8th July 2002 • The Wizarding World's Beguiling Broadsheet of Choice • 5 κ
A match made by the Ministry
June Baddock, Senior Reporter
With rumours swirling, the Minister of Magic's spokesperson, Matilda Dukelow, held a press conference on Friday morning to confirm the suspicions. Minister of Magic Rabastan Lestrange is engaged to Ginevra Weasley. Their engagement had been widely discussed with Miss Weasley's older brother offering his congratulations within the journals, but the couple had not officially commented on it until Friday. However, the engagement was not the only announcement Miss Dukelow would make.
"Minister Lestrange and Ginevra Weasley wish to announce that they are engaged and have been for a little over a week. They would like to thank all of the citizens of Magical Britain for their congratulatory wishes and gifts. Miss Weasley has successfully completed the Ministry Rehabilitation Program and has been returned her wand and full rights as a citizen of Magical Britain. While she was recommended for graduation from the program prior to their engagement, there was some delay in processing her official release."
Miss Dukelow went on to explain that Miss Weasley and Minister Lestrange were aware of the scandalous aspect to their relationship, and that Miss Weasley's placement as a Disciple in the Minister's care coupled with their vast age difference was enough to raise eyebrows. Furthermore, Miss Weasley's obvious contact with her siblings, many of whom are known Rebels, has led some to question the union. But the Ministry, for its part, has stood by the Rehabilitation Program and stated that no graduate of it would conspire with Rebels who are bent to cause harm to the government or its people.
Miss Weasley has made numerous comments in support of her fiancé, as well as the Ministry. By all accounts, she is proof that the Rehabilitation Program works exceedingly well. But, it only takes a few moments in the presence of the Minister and Miss Weasley to know the love these two share is real and genuine.
This reporter was fortunate enough to sit down with the happy couple a few days ago, under the agreement that the Daily Prophet would not go to press until the Ministry of Magic made their official announcement. However, the Minister and his glowing fiancé were happy to answer a few questions.
JB: Miss Weasley, you have been with the Minister for the last year, is that correct? Tell us, was it love at first sight? GW: Hardly. I was very angry upon my placement with the Minister and we had a few tense months. I tried to escape, to hurt him, but Rabastan was always so patient with me. He talked to me, not as a Disciple, but as a person. We started to get to know each other, and… over time became friends. JB: Friends don't generally agree to marry each though, do they? GW: No, not generally. I had an accident in the kitchen about two months ago while Rabastan was at work. I cut myself while cooking and no one was home. He came home to find me in bad shape and took care of me. I suppose things changed then.
JB: What do you have to say to anyone who thinks your engagement isn't real? GW: Well… I'd tell them to go-- Erm. No, sorry. I'd tell them that I can understand their concern, but that Rabastan and I are very much in love and that everyone is entitled to a second chance. We're just lucky that we found our second chance with each other.
The love shared between the two was more than obvious, and just as heartwarming. Minister Lestrange doted on his fiancé, bringing her a cup of tea during our interview and affectionately dropping a kiss on the top of her head. The two of them spoke at length about their dog, Waffles, and how the animal was instrumental in bringing them together. Miss Weasley gently teased Mr Lestrange about his habit of stealing bites from her ice cream. The two shared a pint of the sweet treat several nights a week, as it was an apparent vice of the Minister's.
A few minutes with the happy could would be enough to know their engagement was pure, but an hour with them was enough to convince this reporter that true love was real.
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