When they'd reached the Great Hall, it seemed as if everyone was waiting for them. Nico had returned and was sitting at the Slytherin table next to Theo and Blaise. When she entered he looked up and the relief on his face was palpable. Hermione's eyes drifted towards her own House table and she saw Harry, Ron, Ginny and the other Gryffindor's all staring at her. When her gaze finally settled on Annabeth, Hermione immediately noticed Luke sitting with her and she nodded at them both before she whispered into Draco's ear, "I'm going to head to the owlry."

He sighed but bowed his head in acquiescence before heading over to his own table.

Hermione then turned back to Luke, who didn't need an invitation as he stood up and followed her out of the castle. He easily kept pace with her and they didn't speak until they'd cleared the courtyard.

"You alright?" Luke inquired, his voice deep and clear.

"I suppose." She replied easily. "You were right."

"Hmmm," Luke hummed as he held his hands behind his back and gave her a sidelong glance. "He doesn't seem too worse for wear."

Hermione smirked as Luke's voice seemed almost—disappointed.

"Luke, that's not nice."

The demigod chuckled as he shook his head, before reaching for her hand as the started up the stairs—which after a second she allowed.

Once they reached the top, Hermione led Luke over to a secluded spot over by the far parapet that was covered from the rafters. Hermione looked up and grinned causing Luke to follow and he too, smiled widely. Then Draco's owl Hestia—swooped down and perched herself onto Hermione's shoulder with a chirping hoot.

"Hey girl. How are you?"

The owl made a few growling noises and Hermione chuckled, petting Hestia's feathers softly before she hooted one last time and headed back to the rafters.

"You can communicate?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Owls, hippogriffs, even Dragons."

"Impressive." Luke admitted with a lopsided grin before his expression fell into a more serious one. "I owe you an apology."

Hermione turned to Luke with a confused frown. "For what?"

"Pretty much everything." Luke rubbed her hand with his soothingly as he worked up the courage to say what he needed to.

"I made assumptions in my own anger at my Father, and while I don't regret most of those decisions—I do regret one thing."

"Which was?"

"Hurting you." Luke sighed in resignation. "Maybe I could've found another way Mine. Maybe if I had, I wouldn't be sitting here knowing that I've lost you and you've chosen someone else."

"Luke..."

"Don't okay?" He shook his head angrily. "Don't make excuses for me. I don't deserve it."

Hermione sighed and cupped Luke's cheek, turning his face fully towards hers. "Luke, you deserve so much more than you've been given. So the decisions you made weren't the most well thought out, but who makes great decisions as teenagers? You were angry, and had every right to feel that way and I wish more than anything you had made a different choice but we can't go back and we can't change what happened."

Light green eyes desperately bored into hers as he pleaded, "If I had made a different choice, would you have chosen Malfoy in the end?"

She sighed and wiped a single tear that had fallen from the corner of Luke's eye as he stared at her and she just shrugged. "Honestly?"

He nodded, "Always—you know that Mine."

"I don't know." She tilted her head down in shame, as she didn't know what she would've done had Luke chosen a different path. If he had been here a year ago when the war had ended, Hermione didn't know if she would've given Draco a chance. Maybe it wouldn't have worked out with Luke, but maybe it might have. "I have never been a big believer in fate, Divination or the like but I do know that I can't go back and wonder what if's and what might have been's. I won't do that to myself, Draco nor you. I'm in love with Draco and I want a future with him. I don't want to hurt you," her breath caught on a sob and she could feel the beginning of tears leaking at the corners of her eyes, "and I don't want to hurt Draco either. I do love you Luke—you know this but I'm not in love with you. Aphrodite asked me not too long ago a question and at the time I wasn't ready to see what it meant."

"And what was it?"

Hermione stared over Luke's shoulder and out into the darkened sky and she smiled wistfully at the memory.

"She asked me, 'Hermione, when you close your eyes in the darkness at night and wish upon the heavens, who do you see in your mind's eye as your future one?'...when she said this to me I didn't know how to respond. Later that same evening, Draco repeated the question almost verbatim to me and it really threw me. The Goddess also told me I would be faced with a difficult choice between my Godly heritage and my magical one. But that's the thing, Luke...and the point I think Aphrodite was trying to make me see is that I don't have to choose, because I can be both. I didn't think I could be for the longest time. For years I was just Hermione Granger—witch. I didn't allow myself to really accept my Godly side because it had been taken from me. I understand now why that had to happen, but back then? I was confused and broken."

"I'm still not sure I understand why you chose someone who was so awful to you growing up? I remember vividly how angry you'd be when you'd come back to Camp—especially after your second year when that jerk wished you dead!" Luke stood up and paced through the owlry, his expression thunderous. "He tormented you for years! He watched you being tortured! My first instinct when I saw the little prick was to make him suffer."

Oh Luke!" Hermione cried as she stood up and he moved swiftly over to her—cupping her head into his hands as he stared down into her tear-stained face.

"I don't know how to accept this?" He whispered in agony. "I don't know how to let you go."

Hermione's breath broke on a sob as she grabbed Luke's wrists and stared up pleadingly at him.

"Tell me Mine? How do I say goodbye? I love you!" He choked out. "I've always loved you."

Hermione desperately shook her head and her eyes were so blurred with tears that she didn't immediately notice when Luke bent his head down and captured her lips with his.

Her body stiffened and then she gently pulled away and shook her head, seeing the raw pain in Luke's eyes and knowing she couldn't give him what he wanted from her.

"I love Draco," she whispered emotively. "I'm in love with only him. I want a life with him—children and a home. The truth is? I think I've always wanted it even when he was at his worst. I couldn't admit it to myself and it took me a long time to come to terms with it but I won't lose him. I can't give you what you want Luke. Please, don't hate me..."

"I could never hate you Mine! Not in a thousand lifetimes."

Hermione nodded and took a fortifying breath before stepping out of Luke's embrace. "Whatever you decide, I will support it. If you want to stay here?"

Luke shook his head in the negative. "There's nothing left for me here." He pulled out the pearl from his pocket and tried to smile reassuringly, but his face collapsed as he stared down at the gift from Hades. "I'm going to go back to Elysium. Maybe when your time here is done...we can be reborn together and have the life we were meant to have?"

Hermione sighed, knowing she couldn't make that kind of promise. Not now.

"Luke..."

He put his hand up. "Don't, okay? I know you can't make me any promises—not now, but a lot can change in a few decades. Just think about it?"

Hermione bit her lip before saying sadly, "I will see you on the other side someday Luke. Perhaps then things will seem a lot clearer."

Luke nodded sadly before he put the pearl down and closed his eyes. As he stepped on it, his voice floated through the owlry as he disappeared... "Be happy, Mine."

Hermione stared at the spot where Luke had been for a few moments before she collapsed in a heap on the cold stone floor of the owlry, her body racking with sobs. She didn't know how or why, but suddenly she felt Draco's arms come around her as he moved her into his lap and cradled her against him, whispering soft words of love and comfort. She held onto him and allowed her broken heart to grieve for the loss of her friend and the road not taken. She didn't regret her choice but it didn't make the pain any less to bear.

She'd cared deeply for Luke Castellan and as much as she loved Draco and wanted their life together—she hadn't wanted to hurt Luke.

She hadn't wanted to say goodbye.

Draco for his part just held his witch and let her cry. He hadn't intended to follow her and Castellan but he found himself here anyway and he hadn't meant to eavesdrop—but he had caught the very end of their conversation.

Deep down he knew this would be devastating for Hermione. She had such a tender heart and would've never hurt someone intentionally—especially someone she cared deeply for.

It wasn't easy for him to see her like this.

"Love," he whispered as he felt her whimper against him. "How about we go to our room and take a nice, hot bubble bath?"

He watched as she lifted her swollen eyes to his and her lip quivered as tears streamed down her cheeks. He wiped them away and then pulled out a handkerchief from his robes and handed it to her.

"You followed me?"

Draco sighed and nodded. "I had a feeling this would be hard for you and I didn't want you to face it alone."

Hermione gazed into worried grey eyes and saw no deceit there, nor jealousy. If anything he just seemed subdued and concerned.

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "Don't be love. I can't claim to understand what you and Castellan had, but I know you and I know how much you care. I also know you'd never hurt anyone if you could help it and I'm sure you feel guilty on some level for not being able to give him what he wanted from you. Selfishly I'm glad you chose me, but I'm not so unfeeling as to not know how this must be killing you inside."

Hermione wiped her eyes and nose with Draco's handkerchief and allowed him to help her stand up. He held her to his side as they walked down the owlry steps together and made their way to the castle. As they reached the courtyard, Draco noticed Percy, Annabeth and Nico waiting for them.

Annabeth came over and enveloped her best friend into a crushing hug, which Hermione returned. Percy just stood there looking awkward while Nico's expression was filled with concern for his cousin.

"You want me to shadow travel you both up to the seventh floor?"

Hermione gazed up at Draco and he handed her over to her younger cousin with a kiss on her forehead. "You go on with Nico. I'll be along shortly."

"Are you sure?"

Draco nodded. "I just am going to head to Slytherin and get some clean clothes and a few things. I'll be there soon. Promise."

"Okay." Hermione whispered as she took Nico's hand and faded from view.

When she was gone Draco rubbed his hand down his face and shivered. Both Percy and Annabeth could see his distress.

"Luke's gone?" Percy queried and Draco indicated in the affirmative.

"Went back to Elysium."

"I see." Percy turned his gaze up to the heavens with a grimace. "She's going to be hard on herself about this whole thing—you do know that, right?"

Draco sighed, but didn't disagree as his only reply was, "Doesn't she always."

With a final nod in both Percy and Annabeth's direction, Draco headed back to Slytherin House. He needed to get a few things together so he could get back to his witch.

It wasn't too much later he found himself pacing in front of the Room of Requirement and when he entered, he smiled and the familiar sight of the Slytherin Common Room. His witch was sitting in front of the fireplace, curled up with a book and as soon as she heard the door close—she looked over her shoulder with a timid smile.

"Hi."

"Hey love. You feeling any better?"

"Not really." She placed the book down when he sat next to her—and she didn't waste a second curling into his side with a tired sigh. "Are you okay?"

Draco huffed with a tinge of exasperation. "I am fine. I'm more worried about you." He looked over his shoulder and smirked when a separate door appeared. "How about I get the bath ready for us?"

"Okay."

He stood up, placing a soft kiss on her temple and then sauntered over into the makeshift bathroom where the large sunken tub much like the one in the prefects bathroom, was the dominating feature of the room. Switching on the water and placing the scented oils into the tub, Draco watched it fill until it reached the proper levels and then he switched it off. Placing the towels out for them both, he left the loo and headed back to grab his witch who was standing by their bed—removing her jeans and jumper. He snuck up behind her and lifted her bridal style into his arms, chuckling at her squeal of shock.

"Draco!"

"Don't 'Draco' me, Granger. Your bath awaits, my Lady. I need to get you clean so I can get your dirtied all over again."

He smirked wickedly at her intense blush, which never seemed to get old even after all this time.

He sincerely hope it never changed, as she was rather fetching when she blushed like that.

They stayed in the bath for about an hour while Draco took his time first washing her body from behind and then her hair thoroughly. Once they were both starting to prune—he pulled her out of the tub and dried her off—waving his wand and carefully drying her hair, all the while staring directly behind her. He had watched his mother enough over the years in how to do simple cosmetic charms. He waved his wand a second time and Hermione's hair was instantly de tangled. She ran a hand through it in shock.

"How did you do that?"

Draco just chuckled deeply. "Don't tell me I know a spell the formidable and all knowing Hermione Granger doesn't."

She stuck her tongue out at him over her shoulder and he grabbed her, nipping it playfully before leading them both back to their bed.

When they curled under the covers in the darkened room, Draco pulled Hermione's body flush with his and started to kiss her slowly. He didn't have an agenda for tonight. He knew she was in all likelihood—still emotionally fragile so he let her take the lead. When she finally straddled him, he groaned and gripped her hips tightly as she ground down on his erection that was hard and aching, as he stared up in her face he could barely make out in the dark.

"Are you sure love?"

"I love you Draco and I've missed you. Tomorrow we will have to face everyone but for tonight, I just want to feel you and love you. Nothing else matters but us."

Draco rolled her underneath him as he kissed her hard. He had missed her while she was gone and he'd wondered not for the first time if she'd come to regret choosing him. But looking down into her amber eyes that even in the dark—were filled with so much warmth, love and lust—he knew that she loved him as much as he loved her.

Fumbling for his wand and casting the contraceptive spell, he didn't waste another precious second as he joined their bodies together. He wasn't in a rush—this was a marathon...not a sprint. He wanted Hermione to understand fully how much he worshipped her.

How much he couldn't live without her.

It was an hour later after two rounds of lovemaking and Draco found himself staring down into the peaceful face of his witch who was now sound asleep. He had cast an incendio in the hearth and now he could see her long eyelashes curved against her perfect skin and he smiled at the cute little freckles that adorned the bridge of her nose. He just spent a few moments counting them before placing a gentle kiss on the crown of her head.

He couldn't sleep.

Placing a silencing charm over his witch, Draco stood up and went to use the loo. Once he'd relieved himself he went back into their room and watched Hermione sleep for a few moments more. Shaking his head, he decided to go to the kitchens to get some light snacks in case she awoke later—so he quickly got dressed and headed out towards the kitchens underneath the Great Hall.

It wasn't quite curfew yet, thankfully—and Draco was able to get there unnoticed. The elves were more than happy to make a small basket with a few delicious slices of roast beef, cheeses, bread and butter beer. There was even some toffee pudding.

Draco nodded, thanking the elves as he headed back up towards the Room of Requirement. When he reached the seventh floor corridor, Draco stopped as he heard a noise coming from beyond the door that led up to the Astronomy Tower.

Sighing, Draco wasn't sure he wanted to go up there, but for some reason he felt an inexplicable urge to do so. Deciding not to question it, he opened the outer door and started walking up the spiral staircase towards the top parapet.

When he finally reached the tower room, he set the basket down and moved over towards the eastern railing, staring out into the night sky and sighed as unwelcome memories assaulted him. This had been his haven sixth year when everything around him had been falling apart. He'd spend hours up here staring out into the heavens and silently pleading for anyone to hear him.

To save him.

"I did hear you, you know." The throaty decidedly feminine voice spoke from the shadows and Draco turned quickly—wand in hand as he stared at the stunning visage of a woman who was probably the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen.

Next to his witch.

The woman's face broke into a pleased grin as she moved effortlessly towards him.

"Ah, a wizard who's heart is spoken for by the bonds of true love."

Draco's eyes widened and he swallowed as he suddenly concluded just who this woman—no, Goddess was...

Aphrodite.

He bowed and said politely, "My Lady."

Her tinkling laughter actually had him crack a half smile as the Goddess came into full view. Her long flowing golden hair glistening in the moonlight as she considered him.

"Draco Malfoy. It has been a while."

His look of confusion caused the Goddess to smirk in return and then she gazed around their surroundings with a fond wave of her hand.

"When you would spend many an evening up here and thought no one could hear you in the dead of the night—what did your heart long for?"

Draco blushed slightly, but he didn't hesitate as he said simply, "Hermione."

The Goddess nodded. "You were so utterly conflicted that year, Draco Malfoy. Your heart desperately wanting something you thought utterly forbidden to you and your mind railing against it. Even now, you feel unworthy of it...of Her. You think she's going to change her mind? Decide against her own heart?"

Draco's face fell as he turned once again towards the railing and gripped it tightly as he tilted his head up and stared into the heavens.

"I've loved her for so long—even when I knew I'd never be able to act upon it. I have hurt her in ways that keep me awake at night and I wish more than anything I could go back and change the past—but I can't." His voice broke on the last word and then his next words came out shallow and stuttered..."and I'm terrified she's going to change her mind and leave me."

The Goddess of Love just smiled knowingly at the young wizard before she walked over and stood next to him...staring out into the night. Her voice however, was melodious and light—and Draco couldn't help the feeling of warmth that enveloped him as he listened to her speak.

"Love—the truest love is borne not of ease—but of trial and fire. Love that is truly meant to be is the kind that is tested through great pain, suffering and hardship—the winds tearing at everything that is meant to bring two souls together and when it is finally set free—it flourishes deeper and more brilliant and the bonds that are forged are unbreakable. Tell me Draco Malfoy—have you come this far to give up now?"

Draco's expression darkened as he said unequivocally, "I'm never giving her up."

"Then stop trying to find reasons to find fault and know that even after everything you both have suffered—Hermione still chose you."

"I just don't want..."

"She won't." Aphrodite's words were like stone. Cold and firm. "Hermione has waited a long time for you to be ready for her. She's too stubborn, to give you up now and if I'm not mistaken—you have a bit of that same unbending resilience inside of you too."

Draco chuckled and nodded. "That I do."

"Then my work here is done." The Goddess placed a gentle hand on his arm and then moved it up and patted an area over his robes with a wicked grin. "When you're ready...know that she will give you the answer you seek."

Swallowing heavily, Draco bowed his head in thanks. "I don't know what I've done to deserve your consideration, My Lady—but I am grateful for it all the same."

Aphrodite lifted a single elegant eyebrow in amusement. "I go where I'm needed most."

Draco watched as the Goddess moved back into the shadows and then she was gone. Walking back towards the food basket...he picked it up and quickly made his way down the stairs and back to the Room of Requirement. When he opened the door, he breathed a sigh of relief as Hermione was still sleeping peacefully. Taking off his robes and remaining clothes—Draco moved under the covers and enveloped his witch into his embrace...smiling softly when she hummed his name even in sleep.

He would always remember the Goddess words to him.

He might be a right prick and a stubborn git but he was also smart enough to know that for some inexplicable reason, his prayers had finally been answered.

And he was more grateful than he could ever imagine being for his good fortune and his amazing witch.