AN: This chapter is particularly long, but it's the last chapter before Hogwarts so I wrapped everything up in here. The end is important too.
Thanks for the reviews. :)
"…and I don't want to miss a thing." He said, finally holding her, so close, as he kissed her, feeling, and knowing,
This was the moment.
Everything went better after that night.
It seemed as though that night was the start of their "official" relationship.
Every dinner time Draco would always sit beside Hermione, the others not knowing that when they had the chance, they would cross their hands under the table. (although Fred and George seemed like they knew.)
They were as good as inseparable now, but they weren't clingy.
They even spent shopping in Diagon Alley for Hogwarts together, Draco back to being Drake Mendez.
It was now two days before September the first, and everything was quiet in the Weasley household, for of course, it was morning.
Draco Malfoy sat up lazily on his bed, he just woke up from a particularly weird dream, involving crocodiles and mutated bunny bears. He put on a shirt and slipped on his slippers, ready to go out.
"Good morning." A voice whispered to his ear the moment he set foot on the hallway. He smiled.
"Good morning." He answered, kissing her cheek.
"Did you have that dream about the mutated bunny bears again?" Hermione asked him as she slipped her hand around his waist.
"Yes." Draco said, putting his arm around her shoulder. "Only this time, there were crocodiles."
They continued talking lightly and quietly as they made their way towards the kitchen, they didn't want to wake anyone up; early morning was their only time together.
"Do you want cereals?" Hermione asked as Draco sat down.
"Extra milk, and not the cereals of Fred and George!" Draco said defensively as he remembered its side effects.
Hermione nodded and chuckled as she got them both cereals, and sat down opposite Draco.
"Thanks." Draco said as he got his bowl.
It was really silent; they were the only living souls awake in the house. They had at least an hour before Mrs. Weasley woke up.
"Ooooooh!" Draco suddenly said with big eyes.
Hermione looked up. "What?"
Draco grinned really wide. "Only two days left before Hogwarts!!!" He said excitedly.
He suddenly lost his grin.
Hermione had gone stiff, and she frowned.
"What's---what's wrong?" Draco asked.
Hermione smiled. "No, it's nothing." She said. "I just remembered all the homework we're going to have, that's all."
Draco looked at her.
She didn't want to lie, not when he never lied to her. And she didn't want to look at him, because he might see her lie etched on her face.
He smiled. "Okay." He said, and Hermione suddenly wished he'd doubt her even just this once.
He believed her lie.
He fiddled with his wand. Last day tomorrow… Last day tomorrow… and we'll be off to Hogwarts next!
He was excited beyond belief, he was finally going to go back to Hogwarts, and he had Hermione with him.
He was already thinking of the numerous secret passageways… the unused classrooms… the common room… the library… different places to spend more time her.
Then there was homework… They could spend time doing homework… studying for exams… and Hogsmeade! He smiled.
He was looking excited to go back to Hogwarts.
It was night; and the stars outside were beginning to go brighter and brighter as lights went out, everyone was probably asleep.
He smiled. Tomorrow I'll see her… and the day after that... and after that… and after that.. and another day after that… and another day after…
He kept repeating it inside his head, so he would continuously be excited and look forward to the days that were yet to come. Now he was finally under the covers, prepared to go to sleep.
"Why are you blue?" He asked him.
"Well, why shouldn't I be blue?" He replied.
"Aren't bunnies supposed to be white…? Or something of that color…?" He asked apprehensively.
The bunny smiled. "Ah..." He said. "Why do humans narrow themselves to things they think should always be the case? The world is open to anything and everything, it is a realm of open possibilities; therefore, can't I be blue? Why should I always be white?"
He grimaced. "I only asked if you were supposed to be white." He said hastily. "No need to lecture me and all that."
The bunny smiled. "Forgive me. Now, aren't you supposed to... not talk to me?"
He furrowed his eyebrows. "The world is open to possibilities." He answered smirking.
"GOOD MERLIN!!!!!!" He found himself shouting.
The bunny just transformed into Lucius Malfoy!!!
"AAAAAAAAH!!! AAAAAAAAAH!!! AAAAAAAAAH!!! AAAAAAAH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAH!!!" He was screaming.
Suddenly Lucius spoke. "Yes but it is very unfortunate, he has fallen in love."
Draco walked nearer his father. "Dad?! Dad!? What are you talking about?"
But his dad didn't mind him. He didn't seem to notice Draco's existence at all. "With that Mudblood girl—"
"She is not a Mudblood, Dad!" Draco bellowed. But Lucius didn't seem to hear him.
"And he doesn't know what he's getting himself into!! Why didn't you see to it that they wouldn't fall in love?!" Lucius spoke bitterly.
"My dear friend…" A voice suddenly spoke. Draco whirled around. Dumbledore was speaking, but like his father he didn't realize Draco was there.
"Do you honestly think I would have the power to stop that? It was their choice, and not mine; not yours either." He spoke calmly.
"But Dumbledore! When they get back at Hogwarts, you know what will happen!" Lucius answered.
"What's happening when I get back at Hogwarts?" Draco asked his father.
"The future is not written on stone." Dumbledore spoke calmly.
"Yes but if it is said, then it shall happen! There is no cure to this, you know that Dumbledore! He shall be cured and what happens after he is cured can not be avoided!"
"Dear Lucius… do you worry, for the girl?" Dumbledore asked.
Draco looked at his father. What was happening, what were they talking about? But Dumbledore had asked if his father worried for Hermione, and he didn't need to know anything else, but this.
"Yes." His father spoke. "I worry for them both."
"DRACOOO!!!" Someone said in his ear.
"WHA-WHAAAA?! I DIDN'T DO IT FATHER!!!!" He said sitting up.
The voice chuckled. "Do what?"
He looked to his right. It was dark, but he knew those eyes when he saw it, and the hair, and the smile. Hermione was there, chuckling and crouched on the floor beside his bed.
Draco smirked. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
She rolled her eyes. "I couldn't sleep, now move, make room for me." She said, sitting down beside Draco as he moved and made room for her.
"Yes sir!" He answered as they were both under the covers.
He could feel, her, she was so close. "So, what did you do?" She asked as she lay down.
Draco looked at her laying figure. "Nothing." He said as he lay down too. "So why couldn't you sleep?"
"Nothing too." She simply said, smirking.
Draco smiled. "Well, good night Mione." He said as he turned on his side to face her.
"Good night Draco." She replied.
Draco kissed her cheek, and wrapped his arms around her; he didn't need a pillow to fall asleep. He had Hermione.
"By the way, you're really soft." He said. "Slow down on the donuts, Mione."
Hermione woke up the next day, something heavy lay on her stomach. Draco Malfoy's arm was there.
She smiled. She softly removed his arm so she could sit down.
"Mmmmmmfff." He stirred. He was snoring, and real loud.
"Wow." She grinned. "You sure snore real loud Draco." She chuckled.
He was like a baby when he slept; Peaceful, innocent, very, very handsome, -except for the part where he snored like the Weasley twins. Hermione wondered how she got so lucky.
Suddenly, he moved, he stirred, and slowly, he opened his eyes.
The moment he opened his eyes, it was a sight to behold. Hermione was right there, looking right at him.
"Good morning." He said smiling.
"Did you know you snore real loud?" She said as her good morning.
"You must love me so much to sleep through that." He said.
"I only noticed now." Hermione mumbled, remembering he didn't snore when they had to sleep together before.
"Come, let's get some breakfast." He beckoned, as he got Hermione's hand and led her downstairs.
"AH! Good morning Snape and McGonagall!" Fred said as Hermione and Draco entered the kitchen.
"Good Morning Filch." They said coolly.
"….So anyway, it would be really great." George was saying.
"Great if what?" Draco asked.
"If we went to Hogwarts on the first day… you know, check things out." He said casually. Hermione seemed to be very interested in her bacon and eggs.
"Which reminds me…" Draco said slowly. He leaned closer to Fred so Hermione wouldn't hear him. "We need to do something."
Fred looked at him. "Does it involve danger?"
Draco considered for a moment, "A bit...well if I made the wrong decision I'd die, but I'm pretty confident..."
"Count me in." Fred said.
"Why do we have to leave at night?" Fred was saying as he and Draco looked back at the Burrow to make sure they weren't seen.
"Because I got my dad's permission only now." Draco answered coolly.
"What, where are we going!?" Fred asked him.
Draco looked at him. "Malfoy Manor."
"You guys have a lot of bling!" Fred was saying as he walked the hallway of the beautiful mansion.
Draco was concentrating. "Just don't break anything."
He went towards a drawer that had a beautiful portrait painting of the Malfoy family perched on top. It was locked.
He withdrew his wand, and put his wand inside the keyhole.
Immediately it unlocked itself and opened.
"WOHOW! HARDCORE!!!" Fred suddenly exclaimed.
The drawer contained the most beautiful jewelry and stones Fred had ever seen, there were enchanted ones, muggle inspired ones, rubies, diamonds, gold, silver, charmed necklaces, rings, earrings, goblin made lockets, everything that seemed very, very expensive and very, very valuable.
Draco carefully looked for whatever it was he seemed to need, then slowly, he reached for the most beautiful looking locket Fred had ever seen.
It was shining silver, and it seemed to be goblin made.
Fred's eyes went wide. "Is that, what I think it is?!" He asked.
Draco looked at it. "It sure is." He said quietly.
"Merlin's beard… I thought it was extinct…." He whispered.
"It is, this is the last one." Draco said.
Fred looked up. "No way… you're going to give it to her, aren't you?" He asked in surprise.
Draco looked at the locket intensely. "You bet I am."
"George, where's Draco?" Hermione asked as the skies were getting darker and darker. "And where's Fred?"
George played with his wand. "They went to the Malfoy Manor, Draco forgot to pack his broomstick. He needed Fred for the side-along-apparition." He put his feet on top of the kitchen table.
"Oh." Hermione said bitterly, as she remembered he probably needed it since they would be returning to Hogwarts tomorrow.
"I forgot we were returning to Hogwarts tomorrow…."
"Mhmmmm." George said, eating some chocolate.
Suddenly, she was crying.
"Hermione!" George exclaimed. "What's wrong?!" He asked as he went near her.
Ginny, Ron and Harry just appeared, and they immediately rushed to Hermione.
"Mione!" They all said at the same time, hugging and stroking Hermione's hair.
"It---it's just that--- you know—I've—I've been thinking." She sniffed. "—About tomorrow--- about… what will happen when he's cured--- I know he won't--- I know he won't remember me---or anything---"
"Don't say that 'Mione…" Harry said gently.
She shook her head. "I can't fool myself!" She said with the force left inside her. "I know it's g-going to happen, and I d-don't want to go around b-believing it won't, because I'll h-have a h-harder time… it's just that--- s-sometimes I wish t-that… y-you know… there'd b-be a way around all this… a w-way to make h-him remem---remember m.m…"
She never finished her last word; she broke down crying at the kitchen table, George, Ginny, Ron and Harry at a complete loss.
She continued to sob, spreading tears down the wooden table, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were up in their room.
"Hermione, don't worry, everything happens for a reason."
"What if, what if we d-don't c-cure h-him at a-all!!" Hermione suddenly said. "I—I mean, he's o-okay anyway, r-right? N-nothing happened to him, h-he's s-still normal!" She exclaimed. "Why cure him, if there's nothing left to cure?"
Ginny looked at her longingly. "Yes, but it would be wrong to play with his memory, it is not in our power to decide the things he should and should not remember. If Dumbledore and his father want to have him cured, then he must be cured."
"Yes, but why do they want him to be cured? He's okay..." Hermione said.
"Mione, imagine what would happen if he goes to Hogwarts, not having the faintest idea who Pansy Parkinson is, and walking hand-in-hand with Hermione Granger! That's a war, that is! He doesn't remember Pansy, right?" Ron said.
Hermione stared at nothing. She continued to sob.
"We just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow, Mione." Harry and George said.
"Wait, I hear something… is that them?" Ron suddenly said.
Hermione immediately stood up and rushed towards the door, swinging it open and running out the lawn.
Draco and Fred just arrived, Draco carrying his brand-new Firebolt in his right hand. He was excited to see Hermione again, get inside the kitchen and drink something warm…. When he saw a figure across the lawn…
Something was wrong, Hermione seemed to be crying.
"Hermione!" Draco suddenly said and ran towards her, whatever it was that was wrong, he needed to know… so he could at least try to fix it…
The moon was now glowing in all its splendor, it must be really late.
"Hermione!" He said as he finally reached her. Her cheeks were wet and her eyes were watery, they seemed to be glossy, illuminated by the moon.
"What happened?" He asked gently, holding her hand with his free hand, but Hermione let go and immediately hugged him.
She hugged him very tight, as though she wouldn't be able to hug him again. Draco was very surprised at her sudden bear hug, wondering why there was a need for such an act. She never gave bear hugs before… it was always him. He smiled.
"Hermione… it's okay…." Draco said, dropping the Firebolt and embracing her too.
She sobbed into his chest. "No it won't, you don't know!" She said fiercely, her voice slightly muffled.
Draco rubbed her back. "I don't know what? C'mon Mione, why are you so upset?"
Hermione looked up at Draco. He was so handsome. She didn't want to lie to him, but Dumbledore had the chance to tell him before but he didn't, so she might as well say nothing too.
"I… I can't tell you…" She said, each word very heavy for her.
Draco smiled. "It's alright, I understand." And he kissed her.
Hermione hugged him again as she kissed back, feeling as though if she held him tight enough, he might not need to go anymore, they wouldn't need to go anywhere; he wouldn't need to be cured.
Draco finally withdrew. He smiled. "Come on, let's take a ride." He said joyfully.
"What do you mean, a ride?" Hermione asked as her sobs subsided.
Draco bent down and got his Firebolt. "On a broomstick, of course. Come on, before we go to sleep, we've got a big day tomorrow… might as well make the most of our last day of summer!" He said as the broom hovered gently above the ground, and he motioned for Hermione to mount herself.
Hermione smiled. "Okay… but if I fall off, you better make sure I don't die." She said as she went on the broom.
Draco chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall." He said as he climbed in. "I'll just let you crash."
And Hermione couldn't retort back because Draco suddenly kicked off the ground and they were flying, flying real high until it seemed as though they were racing with the moon, and the cold air was rushing against Hermione's face.
She felt as though she could live in this moment forever.
"Feeling afraid?!" Draco called back at her.
She held tighter. "Not at all!" She said.
Draco's smell was wafting towards her, and she couldn't help but be filled with his scent, and she felt as though like the wind, she was being carried more and more towards Draco.
Draco dived and swerved, making the winds play in his command.
She held on to him even tighter, as though holding tighter would delay tomorrow.
The stars were right beside them now, if she didn't know any better, it seemed as though they were already in outer space, the only things that surrounded them were numbers and numbers of stars, and the light from the moon.
Hermione couldn't help herself, she just had to ask.
"Hey Draco." She said.
"Yes Hermione?" He asked.
Hermione let the wind rush past her before she asked again. "Will you forget me?"
Draco craned his neck to look at her. Those silver eyes could replace the stars beside her, Hermione thought.
"Why would I forget you?"
And immediately Hermione wished he'd say that even after all that was to happen. Something cold stirred in her spine, she couldn't tell if it was the wind, or if it was just the fact that tomorrow none of this would be real anymore.
"Well, would you?" She asked him.
He looked at her. Hermione was worried he might have stiff neck if he continued that.
She looked down. She shouldn't have asked, she should have waited, just as everyone said.
"Hey Hermione, Hermione!" Draco said forcefully, so that Hermione looked up immediately.
He looked at her for a while.
"I won't, okay?"
He said in sudden softness.
Hermione closed her eyes; she knew Draco wasn't looking at her anymore, he kept his eyes back on where they were going.
She made a promise to herself.
She would spend this last time with Draco without any regrets, without worrying about tomorrow, because what was important was
Today.
And she instinctively held on tighter to Draco, leaning her head on his back, thinking, and believing that tomorrow could wait. For one moment she would allow herself to enjoy this last time with him, even if tomorrow
He wouldn't remember any of it.
And she told herself that just this once, she would allow Draco to see her happy, and that if it was the last time they spent together, she wanted it to be a happy one, not a moment that was spent in crying and regret for what would come.
Because what would come, would come.
And he was here, she was here, they both had each other right now.
Might as well make the best of it.
And so she allowed herself to be swept off by Draco Malfoy, who flew gracefully against the winds, making her feel as though there was no other perfect way to elate herself, than now.
Slowly, Draco stopped the broom in midair. Hermione looked up.
Draco smiled, changing his position from the regular flying position of the broom in between the legs to something like sitting down on a bench…. He put both his legs to the right side, his back to the left, and faced what Hermione now noticed…
Was the moon.
He looked at her. "Come on, follow me, sit like you're sitting on a bench." He said.
"Wouldn't we lose balance?" Hemrione asked nervously.
"Of course not." He said.
She watched him. He didn't fall or lose balance, he was even dangling his legs and looking down at his feet, his arms resting on the broom. He looked like he was really sitting on a bench.
So Hermione changed her position, she swung her left leg over the broom so that she faced the right, and the broom became their bench.
"Wow." She said, the moon seemed so close to them, and the stars were at their command.
"You see, I haven't forgotten." Draco said, as he held Hermione's hand.
"Forgotten what?" Hermione asked. The broom hovered gently, and Hermione felt perfectly safe.
"That night you told me, after going out and the first time I became Drake Mendez…? You told me, you said… You always wanted to get close to the stars." He smiled and looked at her. "And here we are." He held her hand tighter. "The stars, and the moon right beside you."
Hermione was quiet. She remembered. "And you asked me why I was telling you this, and I said you were my enemy and you wouldn't care anyway." She chuckled.
Draco nodded. "Yeah."
Suddenly Hermione remembered something that made her jerk and almost fall off the broom.
"Watch out." Draco chuckled as he helped Hermione regain balance.
Hermione seemed not to care. She was staring at Draco. "How did you remember that?!"
"Remember what?" Draco asked her.
"I told you that the night before you fell off the escalator. I told you that the night before you lost your memory… how can you remember?" Hermione asked, her pulse quickening.
"Oh." Draco said slowly. "I don't." He told her.
Hermione's heart sank. "You don't?" She asked, put down. "Then how come you know?"
"I read it." He said simply.
"You read it?" Hermione asked, looking intently at him.
"Remember that little brown notebook you read?" Draco asked as Hermione turned red and said a hasty 'yes'.
"I read it there." Draco said slowly. "I write down the things I don't want to forget there. One time I was leafing through the pages and saw that, I read it but I couldn't remember when it happened…. But it doesn't mean it's not true, I followed it, and here we are, up close and personal." He said smiling.
"Yes… thanks by the way…" Hermione trailed off, trying to ignore the disappointed feeling that was creeping up her.
For a moment there, she believed Draco could remember.
"Oh, by the way, I want to give you something. Wait a moment." Draco said as he rummaged in his pockets. "Here we are." He said, pulling out the locket.
"Oh…." Hermione was speechless. It was beautiful, and it looked magnificent directly under the moonlight and the light of many other stars; it wouldn't stop shining.
"Is that—?" She asked.
"Yes, it is." Draco said. "It's Merlin's Silver Locket." He said. "He had a number created by goblins, but this is the only existing one… the others were lost in history…" He couldn't take his eyes off Hermione, who was looking at the locket.
"I've heard he made it for the witch he loved…" She said. "But he never was able to give it to her…"
"And I'm giving it to you now." Draco said. "Father said I could give it once I was sure of the girl I was giving it too, and here I am, I'm sure I want to give it to you." He said.
"But it's too valuable…" She trailed off.
"It doesn't matter Hermione, come one, wear it." He said.
Hermione smiled. "Go on then."
Draco grinned and put the locket around her neck, the moment it touched Hermione's skin something glowed inside the locket.
"There." Draco said, admiring it.
Hermione opened it, wondering what was up with the glow.
She gasped. There, on the left side of the locket was inscribed DM, and on the right, HG in shining diamonds.
"Wow." She simply said.
"Father told me that the one who loves is written on the left, and the one who is loved is written on the right. The initials get inscribed the moment the skin of the lover and the loved touches the locket." He said in a sheepish manner. He was turning red.
Hermione looked at it. "Wow… thank you, this is… this is really something…" She said, turning red too.
She finally kissed Draco, not daring to think of tomorrow, because right now,
He still loved her.
And tomorrow can wait.