Beautiful Goodbye

By Serene Riddle

This is a DM/HG pairing. The song belongs to Amanda Marshall. The characters to JKR, and the plot to me. Please R & R

It was a few years after life at Hogwarts had ended. Hermione Granger, now 21 years of age, stood on stage in a darkened club. She had grown from a bushy-haired, know-it-all bookworm to a popular singer and potions mistress.

The outfit she chose for the night was simple. A black, ankle length skirt, combat boots and a corset-like top. Her once bushy hair fell in sleek waves down her back.

Hermione picked up the microphone and waited for her cue. This song was dedicated to Draco Malfoy, the only person she loved-and lost, or so she thought. She began to sing, her voice filling the club.

'Fed up with my destiny

This place of no return

Think I'll take another day

And slowly watch it burn

It doesn't really matter

How the time goes by

Cause I still remember you and I

And that beautiful goodbye'

Memories flooded Hermione's mind and she blinked back tears. That night they had admitted their feelings, both had been extremely drunk. They didn't realize what they had said until later.

'We staggered though these empty streets

Laughing arm in arm

The night had made a mess of me

Your confession kept me warm

And I don't really miss you

I just need to know

Do you ever think of you and I

And that beautiful goodbye'

Draco Malfoy stood in the darkest corner of the club, watching with empty gray eyes. Unnoticed, a tear slipped down his face. Hermione-the gorgeous woman he still loved, and would do anything to get back, was baring her soul for all to see. Silently, he listened to the song and the sound of her voice.

'When I see you now

I wonder how

I could have watched you walk away

And if I let you down

Please, forgive me now

For that beautiful goodbye.'

Hermione almost choked on the words. Gritting her teeth, she continued to sing her heart out.

'In these days of no regrets

I keep mine to myself

And all the things we never said

I can say for someone else

And nothing lasts forever

But we always try

And I just can't help but wonder why

We let it pass us by.'

For a fleeting second, their eyes met. Doe brown gazed into steel gray. Hermione's breath caught and Draco smirked.

'When I see you now

I wonder how

I could have watched you walk away

If I let you down

Please, forgive me now

For that beautiful goodbye'

Hermione's heart beat faster as she watched Draco make his way backstage out of the corner of her eye. She kept going, a bit wary of what he might do.

'Baby what can I do

Oh to get through to you

And sometimes I cry

It's a fool's lullaby

And sometimes I cry

I'm dying inside'

As the music ended, Hermione curtsied and walked offstage. A pair of arms reached out and grabbed her, pushing her up against the wall. Lips claimed her own, kissing her fervently. Hermione moaned, knowing exactly who it was. No one could kiss like Draco Malfoy. No one. When they broke apart, Draco stared back at her.

"I've missed you." He said softly.

Hermione smiled sadly. "I've missed you too, love."

Draco knelt before her, holding up a small black box. "Hermione Granger, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Hermione's eyes lit up. "Yes! Of course Draco!" She knelt next to him and hugged him tightly. Laughing, arm in arm, they made their way out of the club and into a new life, together.

END