Chapter Thirteen: Ending It For Good

Last time:

He finally reached the steps to the tower, and eagerly climbed up them, wondering what Hermione was going to say to him.

Draco eased the large door shut, glancing about the room. She was nowhere to be found, and Draco was pleased he had beat her there.

He whipped around on his head when he heard the door creak open, a shadow looking about tentatively.

Just to be prepared, Draco reflexively gripped his wand.

---

Draco squinted at the harsh light, which contrasted severely to the dark, cold tower. "Hermione?" he asked hesitantly, raising his wand from underneath his robe.

"You stupid prat. Put down the damn wand!" a voice hissed.

"Yeah, close the door," he replied, still unsure as to who it was.

The door closed, the intrusive light gone. "Fine, there. Gods, you little snotty aristocrat."

Draco waited for a moment, letting his eyes readjust. He cleared his throat, looking back up at the person. "Hermione," he said curtly.

"Malfoy."

"Nice. Can't even acknowledge me with my God-given name?" Draco said sarcastically, letting his arms cross over his chest. He felt it made his presence seem more impressive, and intimidating.

Undaunted, however, Hermione stepped toward him. "So…thanks for not replying back. I didn't even know if you'd show. I was this close to going with Ron into the Gryffindor Common Room."

"You're friends with Weasel and the Boy-Who-Refuses-To-Die again?" Draco snorted skeptically. "Wow, you sure get over 'the ruin of your life' quickly, don't you, Granger?"

Hermione crossed her arms, too, frustrated. She pursed, and glared at him. Raising her wand, she turned, and murmured a spell to light a torch on the wall. "Bugger, Malfoy, can you do anything but insult?"

He grinned slyly, but said nothing. Eventually, Draco shifted, and said, "Well? Can we get on with why I'm here? Tell me exactly why I am here, since you obviously aren't going to do anything else except argue."

But he knew why there were there; and knew she knew it, too. He licked his lips, waiting for her surely sarcastic reply.

"So I can rip off your clothes and throw you down on the ground," Hermione spat, in a sarcastic manner. Just like he thought.

Draco stepped back, smirking. "I'm not stopping you, am I?"

She very obviously fought back a smile, and opted to whack his arm. "Draco, for once in your miserable life, be serious!"

"Are we here to talk, or are you just going to insult me?"

"I could ask the same of you," Hermione rebutted.

"Alright, alright…bloody hell, you're a snippy thing tonight."

She moved away from him, towards a chair. "Well…you want to know why it upset me so much?"

Draco felt really corny, but shook his head. "I guess."

Oh Merlin, here comes the Sob Fest… he thought.

"Harry and Ron—Ron especially—get easily upset, and offended when I keep things from them. They feel I should tell them everything. Merlin forbid they let me in their lives, though."

"Yes, of course. Now, Miss Granger…have you tried telling them that?" Draco asked in an affected voice, placing his head on his fist. "Because that's the first step to recovery."

Hermione responded by whacking his arm again. "I don't need a bloody psychiatrist, Malfoy!"

He smiled genuinely. Shrugging, he fell silent, letting the impassive look replace his wide grin.

"Yeah, so, when it turns out that you knew something I'd never dream of telling them…they kinda freaked, and I don't blame them."

Draco looked doubtful. "Didn't seem like it to me."

"Well, inside, I knew where they were coming from," Hermione amended.

He stood up, quickly, causing her to jump a little at the sudden movement. "You know what you need to do, Granger?"

"What?" she asked curiously.

---

Hermione placed her hands on her hips, squinting through the dark, just barely making out Draco's figure.

Of course the stupid prat had to stand in the dark, not anywhere near the pale shine of moonlight through the window. Which could potentially be a good thing, because she was positive seeing him in such flattering light would make her positively lose control.

"You need to stand up to people, dammit. Honestly, you sit there, and take everything with little protest when it comes to your friends. They did wrong, and you did wrong, but it was understandable. If I did that to you, you'd try to beat me down."

"Try?" Hermione repeated.

She knew he was smirking. She just knew it. "Yes, try. You couldn't beat me down, Miss Granger. I'm too strong for anyone to beat me," he replied smugly.

"Egotistical git," she murmured under her breath.

"What was that?" Draco asked sharply.

Smiling innocently, though she knew he couldn't see her, Hermione shrugged. "Nothing. You must be hearing things. That's never a good sign, Malfoy," she added for good measure.

"Shove it up your arse, Granger."

She bit her lip to keep from laughing, and had to clap a hand over her mouth. It was too late at night for this!

There was an awkward silence, before Hermione cleared her throat, contemplating Draco's unspoken challenge.

"So I can't beat you, can I?" she asked lightly, crossing her legs.

"Never," Draco replied as she tugged down her skirt.

Hermione stared at his barely outlined form for a few seconds before determining that he wasn't budging. With this information in hand, she lunged out of her seat toward him.

Draco fell over, and moaned in agony. "God, Granger, what the hell was that? Are you a bull now?" he asked, clutching his ribs.

She shrugged. "Let's go, then."

"You want me to fight you? I can't," he said simply.

"And why not?"

"It isn't proper to hit a lady. I just won't do it, Hermione. Sorry, but you'd never win anyway."

She shoved him. "Don't think of it as fighting, think of it as self-defense," Hermione told him, pushing him again.

Draco pushed her back, causing her to grin. "Are you drunk, or something?" he asked suspiciously. "Are you Pansy?"

"No," she answered, knitting her brows together in confusion. "Why would I be?"

"You want to fight with me. It's not a Hermione-like thing to do," he answered, swiping at her head.

Hermione kicked his shin and responded, "Well, I won't take an insult like that lying down, Draco!"

She could have sworn she heard him mutter, "Wish you would…"

So in retaliation, Hermione punched his jaw. Not hard enough to injure him, but enough to get her point across.

Draco shoved her again, catching her by surprise. She fell to the floor with laughter and a shriek, pulling him down with her.

After a minute or so, her laughter subsided. Breathing heavily, she looked up, shocked to see Draco's silver eyes boring holes into hers. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him.

Hermione felt the childish need to giggle at his silky, disarrayed platinum-blonde hair. If it weren't for the fact that a lock of the almost silver hair was tickling her nose, almost seductively.

Her mouth went dry, seeing his face illuminated by the soft moonlight. He looked so dashing, so seductive…so sexy.

Here was every girl's dream. Draco Malfoy lying on top of her, looking at her like there was nowhere else he'd rather be, and no one else he'd rather sleep with. Like nothing else mattered. Every girl wanted this, and the fact that everyone else was in bed, asleep, and they were all alone in the tower—with no interruptions—was sinful.

But here was Hermione, staring like a dumb fool into his eyes, not daring to move a single muscle. There was no way she was normal.

"Hermione," Draco finally said softly, his warm breath caressing her face.

Just the way he said her name sent delightfully warm shivers down her spine. The hungry way he was ogling her sent that forbidden tingle down there.

Hermione let out a shaky breath, with only one thought racing through her brain, currently a pile of mush: Oh God, I'm going to shag Malfoy in the Astronomy Tower.

She gasped at the thought, feeling disturbed. How long had she been wanting this? How long had she fought this?

Draco obviously knew there was no way she'd be coherently speaking, so he simply lowered his head, giving her a gentle kiss.

Hermione felt her heart pounding furiously, and was vaguely aware of the wind blowing outside.

He pulled back, looking confused at what had just happened. "Hermione…" he said again, unsure.

She wanted to cry, hearing the gentle, tender way Draco had just whispered her name. Hermione ran her tongue on her lips, fully aware of his gaze following the movement intently. "Draco," she said simply.

He nodded, and bent his head again, to capture her lips in a passionate kiss. She adjusted her position a bit, kissing back forcefully. Draco ran his tongue along her lips, waiting patiently for access. For once, he didn't push her. Smiling in her mind, Hermione opened her mouth enough.

The Sex God of all of Hogwarts was here, right now, lying on top of Hermione Granger, bookworm of all of Hogwarts…snogging her senseless, just waiting to push it further.

Finally sure that she was comfortable, Draco lowered his hands, which were previously entangled in her hair.

Hermione moaned with pleasure against his mouth, feeling at a high. All experiences with Kyle flew out the window, and she was a virgin all over again.

His touches and caresses were foreign to her. Delightful and gentle, but foreign. Not similar at all to Kyle.

Don't think about him! Her brain screamed desperately. You'll never enjoy it!

Which, Hermione supposed, was completely, and utterly true.

Pulling away, gasping for breath, she wriggled out from underneath him and stood up, smirking down at Draco. He protested, watching her painfully.

He stood up, too, finally, looking irate. "Are you really going to stop there?" he asked, a twinge of pleading in his voice.

She shook her head, to his relief, and moved her hands to his tie. Hermione struggled for a brief second, unable to see, then finally removed it hastily, causing Draco to grin.

He took off hers in a split second, and they unbuttoned each other's shirts. Hermione made a sound of protest when he stopped halfway.

"Draco…" she groaned, pulling off his shirt. "Just finish it!" They were about to have sex, and still they bickered. Some things just never changed…

---

Draco let out a breath, one he had been holding for a while. By now, he had Hermione Granger, every guy's secret pleasure, topless.

Mudblood or not, she was gorgeous, and was the forbidden fruit to every boy in Hogwarts. Guarded closely by her two best male friends, she was labeled unreachable. Only one guy had reached her, whom, by now, everyone knew. Kyle Thompson.

And here was Draco, about to reach to her as well. And he was surprised, to say the least, when he didn't feel victorious at all.

He felt empty.

But Draco shrugged off the feeling, and leaned over her, sliding down her little school skirt. Hermione was looking up at him in a way that unnerved him; her bright cinnamon eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

Deciding to tease her, Draco started at the hem of her knickers, and pressed his lips there lightly. Painstakingly slowly, he moved his direction of gentle kisses all the way up, pausing momentarily at her breasts.

Ever the huffy Granger, she whacked his arm, unaware of the action. He had to stifle a laugh.

Finally, grinning against, her skin, he kissed each breast worshippingly, and moved back over to the center, all the way from her neck to her lips.

Draco kept the kiss brief, and finished by kissing her nose and forehead, almost lovingly.

He stopped, and sat up, looking at Hermione expectantly. Smiling from under the moonlight, she reached up her delicate hands, and fumbled with his trousers, too anxious for her own good.

Chuckling, Draco swatted her hands away gently, and undid the button, leaving the zipper for her.

Hermione glanced up at him, biting her lip, and she reached a little less enthusiastically for his zipper. She gently pulled down both his pants and boxers at once.

Draco frowned, feeling an unequal-ness between the amount of clothing. "This isn't fair, missy," he said huskily.

She simply laughed, and let him even it up.

(A/N: That's right…I'm not going to go into details, for a few reasons. One, I told you there was a distinct possibility that I couldn't do it. Two, because I've read reviews of other stories, and a lot of people find it tasteless. Three, I'm really not comfortable with it. At the beginning, I thought I could, but…guess I lied, lol. Anywayz, onwards!)

Hermione's eyes fluttered open slowly, and she grinned a little. Last night had been incredible, and perfect. Squinting in the sunlight, she tugged at the restraint around her body. Looking down, Hermione saw Draco had wrapped her in a blanket.

She smiled wider, and stretched, expecting to see Draco. But he wasn't there, causing a simple frown to cross her face.

"Draco?" Hermione called softly, looking around worriedly.

Nothing. Silence.

She got up, tears stinging her eyes while she dressed herself. Calm down, he probably just went to get a snack or something. Maybe he thought you'd be out cold for a while longer, her mind rationalized.

Taking deep, soothing breaths, Hermione walked down the stairs slowly, down to their dorms.

The portrait guarding her room winked, giggling like mad. "Bugger, just open the bloody hell up," Hermione grumbled miserably.

The picture swung forward, and Hermione ducked through. Throwing her robe on her bed, she walked into the common room and to Draco's room.

She murmured the password he last had, tapping her foot impatiently. Oh, sod it all, he'd changed it!

Suddenly, without warning, the door swung open, revealing Mr. Wonderful himself. "Granger," he said curtly, nodding his head.

Hermione's mouth dropped open in confusion at his bone-chilling tone. Desperate to find out what was going on, she tried to peek around his arm.

Draco touched her face, causing her to jerk her head up to his. "I wouldn't do that, sweetie," he said sarcastically.

Even more confused, Hermione yanked his arm away in frustration, and shoved him aside. She peered into his room. Seeing what caused his warning, Hermione's jaw dropped open in shock, and horror.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Draco told her, shrugging.

"But…but…last n—"

He held up a hand, halting her mid-sentence. Leaning leisurely against the doorframe, Draco sighed. "Last night…was a mistake. Nothing more, nothing less."

Tears stung Hermione's eyes again. There was no way to rationalize this away. Draco returned to his cold-hearted self again.

Hermione licked her dry, chapped lips, taking in a shuddering breath. She nodded, not trusting herself to say a word.

"What," Draco scoffed, "are you going to tell me you felt a connection when I shagged you senseless?"

Her eyes narrowed, drifting back to the content, sleeping figure of Pansy Parkinson.

"No, of course not," she lied. "It was convenient, like I'm sure it was for you," Hermione spat. "Best of luck with that one. Can't teach an old dog new tricks, can you, Malfoy?" she asked hatefully.

Draco shrugged, unfazed at her insult towards Pansy. "No, but her tricks are satisfying enough. By the way," he tossed in, "I had fun. You were great."

---

Ron and Harry awkwardly patted Hermione's head, holding her sobbing figure. Harry shifted, because he was the one that held her.

"Was it Malfoy?" Ron demanded angrily. "I'll kill him!" It was always Draco, and he and Harry knew it.

Hermione shook her head. "No, no…it's just…my mum owled me…and my grandpa died. I loved him so much," she cried, pausing when she was overtook with a new round of sobs.

Ron swallowed down the jealousy bubbling inside him. He knew it was Malfoy. But…why would Hermione lie about it?

He looked up at Harry, seeing if Harry had any answers. Which he didn't. "So are you going to the funeral?" Harry asked gently, rubbing her back.

Hermione froze under his touch. "I-I really don't want to talk about, Harry…If you don't mind."

Ron cleared his throat. She was probably still sensitive from their fight, so Ron answered for Harry, "Of course not, 'Mione. You just wait until you're ready."

Which, Ron prayed would be soon. Because there was no bloody way he'd wait long to beat the tar outta Malfoy, that self-serving git.

---

Graduation

Albus Dumbledore stood stiffly, frowning at two students. It was supposed to be perfect, what had gone wrong?

The crowd shifted uneasily, anxious for the ceremony to start.

Finally clearing his throat, Dumbledore began the speech that began the new chapter of the students' lives.

When he was done, people were wiping their eyes, touched by his immortal words. He waved to the parents, and to the graduates. "May luck be with you," he added, for good measure.

Professor McGonagall stepped up to the stage, carrying the scroll similar to the one she had carried when they were the babies of the school. Only this time, the Sorting Hat was not seated on the stool.

She made a sound to get the attention onto herself once more, causing the students to be even more anxious. Here was the moment they'd waited years—maybe even decades—for.

As "Hermione Granger" was called to the stage, the crowd cheered loudly, minus any people relating to Slytherins.

She smiled, giving off a happy air. But it was apparent to Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape that she was far from it. Hermione's eyes drifted unwillingly to the platinum blonde that had tormented her for years.

Hermione stepped up to the podium, muttering the spell to project her voice. "The professors asked to give a speech as Head Girl, and one of the top of our class. And…I know these years have been trying. We've had our ups, our downs," she started, giving a small smile to Harry and Ron. "And we've had those scary times, where nothing was right. Times where we've doubted our peers…"

The students shifted, remembering Fourth Year, when no one liked Harry, for trying to steal the glory from Cedric.

"A lot of you have no idea why in the bloody hell you're even here. You feel you've gotten nothing out of this, and I'm sorry. Lots have formed new relationships, and some had the misfortune of losing relationships that consumed them."

Hermione paused, the pain trying to consume her. Instead of focusing on it, she looked up at the crowd, and smiling weakly at the murmurs passing through. Kyle winked at her encouragingly, and she straightened up.

Albus smiled, grateful that she wasn't going to leave it at an uncomfortable pause.

"But now…we're done. Every last one of you is preparing to go into the Wizarding world, to do good. Or to do bad, but really…Well, some plan on being mothers and fathers. Others plan on working at the Ministry."

There was a collective chuckle, because they all knew it was exactly where she was headed.

"So with that, I'm taking this," she said, holding up her diploma, "and I'm going to make the best of it I bloody well can!"

Cheers rang through the seated kids, even though some hadn't quite gotten their diplomas.

---

Draco took a deep breath, looking out at the graduating students. He frowned, unhappy at the thought of having to give a 'touching' speech.

"Seven sodding years of hard work, and here we are. We've gone through a lot of crap, like Hermione said, and we're still here. It's not over yet, like most of you would like to think. We've got to work now; no more getting handed things on a silver platter. For you, anyway," Draco said, looking over at his father, and mother.

"House rivalries. They mean nothing now. No more merciless Quidditch games just to get some damned trophy. I don't know about you, but I still think Slytherin's the best."

Draco grinned, relishing the groans coming from those who strongly disagreed. But not as much as he loved the cheers coming from Slytherins.

"Yeah, that's about it. Bugger, that was short, wasn't it?"

There were mild cheers from the other Houses, and Slytherin went wild, overcompensating.

He looked over at his mother, and smiled. It had been her only wish to see him graduate. It took a lot of begging on his part, but Draco had convinced Lucius to take Narcissa out just for this.

She waved merrily; smiling like there was nothing else in the world that could make her more happy. Narcissa grabbed Lucius' hand, briefly forgetting her hatred for him.

Draco's heart thumped with a painful beat, as he saw his mother looking so ecstatic. He knew her happiness was going to be gone quickly, and she'd be back in St. Mungo's.

From on the stage, Pansy winked at him, blowing him a kiss.

Draco cringed, and his attention wandered to Hermione. She sat stiffly, smiling briefly only at Ron and Harry.

She turned, and wore an expression of horror that his eyes were on her. Quickly, it changed to anger, and Hermione swiftly flicked him off.

Draco chuckled, and looked into the warning face of Lucius Malfoy.

---

Hermione stood in the Great Hall, where the party was being held, clutching her drink tightly.

A few acquaintances clapped her on the back, babbling about how great it was to be able to know her, and signed her yearbook with fake things like 'Keep in touch'.

Harry and Ron had been the first to sign it, and they were the only ones she really thought she'd still talk to. Kyle Thompson aside.

She threw away her cup, trying her hardest to be anti-social. But people kept coming up to her, taking the yearbook, and signing it. Asking her to sign theirs, offering congratulations, or hugging her like they were upset.

Hermione felt eyes on her back, and felt the urge to just cry. It was Malfoy again!

Sure enough, when she turned around, two silver eyes were focused on her.

Why in Merlin's name is he still staring at me! she thought, upset. He hurt me, not the other way around!

Draco nodded briefly to her, and murmured something to the person he was with.

Hermione wanted to scream in frustration when he began his way towards her.

"Yearbook," he demanded, holding out his hand.

"No," she replied stubbornly, hugging it to her chest. "Sod off."

Draco clenched his jaw, and muttered a spell, causing her book to fly into his hands.

When he was done signing it, Hermione immediately read it. And it confused her even more.

---

Hermione,

We haven't had the best seven years by a long shot. But this year wasn't so bad, was it? Recent events aside, of course.

I really must thank you for a great night. Really, you come in the top five.

I'll also bet you're freaking out right now, thinking 'Oh my Gods, what if people read this?' Consider this my Graduation gift to you. My signature's protected by a spell so that only you can read it (try as you might to make it go away), and no one can write over it.

Yeah, that's right, I go to the Library and read, too. But I think we've covered the fact that you don't know the real me. Which, darling, is why you'll never understand any of my actions.

It's ended for good…Hope you're truly happy.

Your dirty secret,

D.M.

A/N: And there it is! The story is complete, again… What a trip. Again. Stupid Can someone please explain to me why it was taken down? I don't see how these violated any of the "rules". Well, whatever. Now you can mosey on down to the sequel!

Read, Reread, Review, Enjoy. Lol, thanks much guys. You got my foot in the door, so to speak. 3

Let's get a few things straight before some people chop my head off, lmao.

One thing that took off (the extra chapter) was an author's note that asked you, the readers, whether or not you wanted a longer story with a nice ending… or a shitty ending making you go WHAT THE FUUUUUUCK! with a sequel to sate my rabid readers. Lol, since I updated, I've gotten people saying "wow…that ending really sucked."

Soooo anyway, I'd like to clarify one more thing: Yeah… I know basically this had no plot point. Meh. It was my first story, and it was crap. Ahaha, yeah, but the sequel is way better. So go look at my Author…thingy…Page…Lol. It's called "Hidden Lioness".

Thanks for your time! Love you all lots, and thanks for all the reviews! None of them were too bad, all things considered.