Hermione had completely forgotten about any romantic relationships since their departure of Bill and Fleur's cottage. There were too many things to think about, and it was utterly ridiculous during such events as a battle.

And yet when Hermione had the simple thought that she could have kissed Ron for thinking of house elves for once, she found her lips suddenly on his. And she wasn't completely sure she didn't like it.

In fact, it almost felt like something she'd been hoping for desperately had come true. And much as she felt like fighting it, liking the feel of Ron's lips—less skilled and less delicate than Draco's—was fighting harder. By the time they parted, Hermione hadn't a bit of guilt about the whole thing.

Hermione, being the logical person she was, however, knew that she had to keep going, and not linger on her feelings. She ran through the Room of Requirement, searching just as hard as she knew Harry was for the Horcrux.

When she heard Malfoy's voice, she thought it was a figment of her imagination, reminding her of the other boy she thought she loved. But when she began to make out words, Hermione remembered that Draco had to be involved in the battle. How could she not have realized that before?

Still, it was a battle. She ignored the conflict beginning in her mind and attacked without hesitation. And after they all—minus Crabbe—had gotten out, Hermione forgot about Malfoy, because, well, there was a Dark Lord to kill.

Draco had, of course, seen Voldemort die. He heard when Harry said that he—Draco Malfoy—had been the true master of the Elder wand. He was the flaw in Voldemort's plan. Draco was partially the reason Voldemort had died. Of course this made him pleased.

Still, it didn't make things any less strange to be sitting in a place where people who were, moments before, his enemies. He kept glancing at Hermione, but she never looked at him. She was constantly talking to Weasley, and it hurt Draco more than he would let himself show.

Lucius noticed Draco's line of sight and whispered, "Did I not tell you it was irrelevant?"

Draco didn't respond, but simply watched Wesley and Granger leave. As safe and accomplished as he was, Draco couldn't help but feel like he'd just lost a part of his soul.

On their way back down from the Headmaster's office with Harry, Hermione asked, "So now that it's all over—what'll we do?"

Harry gave her a tight smile, "That's a good question. I've spent my whole life fighting Voldemort. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Well for one, Harry and I could truly attempt to pass our exams," Ron put in.

"Ronald, you had no excuse not to pass your exams," Hermione chided.

"True…but we've already been through our seventh year, so I'd say we'll do alright now," Ron amended.

"Well, you two can debate what you're going to do, but as for me," Harry said with a sigh, "I've done my worrying. If you don't mind, I think I may just sleep. At least there, I won't have to answer a dozen questions."

So Harry left in the direction of the dormitories, leaving Ron and Hermione alone.

"So, Hermione…there's something I've been waiting to tell you," Ron said after a moment.

"Yes?" Hermione asked eagerly.

"You know how we kissed during the battle?"

"Of course, Ronald," Hermione said with a fond smile, remembering those lips again.

"Well, do you remember that book Fred and George got me this summer?"

"Yes," Hermione said, becoming suspicious.

"And, um, were you still wearing that perfume I gave you during the summer?"

"Get to the point, Ronald," Hermione said, exasperated.

"Well, you might not want to wear that perfume anymore." Ron seemed a little squeamish now.

"And why's that?"

"Erm, well…the kiss may have been a bit encouraged…by a special…potion," Ron stammered.

Hermione bristled. "What potion would that be, exactly?"

"Well, Fred and George had just gotten a special shipment because their love potions were becoming so popular—"

"You put a love potion in my perfume?" Hermione wasn't sure herself whether she was screaming or just shouting. In any event, she caused Ron to back away in fear. "Ronald Weasley do you have any idea how dangerous that could have been with a war situation?"

"Not quite—"

Hermione gasped as a sudden thought struck her. "Draco!"

"Draco?" Ron called after her, as if he'd misheard.

But Hermione ignored him. She raced back to the Great Hall, seeking the only person she had every truly loved in her life.

"Come, Draco, we aren't wanted in this place." Lucius said finally, and Draco nodded, standing up. He and his mother followed his father to the Entrance Hall. Lucius had just put his hand on the doors when a shout rang out from behind them.

"Draco, wait!"

Draco, who had recognized the voice instantly, turned just as Hermione ran into him. Without hesitating, she grabbed him by his robes, and shoved him down until his lips collided with hers. A dozen things ran through Draco's mind, but he shoved them away and simply put his arms around Hermione, taking in the kiss for all it was worth. Merlin, had he craved a moment like this.

The moment was ruined, however, by a spell from Lucius. It flung both of them to opposite sides of the hallway, effectively waking Draco back up. He picked himself off the ground, and turned angrily to his equally irritated father.

"Draco, you are coming with us," Lucius hissed.

"I'm not sure which you're more angry about, father," Draco said, bravery appearing in response to Hermione's kiss. "Is it the fact that I was kissing Hermione in front of you, or the fact that she's a Mudblood?"

"We will discuss it at home, Draco," Lucius said pointedly.

"Well, you see, father, I don't really think I want to go home now," Draco said, slowly stepping towards Hermione.

"You will go home, Draco, and you will obey me," Lucius said, gritting his teeth to prevent himself from doing something he knew he would regret.

"Mother, would you kindly remind father of my age?" Draco requested casually, beside the silent Hermione now. "I do believe he's forgotten the laws concerning overage wizards."

Narcissa, to everyone's surprise, did speak to Lucius, though she didn't completely do as Draco had requested. Instead, she said, "Lucius, remember when we had the same situation?"

Here, Draco and Hermione exchanged very confused glances. Two purebloods with the same types of families were in the same situation as a pureblood and a Muggle-born? The idea was absurd. Then again, Draco never asked his parents how and why they had gotten married. He mostly assumed they were forced to marry each other to keep the bloodlines intact.

Lucius, much to his son's surprise, immediately calmed down—something Draco would have never predicted. Now he really wanted to hear the story, but now wasn't the time to push it. Instead, he watched his father take a deep breath and say, "Your mother and I are leaving. You may stay here, and when you decide to come home, we will discuss the matter further. Am I understood?"

"Yes, father," Draco said with a curt nod, barely containing his emotions as he watched his father and mother turn and leave.

When the doors closed behind them, Draco's shoulders tensed up, and he began muttering under his breath, but all Hermione caught was, "…not irrelevant now…"

"Draco," Hermione whispered, gently touching his arm. Draco immediately relaxed and slowly turned around.

His face was expressionless, as he said, "Well, Granger, we seem to find ourselves alone, with the mild approval of my parents. Whatever shall we do?"

"Firstly," Hermione said with a small grin, "You can stop calling me Granger. And secondly…"

Hermione took Draco's hands in hers, and used them as her supports as she rose on her toes to kiss him once more. For once, there were no irate parents and no guilty consciences to interrupt the pure bliss they were feeling. They could finally let themselves pour out their bottled emotions to each other. By the time they were forced to come up for air—Hermione angry at her lungs for it—her arms had wound themselves around the back of Draco's neck, her fingers twined in his hair, and Draco's hands were placed gently but firmly on her arching back, locking her body close to his.

Hermione's eyes slowly opened and locked onto Draco's. She grinned, and before she could stop herself, she started laughing quietly. Draco followed suit, so that both were laughing for no immediate reason. Hermione's mind—ever logical—told her that it was because the idea of them kissing each other in that way had always seemed insane, no matter what they felt. To have it actually happen was ridiculous—almost a miracle.

Draco, mid-laugh, asked, "So, why now?"

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked.

"I just wanted to know why you chose the moment I was about to leave to…declare your intentions," Draco clarified with a grin.

Hermione probably could have come up with a witty remark in response, but anger at Ron came back to her, and she took a step away from Draco, who dropped his hands at his sides.

"Did I say something wrong?" Draco asked.

"No, it's just—I'm furious at Ron," Hermione said

Draco suddenly got a hurt look. Slowly and pathetically, he said, "So this was just to get back at him?"

"No, no, of course not," Hermione said quickly, taking Draco's hands again, attempting to explain with her eyes. "The moronic git thought a love potion was the best way to win over a girl's affections—in the middle of a war."

"He thought what?" Draco growled. He dropped Hermione's hands, his own hands forming into fists, his jaw tightening.

Hermione immediately jumped to diffuse Draco's anger. She grabbed his wrist, put his fist to her lips, kissed it, and said, "Clam down. We both know Ron's not the smartest person in the world."

"Of course," Draco said, his fist relaxing as he traced her lips with his thumb, "because that's you."

Draco's fingers, completely out of the fist now, slid to Hermione's cheek. Her hand covered his, and followed the motion of Draco's thumb as it stroked her cheek. Hermione wasn't completely sure whether she was going to continue the conversation or just stand like that, staring into Draco's eyes. She would never know, because Harry's voice broke through the trance both of them had gotten into.

"Hermione?" he asked.

Hermione jumped like she'd been burned, and a glance at Draco, who was blinking as if he'd just woken up, told her that he was equally surprised.

"Harry, I-I thought you were going to the dor—"

"I couldn't sleep," Harry explained shortly.

"Don't talk to her like that!" Draco demanded. Hermione put her hand on his arm, which Harry most definitely noticed.

"Me? And what about the way you've talked to her all these years?" Harry said. "How long has this been going on, anyway?"

"Er…well…" Hermione wasn't completely sure how long it had been going on. "The Yule Ball?"

"Fourth year?" Harry's eyebrows shot up.

"Oh, Harry, it's all very complicated," Hermione said glancing at Draco. Harry held up a hand before she could continue.

"I'll ask you about it later," he said. "See you in the common room. Oh, and good luck telling Ron." With that, Harry walked away, his eyes lingering suspiciously to Draco.

"I want to be there when you tell Weasly," Draco said immediately after Harry left.

"No," Hermione said simply.

"And why not?" Draco demanded.

"That would only end in disaster," Hermione sighed. "You would say something to provoke Ron, and then he'd start a fight. The castle doesn't need any more destruction. I'll just tell him, and he'll have to accept it."

"And why do you say that?" Draco asked.

"Because I've finally gotten you—and no one, especially not a moronic git, is going to take you away from me again," Hermione said, again stepping close to Draco.

"I love you," Draco said with a grin.

"I love you, too," Hermione replied immediately, grabbing Draco's robes again as she stretched to kiss him.