Note: download "Close Your Eyes" by westlife if you haven't yet! It'll provide better effect.
The Epilogue
It was the end of another school year; Professor McGonagall put down her quill on her desk. The last exams papers were corrected. She pushed her spectacles up her nose and stretched her boney fingers.
"Do you want a cup of tea, Professor?" a young professor asked respectfully from the other side of the teacher's office, pouring hot English tea into her own cup. She wore a casual robe just right for being a Quidditch teacher. Since the former Professor retired, she had taken her place.
"Yes, yes, thank you. And I do think it's time you can stop addressing me such respectfully as 'professor' constantly, Angelina," Professor McGonagall said briskly, standing up and wiping her spectacles at the window for good light.
Angelina Johnson blushed and replied as she strolled over to where Minerva McGonagall was standing at, "but it's hard to call you by your name, professor, after 7 years of calling you what I do..."
"I didn't think you would be back to teach the students, really," Professor McGonagall said with a small smile as she examined her spectacles in the sunlight, "and Lee Jordan as well," something in the sky caught Minerva's eye. She stopped speaking.
Angelina smiled bitterly. Lee was back to be Hagrid's helper as a game keeper. In other words, he was staying to be the Quidditch announcer for he was the best in many years (though showing favor to the Gryffindors). "He really should watch his words when he announces though, the other students keep complaining..." Angelina gave the cup to McGonagall.
The old professor didn't take the cup thankfully. Instead, her eyes were set on the cloud of 'something' circling the school building high up above. Angelina's eyes naturally followed her and saw what she saw. She couldn't help but smirk.
"I must have lost my mind," Minerva McGonagall gasped, "or are those I see flying around the Astronomy Tower real?"
Without hesitation, she stormed out of the office.
A couple hours before McGonagall smelt something fishy outside the school building; in the Gryffindor common room were two boys and a girl, settling cozily against the warmth of the fire.
"You know, I almost thought those two will break up before the end of our 5th year," Ron said, lying back on the sofa he had been sitting on for seven years now, whenever he had the chance in the common room, "Hermione always complained Fred was not writing enough letters to her."
Harry smirked and waved his head. Hermione and Fred? Nah. Those two were the most strongly-bonded pair he knew. Well... his eyes turned to the blue eyed-beauty smiling up at him in his arms and he smiled back too. Well, maybe not as strong as us. Ginny leaned up and kissed Harry's cheek. It was a motion of hers that sent a small current up Ron's spine, he couldn't get used to it still over the years - his sister, kissing someone outside the family, and no other but his best friend.
"So, when's Hermione coming back?" Ginny asked Harry in a refreshing voice. She also turned to her now 18-year-old brother, hoping for an answer. She had grown up a lot during the past few years. As Harry was around 6 feet tall (still, Ron was 2 inches taller), Ginny was only half a head shorter than him. Skinny as she was in the past, now that boney figure of hers had given way to a slender curvy frame. Her long straight auburn hair of childhood had grown a lot browner as well. Though that gave an excuse to George and Fred to tease her by owl-mail that she was not a part of the family, Harry just laughed and kissed her saying she looked beautiful anyway. Her personality had changed a lot too. No more bashfulness was seen. Being a part of the Student Association, she had become brisk and smart.
"I really need her help in the S.P.E.W. activities, the young ones are helpless," Ginny complained, folding her arms.
Harry smiled bitterly, "you'll need to work on your own next year, Ginny."
"She'll be back anytime now!" Parvati answered Ginny's question with a chuckle as she walked into the common room, she was thinking the same thing as Harry then: Ginny was growing more and more like the old Hermione herself. Parvati hadn't changed much, as bright as she had always had been; as charming as she was for all time.
"Great, I hope they're not going to make a big fuss though, it'll alert the teachers," Ginny said worriedly as she and Harry made place for Parvati to sit on the seat nearest to Ron.
"Actually, I DO hope THEY are going to make a big fuss," Harry said laughing, playing with Ginny's hair with a finger.
Ron agreed with a grin, "Yea, it's our last day at Hogwarts."
"Maybe we should set off now," Parvati chuckled as well.
"Set off?" no one answered Ginny, "for what?"
"Harry! Ron! Parvati! Ginny!" Hermione shouted from high up in the air as she approached them from the skies. Fred sitting with her on the broom tried hard balancing as Hermione waved frantically at her friends.
"Hermione, you're going to lead us into a double suicide -- ahhh!" the broom turned one side sharply and swirled 720 degrees in midair until they got dizzy.
Hermione screamed in fear of falling off... But of course, she didn't.
Fred laughed with tears on his cheeks as he landed them both on the soft grass of Hogwarts gently. Hermione was white in fear but she still had her senses to turn around and punch Fred in the belly, "you freak! You did that on purpose!" Then they were both laughing.
Harry and the others caught up in no time.
"Glad you're safe, Hermione!" Parvati greeted with glee, giving Hermione a big hug.
"Thanks, sorry for the worrying," Hermione said to everyone with a smile, hugging Parvati back. Her cheeks were apple red with the chilly wind; Fred gently wrapped his muffler around her neck, wrapping her straight golden brown hair with it. She had finally permed it straight. She thanked him with a kiss.
"When you said you're leaving for Economia, I shivered at the thought you're going to repeat our crazy journey flying to Hogwarts from King's Cross!" Ron exclaimed. Of course, he was talking about when he and Harry missed the Hogwarts Express in their second year.
"Ooooh rubbish," Hermione sassed, "I had help of course," she looked up at the school and found a twinkling eye looking down at her from one of the school corridors.
Harry looked up. Of course, the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. He had always been a help when he decided they needed it well.
"Floo powder from the school?" Harry asked Hermione.
Hermione waved her head and chuckled, "nonsense, if everyone could use floo powder in and out of Hogwarts, this wouldn't be the safest place in the world apart from Grinngott's!"
"You're getting sassy once you have Fred with you, Hermione," Ron mumbled.
"That's why I didn't want you to go out with him," Fred said in Ron's voice.
Ron groaned. Ginny chuckled and replied, "I know, you were allowed to use it from somewhere in Hogsmeade."
"I told you Ginny will be as smart as Hermione is one day," a familiar voice said from behind them.
"George!" they all said at once.
"Nice ride?" Fred asked casually as if he knew George was there all the time.
"Sweet Wind Lady, favoring me all the way," George replied with a grin.
"How come you came back? Your owl only reached us yesterday saying you'd be back next month!" Ron questioned him.
"I knew it, that owl. It left last month! Waaay to old and waaay too slow. How could I miss our sweet little brother's graduation day?" George said teasingly as he landed.
"And I didn't want you to be here," Ron said, rolling his eyes, "one Fred, now another George." Of course, it was a lie. They all laughed.
"I want to go upstairs and check my room before we leave," Hermione told Fred as all of them headed for the common room.
"I'll go with you," Fred said, following Hermione to the other side of the stairs heading to the Head Prefect's Dormitories.
"No, no, you're coming to the common room with us," George hissed, tugging Fred at the collar, "we need to plan for the ceremony." Fred groaned.
"What ceremony? You guys got to be hiding something from me!" Ginny growled and stomped her foot in front of the Fat Lady.
"I won't open the door even if you stomp your foot, young lady!" The Fat Lady scowled.
"I'll tell you in a minute, Gin," Harry chuckled, taking Ginny into the common room.
"I'll get to you later, Hermione. Wait for me, k?" Fred assured her as he followed George into the common room for the preparation for the 'ceremony'.
Hermione nodded with a smile. Fred never broke a promise and this wasn't one she would be scared he'd break. She reached the door to her bedroom she'd been using for a whole year. It was not a place she could find all her friends chatting away in happiness. But it surely had been a place where she found peace, no matter who lived in the room beside hers.
The forest green door beside her oak red one opened quietly as an unaware Hermione turned the key to her room.
"Hey," a voice cooed behind her. Hermione dodged at once, even before he reached out completely. She knew it was coming. Not that she knew he was there; he did a pretty good job sneaking up on her. But this sneaking-from-behind had been repeated so many times during the year, she had developed a pretty good reflex to it.
"Ha!" she sneered as she turned around to look at Draco Malfoy. She straightened her robes, smirking at her success.
"Not that you can escape really," Malfoy laughed, grasping for her wrist when she was off guard for a second in her short victory.
Hermione gasped as he tightened his grip on her and pulled her close, his face leaning into hers. Hermione's face lost a little color as she felt his soft breath in her face. His breath was minty; he'd just brushed his teeth. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut in fear.
Poof! A cold wind swiped her face. Malfoy blew onto her face jokingly and let her go, laughing as he did.
"Malfoy!" Hermione came to herself and pushed him away, but not too violently.
"You thought I was going to smooch you like in first year, Granger? Wanted a kiss?" he teasted her.
Hermione blushed, but didn't just slam her door in his face. Instead, "everyone's reminiscing today," she said calmly, or pretending to be.
Malfoy could see her attempt and smirked, making a mental note that he'd just seen Hermione Granger blushing for her 'overly-thoughtfulness', "Yea, it's the end of our seven years finally," he said, suddenly feeling empty at the thought of it.
It wasn't that he would miss school. He hated it as much as his father did. But looking at this should-be-hateful-mudblood he'd known from the first day he had been here, he felt a sudden... he didn't know the word.
"That reminds me," Hermione said as she finally opened her door, "come in." She beckoned him into her room.
"You're letting a serpent into your room?" Malfoy sniggered as he made his first step into his room. Another mental note, on the very last day, she'd let him in.
Hermione snorted and walked straight to her drawer, "not like you'd kill me if I did."
"How should you know," he retorted with a chuckle, flopping down on her sofa and scanning the room, "nice room. Too good and bad it's the first and last time I'd be in here."
Hermione smiled as she took out the small package she had been keeping at the bottom of her drawer for years. She closed the drawer and turned around to him.
"I've got something to return to you," Hermione said, standing there not moving. She wasn't yet sure if he'd take it.
Malfoy was caught unawares. "Return? Me?" he thought.
Hermione walked over and knelt down on the rug before him. She took his hand. It sent him a shudder, though he couldn't tell why. And she put the piece of cloth in his hands.
"D" for Draco, Malfoy knew what it was at once. Cleanly washed by Hermione, it didn't have the expensive smell of cologne on it any longer. But still the emerald green cloth, the sliver linings, the embroidery of a snake on the corner. How could he not recognize it - his own made-to-measure handkerchief.
His pale white face couldn't hide the slight blushforming on his cheeks. At once he recalled the scene in their fourth year: Him, finding Hermione crying under a tree in the school grounds; him, having the strong urge to... hold her, a mudblood. Yes, that was how he convinced himself not to do so. But he had, nconciously walked over, only to see her look up and find him there. Her fearful eyes, as if seeing a monster. Not the eyes that his father described when non-pure-bloods looked at him with fear and respect; but eyes of fear and hate. Hate that told him she loved him not. It was that moment, he had realized that he actually loved a being he should never love. And he again sealed the seal he had broken. But before he did, for the last time - for the last time he promised himself - he did the last kindness he dared. That was the handkerchief that was now again in his hands. And everything was recalled.
Hermione noticed the change in him. The nose-up-in-the-air Malfoy suddenly looked as if he was lost for words. If it were Hermione before, this could be said a chance that she had waited for so long to insult Malfoy; but she wasn't. Instead she smiled and said the words she'd been wanting to say for so long, "Thank you for that."
Malfoy came back to his senses. Reflexively words ran out of his mouth, "This isn't mine." He regretted it at once.
So he didn't want it. Hermione widen her eyes then sighed. Again, the bad cycle again; Malfoy and she, the never ending-fighting circle. But she wanted to break it. For once, she didn't want to fight with him anymore.
"Why don't you want it back?" she asked.
"Because it's not mine. That's why, dumbhead," again his reply, reflexive. It's been seven years; the habit was hard to break. But it was getting hard to lie too. Malfoy didn't want to stay. The atmosphere between them was too hard to take. He stood up and headed for the door.
Hermione took back her aimless hand and placed the handkerchief on her bed. Instead she picked up the packet she took from the drawer and walked over to him. She stopped him at the door, showing it to him then stuffing it into his robe pocket.
"What's that?" Malfoy asked. He was curious. How come she's not firing back like usual? How come she's giving him a gift? Was this some kind of a joke on her part?
"A gift, for you," Hermione said, "after all we've been Head Prefects together for a year," she smiled, "for once I wish not to fight." They were her honest words, Malfoy knew it.
He smiled, only slightly. Keep your heart cold as stone, something told him in his mind. Yet another something said in his heart, go ahead, say thanks.
But there were no thanks that came from his throat. Instead his arms reached out unconsciously, wrapping around her, pulling her towards him, gently.
"Malfoy?" Hermione was very surprised. This wasn't like him at all.
He didn't say anything. For a second, he held her there. And the next, he let go quickly.
"We won't meet again," Malfoy said as a statement, his expressions cold.
Hermione tried collecting herself from the shock of his hug and wrapped her arms around herself as she replied, smiling weakly, "Maybe, maybe not."
Then for the first time he smiled a true smile, "Hopefully not." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Noticing it, Hermione smiled.
Before she could say goodbye, Malfoy stepped out of her door, gently closing it behind him.
That back in there, was just too much to take. Malfoy closed his door behind him, almost with a bang. But he was cautious not to make Hermione aware of his anxiety. He'd just accepted her gift and held her in his arms - not by force of lust or wanting her disgust, but by the force of... caring - he hated that word - caring, for her. He didn't realize that he was capable of caring for another human being other than himself, all this time... It was too hard for him to accept his true feelings for Hermione. He sank down onto the dark green carpet at his door and put his head in his hands. What have you done, Draco Malfoy? He asked himself. What's wrong with you?
He looked up at him room, his eyes scanning across. Then they stopped; stopped at his wardrobe in the corner. Silently, he stood up and walked to the wardrobe, opening the doors, slowly. Inside were of course his clothes and some other garments, and then at the bottom, was an old sliver locker that he'd possessed ever since he came to Hogwarts. It was this he was finding, the silver box about the size of a Potions textbook. He had a sudden urge to open it. He hadn't in a long while.
Malfoy gulped slightly and took the box from the shelf. Reaching into his pockets, he found the key; at the same time, his fingers felt the gift Hermione gave him. He took her gift out first and slid down onto the floor again, slowly opening the packet. Inside was something hard and square. When it came out, Malfoy's eyes went wide, his jaw dropped. How could it be?
He placed - almost threw - the gift onto his bed and at once opened his silver box; with a click it opened, revealing its insides: books and CDs of all kinds that showed no sign they were made in the magical world, including some audio tapes and CDs of muggle classics. How did Granger know? He turned to stare at the CD of Coldplay she had given him. It was the very CD he who couldn't resist that day to talk to her when he saw her at the store. She wasn't spying on him or anything. How ironic, the one who he opened his heart up to, even for a little bit, was Hermione Granger; and the one who discovered his secret of secrets was Hermione Granger too. And she was no other, but a muggle. Malfoy couldn't help but laugh. Then there came tears, tears he had concealed ever since he could remember. It took time, but when he felt too tired to cry anymore of the tears, he was smiling, feeling somewhat released.
Hermione sat down on her bed, feeling some how, comfortable after Malfoy left. Not that she was glad he was gone, but just that she had finally felt that Malfoy wasn't treating her like an animal, but a human being. His embrace, though still she couldn't understand the meaning, was surely a sign that he, to a certain extent, had felt her as someone who he cared for, a friend. And that was what she had wished long from him: to stop the stupid fight because of their dissimilarity in bloodlines, and treat each other as they really wanted to. She hoped he'd like the CD, she knew he would.
There was a knock at the door. Hermione knew who it was, at once she hid Malfoy's handkerchief in her drawer. Not that there was anything dubious, but Fred wouldn't even like the fact she was being friendly with his family's greatest enemy.
"Come in."
"Did I just see Malfoy leave this room?" Fred asked as he entered the room.
Hermione just smiled, "we just had our last word after we've been working together this year."
Fred eyed her suspiciously and slowly sat down next to her, taking her hands, "sure he hadn't done anything to you?" he asked caringly.
She smiled and waved her head, leaning onto his shoulder.
Fred smiled, seemingly relaxed now that she did. He suddenly realized how long it was since they sat down like this, quietly, the whole world only to their own.
They couldn't meet each other until long holidays for these three years ever since he graduated Hogwarts. When Hermione reached Economia five days ago, they didn't have time because they had to leave at once for Hogwarts and Fred promised Hermione to get back by broom. (She had learnt what romantic is over the years) There was no space for rest until right then, right then when he was holding her close in his arms. He looked at her intently. She was getting more and more beautiful with every meeting.
"Hermione..." Fred's voice slowly trailed away. He laid her down on the soft mattress of her bed, lying closely beside her.
She crawled closer to his chest and breathed softly on his cheek as he gently caressed her in his arms. All the time, their eyes never left each other, his deep blue eyes staring into her chocolate brown ones. Fred whispered something in her ear sweetly. It started with a soft hum and slowly transformed into a song, yes, it's the song they'd been singing whenever they thought of each other.
If you wanna know...
Tomorrow morning I have to leave
She smiled and giggled softly.
But wherever I may be
Best believe I'm thinking of you
I can't believe how much I love you
All we have is here tonight
We don't want to waste this time
Give me something to remember
Baby put your lips on mine
Fred leaned in, gently pressing his lip on hers.
And I'll love you, forever
Anytime that we find ourselves apart
Hermione smiled as their lips parted, singing along with him:
You just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Just look to your heart
Hermione touched his chest.
And that's where I'll be
If you just close your eyes
Till you're drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
If you close your eyes
Fred cuddled against her chest as Hermione softly sang it to him:
I know I'm gonna see you again
Hermione reached into her pocket, pulling out the familiar music box that Fred had given to her, that day, when he left this place for his dream. He pulled her close, kissing her deeply on the lips, the music box slowly started to sing on its own:
But promise me that you won't forget
Cause as long as you remember
A part of us will be together
So even when you're fast asleep
Look for me inside your dreams
Keep believing in what we're sharing
And even when I'm not there to tell you
I'll, I'll love, love you forever
Anytime that I can't be where you areAnd Fred sang loudly with it, his passion overwhelming his body...
Just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Just look to your heart
And that's where I'll be
If you just close your eyes
Till you're drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
If you close your eyes
Is there anywhere that far?
"If you close your eyes..."
Anytime you're feeling low
Is there anywhere that my love cannot reach?
OH NO
I could be anywhere on earth
It could be anywhere I'll be
Oh baby if you want to see
You just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Look to your heart
And that's where I'll be
If you just close your eyes
Till you're drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
"Ready, guys?" the Weasly twins shouted in glee. George's hand was on a button, Fred already steadying on his broom.
"Yeah!" they chorused, all on their brooms.
"Three, two, ONE, DA BOMB!"
With a giant puff of rainbow-colored smoke all the Gryffindor seventh year graduates and the twins shot up into the air screaming and shouting like mad. Fifty Gryffindors were circling the school building, screaming, shouting, swooshing and singing absurdly; down below there were thousands of Weasly's Wizarding Wheeze goods that shot out of the Bustle- Piggy-Bang and into the hands of all Hogwarts students reaching out for them.
"Free service! Celebration for our dear graduates' last day!" George laughed with joy as he watched them cheer.
"You call THAT chaos," Ginny laughed, pointing down at the school grounds swarmed with excited kids as she grasped tight to Harry's waist, "oh I'd bet Professor McGonagall will go crazy."
"Yea, I bet," Harry chuckled, and then swooshed into the wind with Ginny screaming behind him.
"This is insanely amazing, Fred!" Dean Thomas screamed as he tugged to his jazzy banner behind him with it written "Hasta la vista, Hogwarts!!" It was blowing crazily in the wind.
"I can imagine the Professor shrieking, 'I knew it was YOUR idea, Fred and George Weasly!' when we're landing," Hermione said, holding Fred around his waist and leaning onto his back.
Fred grinned, he could almost hear McGonagall's scream. That voice was oh- so inputted in his memory.
"Well, some people deserve to get high today, and some people deserve a wheeze of our Weasly's Wizarding Wheeze, don't you think?"
"And SOME PEOPLE need to advertise their merchandise," Hermione laughed, pinching his cheek playfully, "so next weekend to Hogsmeade; there'd be hundreds of students swarming to the WWW store!"
He laughed, giving her a kiss, "You know me, Herm."
There it was, Hogwarts below her feet. Hermione blinked her eyes trying to see the old building clearly in the adverse wind. Here was where she met all her best friends, her first boyfriend, those who she loved, hated and had all those feelings back to her... and the one man who had her heart. What would I have been if I didn't choose Hogwarts? Would I have been who I am today?
Hermione knew the answer as she turned her ring in her finger. She held her boyfriend tightly, feeling the warmth of his body.
"I love you, Fred."
He smiled.
"I love you too."
THE END