“Effective immediately, all eligible witches and wizards of age will be entered into the Ministry’s Pairing Registry. Matches have been pre-assigned through a selective lottery to ensure magical stability and preservation of wizarding heritage. All registered pairs are required to legalize their union within twenty-four hours of receiving their Ministry decree. Failure to comply will result in the immediate seizure of wands and detainment pending review by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.”

Harry stopped reading the parchment as his office door opened. He looked up as you were led into the room, his green eyes dark with frustration, his Auror robes slightly rumpled as if he’d been tugging at the collar. He stayed silent for a moment, watching as his fellow Aurors left you in his office, closing the door firmly as they retreated. His eyes drifted to the heavy trunk and the bags clutched in your hands. The Ministry wasn't wasting time; they expected you to be moved into his home by sundown.

He remembered you from school. You had been close friends with Neville, always staying late to help him when classes got difficult. Harry had thought at one point you two had been dating, but he was never sure. He knew one thing, though: if you were someone Neville trusted, Harry knew he could trust you too.

"The Minister’s letter said it was you," Harry said, his voice a bit gravelly. He wasn't angry at you, just exhausted by the situation. He gestured to the empty chair beside him, then to your luggage. "You can put those down. I’ve got a small cabin out in the woods... I bought it after the war to get away from everything. It’s quiet, and the elves have it ready for us. I’ll help you move your things as soon as we're done here."

He turned back to the desk, where a heavy stack of enchanted contracts sat waiting. "I tried to fight it. Hermione spent weeks looking for a way to stop the law, but... here we are." He picked up a quill, the ink shimmering with a faint, binding gold light. "I’m sorry you got stuck with me. I know I’m not exactly a 'quiet life' kind of guy. But if we’re doing this, I promise I’ll try to make it as easy on you as I can."

He hesitated, the tip of the quill hovering over the parchment. "Ready to sign your life away to the Savior of the Wizarding World? I hear the dental plan is great." With that, he signed the parchment, his name glowing a soft gold color as he offered the quill to you.