After a short discussion in which they speculated on the reasons for Trevor's behavior, the four friends finished their homework as quickly as they could, and even Zacharias, who had been dreadfully behind the others, managed to finish an hour or two after sunset. As they yawned and stretched, Ginny and Zacharias announced that they were going to turn in for the night, as patrolling and meeting with the Prefects had really taken the energy out of them. However, they insisted that they listen to Lady Montecino along with Hermione and Draco.

So Hermione and Draco put their things away in their rooms as Zacharias and Ginny waited patiently with their book bags at the portrait door. Then they all stepped outside the common room and were facing Lady Montecino, who seemed to have been waiting for them. "Hello, students." she said warmly.

They all murmured greetings and Lady Montecino started saying, "Before I begin-" only to be cut off by Hermione.

"Lady Montecino, who are you?" she asked curiously, although blushing for her uncharacteristic impudence. "The way you were painted suggests that you were born well before Hogwarts was founded, I'd say, in the 10th century, but for some reason, you're wearing a necklace with the Gryffindor Lion, gold with either rubies or garnets."

Lady Montecino smiled sadly. "Yes, you're quite right, Miss Granger. I must say, you are very observant as well as knowledgeable. I guess we can start with that story first, then."

She sighed again, and then continued on. "I never attended Hogwarts as a student, nor was I a teacher. I went to Hogwarts for a different reason; to visit Godric Gryffindor. No biography on Gryffindor will ever note this, but we had a… relationship. It was secret, that's why. Godric was a brave and courageous man, except when it came to love. He gave me a material symbol of it-" here, she pointed to the necklace on her throat, "-but he refused to express his love publicly. While all the other founders of Hogwarts married and had families, Godric remained single, saying that he was bound to the school and could not share himself with another. How my heart broke to hear of it! I took my own life in the end, to end my heartbreak, and to end his conflict." she finished simply.

Hermione stood, rooted to the spot. Again, a portrait was talking to her about their experience with love! This one hit her deep. Her own House's founder, the daring Godric Gryffindor, was a coward when it came to pronouncing his love publicly. She couldn't say anything, and it was Ginny who finally spoke for her. "Lady Montecino… your story… it's so tragic…"

The beautiful woman laughed quietly. "Not tragic enough that they recorded it in any history books, though. Let's not talk about this now. I know you are all happily with someone you love at the moment, and I don't want to spoil your dreams."

Ginny, Hermione, and Draco turned to look at Zacharias, who had turned a bright shade of scarlet. "Erm..." he said weakly. "Don't we want to find out about Trevor?"

"Ahh, yes." said Lady Montecino, forcing the other students to direct their attention back to her, although Zacharias was sure that they wouldn't forget this and would interrogate him later.

"On that afternoon, I was taking a nap, when I heard footsteps. They didn't sound like your footsteps, though." she said, looking at Draco and Hermione. "So I kept my eyes closed and listened. It seemed to be two people that were rather heavy and well-built, so I assumed it to be two males. I was right, for when they reached this landing, I peeked through my eyelashes, and saw two boys. One was short and broad with black hair, and his eyes were blank as he trudged along. The other one was tall and willowy with blond hair, and he was very alert. He seemed to be deciding what to do with the smaller boy, and was tapping his leg with his wand as he frowned at the dazed boy. But after a few minutes, the smaller boy started twitching and blinking, and the tall boy didn't notice as he studied my falsely-sleeping self. Finally, the smaller boy became fully conscious of where he was, and drew his wand. He was far too naïve, though, for he used a verbal spell, and the taller boy easily leapt aside. They started throwing curses at each other, and I finally opened my eyes to tell them to stop immediately. They didn't listen, however, and I could only watch in horror until finally, I was hit by a particularly nasty and surely illegal hex that the smaller boy cast. I felt as if I were being cut all over and burned, and I was on the brink of passing out. However, before I did, I saw the taller boy, taking advantage of the smaller boy's shock at seeing me in my disastrous state, shoot the Imperius Curse at the small boy, and he went back to the same dazed state. After that, I was unconscious until they repaired me today."

"So, all this time, Jimmy's been innocent, only acting the way he was because of Trevor." whispered Ginny. "Even when he was up at the Owlery trying to frighten you, it was just another plot of Trevor's!"

"Not sure about that." Draco growled. "It seems Peakes has his own problems, too, shooting illegal hexes. And I think that his story at the Owlery was entirely his own, as well. No matter, no matter, though. It's over now. They're going to be thoroughly punished at the Ministry, once Peakes gets out of St. Mungo's. I wonder if Birch managed to jinx him badly before he was detained, for that would explain why he's in the hospital."

"Or maybe it's because he has the long-lasting effects of being Imperiused for too long, which proves my theory." contested Ginny.

Zacharias snorted. "A week is not 'too long.' And I'm sure that Birch couldn't have been that powerful, even if he is of age already. His birthday's on September 1st, which could explain why the Trace didn't detect his illegal magic, so that's the only time he could've seen Jimmy to Imperius him. Therefore, Jimmy's only been under the curse for less than a week. I'm with Draco."

"Listen, you-"

"Children." Lady Montecino's sweet voice said. "I don't wish to be the one to say it, but it's late, and you can continue arguing tomorrow, when you have more energy."

"Right you are, Lady M." said Zacharias, and he made a speedy getaway, Disapparating with a "Pop!"

"I guess I'll see you lot tomorrow, then." said Ginny sullenly, and she, too Disapparated.

"Lady Montecino, I know you're right," Hermione began. "but your story, it's really stirred something in me. Might Draco and I go to the Owlery for a moment so I won't make the same mistake my House's founder did?"

Lady Montecino looked surprised, but smiled. "Go ahead, then. As long as you two both have your wands, and don't take too long, that'll be fine."

"Thank you, milady." said Hermione, dashing inside while Draco stood there, nodding his gratitude to the gentle woman.

Hermione was back outside in a few seconds, with ink, a quill, and parchment in her hands. Draco grabbed her elbow, and with a wave of his wand, they were in the chilly confines of the Owlery.

"Bubble!" Draco called, and in a few seconds, the eagle owl descended gracefully onto Draco's outstretched arm. "Hello, pet." he grinned when Bubble nibbled his ear affectionately. Hermione smiled fondly, before remembering she had something important to do. She went over to an open window that had a ledge of clean stone, and spread out the parchment and set down the inkbottle.

Dipping her quill in the ink, she hastily scribbled:

Dear Ron,

I'm sorry this letter's going to be concise, but I think it's best this way. In short, I'm ending our relationship, or what's left of it. I know you've found someone new, and I'm happy for you, as I, too, have found another. So this is freeing you to go after whom you truly want, and I hope we can still be friends. I still love you, Ron, and always will. You and Harry are the best friends anyone could ever want, and I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was for the best. Be safe!

Love,

Hermione

Draco leaned over her shoulder as she signed her name, and pressed his lips to her hair. "Would it be too cruel and slightly unusual if I added a P.S – Draco says 'hi'?"

Hermione laughed at Draco's immature joke, and rolled up the parchment, producing a piece of string with her wand. Draco brought Bubble in front of her, and as she tied the letter to his outstretched leg, he cooed, "Good boy, Bubble! This is your new mistress, Hermione. We'll be sharing you from now on. So be an even better boy and deliver this to her now ex-boyfriend, the Weasel, and you can come live with us in Montecino Tower, alright? You'll even have a new friend, Crookshanks, to keep you company!"

Bubble hooted noncommittally, and Hermione smiled as she finished tying her fateful letter. He would make a great father. she thought happily as Draco pulled her close to him and they watched Bubble fly towards the moon. She had never imagined that she would find someone who she could feel so comfortable and perfect with, least of all in her former enemy. Draco fulfilled every hope she could ever have about her dream man. He was beautiful, of course, but that didn't matter as much to her as the fact that he truly understood her. He was willing to admit he was wrong, no matter how long it took, and he could forgive others, too. For her sake, he would do anything, as long as she was happy.

They chose to walk back to Montecino Tower arm in arm, and when they reached Lady Montecino, she was waiting for them, along with Crookshanks. "You know," she said as she saw the sleepy pair reach the landing, "I'd always wanted children in my lifetime, and I thought that was never going to happen, but now that Professor McGonagall has me moved here, I feel as if I will have many over the next few years, starting with the four of you."

"You would've made a great mother." said Hermione reassuringly. "House Unity." said Draco, and they bid her good night. Crookshanks immediately leapt onto the middle of the couch, signaling that this was to be his bed tonight, and Hermione and Draco laughed. They shared the bathroom quickly, and in no time, were snuggled comfortably in Draco's bed.

As he tucked her head under his chin, Draco suddenly remembered. "Hermione." he murmured gently to the almost-asleep girl. "I need to ask you something. It's important."

"Hmm?" Hermione replied.

"I've wanted to ask you for a while, and now that I've finally gotten my chance… will you go out with me?"

The newest sensation that Draco Malfoy, renowned villain, and Hermione Granger, famous heroine, were now officially dating, spread rampant around the school, and, soon enough, to the press as well. The only other thing that outshined it was Trevor's arrest and his subsequent interrogation. While Ginny and Zacharias took a slight interest in the trial, Hermione and Draco could have cared less. However, Hermione did look through her new Daily Prophet subscription which she received each morning for news of what was going on.

Draco was preparing for the upcoming Quidditch tryouts and Hermione had to deal with a sudden influx of homework that put her nerves on edge. Ginny had swiftly assembled a strong team on Monday night, going on and on about how marvelous they were going to be, making Draco scowl and Zacharias whimper.

On Tuesday night, the cold front came in. Hermione, Ginny, and Draco waited tensely in the Montecino Tower common room as they did homework, wondering how Zacharias was faring. When he finally came in, he looked wind-whipped, mud-splattered, and exhausted. However, he had a smile on his face, and after warming up in front of the perpetually changing-color fireplaces, he began a full account of how promising the team he had assembled was and stating that Hufflepuff House was taking the Quidditch cup for sure this year.

On Wednesday morning, during breakfast, as Hermione and Draco walked towards Ginny and Zacharias in the Great Hall, they could hear the hushed tones of students all around whispering about what Ravenclaw's Quidditch team was going to do without a Captain. Professor McGonagall had not picked out a new one, and Trevor had been declared guilty before the entire Wizengamot. Although his sentence had not been given, most speculated he would be doing time in a now Dementor-free Azkaban, as he technically was of age.

Hermione received her Daily Prophet as she was almost done with breakfast. Only a few had come up for autographs today, so she managed to finish quickly. She thumbed through the articles, impressed with Kingsley's improvements with the Ministry, and, not being able to help herself since she saw her picture in the Comment section, checked there, as well.

Draco received something today, as well. One of the snowy owls that had delivered his broomstick dropped an elegantly enveloped letter in front of him, took a drink out of his goblet, and then flew off without further ado. Hermione set down her Daily Prophet and watched curiously as Draco opened the letter. He read it intently, and Hermione guessed that it was probably something important from his parents, and let him read it alone.

However, about halfway through, his eyes widened, and he crumpled the parchment quickly in his hand, looking behind him anxiously. He quickly stashed the parchment into his pocket, and looked at Hermione with frightened eyes. Hermione was greatly alarmed. "Draco, what's wrong?" she very nearly cried out.

"It's nothing, nothing." he lied smoothly, as Ginny and Zacharias turned to look at the source of Hermione's outburst. Draco's eyes were calm again, and he smirked playfully. "I was overreacting. It's fine."

"Then why did you shove that letter into your pocket?" asked Hermione dryly, not the least bit fooled. Draco's exterior was the epitome of cool and collectiveness, but Hermione could see right through his façade. "Was it from your parents?" she asked quietly.

"Yes." he replied carefully, studying her face, and realizing that she could tell he wasn't truly right. He leaned in and whispered like a summer breeze, "I'll tell you later, during free period. I promise. Just drop it, for now. Trust me."

Hermione searched his eyes and gazed into their crystal depths. If she didn't trust him, who could she trust? "All, right, but keep to your end of the deal."

Draco flashed a grin. "Since when have I ever deceived you?"