Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, only the story built around them, J.K. Rowling has that pleasure.

Warning: This fanfic will have themes of sexual and physical violence, domestic abuse, rape, content of the sexual nature.

A/N: Happy Monday! (Its technically Tuesday here, but I got caught up with tons of job interviews so forgive me!) Here we are my dears. This is the last chapter... Kidding of course I am doing an epilogue. My question to you, would you like to see how the other pairings go? But, can you believe there is only one chapter left? Because I can't! They story has been going for 37ish weeks. Wow. I don't even think I wrote my graduate thesis for that long. Next chapter, I'd really like for everyone to leave a review on their thoughts on the whole of the story. What I can do better for my next story and so on. Constructive criticism only please! Thank you to all the kind reviews, all the follows, subs, likes, and shares. Thank you all for sticking me with through the journey of my first fic. Until Next Week and Until the Last Chapter- DCP

Chapter 37: End

The funeral was a somber event. Hermione gave her well wishes to the Weasley's, but did not linger. Her presence felt wrong. Maybe one day when she had healed she could be with all the Weasley's just like old times, but for now seeing all the red heads bowed in sorrow was too much for her.

She turned on the spot and popped back into Draco's flat. She couldn't bring herself to leave the place. She was too attached to everything about the place. Kiri and Bee made her so happy. Happier than she had been in years. And of course there was the main reason she didn't want to leave, Draco.

She had grown so attached to everything about him, from his humor, to his mannerisms, even his smell. She wondered if the attachment was strictly because of her abuse. She had read up on abuse victims from the numerous books in Draco's library. It seemed that abuse victims could get quite attached to their rescuers. Yet, Hermione didn't feel that her attachment was purely that. Sure, she did feel differently about the man because he rescued her, but she knew that in her heart she loved him not because he rescued her.

No, she loved him because of who he was, who he became. She no longer saw him as the bully from school. She saw him as the man he had become.

Bee's fussing drew her out of her thoughts. She smiled at the little house elf. She was dressed in another little confection she had spent her monthly wages on. No matter how much Hermione teased the little elf about her dress choice, the elf still stood my her choice of too many ruffles.

"Misses Hermione is sad?"

She looked down at the little elf, "Just a little Bee. How's Draco?"

The little elf grimaced, "Oh Master is not happy about Bee making hims stay in bed. Says he needs to comfort Misses Hermione. I forces him back in bed with a little elf magic and make hims eat soup."

Hermione smiled, "He needs rest. Thank you Bee for keeping him in bed. Somethings are better alone."

Bee smiled at her and made her way back to the kitchen. Hermione shook her head smiling at the retreating elf. Even in pink ruffle dresses, the little elf was a force to be reckoned with. She made her way to Draco's closed door and knocked.

"Draco? Are you awake?"

She heard a shuffling and a muffled reply, "Ah yes come in."

She opened the door to see a rather ruffled looking man climbing back under the sheets, "Didn't Bee tell you not to get out of bed?"

Draco looked out of the door, "Umm, yes. You aren't going to tell her are you?"

Hermione chuckled and shook her head, "Of course not. I'm not cruel."

"So how was everything. Are you okay?"

Hermione sat on the bed next to him, "Honestly, it was difficult. This has all been difficult. You can harbor so much hate towards a person, but when it comes down to it, you don't want them to die. Yet, I just keep thinking he got what was coming to him. He hurt so many people. I'm sorry I didn't want you to come. It's just...I needed to do it alone. Harry came and talked with me as well. I think perhaps we just needed each other."

Draco reached out and grabbed her hand, "He did hurt a lot of people. I'm glad you had Potter there with you at least. Even if you wanted to do it alone, sometimes just having someone to support you makes things easier. You and Harry remember his good parts the best out of everyone, including his family. It wasn't easy today, but it'll get easier with time. Things will get better Hermione. I know they will."

She nodded, "They will. But Draco…"

"Hmm?"

"I've been meaning to ask you something. Is that okay? I know you are still a little under the weather."

Draco turned to look at her fully, "I feel loads better. Go ahead."

She began to fiddle with the ends of her hair and lowered her head, "Would you mind if I stay here? I can pay rent of course. Thankfully Ronald never knew that I had my own vault. I am thinking about going into healing. I put an application in yesterday and I just...ummm."

Draco put his hand lightly on her cheek, "You're rambling love. Of course you can stay and no please don't pay rent. I don't need, or want your money. It's yours. I'm so happy you put in an application for the healing program. I figured with all the books you've been reading from my library, you'd put in an application. You'll be a fantastic mind healer."

Hermione looked up at him, "Wait how did you know I wanted to go into mind healing? "

Draco chuckled, "You've been making a dent in my mind healing and muggle psychology books."

Hermione blushed, "I do try to put them away, but Bee shoos me away from them."

"Hermione, I need to ask you something as well."

"Of course Draco anything."

Draco blushed and looked down, "Hermione can I court you? Umm, I know it sounds traditional and all but it would have been what my mother would have wanted. And we can go slowly of course. You can choose the speed of everything. I just want you in my life and…"

Hermione put her hand on his cheek just like his was on hers, "Yes Draco. Please court me. I want you to be in my life. I… I love you. I know it may seem too soon to say those words, but truly I do."

Draco stared at her for a minute then leaped up and engulfed her in a hug, "Oh Hermione. I've wanted to tell you how I feel for you for so long, but I didn't want to hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable. I love you so much. You have brought so much into my life. My life has changed for the better. I know I hardly deserve you, but truly know that I will do everything in my power to make you the happiest woman alive."

Hermione smiled and hugged him even harder, "Then it's settled then. Perhaps we won't take things as slow as you expect."

Draco pulled back and Hermione gave him a wink. Draco began to lean forward towards her…

"Oh Master, Bee has heard the news. A courting! Oh mistress would have been thrilled. Misses Hermione, you must let Bee pick out clothes for you. Oh you must!"

Hermione looked at Draco, "Umm perhaps we will go together to pick out clothes Bee. I don't look as nice in pink as you do."

The house elf brushed off her pink dress and smiled, "Oh Misses Hermione we will have to go shopping in Paris then. It was mistresses favorite."

Hermione smiled at the elf, "Okay Bee. Just tell me the day and we will go."

"Oh Bee is very happy. Now both of you be coming to dinner now. No arguments Master."

Draco sighed and releashed Hermione.

Hermione looked at him and mouthed 'Later'.

Draco perked up and leapt out of bed.

He extended an arm out, "Shall we my lady?"

Hermione took it, "We shall."