The Marriage Law -- Dramione

- A Very Rude Interruption -

Minerva

"Every year, how is it that we are never prepared!" I exclaimed to a much too cheerful Horace Slughorn, who was still sorting through his papers from years before. 

"Minerva, relax! Have a drink with me, by all means!"

 I folded my arms and pursed my lips in disapproval, "Horace, I'd never!"

Horace smiled and grunted as he hefted himself up to his feet, using his extremely disorganized desk for support, "Minerva, all of the students are coming tomorrow-" 

I nodded and threw my hands up in the air in exasperation, "Exactly!" 

He continued, "-for the sorting. Nothing more."

 I pursed my lips at him, "And you're telling me this because..." 

He grinned and stomped over to his chair, after clearing the half eaten pumpkin pastie off of his seat, along with another stack of old potions books.

"I have tonight and a whole other day to clear my desk." 

I huffed in annoyance. 

He shook his head and picked at a crumb on his desk, inspecting it, "I have everything under control, Minerva. Don't you worry.

 I sigh and nod, "If you say so. I'll be in my office if you need me." 

He nods and I walk out of his office but not before hearing Horace exclaim, "That's where that went!"

I sigh and walk out of the dungeons. 

Sure, it has been stressful the night before each school year started, but every single one of these students has been through a war. Anything that I can do to make this year go smoothly, I will make sure it happens.

I approached the Gargoyle that held a secret stair case to Albus' old office, now my office. 

It shocks me daily how much I wish Albus was still with us. No matter how crazy his plans were, he still managed to pull through. At least, until he went searching for Voldemort's horcruxes.

"Lemon Drop." I said to the statue, as I tried to blink away the thoughts of Albus and his cheerful yet mysterious personality. The Gargoyle statue began to accelerate with a groan.

As I reached the top of the stairs, I ran my to-do list over in my head. But even as I settled into my chair behind the large desk, I couldn't think of one thing I had to do that I had not already done. Therefore, I started making up tasks to keep myself occupied.

That's what you had to do these days. Keep yourself occupied. Distracted. Keep yourself moving. If you didn't, the horrible memories of fellow staff, students, children, all collapsing out on the ground of the school, spells all different colored, showering over the trampled lawn. Almost as fireworks, except they represented something much more darker and depressing.

A knock on the door shook me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I said, trying to find something out of place on my desk. There was nothing, so I pushed a quill a little to the left, then back again and looked up to a grim looking Minister of Magic.

"Kingsley! Oh, how wonderful to see you again," I greeted politely.

 "Yes, Hello Minerva. How are you?" He smiled. 

I nodded, "Yes. Very Well. And you?" 

He shook his head and gestured to the chair on the other side of the desk. I nodded, gesturing for him to sit.

 He tilted his head in thanks and sighed as he settled into the chair, "I could definitely be better." 

My plastered smile fell.

"Is it bad?" I asked, already preparing for the worst. 

He nodded, "Have you heard about the new law going into affect tomorrow?"

 I shook my head, mystified, "No, I have not." 

 "I was afraid so," He sighed and continued, "Well, as you know, the wizard population has decreased dramatically." 

He fumbled with the edge of the desk and said, "Well, the council has created a new law regarding those of age," He scratched his neck, "There is no easy way to say this, Minerva. I hope you understand this."

 I sighed, clasping my hands together in my lap in attempt not to strangle the words out of him, "Yes. I know, Kingsley. Just spit it out already!"

He nodded, "Before I say this," I groaned, "I want you to know that I am very well aware of what these students have gone through. But the council seems to not care." He paused once again.

 I glared at him, "Kingsley, If you don't tell me what this law is in the next five minutes I will personally escort you-"

 He raised his hands, "Alright! Alright!" He sighed again and winced as he said, "Every witch and wizard from the age of seventeen to the age of twenty must be paired with their soulmate and is required to create offspring in a time span of two years."

I glared at him and slammed my hands on the desk, furious, "Pardon?" Kingsley wouldn't look up, "Kingsley! They are just kids! They've just been through a war!"

 Kingsley nodded, "Yes, Minerva. I am very much aware of that. But It is out of my hands."

I shook my head, "No, Kingsley! You're the Minister of Magic! You're in charge! There has to be something you can do about this!"

 He shook his head and shot me a desperate look, "No, Minerva! There isn't anything I can do! The council has made it's decision."

 I pursed my lips firmly, "Yes there is. You simply tell them that they cannot pass this law!"

 He shook his head, "Don't you think I've tried, Minerva? They don't care that these children have been through war. The law has already been passed."

I huffed and shook my head, "Well- What in Merlin's name am I supposed to tell the students?" Kingsley shrugged helplessly.

My mind immediately shifted to a certain muggle born. After all of the torture she's gone through, the scars she has. Or Potter. How many years of suffering has he gone through? Too many. These children don't deserve this. None of them.

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First Chapter!