AN: This one's just Hermione/Draco angst, I'm afraid. Bit of a filler chapter, really. The smut will return later, however.

So, here we are. The last time we'd ever sit in the Great Hall, listen to one of Dumbledore's speeches. The last time I'd ever see Draco Malfoy, unless we happened to run into each other somewhere. Unusually for me, I wasn't paying much attention to what Dumbledore was saying - I had far too much on my mind.

Afterwards, I sat on my bed, reluctant to take down the last few photographs and admit I was leaving for ever. Hogwarts was like a second home to me, but once I walked out, I wouldn't be returning again. Instead, I was going to London, St Mungo's, to train as a Healer. Meanwhile, there was a month of muggle life to contend with first – despite now being of age, my parents preferred me not to use magic in the house, so I had to do all my chores by hand – at least when they were around. What they don't know won't hurt them, after all.

As I was leaving, an owl flew through the window and landed on my trunk. It held out its leg, and I removed the roll of parchment. The owl didn't leave, so it was clearly waiting for a reply.

"Hermione,

Owl me when you start at St Mungo's, and we'll go for lunch sometime. Enjoy your holiday. The owl that delivered this is for you – his name is Orion.

Draco."

I looked back at the owl, Orion. He flew up and landed on my shoulder as I tucked Draco's letter into my bag. Casting a levitation spell on my trunk, I floated it down to the entrance hall, where we were all supposed to gather for the journey to Hogsmeade station. Managing to catch Draco's eye, I nodded.

"Hey, Hermione, where'd you get the owl?"

I should have realised Ron would be curious.

"A present. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to sort out the first years."

I'd forgotten, of course, that I would be expected to spend the train journey with Draco. So, it seemed, had he. Until he walked into the compartment and found me waiting for him.

"Hermione," he murmured softly.

I wrapped my arms around him, resting my head on his shoulder. He, in an uncharacteristic display of gentleness, started stroking my hair.

"What am I going to do without you, Granger? You don't know how much I need you." He said this so quietly I almost didn't hear him – I don't think he intended me to hear.

"Draco?"

He looked at me, unsure of himself for once.

"I need you too."

So it wasn't the three little words that lovers more commonly say, but it was so rare for him to show any emotion at all.

"This next month is going to be hell – sure you can't come to London straight away?"

"I'm sure, although I can probably visit. What are you doing in London anyway?"

"I'm supposed to be looking for a bride. A pureblood witch to carry on the Malfoy line." He grimaced. "My father is most insistent – doesn't want me disgracing the family name, as he puts it."

"What if you don't find anyone?"

"He's going to marry me off to some cousin I've never met, if that's the case." He looked so distraught at this possibility that I knew what I had to do.

"Draco, you have to find someone, there's no other choice."

"But what about you? I can't just leave you."

"We'll keep in touch – we can owl each other and so on. We just… won't be able to do what we have been doing."

Shaking his head, Draco pulled me onto his lap.

"That won't be enough, you know it won't."

"It has to be."

The rest of the journey passed in near-silence, with the two of us clinging to each other. By the time the train arrived at platform 9 ¾, I was openly crying.

"See you soon, Draco."

"Love you, Hermione."

Before I could reply, Lucius Malfoy strode up, and looked approvingly at Draco. He assumed, of course, that he was the reason I was crying. Although this was partly true, it wasn't because I'd been insulted – I'd stopped doing that a long time ago.

Wiping my eyes, I picked up my trunk and walked purposefully towards the barrier. I'd already shown enough weakness in front of Lucius Malfoy – I wasn't going to show any more. Once through the barrier, I knew I'd have to deal with my parents asking about why I'd been crying. They meant well, but I really didn't want to talk about it yet.

"Hermione, are you alright?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. I strongly suspected it would be wobbly. We walked out to the car, and mom loaded my luggage while I went and sat in the passenger seat, tears rolling down my cheeks again. A packet of tissues appeared in my lap, and I took one gratefully.

"Is this because you've finished school? I know you liked it."

"No." I wiped my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time.

"You haven't had a fight with your friends?"

I shook my head.

"So it's boy trouble."

Reluctantly, I had to admit that she was right.

"So, what happened?"

"His family are forcing him to get married, and they don't approve of me."

"Whyever not?"

"Remember I told you about purebloods and muggleborns?"

"Yes."

"Well, Draco belongs to a very old pureblood family, and he's expected to carry on the family line and name. If he doesn't find himself a pureblood wife, they'll find one for him.

"Draco? Isn't he the one you hated?"

"We… um… got to know each other this year." In more ways than my family ever needed to know, I thought. "I love him, and he loves me."

"Ooh, sounds like a real Romeo and Juliet story to me!"

AN: Do I need to say it again? Time to review!