Disclaimer. J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and Co. I own nothing.

The Power of the Quill.

Chapter 01 Match Maker.

It was only Wednesday of her first week back at school, but it was already the worst week at Hogwarts Hermione Granger had ever had. It began on Monday morning when the 'Daily Prophet' announced that the Ministry of Magic had passed the new Marriage Law to address the problems in the St. Mungo's report regarding the rising number of stillborns and squib births among Pureblood families. The report stated that in less than two generation it was likely that eighty present of the Pureblood families would die out unless preventive measures were taken.

Of coarse, the Ministry's heavy-handed reaction was to pass a marriage law forcing Purebloods to marry Muggle-borns and Half-bloods. The Ministry itself would choose who would marry whom. They planned to use a magical blood test to find the best matches possible. The persons involved had no say in who would be chosen to be their mate. Only the best and brightest of the Wizarding World would be selected for the new program. There were to be twenty marriages per year arranged over the course of the next twenty years. By that time, the mixed-blood population should be at least fifty percent of the population. According to the new law, anyone selected that refused to comply would be stripped of their wand and banished from the Wizarding community.

Hermione had no doubts about being selected. Her O.W.L.'s were among the highest scores in the last twenty years. The Ministry had also sent her a notice on Monday that they now considered her to have reached the age of eligibility, sixteen, due to her use of a Time Turner in her third year.

She owled her parents that evening informing them that she might be forced to marry against her will. Her father returned her owl on Tuesday morning, letting her know he was already looking into Wizarding schools in America and Japan. European schools were out of the question since the Ministry had an Extradition Treaty with the European Wizards Council. Hermione wanted, more than anything, to be able to finish her last two years at Hogwarts. But, if she had to choose between being forced to marry a stranger and bare his children, and leaving England, then leaving was what she would do.

The person Hermione most felt sorry for was Harry. Being a Half-blood and the hero of the Wizarding World guaranteed he would be selected. Unlike her, he couldn't just run away from the new law. He had to stay and help the Order in its fight against Voldemort. He would just have to stay and marry whomever the Ministry picked for him.

The one thing Hermione would truly miss more than Hogwarts were her friends. She couldn't picture the magical world without Harry, Ron and Ginny in it. The one thing she wouldn't miss, would be Draco Malfoy and his pack of Slytherin trolls. Especially Pansy Parkinson, who had decided to make Hermione's life a living hell this year. Parkinson had shown up at King's Cross Station with a whole new face this year. Gone was her trademark up-turned nose that gave her a pug-like look. Her nose wasn't the only thing that had changed about her. She was now a lot more top-heavy than she used to be. Pansy said she had a growth spurt over the summer, but nobody goes from completely flat to a C-cup in just three months. Hermione felt sorry for the poor wizard that fell for Pansy's looks without knowing the horrible shrew that lay just beneath the skin.

Hermione notice that most of the sixth year Pureblood girls had returned looking a lot better after this summer than they had before. It was Parvati Patil who informed her that most of the Pureblood families started to negotiate engagement contracts for their daughters as soon as they turned sixteen.

"The prettier the girl, the better the husband," Parvati said.

Of course, Parvati and her twin sister Padma still looked the same as they had three months earlier. There was no need to improve upon perfection. The sisters had received the nickname 'Twin Goddesses' at Hogwarts evenbefore their fifth year.

As soon as the Marriage Law was announced, the Slytherins took every opportunity to throw the new law in Hermione's face. It was on Tuesday afternoon, before Care of Magical Creatures, that Hermione had finally had enough. Pansy was complaining loudly about how awful it was to be forced to marry a Mudblood. She said she would drown any Half-blood baby before it could ruin her family's good name.

Hermione stepped in front of the Slytherin 'Heather Locklear look-alike' and said, "Your family would need a good name to ruin first, wouldn't they Parkinson?"

Parkinson narrowed her eyes at the Gryffindor and said, "Better watch your mouth, Mudblood, if you want to stay in one piece."

Hermione tightened her grip on her wand. "And just what is at tarted up little tramp like you going to do if I don't?" she said heatedly.

Just then, Draco stepped between the girls. "Now, now – there's no need to fight. This law is for the betterment of all Wizarding kind," he said sarcastically.He thenleaned closer to her and said, "Don't worry, Mudblood, I personally sent a request for you to the Ministry. I wrote mother just today, telling her to have the house-elves clean out one of the rooms above the stables for you."

Hermione was just about to hex Draco when Ron yelled from behind her, "Piss off, Malfoy!"

Hermione turned to see Harry and Ron standing behind her with their wands at the ready. Crabbe and Goyle quickly moved forward to backup Malfoy.

Pansy laid her hand on Malfoy's arm. "You shouldn't soil yourself with the like of her, Draco. Didn't you read what 'The Daily Prophet' had to say about her? She'll spread her legs for any wizard that has a little fame or a couple of gold coins in their robes."

Angrily Hermione spat, "That 'Daily Prophet' article was full of lies. Everything it was as fake as your boobs, Parkinson."

"YOU FILTHY MUDBLOOD!" Pansy shrieked as she raised her wand.

With all her D.A. training, Hermione was easily able to duck the oncoming curse. Unfortunately, the hex sailed straight over her head, striking Ron in the face. He never even saw it coming.

Wasting no time, Hermione aimed her wand at Pansy's chest and said, "Liqueremotus." A blue light shot from the tip of her wand to Pansy's chest.

Pansy looked down, but nothing seemed to be happening to her. With a gloating smile on her face, she raised her arm to throw another hex at Hermione. But as soon as her arm was lifted, the right half of her robe fell from her body. Seconds later the left half fell as well. Then her grey jumper started to unravel like a ball of yarn. Her green plaid skirt fell in pieces to the ground, exposing Pansy's bright pink knickers to the whole world. Pansy let out a high-pitched scream as she turned and ran as fast as she could for the safety of the castle. She didn't even make it halfway before there was nothing left to cover her. The entire Care of Magical Creatures class was laughing hysterically at her, both Gryffindor and Slytherin alike.

When Hermione turned to check on Ron, she was surprised to see that his entire face, neck, and hands were covered with long, bright red hair. He looked like the Wolfman from one of those old horror movies. Ron didn't seem to be too bothered by the extra hair. He didn't even go to see Madam Pomfrey until after class was over. When he returned to the Gryffindor Common Room later that evening, he was sporting a nicely trimmed goatee. This was something he had been trying to grow since the beginning of his fifth year.

Hermione found Professor McGonagall waiting for her in the Common Room. Apparently Pansy had run straight to her Head of House, Professor Snape, and told him her very on-sided account of the day's events. Hermione ended up with a detention, the loss of twenty points, and a bill sent to her parents for a new set of school robes.

Now Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall on Wednesday morning, just poking at her breakfast. The previous evening Dumbledore had announced that a Ministry official would be coming to Hogwarts this morning to make announcements dealing with the new Marriage Law. Hermione was feeling far too nervous to eat; the thought that she might have to leave Hogwarts much earlier than she had planned had ruined her appetite.

Hermione looked around at the rest of the student in the Great Hall. It was clear that most of the sixth and seventh year student were just as upset as she was. The only ones not upset by the pending arrival of the Ministry official, were the Slytherins. With all their families' power and influence in the Ministry, everyone just knew none of them would be on the list. As Hermione scanned the Slytherin table, she became aware of Draco staring back at her. A cold shiver ran down her back at the look in the young, blond man's ghost-gray eyes. She assumed that his boast about sending a request for her to the Ministry was just said to get on her nerves. Part of her wouldn't mind if the Ministry paired her with Malfoy; it would make leaving Hogwarts just that much easier.

The entire Hall became instantly silent as a small wizard in a white robe entered and headed for the staff table.

After briefly speaking with the wizard, Dumbledore rose to make an announcement. "May I have your attention, please?" asked the Headmaster. "As most of you are aware, the Ministry of Magic has enacted a new Marriage Law that will effect some of you here today. Thomas Fitage, the Undersecretary of Wizard Health and Well-being, is here today to inform us just how, and whom, the law will effect."

Hermione watched the small wizard that held her future in his hands. Fitage was barely five-foot-five, and had a very thin, pointy-head. He also had an incredibly small mouth and wore large thick-framed spectacles. Hermione thought he reminded her of a goldfish she once had when she was eight.

"Good morning, Hogwarts," Fitage said in a squeaky, but mechanical-sounding voice. "Due to concerns about the wizard birthrate among older Pureblood families, the Ministry of Magic has passed the Blood-Strength Marital Law. This law will affect all wizards between the ages of sixteen and forty-five and all witches between the ages of sixteen and forty. Under this new law, the Ministry will choose twenty Purebloods and twenty Half-bloods or Muggle-borns to wed each year for the next two decades."

Fitage pulled a Muggle-style clipboard from beneath his robes with several unrolled parchment scrolls clipped to it. "Only witches and wizards with above-average magical abilities and intelligence will be selected for this new program. No more than one witch or wizard from any Pureblood family shall be selected. Pairings will be based on matches that have the greatest chance of producing highly talented magical offspring. A witch's or wizard's wealth or standing in the Wizarding community will have no bearing on whether they are selected or not."

"Yeah right," Seamus Finnigan said under his breath, but still loud enough for most of the Hall to hear and snicker at.

After the brief interruption, Fitage continued. "Exempt from this program are Pureblood wizards or witches that have had a mixed marriage in their family less than two generations ago. Also exempt are witches and wizards with non-human mixed blood, such as Veelas, Giants, Werewolves, and Vampires. All foreign nationals are exempt, as well.

There was a sigh of relief from some of the students in the Great Hall. Hermione looked over at the Ravenclaw table where the new Head Girl, Cho Chang, was sitting. The Head Girl looked very relieved at the news. It was hard for Hermione to feel happy for Cho. Her exemption only increased the chances that Hermione would be selected.

"Each of these unions will be considered a legal Wizarding marriage by law. The only difference being that these marriages may be dissolved after the birth of a proven magical child. Any marriage resulting in the birth of a squib will be instantly dissolved and the participants will be paired with new partners. No form of birth control, Wizard or Muggle, is permitted before the birth of the first child. If caught using a contraceptive, both participants could face up to two years in Azkaban prison. Any couple caught trying to abort a pregnancy will face a minimum of ten years in Azkaban. Because of the large number of Pureblood families that are incapable of producing magical offspring, any couple wishing to dissolve their marriage can give up their child for immediate adoption."

Hermione could feel her hands begin to sweat as Fitage folded a couple of scrolls over the top of his clipboard. Seeing her nervousness, Ron reached his hand under the table and took hold of hers. She held her friend's hand tightly, as if it were the only thing holding her to this world.

Clearing his throat, Fitage began to speak again. "I am here today because six of these new marriages involve students here at Hogwarts. You will receive an official marriage contract from the Ministry of Marriage by owl before the end of the day. These contracts will include a full biography of your intended spouse. Upon receiving this contract, you will have thirty days to get to know your intended. By the end of this time, you must be married and the marriage consummated. Headmaster Dumbledore has informed me that no student will be forced to leave Hogwarts because of his or her new marital status or pregnancy."

You could hear a pin drop in the Great hall as Fitage folded back the next parchment on the clipboard. "Under the Ministry Law 246-bs416, Miss Hannah Abbot, being half Muggle descent, is herby betrothed to Donald Fitzwater, Pureblood, representing the Fitzwater bloodline."

There was a collective gasp in the Hall after Fitage read the first marriage announcement. Hermione quickly swiveled in her seat, looking over at the Hufflepuff table to look at her fellow prefect. Hannah was openly sobbing with her face buried in her hands. Her fellow Hufflepuffs quickly gathered around to comfort the stricken girl. Hermione barely knew Fitzwater. He was in Ravenclaw and had graduated three years ago. The sound of snickers and giggling made Hermione turn around. The entire Slytherin table seemed to be enjoying this to no end.

Mr. Fitage cleared his throat at full volume to regain the Hall's attention. "Under Ministry Law 246-bs416, Miss Marietta Ann Edgecombe, being of half Muggle descent, is…"

"NO!" Marietta screamed up at the small wizard from the Ravenclaw table. Marietta started to shake uncontrollably in her seat. Cho Change quickly embraced her friend as tears started to run down both girls' cheeks.

Annoyed at being interrupted again, Fitage lowered his clipboard and stared impatiently at the Ravenclaw table. As soon as the loud sobbing died down, he spoke again. "The Ministry fully realizes the burden this new law will place upon you all. I can assure you that these new measures are completely necessary to insure the future of our Wizarding World. This need not be a life sentence for any of you. If you are diligent in following the Ministry's guidelines, you should be free to pursue your own live in no more than ten to twelve months."

Fitage raised his clipboard and continued with announcements. "Under Ministry Law 246-bs416, Miss Marietta Ann Edgecombe, being of half Muggle descent, is hereby betrothed to Marcus Theodore Flint, Pureblood, representing the Flint bloodline."

More gasps filled the hall after Fitage's announcement. Most of them were now coming from the Slytherins, who were in complete shock that one of their own had been selected. Marcus had signed with the Tutshill Tornados earlier that summer to be their new rookie Beater. His family was supposed to be very influential, yet they apparently were unable to save Marcus from being selected. Hermione watched with some enjoyment as a nervous fear took hold of all the sixth and seventh year Slytherins.

"Under Ministry Law 246-bs416, Claudia Rachel Turnnage, being of half Muggle descent, is hereby betrothed to Blaise Zabini, Pureblood, representing the Zabini bloodline."

Blaise just sat in shock after hearing his name announced, apparently unable to speak. Claudia was a close friend of Hermione's. They were both bookworms and had spent a lot of time together in the library. Claudia had graduated the previous summer from Ravenclaw and was now working at Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley. Hermione tried to put together in her head how the Ministry was making these matches. There were three marriages with three Ravenclaws in them. No Muggle-borns or Gryffindors had been selected, yet. Hermione considered the virtues of the people chosen so far. She thought she saw a pattern beginning to form. 'Intelligent witches paired with athletic wizards,' Hermione thought to herself. The next announcement would not only confirm Hermione's suspicions, but also shock Hogwarts to its core.

"Under Ministry Law 246-bs416, Pansy Daniela Parkinson, being of Muggle birth, is hereby betrothed to Ronald Weasley, Pureblood, representing the Weasley bloodline."

Mass confusion broke out in the Great Hall as people tried to make sense of the announcement. Hermione felt a sharp pain in her left hand. Ron was squeezing her hand so hard that her fingers were starting to turn blue.

"Ron," she said, but he didn't seem to hear her. He just stared off into space as if in some kind of a trance. "RON, YOU'RE HURTING ME!" she shouted, as she began to lose the feeling in her hand.

Ron released her hand as he snapped back to reality. "Sorry 'Mione," he said in an apologetic voice.

"Ron, it's a mistake," Harry said, trying to reassure his friend. "Parkinson's not a Muggle-born. Everyone knows that. They can't force two Purebloods to get married, now can they?"

"Harry's right, Ron. The Parkinson family is almost as old as the Malfoys. They're as Pureblood as they come," Hermione said reassuringly.

Pansy Parkinson rose from her seat with a very irritated look on her face. She looked as if she had just been the victim of one of Fred and George's practical jokes. "Mr. Fitage, I am NOT a Mudblood," she rudely shouted at the small wizard. "Both my parents are Purebloods. The Parkinsons have always been Purebloods."

Overlooking her rudeness, the little wizard flipped through the folded parchments on his clipboard. "Ah, I see where your confusion lies, Miss Parkinson. You were adopted."

You could feel the air being sucked out of the Great Hall as the entire student body's mouths flew open. Pansy stood perfectly still with a look of absolutehorror on her face, as if she had just been petrified by a Basilisk.

"Yes, yes. It's all right here, "Fitage said, as he read through one of the parchments. "You were born on August 23, 1980 at St. Aretha's Women's Correctional Facility to Mary Kathleen Taylor, who was serving a sixteen-month sentence for multiple counts of Prostitution, Pandering, and Petty Larceny. Mary Taylor died at age nineteen of an apparent drug overdose, resulting in your premature birth at seven and a half months. At six months of age, the Ministry discovered your magical abilities and removed you from the Yorktown public orphanage, placing you with your current wizard family. So, being of…"

A loud crash interrupted Fitage. Pansy had fainted dead away, landing headfirst in her breakfast plate. Her face was buried in a large bowl of porridgewith air bubbles coming up from her mouth.

"Next chapter coming in three days. This story is being reloaded after be removed for sexual content. I want to thank the seventeen hundred plus reveiewer that had made this story so popular. Thank you, Pink."