A/N: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All I own is the plot.

Hi Everybody,

First up, I am so sorry that it's taken me so long to update. I'm coming up to the end of my second semester at Uni and I've had mountains of assignments, a practical experience and now I'm doing my exams. Second, thank you to all those people who messaged me inquiring as to the whereabouts of the chapter…you didn't nag, you just asked and that is appreciated. Third, I am going to put it out there and ask if anyone is interested in doing some beta-ing for me. I'm quite fussy with my story so if you'd done some beta work for other readers in the past and could provide me with their story names so I could see your work that would be fantastic.

Enjoy the chapter and I'll try to have the next one up sooner,

Straight

xx

Getting away with murder- Papa Roach

Somewhere beyond happiness and sadness

I need to calculate

what creates my own madness

I feel irrational

So confrontational

To tell the truth I am,

Getting away with murder

Xxxxx

Chapter Thirty-Four: Getting Away With Murder

A harsh wind blew across the grounds of Hogwarts, thrashing about the age old trees and sweeping across the murky waters of the lake leaving nothing but damage and destruction in its path. Perhaps, the wind had chosen this day to channel the many emotions of the seventh years who were spending the first of their final two days at the school moving from class to class receiving last minute words of advice and bidding their teachers farewell.

That very morning Hermione sat in Charms, front row as always, listening adamantly to Professor Flitwick as he stood upon his pile of books addressing his class in a somewhat sombre tone.

"You can never be sure, as a teacher, of the classes you are going to be expected to teach. Some, heaven bless them, are eager to learn but simply lack the talent. Thus said, it has been my greatest honour to impart my knowledge to you all over the past seven years. I could not have wished for a better, more able, class…"

Hermione sniffed, catching the attention of Ron who shot her a glance and smirked,

"You're not crying are you 'Mione?" he sniggered.

She swatted him away and continued to wipe at her eyes,

With a laugh Ron lent over towards Harry,

"Get a look at 'Mione" he laughed softly.

Harry glanced down the table and caught sight of his friend who had returned to watching the Professor with unbridled admiration. With a shake of his head, he turned to see if Malfoy was also witnessing Hermione's tearful display.

Draco and Blaise were seated up the back of the classroom as always with the rest of their fellow Slytherins. To those who chose to observe them it quickly became obvious that none of them had any idea as to what was going on in this class as they were all quite preoccupied by a rather intense game of Hangman currently in session between Blaise and Nott.

"There's a 'T' there you moron" Draco hissed at Nott who ignored him and instead chose a 'G".

With a moan of annoyance, Draco watched as Nott's man got brutally hung.

"The word was 'Sutra' you dolt!" Blaise laughed, "as in Karma Sutra?"

Nott scowled in defeat and turned to elbow Vaisley hard in the ribs. The boy awoke with a grunt and aimed a swipe at his friend's head. The others laughed and turned to watch the front of the room as the other students began to pack up and leave.

"Finally!" Draco huffed and he hurried out of the classroom in search of Hermione.

Xxxxx

Hermione was travelling down the corridor with Ron and Harry who were mocking her loudly as she tried to insist again and again that she had absolutely not been crying through Flitwick's speech.

"Potty! Weasel!"

The three Gryffindors turned to see Draco striding up the hallway towards them.

"I'd like a word with my girlfriend, so if the two of you could just clear off –"

"I'm sorry Draco but you seem to be confused" Hermione smirked, "I'm standing here with Harry and Ron. In fact I'm not even sure I know a 'Potty' and a 'Weasel'"

The two boys first smiled at their friend before turning to face the blonde boy with equal looks of glee on their faces. They loved it when Hermione told Malfoy off.

Draco, however, just rolled his eyes,

"Potter and Weasley, I would like a word with my girlfriend" he rephrased.

Hermione shook her head, "Good enough, guys I'll see you outside in a bit"

This time it was Draco's turned to smirk as Harry and Ron turned and continued on the journey down the corridor.

"What is it you want Draco?" Hermione questioned.

"Now, now" the Slytherin slyly remarked, "that is no way to speak to your amazingly handsome, sexy, incredibly sexual 'sex-god' boyfriend"

Hermione giggled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer before planting a gentle kiss on her lips.

"I must have the most arrogant boyfriend in the world" Hermione laughed, "honestly Draco you may be good looking but I have seen better"

Draco frowned and suddenly let go of her,

"You're lying" he accused.

She shook her head and quickly pecked him on the cheek.

"Was there anything in particular you wanted to talk to me about?" she asked softly.

He nodded and his smirk returned once more,

"I just wanted to make sure that you knew that I had reserved you as my partner for the dancing class this afternoon. I absolutely refuse to allow you to partner with Potty or Weasel –"

"Harry or Ron" she corrected,

"And I absolutely won't go with Pansy" he finished.

With another giggle Hermione nodded and turned,

"Shouldn't you be in Herbology?" she asked smugly before racing down the corridor to join her friends outside.

Xxxxx

The two boys had found a spot under one of the trees nearest to the lake and were seated beneath it with their robes pulled tightly around them as the wind continued its breezy assault.

"Found anyone to take to the Graduation Ball yet?" Ron asked his friend.

Harry shook his head and let out a sigh. So much had changed over the years it seemed. Ron and himself had gotten taller, they'd begun combat training, they'd won the House Cup and so on and so fourth, yet when faced with the task of another ball and another date to find Harry felt as if he'd plunged his head into a pensive and was revisiting his fourth year and the Triwizard Ball.

"I'm thinking of asking Lavender" Ron continued quietly, "I mean I know she's my ex and all but…"

He trailed off.

"Mate if you still like her why not just ask her out again?" Harry questioned.

The red headed boy paused for a minute to think before shaking his head,

"She cheated on me. I'm not entirely sure I could trust her again after that"

It was a fair point Harry thought. He'd been ready to reply when suddenly he saw Hermione emerged from the castle and waved to let her know where they were. She spotted them almost instantly and quickly jogged over to meet them whilst the wind seized its chance and began a savage attack on her hair as she ran.

Ron looked up to greet her, "What did Malfoy want?"

"Just to make sure I was planning on partnering him for the dance class" she smiled, "You've both got Care of Magical Creatures after this don't you?"

Both boys nodded,

"What do you have?"

"Nothing" Hermione answered, "In fact I thought I might head up to the Common Room after lunch and get a start on packing".

The wind blew on as the girl settled herself so that she was lying on the ground in front of her two friends. She'd missed hanging out with Harry and Ron but between Draco, Head Duties, study and their N.E. she'd had little time.

"Nothings ever going to be the same once we leave here" Harry muttered, "Each year we seem to face new challenges, new dangers but Hogwarts has always been the one constant factor through it all. I hate to think what departing this place forever is going to feel like"

Hermione nodded sadly. She could understand Harry's sudden melancholy mood. When they were at school they were all lumped in together – friends, enemies, lovers, team mates and so on. It didn't matter if you had a falling out one day because you had the next to fix it. But that was all about to change. Not to mention they were heading into a war. How many of them would be lost? How long would it take for the news of these demises to reach them without the faithful school grapevine to spread the news?

"We're going to be ok mate. We're all in this together. Leaving isn't going to be so hard really" Ron rationalized, "It'll just be like going on a really long vacation…forever"

"You make it sound so much better Ron" Hermione sniggered as the boy's ears turned red.

Suddenly, Harry was on his feet.

"Well come on poet guy and Malfoy lover. I can smell lunch"

The two friends clambered to their feet and joined Harry as he marched his way across the ground back towards the castle,

"I am so not a poet", Ron argued.

"Yeah and I am so not a Malfoy lover" Hermione laughed.

Xxxxx

Lunch was a noisy occasion. Everyone was discussing the classes they'd sat in and the farewell speeches given by the teachers. Snape, apparently, wasn't giving out speeches as much as he was giving out deathly sounding warnings and morbid predictions. Really though, it was Snape and who expected anything less?

After bidding Ginny goodbye, Hermione began the decent to the dungeons and headed towards her common room. She walked along silently but could not help but feel slightly sentimental when thinking about the dark, cold corridors below the ground level of the castle. She'd really had some of the best and worst times in these corridors and though originally she'd been apprehensive about living in the dungeons, it was now that Hermione realised that she was actually going to miss the cool, solitude they provided.

The sudden sound of soft footsteps approaching caught the girl's attention and brought her from her thoughts. She silently slipped into one of the many dark alcoves and waited. She wasn't waiting long before someone past by her hiding spot and Hermione realised it was Arion. She let out a sigh of relief as he continued on his way but was then forced to suddenly freeze as he turned around having obviously heard her. He took a few steps towards her and carefully examined the area. Hermione tried desperately to shrink back further into the wall, the last thing she wanted was to have to confront this dangerous criminal. Finally, having decided he must have imagined it, Arion turned and soon disappeared from sight.

After waiting another minute, Hermione sprinted to the common room and threw herself in the door. Once safe, she rested against the close portrait and let a single tear slide down her cheek. The whole situation was completely out of control. How could Dumbledore have let him in the school? Did he really know what Arion had done?

After a few moments Hermione forced herself to take a couple of deep breathes and then push herself off the wall. She'd come down here to get a good start on packing and she wasn't going to allow her thoughts and feelings about Arion's presences here ruin today or tomorrow for that matter. So with a few resolve, Hermione made her way to her room.

She could still remember her first day of seventh year as if it had only been yesterday the sight of her new room, the common room, and her hatred for her new neighbour…and now it was all coming to an end. Slowly, and quietly, Hermione opened her trunk and moved towards her closet trying to decide which outfits she would need tomorrow. Finally, she began the system of remove, fold, pack, remove, fold, pack and so on and so on. Clothes, books, shoes, and photos – it all went into the trunk. Her room was suddenly looking very empty and Hermione began to feel quite scared. Were they really ready to leave school? To go to war? To be independent?

A quick glance at her clock told her it was almost time to leave for the dancing class. She moved to shut her trunk lid when a fluttering noise in the common room distracted her. Cautiously, Hermione moved through her dorm and poked her head out into the supposedly empty room and gasped at the sight. There, sitting on the common room table, were four barn owls who each held a corner of a large brown package in its claws. One of the owls abandoned its corner and flew across the room landing on Hermione's shoulder. It held out its leg and she untied the letter it carried. With a soft nip to her finger the owl departed followed by its companions. Staring at the brown package in wonder Hermione turned to the letter for answers. Moving to the couch, she sat and begun to read,

Dear Hermione,

A few days ago your father and I received a letter from Albus Dumbledore informing us that you had breezed through your N.E.. We're both very proud of you and are sure you've done well.

Professor Dumbledore also informed us that he would make it possible for your father and I to attend your Graduation Ball. I was overjoyed to hear this and could not help myself – you know I have always dreamed of taking you shopping to get your formal (graduation) gown- don't feel pressured to wear it but I do hope you like it.

I wish I had time to say more but the Aurors inform me that I must be quick. We both looked forward to seeing you soon.

Love Mum.

With a squeal of excitement Hermione launched herself across the room and tore at the brown paper. Her hands flew to her mouth at the beautiful dress that lay there fore her. It was exquisite! Carefully, Hermione ran her hand over the black chiffon material and her eyes sparkled with excitement at the sight of the silver ribbon, which was intertwined through the corset shaped bodice before the black material flowed out at the hips to the floor.

"Hermione?"

She spun around at the sound of Draco's voice.

"Don't look!" she shouted as she desperately tried to cover the dress in the brown paper once more.

"What's that?" The Slytherin questioned, "Is that your dress for tomorrow?"

"Yes! Now stop trying to see it Malfoy!"

He chuckled at the use of his surname and stepped back towards the door.

"Ok well go and put it away then. We have to go and show everyone up with our amazing dancing ability"

With a quick nod, Hermione gathered the dress in her arms and rush into her room carefully laying it out on her bed.

Xxxxx

The music could be heard from down the hallway as Blaise approached the Great Hall with Vaisley, Crabbe, Goyle and Nott in tow. The girls were rushing quickly into the room while the boys preferred to drag their feet.

"This is a fucking ridiculous class" Nott grumbled, "all purebloods know how to dance already and everyone else should have learnt by now!"

Blaise sniggered and shook his head at the boy, "Oh Nott this is why you have to work as hard as you do to get girls. You fail to see the opportunities that are presented to you".

Nott scoffed as they walked into the Hall,

"Dancing Blaise? Really? I highly doubt dancing classes are the places to pick girls up"

"Dancing Classes? No. Occasions where you must dance? Yes. I picked up the first girl I ever slept with at a Ball"

"Greeting Boys" Draco hailed as he approached them hand in hand with Hermione.

"Enjoying married life Granger?" Nott smirked.

"Enjoying celibacy Theo?" she shot back.

The boys all broke out in laughter as Hermione returned Nott's smirk. Draco pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her hair,

"I've taught her well," he boasted.

A sudden, loud clapping caught their attention as Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster entered the Hall.

"Ok gather around everyone" McGonagall instructed, "We're going to learn the waltz first up"

They watched as Dumbledore put his hand on her waist and then took her hand. Hermione was mesmerised by how gracefully they moved across the floor. They turned and twirled to the music so elegantly.

"We'll make the waltz look twice as good as they do" Draco whispered in her ear.

She shushed him as the waltz stopped and the Professors instructed them to find a partner. Draco took her hand and turned her to face him. As told he took her waist and begun to move them slowly around the floor. Hermione was nervous and for that reason she looked around the room at her classmates instead of at Draco who she knew was so much better at this then her.

"Just relax baby. Look at me" he whispered to her.

She slowly moved her eyes up his body and finally looked at him.

"I'm not very good at dancing," she muttered before looking straight down once more.

Draco chuckled and pulled her closer to him so that their bodies were touching.

"We all have to start somewhere Granger. Just let me lead and feel my body moving against yours. Feel the direction in which I'm leading you"

Hermione blushed at the contact, the intimate feel. She felt Draco's hand move to the small of her back and looked over his shoulder – Harry and Ron were bumbling around the floor with their less then impressed partners. She giggled at the sight of them.

"Is our dancing funny baby?" Draco asked her huskily.

A sudden thought occurred to her,

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" she accused.

"I never thought your inexperience would be beneficial to me but I've been pleasantly surprised"

He pulled her closer still and she felt him against her- hard and determined.

"Draco this is sick" she hissed, "Everyone is in this hall! Everyone will see you!"

"Relax Granger, I'm not going to shag you in the middle of the hall. I'm just enjoying myself while I can. There will be no dancing with you like this tomorrow night. Tomorrow night I have to be on my best behaviour"

He turned them gracefully,

Hermione laughed, "Why would you ever been on your best behaviour?"

He rolled his eyes at her before smirking, "Because I want to impress your parents. I want them to think I'm a good guy and the perfect gentlemen for their daughter"

Blaise and Pansy waltzed past them. With a laugh, Blaise pulled a face at Hermione before spinning Pansy once more.

"My dad is probably going to interrogate you," she muttered.

"Let me guess- He thinks he's raised the perfect little bookworm, who's waiting for marriage and doesn't have a single idea about anything of any sexual nature"

She looked at him smiling before nodding.

He nodded, "Well in that case I shall play the part of the charming, academic boy who has aims for a successful career and also shares your views on waiting till marriage. They'll never suspect that Draco Malfoy has already ravaged their daughter and turned her into a sex fiend"

Hermione laughed, "A sex fiend? You have a wild imagination Draco Malfoy"

Suddenly, the music stopped.

"That concludes your dance lesson for today. Tomorrow morning we shall go over some faster paced dances. Enjoy the rest of your day"

Professor Dumbledore finished with a smile and dismissed them.

Hermione glanced up at the clock as Draco took her hand once more. They had been dancing for almost an hour. Sometimes that happened with Draco – time just flew. They moved towards the common room hand in hand. Tomorrow, Hermione thought, would be their final day at Hogwarts and then the beginning of the rest of their lives. In first year, on their very first day, if someone had told her that she's be in love with the pointy-nosed, blonde snob and would be gearing up alongside the dirty-faced redhead and his scruffy haired friend to fight a war, she probably would have written an owl to St Mungoes on your behalf. Yet here she was seven years later. Life presented you with many roads to follow and the choice in which ones to travel. Hermione would never be foolish enough to believe that she would never take a bad road but so far, for now, she was happy with the choices she made and the roads she followed. She just hoped that this happiness would find a way to stick around, even if only fleetingly, in the near future.