Chapter One:
It was five thirty in the morning when Harry Potter stirred in his sleep, his left hand reaching out to silence his alarm. He sat up groggily, wiping the sleep from his eyes as he placed his circular glasses on his face. He yawned, stretching his arms over his head before pulling off the covers, stepping out of bed to recover his sweatpants that were sprawled across the floor. He closed the bedroom door behind him as he heard the shower for the guest bathroom turn on.
'Ron's awake.' Harry noted before descending the staircase, entering the kitchen to prepare breakfast for him and his flat mates. Two years ago, Harry decided to rebuild his parent's home in Godric's Hollow, for who else would want to live where people were murdered? It took less than six months for all the repairs to finish, when Harry invited Ron and Hermione to move in with him. Ron agreed without a second thought, while Hermione had been a bit reluctant, not wanting to intrude. Once Harry had told her he would very much enjoy her company, she had agreed only if he would agree on her paying him rent each month. Harry had rolled his eyes but obliged at her offer, not wanting her to turn down his offer to move in with him and Ron.
Twenty minutes later, Harry finished cooking eggs, bacon and bangers when Ron and Hermione entered the kitchen.
"Breakfast smells wonderful, Harry." Hermione told him as she smiled, placing a kiss on his cheek before pulling a glass from the cupboard to pour her orange juice. Harry tried to stop his cheeks from blushing as he levitated food to the table, where Ron was already sitting, his hands rubbing together.
"Blimey Harry, I never get tired of your cooking. You definitely give Mum a run for her money." He told him before scooping heaps of eggs onto his plate. Each of the three friends sat around the kitchen table, talking with one another about their jobs. Harry was now in his last year of Auror training, while Ron had been made partner of George's joke shop. Hermione recently started as a first-year resident at St. Mungo's after completing her paid internship two months prior.
The three had just finished their breakfast when there was a gentle tap on the kitchen window. Harry pushed back his chair and walked over to the window, pushing it open slightly for the tawny barn owl to enter.
"Morning Argo." Harry greeted the owl as he plucked a piece of bacon from the kitchen counter, offering it to him. Argo hooted in delight as he swallowed the piece of bacon before stretching out its leg, offering Harry the day's edition of The Daily Prophet. Harry grabbed the newspaper from the owl, placing one bronze Knut into the brown pouch tied to Argo's leg. Argo hooted kindly once more before spreading his wings, flying out of the window and back to the Ministry.
Once he returned to the table, he noticed Hermione's eyes darken, her lips pursing together.
"Herms, is everything alright?" Ron asked from across the table.
"THOSE BASTARDS!" She shouted angrily as she slammed the newspaper onto the table. "Who the hell do they think they are?!"
"What does it say, Hermione?" Harry asked her as he leaned over the table, curious as to what set his best friend off. Hermione snatched the paper off the table once, clearing her throat as she read aloud the article.
"Minister for Magic Passes New Marriage Law, Effective Immediately" Hermione began, Ron and Harry's eyes widening in shock.
"Late yesterday evening, Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt sent in a copy of the new marriage law to The Daily Prophet, urging us to print it in the first edition of the morning paper. Below you will find the guidelines written in the penmanship of our Minister.
It has come to my utmost attention that there has been a drastic decline of our wizarding population, due to inbreeding between pureblood families and the many lives we lost during the second wizarding war. The Marriage Law states, those who are ages nineteen and over will receive a letter from the ministry offering you three potential matches for a spouse, within twenty-four hours. Once you receive the letter, you must choose between the three eligible witches or wizards we have provided for you by the end of the week. Once you have chosen your future spouse, you must report your engagement to the Ministry of Magic. Once you've done that you will be given no less than one month to get married at a place of your choosing. You will have twenty-four hours to consummate the marriage, officially marking the two of you married. You will then be given no less than two years to bring your first child into the world. Failure to abide by the law, will result in your wand snapped, memory modified and cast into exile.
I urge you to not take this law lightly, for I would hate to see anyone be exiled out of this world. I have faith in each of you to put forth your best efforts in the hope of rebuilding our population.
-Your Minister for Magic,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Hermione snapped her head up from the paper once more, tossing it into the middle of the table.
"Kingsley has gone mad! How the hell does he expect us to get married within a month and then have kids within two years to a person we don't even know?!" Ron exclaimed as shot up from his chair, slamming his hands on the table.
Harry and Hermione couldn't help but agree. What did Kingsley think he could accomplish by this law? There was certain to be a load of backlash. The Golden Trio left for work ten minutes later, the words of the law etched into the back of their mind.
Harry spent most of his day in the concealment and disguise course, trying like hell to not think about the impending future, while Hermione kept herself busy, talking with the young children in the Pediatrics wing.
Ron was the first to arrive home that evening, followed by Harry and Hermione who arrived a half hour later. Hermione had changed out of her robes before entering the kitchen to prepare dinner. Harry and Ron set the table while she levitated the big pot of spaghetti in the middle of the table.
"How was work, mate?" Ron asked Harry as he reached across the table, taking a piece of garlic bread.
"A pain in the ass. Rogers had us practice the concealment charm for damn near three hours until everyone was able to perfect it." Harry replied, as he swirled his fork in the spaghetti. "How about you, 'Mione? How was your day?"
"It was a pretty good day actually. I had this sweet little boy who had come in with a broken arm. Even though he was in a great amount of pain, he smiled and made funny jokes with his dad." Hermione said, smiling as she recounted the memory of little Jeremey. "He was even more excited when I was able to repair his arm."
"I would be thrilled too if I knew I didn't have to stay in the hospital and drink Skel-Grow overnight for my bones to come back." Harry said, shuddering as he remembered having to stay overnight in the hospital wing during his second year.
"Ron, how's George and Angelina doing?" Hermione asked.
"They are doing well. Poor Angelina has been having a rough couple of days with her morning sickness though." Ron told her. George had been in a terrible state once Fred passed away, spent many nights drinking at The Three Broomsticks. Two months after Fred's passing, Angelina had walked into the pub, spotted George and offered to buy him a drink. He obliged and the two began to talk about their lives, Angelina asked him how he was handling his twin's death when George nearly burst into tears. She consoled him the best she could and offered to meet up with him each week at the pub, even if it was just to talk. Two months later they started dating and last year they tied the knot. Now, they were expecting their first child in eight months.
"I'm so happy for George." Hermione stated, smiling that out of the darkness that surround her friend, he was able to find light once more. Harry was drying the last of the dishes when there was a soft tap knocking on the window. He placed the dry dish in the cupboard, then walked over to the window, letting the owl fly inside. Harry raised his eyebrows, wondering why a ministry owl would be delivering the post this late.
The owl stretched out its small talon, offering him the post. Harry grabbed it from his eyeing the mail as the owl flew back out the window, off into the night. He glanced at the white envelopes in his hand, one for each of them. He walked into the living room where Hermione and Ron were playing Wizards Chess, his heart pacing.
Ron and Hermione looked up from their chess game, puzzled at the envelopes their friend held in his hand.
"What's that, Harry?" Ron asked as he and Hermione stood up, making their way towards him.
"It's from the Ministry, isn't it?" Hermione asked quietly. Harry nodded his head as he handed them their post. The three of them gave each other a lingering glance, silently agreeing to open the letters at the same time. Harry slid his index finger underneath the seal, breaking it open when an electric shock pierced throughout his body.
"What the bloody hell was that?!" Ron screeched, jumping back slightly.
"I think it's the Ministry's way of knowing we have opened the post." Hermione told him. It was the only logical explanation.
"Bastards." Harry said, pulling out the parchment. He unfolded it, silently reading the glossy, blue penmanship.
Dear Mr. Potter,
By breaking the seal of the envelope, you have agreed to comply with the newly placed marriage law. Below, you will find the names of the three witches we have crossed matched for you. You have one week to choose from the list and then must come to the ministry to place a record of your engagement. Please keep in mind you will have one month to get married and twenty-four hours to consummate the marriage, therefore producing a child within two years. I wish you the best of luck.
-Milton Dingles
Head of Records
Harry could feel his pulse becoming quicker, his heart beating rapidly as his eyes came upon the first name assigned to him.
Pansy Parkinson
Age Twenty, Pureblood.
Attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin.
Harry snorted, appalled that the ministry saw fit to place he and Pansy Parkinson together. 'They're joking right?' he thought to himself, his eyes looking down at the next name.
Eloise Midgen
Age Twenty, Pureblood
Attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Gryffindor.
Harry didn't remember much of Eloise, seeing as how she was a rather shy girl back when they attended Hogwarts. He'd rather choose her than Pansy any day of the week.
Finally, his eyes reached the last name on his list. Harry's green eyes widened; his breath hitched in his throat. He blinked twice, making sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. He stared at the glossy, blue penmanship before looking up from the parchment, meeting brown eyes that burned deeply into his.
Hermione Granger
Age Twenty-One, Muggleborn
Attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Gryffindor