Author's note: Here it is, people! The last, and final chapter! It's not too long. It just looks like it because it has the list of my faithful reviewers. I love you guys! And I hope you liked and enjoyed my fic!

Title: The Whole Truth

Author: The*Spangled*Pandemonium

Chapter Title: A Critical Moment (Epilogue)

~~~*~~~

Hermione:

I was dashing through the Hogwarts corridors, looking, in vain, for a person that I loved, through betrayal and through tears. Each step sent another wave of anticipation and anxiety coursing through me.

Ten more minutes till Transfiguration begins! My feverish mind told me, but my heart simply did not care.

I paused and hopped on to one of the moving staircases. Tapping my fingers impatiently on the polished wood banister, I waited for it to shift to the floor where the hospital room lay.

Earlier, when I was in Arithmancy, I had received a quickly scrawled note by Crabbe and Goyle that Draco was already awake in the hospital wing and was looking for me. After fidgeting for a good fifteen minutes on my chair, being unable to find a sufficiently good excuse to get out of Professor Vector's class, all this sprinting was freedom to my soul. The best thing about it was knowing that the ending result of this run would only be good.

If only this damn staircase would move faster.

Once it latched on to the proper floor, I was galloping away again. My legs were starting to ache, but I was almost there.

I passed a group of students, who were probably wondering why Hermione Granger, student extraordinaire was racing like a fine-blooded racehorse through the hallways. My coffee-colored hair whipped behind me as I ran those last few steps to the hospital wing.

Throwing open the door, my wild chocolate eyes searched for the lanky form of Draco Malfoy.

All I saw was Crabbe and Goyle, wandering aimlessly around the room, picking up the stuff that Draco left behind. They both glanced up when they saw me, and I was surprised to see non-malicious smiles emerge on both of their faces.

"He's not here."

I slammed the door behind me, and set off again, this time with less enthusiasm. Crap. I had missed him already. I'd have to wait until after classes to finally find him again, and with my rotten luck, he'd probably in the Slytherin Dorms.

At least I'll make it to Transfiguration in time. I thought, trying to be indifferent to the disappointment that welled up inside of me. But I still need to hurry.

Without waiting for my legs to relax for a while longer, I picked up the pace and, once again, everything became a Technicolor blur. That is, before I ran into what felt like a brick wall.

The person staggered backwards, rubbing his cheekbone painfully with his long fingers. For a moment there I was worried that he'd fall over. Luckily, the person (whoever he was) had a good sense of balance. Probably a Quidditch player or something. My eyes hovered over the previously uninjured guy.

Blonde hair… Gray eyes… Those exquisite features…

"Draco?!" I cried out, embarrassedly. "Damn, I'm sorry!" I could feel myself turn red even as I massaged my aching forehead.

I wanted to run into him, that was sure, but not literally. Fate had a fine way of toying with me.

Then, as if it were choreographed, we both put down our arms at the same time and simply stared at each other.

Brown eyes swallowed Gray. Gray eyes devoured Brown. Now that we were finally in front of each other, none of us knew what to say.

"Umm…" I choked out. "I heard that you were looking for me…"

"But Crabbe said…" His eyes turned a shade darker, and he shook his head laughingly. "Nevermind."

"Right…" I murmured, looking down at the floor. My hands kept on clenching and unclenching, and I couldn't stop blinking.

I could see from the corner of my eye a few people who had witnessed the whole event. Now they watched the both of us with gossip-hungry eyes. This was the first time any of the students had seen both Draco and I alone, and for once, not exchanging words of hate.

"Well, it seems like we have an audience, Hermione." He mumbled, looking at the spectators nervously. "Last time something like this happened, you were lying on the floor, unconscious."

"At least I'm awake this time…" I said, barely managing a small chuckle. Deciding to go straight to the point, I asked him,  "What was it you were going to tell me?"

His silvery orbs were staring straight into mine.

"Hermione…I—I think I love you." He said, his rich voice cutting deep into me. "I'm in love with you."

Before I knew what I was doing, I had taken one step forward. The space between us had melted away. His hands were placed at the small of my back, and my arms were around his neck. And we kissed a long and perfect kiss.

I could hear the squeals of shock from the onlookers, but I didn't care.

Everything was all right.

~finis.

Author's note: There it is people! The closing stage of The Whole Truth! To the people who asked for me to e-mail them when I updated, will you miss those messages? J I'll be posting a new Draco/Hermione story in a while. Just give me enough time to recuperate from this one.

And here's where I recognize the readers who have stayed with me until the end and have been very special to me:

MoonTrail (seven reviews): Yay! Thanks for telling me which chapters and events you enjoy in my fic! Knowing that a certain part went out successful is very comforting to me…Thank you!!!

Mesa Miscina (eight reviews): Well, Its over. Thanks for being one of my most avid readers and for liking the suspense! Sure I'll tell you when I post my next d/h fic… Hope you like it as much as you liked this one! Life is good when you know your work is appreciated. *smiles*

Sila-Chan (four reviews): Hehe! Crabbe and Goyle are just being themselves when they act…Slytherin-like, but this ending scene shows that they're a bit nicer (and more loyal) than what people think. . Thank you for you support and for putting me on your favorites! Sorry for being cruel sometimes when I put a cliffie!

Autumn Took (nine reviews): When you complimented my fic on being well written and when you immediately said I was a phoenix, I was so happy. And you know when I'm happy, I write! I always love it when you review, because I know that you'll give me your good opinion and tell me honestly the things I need to know. Thanks for always being there!

Rebecca (six reviews): Thank you for giving me your good opinions and for reviewing me throughout this. I really appreciated it when you that Draco reacted perfectly in Chapter 7. Thanks!

Exlibris (seven reviews): Thank you so much for prodding me back into action when I felt like that this story didn't matter. Your support and loyalty throughout this fic was what kept me going. Your reviews always made me smile and it's fantastic knowing that I'm one of your favorite writers! Thanks!

S-star (four reviews): Thank you for complimenting my imagery and greeting me a happy new year! It's great knowing you're liked by a person somewhere else in the world, so thanks for everything!

Elissa the Elf (four reviews):  Thanks for being truthful in your reviews! I'm sorry that you'll be sad when it's over, but try to comfort yourself knowing that there are other great fics out there and I'll be putting up a new story sooner or later.

Mya14 (eight reviews): The enthusiasm in your reviews always makes me laugh and want to write more! Thanks for always reminding me to continue!

Faithless (four reviews): Thanks for being there since the beginning, third reviewer if I remember correctly! Thanks for caring about my exams too! Hehe!

Queen Li (eight reviews): I always wait for what you think because I know that you'll tell me exactly what you liked! Thanks for your opinion and for cheering me on throughout this story!

Insane Horse Lover (twelve reviews): *applauds* Whoa Huzza (now IHL)! The most reviews for my story! Thank you for quickly jumping in to support this fic when you heard that I had one!

Thanks also to: Casper, Wildfire's Flame, sammy, cartiliel, Chrissy, hyper_shark, avri, yochanan, desert mist, Starry Skies, dark andria knight, Helena, and Lioness-07863.

I love all of you for your kind, uplifting words. Thank you for helping me improve on my writing, and for pointing out the good, and the bad things in my fic.

*bows* I'm sorry for the people I didn't recognize and if I counted the reviews wrong… Blame the defective memory and not the heart. I hope you liked and enjoyed my fic! *closes curtains*