[nineteen]

Hermione watched as Draco walked around their common room, grabbing the things he had left lying around and placed them in his bag "Draco, talk to me." She said quietly 

Draco scoffed and tossed his bag on the couch " to you? Hermione, you were the one that spent the entire night crying on my lap, then got up and left." he rolled his eyes as he shoved his wand in his cloak's pocket "I understand this is hard, but it's difficult for me, too. We're called a couple for a reason. It's not just you." 

"I know, I'm sorry. I needed some space to think, afterall." Hermione shook her head and fiddled with her thumbs "What are we going to do?"

"My answer remains the same, Granger." Draco sighed "The better question is, what are going to do?"

Hermione sighed and mustered up the bravest smile she could "I want to keep this. I want to keep you." she said and walked up to wrap her arms around him "If I to do this, then I'd rather do this with . Yes, it's too early, but what's a good journey if you're not abruptly thrown into it, right?" 

Draco cupped her cheeks "Hermione, I want you to be sure." 

"I sure." She nodded firmly "I'm scared, yes, but the only thing that's clear right now is my....desire to be with you and with you."

"Okay." he whispered and pressed a kiss on her forehead "."

"You didn't think I'd let another girl whisk you away, did you?" Hermione teased 

"Never." Draco smiled and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips "Let's go, we have a crisis to manage." 

Chaos was already brewing in the Great Hall when they got there. Students from both their year and Ginny's were raging, some even tried to get them to answer questions 

"Do you know what's really happening?" Seamus demanded "The gossip can't be real, can it?" 

"Seamus, please go back to your seat. The ministry will clear things up in a minute." Hermione said 

"Granger--"

"Back to your seat, please?" Hermione said, her eyes piercing. The Gryffindor scowled and did as he was told "That was fierce, Granger." Draco whistled

"Go control the others. I think I've heard a dozen since we entered." Hermione teased with an eye-roll

"Dare they steal my line?" Draco feigned shock before heading over to the other side of the hall to control the uproar; ignoring the pang in his chest at the mention of what he always said. That was something born of the trust and pride he had in his father, which were gone now. 

Just like he will be in a few days' time.

"Malfoy, they're , right?" Pansy exclaimed as she scrambled to match Draco's quick steps "Do you know what I've been hearing since yesterday? Where were you and Granger?" 

"Out on a , no doubt." Blaise added, coming up on his other side 

"One, it's not my place to say anything, and two, no we weren't on a ." Draco rolled his eyes "McGonagall made us swear we wouldn't say anything, so we were sent to spend the rest of the night in our dorm." 

"Where your dorm?" Blaise narrowed his eyes 

"Not the point of this conversation." Draco waved off "Will you two please stop hovering over me like dung flies and find your seats? The assembly should start soon."

"You better wish what we've heard isn't true, Malfoy, or it's your head I'll have." Pansy warned 

"Try me, Parkinson." Draco rolled his eyes and went to shoo a few seventh years away from marching towards the staff table 

"" McGonagall's voice rang clear as day across the entire hall. The dozens of students gathered in the hall immediately fell silent "The minister will be beginning his announcement. Everybody, find your seats." 

Draco and Hermione found their places at one side of the hall, able to oversee the entire crowd "You ready?" Draco asked, taking her hand in his 

"Like it matters." Hermione scoffed and gave his hand a squeeze. From where they were standing, she could see Harry trying to get her attention with a worried frown 

Harry mouthed 

Hermione could only give him a tiny nod, before facing the minister 

"I know that many of you may have already heard of the reason for this assembly. I also know that while a handful of you may already have a slightly accurate guess, a lot are still in the dark regarding the matter." Kingsley began, his deep voice resonating "The truth is, the ministry, and I don't just mean myself, has come up with a new legislative solution to a problem we're facing today. After the second Wizarding War, the Dark Lord's forces have wiped out nearly half of our people. Many wizarding families around the world were annihilated, with majority of them from this country. With our current numbers in mind, the ministry has decided to implement, with the help of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Hogwarts, a new law called the "

As if on cue, the room burst into a series of angry shouts, anguished protests and even tearful pleas. Kingsley raised his hand to signal silence, hushing the room "Each of you will be given a copy of this new law, but to explain it in simpler terms, this law requires all students of this school aged seventeen and above to comply. The first thing you should know is that non-compliance will result in the following: permanent obliviation, snapping of wands and banishment from the wizarding world."

It was McGonagall's turn to silence the hall "Please, let the minister finish." she said sternly 

"To continue, this law will require each of you to submit a name of your partner by the end of this calendar year. Within the next three years, you must be married to that partner. As for the selection, you will be given a choice; you may choose to select your partner by yourself, or let the ministry do the selection for you by means of the sorting hat." Kingsley said solemnly "Moreover, every wizarding family, regardless of purity, is required to have at least one heir to their name within the next three years. For example, the Weasley's are a big family, for as long as Ronald Weasley produces an heir within the next three years, then Ginny Weasley should no longer have a problem with that aspect of this law. However, in the case of mister Potter, who is the last remaining descendant of his name, he will have no choice but to ensure an heir in the next three years." 

Hermione's head snapped to the direction of her friends finding their faces to be redder than the Weasley's hair "There was no need for a name-drop" Hermione hissed "What is going on with Kingsley?" 

"Who knows? Maybe he's another minister under the Imperius curse." Draco shrugged jokingly, earning him a glare from Hermione

"Furthermore, the only exception to this section is if either one, or both, of the couple is barren or unable to produce a child. A ministry healer will need to verify the said conditions before either witch or wizard is excused from the law." Kingsely looked upon the shocked faces of the students and almost failed to suppress a sigh "The heirs do not need to be biologically related to you. Adoption is very much an option. This law will be in effect for the next eight years, or until those five years younger than you are finished with their...turn"