AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to all who've reviewed! Here is the last chapter. Hope you enjoy.

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EXCEPT HER

FINAL CHAPTER

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"Hermione."

Her heart skipped a beat and she faltered on a step as she heard her name. Could he have heard everything she'd been telling to the rose?

She just knew she looked foolish, speaking to such an inanimate object. She was certain he'd been snickering all the while he'd been watching her. Then again, how come he'd been there at her balcony? Was he secretly spying on her?

"Hermione," he called once more, now with a more definite tone. Her heart was racing; blood was pumping through her veins as she felt him move towards her.

With shaking legs and wobbling knees she took a deep breath and turned around to face him. "Draco."

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Now he didn't know what to say. He was finally here; he was given a chance to finally talk to her and show his emotions. But he couldn't utter a word.

Not a single word.

What had possessed him to fly down to her and meet her face to face when he knew that he'd have nothing to say?

"Yes?" she whispered, gazing curiously in his eyes. A slight blush marred her fair complexion. "Did you hear everything I said?"

He nodded, as he was still speechless.

There was a short moment of silence. A slight breeze swept past them; an owl cooed in the night. They stared at each other, unable to know what to say.

"I'd like to know," Hermione finally said, "if you'd grant me the chance to explain. And apologize."

"Alright."

And he waited.

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"First, I'm sorry if I was brutally rude to you this year—I just wasn't used to you acting so… quiet and civilized, especially to me, a Muggle-born Gryffindor." Hermione paused and laughed mentally in her mind.

Draco grinned slightly. "That is true."

"Second, I'm… well… I apologize if it seemed to you that I was appalled that you, of all people, were my admirer. It'd be normal, really, finding out that the one person you absolutely despised for about seven years turned out to like you…" She trailed off, suddenly cut by embarrassment. She just knew that her cheeks right now were absolutely flushed. Oh, how she disliked doing these kind of things.

"And third…" What is the third? What else was she supposed to say, right then and there to Draco Malfoy? She could practically hear her heartbeat as she searched for another thing to say.

"Yes?" Draco moved a step closer.

She gulped and cleared her voice. "And… and third…" This was definitely the moment to finally end this. "I… I… I don't despise you anymore. I don't hate you anymore."

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"Pardon?" He said, as she ended her explanation.

"I… I don't hate you anymore." She repeated, looking away to hide her blushing face. "If—if it's possible, I'd like to… know how it feels like to be loved… again."

He knew where this was going. A part of him was overjoyed, but then… Draco looked up and frowned. "Am I just taking his place in your eyes?"

"No, of course not!" Hermione bit her lip and fumbled her fingers. "What I felt about him and what I feel for you are completely different. Please understand that. In my eyes, you're different."

She took a step and they were now inches from each other's faces. Hermione took his hand and placed the roses in it. "For one thing, you've proven it. For another," she smiled. "You're Draco. Not Ron."

She paused, and looked away. "Is that good enough an explanation?" And hesitantly, she looked up and gazed into his gray eyes. "I'd like you—no, I want you to give me a chance," she softly spoke, "I'd like to…"

Draco couldn't take any more of this. He placed his hand on her cheek, caressed it…

And firmly said, "Then tell me."

Hermione blinked.

His eyes were pleading; he didn't bother to hide everything he felt at that precise moment. "Tell me you… love me."

The trees far below them swayed in sync with the wind's motion, with their leaves rustling and producing a harmonious melody in the air. The stars, as if they knew what was happening, shimmered more brightly that night.

Draco waited, watching the girl he loved change expression. He knew she wasn't going to say it… he knew it… All he did for nothing; his feelings wasted on a girl who didn't love him back…

And then suddenly, without prior notice, Hermione leaned in and brought her lips to his own. It was a soft and gentle kiss. Draco felt her sadness, regret… everything she felt in that one kiss. But most of all, he could feel her love.

That newly found love she had come to reserve for him. He knew even she could not explain how she had come to love him. It was just… something that didn't need any explanation.

Hermione pulled away and wrapped her arms around him. Her head resting on his shoulder, she whispered the words Draco had waited for all this time. Those three, heartfelt words.

And he felt happy.

In that one moment, with the girl he loved so much finally in his arms, loving him back, Draco felt that he needed nothing else in the world…

Not fame, not fortune… Indeed, nothing else…

Except her.

END

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's done, finally! Hope you all liked it. I really have trouble ending things, especially stories, so please accept my apologies if my ending to this fic does not suit your tastes. I hate ending stuff! But all good things come to an end, lol…

I do hope that if I ever get any more fics uploaded, all of you'd still read them…

Thank you to all of you who have been so nice to read and review "Except Her". All of the reviews were very much appreciated!

This is where it officially ends!

Thanks SO much!

P.S. But I do hope you still review this… :)