A/N: I haven't written in ages so I hope that this story will trigger the attention of a few readers. I hope that you like it. If you have any comments and suggestions review it please. Thanks and enjoy!

Summary: Hermione finds herself pregnant at seventeen shortly after her boyfriend dies in an accident. Draco tries to help her through a tough time yet she still finds the pressure of Hogwarts awful and runs away never to be seen or heard from again. Her daughter, Gabrielle, grows up writing her father who supposedly worked as a photographer in Italy. After seventeen years Hermione calls Draco for a favor and in exchange of showing herself to him again. Deceptions, secrets and lies… all a favorable plot.

Disclaimer: Yes, I am only going to do this once. I own nothing! Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!


Prologue

(The mistakes we can't take back…)

Most of us are scared of goodbyes. The fear of leaving something (or someone) special behind is enough to make our stomachs churn. Goodbyes are a way of ending chapters in our lives. But for every ending, new beginnings arise. Without endings there would be no new stories, no new topics.

My friends, this is the ending of Hermione Granger's story but it is just the beginning of mine.

"I can't believe you would do that to me." Justin rubbed his temples.

"I'm sorry." The girl's tears trickled out of her red eyes. Her face was swollen and it was obvious she had been crying. "I swear it meant nothing to me. But I will understand if you feel that what we have isn't going to work anymore."

"Look at me and tell me you don't love him." He held onto her hands.

"I can't." She cried harder. "I do love him, Justin. But I'm in love with you. Isn't that good enough? I said I was sorry. I guarantee you that it will not happen again."

"Its me or him. I can't allow you to be friends with him if I know that it is inevitable that you might do something again."

"You're right, J." She brushed her back. "I can't be trusted and I don't deserve you right now." She sniffled. She bit her lip and looked up at the hazel eyes that were so familiar to her. "You broke up with me." By stating those words they both knew that their relationship was over.

"Hermione, I never," He shook his head. "I refuse to."

"Just go. You're making it harder than it is." She pointed to her door.

"Harder? You're the one who cheated on me with a man-whore!" He yelled at her.

"He is not a man-whore!" Hermione said in defense.

"Don't do this." He shook his head.

"Don't be a saint. I am begging you." Hermione cried. "You have been the most amazing guy. Just leave, make it easier for the both of us. I cannot allow you to just take in all the things I've done."

"You're right." He stood up. "You don't deserve me."

"I'm sorry." She kissed him one last time and like magic a flashback of all the times they had spent together appeared in her mind.

"You deserve better." He placed his thumb gently on her cheek.

"I do love you, Justin. I always will." She shut her eyes as the man she once saw as the light of her life walked out the door.


"Hermione wake up." Ginny shook her roommate.

"What is it?" Hermione rose from the bed. She had fallen asleep crying over what had happened.

"Something happened to Justin." Ginny tugged her hand.

Hermione stood up and allowed herself to be pulled. "Is he alright? What happened?"

As they walked through the halls all the students of Hogwarts were gaping at her. She figured that half the school probably knew what had happened between her and the star catcher of their school.

"Hermione, I am so sorry." Harry and Ron ran to her side.

"What happened?" Hermione felt her heart throbbing. She asked them as the made their way through the crowd.

"It's his girlfriend." Most of the students kept saying.

And finally Hermione saw what all the hustle and bustle was about. There she saw a body that was being rolled through the halls in a gurney.

"Miss Granger," Dumbledore seemed to have appeared from nowhere. "I am grief stricken by your loss. Mr. Collins is a tragic loss for all of us."

"What?" Hermione didn't seem to understand what was happening. "What happened?"

"He felt off his broom while practicing in the rain." Harry looked at her as if it were so obvious. "His head landed on a rock. Hermione, he didn't make it."

Hermione stared at Harry for quite a while and could not seem to register what he had just said to her. "That can't be true." That was all she managed to say. "I just spoke to him. We were together just a few hours ago." Her heart was now aching; she could not bare the pain. "That's not him!" She yelled causing a everyone to look but she didn't care. She ran to the gurney and pulled off the sheet.

And there she saw Justin Collins, Hogwarts' star catcher, everyone's good boy, her ex-boyfriend, the love of her life. The back of his head was drenched in blood. She put her shaking hand over her mouth then gently put it on his cheek only to feel that it was as cold as ice. "No," She shook her head. "How could you do this?" She shut her eyes as if expecting for the pain to go away. She put the cloth over him again and put both her hands on her head, and for the enth time that day uncontrollable tears trickled down her eyes. She put down the cloth again and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"I do love you." She recited the words that they had so often used to each other. She held her breath and for the last time she placed the cloth over his head.

That was the last time Hermione ever saw Justin Collins' face. No one ever found out about the fight they had had before he had decided to practice in the rain. No one ever bothered to question the fact as to why he had been flying so high. No one questioned why he decided to practice, he never practiced, at least, not without his team. No one dared question why he was not with Hermione on that rainy Saturday night.

For days Hermione was nowhere to be found. No one had seen her except perhaps her friend and their teachers but that was all. The students knew that eventually what had happened would die and Justin would be forgotten forever.


A couple of months since the "accident", Hermione sat by the oak tree and looked out to the lake. This was the spot Justin had asked her two years ago. She rubbed her fingers across her lips as she rocked back and forth just staring at the setting before her.

"I haven't seen you in awhile." The voice was enough to make Hermione sick. She ignored the voice, just like she had been ignoring every thing (including her studies) for the past week. "You're ignoring me now?" He took a seat beside her. "Don't ignore me."

She turned her head to her company, "What do you want me to say exactly? Hi, Draco, yes my boyfriend just died. You want to go talk?" She shook her head. "Sorry, but I'm in absolutely no mood to."

"Is this about what happened?" He asked, "Its okay, I won't tell anyone."

"No its not, okay!" She yelled. "It's not always about you! My boyfriend just died, could you just let me breathe for a moment?"

"That's a lame excuse and you and I both know it." He shook his head. "No one knows, okay? No one is going to know."

"Good." Hermione crossed her arms. "At least there's something you're good at."

"Hermione," Draco put his hand on her shoulder. "I love you."

She turned to him and just stared. "I don't need this right now. What happened was a mistake and you and I both know that. No one needs to know. I'm entitled to messing up in my life and what happened with you was a minor setback."

"Is it any consolation that I'm still here?" He looked at her.

"No," Hermione shook her head. "Because the man of my dreams fell ten stories into the air." She stood up and removed the grass that was stuck to her pants. "I'd appreciate it if we just ignored each other like we did before, Malfoy."

"You made me fall in love with you, Granger!" He yelled as she made her way back.

"Yeah, but I was just another one of your bets." She shook her head. "Yes, Malfoy, you got Collin's girlfriend in bed! You are the man! You have officially slept with every single girl in this school. It was a mistake to actually think you wanted to be friend with me, a mudblood. Go ahead say it, you haven't said it in a year! Prove everyone they were right, you only wanted to become my friend to get into my pants and you did! And now the only person I truly care about is gone. No thanks to you!"

"Its not my fault and we both know it." He chased after her. "It's not your fault either Hermione."

"This is my punishment." She wiped her cheeks.

"It is not!" He shook his head. "He died and he took a part of you with him. You're letting him take all of you! Hermione, I meant every word I said, I've fallen in love with you."

"Shut up Draco!" Hermione yelled even louder. "I didn't ask you to fall in love with me."

"I want to help." Draco pleaded.

"I may need help," Hermione shrugged, "But I don't want any from you." Hermione's eyes shot open. She placed her hand to her mouth and ran to a near by bush.

"Are you okay?" Draco ran to her side.

"Stay away." Hermione placed her available hand up. "Just go away." She wiped her mouth.

"You're pale." His face only showing concern.

"I don't need your help." Hermione managed to cough out. She felt her head spin. "Could you take me to my room please?" She put out her hand asking for help.

Yes, the complexity of their relationship was difficult to understand, so difficult that they themselves did not understand it. So how did a Malfoy fall for a mudblood. Well, if I answered that now then there would be no story, would there? But then again that would be too easy to understand.

Truth be told, we do find love in the most unexpected places and fall in love with the most unexpected people otherwise it would be so boring. How or when? None of us realize it until we can own up to the fact that we do care about other people.


"Hey," Hermione woke up to the sound of Draco's voice. "Are you feeling better?"

"What are you doing here?" Hermione shot up and looked at him. "How'd you get in?"

"I have my ways." He shrugged.

"First of all, you're not allowed in the Gryffindor area, and second hello? Girl's quarters." She pointed to the door.

"No one knows, chill. We're in the clinic." He laughed.

Hermione's face got frantic. "I've got to go." She stood up. "Did they do anything to me?"

"No," He shook his head more confused than ever.

"I have to go." Hermione got her robe and made her way out.

"Are you okay?" He followed on after her.

"I'm fine. Its okay." She smiled. "Thank you." She shrugged and made her way.

"I do love you!" He called out.

She stopped dead on her tracks and turned around. "Don't ever say that again. Do you understand?" She bit her lip. "Good bye, Draco."

Draco just stared at her. The way she had said goodbye had give Draco a queasy feeling at the pit of his stomach.


Hermione,

Though it troubles me to wonder why you are asking for this I just hope that everything is okay. Your father and I both know that it's been hard since the death of Justin but Hermione, you have to realize that there is something after all of this sadness, life. And if things do turn out as expected you have to move on. You have to make room for life, the life that you have created.

I love you forever, I like you for always as long as I'm living, my Hermione you'll be.

Mom

Hermione's hand shook as she opened the package that her mother had send her. She placed the letter down and cried.

"This can't be." Hermione cried an hour later. In the four corners of her room no one knew what was happening to her. Her life was about to change completely. Not a sign of pink anywhere! Just blue, plain blue. "My life, is officially over." She crumbled over her bed and cried. That's all she had been doing lately. She felt that she had nothing better to do.

She stood up and got her things together. She was not going to let anyone know. She had to get out. She needed to change. Everything around her reminded her of him and now that he was gone what she had inside of her was going to be a permanent reminder of him, just him.

Life for Hermione Granger could not get any worse. This was it for her. She was completely aware of the consequences of her actions. There was not a doubt in her mind that her entire life would now be completely on hold. And there was nothing she could do about it.

"That is not even an option." She mumbled trying to figure out a way out of this. She shut her eyes and figured she'd finalize the situation by saying it out loud. "I'm pregnant." Hermione bit her lip and looked down at her flat stomach.

She had been pondering about what she would do if this did occur. She had assumed she was pregnant for the past week or so knowing all the symptoms were there. She went down on all fours and looked under the bed. There her packed luggage lay ready to go. She had slowly packed her things so not to trigger any suspicion from her roommates. She looked at her wristwatch and saw that she only had less than an hour to do it. They were due from dinner at any moment. She pulled it out trying hard not to make a sound.

"Ginny!" Ron threw the door open. Hermione shrieked.

"Ronald!" She yelled. "You're not supposed to be here."

"I can't find Ginny." He whined.

"Where's Harry?" Hermione looked at him.

"What are you doing on the floor?" He looked at her confused.

"I," She realized that she was still on all fours. She tried to think of a good excuse. "I dropped my earring somewhere." She put her hand on her cheek. "Where's Harry?"

"He's," Ron tried to think. "They're together! That's it!" He shut the door. Hermione shook her head. He was so strange sometimes. The door burst open again and Hermione fidgeted. "By the way, I can see both your pearls from here. So if it was a porn book you were hiding, I'd say it's perfectly normal."

"Ronald!" Hermione said in an astonished tone. She grabbed her pillow and threw it at the door but it barely made it across the room. Ron was too busy laughing. "Bye, Ron." Hermione waved. She had a sunken feeling that, that was going to be her final goodbye to him for a while.

"Night, Hermione." He smiled and shut the door.

Hermione let out a big sigh and turned back to her luggage. There was a knock on her door after she had gotten all three bags out. Hermione rubbed her eye and prayed that "spring-cleaning" would be a good enough reason. "I'm busy." She sighed.

"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagal opened the door to the room.

"Professor." Hermione stood up instantly. "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else."

"May I come in?" She asked.

"I," Hermione looked at the roof. "Sure." She pointed to the sofa.

"Albus and I are aware of what is happening and he sent me to say goodbye." McGonagal looked at Hermione's bags. "We are not going to try to stop you because we are aware of the situation that you are in at the moment."

Hermione looked at her blankly not knowing what else to say. She felt so ashamed and unprepared. "I'm sorry." Hermione put her head down.

"Oh dear child, don't be." McGonagal stood up. "There are more than three girls who go through this every year and every year those stuck up purebloods only present themselves with one option. You are the only one owning up to what you did and that alone is more courage than even Mr. Potter can show." She gently placed her hand on Hermione's chin. "I will never ever forget that student who walked into my classroom with all the confidence that she had to show that raise made no difference. You are a bright girl, Hermione. Never doubt that."

Hermione put her head down as a small tear trickled down her cheek. "Thank you, Professor. I will never forget you or all my experiences in Hogwarts."

"Perhaps you will comeback." She offered.

"It doesn't look like it." Hermione shook her head. "I'm going to be a mom now." She placed her hand over her stomach. Hermione looked in McGonagal's eyes to see that it was a little glassy.

McGonagal brought her hand up to her mouth. "I'm proud to have been your teacher."

"And I, your student." Hermione shrugged.

"Well, I suppose Albus can't keep the students any longer." McGonagal smiled.

"Wait, I have to write my friends." Hermione remembered.

"Send them an owl." McGonagal said or your roommates will catch you here.

"Tomorrow morning?" Hermione asked. "Just to say goodbye?"

"Tomorrow morning." McGonagal nodded. "But we will keep you luggage in a hidden closet by the door."

"Thank you, professor." Hermione smiled.

There conversation ended there. Hermione then went to her dresser to begin her letters to her friends.

While Hermione's roommates were fast asleep she began her letter to her friends. None of the things she seemed to write did justice to express how she really felt. If this was going to be her goodbye letter then it had to be written right. Paper after paper nothing was going to be good enough for Hermione. She looked over to her roommates who were still fast asleep in their beds. Hermione knew that she was definitely not going to sleep that night. She was too wound up. After a couple of trips to the bathroom and two glasses of water Hermione finally decided that perfect was what you made of it. And her last letter was as good as it was going to get.

Guys!

Though I hate to do it this way. It's the best way I know how to say goodbye. I no longer have the strength to have to go up to all of you and say it because I know that you're only reaction will be to convince me to stay (there's no use in denying it Ronald).

Many of you are already asking why? Right now I can't let any of you know. It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that I need time to myself and I suppose the pressures of my life have finally gotten to me. I'm not as strong or as confident as I thought and I've finally given in. There are times that we do have to surrender, if what we are surrendering to is only to help us for the better.

I'm not perfect and heaven knows that I've had my fair share of mistakes lately, but I want all of you to know that those mistakes have helped make me stronger perhaps not now but soon.

Thank you for all the memories that you have brought into my life. The laughter, the sorrows, the arguments, the action and of course the love. You have all made me who I am today. You are the only ones who really looked past where I came from and helped me determine where I was going.

I know that this wasn't in our plans but I know that you guys will fulfill our dreams together, even if it's without me.

Ginny, you will always be my sister. Remember this quote? "We've shared the laughter, shared the pain, cried in the sun and danced in the rain. We may not be blood sisters, but we've known from the start, that you and I? We're sisters by heart." I love you, girly-girl.

Ron, I know you are going to be great one day just have patience. You've taught me that money isn't everything. And you do look like a penny even in your hand-me-downs. Don't be so hard on Harry, it's not hard to fall in love with your sister. Understand, Red?

Harry, don't stress yourself out on your scar too much. Thank you for bringing out far more than what I had inside of me. Keep your life simple, and make all the people close to your heart know that you care.

I love all of you so much and it hurts not to be able to see your faces anymore. But someday we'll see each other again. Now, take care and study hard. I've left all my old class notes on the dresser seeing that I won't need them anymore.

One day. Some day.

Always, always,

Hermione

That was it. Hermione finally finished her letter only to see that the sun was already up. She folded the piece of paper and put it inside her drawer. This was the last time she was going into the Hogwarts bathroom, it was the last anything and everything at Hogwarts. She got herself together and saw that the room was already empty. She took out the letter and placed it on her pillow knowing that they would all look there.

She made her way out of the room and out of Gryffindor. She said goodbye to her professors one last time and was on her way.

She looked up at the majestic castle one last time and got into the carriage that Dumbledore had arranged for her. "Goodbye." She placed her hand on the frosted window as her tears of sadness flowed once more.

That was the last time the witch world had seen Hermione Granger.

Most of you are now asking what is going to happen. Thus, my story begins.


A/N: I hope you guys liked it! If you do please review it, I don't mind if you have negative comments either. I am already apologizing for misspelling and other errors because I don't really like rechecking my work. Sorry!