what it really was: a pathetic decoy from their inability to defeat Voldemort once and for all. Alas, it seemed so far that a lot of her fellow students were actually inclined to buy into the lies of the Ministry. Hermione had written an agitated letter to Fred only three days ago, telling him about a cowardly attack on Filch.

Despite the fact that the current caretaker of Hogwarts wasn't one of her favourite people by a long shot, Hermione had been dismayed to learn that a small group of students had broken into Filch's office, demolished it completely and smeared highly literary messages like "Squibs suck" on the walls. The professors had yet to find the ones responsible for the deed and punish them accordingly.

Fred's answer to Hermione's letter had arrived the day before. It was the current political climate that gave significance to the fact that even Fred condemned the act of vandalism against Filch. According to him, the mood in London was similar to the one at Hogwarts, and people really seemed to believe 'the humongous load of Hippogriff crap our beloved Ministry has chosen to unload on its devoted sheep'. Apparently the magical community didn't mind being purposefully misled as long as it meant they didn't have to worry about Voldemort for a little bit. Fred was as disgusted as Hermione.

Hermione had gone to breakfast early, as had become her habit, in order to avoid the crowds. Therefore, she was already done with her food and only waiting for the arrival of the post owls, in hope of another letter from Fred, when it happened.

Looking restlessly in the direction where the owls generally entered, Hermione was among the first to notice the unusually large amount of owls flying into the Great Hall. Every student attending the seventh year and even some sixth years received an owl, carrying a purple pamphlet with the Ministry's crest. Hermione took hers from a ghastly looking eagle owl.

The Ministry had kept the upcoming Marriage Law Act a secret in order to avoid protests and criticism even before the Act was passed. In a massive effort, it now had to inform the wizarding community all at once. To achieve this feat, the Ministry was sending out an owl to every witch and wizard subject to the new law as well as publishing the Act in every major wizarding newspaper.

Hermione opened the pamphlet and read:

Marriage Law Act

The Ministry of Magic is proud to announce this new piece of legislation, which will eradicate the much feared rise of the Squib ration among the wizarding community. Effective immediately, the following laws will govern the matrimonial relationships between witches and wizards.

1. ... (1) A marriage hereafter contracted between a witch and a wizard shall only be valid if one of the party is of Muggle descent and the other of pureblood.

(2) In the foregoing and following subsections the word 'pureblood' applies equally to descendents of pure and of half blood.

2. ... (1) The Ministry of Magic shall have the power to bond any Muggleborn between the age of 17 and 35 with a pureblood willing to enter the marital status.

(2) Any pureblood wishing to petition for the hand of a Muggleborn shall apply to the Registrar of the Ministry of Magic.

(3) Marriage between purebloods may only be permitted under exceptional circumstances, and if the Registrar of the Ministry of Magic grants special permission.

(4) A Muggleborn may evade the Ministry's procurement if the Muggleborn is already involved in a relationship with a pureblood and intending to marry.

(5) Couples as described in the subsections 3 and 4 have to give notice of their established relationship to the Registrar of the Ministry of Magic.

3. ... (1) A registrar to whom an established relationship notice is given may require the witch or wizard giving the notice to provide him with specified evidence relating to the witch and wizard intending to be married.

(2) Such a requirement may be imposed at any time on or after the giving of the marriage notice but before the registrar issues the Ministry approval.

(3) In paragraph (1) "specified evidence", in relation to a witch or wizard, means such evidence of that couple's...

(a) names and surnames; (b) ages; (c) Blood Status; and (d) details regarding their ongoing relationship as well as the ability to support a family,

as may be specified in guidance issued by the Registrar General.

4. ... (1) After the Muggleborn receives a marriage notice from the Ministry, the marriage shall be executed within the following 60 days.

(2) In the case of an established relationship, the marriage shall be executed within 30 days after the Ministry's approval described under section 3.

5. ... (1) Any witch or wizard unwilling to abide the foregoing law will be charged with an aggravated offence and will be sentenced to return their wand to the Ministry and to dissociate from the Wizarding Community.

Hermione read the pamphlet twice. Although she had already known about the impending act, she was still shocked to see it in writing. Up to this moment, there had always been a tiny piece of naïve hope within her that the Act would not get passed.

"I don't get it," Lavender said, who was sitting across Hermione and reading the pamphlet as well. "What does it mean?"

"It means," Hermione explained, "that the Ministry can force any Muggleborn into a marriage with a pureblood who has applied for the Muggleborn, unless the Muggleborn is already in a relationship with another pureblood, who is willing to get married."

Lavender looked at her dumbfounded. "Can they do that?"

"Apparently," Hermione spat, once more disgusted with the body that was meant to govern the witches and wizards in Britain to the best of its abilities.

The noise in the Great Hall increased a thousand fold as more and more students became aware of the Ministry's new legislation and its consequences. Hermione witnessed a myriad of different reactions, from disbelieving laughter, to spontaneous proposals of marriage, to hysteric cries. Hermione herself kept her head down, pretending to study the pamphlet in front of her and trying not to give away her previous knowledge of the Law.

Harry joined Hermione a little while later. One quick glance at his face confirmed that he, too, was trying his best to appear surprised and justifiably angered, the latter expression requiring considerably less acting skills than the first.

None of the upper years even bothered to go to class that morning as they all remained in the Hall, discussing this unexpected turn of events. In a brief flare of sarcasm, Hermione mentally applauded the Ministry for achieving their goal of diverting attention from Voldemort. For the first time in a very long period He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his Death Eaters were not regarded as newsworthy.

Finally, Headmistress McGonagall announced that all classes would be suspended for the day, so everyone could become adapted to the new situation. Her facial expression, which suggested strongly that she had just bitten into a lemon, clearly showed what she thought of this 'new situation.' Most of the teachers seemed to share her feelings concerning the Law. They could be seen at the high table, talking to one another sombrely, shaking their heads from time to time.

Hermione remained at the Gryffindor table, listening to the conversations around her. A few of her classmates, Lavender and Parvati in the lead, had asked her what she planned to do. Hermione gave them a noncommittal answer, claiming she had to write to Fred first, before she could say anything. Once or twice Hermione noticed Ginny looking shrewdly at her from her position at the other end of the Gryffindor table. But as to how exactly interpret Ginny's looks, Hermione drew a blank.

Altogether, she was taken a little aback at the reactions of her fellow students. As expected, most of them didn't approve of the Marriage Law, with the few exceptions of those people stupid enough to seriously buy into the Ministry's Anti-Squib campaign. However, instead of discussing how to possibly get rid of the Marriage Law, which would have been Hermione's first choice of action, most students had already moved a step further and were deliberating future husbands or wives.

For once, Hermione felt like she didn't belong in Hogwarts, for the difference between a Muggle upbringing and the magic world could not have been any more obvious than on this Thursday. Whereas every fibre of her being screamed that this Marriage Law was immoral and a clear violation of basic human rights, most students with a magical parentage seemed to be of the opinion that the Ministry of Magic had every right to meddle into the personal affairs of each and every wizard. Hermione felt desolated.

As the Headmistress announced that those students who needed to talk to their parents or prospective spouses could return home on Friday afternoon via the Floo network, Hermione excused herself and went to the Owlery to send a letter to Fred.

*****

Friday afternoon had Hermione impatiently standing in a long line in front of Headmistress McGonagall's office, clutching a small over-night bag and waiting to Floo to the apartment above WWW. The better part of the older students was using this opportunity to Floo home to consult their parents or discuss the Marriage Law with their respective girlfriend/boyfriend.

The mood of those waiting in line was subdued bordering on anxious. Hermione on the other hand found she was inappropriately giddy. She couldn't help herself; she was happy to see Fred again. So she kept her head down hiding between her bushy hair, lest anyone see her actually smiling.

Progress was slow, and Hermione had to wait quite some time until she finally reached Professor McGonagall's office. Inside, she found not only the Headmistress but also Professors Sprout and Flitwick. Though nobody said it out loud, Hermione knew that the teachers were there to make sure that the opened Floo channel didn't pose a threat to Hogwarts' security.

"Come in, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall greeted Hermione when it was her turn. Hermione stepped through the door and just saw Hannah Abbot disappearing into the emerald flames of the fireplace.

"Please remember your timeslot to return on Sunday evening. We will have a lot of students returning through this fireplace, and we're trying to avoid it getting too crowded," the Headmistress primly explained in a voice that clearly portrayed that she had given these instructions countless times already that day.

"Just take some powder and off you go. Good luck."

Hermione took a pinch of Floo Powder from a large bowl on Professor McGonagall's desk, said good-bye to the Professors and Flooed out of Hogwarts. After a bumpy but remarkably short ride through the Floo network, Hermione stepped, slightly stumbling, out of the fireplace of Fred and George's apartment. Fred was waiting for her on the couch and upon seeing Hermione immediately leaped up to greet her.

"Finally. What took you so long?" he asked, his question muffled, because he was hugging her at the same time.

Hermione allowed herself a few moments to enjoy Fred's embrace before she answered, knowing that this could only lead to more serious discussions and less hugging.

"There was a terribly long line in front of Professor McGonagall's office. It seems that almost everyone our age Flooed home today. Everybody was very nervous."

Fred indeed let go of Hermione and sat back on the couch. Hermione remained standing.

"That was to be expected, wasn't it?" Fred asked. "After all, we are pretty much the only ones who had a warning that this was coming. I bet there are a lot of people right now trying to figure out whether they want to marry their partner or try their luck with the Ministries match-making. Wouldn't want to be a Muggleborn right now."

"Yeah..." Hermione looked at her shoes, suddenly ill at ease in Fred's living-room.

"Uh, sorry Hermione," Fred said after an awkward pause. "Didn't mean you, of course... I mean... of course, it'd be better if you weren't... ah, hell, forget I said anything."

Fred shot her a lopsided smile, leaning back on the couch and stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Hermione took a deep breath to steady herself and mumbled, "Fred, I know you're only doing the Order a favour, you don't really have to..."

"Don't be stupid, Hermione," Fred interrupted. "Look... will you sit down? It's kind of difficult to have this discussion while you're still standing there ready to bolt."

Hermione did as he asked and took a seat next to Fred on the couch. However, she was still studying her shoes intently.

"Look, we both know that we will have to get married. You would be in a lot of danger if we didn't. But I want you to know... I'm not only doing this because I have to. I mean, obviously without the Law I would be asking you out on another date, not proposing marriage... but... it's not so bad, isn't it?"

Hermione sat in stunned silence, mulling things over. Fred's words were almost exactly mirroring her own thoughts. She was forced to marry Fred in order to be safe; yet, as alien as that concept seemed, it wasn't so bad either.

Hermione looked up for the first time and saw Fred looking at her searchingly. Not sure what she should say, for really there were no words to express her conflicted feelings, Hermione slowly leaned towards him instead and brushed a light kiss on his lips.

"No, it's not," she murmured softly against his lips and then leaned in for a second kiss. Fred reached for Hermione and pulled her into his lap, never breaking their kiss. For the moment they just enjoyed each other.

Finally, Hermione ended the kiss, let out a sigh and nestled her head into the crook of Fred's neck. Fred tightened his hold of her.

"What are we going to do now?" Hermione asked.

"I suppose we'll have to go to the Ministry tomorrow. See the registrar about this established relationship business."

"Right," Hermione spat. "I've never seen a more ridiculous law."

"You clearly haven't had to manage a wizarding company. You wouldn't believe how many ridiculous laws the Ministry has come up with already. Did you know, for example, that you are not allowed to greet potential customers standing on your hands, holding your wand with your toes? Apparently the Ministry is worried about accidental magic blemishing the consumer/salesman relationship. Bunch of spoilsports!"

Hermione smiled against his neck. "Nope, didn't know that."

"And you're supposed to be smart."

At that point they heard the apartment door open, and a few moments later, George was coming into the living-room, one hand clasp over his eyes, the other one feeling ahead for any obstacles.

"Don't look," Fred advised, "we're having naked, sweaty sex on the rug in front of the fireplace."

"Really?" George asked, immediately dropping his hands and looking at the rug expectantly.

"No, of course not," Hermione admonished.

"Well, you can always hope for the future," Fred told George consolingly, as his twin plopped down into an armchair opposite the couch Hermione and Fred were occupying.

"Have you decided what to do about the Law?" George asked casually, eyeing the couple in front of him carefully.

Hermione and Fred quickly looked at each other, an action that didn't go unnoticed by George. Then Fred announced, "We're getting married."

George smiled. He had been expecting as much. "Congratulations."

*****

The three of them had a small celebration dinner in the kitchen of the twins' apartment. They discussed the Law and its consequences till late into the evening, until they were all tired and Fred and Hermione bade George, who went into his own room, good-night.

Hermione went to fetch her small overnight bag, which she had dropped in the living room earlier, while Fred changed in the bathroom. Then they switched places, and Fred waited for Hermione while she put on her night things. While he waited, Fred was thinking about the day he had had, a cluster of conflicted thoughts running through his mind.

He was still sitting on the edge of his bed, deep in contemplation, when Hermione exited the bathroom. She was once more wearing Fred's 'Carrot Tops Are Green, Einstein!' t-shirt and his boxer shorts.

"You know, I've been looking for those," Fred remarked upon seeing her, his teasing grin masking the much more complicated feelings that stirred inside him whenever he saw her wearing his clothes.

"They look much better on me than on you anyways," Hermione teased right back and came to sit next to him on the foot of the bed. The room was silent for a few moments while both of them tried to come to grips with their situation. So much had changed in such a short time.

Fred was the one who finally broke their silence. "We should probably go to sleep. It's better to get to the Ministry early. It's bound to be pact."

Hermione nodded her consent, but when she turned to look at Fred to say goodnight, she found him staring at her, the oddest look on his face. She opened her mouth to speak, although later Hermione could not have said what it was that she had wanted to say. Before she had the chance to even get a word out, Fred leaned in and kissed her.

The kiss was slow and deliberate, and neither of them made a move to increase their physical contact. They just sat next to each other on the bed, bodies turned towards one another, lips locked in a sweet kiss. The need to breathe finally forced them apart, but still they remained sitting next to each other, not touching, nevertheless emotionally closer than they had ever been.

Eventually, Fred broke the silence. "Hermione, why do you keep wearing my clothes?" he asked, tugging slightly at the hem of the shirt in question.

Fred noticed the faint blush colouring Hermione's cheeks, though whether it was due to their kissing or his question Fred could not tell.

"They are comfortable," Hermione finally answered, and in a much softer voice she admitted, "I didn't feel so alone when I wore them at Hogwarts."

Something stirred inside of Fred. He didn't know why, but he was incredibly moved by Hermione's words. Hermione was looking shyly away, surprised by the truthfulness and underlying meaning of her admission. Fred tugged a stray curl behind her ear, watching her profile and patiently waited until she was ready to look at him once more. When Hermione did turn towards him, Fred cradled her face in both his hands and kissed her, conveying all their conflicted, verbally inexpressible emotions.

There were no barriers left between them that night, which became the first they truly spent together. Much later, they lay in each other's arms, fully contented, and this time Professor Snape didn't get the chance to jump a single cauldron before Fred fell into a peaceful and satisfied slumber.

tbc