I don't own Harry Potter

Hello! Sorry it's late, but I do have a very good reason! So I was going to update last weekend and I was almost done with this chapter, but due to the bio-polar weather of the lovely state of Texas we had rolling blackouts and everything I had written was gone. Stupid 114 degree heat (that's literally what the temperature is outside). That and I've been very sleep deprived because I stayed up til 3 Saturday for Pottermore, (I got in!), and then til 5 on Monday and Tuesday helping all my friends get in. That is why this chapter is late. I hope you enjoy it though!

Chapter 37

Hermione

"Blaise Zabini!" I screeched upon entering the bathroom. Draco had allowed Blaise to stay the night in our common room last night due to certain activities going on in the Slytherin boy's dorms that I probably don't want to know about. Normally this wouldn't be a problem. He had stayed over before over the course of the year, and every time he had used my toothbrush!

"Crap!" I heard him hiss as he scrambled around our common room gathering his things. Running down the stairs, wand in hand, I cornered him just as he was about to escape through the portrait hole.

"Don't move," I threatened and Blaise froze. "Now, I assume you know what this is about?" Blaise nodded slowly and I saw him swallow. "Good, let's get things strait then shall we? Don't ever touch my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or Tame, especially my Tame! Again! Else you and Luna will have to adopt. Is that clear?" Blaise nodded vigorously. "Good. Next time either ask, use Draco's, or go back to your room!" I lowered my wand and Blaise shot out of the common room cackling like a maniac. Obviously he wasn't too scared of my threats, but that had been the last straw. I feared for his sanity.

Scowling I returned to the bathroom to dispose of yet another violated toothbrush. It was a really good thing I was the daughter of dentists. Because of that I had quite a few spare toothbrushes. After finishing my normal morning routine I excited the bathroom, running right into Draco.

"Good morning," he said grinning wickedly.

"Morning," I replied while trying to move past him so I could grab my book bag.

"What? No good morning kiss?" Draco put a hurt look on his face, but his eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Fine," I huffed and tilted my head up to kiss him.

Draco leaned down and placed his hands on my shoulders. Just as his lips were about to brush mine he stopped and pulled away, "Wait a minute. I don't want to kiss anything that's had something from Blaise's mouth near it."

I hit him on the chest indignantly, "I had an extra toothbrush!" I defended myself.

Draco chuckled and leaned down once more, "I know," he whispered in my ear before capturing my lips with his. Reluctantly I pulled away and Draco pouted. I laughed as I reentered my room to gather my books for that day's lessons.

Upon entering the Great Hall, Draco and I went our separate ways and I joined Ginny at the Gryffindor table. She was chatting amiably with Harry, who was ignoring me, and secretly slipped me a note.

Meet me in the Astronomy Tower after dinner. It's important.

-Ginny

Now I was very curious, what in the world was so important that I meet her there? Shrugging, I quickly wrote her back and slipped the note into a pocket in her bag.

Ok, by the way I didn't get a chance to tell you yesterday or on Sunday… I told Draco I loved him. Please don't yell at me later! I've give you details after whatever the important thing in the Astronomy Tower is.

-Hermione

She would probably read it during her History of Magic class.

After breakfast Draco and I walked to class where Harry and Ron continued to ignore me. I was really disappointed in them, and it was starting to get to me a bit. As much as I hated to admit it, I missed them. They had been my best friends for years, and this was such a stupid thing to fight over. I couldn't be the one to give in though. That meant loosing Draco.

My classes that day passed in a blur, all except for House Unity. We did more of the same trust exercises, and it seemed that some of the pairs were beginning to get along. They were mostly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws though. Pansy and I had called a truce for now. We would never be friends, but we both wanted a good grade in this class.

Soon, though, it was after dinner and time to meet Ginny in the Astronomy Tower. Waving to Draco, I exited the Great Hall and began to climb the many stairs to the tower. When I opened the door the first thing I noticed was that Ginny and I would not be alone. Harry and Ron were also present and standing next to Ginny. Both their faces hardened when they saw me.

I nodded in their direction as well as in Ginny's. What in the world could she have planned?

"Now that we're all here," Ginny said sitting on the ledge. Harry tensed up and he watched her uneasily. "We can get this over with!"

"I'm leaving," Ron said standing up and motioning for Harry to do the same. Harry glanced between Ron and Ginny, as Ginny has puller her wand out and was threatening to pull a Petrificus Totalus on him. Ron sat down again and cross his arms over his chest angrily.

"This is absolutely absurd! You guys are supposed to be best friends, and yet you're shunning Hermione! It's been nearly a month now, and it's time for you two to grow up."

Harry was the first to speak up, "It's Draco Malfoy! He hasn't changed one bit over the years, and if he had I think I would have noticed."

"Do you really think he would have shown you he's changed? You don't like each other remember? So obviously he wouldn't want to let you in. I've seen it Harry! I've seen how he treats her when they're alone, and I trust 'Mione to make the right decision. She's the smartest witch of our age; you don't need to baby her!" Ginny's voice softened, "And besides all that, she's in love." I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks as well as a smile start to form.

"Ginny, there is no way she is in love. That's absurd. Give me three reasons why you think she's in love. People our age don't know what love is."

"One, the way they look into each other's eyes, two the very second she walks into the room Draco's face lights up and vice versa, and three we're in love Harry. Don't tell me we're not because it was just this morning you were telling me you loved me." Harry's eyes widened as he realized the mistake of one of his statements. "Fix this," Ginny said glaring at both her brother and boyfriend, "none of you are going to leave the tower until this is resolved. Understood?"

None of us gave Ginny an answer so she jumped off the ledge and slammed the door behind her on the way out. I glanced at the two boys in front of me, neither looking at me at all. Finally I decided to speak, "I'm not going to apologize if that's what you want. I'm not going to break up with him either just to pacify you."

"I still don't see why you're with him Hermione," Harry said being the first to meet her eyes in weeks.

"Let me explain this in terms you should understand," I paused and took a deep breath, "He's my Ginny." It was as simple as that. Harry's face softened and he looked ashamed for a moment. After that I knew it was the perfect thing to say to him. Ginny was his everything, his soul mate, and I knew the moment she was out of Hogwarts they were going to get married. Draco was my everything.

Finally Harry sighed and looked me in the eyes, "Are you sure Hermione?"

I nodded, "More sure than I've ever been about anything."

"Alright then, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I've treated you these past few weeks, and I'm sorry for what I said. You never deserved that." I rushed forward and hugged Harry tightly. A huge weight was lifted off my chest; I had one of my best friends back. Now I just needed the other.

"Thank you," I whispered in his ear, "I've got so much to tell you." Harry nodded and let me go.

"Anything you'd like to say Ron?" Harry asked.

Ron shook his head, "Why would I have anything to say to her? She's still associating with Malfoy." A look of hurt crossed my face. "You may have given Harry a good reason, but you haven't given me one."

I knew it was time to tell them then. Tell them about my two weeks away from the Burrow during the summer and why I've changed as much as I have. "He gets what I'm going through, and I get what he's going through. It's no secret that Lucious's trial is coming up and he's going to testify, but with all he has to say, he will be the reason his father gets the Dementor's Kiss. He's going to have to live with that guilt forever, just as I have to live with my guilt." So I explained what happened. Harry had a pained expression on his face, and Ron's softened a little, but it was easy to see he was unchanged.

"It's horrible, what happened, Hermione, but that still doesn't change anything." Ron said crossing his arms over his chest, looking like a child.

"Of course not," I said standing. Turning to Harry I said, "I think this is resolved enough that we'll be able to leave. I'm sure he'll come around sometime. Besides we all have quite a few essays due over the next few days. Goodnight Harry." I said giving my best friend a hug. Pausing at the door I decided to be the bigger person, "Goodnight Ron."

When I entered the common room I found both Draco and Blaise sitting by the fire doing homework. I went over and kissed Draco on the cheek before going up to my dorm to change and finish up my homework. On my way up Draco called after me, "Oh, I forgot to tell you! Blaise is staying over again tonight!" Groaning, I entered my room, but not before I heard the snickers from my two favorite Slytherins down stairs.

Again sorry for it being so late, but you can go back and read why again if you really want to =) So... what did you think? I'm having a hard time on deciding what to do with Ron. Any ideas? Also please go check out the poll on my profile, it's important to me, and if you love me then it will be important to you! =) Who all's registered for Pottermore? I'm so excited! Thanks for reading!

~chocoyum4~

Review Reply: Weasleyreunion- Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! =)

Anonymous-Thanks =) and I know, I'm horrible at grammar. I think it gets a tab better in later chapters so hopefully it won't be too much of a distraction. I will go back and fix it all eventually, but right now I'm just focusing on finishing the story. Thanks for your review!

Jillian- Of course I have you convinced ;) but somehow I know your lying haha. You'll see the light eventually haha ;)