Arranged Marriages

In Magical society, the ideal of arranged marriages are a very strong belief. Among many Pureblood families, arranged marriages are viewed as a way to keep their bloodlines pure, or to secure political favor and further business agreements. Some Pureblood families, however, choose to do arranged marriages when the children at a young age have a good fit together with their magical cores, believing that they will prosper together.

Although to many it is seen as cruel to the children who are arranged to be married, 7 out of 10 times, love blossoms from the union leading for many the production of strong families and children. The number of arranged marriages that have been conducted have been on the decline from 1988 to 1998, making many in the magical world wonder if the ancient tradition is beginning to die out. Whether it is or not, many Pureblood Houses do still partake in discussions to see what options lie ahead, although blood supremacist families are fewer in number now due to Sinestra's Unfinished War having claimed a great many of them as casualties.

With the opinion on arranged marriages being so mixed, they are not openly publicized, but it is known to almost all members of both families when one has been formulated. The most common age that an arranged marriage is secured is when the children are seven years old, and the female child is awarded a bride-dowry for the union. The two families preferences and previous negotiations will dictate the amount that is awarded to the soon to be bride upon the wedding day, which could be in the form of credits, property or future claims to their new family's estates upon their deaths.

Arranged marriages are done most commonly with Pureblood Houses, however many Halfbloods have partaken in the act of an arranged marriage themselves over the eons. No known Nonblood has been involved in an arranged marriage, and it is expected that they never will with how the trends in the magical world are looking as of 2011. A certain percentage of these arranged marriages do take place within the Sacred 200, but each family decides whether or not to go that route themselves.