For the first time in a very long time, Draco Malfoy could say that he was completely happy. Well, maybe not completely but he was close enough. The only thing that was ruining his mood was the trial that was coming up a lot faster than he expected it to and the fact that when it was over, he would most likely be ripped away from Granger. But that was mostly covered up by the amount of time he was currently spending with Granger, his first years, and the exams that had just finished a few days ago. He was currently with one of those distractions, and that fact thrilled him. Draco found that spending time with the first years, even the expanding group of them, made him almost as happy as being with Granger made him. So, sitting with Elizabeth and one of the Gryffindors, Ben, and helping them compile a list of activities for their group meetings the next year delighted him. Not that he planned on admitting that.

So far Draco hadn't been incredibly helpful, but he was content to just sit with the two students on the grounds and listen to their chatter. He was working on a letter to Blaise, explaining what was going on with Granger and their situation. Draco had decided when he wrote Blaise that first time that he could allow himself to reach out to one old friend, and Blaise had been his pick. Maybe it was because he'd been the least crazy out of all of them or because he seemed to have his life together now, but Draco didn't actually care. It was nice to have a friend outside of Hogwarts, someone that could truthfully tell him what it was like for everyone else. And according to Blaise, it was awful.

But Draco was happy. Sure it was the last day of the school year, his last day at Hogwarts, but he was happy. The first years were getting along and figuring out a way to improve their lives during the school year and create friendships that would last. Granger seemed to have a huge weight lifted off her shoulders since exams finished. She still worried a lot about what her scores would be and about his trial, but overall she seemed much happier. And he definitely preferred the happy Granger he was seeing now to the stressed one he'd been observing before. Things just felt right when she was happy; when she wasn't Draco immediately felt worse as well.

The longer he sat that afternoon with the first years the more came and joined. First it was Jacob, though Draco wasn't surprised because Jacob seemed to adore Elizabeth. Then it was the Hufflepuff that Draco didn't know the name of. After that the rest of the Slytherins joined them with the other Gryffindor and the Ravenclaw, Sheila, with them. Another few minutes later a few other young looking students joined them. Along with them came Granger, who was chatting animatedly to a Ravenclaw that Draco didn't know the name of. But he didn't know the name of a lot of students, so that didn't really surprise him.

They continued, each one throwing out more and more ideas until they had a list long enough to last the entire year and possibly a few meetings into the next year. Draco was proud of them all for their suggestions as they seemed to be halfway decent. Draco wished, momentarily, that he'd had the same opportunity but there was no going back now.

He was sitting to the side with Granger, not really paying much attention anymore since Granger was pressed up against his side and watching the younger students with a sad expression on her face. "I can't believe we're almost done," she whispered suddenly, obviously trying not to attract the attention of the first years. "It can't have been that long ago that we were just like them, right?"

"A couple of years," he shrugged. "After everything that's happened I would think you would be excited to be done,"

"And leave this?" she asked, gesturing at the castle and the grounds. "I almost wish I could do seventh year again,"

"Take it from someone who's done it twice, Granger, you really don't,"

She laughed quietly and rolled her eyes. "You've never loved school the way I do,"

"Honestly I don't think anyone has,"

Draco fought the urge to smile as she shook her head sadly at his words. Then again Granger was sad every time someone hated school, so he shouldn't have been so amused by that fact. "Hey, lovebirds," the Gryffindor, Ben, called with a large grin on his face.

"Oh shut up, you!" Elizabeth said, struggling to hold back a laugh. "They want to keep their incredibly obvious relationship a secret, so let them!"

"But I want to know-"

"Ben, they're done with school after today. They don't care about anything anymore," the Hufflepuff said, rolling his eyes.

"Correction-We do care about you guys and what you'll be doing," Granger said loudly, earning a round of smiles from the first years.

"Correction-She cares about you and what you'll be doing," Draco said. To that the Slytherins laughed along with Jacob. The others looked confused for a second before they smiled nervously and chuckled as well.

"Very funny," Granger said, shoving his shoulder. "Are you okay if we go for a walk?"

"I guess that's okay," Draco muttered, standing up and brushing the dirt off his clothes. Granger stood up as well and waved to the younger students, who shouted their farewells as Draco led Granger away from the group. Their walk, which led them around the grounds and the Black Lake, consisted mostly of Granger walking him through everything she'd found to try and make a plan for what was going to happen at his trial. It was still a few days away but she wanted everything solidified. He was actually very surprised that she hadn't tried to write to his mother to talk about what she'd found.

Draco ended up in the common room once they'd parted ways, and Granger had gone to find her friends and see if they'd finished packing their things. Draco had always known they weren't organized but he hadn't ever known exactly how much they needed Granger. He should have known though, they always tended to rely on her. He had to finish packing himself. Most of what was left in his room were a few books that he'd thrown around after a long night of studying with Granger. All he had to do with those was figure out some way to fit those into his trunk and then he would be good.

It wasn't long afterwards that he finished packing. Draco wasn't sure what he was supposed to do with the rest of his day so he decided to walk back to the common room and sit down in the chair he'd originally claimed as his. He hadn't really sat there in a while, as most of his nights had been spent sitting on the floor with Granger, but he had nothing better to do and Granger wasn't there with him.

He ended up sitting there until dinner with a book he'd rescued from his trunk. Though half of his time wasn't even spent reading. He was eager to reach the end of the school year and leave Hogwarts, but he couldn't help but think about his trial. Though honestly, he was sure if any other person was in his position they would be focused on that as well.

Dinner came around a lot faster than Draco expected it to. It was their last dinner at Hogwarts and he was sure that, while he would miss the food, he wouldn't miss the noise of the great hall at all. He was already getting irritated with the excited chatter he was hearing as he approached the great hall, though he could hear tears as well and that only made him uncomfortable. Draco was well aware that leaving Hogwarts would be hard for some of the seventh years, but he didn't realize they would be in tears over it. He could only hope that Granger wasn't one of them; he'd seen her cry before and it wasn't something he wanted to see again.

He ended up surrounded by the first year Slytherins, who were talking excitedly about their plans for the summer. Elizabeth was bragging that Granger had agreed to write to her and try to help with their group for the next school year. Draco listened and attempted not to smile at how they were acting; he'd been nothing like that at the end of his first year. Everything had been fairly tense when he was a first year because of what had happened with Quirrell and Potter, and that seemed to be the case each year after that. But these Slytherins seemed to be happy and that fact pleased him; it was about time people were able to be happy.

"If you wouldn't mind," McGonagall said suddenly, standing up in the middle of dinner and looking around the great hall with something that resembled a smile on her face. "I would like to say a few words," Draco was reminded, for a second, that Dumbledore often said similar words during feasts. "It is, once again, the end of another school year as I'm sure you're all aware,"

There were cheers from most of the hall and the professors seemed about as happy as the students did. "To many of you we will be saying goodbye," McGonagall continued once the cheering quieted down. "I would simply like to take this moment to acknowledge the accomplishments of our seventh years, for they have done a great deal for this school since they first walked through the doors," A loud round of applause sounded through the hall and Draco could tell that a lot of people were looking toward Potter, Granger, and Weasley. He wasn't surprised by that, as most of the good done for the school had been done by them. However there were quite a number of people looking at Longbottom too, which Draco understood as well. "However I would also like to have a moment of silence for those who should have been with us tonight,"

Silence swept through the hall faster than the applause. Elizabeth, who was seated to Draco's right, looked at him and frowned sadly. Draco himself shifted uncomfortably and stared at the table, unwilling to look at the rest of the people in the great hall. "Thank you," McGonagall said, interrupting the heavy silence with a reassuring smile. "I hope you all enjoy the remainder of your meal. The train back to Kings Cross Station leaves at eleven tomorrow morning, just to remind you. Also, Delegates, I would like to see you in my office once dinner is finished," With that she sat down and picked up her fork, beginning to eat once more.

Draco glanced at Boot first, who was giving him a confused look, only to find Granger and Abbott looking at each other in the same manner. Boot shrugged slightly and went back to his meal and Draco caught Granger's eye. She only smiled slightly before turning away and talking to her friends. "What does she want with you guys? It's the end of the year, honestly, what can you do now?" Anthony asked, giving Draco a suspicious look.

"No clue," he muttered, avoiding the younger boys gaze and picking at his own meal. Draco got the feeling that Anthony knew more about everything than he let on, and was only asking to have his suspicions confirmed. It was probably the look the younger boy had in his eyes that led Draco to that conclusion. He wasn't going to go off and explain things like that to the Slytherin though, as he had other things to worry about.

After the announcement Draco was sure everyone was rushing dinner. Or at least it felt like that's what people were doing because he was soon leaving the great hall. Draco reached McGonagall's office before the others so he decided to stand outside the door. He didn't know if McGonagall would already be in the room and Draco wasn't in the mood to sit uncomfortably with her in silence.

"I can't believe we're done," he heard Abbott say. She wasn't in the corridor yet but Draco knew her voice tended to carry, so at least she was close. And if she was close then Boot was probably with her and there was always the possibility they'd dragged Granger with them as well. "I mean all these years and now they just expect us to leave without complaint? It's-"

"Home, as Harry would put it," Granger said as they walked around the corner. "You could have waited for us," she said. Draco knew she was talking to him even though her gaze was fixed on Abbott.

"Didn't feel like it," he shrugged, watching Boot roll his eyes and Granger frown.

"Of course you didn't," Boot muttered.

"I often don't,"

"That's why I said of course, Malfoy," A smile hinted at Boot's mouth as he spoke, and Draco felt like he wanted to smile as well. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I will miss this whole thing. With all of you,"

"And why is that so hard to believe?" Abbott asked, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

"Because that includes Malfoy," he said, making Draco roll his eyes. Abbott laughed and Granger smiled slightly before walking over to stand next to Draco.

"Shall we go in?" Granger asked, changing the subject and glancing at the door.

"Is McGonagall even in there?"

"I'd assume so," Abbott said, shrugging. Without another word she pushed the door open and walked in, head held high and a smile on her face.

They all followed her, taking their usual place in the chairs around McGonagall's desk. For a few minutes they sat with only quiet chatter before the door was pushed open and McGonagall strode in, a pleased look on her face. "I wanted to congratulate you all personally for your accomplishments from this year," she stated, taking her own seat. "For its first year, this program has proved to be a success. You've brought people together and you've made plans for the future to help them come together as well. And I believe the four of you have grown closer over the past year as well," She glanced toward Granger for a moment before looking at Draco, who dropped his eyes to avoid her gaze.

"Thank you, Professor," Abbott said, smiling. "I think I speak for us all when I say I'm pleased I got this opportunity,"

"I'm glad you feel that way, Miss Abbott," McGonagall said, happiness clear in her eyes. "I do believe the four of you were the best for the job," Draco refrained from rolling his eyes; it was the last night and he didn't want to disrespect McGonagall at the moment. "Anyway, Mr. Boot, Miss Abbott, I don't want to keep you but I did want to tell you how pleased I am with what you've accomplished this year. You are dismissed,"

They hurried from the room quickly and Granger looked at McGonagall in confusion. "Professor? Is there something you need from Draco and I?" she asked once the door had closed.

"I just wanted to know when the two of you planned on informing me of Mr. Malfoy's trial," she said, her voice losing the happiness it had held only moment ago.

"How did you-"

"Your mother wrote me weeks ago, Mr. Malfoy. I wanted to give you the opportunity to come to me on your own but you chose not to do so. Being the last night I thought I should come to you myself,"

"But how did you know that Granger-"

"Honestly, you two," McGonagall said, sighing heavily. "I've known there was something going on between you for months. Of course Miss Granger would know. You know you need her, Mr. Malfoy,"

"I-" he began, as Granger began a protest of her own.

"No, I don't want to hear it. Miss Granger I assume you've been researching to your heart's content?"

"Of course, Professor," Granger said, a bit surprised.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you would share that information with me. Mr. Malfoy I will write to your mother in the morning and I would like to help you at your trial,"

"McGonagall-"

"Saying no is not an option, in case you were wondering," she said strictly.

"I-Thank you, then, Professor," he said, the words feeling odd on his tongue. But he didn't want to argue with her and get into a fight, as that would do him no good.

Minutes later they were leaving the office and heading back to their common room. Granger kept talking, mostly about information she'd found for his trial, though every now and then she would mention how sad she was to leave the castle. Once they reached the common room they spent most of their time discussing the exams they'd recently finished in front of the sofa, much to Boot and Abbott's annoyance. But Draco didn't care; it was one of his last opportunities to have a normal night with Granger. Of course they had to retire to their rooms once midnight came around, but there was the promise of sitting together on the train the following morning.

Granger, as per usual, kept her promise. On the way back to London they sat together, Granger's friends occasionally visiting and talking to her about something or another. Their conversation drifted from topic to topic until they got off the train in a heavy debate about whether or not muggle writing utensils were better than quills. It was one of the oddest conversations he'd had but Draco was happy just to talk to her.

"Don't be ridiculous," Granger was saying, gesturing wildly with her hands as she struggled to contain laughter. She too knew how idiotic they were being, talking about the advantages of a writing utensil, but it was a topic that took their minds off Draco's trial. "You always have to dip a quill in ink, with a pen it's-"

"Draco," The stern voice interrupted her words and they both froze. Granger had her eyes trained on the shoes of his mother while Draco himself was looking at her raised eyebrows. "Well? Do I get an introduction?"

"Oh, you-" he began, though Granger quickly interrupted him.

"My name is Hermione Granger, Mrs. Malfoy," she said, unfreezing and offering her hand to his mother. Draco stared at her with widened eyes at how unafraid she was. Most people cowered under the cold gaze of his mother but Granger seemed to be handling it well. "It's a pleasure to meet you,"

His mother took her hand and shook it slowly, regarding her carefully. "The same to you, Miss Granger,"

"Mother, you-"

"I can handle anyone who makes my son happy," she said quietly, switching her gaze so she was looking at Draco. "Hurry and say goodbye, Draco, we must be going,"

She took a step away then and looked at the train with narrowed eyes. "Write, will you?" Granger asked quietly. "Before the trial. Because I will be there for that, there's nothing you can do to stop me,"

"I'll try," he answered, unsure of it he would actually follow through on the words. "I'll see you soon then, Granger?"

She nodded and offered him a small smile before she glanced around the platform. "I'm supposed to find Mrs. Weasley," she said, explaining her actions. "She had something she wanted to tell me,"

"I see,"

"Draco don't be-" She stopped talking as soon as he leaned forward and carefully pressed his lips to her cheek.

"I'm not upset," he said quietly, raising an eyebrow at the color that was rising to her cheeks. "I-I'll miss you, Granger,"

"Draco we'll see each other in a few days and you've promised to write," she said, rolling her eyes and his unease.

"But if-"

"Everything will be okay, Draco. Don't worry,"

He believed her, when she said the words. He believed pretty much everything she said now because he knew Granger had no reason to lie to him and would be irritated if she had to do so. The thought had him leaning in again and quickly pressing his lips to her, not caring at his mother was only a few feet away and would probably disapprove of the action.

It was a delighted squeal that had him pulling away. Draco looked to the left, his face still rather close to Granger's, only to find Elizabeth standing there with the other Slytherins and a large group of parents surrounding them. "Finally!" she said excitedly. "Oh I can't wait to find out what happens between you two. I knew this would happen, Daniel, didn't I say this would happen?"

"You did," he agreed, rolling his eyes.

"Glad you two finally got the courage to take things public," Elizabeth smirked. "Please, don't mind us, continue,"

"Elizabeth," a tall man snapped. "Control yourself,"

"She's fine, Sir," Granger said, stepping back and laughing. "Just write to me, okay? We can talk about it if you want to,"

"Of course I'll want to," Elizabeth managed to say before she was dragged away, complaining the entire time, by her parents. The other Slytherins said their goodbyes and Draco nodded at each of them until he was once again left standing with Granger.

"I should go," she said finally, frowning. "I don't want to keep Mrs. Weasley waiting,"

"Of course. Goodbye, Granger," he said, waving at her as she turned and walked away. Draco was sad to see her go, but one look at his mother had him forgetting all about that. "Are you-You're happy?" he asked, his eyes wide as he stared at his mother. She did look happier than he'd seen her in a long time.

"I'm happy to see you happy. Things will work themselves out, Draco, believe me," And with that she grabbed his arm and they disappeared from the platform. Draco could only think for a moment that it was the last time in a very long time that he would be back there. And little did he know, it had been the last time in what felt like a very long time that he would get to kiss Granger.