Asking

After what will forever be considered the oddest Potions class in Hogwarts history:


"Mr. Malfoy, stay here. Ms. Granger, you have Charms next, correct? Take this to Flitwick, if he has any questions, direct him here."


"Yes, Professor Snape."


"Now, Draco. What is this all about?"


"Well, sir, it's simple. Approximately two weeks prior to the start of the school term, some of father's former lackeys in the Ministry, contacted me. They wanted to pass along some information they assumed the new Lord Malfoy would appreciate. They were right, I did. It appears the Ministry has finally come to the conclusion that the wizarding world cannot go on divided as it has been. In the interest of wizarding unity, they have decided to force all purebloods to marry half bloods or Muggleborns. Father's former associates managed to pilfer an advance draft of the law. Apparently all purebloods, whether male or female, must petition for someone of another blood class by their twenty-first birthday."


"So you decided that you would get in Granger's good graces and then petition for her. What of those witches and wizards who have already reached the age of twenty-one?"


"It's rather scary how well you know me, Godfather. As for the older witches and wizards, according to the information I have, they will have one year from the passing of the law to petition for a half blood or Muggleborn to marry. Then they will have another year to complete the marriage contract."


"And if the half blood or Muggleborn has more than one petitioner?"


"The Ministry will choose, and I quote, 'the most advantageous match available'. I took that to mean the petitioner with the most money and influence. The rather odd thing is, in what I've come to refer to as The-Boy-Who-Lived clause, those half bloods who have a pureblood parent will have a choice. If they have more than one petitioner, they have one day to choose their future spouse. I assume this was done to prevent a Death Eater or child of a Death Eater from marrying Potter."


"Obviously. You can't have the savior of the wizarding world married to a Death Eater. It would be a morale disaster for the victorious side. Why did your father's associates come to you with this?"


"They assumed I would share my father's views on blood status. They also assumed I would bring the Malfoy fortune to bear in an attempt to stop, or if necessary, repeal this law. They were wrong. I see this law as an opportunity, an opportunity to not be forced into marrying Pansy Parkinson or, for that matter, any of the other potential mates my father had lined up for me. I have no desire for a simpering, stupid wife who will only squander the Malfoy fortunes and likely bear me squibs due to her own stupidity. I do not wish to have a marriage like my parents and grandparents, where the husband is in charge and the wife is little more than a pretty decoration. I want an equal marriage; I want my wife to stand up for herself, to disagree with me when she feels it necessary. For this, there is no better choice than Hermione Granger."


"I am proud of you, Draco. You have finally seen the benefit of thinking for yourself. You are right, if you want a woman who is your equal, there is no better choice than Ms. Granger. You do realize, however, she will not be easily won? Well, of course you do, you wouldn't want her otherwise."


"Godfather? What will you do when this law is enacted?"


"Well, I'm going to tell you a secret, Draco. Something I'm sure your father did not tell you. I am not a pureblood wizard, Draco. I am a half blood. So, I will wait. Most will assume I have petitioned for a wife, I will not have to."


"But... I though father hated half bloods. He was always going on and on..."


"Yes, but I am a Slytherin. For many years, your father assumed this meant I was a pureblood. He was quite incorrect. In fact, I grew up with Harry Potter's mother, Lily. She was my best friend until well into our Hogwarts years. She was the reason I turned against The Dark Lord's teachings."


"Then why did it always seem as if you hated Potter?"


"I did not hate Harry Potter, I hated his father, James. I hated him for many reasons, none of which I wish to discuss at this time. You should go now, Draco. You are missing your Charms class."


"Yes, Uncle Sev. I will speak to you again, soon?"


"You know I am always here, Draco."{Now, to go speak with Minerva. I do believe I have a brilliant idea.}


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A/N: Yes! Writer's block cleared! Things should hopefully speed back up now.