A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I was looking at the stats and I found out that I had nearly 20,000 hits:D Wow!!! Thank you to everyone who has read the story and please keep reading!

Luvyu all…

Chapter 21

Never in all his life was Draco so happy. For the first time he felt as if he deserved this happiness and as he got out the shower, Draco swore that he would never let anything ruin this happiness.

It completed his life, Hermione completed his life. He didn't care what anyone thought, it was his chance to be happy and he wasn't going to let it slip away. Draco intended to hold on with both strong hands.

Jeez! I sound very un-Malfoyish! What would father think!! He thought, amused with his sarcasm. Oh well, I guess that's what happens when you're in…What? No way!!! I can't be, that's impossible…or is it?

On the other side of the enormous room, Hermione was still in shock. She had re-read the letter several times, not able to digest anything.

She let out a long sigh, and moved her shaking hands towards the second parchment that was addressed to Miss. Granger and Mr. Malfoy.

Hermione was about to open the letter when she thought that it would be better if Draco was here since it had his name on the paper.

Waiting what felt like hours, Hermione decided against waiting for Draco. She unfolded the note and straightened it. It was a letter from Dumbledore. Sighing, she began to read the letter to herself.

Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy,

It has been a while since I last spoke to you. I hope you are well. I believe that the time has come for the two of you to leave the Room of Faith, as I'm sure you have fulfilled the task and more!

Today will be your last day in the room. Have your belongings packed and you'll be out of there in the following morning. I will personally come.

Enjoy your last night, don't do anything I wouldn't!

Professor Dumbledore

It was their last night and Hermione couldn't help but wonder what will happen once they return to their normal lives. Both their lives had been changed in less than two weeks.

Hermione still hadn't moved from the warmth of the sofa. She lowered her head into her arms and stayed their. Tears flowed down her pale cheeks and onto her clothes.

Draco was still in the bathroom. The room was getting colder and smaller.

She took her time to think things over. It was true that her life had changed, and it changed because of the one person she knew she couldn't be with.

Hermione went over and over on how Harry and Ron would feel if she came out and told them that she might be in love with their enemy.

A small part of her brain assured her that they wouldn't care and that they would just tell her that Draco isn't such a bad guy. That they wouldn't care, as long as she was happy.

But the majority of her brain told her that Harry and Ron would be furious and tell how stupid she was to fall in love with the ferret. Ron would blow his top off and would never speak to her again.

That was the one thing she didn't want. She couldn't imagine her life without her two best friends.

For seven years Hermione had known Harry and Ron, she had shared everything with them. She would be nowhere without them.

Hermione remembered the times when the three of them would get into trouble and their adventures together.

She knew Harry and Ron could never accept Draco. She didn't want to cause them any trouble and she didn't want to lose them

And that was when she made her decision.

Draco came out of the bathroom only wearing his jeans. The upper half of his body was bare. He had a white towel in his hands which he was using to rub his dripping hair.

Hermione got up and wiped her tears, not facing Draco. Draco walked towards the wardrobe, a huge grin on his face.

Still not facing him, Hermione spoke as Draco pulled a dark green shirt over him.

"Er breakfast is on the table and erm…er…er…" she didn't finish her sentence, the words simply not coming out.

Draco studied Hermione's face. Her face was red and blotchy. Her eyes were wet and Draco could vaguely see tears on the verge of falling.

He walked towards her and put a hand on her shaking shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

Hermione moved away from Draco's touch and hurriedly walked to the wardrobe, taking out several items of clothing.

"N-nothing."

She was about to head into the direction of the bathroom when Draco steeped in her way.

"Move. Please?"

"Not until you tell me what's wrong."

"Look Malfoy, nothing is wrong so please, just get out of the way!" Hermione shouted, shocking Draco.

"Granger…"

"Please leave me alone."

Draco let Hermione go. She ran into the bathroom, banging the door shut behind her. Draco heard the click of the door locking.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his damp hair, frustrated. What the hell was that about? He moved to the fireplace, prodding the logs with the metal rod, venting his anger out on them.

It was then that Draco noticed to crumpled pieces of paper, strewn near the small wooden table.

He bent down and picked them up. Unscrambling the first one, he read the letter from Harry and Ron.

Hermione,

Dumbledore told us what happened a few days ago. I'm sorry that you have to put up with Malfoy for so long. I truly don't know when you will be out of there but Ron and I are trying our best to persuade Dumbledore but all he keeps saying is that it's for the best. Yeah right, nothing is for the best when Malfoy is in the picture!

Were lucky that he decided to pass the letter on to you.

Anyway, how are you coping with the ferret? Ron says that he will kill the bastard if he tries anything! His words not mine!

We miss you a lot and don't worry; you'll be out of there in no time. Write to us if Malfoy's being more of a prat than usual! But I doubt we have anything to be worried about, you throw a mean punch if I say so myself!

Love you loads Hermione, see you when you come back,

Harry and Ron

Is that why she was upset? Because Weasley called him a bastard? But then it clicked. She's because of Weasley and Potters reactions towards him.

He understood; he knew how she was feeling. It was the same phase he went through, moments ago. But he had put it behind him, with not a care. If his friends really cared about him then they would not stand by his feelings.

But Hermione's not like you; she has relationships that mean a lot to her. And she would do anything not to lose them.

Draco put the parchment down and worked his way to the other one. From Dumbledore.

"Today will be your last day…following morning…last night…" the words were huge blows to Draco's chest.

Days ago he used to curse Dumbledore for stranding him in this room and couldn't wait until he was free. But know all he wanted was to stay in the same room. Just him and Hermione. Away from the troublesome world outside.

He threw the balls of paper into the fire and watched as bright orange sparks danced as the fire touched the papers.

Everything was clear as water. Walking to the bathroom door, he could hear Hermione's sobs echoing to his ears. The sound made him want to break down the door and cradle Hermione in his arms and tell her that everything will be alright.

But it won't be will it; nothing is going to be to the same, Draco thought to himself glumly.

"Hermione?" he knocked on the door quietly. Her sobs stopped. He could hear scuffling and then nothing. He tried again.

"Hermione?"

"Leave me alone."

"Hermione please, I know what you're…"

"No you don't Malfoy! So stop acting like you do!"

Draco didn't know what to say. He had never seen Hermione act like this. And for the first time in his life, Draco Malfoy didn't know what to do. He was about to leave when he stopped.

"If they really cared about you, they would understand."

A/N: There you go people, another chapter finished. Please tell me what you thought about the chapter, did you like it or didn't you?!?!

Also thank you to everyone who helped me with this story, with their ideas and support. Please keep on helping because I wouldn't be here without you all. (You know who you are.)

Luvyooooo all…

Mev xXx