The Laws of Love

Chapter 2

Muggle-born Marriage Law Passed

Its official, the rumored law allowing for marriage contracts on muggle-born witches and wizards and those with a muggle or muggle-born parent, by pureblood families has been passed. Any witch or wizard of muggle or muggle-born parentage age 17 and older is eligible to be petitioned.

"I know that some will say this law seems harsh, but I want to assure everyone that it is very critical to the continuation of our world," stated Minister Fudge.

Each contract is specific to the couple in question, and the terms are mostly left to the discretion of the pureblood contractor. The only terms required for every contract are: 1.) Marriage and consummation must occur within three months of signing the contract. 2.) 1 child must be produced within the first year and 6 months of marriage.*

Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Magic, Re-Population team for approval, and compatibility tests must be preformed before the contract can become official.

*For those students still attending school, exceptions will be made.

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"Your essays will be due at the start of class on Wednesday," Hermione said over the noise of students gathering their supplies to leave.

After the last student had left the room, she turned to Professor McGonagall anxiously.

"You did an excellent job, Professor Granger," Minerva said with a smile, "but then, I never had any doubts."

Hermione blushed at the compliment.

"Thank you, Pro- I mean Minerva," she said.

The two women headed to the Great Hall for lunch. Hermione had been so nervous about teaching her first class that she'd barely touched her breakfast. Now, her stomach was starting to grumble loudly.

"Professor Granger? Can I have a word with you in my office?"

Albus stopped her just outside the doors to the Great Hall. The delicious sent of lasagna assaulted her nose and her stomach gave a very loud rumble.

She gave him a pleading look.

"It will only take a minute," he said, placing a candy in her hand leading her toward his office.

The candy was a poor substitute for real food, but at least she wouldn't pass out.

"I've got good news and bad news," he said, mischievously.

Hermione instantly turned wary.

"Bad news first," she told him.

"Very well, Draco Malfoy has submitted a marriage contract for you."

Hermione felt like the wind had been knocked out of her.

"W-what? B-but..."

"It's alright, Hermione, I've got good news as well, remember?"

She blinked and then nodded eagerly.

"Before any contract can be official, both participants must undergo a blood test for compatibility. If they are compatible, then it will become official and the pair must marry. However, in the event that more than one submitted contract becomes official, the contracted, that's you dear, will get to chose among them," he finished with a smile.

"So what you are saying is that mine and Malfoy's blood have to be compatible before his contract is official?"

"Yes, and until you give your blood to be tested, anyone else can also submit a contract."

Hermione's mind began racing furiously.

"When do I have to do it?"

"A ministry official will be contacting you within in the next hour or so. Now, Professor, you are a very busy woman, and will not have time to make a trip to the ministry until Saturday morning," he informed her, eyes twinkling.

Hermione smiled.

"That's very true, Headmaster, I'll inform the ministry of that."

She thought things through for a moment.

"I'm assuming that you have a plan?" she asked, hopefully.

His smile widened.

"Ron and Charlie are submitting contracts as we speak. Fred and George will do the same before Saturday."

Hermione sighed. She'd known it would come down to a choice between the brothers, she was just hoping that someone else would choose for her.

She thanked him and turned to leave when a disturbing thought occurred to her.

"Albus? What if my blood is incompatible with the Weasleys? I mean, if I'm incompatible with one of them, I might be incompatible with all of them."

Albus frowned, he hadn't thought of that.

"You're right about that. I'll have to find someone not related to the Weasleys. Well, just let me handle it my dear."

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"Why?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Well, I'm not giving you a blood sample until you tell me why." Snape snapped.

Albus sighed in frustration.

"I'm submitting a marriage contract on your behalf for Hermione Granger."

"What? Are you insane?" Snape demanded after recovering from his initial shock.

"You'd be surprised how many times I've been accused of that throughout my life," he said with a chuckle.

The irate Potions professor just glared back at him.

"I need her Severus, Hogwarts needs her. Mr. Malfoy has already submitted a contract for her, and I think we both know what will happen if he gets his hands on her."

Snape thought back to that horrible night six years ago, and the abuse he'd seen her suffer.

"Why me? You've got four pureblooded Weasleys on staff that'd be more than happy to help her out," he pointed out.

Dumbledore sighed, again. It seemed he'd been doing a lot of that lately. Silently, he promised himself that he'd go out and buy some new socks this weekend. That would be nice.

"Of course all of the Weasley brothers are submitting their own contracts for her, but I'm afraid the Malfoys still have a lot of influence over the ministry. The Weasley name is not very respected in our world, and there is also the fact that the Malfoys are much more in need of an heir than the Weasleys."

Severus didn't respond.

"You're the last Snape, Severus. And you may be the only one who can save Hermione and Hogwarts," the old wizard pressed.

"I'll think about it," he mumbled turning away.

"I'm sorry, Severus, but we haven't the luxury of time. I need an answer now."

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It was almost two weeks later before Hermione received her official contracts. She was sitting down to breakfast when the morning owls arrived, as usual.

A thick envelope nearly landed in her cereal.

She knew what it was as soon as she saw the ministry seal.

Hermione gave the Headmaster a significant look, then quickly left the Great Hall and headed to her office.

As she left she noticed Professor Snape watching her closely. She wondered how much he knew about what was going on with her.

After she'd left his office the morning after her first night back, he'd not said two words to her. She rarely saw him, and had the feeling he was avoiding her.

She reached her office and felt a pang of longing for Minerva. She, Flitwick, and Hooch had gone off on a holiday, touring Europe. It was a much needed rest for the Professors who finally had the freedom to leave their students in the capable hands of the new teachers. Hermione knew that it was just a trial-run to make sure that everything would workout okay. As much as they were ready to retire, not a one of them would leave Dumbledore without adequate help. They'd be back in a few weeks, just to make sure things were going okay, but basically, Hermione was on her own.

Hermione made herself a cup of tea, and settled at her desk. She had almost an hour before her first class to go over the contracts.

She reached for the envelope and held it up to the light, trying to read the writing, but couldn't make anything out. Finally she ripped the top off of the envelope, and pulled out the heavy sheets of parchment.

Hermione Jane Granger, Master of Transfiguration and 2^nd Order of Merlin,

The Ministry of Magic is proud to present you with two official contracts for marriage. Please review each one carefully, and sign where designated on the contract of your choice. You have two weeks to make a choice. If you have not signed by then, the Ministry shall choose for you. Upon signing the contract you have three months to marry and consummate the marriage. Failure to do this will nullify the chosen contract, and validate the contract that was not chosen.

We wish you luck and happiness with your new spouse!

Sincerely,

Randall Droms

Re-population Team Leader

Ministry of Magic

Hermione said a few words that her students and friends would have been stunned to hear her say and then crumpled the page into a ball and tossed it in the dustbin.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the first contract.

Marriage Contract in ordinance with the Marriage Law

Contractor: Draco Lucius Malfoy

Contracted: Hermione Jane Granger

Terms and Conditions:

Mr. Malfoy and Professor Granger shall be wed with haste at Malfoy Manor. Professor Granger shall be required to run the household, and provide Mr. Malfoy with no less than three male Wizarding children. She shall not leave the manor without her husband's permission, and shall be submissive to him in every way.

Hermione quit reading and tried to rip the contract in half, but found that an indestructible charm had been used, so she simply dropped it into the dustbin as she'd done the letter.

There was no way in hell she'd be choosing Malfoy's contract!

She looked at the other piece of folded parchment with dread. No matter how she felt about the person on that contract, he would be the one she'd marry. Honestly, she just felt relieved that she'd received two contracts, which meant one of the Weasleys got through.

A glance at the clock told her she only had about twenty minutes 'til her next class. There was no sense in delaying the inevitable.

She opened the second contract and read the name. Her jaw dropped, eyes widened, and she let out a snort of disbelief.

Was this some kind of joke? Maybe the work of the twins?

Marriage Contract in ordinance with the Marriage Law

Contractor: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on behalf of Severus Snape

Contracted: Hermione Jane Granger

Terms and Conditions:

Professor Snape and Professor Granger shall complete all requirements of the Marriage Law.

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Hermione passed the day in a daze. Luckily, it was test day so she hadn't actually had to give any lectures.

The more she thought about the contract, the more she realized that it couldn't be a joke. Albus had said that he would find a non-Weasley to submit a contract for her. It was lucky that he had, as the Weasleys had obviously not qualified. Though Hermione suspected that it had more to do with the Malfoy ties in the ministry than the actual blood test results.

So, she would soon be marrying Severus Snape. According to the law she would have to bed him, and have at least one child. She waited for the fear to seize her at the prospect of being at the mercy of a man, but it never came.

Professor Snape had been the only one to truly know what had happened to her that night. He'd seen it all, and then gave her the means to save herself and her parents from certain death, sacrificing himself in the process. He'd suffered with guilt so much over what had happened to her that she knew he would never hurt, or take advantage of her.

Still, becoming Mrs. Snape wasn't very desirable to her. Then again, becoming Mrs. anybody wasn't desirable.

Damn ministry! Why couldn't they just leave well enough alone?

She looked up at the seven students in her 5^th year Transfiguration class and sighed.

"They can't leave well enough alone or the Wizarding World will fade away," she mumbled to herself.

The three students in the first row gave her an odd look, but the glare she sent them had their eyes refocusing on their test.

The only thing that really bothered her about Snape's contract was that Albus had submitted it. Had Severus given his consent or even known about it?

It was that question that made her hold off on signing it before she talked to him. Although, she really ought to just go ahead and sign so there'd be nothing he could do about it. She intended to marry him whether he wanted her or not, but still couldn't bring herself to sign just yet.

Tonight, after dinner, she would go to him.

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Charlie Weasley tried to hold still and not wince as Madam Pomfrey examined his latest wounds. It seemed he spent most of his evenings in the hospital wing getting stitched back together.

"I never got this many wounds when I just dealt with dragons," he commented making the older witch laugh.

When she'd done all she could do, he thanked her and turned to go.

"Get some rest Charlie, they'll heal faster," Poppy said.

He nodded at her, then stopped and really looked at her.

"You look like you could use some rest as well, Poppy," he commented gently.

The old woman sighed.

"I know. I'm so tired Charlie. I want to go home and see my Great Grandchildren before they're not children anymore," she confessed, sadly.

"Have you told Dumbledore?" he asked.

"He knows. He's looking for a replacement, but there really aren't many qualified healers that will take a position at a school. The few who inquired about the position were just not good enough. As much as I want to retire, I'll not leave the care of Hogwarts students to just anybody," she said, sternly.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find the perfect person soon," he said.

His stomach rumbled loudly.

"Go eat!" she commanded, and shooed him out of the infirmary.

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Charlie reached the Great Hall a few minutes later and walked to the Head Table calling out greetings to the students as he passed them. It was a shame that there were so few that he knew each of their names after only three weeks of classes.

He sat in an empty seat beside Hermione, who was absently moving a meatball around on her plate with her fork.

"A knut for your thoughts," he said, piling his plate with spaghetti and meatballs.

"Huh? Oh, sorry Charlie, I've got a lot on my mind."

"Well, that's obvious. Is it about the contract? I got a letter back saying I wasn't compatible with you," he said nonchalantly.

Hermione turned to look at him.

"I know. I only received two contracts, and neither was from you or your brothers," she said.

"Really, who were they from?"

"Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape," she said, and then had to thump him on the back when he started choking.

"Snape submitted a contract for you?" he demanded once he could breathe normally.

"Actually, Albus submitted it on his behalf. And it's a good thing to, because if he hadn't you'd be looking at the new Mrs. Malfoy," she said with a shudder.

"That's true," he admitted, and turned back to his plate.

They ate in silence for a moment.

"Bill never liked Snape," Charlie said, suddenly. The pain that came at the mention of Bill's name wasn't as strong as it used to be. Nevertheless, he'd probably drink himself to sleep tonight.

Hermione stopped eating and turned to look at him again.

"I never did either. Bill was like me in that we enjoyed pleasing our Professors, but nothing we did could get a kind word out of Snape. If he hadn't have saved my family and me that night, I'd be taking this whole thing a lot harder. As it is, I trust Snape. He's proven himself to me, so I really don't have any reason to complain."

Charlie thought that over for a minute then grimaced.

"The law says you have to have a kid. You're really okay with going to his bed?"

Hermione sighed.

"Look around Charlie. I don't agree with the law but something has to be done," she told him, earnestly.

He looked down at the students that couldn't come close to filling the four long tables.

"We all have to do whatever is necessary to ensure our world survives. At least it's Snape I'll be dealing with and not Malfoy. I don't have to worry about him hurting me."

"That's right. And you better promise that you'll let us know if he starts to treat you wrong, because I won't stand for it," he said, heatedly.

Hermione smiled and patted his hand. "I know you won't," she said, with a smile. She took one last sip of pumpkin juice and got to her feet.

"You know, Charlie, you and the rest of your brothers should really think about taking out contracts of your own," she told him, and then walked away.

Charlie put down his fork, suddenly not hungry anymore.

Before his mum had died, she'd been on his case to find a wife. He'd be thirty years old next year, and while that wasn't very old for a bachelor wizard, it was for a Weasley. His own parents were barely eighteen when they married. Although, he suspected that it probably had more to do with the fact that Bill had already been on the way than that they were actually ready to get married.

It had been for that reason that he'd been very careful in the few intimate relationships he'd had. Weasleys were known for their fertility if nothing else. Which was even more reason for he and his brothers to participate in this law.

He'd always been a romantic at heart, and had held onto the dream of finding the perfect woman. Perhaps it was time to let that dream go, and do what was needed.

He started when Harry suddenly plopped down beside him. Charlie could tell by the expression on the younger man's face that something was bothering him.

"Alright Harry?" he asked, eager for a distraction from his depressing thoughts.

Harry looked at him consideringly for a moment before answering.

"Charlie, do you have problems with any of your students?" he asked, finally.

"Well, occasionally there's a spat between a few, but for the most part they are much more mild mannered than I was," he answered with grin.

Harry shook his head.

"What's the problem, Harry?"

"Do you promise not to tell anybody? It's kind of embarrassing," Harry said, looking very uncomfortable.

Charlie nodded, intrigued.

"It's the girls, the seventh years to be precise," he said, miserably.

"What are they doing?"

"They're- they're flirting with me, shamelessly!"

Charlie snorted, and Harry glared at him.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to teach a class when half the students are winking at you and blowing kisses? And don't even get me started on the love notes I get..."

Harry buried his head in his hands.

"I don't know what to do."

Charlie was doing his best not to laugh.

"I've never really encountered that kind of problem before. Perhaps you should ask Hermione, she usually has an answer for everything."

Harry nodded.

"Speaking of Hermione, do you know if she's heard back from the Ministry about the contracts?" Harry asked.

"Oh, no. I'm gonna let Hermione drop that bomb herself," Charlie said, and stood up to leave.

"She probably needs to talk to you as much as you need to talk to her."

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Charlie entered his rooms and warded the door behind him. It wasn't that he was afraid of students getting in; no, they seemed to respect him. However, Fred and George had been a little too quiet lately, and he wasn't taking any chances with the notorious pranksters.

He entered his sitting room and shrugged out of his outer robes with a sigh of pleasure. He hadn't had to wear robes when he was working the dragon colonies in Romania, and he still wasn't quite used to them yet.

Charlie stopped in his tracks when he noticed the large barn owl watching him from its perch on the arm of a chair. Upon closer inspection, Charlie saw the small brown envelope tied to its leg.

He reached out and relieved the owl of its burden.

"I'm sorry, I don't have a treat for you," he said to it.

The owl hooted disgruntled, and glared impatiently at the unopened letter in Charlie's hand.

"They must want a response," he mumbled, and opened the envelope.

Mr. Charlie Weasley,

My name is Timothy Collins, I don't know if you remember me from school. I was in Ravenclaw, and three years ahead of you. I am currently one of the blood testers on the Re-population team at the Ministry of Magic. You should know that several of my fellow team members have taken bribes from Draco Malfoy to ensure that neither you nor any of your brothers would be allowed to marry Hermione Granger. I am sorry that I was unable to do anything in that situation, though I did try. I made sure that another contract was allowed through, even though it might not be any more promising than the first, but at least she has a choice.

I'm afraid I must ask you for a favor, knowing that you owe me nothing. I have a sister who is a half-blood witch and has just received a contract from Vincent Crabbe. I have already tested her blood against yours, and it is a match, I beseech you to allow me to submit a contract for her on your behalf before it is to late.

Rachel is a trusting and happy soul. I must do everything in my power to keep her out of the hands of that Son-of-a-Death-Eater. She has no knowledge of this letter, and firmly believes that everything will work out for the best. I don't have to tell you that I do not share her conviction.

At twenty-five, she has just graduated from a medical university, and has applied for a job at St. Mungo's Hospital. I saw the ad that Headmaster Dumbledore put in the Daily Prophet for a Healer, and I assure you that Rachel will more than qualify for the position.

I implore you to quickly consider this and respond with haste. I know it's a cheap shot, but you had a sister once, and so you must know why I am so insistent that you do this. Please Charlie, you lost a sister, don't let me lose mine.

Sincerely,

Timothy Collins

Several emotions crashed over Charlie as the words on the page sank in. Anger, hurt, fear, apprehension, indignation, sympathy, and a small spark of hope. He stumbled to his desk and hastily scribbled a reply.

There was no choice, really. His conscience wouldn't allow him to turn his back on someone who needed his help.

He affixed his reply to the owl's leg, and opened a window for it to leave, wondering how it had gotten in in the first place.

Hermione was right. He needed to submit a contract of his own, why not help someone out in the process?

His thoughts turned to his baby sister, and brothers, and parents. Getting married and having a kid with a stranger seemed such a small sacrifice compared to theirs. Still, a little part of him died as he resigned himself to the fact that he may never have the opportunity to fall in love.

Thankful that his first class wasn't until after lunch the next day, he headed for his liquor cabinet to drown his sorrows, and ease his pain.

End Chapter 2