A/N: Hello, lovely readers! Here it is, Chapter 28! It's exciting how far in the story I am! Warning: This chapter is a lot of repeated scenes. I used pretty much the same words from small portions of other chapters, so it may seem repetitive. That's why it didn't take so long to update. I probably won't be updating soon because it's the holiday season, but I do hope to post once more before the new year. So, anyway, go ahead and read!

Disclaimer: Not in a million years would I ever own Harry Potter.

"I can't believe this." Hermione told Ginny. "We're going back to Hogwarts?"

"It's the only pensieve we know about." Ginny said. "Besides, it was Harry's idea, question him, not me."

Hermione closed her eyes. "I'm going to get my memories back at some point, right?"

"Of course." Ginny said. "But this might speed it up."

"Fine."

So, the next day, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco, Lavender and Parvati Apparated to Hogwarts, Ginny with the assistance of Harry.

Dumbledore was rather surprised to see them. "My, my, look what we've here." he said, smiling, his eye twinkling, as usual. "I didn't think I'd be seeing many of you for quite a while, at least all but Miss Weasley. Excuse me, Mrs. Potter, I meant."

Ginny blushed.

"Now, what, may I ask, brought you all back here in the middle of July?" Dumbledore asked. "If I recall correctly, as I most often do, Mr. Malfoy is supposed to be at Healing Camp, whereas Mr. Weasley, Harry and Mr. Zabini will be leaving for Auror Camp very soon."

"Yes, well, there's a situation that needs taking care of." Ginny said.

"This doesn't have anything to do with Mrs. Malfoy does it?" Dumbledore asked, peering to see her. "Hello, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Please don't call me that, Professor." Hermione said fiercely.

"Now I see why you've come. Well, follow me." He gestured and then walked to his office. "Take a seat." he told them all. "I must extract some memories from Mr. Malfoy. It'll only take a second."

For a few minutes, Dumbledore combined the most important memories and put them in a vile.

"Hermione, are you ready?" he asked.

"I guess." she shrugged.

Dumbledore poured the memories in gently, and Hermione leaned in to watch.

The first one was in the Great Hall. She was sitting at the Slytherin table, next to Draco, who was ordinarily eating his food, while Blaise was talking to Pansy. All of a sudden, Dumbledore dismissed all the students. All but the sixth and seventh years.

"You are probably wondering why I have kept you." he started. "This has not been released to the public yet, but the Ministry is enforcing a new law, due to the loss of population. This law concerns ages sixteen through twenty two. This law is a marriage law, for the birth of lots more children."

Hermione gasped, but no one heard her. The marriage law was true!

There were signs of struggle and protest.

"Silence!" Dumbledore scolded. The Hall was quiet. "I have convinced the Ministry of two things. The marriages for students will be kept within their own schools. Second, you will fill out a form as to be matched with your perfect partner, instead of a random spouse. If you are currently in a serious relationship, you may add that to the form. Do not lie, it can be used against you. I'm afraid that's all I can do for you."

Hermione was perplexed. This was insane!

It shifted to another scene, again, in the Great Hall. This time, everyone looked anxious.

"I have letters for all of you." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. "The Ministry has informed me of your pairings, and I have created special dormitories for the couples. You will be sharing a common room with three other couples, and then have dormitories to share with your soon to be spouse."

Hermione looked over to the Gryffindor table to see her reaction. She seemed to be as nervous as the rest. The letters reached the Gryffindors first. Ginny and Harry got each other. Ron and Lavender got each other. Then, Hermione saw herself yelp. Her head fell to the table. After that, the letter was passed around to her friends, each looking furious, frustrated, sad or confused by Hermione's pair.

Then Draco got his letter. Hermione turned to her right and watched him open it.

"Granger?" Draco exclaimed, exasperated, after reading it.

"Really?" asked Blaise.

"Yes." he moaned, letting his head fall to the table.

"Why on Earth would they do that?"

"I don't know!" Draco said helplessly. "I'm a wealthy pureblood, she's a mudblood who hangs out with scum. We have nothing in common." Hermione furrowed her brow.

"Nothing." agreed Blaise.

"Who'd you get?" Draco asked lamely.

Blaise opened his letter. "Parvati Patil. Gryffindor, isn't she?" Hermione thought, No, really, Blaise, you've only been going to the same school as her for the past six years!

"Yes." Draco said. "Well, at least I'm not alone. We both got Gryffindors."

"Yeah, but mine doesn't hate my guts, like Granger hates yours." Truth, Hermione thought.

"And me hers." he growled, staring over at a sobbing Hermione. "Look!" he said, showing Blaise. "She's crying! Am I that bad?"

"To her." Blaise sighed.

Draco groaned.

So did Hermione.

Dumbledore read out the rooms, and Hermione saw herself rush out of the Hall, stomping all the way to Room 2, where she claimed the password of ferret. They had a small argument before the memory shifted.

This time, it was in a classroom Hermione didn't recognize. She was in the corner of the room, but her in the memory was sitting in on a couch next to Draco. There was a piece of parchment in the air, writing down every word of the pair. They were having a "heated discussion" over favorite foods and colors.

It shifted again to both Draco and Hermione agreeing to be civil with each other. Next, they were in detention with Snape. Ron and Pansy were there, too. Draco smiled at Hermione. Then, they were in a shop buying wedding rings. After, shopping for dresses for the Engagement Ball. The Halloween Dance, where she was having fun before Ron told her off, and she listened. It didn't seem like something she would do, though. And then, Draco went back in time to see what he did wrong. Hermione found that oddly sweet of him.

Many scenes went on, from the Engagement Ball to Hermione scribbling down important plans for the wedding to Ginny and Harry's wedding. But there was a very important memory she watched very carefully.

Draco was teaching her how to fly on a broomstick. How absurb, she thought, I hate heights! But she watched intently. Eventually, actually mere seconds of being in the air, she sort of stumbled down, ending up on her back looking up at the sky. Draco landed next to her and asked if she was okay. They made normal conversation for a while until Hermione saw herself thinking.

"Draco?" she asked lightly.

"Yes?" he asked curiously.

"You know the night you chased after me? Halloween night?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you do that?"

"Because I care for you."

"How?"

"How do I care for you?"

"Yes."

"Well, I would hate to see you hurt." he said.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"Er, no." he whispered.

"How else?"

"Do I really have to say it?"

"Yes."

"Well, I think you're beautiful and intelligent and I'm happy I'm marrying you, and not some other girl."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So you fancy me?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

"Why oh?"

"Because I didn't know."

"I'm glad it wasn't obvious."

"Why?"

"Because you would've figured it out."

"Draco, I did figure it out."

"How?"

"When you tried to kiss me."

"Oh."

"Do you love me?" she asked rather rudely.

Draco looked taken aback. "Love is a strong word."

"You don't, then?"

"How can I love you when you don't even remotely fancy me?"

"When did I say that?"

"You fancy me?"

"Not exactly."

He didn't say anything.

"Well, it's complicated." she huffed.

"How so?"

"Draco, I think you're handsome, charming, smart and funny, but I just can't fancy you."

"And why not?"

"Because we're stuck together. Forever."

"Shouldn't that be a reason that you should fancy me?"

"No. If either one of us gets hurt, there's no undoing it, because we have to get married, and we have to have kids, all way too soon."

"What makes you so sure one of us will get hurt?"

"Draco, let's face it. We're opposites."

"Opposites attract."

"But it's hard. You know it is. I'm a complete Gryffindor bookworm, you're a Slytherin Quidditch player, who's like a king to the rest of your house."

"And you're a Gryffindor queen."

"Yeah, right, that's more likely Ginny. She is married to the Gryffindor king, after all."

"Let's stop talking like it's a kingdom. I need to know. Can't we try it?"

"Try what?"

"Fancying each other."

"Draco, I can't help but feel like I want to fancy you, but it's too dangerous."

"Dangerous? Hermione, it's life. We're going to be married, and to marry a girl and not know what it was like to date her? I would hate that."

"Draco, I'll make a deal with you. We can do a trial run."

"Trial run?"

"We can fancy each other. Date, all that, and I will see what I think."

"Hermione, I'm not just a free sample you can use then put away. You're either going for it, or you're not. Take it or leave it."

"Draco, I like you, a lot. And I don't think I can hide it any longer."

Then, she suddenly leaned in and kissed him. It was a gentle kiss, and he returned it right away. They didn't kiss for long, and when they finished, Draco had a satisfied smirk on on his face.

"What?" she asked.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."

She playfully slapped his arm. "I knew, too."

Hermione watched them laugh from a distance. She really couldn't process all this. She had to leave the memories, watch the rest later. It was too much to handle.

Her face emerged from the water. Her friends surrounded her, hopeful.

"Remember any of that?" Ron asked.

"Not a thing. But it all seems very real." Hermione said. "Thanks for trying to help."

"Did you get through all of them?" Draco asked.

"No, but I can come back tomorrow." she replied crisply.

"Nonsense!" Dumbledore said. "Certainly stay over! Resume position in your old rooms."

Everyone murmured in agreement. But Hermione knew that her former room only had one bed…

Once they arrived, Hermione grabbed a lot of pillows and set them in a line on the ground.

"You're joking." Draco said.

"I'm not sleeping in the same bed as you." she stated.

"I'm not going to try anything, jeez. What kind of person do you think I am?"

"I honestly don't know what to think anymore."

His lips formed a smile. "You saw our conversation on the Quidditch pitch, didn't you?"

She stiffened. "No."

"Yes."

"How could you tell?"

"I could see it in your face. I'm no stranger to you, whether you think so or not."

"Okay."

"That was one of the best days of my life, did you know?" Draco continued. "It was the day you finally accepted me."

"Oh."

"Yeah. You didn't get to the memories where we fought."

"That's more believable."

"Looking back, they were silly things to fight over. Baby clothes and other boys-"

"Other boys?" interrupted Hermione. "Who?"

"Viktor Krum returned to Hogwarts on Valentine's Day, proposing to you in the middle of the night."

Hermione giggled, and Draco smiled.

"There was also Josh, someone who kissed you without your permission. And guess who walked in right that second?"

She laughed now. "Sounds like I missed a funny year."

"It was." Draco said, remembering it all. "But it was everything else, too." He paused. "Anyway, I'm not letting you sleep on the floor. You're carrying babies whether you like it or not."

She moaned but he laughed.

"C'mon, just sleep on the bed." Draco said. He laid down under the covers and gestured for her to join him.

She reluctantly crawled in, keeping herself as far away from him as possible. He smiled at that, and instantly fell asleep.

Hermione stayed up, though, replaying the memories from the pensieve in her head. She still couldn't believe that she had fallen in love with the Draco Malfoy. The same one who used to taunt and torment her. She couldn't comprehend why her friends were encouraging it, either. She fell asleep thinking confusing thoughts about love…

Hermione awoke the next morning with a start. She dreamt that after seeing all the pensieve memories, her friends shouted, "Gotcha!" as if it was a joke, pretending that she lost her memory.

But the dream turned out to be nothing. Her arms were wrapped around one of Draco's. Her arms were curled into his! What was that supposed to mean? She got up immediately.

He woke a few seconds later. "Morning." he groaned.

"When did you lose your top?" Hermione asked sharply.

"You know that I never sleep with a shirt on."

"You were wearing one when you got in!" she protested.

"Yeah, well, once you were asleep, I took it off. I didn't want to scare you."

"Too late for that. Put a shirt on." she instructed.

He moaned and rolled out of bed, reaching for the table with his green shirt on it.

"A different shirt that yesterday." she added strictly.

"Geez…" he muttered, grabbing his wand and summoning a red shirt. He slipped it on. "Better?"

"Much."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Don't call me that."

"Why?" he asked, raising his eyebrows, walking closer. "Are you scared of that name?"

"I am. I'm really scared right now. I wake up with no memory of the past year. I'm married to you. I'm due to have twins in November. Everyone's crazy. How am I supposed to feel?" she said hotly.

He backed up. "I suppose you're right. But you'll remember soon enough."

"And what if I don't, huh?"

He looked grim.

"What if I never truly understand how we came to be? What if I never-"

"I believe in miracles, Hermione." he said. "You're a miracle, and I believe in you." He walked off and into the bathroom, leaving Hermione to think.

They got ready in silence. They ate breakfast in silence. They went to Dumbledore's office in silence.

"Are you ready, Hermione?" Dumbledore asked.

She just nodded and stuck her face in.

The scene was in their bedroom. She and Draco were sharing a kiss when Ron and Harry appeared in the doorway.

"Hermione!" Ron screeched, causing Hermione and Draco to notice. They both backed away from each other nervously. "What do you think you're doing?" he shouted.

"Hi, Ron, Harry." Hermione acknowledged them, wincing.

Harry just stared at her with his mouth wide open, but Ron had something to say.

"I said-" Ron started.

"More like yelled." Draco muttered.

"-what do you think you're doing?" Ron finished.

"Ron, he's going to be my-" Hermione tried to explain.

"I don't care if you're getting married to him! He's still a foul ferret who-"

"Yeah, how could you, Hermione?" Harry interrupted.

Just then Ginny ran into the room. "Am I too late? Hermione, I swear, I tried to stop them, but they wanted to talk to you!"

"Not anymore." Ron said bitterly, turning to leave.

"I can't believe this." Harry said as he departed the room, following Ron.

"Wait!" Hermione and Ginny both cried.

Hermione let out a sob and buried her head in Draco's shoulder. He wrapped a protective arm around her.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry, they don't know what they're thinking, I'll get them to see right." Ginny promised.

When Hermione didn't reply, Draco did for her. "Thanks, Weaselette."

Hermione, her face still covered, punched Draco's chest. He winced. Ginny gave a small smile to him, and left, shouting, "Ron! Harry!"

"You okay?" Draco asked, sitting her down on his bed.

She revealed her tear-stained face and shook her head.

"I'm really sorry about that."

She just nodded. "I thought they would understand."

"They will, they will get it at some point."

"You think?"

"I think if they care about you the way I think they do, then yes."

"Thanks." she whispered, hugging him.

Hermione watched from a distance. He was comforting her. He just never seemed like the type.

In the next scene, they were again in the bedroom, and Hermione was telling Draco she was going to her old house to retrieve her mother's wedding dress.

"I'll come with you." he announced.

"No, don't do that."

"Yes." he protested. "It might be difficult for you, it was hard for me to walk around my house and not think of my dad for a while, I figure you'll want some support."

"Thanks."

"Oh, and I won't look at the dress."

"You know me so well." she sighed happily.

Again, it didn't seem in his nature to be so supportive. Hermione was figuring out life was full of surprises.

Yet again, another scene appeared, and this time it was in a lovely garden-like area with a fountain. Hermione saw herself tripping on her shoes, falling forward onto the gravel, putting her hand in front of her to try and break her fall. Her head hit the side of the fountain, and her knee made contact with the sharp gravel. Draco looked like he thought Hermione was dying or something. He picked her up and carried her all the way to the hospital wing.

Memories flew by after that, things that seemed surreal and fake, some totally real and almost there. There was Valentine's Day, their wedding, their honeymoon, finding out they were having a baby, finding out it was twins, taking N.E.W.T.s, doing every last thing on the list, graduating, going home, Draco leaving, them writing letters, and lastly, Draco receiving an owl saying Hermione was hurt. They ended there.

She pulled her face out of the water. Draco was standing behind her hopeful.

"One of the letters you sent sounded familiar." Hermione noted.

Draco grinned. "That's good, isn't it?" he asked Dumbledore.

"It's very good." Dumbledore smiled.

Hermione gave a semi-smile.

"Well, I think that's all we can do." Dumbledore said. "You should all be returning home."

"Of course. Thank you for everything." Draco said gratefully.

"You're welcome, Mr. Malfoy. Any time." Dumbledore replied.

Soon, the group Apparated back to the Burrow. They hung out for the rest of the day. Mrs. Weasley made them dinner, and after, Hermione felt tired.

"I'll be upstairs, okay?" she told the group.

"You're not coming home?" Draco asked.

"No." she said, walking up the stairs.

"Draco, dear, go join her. It's much too late for you to go back home, anyway." Mrs. Weasley encouraged. "And whether she knows it or not, she needs you."

"Thank you." Draco said. He rushed upstairs to find Hermione silently crying, curled up in a ball.

He didn't say anything, but crawled in next to her, wrapping his arms around her. For once, she didn't protest.

A/N: Please review! It's just a click! It doesn't have to be long. Reviews honestly encourage me to write faster, so... please try to help!