Hello All! I really dig all of the reviews you guys have sent me. Thank you for reading and this is just the EPILOGUE to tie up a few loose ends. Also I had planned on writing an EPILOGUE because I just thought that it would be cruel to Draco if I just ended it like that.

Disclaimer on story: I don't own a damn thing. The plot was mine.

Now on to the good news. There is definitely a SEQUEL IN THE WORKS.

Epilogue---His Train of Thought…

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"Draco dear don't forget your luggage!"

Draco scrambled out of his room and to his mother. Narcissa Mandon stood there waiting for her son with her foot tapping the floor. He rushed up to her with a grin, kissed her cheek, and then sped off.

"Have a good year at internship honey! Oh and Draco say good-bye to your father and daughter before you leave!"

Draco stopped in his tracks and turned towards the study in the Malfoy-sorry Mandon Manor. "Yes mother! But not Amyris, she's asleep!" Draco opened to doors to the study with hard thrust. His father was working on some papers that belonged to the King of the Underworld.

"Sorry dad, but I have to go wish me a good year and owl me later or I'll just blaze here. Bye!" he said in one big breath. Dante Mandon got up and hugged his son before he dashed off again.

"I just want to say that I am very proud of you. You have brought nothing, but joy to my life the past few months. I hope that even though you are going through…a tough time, I want you to try and be happy," Dante said looking into his son's eyes. The son that was robbed of him in his early years. A son that he couldn't see grow up.

Draco stood there thinking about the words that were just uttered from his father's lips. Never had Lucius ever said such a thing to him in his entire life. The man he thought was his father was now burning in the literal pits of Hell, a punishment that Draco thought was not enough for the torment he made him and his mother suffer.

"Thank you father. Please take care of mum."

Dante gripped his son's hand. "I always do Draco. Take care yourself."

"Done."

Draco took one last look at his father that he had met only a few months ago…at the funeral. He sped off again into the hall, grabbed his luggage, found his mom and kissed her good-bye.

Draco blazed off and landed in Hogwarts. Narcissa saw her boy go and a tear escaped her. Finally when her husband, her mate had found his son, he was off again. At least this time though he would come back. He wouldn't be tortured…perhaps. Narcissa knew that after Hermione's death Draco was never the same, no matter how much he feigned the contrary. Narcissa walked into her grandchild's room and saw her bright awake.

"Hello my dear. Nice of you to wake up this morning." The little girl with bright blonde hair lifted her arms to signal her grandmother to carry her. Narcissa picked her up and looked into her deep brown eyes. Her mother's eyes.

Sorry I never told you,

All I wanted to say.

And now it's too late to hold you,

Cuz you flown away,

So far away.

Draco boarded the Hogwarts Express. He settled into a compartment and closed the door. He put his luggage up unto the shelf, glancing around and remembering…. about past things, painful things. Hermione…why in Merlin's name did you have to do that? Why did you leave me?, he thought at he remembered the countless times that he taunted her and called her Mudblood.

He mentally shook his head and focused on something else. He was interning this year at Hogwarts. He was shadowing professor Snape. He and his wife, McGonagall, were going to retire this year. They need a new teacher so here he was. Hermione was supposed to be shadowing Krum for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Hermione… He mentally shook himself again. Gods it never fails. When I try not to think of her she just comes in stronger! He slammed his fist into the compartment door effectively breaking the glass windows.

He sighed and put his head into his hands. This was going to be a long year…

###

He arrived at the school and exited the train. He rode up to the castle all the while dreading entering through those doors. He had spent countless times with Hermione…this whole place was like a tribute to them. Damn it!, he thought. He walked through the huge oak doors and into the Great Hall. Students were sitting down at their respectful tables chatting about what they did over the summer. He noticed that the Slytherine girls were smiling at him for some odd reason…

They don't smile like she does though. No one could ever compare to her precious grin. He took his place at the teacher's table and sat there quietly. He looked down the table and sitting beside Snape was Krum. Draco's eyes threatened to go red just at seeing him. If it weren't for you asshole, I would still have her with me. Pray to Merlin that I won't kill you by the end of the year. Krum had also noticed him and decided to look another way. Good man.

Dumbledore got up and welcomed the new students and the returning ones. He then went on to introduce the teachers. "…and then we have Mr. Draco Malfoy who interning here for a spot at Potions since our beloved Professor Snape will be retiring along with his wife and new child." Draco stood up to an uproar of cheers. He wasn't quite sure if it was for him or the fact that Snape was retiring.

He watched as the children ate and started to walk out to their dorms. He himself started to walk to the assigned spot where Dumbledore was leading him. For some reason it seemed familiar. Dumbledore halted in front of a portrait of a rooster. Draco was suddenly feeling sick.

"Now rooster the password he will assign," he turned to face Draco, "now I hope you mind the place. It was the only one we could get. Goodnight son."

"Goodnight Professor."

Dumbledore turned around and stared at Draco. "Draco if you indeed are going to work with me I suggest you get used to using my real name, no?"

Draco blushed. "Yes Pro-Albus."

"That's better." With a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face, Dumbledore left Draco in his wake. Draco looked at the bird and thought of a password.

"Celes. Rooster I want that as my password, Celes." The rooster crowed and let him in. Draco walked into the dorm and the floodgates of the all memories he had been oppressing, opened. He looked around the dorm where he and Hermione had lived in when she was here….

====================

Never had I imagined,

Living without your smile.

Feeling and knowing you hear me,

It keeps me alive, alive.

===================

He looked around the room and found himself with tears in his eyes. He was angry, frustrated, confused, and bitter. Not a very happy man. He wiped them from his eyes and walked up to his room. He opened the door and didn't know if it was worse of just as bad. There was the exact same bed that they shared when she was alive. He flung his luggage onto the bed and began to unpack. Once done he got a towel and began to open the taps for a shower.

He got undressed and preceded into the shower. He let the warms water run down his tense back. All of this time, all these months that she wasn't here had been pure torture. He remembered when he brought her back to the palace. Her mother started to cry a lake and her father remained stoic. Even to this day when Draco visits them, Mundus' expression hasn't changed.

Celesta watched as Draco brought something into the room. As his figure started to get closer, she realized what it was in his arms. Her world started to spin upon seeing Draco lay her dead daughter on the floor in front of Mundus. Mundus looked like the most depressed man in the world. His heart felt like it had been cooked at eaten right before him.

"How…" Celesta couldn't even mutter the words. Draco looked at the majesties with glassy red eyes.

"She felt the power come back to her. When I found her she had already impaled herself with the ice dagger." Silent tears escaped his eyes during the explanation of how his mate died.

"Take her to the royal Healer. She will prepare her for the funeral," Mundus said without emotion. Draco felt outraged.

"So you're saying that Hermione can't be brought back or healed! Merlin at least have some respect for your daughter by not being a cold prick!"

"Draco she is dead. You know as well as I do that Devils are not immune to death. Take her."

"Draco please just do as told," Celesta said from her throne. Draco looked at her and saw her tired eyes and slump shoulders. She had lost hope. There was something else in her eyes… resignation? What the hell could she have to accept?

"Celesta I know you keep something hidden. What is it?"

"Draco…I should have told you earlier before you went after Hermione. Draco the vision I had, it did tell me where to find Hermione, mainly because she was…dead when I had the vision. In it she had killed Voldemort the very same way you described…only…"

"Yes?" Draco urged.

"Well in it Voldemort had already killed Amyris. Yet now she is not dead. Something changed the vision, something Hermione did or…" she trailed off thinking hard.

"Or?" Draco persisted.

"I don' know. I can't think of a possibility right now." Celesta returned to her meditation and Mundus spoke up rather exasperated.

"I told you to take her. Do it now!"

"Never order me around Mundus, EVER!" Draco warned dangerously. He picked up his mate and looked at her face. Even now in death she appeared…warm. Her cheeks and lips were still rosy. But he would never get to kiss them again…

Draco smashed his fist into the shower wall. He was angry at the fact that he didn't save her. He was too late.

=================

And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven,

Like so many friends we've lost along the way.

And now I know eventually we'll be together,

One sweet day.

=================

Draco got out of the shower and dressed. He went to his bed and pulled out the covers. With images of a brown haired- brown-eyed angel, he slept.

###

Winter had come and chased away the homey feel of autumn. Draco sat in Snape's class listening to him teach and ridicule his students. All except the Slytherines of course. Hermione used to hate that. She was the smartest witch here and yet Snape had overlooked her so many times. He watched as one particular Slytherine tossed papers and spit wads at the curly haired girl in front of him. Draco smiled. And the cycle repeats itself. He continued to study Snape until the door opened and McGonagall stood there.

"I'm sorry Professor, but Mr. Malfoy is needed."

"Make it quick," came Snape's response. Draco got up from his seat and went over to his former Transfiguration teacher.

"Yes Professor-er-Minerva?" the glare she had given him at using the formality made him correct himself.

"A Mr. Potter is here to see you. He said it was very important. He is in the Teacher's Lounge."

"Yes thank you pro-Minerva." He began to walk to the Teacher's Lounge all the while thinking why in the world would Potter visit me?! He walked into the room and saw Harry sitting very casually on one of the chairs.

"Yes Potter? What did you need?" Draco said it in a very bitter voice. He had forgiven Harry for conspiring with his mate, but had not forgotten it.

Harry sighed. "Malfoy…Draco there is something I should give you, but didn't have the chance since I had Quidditch training and what not. But here, this belongs to you."

Harry produced a small box. Draco opened the small box revealing a platinum ring with a diamond on it. He quickly shut it along with his eyes and turned away from Harry.

Without opening his eyes he asked, "Where did you get this?"

"I went after you to help Hermione. But when I came in you were holding her…realization struck me and I froze. I didn't come near you until you were already Apparating out of there. I was going to go after you, but something on the floor where Hermione had lain was shining. I picked it up and realized it was her ring."

Draco finally turned to face him. "Why didn't you give it to me earlier?"

"I told you that I had to go to Quidditch Training. I got accepted for the job and before at the funeral your ass wasn't there."

"There were reasons for that Potter and don't presume to know them!" Draco snarled.

Harry put up his hands, palms up and waved them. "I should go. I gave you the ring, I have done my job. Have a good day."

Harry began walking towards the door and opened it. "Potter…Harry thank you," he heard Draco say sincerely.

"You're welcome," Harry said without turning around and exited.

###

Draco had pocketed the ring. He rushed down the halls and got to the dungeons. He opened the door interrupting Snape's lesson and got his briefcase. Snape looked at Draco with peculiarity.

"Where do you intend to go Mr. Malfoy? I have yet to finish the lesson."

"Sorry Professor. Something urgent came up. I have to go," Draco said without looking up. He got his briefcase in hand was walked out the door before Snape could protest. Draco walked into his dorm and threw the briefcase on the couch. He took out the ring and looked at it. It did nothing but shine for him.

=======================

Darling I never showed you,

Assumed you'd always be there.

I take your presence for granted,

But I always cared.

And I missed the love we shared.

======================

Hermione's wedding ring glinted in the sunlight. Draco's eyes were glassy with the need to shed tears. He wouldn't though, he refused. Hermione had been more of an influence that what he thought. She never liked to cry except for when she really needed it, when things built up. As he looked at the ring he remember what Celesta had told him…

"Well in it Voldemort had already killed Amyris. Yet now she is not dead. Something changed the vision, something Hermione did…"

Could the ring have been it? Could there be a possibility that Hermione was still alive? No, don't think that way. You saw her die, bleed, and inspire her last breath. She couldn't have survived that wound, he thought. But still…Anything can change a vision, even the tiniest detail. He would have to discuss it with Celesta. Mundus was still very sore about loosing his only daughter. Draco understood, but at the time Mundus' lack of emotion shocked Draco.

Draco pulled out a necklace from under his shirt and unhooked it. There on the necklace was Draco's wedding ring. He took it off and put it back on his finger. He placed Hermione's ring in place of his and let it fall back under his shirt.

###

Summer came in all its glory. The sun was high and was shining making the castle shed its dim and grim appearance during the winter. Draco had continued his work in shadowing Snape. He had really enjoyed his work, surprisingly. Snape had been treating Draco like a colleague, no longer a sniveling little kid. In less than two months Draco would be a teacher. They were in the last week of school and Draco was excited.

He had redecorated the spare room in his dorm. It was going to be his permanent dorm so he thought that he would change the spare room into a nursery for his Amyris. He had been to see her, though often it was brief. She spent most of her time in the palace with her other grandparents so that Mundus could stay happy.

He had told Draco that he felt another presence surging in the Underworld, and it wasn't pleasant. So for his peace of mind Draco had consented to Amyris living in the palace. Now he wanted his daughter with him or at least sleeping in his dorm. During the day she would go with either of the grandparents.

Draco was no currently walking around the lake; the ring around his neck was bouncing to and fro with each step. Draco felt the weight of the ring and started to fiddle with it. He started walking absent-mindedly resulting with him being in the Forbidden Forest. He was in a clearing, a beautiful one at that. There was a small spring and a tiny garden with one solitary flower in bloom…gardenias.

The smell reached his nostrils reminding him of Hermione's sweet smell.

================

Although the sun will never shine the same,

I'll always look to a brighter day.

Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep,

You will always listen as I pray.

=================

The rays of the sun hitting he flowers intensified the smell. Draco clutched the ring on the necklace and tore it off. He looked at it with a puzzled expression. The ring sparkled innocently at him yet there was still a slight secret that it held. Draco went over to the small spring and dipped the ring in. He polished it on his shirt and took a better look at it. Nothing had changed.

He walked over to the gardenias and picked one. He stroked the petals lovingly and inhaled the scent deeply. The white petals reminded him of the simple life Hermione lead. She needed nothing but the air in her lungs and her wand and she was set. White being the simplest color and purest, held her character perfectly. The deep green leaves that surrounded the white flower reminded him of…him. Green was the Slytherine color and it went beautifully with the purity of the white. It seemed to balance the contrast.

Draco walked back to the castle and left that beautiful place. He never wanted to return to it. Just the smell of the gardenia would send him into a right state. He still held the one flower in his hand. He decided he wanted to see his daughter all of a sudden. There was a compelling need to see her.

===================

And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven,

Like so many friends we've lost along the way.

And I know eventually be together,

One sweet day.

==================

He ended up at his manor. His daughter must be with his parents today. He left the common room where he had arrived and walked up the stairs to the third floor. He opened the door with little cows and dancing sheep on it. His daughter was there fully awake when she should have been taking her nap.

She was standing in her crib with happy eyes on her father. "Papa!"

"Hello love. Shouldn't you be asleep?"

Amyris shook her head making her blonde curls sway. "No. Me want play! Wanna play papa?"

"Sure honey, but before we play looked what I brought you." Draco revealed the flower to his daughter and she smiled. She took the flower and smelled it. She put it in her hair and clapped her little hands.

"Thank papa! Mama gonna like it! She lubs gardenias!"

Draco's expression turned to one of horror. "What…what do you mean baby? You know what I told you about mama. She's in Heaven."

Amyris shook her head again with curls swaying. "No she comes to see me! She will like flower. Now let's play."

"Not…not now honey. Papa doesn't feel well."

He left the room and walked back out into the hall. Blazed back to Forbidden Forest. (Dumbledore had asked Mundus to put up a spell so that blazing was not allowed.) He walked across the field with a tiny breeze blowing. He stopped for a minute. There was a faint smell of the all to familiar flower.

A breeze caressed his cheek lovingly like a hand. Draco closed his eyes and savored the breeze that felt like a warm hand.

"Draco…"

His eyes snapped opened instantly. He looked around for the owner of the voice, but saw no one.

"Hermione? Is that you?" he whispered to the wind.

Another breeze came with the familiar fragrance.

"Draco…"

======================

­Sorry I never told you,

All I wanted to say…

================

Alright I hoped you liked it. I have nothing to add to this story anymore. There will be sequel to be posted by next Thursday….maybe. I need time to come up with a good plot.

Also I will be starting summer school and community service for college so yeah I will be busy. I hope to god that you all like this story. I had mucho fun writing it!

Note 1: 'One Sweet Day' by Mariah Carrey and Boyz II Men.

Thank you for reading.

Flamwriter008