A/N: Well guys, this is it! This is the last chapter!! I want to send out a huge thank-you to all those readers and reviewers out there who read my story! It means a lot!!!! I will be putting up another HP fic sometime in the near future after I'm finished my exams. (I should actually be working on my Philosophy of Education paper right now, but I really wanted to do this chapter!! ^_^) But I also have an X-Men fic that I gotta finish too.
But I hope you guys enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it!! Thanks again! Take care! Luv, Mugz83 ^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize from the original HP fics. Nor do I own the song 'From This Moment' sung by Shania Twain.
Chapter 14: From This Moment
It was now a little more than a week since the incidence in the forest. Harry and Emily had taken Draco to the hospital wing as quickly as they could get him there but hadn't seen him since. As soon as Pomfrey laid her eyes on Draco she had shooed away Emily and Harry leaving them with absolutely nothing to go on. And by the next day the whole school had heard about what had happened and because none of the teachers would confirm or deny Draco's death, the majority of students believed that he had died. Emily was one of those students.
Emily had seen what happened with her own two eyes and knew that there was no way anyone could survive the death curse. And so for the past week she had been grieving in her own way. She barely spoke a word to anyone, hardly ate anything at mealtime, and had become very depressed. The truth was that she blamed herself for what had happened and thought that she should have been the one to die - not him. She was constantly being told by her friends that it wasn't her fault and that she should move on - because that was what he would have wanted her to do. She knew this was the truth but she just couldn't think of anything else but how she should have just given him the chance to explain everything to her. Maybe he would still be alive if she gave him that one simple chance.
Emily now sat at the Gryffindor table with Harry on one side of her and Ron and Hermione sitting across from her. She was picking at her salad with her fork while only half listening to the conversation between Ron and Hermione.
"Ron, I think that you should ask Lavender to the Yule Ball. Don't be such a chicken. I bet she'd say yes." Hermione looked over at him while sipping her pumpkin juice.
"I don't know. I don't want to ask her only to be turned down." He said after he had finished chewing his food. He then turned to Emily and Harry, "What do you guys think?"
Harry looked at his best friend and smiled, "I agree with Hermione. I think you should ask her."
There was a slight pause before Emily realized that she should also say something. "Uh, yeah," she said with a small smile. "You should totally go for it, Ron." Emily knew that Lavender would say yes because all she had been talking about all term was how much she liked Ron and wished that he would ask her out.
"Speaking of the Yule Ball," Hermione said, "There's a Hogsmead trip this weekend and it's the perfect opportunity for us to get new dress robes, Em." She paused while she took in the look that Emily gave her. "You are coming to the Yule Ball still, aren't you?"
Emily swallowed hard before answering, "Well, I…" she hesitated because she knew what her friends would say if they knew she had changed her mind.
Harry gave a small sigh, "Emily, you have to get your mind off of what happened. This will be the perfect activity for you to get out and have some fun." He gave her a wide smile, "Besides, we wouldn't have any fun without you. In fact," he looked at Ron and Hermione, "if you don't go, we won't be going either."
Ron's eyes went wide. "What?! I never-" but he was cut off by an elbow in the ribs from Hermione. "Oh! That's right. You don't go, we don't go."
"Harry, don't do that to me. You guys will have fun at the ball," Emily looked over at Harry knowing that it was only a trick.
"And so will you!" he looked her in the eyes with sincerity.
Emily couldn't stand that look. It was that look that won her over every time. "Oh, fine then!" she said in defeat.
Harry smiled at his victory as did Ron and Hermione.
"I promise you Em, when we go to Hogsmead we'll find you the best dress robes in the shop. You're going to look wonderful for the ball!" Hermione gushed before going back to her food.
Emily smiled before picking at her own food once again. It's not that she didn't want to go to the ball, it's just that she was hoping to go with a certain someone. But that certain someone just wouldn't be able to be there. And that's what crushed her the most.
*************
It was now the day of the Yule Ball and decorations were already being put up in the Great Hall for the event.
Emily had just walked in from outside. She had escaped to the tree where her and Draco had shared their first kiss to just sort out her thoughts. She shook the snow from her scarf and turned her head when she heard her name being called.
"Emily!" Hermione came rushing towards her, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you. Come on," she gave a tug on her arm, "it's time to get ready for the ball!"
Emily looked at her with slight confusion, "But the ball isn't for another three hours!"
"Exactly! That's how long it will take for us to figure out what to do with your hair! Now let's go!" Hermione grabbed onto her hand and started dragging her.
"Okay, okay! Hold on a minute," Emily untangled herself from her friends and took off her coat as they began walking towards the entrance for the Gryffindor common room.
Once they reached the Gryffindor common room, they made their way through the many Gryffindors lounging about and up to the girls' dormitories. Emily saw that Hermione had already brought up her things as they were lying on her bed.
Emily put her coat and scarf in her closet and she pulled out the dress that she would be wearing. She was on her way back to her bed when she was almost run right over by Lavender who was racing around trying to find her other shoe.
"Oh, Emily, I'm sorry! I didn't mean too," she gave her an apologetic smile as she continued on her way.
Emily grinned back as she knew that her lost shoe was only part of the reason that she was so tense. Ron had finally asked her to go to the ball with him and she had talked about nothing else since.
Emily put her dress next to Hermione's on the bed as she looked down at it in wonder. Hermione definitely had taste as it had been her who had first picked out the dress for her to try on. It was a shade of blue that matched her eyes perfectly. It hugged her curves on the top half of her body while the rest of it flowed down to the floor.
Hermione's dress was also quite beautiful as it was a brilliant shade of red. Her dress fit her wonderfully and Emily was sure that Harry's mouth would drop when he saw her in it.
When both girls were done changing, Hermione sat Emily down in a chair and began applying make-up to her face - using only natural shades as Emily didn't wear very much make-up on a daily basis. Once that was done, Hermione began to play with Emily's blonde locks - trying every style she could think of that would suit her and the occasion. She finally decided on pinning it up on top of her head, allowing some curls to fall down so that they framed her face.
Hermione smiled as she looked down at her finished product. "You look great, Em, even if I do say so myself."
Emily stood up and turned around to take a look at herself in the mirror. She had to agree, Hermione did do a great job. Her dress really made her eyes stand out and even she was amazed at the blueness that they possessed.
'If only Draco could see me like this…' she thought with slight sadness.
Hermione came up behind her and Emily could see her apologetic look in the mirror. Hermione reached over and gave her bare shoulder a slight squeeze before turning around again and grabbing her wand to apply her own make-up.
**************
A half an hour before the ball, all the Gryffindor girls emerged from the dormitories together to walk into the common room where some of the males were waiting for their dates or just waiting to go down to the Great Hall.
Hermione and Emily were the last to emerge from the dormitories and they walked down the stairs side by side.
"Wow, Mione," Harry looked his girlfriend up and down with a wide smile, "You look beautiful."
Hermione gave him a smile of appreciation as he bent in to kiss her. "You don't look half bad yourself," she had said once they pulled apart.
Harry then turned to Emily, "You look great too, Em."
Emily gave a shy smile as Ron nodded in agreement.
Lavender was now hanging onto Ron's hand and the six of them went down to the Great Hall.
********
It was only about an hour into the ball when Emily just had to sit down. Her feet were already sore from dancing since they had arrived. She normally didn't dance that much, but Harry and Hermione were so determined to make sure that she had fun that they didn't allow her to sit out a song until now. The only reason they did so was because they were also in need of a break.
Harry pulled his chair close to Hermione's and he put his arm around her.
Emily sat across from them and Ron sat beside her. Lavender had left to go and get them all some drinks.
Emily watched Harry and Hermione with slight envy. They didn't know how lucky they were to still be able to see the person that they loved. She looked down at her hands as she reminded herself that she had been having fun tonight and that she would continue to have fun with her friends. She was actually quite grateful that they included her. She knew that if she had nothing to do but sit and think about Draco, she would go insane.
"Here guys," Lavender had rejoined the table with a handful of drinks. She set one down in front of everybody and then sat down on Ron's lap.
He blushed slightly, but put his arms around her just the same.
Harry gave Emily a slightly concerned look, "Are you having fun?"
Emily's eyes turned sad for only a brief second but immediately regained their twinkle as she answered with a smile, "Yeah, I am. Thanks for making me come."
Harry smiled in relief at her. At least now he knew that she was having a good time.
Just then a slow song came up over the magical speakers and many couples got up to dance.
I do swear that I'll always be there
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care
Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better for worse
I will love you
With every beat of my heart
"Mione," Harry got off his chair and put out his hand, "Would you like to dance?"
Hermione smiled up at him but then suddenly looked over at Emily.
Emily gave a small smile, "It's okay you guys. Go ahead. I need the break anyways."
Harry and Hermione felt reluctant leaving her there but decided to go dance since she said that she'd be okay.
Emily looked around at all the smiling and happy couples. She had to be one of the few that didn't come with a date. She probably would have turned down anyone who asked her anyways. There was only one person that she would have wanted to come with. Emily sat there with her head propped up on her hand trying not to think about what could have been for her and Draco. But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't get his face out of her mind.
But just then, something caught her eye. She turned her head towards the doorway of the Great Hall and gasped at what she saw.
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
Her eyes took in a wonderful sight. A tall young man dressed in dark green dress robes who looked very handsome entered through the doorway. His grey eyes immediately found hers and Emily felt like she was seeing a ghost. This couldn't be real. It couldn't be him…could it?
The young man walked towards her and all those who saw him pass stopped dancing to watch what was happening.
Emily was now standing with tears blurring her vision as he walked up to her. "Sorry I'm late," he spoke gently. He took her hand and gently kissed the top of it. "You look beautiful…" he whispered so that only she could hear.
"Is it really you?" she asked with a shaky voice. She could still feel his hand clasping hers and that somehow told him that she wasn't dreaming. "Draco…?"
From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on
He nodded as he carefully moved closer towards her.
Every pair of eyes were now on them but neither were aware of that fact.
Emily looked into his eyes hopefully and placed a hand on his face, hoping to feel warmth under her hand.
She did, and as he looked down into her eyes, she could feel her heart melt just like it used to. She knew that this was the real thing. Draco was very much alive.
Emily gasped in relief and was quick to wrap her arms around him in a hug. Her tears fell onto his shoulder as he rubbed her back gently.
I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
"I can't believe it," she tried hard not to cry. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again." She held him for a moment longer before releasing her grip slightly. They had released themselves from the hug but were still in each other's arms. "But…how did you survive?"
Draco wiped a stray tear away from her cheek as he tried to explain what he knew, "I don't know. No one does. But Dumbledore figured that it must have been similar to how Potter survived."
Emily didn't understand how that could have happened but all she cared about was being with him again. "I am so sorry," she choked out the words. "I shouldn't have been so hard headed. But you shouldn't have done that. What in the world made you want to protect me after the things I had said to you?" Her voice came out very soft and her eyes showed confusion.
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on
Draco took her face in her hands, "Because…I love you." He gave her a genuine smile as he looked into her eyes. "Love, I guess, can make you do some pretty stupid things."
Emily gave a small laugh as she was still trying to contain her tears.
Draco then took hold of her hand as he made a slight bow, "May I have this dance?"
Emily smiled at him as she nodded her head in response.
The reunited couple went to the centre of the room as everyone around them watched them.
You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you
Draco held Emily close and she could feel his breath tickling her ear. He wrapped his arms around her waist as she put her hands around his neck and gently ran her fingers across the back of his neck. Emily then whispered something that she should have said a long time ago…"I love you too." She looked up so that their eyes met and he looked down at her with a warm and loving smile. He bent his head slightly so that their lips could meet.
As soon as they shared that kiss, everyone in the Great Hall broke out in applause for them.
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
When they parted, both turned slightly red at the fact that they forgot for a brief moment about where they were.
But as they looked into each other's eyes, they knew that their lives with each other had just begun. They had been through so much together and had learnt much about each other as well as themselves.
I will love you as long as I live
They didn't know what new threats might try to part them again. All they knew was that they had each other…and that was the way it was always going to be.
From this moment on