Chapter 1

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts, sat at her customary seat in the Great Hall reading the Prophet. Her normally elegant and graceful hands shook violently as she read the rubbish the idiots at the Ministry of Magic had decided to pass as law. Her anger was quickly rising to the surface as she read the front page story a second and third time ensuring she had all of the main points memorized.

A marriage law was actually passed last night by the members of the Wizengamot. She couldn't believe it! Normally those idiots couldn't agree on anything and now that they actually agreed on something, it was something life changing for everyone and she briefly wondered if it would yield the results they expected it to. She knew the Wizarding World lost a lot of members during the recent war but she never expected it to be this dire.

According to the article, almost half of the population had been wiped out during the most recent war and drastic measures were necessary to ensure the survival of the Wizarding World. Any single witch or wizard still able to produce children was expected to marry within 3 months; however, if unable to find a suitable match within that time, the newly created Family Department of the Ministry of Magic would pair couples together who would marry within in 3 weeks of being matched. It was expected that within a year of marriage the couple would produce a child or at least be expecting a child. Within 5 years, another 2 children was expected from the couple totaling 3 children for each couple. Witches and wizards unable to have children were expected to still marry; however, they were expected to adopt at least 3 orphaned children within the first year of marriage. All orphaned siblings were to be adopted out together. Previously married couples were expected to have the required 3 children; however, any children under the age of 13 were counted as one of the required 3 children. Those of age still attending Hogwarts were exempt from marrying until graduation. Those in apprenticeship programs were still required to marry along the same timeframe as everyone else; however, they had 7 years to produce 3 children as opposed to 5 years. Anyone ignoring the new marriage law would be punished severely.

At least one of the idiots at the Wizengamot had thought about the importance of education, Minerva ruefully thought. She was grateful the children currently under her care would not be forced to give up their education. Small miracles, she mused. She also conceded keeping siblings together ensured many couples would quickly adopt to avoid adopting more than the required three children.

Minerva briefly glanced around the Great Hall and was not surprised to see the shocked and dejected faces from both students and professors alike. There was no chatter between friends or bickering between the houses this morning. There was an eerie silence in the hall as everyone continued to stare at the nearest copy of the Prophet and think of how their life would be changing.

Minerva looked back at her barely picked at breakfast before realizing she wouldn't be finishing it. She abruptly stood up and swept out of the Great Hall without a word to anyone. She had to think about her own uncertain future. Minerva was not a spring chicken anymore but she was still in her prime and well within childbearing age. Minerva would have to marry and do so quickly. Minerva's issue with that was she wasn't romantically involved with anyone. I haven't been for years!

Of course, Minerva had several male friends and acquaintances whom she could ask to marry her but she couldn't find it in herself to settle for friendly companionship again. Her only marriage was of that nature and while she did love her late husband, she was not in love with him nor did she lust after him. She wanted a marriage with someone that would excite her, lust after and possibly could fall in love with. Sighing, she realized the only option to allow her the possibility of finding some sort of excitement would be to wait for the Family Department to arrange a match for her.

Minerva had read the Family Department would be looking through prophecy records, the Book of Soulmates, and/or a survey completed by each witch or wizard to make suitable matches. Magical power would also be a factor in all matches. Minerva normally wouldn't trust others to make such an important decision for her; however, all members of the Family Department had taken a magical oath to use only the above sources to pair couples together. Minerva felt confident she would get a fairly good match. Not to say she wouldn't worry up until she received her letter informing her of the match.

Minerva made sure to be early to breakfast this morning and from the looks of it most of the castle did as well. Today marked the 3rd month since the marriage law was passed. Most of the other professors had quickly married, some to each other while others married lifelong friends. It seemed they were unwilling to allow the Family Department control over who they were to marry. Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey and Rolonda Hooch were the only still unwed staff at Hogwarts with the exception of the apprentices that were there. Hogwarts hosted three apprentices this year, Neville Longbottom in Herbology, Hermione Granger in Potions, and Harry Potter in Runes surprisingly. He apparently developed a knack for Runes while on the run from Voldemort. Minerva wondered how she and the others would fair with their matches. Minerva hoped they all would get relatively decent matches.

The screeching of owls erupted into the Great Hall and silence fell upon the room. Minerva held her breath as six owls flew towards the Head table, each for one of the unwed witches or wizards there. Minerva untied her letter from the Ministry owl and offered it a piece of bacon from her plate. She shakily held her envelope but wasn't quite ready to open it. Instead, she watched as the others started to open theirs.

Neville Longbottom showed his Gryffindor side and was the first to open his letter. He grinned rather largely before asking, "Hermione, do you want a Muggle or Wizarding wedding?"

Hermione looked up at him sharply before opening her letter. "We have a Prophecy orb," she said amazed. Relief evident in her chocolate eyes and a huge smile graced her face as she focused on her future husband. "I'm positive we can combine Muggle and Wizarding traditions," her happiness evident. She immediately started to mentally make plans for her and Neville to go listen to the prophecy in the Hall of Prophecy at the Ministry of Magic on their next day off.

Rolonda Hooch was the next to open her letter. "A galleon says it is a quidditch player," Harry softly whispered to Minerva. They had developed a friendship of sorts since the end of the war and Harry was pleasantly surprised the Headmistress had quite the sense of humor.

She grinned mischievously before stating her bet, "A galleon says it is a quidditch coach."

"You're on McGonagall," Harry smiled his mischievous grin and focused his attention back to the Flying Instructor.

Rolonda's whoop of joy surprised the entire Head table. "Only the best Montrose Magpies coach ever would do for me," she shouted happily. McGonagall grinned smugly as she held out her hand to Harry for her winnings. Harry snorted in amusement but handed her the galleon he owed.

Poppy opened her letter next and was thoroughly surprised at her pick. She was paired to a wizard who was a researcher and developer for a multitude of healing draughts. "Well I will be damned," Poppy said uncharacteristically. "I'm paired to a wizard two decades my junior."

"Who cares about the age difference," Hermione responded after Poppy had told them the name of the wizard she was to marry. "The man's a genius when it comes to healing draughts and Muggle medicine. I wonder how your knowledge gained at Hogwarts will help his next project."

Poppy thought about her situation for a moment or two before agreeing with Hermione's take on her situation. "I have always been interested in Muggle medicine so maybe we can work on finding healing draughts to use in both worlds," Poppy answered, her mind listing possible projects.

Harry opened his letter next and his eyes widened before a grin graced his lips. "Well Poppy you don't need to worry about that age difference. I have been paired with a witch several decades older than me," Harry said with a grin. "It's rather surprising but I am perfectly fine with the pairing."

"Who did you get Harry," Neville asked curiously.

Harry smiled before replying, "Apparently my name appeared in the Book of Soulmates linked to Minerva McGonagall."

Said witch quickly opened her own letter up and stared in shock. Her name had appeared in the Book of Soulmates twice. The first expired in the late 70s when Dougal McGregor, a Muggle man she had briefly been engaged to, had been killed in a Death Eater raid. The second was to Harry Potter. The man young enough to be my grandchild! Her mind struggled against the knowledge the letter held. Minerva McGonagall became dizzy and then promptly fainted in the middle of breakfast in the Great Hall of Hogwarts!