Author's Note: As always, thanks for reading and reviewing! The reviews from chapter 9 have really inspired me to keep writing and since this story is done, I've been working on a new one. It's going to be Rose Weasley based and I'd really appreciate some ideas! If a thought for a story featuring Rose Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy has ever crossed your mind that you'd like to share, please send me a PM! For now, enjoy Chapter 10 of Remember Me!

Chapter 10

November 1999

The next few weeks were full of giddy young courting between Ron and Hermione. Ron would apparate to Hermione's apartment in the morning and they'd take the floo to the Ministry of Magic together after a quick breakfast. Every day, Ron would escort her to her office before reporting to work himself. On slow days, they met for lunch but Hermione often stayed later than Ron which prevented them from leaving together. Ron would usually pop up in the evening, eager to watch more television. Like his father always was, Ron was intrigued by the muggle objects that adorned Hermione's home. She'd created a nice mixture of the muggle and wizarding worlds where she lived as to accommodate both sides of her life.

All the while, Hermione's mind was becoming clearer and clearer. She admitted to not remembering Ron in the past, but she didn't have trouble remembering him anymore in the present. Ron seemed perfectly content with this, not really minding all that much about the past and just wanting to focus on the future. Hermione pretended not to care all that much, either, but was secretly going to work on her plan. Ever since what would have been their anniversary, Hermione had been secretly meeting with the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, trying to put her plan into action.

"There's just no historical proof that your theory is correct," Kingsley told her one evening when she stayed late to meet with him.

"There's no historical proof of a spell like this ever being performed and what's been happening so far all makes such clear sense."

"Hermione," he said affectionately. They had grown close over the years and were on a first name basis. "I know this entire situation is very upsetting, but I can't simply order the death of a prisoner to test a theory. And if your theory is wrong, then we'll never be able to figure it out with him gone."

Hermione sat back against her seat, biting her lip. Hearing it out loud made it sound absolutely mental. "It's been my understanding," said Hermione calmly. "That the dementors were ordered to take it easy on him because some people think the cure to this spell can only be obtained from Draco himself if he's alive."

"That is correct, in a sense. You also are aware that some of the most famous healers in the magical world have seen you and it is based on their professional advice that Mr. Malfoy has been treated, well, gently."

"With all due respect, it's been over six months and these so-called famous healers haven't bothered with me since I left St. Mungos." She gave Kingsley a very serious look. "Be honest with me, Kingsley. They've given up, haven't they?" Hermione's lips drew into a straight line as she met the minister's gaze. This thought had passed through her mind time and time again over the last few months, but she wanted it confirmed.

Kingsley lowered his gaze. "It's not so much that you've been given up on, Hermione, but more so that ideas and theories have been exhausted at this point."

"My theory hasn't been exhausted," she interrupted. "Look, obviously being in Azkaban this long as had some sort of effect on him. Just being there has had to have shaken him a bit. When I first woke up after the spell I had absolutely no idea who Ron was and while I can't remember who he was, I remember who he is. That's a huge step in the right direction but I'm not satisfied. I need to remember who he was, what we had, what we went through together. I refuse to let Draco Malfoy win."

Kingsley set his gaze on her for a moment as he concentrated on her demeanor. He'd never seen her this serious before. He began to nod slowly. "I'll see what I can do, but there are no promises. Let's meet again in a week."

A smile formed on Hermione's lips and she nodded. "Ok, we'll meet in a week," she said and stood from her chair, extending her hand to shake Kingsley's before leaving his office. As she walked out, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her remembrall, giving it a squeeze as she strode down the hall.

When she arrived home, she found the lights on and a delicious smell wafting towards her from the kitchen. She smiled when Ron stuck his head out from kitchen doorway and grinned at her. "You'll never guess what my mom taught me," he said as he raised a wooden spoon in the air.

"No way!" Hermione laughed and hastily joined him in the kitchen where the stove was covered in pots and pans magically stirring themselves. She couldn't help the giggle that escaped her throat. "Ron! You can cook!" she laughed again, wrapping both her arms around one of his and standing on her tip toes to kiss his cheek.

"Well, that's yet to be seen. I mean, it's cooked, sure, but does it taste good?" He looked down at her and placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead. "Go wait in the dining room. It's just about ready."

Hermione pecked quickly at his lips, having gotten into the habit of doing so over the last few weeks, before venturing off to the dining room. He had set the table for them, even had a few candles out. Pulling her wand from her pocket, she lit the candles and pulled a bottle of wine from the rack, opening it with magic and pouring it into the two glasses Ron had put out. She turned when she heard him enter the room. He was biting his lip as he floated a few serving dishes onto the table. Once they were safely put down, she eyed him. "Show off," she smirked and sat down.

They enjoyed an intimate evening together. It turned out that Ron wasn't half bad at the magical recipe his mother had taught him and the couple decided to try a few new ones together next time. "So what kept you at work so late?" he asked after finishing his glass of wine.

"Well the Minister is a very busy man," Hermione said casually, leaning forward on her elbows, twisting the stem of her wineglass between her fingers.

Ron's eyebrow raised and he stared at her for a long time. "You had a meeting with the Minister? The Minister of Magic?" Hermione nodded. "Why?"

Hermione shrugged, not sure if she should entrust her plan in him yet. "He just wanted to check in on me and see how I was doing," she lied.

"Oh. Cool," Ron replied, believing her and quickly changing the subject to an adventure he had at work that day. As Hermione listened to him talk, she decided then that she couldn't tell him about her plan. It just had to happen, she'd make it happen, and he'd be surprised by the positive outcome that she so desperately wanted.