Disclaimer-- All of the places, people, etc. you recognize were created by J.K. Rowling

AN: Thanks for all of the reviews! To the people who commented about the "section": I didn't put my fic into any specific section; I listed Harry and Hermione as the two main characters. While writing this, I focused on them for the most part. I could only list two, so they were the two I chose. Again: They are the main characters, nowhere do I mention them being a couple! I'm sorry if I've disappointed you. To anti-d/hr, I'm glad you have preferences, but maybe you need to broaden your horizons.... just a thought.

Now, on with the story!

Chapter Nine-- The Year Draws to a Close

Now that the snow had melted and the sun was bringing up the new, April grass, Hargid's lessons moved back outside. The sixth years were still learning about the magical phoenix, although their studies of the bird were drawing to a close. Hermione and Draco had thoroughly enjoyed the unit, not only because it meant they could spend time together without arising suspicion, but also because they were fond of Helios, their bird. He had grown to be very beautiful, and was more intelligent than ever, but was a bit of a trouble maker. He would untie people's shoe-laces, then when they bent down to tie them, he would pull their hair gently, repeating the trick until he was given a treat.

"No more," said Hermione, giving him some seed after he undid her shoelaces for the third time. Helios wandered off to find someone slightly more generous while Hermione and Draco cleaned out his cage.

"We're almos' done with the phoenix, they'll be gone next week. Yeh've all done a good job wid 'em. Half o' your exam is figured on how well yeh raised yer bird. The rest is jus' the information we've covered throughout the year. When yer done takin' care of the cages, class is dismissed."

"Where is he going to take them?" asked Hermione worriedly.

"What, hun?" said Draco.

"Hagrid said the phoenix would be gone next week. Where is he going to take them?"

"I dunno. They're pretty expensive. He'll probably sell them to someone."

"He can't sell Helios!"

"I know. I'm really going to miss the little guy." Draco stroked his head affectionately.

"You're just going to let him be taken away?" she demanded.

"What else can we do?"

"I'm going to go talk to Hagrid," she decided.

Hermione approached Hagrid angrily. "Hagrid! What did you say about the phoenix being gone next week?"

"Oh, they're bein' sold to Eeylops Owl Emporium next Wednesday. What's wrong?" he asked as a tear streamed down her cheek.

"Hagrid, could I come by on Tuesday to say good-bye to Helios?"

"O' course," he said gently.

Draco walked up. "Ready, Mione?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

The rest of their classmates had already disappeared back into the castle. They headed up toward Hogwarts in silence. Both were saddened at the prospect of loosing their new pet. Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and squeezed it tightly, offering her strength and support. She quickly squeezed back and smiled at him. Draco walked her up to Gryffindor Tower. "I'll see you at lunch," he said.

"Ok. Bye, love."

"Purple pine tree," said Hermione to the Fat Lady. She walked in the portrait hole and sat down next to Brynna, who was relaxing with the rest of the group in front of the fireplace. Harry was showing them all the letter again. It was signed "Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic," and officially released Sirius Black from all charges of espionage and murder, as well as Remus Lupin and Harry Potter from the charges of aiding a felon. The letter had come that morning, after the hearing, where Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, and Lily's diary had testified.

"So does this mean you don't have to go back to the Dursleys' house?" asked Brynna.

"Right," said Harry excitedly. "In two months, I'll be living with Sirius and Remus in Hogsmeade!"

"Two months!" exclaimed Hermione. "We've got to start studying for exams!"

Everyone laughed.

"Er, Harry...?" she asked.

"What, Mione?" said Harry, looking up from his letter.

"So you know, it's not who you're with, but how much you like them, right? That's why you want to live with Remus and Sirius...."

"Right. What are you talking about?" Harry looked at her strangely. Brynna and Ginny exchanged knowing looks.

She took a deep breath. "I like Draco Malfoy. We've been dating for two months."

"What?" exclaimed Harry and Ron together.

Hermione didn't respond. The silence grew, pressing on her until she felt she would suffocate.

"Say something. Are you mad? Are you happy? Do you hate me?" she asked the boys in desperation. They only looked at her.

"Hermione," said Harry slowly. "Why would we hate you? If you like Malfoy, there's nothing we can do, except be happy for you. As long as we don't have to like him."

"Yeah," said Ron. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well, I didn't want you to be angry or anything."

Harry gave her a hug. "You shouldn't have worried. We'll always be best friends. Mountain trolls, giant spiders, Voldemort, Snape... nothing can stop us."

"Thanks, guys."

"Awww," said Ginny. "This is so perfect!"

"Yeah," agreed Brynna, "too cute."

"Wait a minute," said Ron. "Did you two know?"

"Know what? Us? Didn't have a clue," said Brynna, a guilty smile on her face.

Harry groaned. "These girls. They always stick together. We've been outnumbered, Ron."

"Yeah, but I could get used to it," he said, giving Brynna a kiss.

Ginny took her cue and planted one on Harry.

"Gross you guys. Either get a room or I'll go get Draco," protested Hermione.

Ron and Harry immediately broke away from their girlfriends. "Ok," said Harry. "We'll behave."

"Harry Potter, behaving?" said Hermione in disbelief. "I'll believe it when I see it!"

Harry threw a cushion at her, and the five friends broke out into a pillow fight.

Even with the excitement of Sirius's pardon, Hermione made sure that they were all keeping up on their studying. Exams were closing in. The five Gryffindors had reluctantly added a Slytherin to their clan, and the three couples could be found studying in the library nearly ever evening. Trying to study, to be more precise. More often than not, one of the girls had to referee an argument between the boys. As much as Harry and Ron tried to tolerate their friend's significant other, they still had a hard time being nice to Draco Malfoy. Madame Pince had threatened to kick them out several times after taunts of "Weasel", "ferret," and "Golden Boy" were flung across the table.

The first day of exams came quicker than expected, and it was hot and humid. Hermione was confident she had earned top marks, but she was relieved when the last test had been turned in. She had agreed to meet Draco down by the lake when she finished with Muggle Studies. He was watching the Giant Squid when she approached, and there was a large, bulky object, covered in bright blue cloth on the ground beside him. He looked up as she sat down next to him. She leaned over to receive a kiss.

"Hey. What have you got there?"

"A surprise. How did your Muggle Studies exam go?"

"It was easy. A surprise?"

"For you."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Why don't you open it and find out?"

She pulled the cloth away and was startled by a sound of flapping wings. "Helios!" she cried out. "I missed you." She opened the cage door and he scrambled out into her lap, pushing his head up under her chin affectionately. "How did you do this?" she asked Draco.

"I had a friend go to Eeylops and purchase him for me. It's a Congratulations for getting the best grades in the class' gift," he said teasingly.

"How do you know I got the best grades? I think Snape failed me on the Potions exam."

"Right," he said. "You know you did the best. You worry too much. Besides, I like getting you presents."

"Thank you," she said, giving him a kiss. Helios protested, darting between them and flapping his feathers.

Draco and Hermione laughed. "I got some food for him, too." Draco handed her a small package she hadn't noticed before. Helios eyed the package carefully, poking at it with his beak.

The unlikely couple relaxed in the sun for a while, enjoying each other's company. As the sun began to set, Hermione put her new pet back into his cage and they walked back up to the castle to get ready for dinner. As usual, Draco accompanied Hermione on the walk to the Fat Lady. Reaching the Gryffindor entrance, he kissed her hand and promised to return to escort her to dinner.

True to his word, he was waiting there for her after she had put Helios in her dorm and changed her robes and redone her hair. They walked down to the end-of-year feast with Brynna, Ron, Harry, and Ginny. The Great Hall was decorated in green and silver, with a huge banner with the Slytherin serpent covering the wall behind the High Table. Draco left the Gryffindors at their table and walked to his own in solitude. The rest of Slytherin was already there, laughing and talking. They were much different than the somber bunch that had sat down at this table at the beginning of the year.

After everyone had entered and been seated, Dumbledore stood to give a speech. "Here we are again!" he began cheerfully. "Another year has passed. Hopefully, your heads are a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer to get them nice and empty before next year starts. Time to award the House Cup. The points stand thus: Ravenclaw in fourth, with three-hundred and twelve points, Hufflepuff in third, with three-hundred and ninety points, Gryffindor in second, with four-hundred and fifty points, and Slytherin, for the first time in five years, has taken first place, with four-hundred and fifty-two points." The tables all clapped and cheered. "Well done to all of you; it was very close, especially for Slytherin and Gryffindor... it came down to a Quiddich match, I believe." Dumbledore winked and nodded discreetly to Draco. "Now, we can eat!"

The golden plates filled with food, and the talking subsided as people began to eat. After the meal, they slowly filtered out of the Great Hall, reluctant to leave. Draco joined Hermione as they passed through the doors. "Congratulations on winning the House Cup," she said sincerely.

"I take full credit," he said sarcastically.

"No really, if you hadn't beaten Harry to that Snitch, we would've won the Quiddich Cup, and then..."

"Well..." he said.

"How did you do it, anyway?"

"Do what?"

"Get the Snitch. I mean, I never asked you, what was up with all of that twisting and broom acrobatics. You don't normally fly like that, do you?"

"Nah," said Draco. "At first, I thought I saw the Snitch, and when he followed me, I had the idea to just keep being kind of wild. I figured it would either distract him or he'd ignore me when I finally did find the Snitch, and it worked."

"It was a pretty good idea."

"Thanks." He paused. "You wouldn't be interested in paying ol' Salazar a visit tonight, would ya?"

She smiled. "Sounds like fun."

"You remember the password."

"Helen's Daughter."

He smiled. "See you there in a while?"

"Ok."

Hermione left in the direction of the tower, leaving Draco behind. The last few weeks Draco had been wondering if he was dreaming. How on earth could a girl like Hermione fall for me? he kept asking himself. After she disappeared around a corner, he shook himself from his thoughts and hurried toward the dungeons, anxious to make sure everything was just right for their secret meeting.

AN: Bonus points to anyone who catches the allusion to Greek mythology! :) Thanks for reading!