Goodness gracious, it's the last chapter! I can't believe it. Four years of writing and editing and rewriting and random thoughts at two am, it's finally done. It's been a whirlwind and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my imagination with you.

I have begun writing the sequel and let's hope it doesn't take four years to write!

*.*.*.*

Twenty — Second Chances

I get older and life fades but you remain
open up again
I believe in second chances
please let me in
oh I believe in second chances
I won't break you
I will not let you down
open up again
I believe in second chances

It was all over.

Voldemort was gone, every last piece of him. Harry was a Horcrux, and she was so sure her best friend was gone — dead — in order for everyone else to have a better life not half an hour ago. But he rolled out of Hagrid's arms and Draco threw him his wand and damn she couldn't tell if her heart was soaring because of Harry being alive or of Draco showing his true loyalty.

Before Voldemort appeared with Harry's body, Hermione and Ron had destroyed the cup in the Chamber of Secrets and he was talking about the house elves being real people and she just couldn't fucking help it. Five years of repressed feelings and confusion just exploded and she kissed him.

She kissed him … and she had the worst realization she could have.

He wasn't Draco Malfoy.

He noticed her somber expression as she pulled away and nodded silently. He knew, he understood, it was okay, they would be okay.

After emerging from the chamber, they found Ginny standing in front of the part of the swamp Flitwick had kept from when the twins left Hogwarts two years ago. She was crying.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked, reaching out to put a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"He's gone," she choked out.

"How did you know that Harry went to Him?" Ron asked.

"Not Harry," she cried. "Fred. He … Ron, he …" Ginny couldn't speak, she just threw her arms around Hermione and sobbed.

Ron practically flew down the staircases to the Great Hall. After throwing open the doors and seeing the huddled redheads, he forgot about everything — his best friend, his desire to kill Voldemort — and hurried to go cry with George, who had lost not only his twin, but more importantly, his best friend.

Now, after it was all said and done, she was by herself, wandering the Hogwarts grounds in search of wounded or dead bodies. She had seen enough death and destruction for a lifetime — now all she wanted to do was sleep for weeks.

"Hermione," he said her name quietly from the shadows in the courtyard, and she whirled around to see him walking out from behind a wall. There were still people milling about, trying to find items or people to save from the wreckage. She was worried someone would see him, because if a Ministry official saw him, it was likely he would end up in Azkaban, at least for a little while. But she rushed to him anyway and threw her arms around him.

She was crying almost instantaneously as her body collided into his, all the emotion washing over her in waves. His arms wrapped around her torso and he pulled her close. Everything that had happened in the last year felt like a lifetime ago — the only thing that mattered was this very moment. The feel of his arms around her and the sound of his heart beating in his chest, that was it.

Pulling her upper body away from his, she stared up at him, "You gave Harry your wand."

"Well," he said, raising his eyebrows, "the man's wand was broken, or so I understand. There was no way he could defeat Voldemort with it or any replacement."

Hermione let out a breathy laugh and refused to let go of him. "Why didn't you leave?"

His forefinger skimmed her jaw and he held her cheek in his hand. "If I fled … I would never get to have a life with you. If I ran, I wouldn't be able to see you, or love you, or have a future with you." She understood the words he was saying, but she knew what was going to happen next. It's only a matter of time before Kingsley enters the courtyard and takes him away. "I just need … I need you to give me a second chance," he whispered and she almost laughed. "Well, it's more like a hundred and second chance —"

"I love you," she cut his sentence off with a quick kiss before continuing, "I love you, and I never stopped."

"I love you too, 'Mione," he chuckled and kissed her again, this time much more thoroughly. "I promise, this is, this is the last time you will ever need to forgive me. I am never going to break your heart again."

She swallowed back more tears and buried her face into his chest. "After all of this … is fixed, we're going to start again, okay?"

They were complete oblivious as to the crowd of onlookers that was gathering around them. It was a bizarre sight — a member of Harry Potter's closest friends wrapped up with a known Death Eater — but no one interrupted their moment. In fact, those who watched and knew of the relationship couldn't help but smile at the reunion.

No one, except Kingsley Shacklebolt.

He approached them slowly, having already captured the rest of the Death Eaters that hadn't been able to escape the grounds of Hogwarts fast enough and hoping to give them as much time as possible for a decent goodbye.

"Hermione …"

She looked at Kingsley sadly and begged, "Please, just a few more minutes."

"No, it's okay," Draco said, slowly releasing Hermione's body.

"No, no!" Hermione protested, gripping his hand. "Wait —"

"'Mione, it's okay." Draco nodded, but she shook her head helplessly. "You're going to focus on fixing the castle and supporting the Weasleys and helping Harry with what happens next. You are not going to worry about me, I'm gonna be fine." She started crying again during his declaration and she weakly protested as he made her release his hand. Kingsley put the magical handcuffs on his wrists with an apologetic look towards Hermione. "I love you," Draco half-smiled and she hugged him one more time.

"I love you," she responded through her tears and let go of him. He, along with the other captured Death Eaters, were led away and until they finally Apparated from the remains of the Hogwarts castle.

And, like a switch was turned on, it began to rain.

Most of those who had been watching the interaction between Hermione and Draco hurried inside the castle to stay somewhat dry, but Hermione stood in the courtyard and cried while getting soaked with the rainwater as she stared at the spot where Draco had Apparated away.

It rained.

It rained.

And it rained.