Oh my gosh, I am soooo sorry for not updating this sooner! I just haven't had the motivation to type it up for some reason. And it's a short chapter on top of that! I'm really really sorry, guys. And more bad/good news! I only have one more chapter after this and I'm done! Thanks for all of the great reviews! I love you all!
Chapter Twenty-six: Forgive and Forget
Hermione was sitting on the scarlet couch in the Gryffindor common room, Ginny sitting by her side. The know-it-all was staring blankly into the glowing embers of the fireplace. "Hermione," Ginny said, "are you all right? You've been very quiet all day."
Hermione shook her head, rubbing her forehead. "Sorry, Gin," she replied. "I'm just worried about Draco…"
The red-haired girl looked at her friend in confusion. "What's wrong now? Harry didn't do something to him, did he?"
No, that's not it." Hermione shook her head. "His father died of a heart attack the other day. He went home to be with his mother."
"That's awful!" Ginny replied. "But I can't help but think he deserved it after what he did to you."
"I can't say I'm not relieved." Hermione sighed.
"Relieved about what?" Both girls jumped in surprise at the intrusion only to glare at Harry Potter as he pulled a chair in front of the couch so that it faced them.
"Get away from us, Harry!" Ginny exclaimed as the boy sat down across from them.
"Ginny, just let me-"
"Go!"
"I came over here to apologize!" Harry practically yelled at the two girls as they looked at him in startled confusion. He turned to Hermione first. "Hermione, I am so sorry for all of the things that I've done to you over the past few months. Mr. Malfoy was using the Imperious Curse on me and, for some reason, I couldn't fight it. I never meant to hurt you or Draco. If you want to be with him, that's perfectly fine with me. I won't try to stop you."
"I know, Harry." Hermione smiled at her friend. "I saw what he did to you."
"So you'll forgive me?" Harry asked with pleading green eyes.
"Of course I will!" She hugged him tightly, glad to finally have her friend back. Glancing over at Ginny, Hermione stood up. "I just remembered that I have to go to the library. I, uh, left my quill there." She quickly hurried out of the common room.
When Hermione was gone, Ginny stood, trying to leave as well. However, Harry grabbed her arm, pulling her back to face him. "Ginny, just listen to me, please?"
Ginny shook his hand off her arm and looked away from him. "Fine."
"I didn't mean anything I said to you," Harry admitted. "It wasn't even me! It was the curse. You know that I would never say any of those things to you. Ginny, I am so sorry for putting you through this. I love you and I never want to hurt you like this ever again."
Ginny could feel the sting of hot tears in her eyes. She desperately tried to hold them back, to not let Harry see, but it was no use. Harry pulled her into his arms without her protests. "I'm so sorry, Ginny," he said once more.
She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely now. "I love you, Harry."
Later that evening, after everyone in Gryffindor Tower had gone to sleep, Hermione crept down to the common room and sat down in front of the fireplace just as Draco's face appeared in the embers. "How are you?" She asked him.
"Fine, I suppose." He seemed distant, like his mind was somewhere else entirely. "Mum's a mess… How are things at school?"
"Things are going fairly well." Hermione replied. "Harry apologized today. The effects of the curse must have worn off when your father…"
"Probably," Draco nodded solemnly. He turned his focus back to her. "Are you sure you're all right there by yourself?"
"Yes, Draco," she assured him. "I'm fine."
He sighed heavily, looking away. "I just hate leaving you there all alone…"
"I'm not alone," Hermione replied. "I have all of my friends."
"I know. I just can't help worrying…" Draco looked back up at her. "The funeral is tomorrow. I should be back at school in a couple of days."
"Take all of the time you need," Hermione smiled reassuringly, causing him to smile back at her.
"I love you, Hermione."
"I love you, too."