A/N: I'm back! Here is the next part. I'm going to be away from the internet for a week or so (sucks, right?) I am going to try to get to the twist before then. Oops! Did I mention twist? : )

Chapter 3: The Scandalous Secret-telling

"C'mon, Mione. You know exactly how long I've liked Harry." Ginny was hedging – and both she and Hermione knew it.

Hermione sat down on her couch and patted the space to her right. "Yeah, I do – since forever. What I want to know is when this relationship started!"

Ginny sat down next to Hermione. The two turned to face each other. "Well, I was really distraught yesterday when I got my letter. I mean I'm barely eighteen! What is this? Anyway, Harry found me crying and he stayed with me."

"Aw. That's so sweet!"

"Yeah," Ginny said dreamily. "He chased the fear away and made me laugh. I really hope this gets the chance to last."

"Oh, Gin. I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks. So how are you feeling?" Hermione paused. She felt her secret bubbling over her lips. She knew Ginny wouldn't tell though. In that second, she made a decision.

"Can I tell you something? It's really secret, Gin. You won't be able to tell anyone, okay?"

"Yeah, Mione. Whatever you need, I'm game for."

"Alright then. Ron came over last night after he got his letter."

"Yeah. He didn't want to deal with my crying."

"Well, he came over here and we ordered Chinese while he went to go pick up some firewhisky. Long story short – I woke up naked in his arms, unable to remember anything but a kiss."

"Holy crap, Mi! What did Ron say?"

"I woke up first and made it look like it never happened."

"Hermione Granger! What on earth did you do?!"

"You have to understand. Ron and I are on shaky ground as it is. Our friendship would not survive a blow as potent as a night of sex whilst drunk. I desperately want this friendship to work. Please. Please understand."

"Well, when you put it that way… I do understand – in a psychotic kind of sense I see where you're coming from and would probably act the same."

"I knew there was a reason you're my best female buddy!"

"Love you, Mi. You're my best female friend, too."

"So… romance film the rest of the day away?"

"I'll make some popcorn!"

OoooooooooooooooooOo

Thursday, Hogwarts

Draco walked out of Minerva McGonagall's office feeling very self satisfied. He just knew he'd aced that test. His smirk felt like it was practically bursting off of his face. Suddenly, he felt so much closer to his dreams. Until

Marriage Law. Letting out a deep sigh, Draco finally gave into the feeling that he was seriously fucked.

OoooooooooooooooooOo

Monday, The Ministry

Draco took a deep breath as he walked into the meeting room. "Hello," he greeted the woman in front of him with a smile (not a smirk). She looked up from her paperwork and blanched. Yep. Still got it.

"So. Um. Mr. Malfoy?" The poor woman's voice had been reduced to a squeak.

"Yes. That's me." There was a pause. "So will this be paperwork or questioning?"

The woman looked positively frightened. She let out a soft mutter.

"What was that? I missed it." Draco couldn't help the smirk that flashed across his devilishly handsome face.

"Paperwork."

"Alright." She handed him the papers and left – which suited Draco just fine.

Dear Mr. Draco Malfoy:

Welcome to the Ministry. Thank you for agreeing to our terms thus far. Now let's get down to business.

How many children do you want?

Wow. They don't waste any time… Who starts with that question?!

Draco settled in for a long hour of questioning. At least my future wife (ugh) has to do this too.

OooooooooooooooooooOo

Wednesday, The Ministry

Hermione tried to walk confidently towards the meeting room. She failed. When she reached the door, she managed to scamper in. A small woman greeted her with a nod. Obviously she was done greeting the poor wizards and witches with courtesy. Hermione sighed. "Hello."

"Here's your paperwork," the witch bluntly returned and then left.

"How rude." Hermione started to read the papers.

Dear Miss Hermione Granger:

Welcome to the Ministry. Thank you for agreeing to our terms thus far. Now let's get down to business.

How many children do you want?

Three…

OooooooooooooooooooOo

Later That Same Day

Hermione heard a knock at her front door.

"Hey, Mione! It's Ginny! I have to tell you something straight away!"

"Coming, Gin!" Hermione ran to the door and threw it open. Ginny waltzed in. "You're… happy." Hermione was shocked.

"Yes! Guess what!"

"You got out of the marriage crap?"

"Yes!" Ginny squealed.

"How?! I'm shocked. I'm shocked!"

"Harry asked me to marry him and I said yes. We went to the Ministry to file a contract so we didn't even have to take the personality tests. Isn't that fabulous?!"

"Wow. Wow. Wow!" Hermione was speechless.

"I know!"

"I wish I'd thought of that."

"You could always marry Ron." Hermione grimaced.

"Gin! I like where things are on that front."

"So much that you would marry a stranger?" Ginny was curious.

"Yes. No. I don't know! Can't we go back to being happy for you?" Hermione knew Ginny would let this one go for her. She couldn't help but be extremely grateful.

"Okay. I'm marrying Harry Potter! I'm going to be Ginny Potter!"

"I think this calls for some films! What do you want to watch?"

"Something romantic!" Ginny looked like she wanted to melt. Hermione just smiled.

"Sounds great. Will you cover the popcorn?"

OoooooooooooooooooooOo

Even later

After Ginny went home Hermione had spent the evening moping around. She wasn't jealous of Ginny's escape per se. She just wanted to feel the love she knew Ginny felt – and Harry too, if she was being honest.

In a way she couldn't wait for next Saturday. At least the results would be out and she knew she could deal with them then.

"It just isn't fair." Just then Hermione was startled out of her reverie by a knock on her door. I need a bell. She sighed and went to answer it only to come face to face with Ron as she opened the door.

"Hey Mione."

"Hey Ron. What's the matter?"

"Harry is at the Burrow right now. He and Ginny are… you know." It amazed Hermione that after all this time he could still blush and be embarrassed about intimacy. She again felt a sense of rightness that she and Ron were no longer together.

"Snogging or shagging?" She knew it bothered him to respond in graphic terms – she just couldn't help herself.

"Hermione! They're snogging. Just snogging!"

"Okay. I didn't think Mrs. Weasley would let them get it on in her house."

"Mione!" Ron looked scandalized.

"Okay. I swear I'm done now." Hermione let out a soft laugh as she placed her hands palm out in front of him.

"You better be," Ron said, looking suspiciously at her hands.

"I am. Want some dinner?"

Ron's face immediately relaxed. "I thought you'd never ask!"

They laughed together as Hermione walked into the kitchen, glad that she had reached that conclusion about Ron.

She wasn't going to let anything change their renewed friendship. ANYTHING.

A/N: I know it seems a little rushed. This chapter's events felt more like fillers to me if I am going to be honest... Next one will be better I swear! Our favorite people are going to get their results in! *Dumbledore-esque eye twinkle*

I swore to myself I wouldn't do this but here I am... Would anyone mind leaving me just a review or two? I want to know how I am doing gosh darn it! : )

Please?