Okay, so we're dangerously close to the end of the school year now, and things are definitely crazier than ever. I'm going to have Luna, Ginny, Harry, and Ron in this one, along with Blaise and Theo - because I miss writing them (:

I'm assuming everyone knows how this story ends, but if you don't, I'd skip the next paragraph.

So I really hate writing this story, only because I love the characters I've created and I hate knowing that they're not going to end up together in this one :( makes me sad lol, and I'm the one who wrote it! But I hope you guys love it anyway!

Alright, enough of that.

Read and review lovelies (:

DPOV

"Are you listening to us, Malfoy?"

I definitely hadn't been, but I had good reason.

I had the perfect plan to guarantee that Granger would stay with me. I mean literally there was no way it could go wrong.

I hoped.

"Malfoy," snapped Blaise, waving his hand in front of my face.

"What?" I asked, shoving his hand away from me.

Blaise, Theo, and I were walking into the Great Hall for dinner, and they were bugging the shit out of me - and I didn't even know what they were talking about.

"Told you he wasn't listening." said Theo, chuckling.

"He's probably fantasizing about Astoria." said Blaise, rolling his eyes.

Fantasizing, yes, over Astoria, no.

"Are you going to tell me what you were talking about, or not?" I asked, glancing over at Granger's table.

She was in what looked like a spirited discussion with the Weasel, because she was moving her hands around and seemed to be trying to get her point - whatever that was - across to him.

"...when you and Astoria are going to get married?"

I ran a hand through my hair and sat down at our table, "I think my father was talking about doing it as soon as possible."

The thought alone made me sick - not that I'd admit it to anyone. Well anyone but Granger.

"Must be hell for you, the infinite bachelor, to have to give it all up." said Blaise, but Theo snorted.

"Please, Astoria's a babe. Malfoy's a lucky bastard."

I just shook my head and changed the subject, "What are you guys writing your potion's paper about?"

Theo laughed, "Right, like I'm actually going to write that paper."

"How you're still passing Potions, I have no idea." I said, shaking my head. "It's like you've never turned in anything."

Theo shrugged, "Teachers like me."

"No one could like you that much." said Blaise, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, I'm writing my paper on the Babbling Beverage potion."

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What? Do you have a better idea?"

"Not really," I admitted. I had no idea what I was writing my paper over, so when I got upstairs I was going to have to come up with something, since the assignment was due tomorrow.

"Well we can't all have my good fortune." said Theo, chuckling.

"Oh shut up." said Blaise, tossing a grape at Theo's face.

Before they could get any more out of control Astoria appeared out of fucking nowhere and sat down next to me.

"Hey,"

"Hey," said Blaise and Theo, sharing a glance between one another. I wanted to disappear, but that wasn't happening, so I turned to look at her.

"Hello Astoria."

She smiled and blushed, "How are you? I feel like we haven't spoken in a while."

For some reason this irritated me beyond any rational level, but I kept my voice even as I said, "We spoke yesterday."

She giggled - which I was sure was meant to be attractive - but I couldn't help but compare it to Granger's. And of course it was nowhere near as nice to hear.

Not that that was a big surprise.

"Well of course we did, but I meant really talked. We still have so much to discuss."

Which was true, I just didn't want to.

I couldn't say that, though. So instead I said, "Of course, but I'm sure our parents have thought of everything."

She nodded, a faraway look on her face, "Yes, my mother told me that they picked a date. The first of August. Isn't it lovely?"

I nodded, trying to look enthusiastic.

She looked between the three of us and then giggled again, "Well I'll let you boys get back to your dinner, I just wanted to say hi. But Draco, we should hang out some time. I feel like there's still so much I don't know about you."

I forced a smile on my face and nodded, "Of course. This weekend?"

She stood and nodded, "That'd be lovely. I'll see you then. It was nice to see you two." she said, giving a small wave to Theo and Blaise.

She pressed a light kiss to my cheek, and was gone before I could register what had happened.

"I see you're going to have a nice weekend." said Theo, a smirk on his face.

Before I could tell him that no way in hell was I doing anything like that with Astoria, he was getting up and heading out of the Great Hall.

I ran a hand through my hair, using all my self-control not to yank it out, when Blaise spoke up.

"You don't look happy mate."

"I'm never happy." I said, trying to brush it off.

"That's not true." he said, shaking his head, "You've been happy for the past few months - why, I have no idea - but you have been. So you better figure out what the fuck you're doing, because if you do decide to marry Astoria, you're not going to be happy. Not like you were with your mystery girl."

"There is no mystery girl." I said, standing up.

He shook his head and chuckled, "There is, and maybe one day you'll tell me about her. You know, when you and Astoria have three kids running around and you're wondering what the fuck you did wrong."

I opened my mouth to tell him where he could shove his opinions, but I decided against it. I didn't need to draw attention to myself - and he was right.

So instead I just left the Great Hall, heading up to the common room to get started on that potion's paper.

I'd been staring at a blank page for at least fifteen minutes before the portrait swung open and Granger walked inside.

"Hey," she said, dropping her bag on the couch and heading straight into the kitchen.

"Hey," I replied cautiously. I didn't know if she'd seen Astoria kiss me, and if she did I had no idea how she felt about it.

"How was your day?" she asked from the kitchen.

"Um...it was too long." I said, standing up and walking towards the kitchen, leaning against the door frame.

"Well at least it's over now." she said, fixing herself a cup of tea.

She looked over at me and smiled, "Do you want a cup?"

I shook my head, "No, but thanks."

She nodded and walked past me, sitting down in front of the coffee table and pulled out her homework - which reminded me that I still didn't have a Potion's topic.

I sat down next to her and she chuckled, "What are you working on?"

"I'm supposed to be working on my Potion's paper."

"Supposed to be?"

"I can't come up with a topic."

She chuckled, "Just pick a potion you think is interesting. It's not that hard Malfoy."

"What are you writing about?"

"You mean what did I write about." she corrected, pulling out a piece of parchment and handing it to me. "I wrote about Alihotsy Draught."

"The potion that makes you hysterical?" I asked, scanning the paper. It was good.

Though that wasn't a surprise.

"The very one." she said, taking the paper when I handed it to her.

I groaned and said, "I'm not going to come up with a topic."

"You had a week to write this, why are you just now starting it? You're just like Ron and Harry."

I scowled, "I'd rather you not compare me to your friends."

She rolled her eyes, "If you act like them, I'll compare you to them. Deal with it. As far as your paper goes, why don't you write about the Drink of Despair?"

I opened my mouth to object, but that wasn't a bad idea.

She smirked, "I'm good right?"

I chuckled and slid my hand behind her neck, pulling her toward me and kissing her.

"You're very good." I said, my lips brushing against hers with every word.

She smiled and pushed me back, "Write your paper."

"But I'd much rather -"

"Malfoy, write your paper." she said again, pressing a quill into my hand and pushing me so I was sitting on the couch.

I sighed, but did what she asked, writing down the first few sentences.

Ten minutes later Granger went upstairs, and when she came back down she had her sketch pad in one hand and her iPod in the other.

She sat down on the couch that I wasn't on, and put her headphones in, her pencil lightly scratching across the paper.

A few minutes later she groaned and yanked her headphones out, "Will you let me draw you?"

I looked up at her and raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

"Will you let me draw you?" she repeated, tapping her pencil against her leg.

I shook my head, "No way."

She rolled her eyes, "Oh come on, please let me draw you? You'll be the most dashing thing in this book."

I chuckled, "Nice try Princess, but flattery isn't going to work. Now be quiet, I'm trying to write this paper."

She pouted and said, "Pretty please? I can't think of anything else to draw, and you're not moving anyway! It'd be perfect."

"If I let you do this will you let me finish my paper?" I asked, mock-glaring at her.

She broke out into a beautiful smile, and I knew no matter what she said, I was going to let her draw me if it made her that happy.

"Yes,"

I nodded, "Fine, draw away."

HPOV

I couldn't believe he'd actually agreed to letting me draw him, not that I'd left him with much of an option considering I would have pestered him until he let me - but still.

I sketched a rough outline of the couch, and then moved on to Malfoy himself. I had drawn his outline, not quite sure what facial expression I wanted to capture, when I looked up and noticed him smirking at me.

I decided that would be the face I captured. That signature Malfoy smirk that I knew all too well.

I had a rough sketch of what I wanted it to look like when he finished his paper.

"Looks like you're out of time Princess." he said, smirking at me as he stood up and stretched his arms above his head.

I chuckled and shut my sketch pad, setting it down next to me.

"I think I'll survive. Besides, I can always finish it later."

He smiled and walked over to me, moving one arm on either side of me on the back of the couch, "What do you want to do?"

I sighed. We were so close to the end of the school year now. Eight days to be exact, and I couldn't help but run over every possible scenario that could happen when we had to end things.

I already knew I wasn't going to be happy, but I didn't know what to expect afterwards. After Malfoy wasn't around me everyday, after I had a job, after I had my own place - after Hogwarts was just a memory.

"I want to talk." I said, pulling him down next to me.

"Talk about what?" he asked, his voice cautious.

"I don't know - anything." I said with a shrug.

He relaxed next to me and said, "Well pick a topic and we'll talk."

"Do you want kids one day?"

He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer, before he answered, "One day...yeah. One day I'd want kids."

"How many?"

He chuckled, "At least three."

I smiled, three seemed like a great number.

"What would you want to have?" he asked.

"At least one girl."

"It'd be a boy first." he said, and I felt him tense up immediately after the words left his mouth, and it took me a second to realize why.

He was implying that if we had children the first one would be a boy.

Instead of calling him out on it, I just went with it.

"Well I think it'd be a girl." I said, sticking my tongue out at him.

He chuckled and said, "Well what would you name her?"

I shrugged, "No idea. What about you?"

"I don't know either, but I think I'd stay with the tradition of using astronomy names. It's kind of been a thing in my family for as long as I can remember."

I nodded slowly, "Family traditions are always nice."

If I did have a child it'd be twice as important for me to pass down traditions that my mom and dad used to do with me since she wouldn't get to meet them.

The thought made me sad, but as close as I was with Molly and Arthur I knew that my kid would have grandparents - at least in some way.

"When you get married, where would it be?"

"A beach, maybe?" I said, unsure. I hadn't exactly thought that far into my future. "Or maybe just a small service in a garden or something."

"Always the simpler things, huh Princess?" he asked, an amused smile on his face.

"Is something wrong with that?"

He shook his head, "Not at all."

"Where do you think you'll get married? Or did your parents plan that?" I asked, genuinely curious - for some masochistic reason.

"I don't know." he said, his tone uninterested, "I could care less."

I sighed, "If you don't want to marry her, why are you?"

"I have obligations to my family."

"What does that have to do with -"

"Granger, please. I really don't want to argue." he said softy.

Something about his voice made me agree to drop the topic.

We were quiet for a minute before he said, "Remember what I said about not wanting to argue? Keep that in mind."

I raised an eyebrow and shifted so I could look at him, and he took a deep breath before he started talking.

"I told Astoria that we'd get together this weekend. She said that she wants to talk to me."

I nodded, not at all surprised. I'd seen her kiss his cheek during dinner, so I'd pretty much known they'd be hanging out in the near future.

Yet and still it took quite a bit of self-restraint for me to not get mad and tell Malfoy where he could stick his dumbass ideas of hanging out with the both of us.

"Okay," I said simply, my voice controlled.

"That's it?"

"What would you like me to say?" I asked, my annoyance leaking into my words more than I had intended.

"I just thought you'd have something more to say." he said, his expression confused.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, "I could tell you that I'm happy for you and that I hope you have a great time - which would be a big fat lie. I could also tell you to go to hell and that you were an idiot for even telling me about it - which would be slightly more true than the first one. Or I could say that I'm not daft. I know that you've been hanging out with her, and I know that she kissed you at dinner. I saw it - and no I'm not mad."

"Is that a lie? That you're not mad?" he asked quietly.

I shrugged, "Mad...no I'm not mad...I'm...I don't know."

He sighed, "I'm sorry. I'll tell her that I can't -"

"Why the fuck would you do that?" I asked, standing up and grabbing my sketch pad. "You two are getting married in a matter of months. You don't blow off your future wife for your fuck buddy."

He stood up too and said, "You know it's more than that Granger."

I sighed, "Yeah, but that doesn't matter either. I'm not your wife, Malfoy. She is - or she will be anyway. So go and have fun with her this weekend, okay? I'm not mad."

"You're not mad, but you're not happy either." he said, following me as I walked up the stairs.

"No, I'm not." I said, pushing open the door to my room and tossing the sketch pad onto my dresser.

"So what do you want me to do?" he asked.

I shook my head, "There isn't anything to do. Sleep with me?"

He sighed, clearly annoyed by my change of topic, but he didn't argue his point further.

"Yeah, of course I will." he said.

We climbed into my bed, his arms around my waist and my back pressed against his chest.

I couldn't help but think about how it would feel to go to sleep like this every night - but I couldn't indulge that thought for too long. It was definitely not a realistic thought, and it wouldn't do me any good to think about it all the time.

I didn't know how I was going to get over him getting married, but I was going to have to figure it out - and soon.

HPOV

"What are you going to say in your speech?"

I was going to be giving a speech at our graduation, and I still hadn't come up with anything good.

Ginny, Luna, Harry, Ron, and I were currently sitting outside by the lake, trying to enjoy the last few days before graduation changed everything.

"I don't know. I can't think of anything that seems to sum up life here. So much happened - thanks to Harry here." I said, shooting a look at Harry.

He chuckled and said, "Pick better friends next time Mione."

I shook my head, "I couldn't have picked better ones."

Ginny smiled, "That's my girl."

"I think you should make it kind of personal." said Luna, bringing us back to the topic of my speech.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you're right, you've been through a lot here. So talk about that. About what life was like here, and then about how much better it's going to be out in the real world." she said, shrugging as if I should have come up with that idea days ago.

"That's actually a really good idea." I said, jotting that down on a piece of paper. I'd have to get started on it tonight, considering we were graduating in four days.

It really hadn't set in yet, and with all the exams, announcements, sporadic trips to Hogsmeade - it was hard to keep track of the days.

I'd seen less and less of Malfoy, which I'd already assumed would happen since they had announced their engagement - officially - two days ago.

I had immediately called off any type of anything, because I refused to have a personal relationship with someone who was in a relationship - especially one as serious as that.

So I'd pretty much been avoiding him - which sucked, because all I wanted to do was curl up in his arms and listen to him tell me another ridiculous story to help me fall asleep.

Those days were over though, as I knew they would be, and I needed to focus. As long as I could avoid him I would be okay. It was easy to deny feelings when you weren't face to face with that person.

"So where are you going after we graduate Mione?" asked Ron.

"The apartment that Buxom and Brandt are helping me pay for is already ready, so I'll move straight there. What about you guys?" I asked, looking around at my closest of friends.

Ginny and Harry smiled and said, "We're still moving into Grimmauld Place, at least for now."

"And sadly I'll have to endure them for a while too." said Ron, chuckling when Ginny stuck her tongue out at him.

I smiled and looked to Luna, who seemed to have a faraway look on her face.

"What about you Luna? What are you going to do?"

"I think I'm going to travel for a while." she said, turning to smile at me, "There are quite a few places I'd love to see."

I chuckled, because traveling was definitely something I could see Luna doing. She'd explore all over the place, finding new creatures wherever she went - because that's just how she was.

"Well it sounds like you're going to be having the most fun out of all of us." said Harry, and we all laughed.

I glanced up and just so happened to see Astoria and Malfoy hand in hand walking around the lake. I wanted to throw up - but considering I couldn't tell anyone that little secret, I simply stood up.

"I'm going to head inside and see if I can get this bloody thing written."

Ginny chuckled, "Don't work too hard."

"As if she could stop herself." said Ron with a smile.

I rolled my eyes and waved goodbye to them, managing to avoid all eye contact with Malfoy, and get inside.

As I walked upstairs I thought back on the night he told me that Astoria was now wearing the ring he'd bought.

"Hermione, can't we just talk about this?"

I shook my head, "No, we can't talk about it. I'm not happy that you're engaged, but I'm not going to continue doing what we've been doing. It's wrong. Simple as that."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair and said, "I don't know how to fix this, Hermione."

The sound of my name falling from his lips was almost enough to make me wrap my arms around him - add that to the fact that he looked so lost...

But I couldn't do that, because he was engaged now.

"There's nothing to fix, Draco."

That conversation had been rather painful, but I was okay. I was busy enough that I didn't have to think about him that often, and by the time I got to the common room at night he was usually asleep or in the shower, so I could sneak in unnoticed.

I was sure that once I got some distance between us everything would be fine. I'd even be able to read about him and Astoria and their no-doubt beautiful children - and be okay.

But for right now, I just needed to keep avoiding, because otherwise I didn't think I'd be able to do this.

I walked into the common room and shut the door, taking a deep breath and looking around. I'd spent my entire year here with the one person I thought I couldn't stand.

There were definitely memories here - memories that I didn't regret - but also ones that I didn't want to think about at the moment.

I walked upstairs, looking around the now empty room, since most of my belongings were already at my new apartment - which I still hadn't seen yet.

I didn't know what to think or feel, and I didn't know how Malfoy felt - not that I was trying to ask him, because Merlin knew that would end horribly.

All I needed was to focus on graduation, and after that I'd be able to get over this - whatever this was - and move on with my life.

DPOV

I was bloody nervous.

I would have given anything to be able to crawl back into bed that morning, but it was graduation day, and we were all in the Great Hall waiting for the ceremony to start.

Granger had avoided me like the plague since I'd told her that Astoria was wearing the engagement ring - not that I blamed her entirely - but I still wanted to fucking talk to her.

If for nothing more than to ask how she was doing. I knew she was giving a speech and I was curious about how it had turned out, because based on the curses I'd heard coming from her room at one in the morning it wasn't good.

Then again I didn't doubt for one second that she could pull it off.

That wasn't the reason I was nervous, though.

The real reason was because I was going to bring up my plan with her tonight at the graduation party. I knew that she was against being in a relationship with me, but I was still sure that I could convince her to see my side of things.

So I really just needed this ceremony to be over.

After a few minutes things were finally getting started, but I tuned out almost everything, even getting my diploma, until Granger got on stage.

She looked fucking amazing, as usual.

"I was actually really nervous about coming up here and speaking to you guys today, mainly because I didn't know how I was going to put into words exactly what's happened here over the past seven or eight years."

As soon as she started talking it was clear that she had everyone's attention - mine included, so she continued.

"We've grown so much as individuals, as wizards and witches, but most importantly we've grown as people. People who have experienced great happiness...and great loss within these walls. But no matter what has happened, we've come out better for it. Being in the same graduating class as all of you is an indescribable honor, not because we've made history with the war, but because you all are such amazingly talented people. I have no doubt that whatever all of you decide to do, you will be very successful."

There were a few claps, and she smiled before continuing.

"Our class has been through quite a lot, especially with the antics of Fred and George Weasley."

People laughed and clapped, and a few sent up sparks from their wands in remembrance of Fred, and she waited before she started talking again.

"But those are things we'll remember. The fun times, and the bad - and that's how it's supposed to be. We grew up here, made friends here, accomplished feats we never thought imaginable. All of the things we've accomplished will go down in history, true, but that's not the important part. The important part is that we're proud of what we've done, and that's something that no one can take away from you. So, to this amazing graduating class, I wish you only the very best, and I know you'll all do great things."

Everyone cheered and clapped, and the Weasel, Potter, Weaslette, and Lovegood all hugged her when she got off the stage.

McGonagall announced that the part had officially begun, and that everyone should enjoy themselves, but all I wanted to do was get Granger alone.

I spotted her talking to Luna, so i decided it was now or never.

"Granger,"

She looked up at me, and her eyes widened, but she quickly composed herself.

"Yes, Malfoy?"

"I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment. McGonagall said that she'd like a word with the two of us."

She glared at me, knowing that I was full of shit, but she couldn't very well say that in front of Lovegood, so she nodded.

"I'll be right back Luna."

Lovegood simply nodded, and Granger and I slipped out of the Great Hall.

"What do you want, Malfoy? In case you haven't noticed, I've been avoiding you for a reason." she said, hand on her hip.

"I know, but I just wanted to talk. I just want you to listen, and hear me out." I said, hoping she'd give me the chance.

"Fine,"

I took a deep breath and asked, "What if we kept dating?"

She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Have you gone mental? You're getting married."

"I know, but think about it. What harm is it doing? I don't love Astoria, she can't possibly love me, so what's the harm in us seeing each other?"

She shook her head and looked away from me, "You're absolutely ridiculous, you know that? You honestly see nothing wrong with a married mad having an affair?"

"But we don't love each other." I argued, trying to get her to see my point.

"That's not the point! You're marrying her, you're making a commitment to her, and whether or not you love her is something you should have considered long before this moment, Malfoy." she snapped.

"Hermione, I love you. What do you want me to say?"

"If you love me, why are you marrying Astoria?" she asked, her eyes tearing up. "If you love me, why does it matter what your father says?"

I shook my head, "You don't understand. It isn't that simple, but if you stayed with me I promise that I'd take care of you. You wouldn't have to work if you didn't want to, you could -"

"Draco, do you even hear yourself? You're being ridiculous!" she shouted.

I ran a hand through my hair, "Hermione please. I have to marry her it's-"

"You are an adult Draco. You have the power, the choice, to stand up and tell your father that you're not going to let him control you anymore, but instead you just go along with everything he says. You're a coward. I'm done. I can't do this," she laughed but it was a sound devoid of any real happiness, "Whatever the hell it is we've been doing, anymore. It was one thing to have a fling, but with someone who's engaged...if you really expected me to be okay with that you really don't know me at all."

"I just want to be with you!"

"No, you don't!" she screamed, her tears finally escaping and running down her cheeks, "If you did you would stand up to your father, but you can't do that. You can't do that for yourself and you certainly can't do it for me."

She took a deep breath and looked me straight in the eye as she said, "Goodbye Draco."

I wanted to stop her. I wanted to tell her that whatever she needed me to do to keep her, I would do.

But I didn't, because she was right. I was a coward. It was no one's fault but my own that I'd ended up in this situation - that we'd ended up in this situation.

I slammed my fist against the door of a broom cupboard, the wood splintering instantly, but I didn't give a damn. I'd seriously fucked up, and I was positive there wasn't a damn thing I could say to her that was going to fix this.

I'd never felt this way before, and I could honestly say that I hoped I never had to feel this way again. It was like someone had punched a whole in my chest.

I had always wondered how people had been so stupid as to let anyone get to them in such a way, but now that it was me I couldn't help but think that this was karma for all the horrible things I'd done in my life.

And though I hated to admit it, Granger was probably better off without me.

So I was going to have to put her out of my mind and focus on Astoria, because if I screwed this up there was no doubt in my mind that my father wouldn't hesitate to hex me.

Forgetting Hermione Granger, though, is easier said than done, because I knew that I would find a thousand things that would remind me of her.

A thousand things indeed. If only Hermione could have heard that, maybe then she would have been a bit more prepared for the one thing that would remind her of Draco for the rest of her life...

Alright, it's almost 4am so I'm definitely off to bed now, so if there are any typos I apologize, I will get those fixed tomorrow, but I just wanted to get this chapter out there.

Leave me some reviews lovelies (: