Marriage Law Madness

The next morning, everyone was ignoring their food; instead they were staring at the envelopes that were coming into the hall by owl. There were at least two ministry letters per table, as people were sending marriage offers early to try to get their choice of spouse - and have time for more offers if they were rejected. The post offices had been open all night, since there had been lines around the block in Hogsmeade at closing time and they were afraid of riots. The Diagon Alley office had to close for a few hours as they ran out of owls.

Three owls landed in front of MacGonagall. She reached for one, but one of the other owls pecked it out of the way and landed on top of her pancakes, while the other two owls took the opportunity to sample her toast. The envelope bore the Fudge family crest. “Dearest Minerva. I apparently overstepped myself yesterday. It is obvious that you do not care for me the way I had hoped you did. I will not bother you again. There has already been one duel to the death in Diagon Alley between two men sending proposals to the same woman, so I am not going to challenge this. I wish you only joy in your upcoming marriage and hope you and Albus will be happy.”

The second letter was a confirmation of Dumbledore’s proposal, and the third was an official ministry betrothal notice.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
And
Minerva Catherine MacGonagall

Are hereby betrothed by the power vested in the Ministry of Magic, London
Signed, Percival Weasley, Ministry Marriage Registry

By the end of breakfast, several matches had been made. Hannah Abbott had merely held up her left hand to Neville Longbottom to show off the ring that had been included with the proposal. They’d been an item since Neville jumped in front of Hannah during the last battle, nearly dying from several curses hitting him at once. Parvati Patil told Ernie Macmillan that she’d have to talk to her parents, but if it was left up to her she would accept the proposal.

Ron got a note from home saying that the older brothers were all engaged already - Fred to Angelina Johnson, Charlie to Fleur, George to Alicia Spinnet, and Bill to Tonks. Percy was too busy arranging everyone else’s marriage to think about his own, and was still grieving the loss of Penelope to a deatheater attack the year before. The letter also told him that Molly herself was going to wait and see who offers came from. He turned to tell Ginny the news, only to see her walking towards the Slytherin table.

“Draco, have you talked to your father lately?” Ginny asked softly.

“No, you know I haven’t… why?” Wordlessly she handed him the piece of paper. “Your father made an offer on your behalf.”

“So what do you think about this? I don’t have a problem with it, but you are only fifteen. Can you legally accept? ”

“As long as we don’t actually get married until I’m sixteen its fine. So I guess we’re engaged. If Ron gets off his butt and asks someone, that’ll be all of us.”

“Is there a problem, Mr. Malfoy?” When he saw Ginny hand Draco the letter, Professor Snape had hurried down to the Slytherin table, afraid that Ginny was going to hex him into oblivion. Instead, Draco gave him a sunny smile. “Can you take me into Hogsmeade for a special visit, sir? Miss Weasley has accepted my father’s proposal on my behalf, so I have an engagement ring to buy. Don’t want anyone else getting ideas.”

Snape tried to hide his utter shock at this pronouncement. The Weasley girl was nowhere near mature enough to get married, and the way she’d been acting since her father had died – Albus wouldn’t have indulged anyone else as much. He cut off his thoughts, ‘Not my problem.’ He replied in what he hoped was an even voice. “Of course I’ll take you. Or, your grandmother’s ring is in the vault, if you’d like to give her that, I can go and get it for you.”

Dumbledore stood and signaled for quiet, “As most of you know, I am betrothed to Professor MacGonagall. The wedding will take place on the last day before the Christmas holidays, and the Yule Ball will serve as the wedding banquet. All students and staff are invited to attend. Any other couples wishing to wed at that time are welcome to do so.” He sat down and continued eating.

Draco turned back to Professor Snape. “ I think I’d like to give her Grandmother’s ring. And also, I think what I want to give her for Christmas is in the vault as well.” He dropped a quick kiss on Ginny’s cheek and headed towards the dungeon with Snape, arranging for him to pick up the items from the Malfoy vault when he went to Gringott’s.