Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, the fifth book would be even larger than it is now! :D Also, I'd be on the set constantly to meet on the actors n actresses! Particularly the trio n draco! : )

Author's Note: Final chapter! :D, :'( Here ya go, incognito! Finally the scene with the necklace! : p Fitting that it's the last chapter too, eh? Woo…this is gonna be one heckuva looooong chapter! As always, read , review, and enjoy!

(As usual, *means scene change, *****means POV change) Oh! And there's some swearing in this chapter…just a bit, and something that most teens have been exposed to anyway.

Under the Stars

Chapter 7: First Kiss

'How could he? How could he betray me like that?' Hermione stumbled down the hall, tears obstructing her vision. She heard footsteps behind her, so she sped up, not caring who or what she ran into.

"Hey, Hermione! What-" Ron asked, perplexed, but she was gone before he could even complete his sentence.

Hermione kept running, feet pounding to the only place she knew that Draco couldn't reach her-- Gryfinndor Tower.

"Are you alright, dear?" the Fat Lady asked, upon seeing Hermione's tears coursing down her cheeks.

"Snuffaluff," we all Hermione said. The portrait swung open, admitting Hermione within. She ignored the strange looks she was getting, raced up to the dormitories and flung herself on her bed, tears still running down her cheeks, matting the hair around her face.

'Filthy mudblood…the school's become a disgrace since they've let in mudbloods…' How could she have ever thought that someone who had said all those nasty things to her could ever care for her? Just then, Ginny knocked on the door to the 5th year dormitories.

"Hermione, can I come in?" Ginny asked in a grumpy voice.

'Go away. Go away…' Hermione thought hard, trying to will Ginny to leave her alone. All her thinking couldn't help her, however, and Ginny opened the door.

"Hermione, what's this all about. I ran into Draco outside the Tower and he gave me this- Hermione! What's wrong?" she asked, finally noticing Hermione's tears.

"N-nothing…it's just…" she hesitated, trying to decide whether or not to tell Ginny. Finding genuine concern in her eyes, she gathered her courage and continued, "Draco. He…I…" She proceeded to tell her younger friend about how her and Draco's relationship began, Ginny's eyes growing larger at some parts, but she generally stayed silent throughout it all. Hermione was glad because she didn't think that she would be able to continue if she had to stop.

"That stupid, idiotic, slimy git!" Ginny exclaimed when Hermione was done. She continued to rant about Draco, her colourful vocabulary far from being exhausted. Finally she calmed down. "Why would he do that though? You're so much better than that ugly witch Parkinson!"

"I-I don't know. I can't understand why he'd do that unless he was using me the entire time…" Ginny moved closer to Hermione to give her a hug as Hermione began crying again, and as she did, something crinkled in her pocket.

"Hey…he gave this note to me in the hall before and told me to give it to you. Do you think it'll give some kind of explanation?" Hope returned to Hermione's eyes. She reached out for the parchment and quickly scanned it. "Well?" Ginny asked impatiently.

"He just said that it was all a misunderstanding…he wants to meet me in the trophy room in a few minutes so he can explain. Ginny what do I do? I-I don't think I can face him yet," Hermione faltered.

"I'll go for you then. He at least owes you a reason for doing that, and it had better be a good one." Ginny stormed out the room, leaving Hermione alone with her very confused thoughts.

*****

Draco paced the room, looking up at the door every few seconds to see if Hermione had come down yet. Finally the door opened, but instead of the brunette he had been expecting, he saw a fiery redhead marching up to him.

"Explain," she said simply, crossing her arms and giving him a stern look.

"I'd rather talk to Herm-"

Ginny cut him off. "She didn't want to come. I'll bring your explanation to her." Draco didn't see any other way around it. He didn't exactly want to explain anything to this hot-tempered witch in front of him, but it looked like he had no other choice.

"Fine. Like I was saying, it was all a misunderstanding. Pansy came onto me and took me by surprise…"

"Oh, so she came onto you! And it came as a surprise to you, hmm? A surprise that a girl who has been chasing after you since you came to Hogwarts kissed you? Please! I suppose she just launched herself at you from a dark corner while you were angelically minding your own business and helping old ladies cross the street? A misunderstanding? Yeah right!" Ginny screamed. She slapped Draco across the face. "That's for being a two-faced, cheating prat and hurting Hermione." She left the room, preparing to tell Hermione all about their little exchange, leaving Draco to rub his stinging cheek.

'I was telling the truth, though. Oh no, what's she going to tell Hermione now? I need to think of something, and fast!'

*****

Hermione climbed up the steps of the Astronomy Tower, dread slowing her every step. Ginny had told her Draco's claim to innocence, and as much as Hermione wanted to believe him, she didn't know if she could. It certainly seemed characteristic of Pansy to do that, though. Then again, the story he told Ginny was far too simple than to be a fabricated story, or had he purposely done that? She just didn't know what to think anymore. She seated herself at her desk and put her head down in her arms, attempting to block out the world until class began. However, she became acutely aware of a pair of boots standing in front of her desk belonging to none other than the person she most wanted to avoid at the moment.

"Hermione, please talk to me. You don't understand…"

"Ok everybody! Have a seat please! We have a lot of presentations today, and I know that you don't want to miss a single one!" Professor Sinistra called out. Draco trudged back to his seat and Hermione gave a sigh of relief then groaned. She would have to pull herself together if she wanted a decent presentation mark. She watched group after group go up and give their presentations. She noted proudly that none of them had as detailed information and their analyses had very little depth. She did, however, notice that they also all had very nice visuals, and she shot a worried glance at Draco. He looked back and gave her a small smile, but she whipped her head back to the front, remembering what he had done.

Finally it was their turn to present. She steeled herself and headed up to the front. Her and Draco had practised endlessly in their frequent meetings in the library so they switched on and off effortlessly. Despite the anger Hermione was feeling towards Draco at the moment, she knew that their presentation was flawless. Finally, they reached the end of their presentation.

"No visual aid?" Professor Sinistra asked, marking something down on a piece of parchment. Hermione looked helplessly at Draco.

"Oh, we do have a very special one right here." He pulled out a velvet-covered box. "First, can we turn off the lights?" They did so, and he opened the box, revealing a beautiful necklace with a glowing charm in the centre. The entire class gasped at the brightness of the necklace and its beauty.

'What does a necklace have to do with Canis Majoris?' Hermione wondered.

The lights were turned back on and Draco began to explained that the charm was magicked to hold a piece of the star Sirius, which is the brightest star in the night sky, and a part of the constellation Canis Majoris. He began to give some information on Sirius.

'Wow! He's really been doing a lot of extra research,' Hermione thought.

Suddenly a girl she didn't know in Slytherin squealed, "Oh Draco, where'd you get that lovely necklace?" He paused and gave a meaningful look at Hermione.

"It's not mine-- it's Hermione's." He removed the necklace from the box and held it out to her. Hermione could only watch in amazement.

"What? Mine? But…Draco…" Hermione breathed, unable to form coherent sentences. She distantly heard the clatter of chairs as Harry and Ron stood up quickly, most likely from shock, but she couldn't focus on them. All she could think was: Why was he giving her the necklace? He must have spent a lot of money on it. Was it true? Could he possibly care for her? These thoughts were all spinning around in her head, but they were drowned out by a sudden scream.

"DRACO! YOU SAID THAT THE NECKLACE WAS FOR YOUR MOTHER! WHY DID YOU LIE TO ME?!" Pansy screeched. She suddenly turned her anger on Hermione. The look in her eyes caused Hermione to take an involuntary step backwards. "YOU DID THIS! HE WAS GOING TO GO TO THE BALL WITH ME, BUT YOU STOLE HIM AWAY FROM ME, YOU BITCH!! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A MUDBLOOD! HE'LL NEVER CARE FOR YOU OR LOVE YOU!! YOU'RE NOTHING!!!" These were some of the things Hermione had been thinking before. Her chest began to constrict and she suddenly felt overwhelmed and desperately needed air. There was none that could be found in the classroom, so she did what she could. She ran. Past Draco who was still holding the necklace in a limp arm, up a large set of stairs, and through a trapdoor until she couldn't climb any higher. She was at the top of the Astronomy Tower in the open air. She sucked in a shuddering breath, and felt her shoulders slump. She leaned heavily on the edge of the wall, feeling the smooth stone beneath her fingertips. The sky was so peaceful, with the stars twinkling above her. Why were they so tranquil, but her life was the complete opposite?

She heard a noise behind her and turned to see Draco emerging from the trap door. He held out his arms to her.

"Please Hermione, let me explain." She didn't want to talk to him. She turned around looked over the wall again and stayed silent. "It was all a misunderstanding. I was busy thinking of a prop we could use for our presentation. I know you didn't want anybody to find out about…us…before the ball, so I lied to Pansy when she found out about the necklace. I made up some crackpot story so she would leave me, and us, alone, but before I realized it, she was kissing me. I didn't want to, Hermione. Honest!" His voice suddenly dropped. "It's you I want." Hermione was quiet throughout all of this. She just didn't know what to think. She desperately wanted to believe him, to trust him again. She faced him again. His eyes showed nothing but sincerity. She felt the tension inside of her break down and she ran into his arms.

"Oh, Draco," she sobbed. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you before. It was just so hard for me to face you after I saw you kissing Pansy. I won't distrust you again!"

"You won't have a reason to." This set Hermione off again, and Draco just held her as she cried, releasing what was left of her anxiety and pain. Her tears finally slowed down and she just stayed in his embrace, enjoying being so close to Draco with him stroking her hair, comforting her.

"So you'll still go to the ball with me then?" he asked as they finally broke away. Hermione grinned. He was so sweet.

"Of course." She smiled shyly as he fastened the glowing necklace around her and she gave him another hug. "Umm…are Ron and Harry…you know…mad?"

Draco grinned at her. "I'm not sure-- I chased after you once you left the room, but if they are, don't worry about it. It'll be alright." He gave her another hug for good measure and Hermione had never felt safer and more peaceful then she did at that moment.

"I wish we didn't have to go back to class. It's so nice out here."

"Then we don't have to. We can just stay here and wait for class to finish before we go back." And that was just what they did.

*****

"Welcome everybody to another beautiful, frosty day. Today's quidditch match of Slytherin versus Gryfinndor was held to honour of this Valentine's day! Both these teams are competing for a spot in the semi-finals. Today's starting lineup for Gryfinndor is..."

Draco tuned out Lee Jordan's voice and shivered in the cold. The temperatures were near zero degrees centigrade (32 Fahrenheit), and the quidditch players only had their game robes on, but at least they were heavy and provided some warmth. He breathed a ring of water vapour into the chilly air and prepared to launch into the air as Madam Hooch strode onto the field. He stayed at the far corner of the pitch because by then, most of the school had heard that he had asked Hermione to the ball, and he was avoided by all Slytherins, as was she by all Gryfinndors. He only hoped that his father hadn't heard about it yet.

TWEET! The whistle blew, and off flew the quidditch players. Draco flew around, searching for the snitch while trying to escape from the dangers of bludgers as they sped around. For some reason, they seemed extra vicious today and were zooming around trying to unseat a large number of people. Draco thought that he saw a flash of gold and sped towards the opposite end of the pitch. As he flew by the stands, he saw a green uniform amid a sea of red. He turned his head and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of red go plummeting over the railing of the stands.

"Hermione!!!" he yelled. Heart thudding, he raced to catch her. At that point, he felt rather than saw Potter flying close behind him, when suddenly a whoosh of a bludger took Potter out. "Hermione," Draco whispered. He leaned forward on his broom, urging it to go faster. He was certainly glad that his father had gotten him the fastest new broom on the market, the Thunderbolt GX. He had to catch her! He just had to! "Come on, come on!" he yelled at his broom. He was just inches out of reach of Hermione, and she was tumbling to the ground at a high speed. Finally, he managed to shoot his broom under her, catching her in his arms. He fell off of his broom and onto the hard pitch two feet below, Hermione still in his arms. The crowd held their breath as Draco climbed to his knees and pulled Hermione up with him. Then, the crowd went crazy. There was loud applause on all ends of the stadium and a few whistles and catcalls as Hermione threw her arms around Draco. He could only hear his blood rushing in his ears as the adrenaline rush wore down.

"Hermione, you're okay," he whispered to her. He planted a kiss on the top of her head. Just then, Harry and Ron landed next to them.

"Thanks," Harry said gruffly. He hesitated for a moment, then offered his hand. Draco grinned, released Hermione, and shook it. Then he shook Ron's hand. He knew what this meant-- although they might not be exactly happy with his and Hermione's relationship, he knew that they would at least make an effort to accept it.

Ron then turned to Hermione. "Are you alright, 'Mione? What happened?" he asked with concern. She looked rather shaken, although that was understandable as she had just plunged a few hundred feet.

"I-I don't know. I was just watching the game, when suddenly someone came behind me and pushed me. The next thing I knew I was falling to the ground." Draco narrowed his eyes and glared up at the stands. He saw a strawberry blond head discreetly making its way to the back of the bleachers.

"Pansy," he muttered, anger coursing through his veins. He started towards the bleachers when he found to his surprise that Hermione was grabbing onto his and Ron's hands and giving Harry a pleading look.

"Please don't," she begged. "The teachers will deal with her. I just don't want you guys to get expelled or lose your place on the team. She's not worth it. Please don't." Draco took one look at the earnest look in her eyes and felt some of the anger leave him, filled only by weariness.

Madam Hooch approached the small group just then. "Everything alright?"

"Yes Madam Hooch," they chorused.

"Fine then. Since it doesn't look like you've been injured, Miss Granger, please return to your seat so the game can be resumed." She took notice of the panicked look that flashed across Hermione's face. "Do not worry Miss Granger. Miss Parkinson has been taken to the Headmaster's office. She will not bother you any more." Hermione thanked her and headed back to the stands after wishing all of the boys good luck. Madam Hooch blew the whistle twice, and all of the players mounted their brooms and took off into the air. Draco felt much lighter now that Hermione was happy and forgiven by her best friends again, and he felt sure that things would go very well tonight.

*****

"That game was so amazing! Are you sure you're all right Hermione? That was some fall! It must have been nearly 200 feet! It sure is a good thing that Draco caught you! I guess it means that you made up then," Ginny said, raising her eyebrows and giving her a suggestive look. Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Ginny interrupted her. "Don't bother telling me. I already heard from most of the school…he gave you a necklace. Is this it?" Hermione nodded, grinning.

"Isn't it lovely?" Hermione said, beaming.

"It's more than lovely! It's gorgeous! It must have cost him a tiny fortune. It's so romantic!" Hermione blushed. She wished that Ginny would stop talking about it, but it made her smile every time she heard it. She knew that Ginny was rather talkative anyway, and since the ball was only a few hours away, she was extra excited because Harry had finally gotten a clue and asked her to be his date.

"Anyway, that was an excellent game. Our win will put Gryfinndor in the lead of the running for the House Cup for the 5th year in a row now. We're really on a winning streak," Hermione said, trying to turn the conversation in another direction. She didn't really need to, as they heard a ding of a timer go off.

"Alright Hermione, that's it. The Sleekeazy Hair Potion should have set your hair now. Hermione removed the plastic bag covering her hair, and now, instead of being bushy and frizzy, her hair was sleek, soft, and fell in waves.

"And my little miracle hair product does it again," joked Hermione. Ginny began to style her friend's hair. She pulled it into a ponytail and clipped it higher up on Hermione's head.

"I wonder where the guys are. They can't be getting ready this early-- last year I heard that they only started dressing when the ball was a half-hour away."

"They said that they had something to do after the game," Hermione replied.

"Maybe they're planning a party. Fred and George are graduating this year, and I'm sure that they want to go out with a bang. I hope they don't ruin the ball. Some strange twist of fate or a temporary loss of sanity caused Dumbledore to put them in charge of the decorations committee, and I'm almost scared to see the Great Hall," Ginny laughed.

This type of insignificant conversation continued as the two girls got ready for the ball, excitement and romance mounting in the air.

*****

Harry and Ron, contrary to belief, were not plotting a party or ways to ruin the ball (although there would be a party later in the common room to celebrate their victory). Instead, they had approached Draco, giving him the 'big-brother/protective friend' talk. Draco found it oddly amusing, but had managed to hide his amusement and acted seriously.

After they left, he glanced at his watch-- there was about an hour 'til the ball, and he figured that he had better start getting dressed. This year, he had new dress robes that didn't look like the vicar robe that he had last year. These ones were silver and black to offset his eyes and hair. They were of course the latest in style, as his father wouldn't have it any other way.

An hour later, he was waiting by the entrance hall for Hermione, as this was where they had decided to meet. Only through all of his 'training' as he was younger was he able to contain his excitement. Just the thought of going to the ball with Hermione brought a smile to his lips. He felt that it would be a night to remember.

"Hi Draco." Draco turned to meet the owner of the voice and his jaw dropped. For a few moments he stood speechless. Then he realized that his jaw was hanging open and quickly shut it, hoping that she didn't notice.

"W-wow Hermione! You look amazing!" Her hair was twisted into a high ponytail and curled at the ends, and sprinkled with sparkles. The rose he had given her was shrunk and tucked into her ponytail. She was dressed in a red satin dress that fell to her knees. Silver and gold brocade were shaped like leaves and flowers and twined their way up from the waist of the dress around her v-neckline, which proudly boasted the sparkling necklace, and up one strap of the dress. The dress hugged the curves of her body in all the right places. He couldn't help but gape again. "You look absolutely amazing."

"Thank you. You look great too." He offered her a rose corsage with baby's breath surrounding it. He saw her smile as he slid it onto her wrist. "Thank you."

"Shall we go then?"

"Yes, we shall." Hermione laughed, the ice broken. They joined hands and walked the rest of the way into the Great Hall. Couples were lined up waiting to go in. As Draco and Hermione joined the crowd, the others stared at the attractive couple.

'Looks like I got the belle of the ball,' Draco thought proudly. At that moment, the doors to the Great Hall opened and the students in the hall all gasped.

"Fred and George did a great job," Hermione remarked. That was an understatement. The walls were lined with sparklers that were arranged in the shapes of flowers, bushes, and grass, making the large room seem like a garden. Pinkish lights were glowing softly overhead, lighting the room dimly. Some were even in the form of chandeliers. Dozens of little tables were spread out across the room with dark red tablecloths and candles on each one. The dance floor was lit up with pinkish lights underneath. Happy Valentine's Day was scrawled across the wall magically. The entire room looked…magical.

The crowd entered the room, ooh-ing and ah-ing over the resplendent decorations. They all eventually seated themselves at tables either with friends, or with their date for the night. Hermione and Draco chose the former. When everyone sat down, Dumbledore arose.

"My dear students, we are here at our second annual ball. With love in the air this Valentine's day, I can see some couples who were destined to be together," he beamed down at Harry and Ginny, "and some recent ones that are somewhat surprising, but a welcome and joyous union at Hogwarts." Hermione and Draco blushed. "I hope you will all enjoy the ball, but first we must all stuff ourselves with this delicious feast." He waved his hands and menus appeared at everyone's tables.

After everyone had their fill, a few of the tables were moved out of the way and people began to gravitate towards the dance floor. This year, Celestina Warbeck was the singer hired. She launched into her latest hit, Under Your Spell, and couples began dancing to the fast-paced song.

"Care to dance?" Draco asked Hermione. She smiled and willingly obliged. They stepped onto the dance floor and danced…and danced and danced and danced. After an hour, Draco was exhausted, but he didn't want to leave. Everybody around him was panting for breath after another half-hour.

"What's happening?" he cried as he tried to leave the dance floor, but was unable to.

"Fred and George!" Hermione exclaimed, staring at the mischievous twins who were standing at the edge of the floor, laughing like mad. They had put dancing charms and hexes on the floor, making the people keep dancing. Draco dug into his robes pocket and produced his wand. He muttered the counter-curse and trudged off the dance floor, his weary legs barely supporting him and Hermione. They downed a few glasses of punch and returned to their table.

"Fred and George are really going to try and land themselves a record for detentions, aren't they?" Harry asked, grinning wryly as the couple joined him, Ginny, Ron, and Lavender.

"Why do I have the feeling that the trick with the dance floor wasn't all they had planned?" Hermione asked wearily.

"Because it's Fred and George," Ron replied just as wearily, as Lavender had dragged him onto the dance floor as well. Hermione's question must have been the twins' cue, because at that moment, all of the lights exploded in a shower of sparks and sparkles, leaving the Great Hall lit only by the "garden" on the walls, the candles on the tables, and an occasional light that hadn't shattered.

"I think we should go now," Draco whispered to Hermione.

"But the dance is still going on," she replied, confused. He gathered up a few shreds of courage.

"I know, but no one else will be around." Hermione blushed at this, but still took his hand and sneaked out of the Great Hall.

'She's actually going for it,' Draco thought, somewhat in wonderment.

"Well, where should we go?" she inquired.

"Outside?" he suggested. She agreed and they strolled leisurely on the lawn, taking in the magnificent view of the stars.

*****

(A/N: This section is just continuing from the scene before the asterisks, but from Hermione's POV)

"Oh, look!" Hermione suddenly said, pointing at the sky. Together, they watched a shooting star cross the path of the constellation they now recognized as Canis Majoris. "Make a wish," she whispered.

"I don't think I need to wish on a star," Draco suddenly said. Hermione tilted her head, looking at him with a questioning look. "I can make my wish come true now." He began lowering his face towards her. Her breathing accelerated and her heart was hammering in her chest. This is what was about to happen in the coach-ride from Hogsmeade. This is what she had been fantasizing about for so many months now.

Hermione shut her eyes as Draco's lips met hers. All was right in the world at that moment. Actually, the world didn't even exist anymore to the couple-- all that mattered was that they were together and…

Draco moved away, a blush reddening his face. "Hermione, I love you." Her eyes filled with tears and glistened in the moon- and starlight.

"I love you too."

…and they were in love.

Above them, the stars twinkled as if they were celebrating. Draco's arms rose up and held Hermione softly and hers wrapped around his shoulders. Love flowed around them as they kissed again, under the stars.

The End

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A/N: sob It's over! I've finished my longest fanfic ever, and I owe it all to you wonderful reviewers! I love you all! Finally, Hermione and Draco managed to end up happily together, even though it took me 6 months to write, and it's almost 3am and I have school the next morning! : ) I hope that you've all enjoyed this fanfic. Please review this final chapter, and my thanks will go out to all those who have reviewed my story! (the thanks to be posted next week) : ) Thank you all! So review!

PS: Part of my author's note was deleted in the previous chapter, but it basically said that if you guys need some more draco/hermione, visit my friend jd and my site:

www. geocities. com/ tomemma. html

there aren't any spaces in the address tho, I just put them in to make sure that it didn't get deleted again! :) enjoy! : )