This is my first marriage law fic, please let me know what you think. It's going to be a bit smushy, and also is rated M for future scenes to come. I do like a lot of smut in my stories so be forewarned. Also my spelling, use of punctuation and love of tangents may irritate some

Sirius Black inhaled deeply on the cigarette he held between his fingers, pausing for a moment to savour the burning feeling of the smoke in his lungs, before exhaling -his head resting on the brick wall behind him. He looked skywards at the grey ceiling of cloud that hung low over London, it was March and though there were signs of the approaching spring, today the weather was cold and forbidding. 'Pathetic fallacy', he thought wryly to himself, taking a last drag on the cigarette before stubbing it out on the paving slabs that covered the small back garden of Grimauld Place.

He wasn't a heavy smoker; it was a muggle affectation he had developed as a wayward youth to irritate his parents – though one which he found hard to shake, especially when he needed to think. Tucking the pack of Marlboro's and lighter into his pocket, Sirius sighed, turned his back on the neglected garden and made his way through the back door which led directly into the warmth of the kitchen.

His oldest living friend Remus Lupin was seated at the kitchen table, where Sirius had angrily left him a few minutes before.

'Calmed down?' Remus asked kindly, though the corners of his mouth seemed to be trying to hold back a smile.

Sirius nodded sheepishly and slipped into the chair opposite his friend. 'Sorry for kicking off at you Mooney old pal,' he muttered, conjuring a bottle of Firewhiskey and pouring two very generous measures. 'You just took me by surprise with your proposition.'

Remus nodded his head in understanding, and sighed deeply. 'I know it's not the most ideal idea Sirius – but given the situation it's the only safe solution.'

Sirius laughed and downed his whiskey in one fast gulp. 'It's a dire situation indeed when I'm considered the safest solution.' He grinned and Mooney smiled back sadly, unable to argue.

The Order of the Phoenix were gathered around the same table in Grimauld Place a few hours later. Everyone was speaking at once; some were speaking in low rational voices – others like Molly Weasley were becoming increasingly high pitched in their agitation.

Hermione sat quietly, feeling a little removed from the proceedings. Unlike most of her fellow Order members the news of the new laws that had come into place would affect her directly. There was a gnawing feeling of anxiety in the pit of her stomach, and her limbs felt as though they were made of lead. Not for the first time that night she noticed Sirius casting a worried glance her way, she smiled weakly at him and was about to speak when -

'Silence' Kingsley Shacklebot called from his place at the top of the table and immediately all those gathered fell quiet at his booming command.

'Thank you,' Kingsley said with a gracious smile. 'Now the first order of business is to discuss this news'. He threw a copy of The Daily Prophet on the table – but nobody bothered to reach for it, they had read it so many times they could quote it by heart.

'The Ministry has been threatening something like this for months – and when Umbridge took office as Minister she made sure it was the first law she passed.'

The members of the order all scowled at the mention of Dolores Umbridge's name. With Voldemort pulling the strings from behind the scene at Ministry the vile woman had risen to the position of Minister of Magic , and was hell bent on rectifying 'The Mudblood' issue.

'I just don't understand her reasoning though,' Ron interjected angrily, 'Surely the last thing she wants is muggle borns marrying pure blood?'

Kingsley shook his head, 'That's where you're wrong Ron. With Hogwarts no longer being allowed to accept muggle borns there's been a rapid decline in the numbers of wizards being trained. Voldemort knows we need to keep producing children or as a race we'll die out – so his solution is simple. Have pure bloods marry muggle borns so that the 'mud ' in the blood of their children is diluted.' He wrinkled his nose in distaste before continuing, 'It also allows for the Ministry to keep tighter control on muggle borns. Their wands are to be entrusted to their pure blood partners, who have a deciding say on when - or if - the muggle born is to be allowed to use their magic.'

Hermione paled at this. Since Voldemort's return to power, many of her basic rights had been taken away. Though she had set records with the grades she had achieved in her N.E.W.T's the new laws banning muggle borns from entering into positions of responsibility or authority had meant that she had to give up on her hopes of becoming a healer and instead had taken a position working for Fred and George in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The thought of now having to ask permission to use her wand was too much, and she hastily wiped away the silent tears that fell from her eyes. She gathered her composure quickly, hoping that nobody had noticed but she caught Sirius's eye, and again saw the look of concern on his face.

'What we need to do now is ensure the safety of the members of the order that this affects,' Kingsley continued, and all eyes turned to Hermione as she was the only member of the order that was directly affected by the new laws. Harry was engaged to Ginny, Luna and Ron were currently enjoying their honeymoon in Iceland, even Neville Longbottom was engaged – at 24 Hermione was the only single member of The Order.

'Hermione,' Kingsley's tone was kind, 'As I'm sure you know, if you fail to find a pure blood to marry before the end of this month The Ministry will find one for you – and I have no doubt in my mind that the pure blood they assign to you will be a Death Eater. We need to find a pure blood for you to marry, who won't jeopardise your position in The Order. You're an amazing witch Hermione, we need you to be able to fight.'

Hermione nodded and gave a watery smile, 'Know any pure bloods looking for a shotgun marriage?', she quipped feebly. Nobody laughed, instead every head at the table swivelled towards Sirius Black, who smiled at her and shrugged , 'I'm game kiddo if you are.'

It was not the romantic proposal that Hermione had envisaged she would one day receive, though it was the best she could hope for. Forcing a smile, Hermione squared her shoulders resolutely 'I'm game.'