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Chapter Text

Shocking News.

The entire Weasley family sat around the small table in the kitchen of the burrow. The room was loud and rather chaotic, Fred and George both causing Charlies bacon and eggs to dance a jig on the plate. Harry Potter were also present, sitting quietly and grinning at the antics going on around them. They were startled by a loud bang and looked over at the window. There were 8 owls waiting patiently for someone to open the window, which Molly promptly did. She sorted through the letters, noticing that the were no letters for her, Arthur or Bill. She gave them to each of the children, smiling and laughing with the rest of them. Ginny opened her letter first, and immediately stopped laughing. Everyone turned to her, noticing the change in her mood. 

"What wrong, Gin?" Fred asked, concern clear in his eyes. 

"Read your letters!" She replied. 

She scanned over the letter, her heart sinking in her chest.

To whoever it may concern,

We are writing to inform you of a new law that has been passed. Due to the two Wizarding War, the population of our magical community has decreased sharply. The Ministry has decided to implement a marriage law. You will get the details once you arrive back at Hogwarts.

We wish you a happy summer,

The Department of Magical Marriages.

Molly looked over her daughters shoulder and read the letter. She dropped the plate she was holding, not moving as it shattered on the floor. 

"Molly, are you alright?" Arthur asked, concern clouding his eyes.

Hermione gulped. Her year were going back to Hogwarts to redo their seventh year, because it had been disrupted by the war. She made eye contact with Harry and Ron, who looked confused and rather shocked. Molly looked like she was about to burst into tears, Bill looked angry and Arthur looked like he was about to punch a wall. The twins usual grins were gone and instead they were staring at the wall, and Percy looked scared while Ginny hugged Ron tightly.

"You guys aren't going back to Hogwarts, so how are you gonna find out the details?" Hermione asked.

"We all have to go to the ministry next week!" Percy replied.

The next week passed quickly and soon they were on the train, on the way back to Hogwarts. Hermione, Ron and Harry sat in their usual compartment. Hermione shook her red and black hair over her shoulder and plugged in her headphones. She smiled as she heard the familiar tune of Ex-Wives and leant back in her seat. Harry had decided to dye his hair deep blue, and he also got several tattoos. Hermione was startled out of her daydreaming by the compartment door opening. She took out her headphones and turned to stare at the Trio who stood in the doorway. She blushed when she saw Pansy Parkinson, who had cut her hair into a bob and was wearing bright red lipstick. She was wearing a dark hoodie with fishnet sleeves and a dark skirt with ripped tights. She also had a nose piercing and she looked amazing! Standing behind her were Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini, who Hermione ignored. 

"Can we help you?" She asked, trying her hardest not to look at Pansy. 

Pansy stared at Hermione, trying to remember what she had been about to say. Hermione had dyed her hair red and black, and she had a septum piercing. 

This is what Hermione is wearing I didn't know how to describe it in words! Sorry.

"We wanted to apologise for the way we behaved in the past and ask if we could make a truce and get on this year," Blaise replied, saving Pansy from the embarrassment. Harry, Hermione and Ron looked at each other and seemed to agree on something because they turned back to the Slytherins and grinned, nodding. Hermione gestured to Pansy to take the seat next to her and smiled at her, before offering her a one of her headphones so they could listen to music together. Pansy had gone into the muggle wold a lot during the summer and accepted. She recognized the music and grinned. She loved Six the Musical. The rest of the train ride was peaceful, and Pansy grinned widely at her new friends.

Chapter Text

The Matchmaking Sorting.

Ginny Weasley stepped out of the train, dragging Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom behind her. She made a beeline for the nearest carriage and ducked inside, glad to be out of the pouring rain. Luna sat next to her and she blushed slightly, before turning to Neville and asking him what he thought about the new law. He was just about to answer when they were interrupted by Harry, Ron and Hermione. Ginny grinned at them and then did a double take. Behind them were Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. She stared for a minute and then turned to the golden Trio with a knowing glint in her eyes, grinning wickedly. 

"Hello, Malfoy, Parkinson, Zabini" Neville nodded stiffly at them, turning to Harry with a questioning look in his eye. 

"We decided all the fighting was stupid and petty and therefore we have decided to make a truce and become friends!" Harry replied, blushing faintly. 

"Hello," Luna said to the three Slytherins, lighting up the carriage with her smile. 

The rest of the journey was spent in awkward conversation, with Ginny throwing knowing glances between the Golden Trio and the Slytherins. Once they reached the castle, they split up to go and sit in their separate house tables. Ginny grinned and sat next to Hermione.

"Someone's got a crush!" Ginny whispered, her eyes sparkling. 

Hermione glared at her and didn't respond, instead choosing to stare at Professor McGonagall and watch the sorting. Ginny was far too nervous to watch the sorting and instead zoned out, dreading who her match would be. She didn't know how they were going to sort them into pairs and she was scared of being put with someone she hated. She wished she could be with Luna, but she knew that it would not be possible as their matches were supposed to be for children and she and Luna would not be able to do that. She sighed, and then grinned as food appeared on the table. She grabbed some Yorkshire pudding, and other foods and proceeded to stuff herself full of the house elves delicious cooking. Once the main course had been cleared away, she turned to look at the Ravenclaw table and grin at Luna. She noticed a first year watching her with awe on their face and turned to them, going cross eyed and sticking her tongue out. The first year looked away, frightened, and Ginny turned back to the table, grabbing some meringues and ice cream. Once the feast was finally finished, Professor McGonagall told all the Seventh and Eighth years to stay behind, and Ginny exchanged a nervous glance with Hermione, Harry and Ron. 

"You will be paired with your future partners tomorrow, but for tonight you will be using some of the spare dormitories in your houses. You will not have any classes tomorrow, and you will be staying behind after breakfast. I will explain more tomorrow but for now, off to bed with you all!" 

The Seventh and Eighth years walked silently back to each of their houses, far too worried to talk to each other.

Ginny woke up the next morning, happy and content to be back at Hogwarts, until the memory of the new law hit her. She groaned, heading for the bathroom to shower and dress. She passed Hermione on the way, and tried too smile. It was more of a grimace, but Hermione didn't notice. She was too busy repeatedly banging her head on a book and groaning. She was already dressed, but she was waiting for Ginny. Ginny shut the bathroom door and leant against it sighing, before turning the shower on and getting ready for the morning. Once she was ready, she walked out of the bathroom, grinning at Hermione weakly. Hermione got up quickly off her bed, and hugged Ginny. They both proceeded to walk down the stairs together, joining Harry, Ron and Neville on the way. Once they got to the great hall, Ginny made eye contact with Luna and grinned at her again, blushing. She sat down and ate her breakfast, although she felt a bit queasy due to her nerves. Breakfast seemed to end far to soon and Ginny stayed seated along with the other Seventh and Eighth years. 

"The sorting hat will tell you who your soulmate is. You will be partnered with them and you will be unable to swap or change. I will call out the names of Seventh Years first, and then the Eighth years. Please be silent and patient, this may take a while. I am extremely apologetic to you about this law, I tried to talk Minister Shacklebolt out of it but apparently we have no choice. I got the impression that he wasn't keen on it either but his hand was forced. You are all expected to be engaged by October and married by January. You are expected to have your first child within a year of your marriage. If you are unable to have children there is a fertility potion that can be drunk and if that doesn't work, you are not obligated to have a child. If you are a same sex couple, there is a potion for you and your partner to have a child. I will now start calling out your names."

Ginny sat still, processing what she had just heard. She zoned out until Hermione nudged her in the ribs. 

"Gin, you need to listen. Luna is next," Hermione muttered, looking at her friend with pity. 

"Luna Lovegood" Professor McGonagall shouted out.

Ginny watched her friend walking up to the hat on shaking legs and then sit down on the rickety stool. The hat slipped over her head and then called out the name that made Ginny and Luna's hearts explode with happiness. 

"Ginevra Molly Weasley"

She walked to where the other couples where sitting, Luna joining he halfway across the room. Once they had sat down, Ginny dared to glance at Luna, expecting the worst. She was pleasantly surprised when she saw Luna grinning. Luna looked at her and then lay her head on Ginny's shoulder. Ginny sat frozen for a minute, but slowly relaxed, her heart melting with happiness. 

Hermione watched Ginny and Luna from across the room, happy that they were together. She knew that Ginny had a massive crush on Luna, and she was glad that they were paired together. She focused back on the sorting, noticing it was now the Eighth years turn. 

"Hermione Jean Granger"

Hermione stood up and walked over to the hat, her heart nearly beating out of her chest. She sat down and the hat was slipped onto her head. There was silence for a moment, and the it started talking. Just like she did in her first year, she nearly jumped out of her skin. 

"Yes....very interesting....hmmmmm....well,well,well.......yes, that's it.................Pansy Parkinson"

Hermione sat still in shock for a moment and then smiled a bit. She had a small crush on Pansy Parkinson and she was glad it wasn't anyone awful like Mclaggan or any guy for that matter. She hopped off the stool and headed in the direction of the other couples. She sat next to Ginny and Luna, and Pansy joined her. When she looked over at Pansy, she grinned at her. Pansy blushed and grinned back, winking at her. Hermione blushed bright red and Ginny burst into quiet laughter, gasping for breath.

Harry watched Ginny laughing like a maniac and Hermione blushing like a tomato, glad that they were happy with their partners. He was glad they got people they got on with, unlike some couples. For example, Gregory Goyle and Astoria Greengrass. Neville and Hannah Abbott had been paired together, which made Harry smile because he knew how much Neville liked her.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy"

Harry watched Draco sadly. He had a small, okay big, crush on Draco but he knew Draco was straight and even if he wasn't he would never like Harry that way. Imagine his shock when the sorting hat called out the name,

"Harry James Potter"

Harry blinked several times before Ron pushed him out of his seat and in the direction he was meant to be going. He eventually to the area where all the couples where sitting and took his seat gingerly next to Draco. If he had looked round at Draco, he would have noticed the blush staining his pale cheeks whenever he looked at Harry, but Harry, as always, was oblivious and clueless.

Ron was nervous. He was one of the last people to get a partner and he was worrying that the hat wouldn't be able to find a suitable match. 

"Ronald Billius Weasley"

Ron stood up and hurried towards the stool. He was so worried he didn't even hear the sorting hat until it shouted out gleefully,

"Blaise Zabini"

Ron came back to earth with a jolt, shock running through his veins. He had realised his crush on Blaise yesterday, but he had presumed it would go away soon. He half walked and half ran towards the couples seating area, sitting next to Harry and trying to distract himself by talking to him. Unfortunately, Blaise sat right next to him, and making Ron blush and forget about what he was saying.

Luna smiled. Everyone had been paired up and now they were waiting for McGonagall to give them more instructions. Luna grinned at Ginny, amazed that she had been paired with the Goddess that was Ginny Weasley. She was about to say something when McGonagall cleared her throat. Luna turned back to the Head Mistress, smiling serenely. 

"Right, please listen here everyone. You will be sharing a common room with a few other couples, but you will have your own room for each couple. You will have your own separate beds until you are married, there will be no rumpy pumpy until you have had your wedding, is that clear? Now, I will hand each couple an envelope which contains your keys to your rooms, and the password to your common room, with instructions on how to get to it. Please talk amongst yourselves until I give you your envelopes."

Ginny, Luna, Hermione, Pansy, Draco, Harry, Blaise and Ron talked together until Professor McGonagall walked up to them and handed them each their envelopes. She explained to them that they were all in a common room together and to open their envelopes to get the instructions of where it is and the password.

Chapter Text

The Aftermath

Ginny, Luna, Hermione, Pansy, Draco, Harry, Blaise and Ron talked together until Professor McGonagall walked up to them and handed them each their envelopes. She explained to them that they were all in a common room together and to open their envelopes to get the instructions of where it is and the password.

The Group walked down, talking loudly and getting along like a house on fire. Ginny and Luna were walking closely together in front of the group, looking lost in their own world. The rest of the group walked together talking nineteen to the dozen. Eventually they reached a portrait of a  young woman in a pale yellow dress who smiled at them kindly. 

"Password?" She asked, her green eyes glittering.

"Pumpkin Pasty," replied Hermione confidently, after quickly checking. 

The portrait swung open, revealing a beautiful sitting room. Everyone climbed quickly through the portrait hole to get a good look at their new home. The sitting room was light and airy, with a large window showing a view of the Black Lake. There were several large comfortable sofas and armchairs, as well a bean bad. A large fire was roaring in the grate, and on one side of the room the wall was covered by a large bookshelf. There was a cosy kitchen and a large, stone spiral staircase took up one corner of the comforting room. Hermione smiled happily, before running up the stairs to see what the living situation was upstairs. The group came out onto a landing, with painting dotted along the stone walls, as well as a few more random bookshelves. 4 doors stood along the short corridor, their warm wooden tones giving a cosy vibe to the old stone walls. Each door had a small name plaque on it, with the names of the two people who would be living there. Hermione and Pansy walked into their room, looking around curiously. They entered into a snug bedroom. The walls were covered with posters and plants, and the large four poster beds looked warm and comfortable. There was a cheerful fire heating the room, and in one corner of the warm stone room was another door. Hermione opened it and found a beautiful bathroom. She smiled and then went back into the bedroom. Pansy was sitting on one of the beds, shuffling through a pack of cards. Hermione smiled at her, and then started unpacking her trunk, which stood at the end of her bed. She put her clothes in the large wardrobe on one side of her bed, and then unpacked her books onto the bookshelves above her desk. She then pulled out a few other items which she placed on her desk, which face a large window. She stared at the surrounding Scottish countryside for a minute, until she was jolted back to reality by Pansy's voice. 

"Why is there a random owl figurine on your desk?"

Hermione turned around, raising her eyebrow. 

"Because I wanted a random owl figurine on my desk. Also, it was given to me by my mum, and she told me it would be a good desk ornament," Hermione answered, grinning slightly at the pureblood witch. 

Pansy grinned back at her before turning back to her cards.

"Aren't you going to unpack," said Hermione, curiously. 

"Can't be bothered," came the reply. 

Hermione nodded and then picked up her book, wanting to finish it before it got too late.

Luna looked around her new room, grinning. The old stone walls were covered in painting and plants, as well as a few Holyhead Harpies posters. She stared at the large mirror for a second, before turning to Ginny and smiling gently at her. She and Ginny had already unpacked and they were now playing I spy for absolutely no reason. Once they had finished their second game, they decided to go back downstairs. They no longer had a curfew, so they could stay up as long as they liked. They exited their room, chatting happily. Once they reached the sitting room, they stopped to observe the sight of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter curled up on a sofa reading a book together. Luna grinned, they looked so peaceful. Unfortunately, the moment was ruined by Ronald Weasley running like an elephant down the stone stairs and tripping over his own feet, whilst simultaneously complaining about being hungry. Harry quickly jumped off the sofa to help his best mate up whilst Draco blushed like a tomato and then muttered about going to have a shower. Luna and Ginny sat near the fire, continuing their conversation whilst Harry read his book again and Ron stood in the kitchen snacking. Hermione came downstairs ten minutes later, dragging a grumbling Pansy and Draco behind her. In her other hand she held a muggle game called Twister. 

"We are all gonna get to know each other better by playing a fun game of twister!" She said, grinning wickedly. 

Soon, they had Twister all set up and they began playing. It lasted well into the night, before they all finally retired to bed. 

The next morning, Pansy groaned at the shrill sound of her alarm. She shut it off and then turned over, going back to sleep. Before she could, however, Hermione literally pulled her out of her bed, glaring. 

"You will be late for class if you don't wake up now!" She said, glaring slightly.

Pansy sighed but obeyed, collecting her uniform and changing in the bathroom. when she went back into the bathroom, Hermione was already dressed and reading a book. As soon as Pansy entered, she grinned and put the book away. They walked downstairs, wondering what was for breakfast. Harry, Draco, Blaise and Luna were all sitting in the sitting room waiting for everyone else. Finally, the entire group was ready and they exited the portrait hole, smiling at the green eyed lady. They walked quickly into the dining hall, they separated to their separate house tables. Hermione sat next to Lavender and her girlfriend Parvati, who had begun dating long before they were declared soulmates by the sorting hat. After breakfast, they hurried to their lesson, Pansy joining Hermione in Ancient Runes. They sat down next to each other, pulling their things out of their bags and grinning. 

Chapter Text

As Time Goes By

Hermione sat next to Lavender and her girlfriend Parvati, who had begun dating long before they were declared soulmates by the sorting hat. After breakfast, they hurried to their lesson, Pansy joining Hermione in Ancient Runes. They sat down next to each other, pulling their things out of their bags and grinning. 

Time passed rather quickly, September passing into October as people began to get used to the changes in their lives. Luna and Ginny had gotten together almost immediately, and could be found regularly sitting on the loveseat and watching each other which such lovesick expressions people began to feel genuinely queasy. Harry and Draco had also finally realised both liked each other equal amounts and started dating, making everyone sigh in relief. The amount of complaining the two had done was exhausting, and Hermione had nearly pushed Harry out of a window on one particular day when he had been grumbling about how beautiful Draco was and how he would never love Harry, and then spent half an hour talking in detail about Draco "Beautiful stormy, mysterious eyes". However, Hermione had stopped complaining once she and Pansy had finally kissed one strangely sunny afternoon near the end of September, starting the beginning of a very cheesy romance between both girls, complete with cheesy jokes and random bouquets of flowers. Even Zabini had taken his head out of his arse long enough to shove Ron against the wall and kiss him senseless before dragging him upstairs and disappearing for a long while, during which everyone else had disappeared off to the Black lake for a picnic with Dean and Seamus, who had nearly died of laughter as the group recounted the scene in their common room.

The first couple to be officially engaged were Harry and Draco. It was a week before the term ended and the Christmas Holidays began. Draco had taken Harry into Hogsmeade, and then proposed by the Shrieking Shack. Many people would not think getting engaged right next to a supposedly haunted was not romantic, however the group new better. This place had significance to Harry, it being the first time he had actually seen his Godfather for many years, and also the terribly hilarious ordeal of him chucking mud at Draco, the memory of which regularly sent the group into stitches. 

The next couple to propose was Ron and Blaise. This was done in a very Nonchalant manner, and if you hadn't been listening intently to their conversation you would have missed it. They were sitting side by side in their common room, doing their homework and chatting when Ronald casually asked "Marry me?" and Blaise just as casually replied "Sure" before returning to their discussion about the best quidditch group and their DADA essays. Meanwhile, the rest of the friends sat there in shock, blinking rapidly. After about 20 minutes, both Ron and Blaise had realised the silence and stared in confusion at the gobsmacked faces of their friends. After an innocent "What?" from Ron, everyone had erupted at one. Blaise and Ron just stared in amusement, and eventually everyone was silent again. The topic wasn't mentioned much again, although Dean and Seamus once again had a great time listening to Luna tell them the tale. 

Luna proposed to Ginny next. They were sitting in the Forbidden forest, whilst Luna fed the Thestrals and Ginny watched her, a goofy smile on her face. Luna broke the comforting silence when she turned around, a simple, exquisite ring held in her hands. Of course, Ginny had said yes immediately, her grin becoming even wider, and pulled Luna into a fierce kiss. The Thestrals stared before ambling away, leaving the two girls sitting and talking quietly on the rug, while Luna showed Ginny a watercolour of the two of them sitting together. Eventually, Ginny produced a picnic basket and they sat down to eat, however their serene picnic was interrupted by Fang slobbering all over their food and Hagrid showing up to apologetically turf them out of the forest and remind them, once again, that it was named the forbidden forest for a reason.

Hermione and Pansy were last to propose, both producing rings at the exact same time. This led to a moment of silence and then they both burst into peals of laughter. Eventually they composed themselves enough to confirm that they did, in fact, want to marry each other. A crowd had formed by this time, staring in confusion at the two girls in stitches, both  holding rather beautiful engagement rings. They clapped and whistled when it became apparent what had happened and slowly melted away back into the ground of the castle. Both girls grinned happily before being dragged off by their friends to celebrate by getting smashed in their common room now that they were all engaged. 

Every single of these stayed happily married for the rest of their lives, bringing up their respective families close together. Watching as one after another, their children took the same paths as their parents, boarding the Hogwarts express for the first time. They watched the getting sorted into their houses, bursting with pride a sense of sadness that their children were growing up and soon they wouldn't need them anymore. Hermione became the youngest Minister for Magic in History, Pansy became the head of Witch Weekly, a post she greatly enjoyed. Ginny was, obviously, seeker in the Holyhead Harpies and Luna became a well respected Magi-zoologist. Ron, having had enough violence for a lifetime, became a muggle chef and greatly enjoyed the freedom while Blaise and Draco became joint heads of a very powerful muggle and wizarding technology company. Harry, to no ones surprise, became the youngest head Auror in history and had great fun trying to ruin Hermione's budget plans for the department. Their children grew up, having families and children of their own. As the song goes

They still say "I love you",

on that you can rely,

no matter what the future brings, as time goes by."

-As Time Goes By (By Rod Stewart)

The End!!