A/N: Hey everybody! I am back from my holiday and I am exhausted, so if this chapter is not up to scratch it's due to the fact that I am tired. Okay now I am thinking of writing a sequel to this story. I know I said I wouldn't write another story after the Charmed Ones, but I had a big think about this story... and yeah. So what do you all think? End the Drama here or continue it? Amy what do you say? Anyway onto the chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER ONLY THE VERBATIMS!

Chapter Sixteen: End This Nightmare

"Hermione... an hour has been and dinner is due to start in twenty minutes," said Gavin placing his knife on the cutting board to look at his sister.

Hermione took a deep long breath and looked at her brother. Actual fear was in her eyes; fear of what was going to happen to her, fear of wether the coming Sunday was going to be a success or not.

"Hermione I can see you are scared, but there is no need to be," said Gavin putting an arm around her shoulders to comfort her, "You are strong and you can kick their arses with ease no one has ever seen. And you are a former Gryffindor... the lioness of Gryffindor."

Hermione smiled at Gavin, "Your right. I'll show them what for."

"That's the spirit!" grinned Gavin, "Now I'll meet you outside your room at nine as normal. We have a lot to do between now and Sunday. Do you want me to apperate you to your room?"

"Yes please."

Gavin took hold of his sister's hand and apperated her to her room.

"I'll see you at dinner," whispered Gavin.

Hermione nodded just before Gavin left with a snap.

Hermione sighed and smoothed her top with a single hand and looked at herself in her mirror, "Strength and courage are all I need. Speak my mind and I'll remain me."

With a nod to her reflection Hermione left her room with her head held high.

!Z!

"Another fire whiskey son?" slurred a drunk Lucius Malfoy who had drunk twenty shots of the stuff.

Draco shook his head, he hadn't even touched his second one, "I think I shall go to bed instead father."

"Sounds rather... dandy."

Draco raised his eyebrow at his father's choice of word and left shaking his head.

He was glad to leave his father's sitting room after having spent twp hours in there. Instead of retreating to his room like he said he walked to his mother's sitting room and knocked on her door.

"Come in son."

Draco pushed the door open and shut it behind him, "How are you mother?"

"I'm fine darling. With your father drinking to his so called sorrows he won't be in the mood to do anything to me," sighed Narcissa as she closed her book, "Now how are you?"

Draco sat down across from his mother, "I've realized something while watching father drink."

"What is that?"

"The big battle between the good and evil is this Sunday. But even if the good side is victorious, I may still not be able to be with Hermione."

"Why is that?"

"Father will run. When he notices the evil side is loosing he will run. If Voldemort is killed Father will start plotting to be the next Dark Lord and he will expect me to be his right hand man... if I defy him he will hit me where it hurts the most: kill Hermione."

Narcissa sighed, "Why is it that whenever a good plan comes into action there is always something bad that follows it?"

"I know mother. But if what I fear does happen... I will have to leave Hermione... and it will break her heart along with mine."

Narcissa sat forward and took hold of Draco's hand, "You are a good man darling and I know that one day you both can live in happiness."

Draco smiled at his mother, "I can only dream Mother... I can only dream."

!Z!

"Where have you been?" screamed Janice slamming Hermione against the wall, her pupils fully black.

"What is it to you?" replied Hermione her eyes narrowed.

"You beat your father up! You are meant to respect your parents!"

"You or Heath are not my parents! You never have been and never will be! And show respect to you two? Ha! I would rather show respect to a Dementor!"

Janice slapped Hermione across the face and dropped her to the ground. Hermione looked up to see Janice pulling her wand out.

"I told the Dark Lord you were trouble the moment you stepped foot into the Verbatim Estate... I knew I should've done away with you when I had the very chance to! Well now that shall be done."

Hermione pulled her wand out, her pupils going black as she let the Darkness cover her. She knew she had control over it and this would be an easily won battle. Heath and Janice only knew the Dark Arts. They knew nothing of the magic Hermione knew.

Just as Janice yelled a spell Hermione muttered one she learnt in her sixth year.

The two globes of lights collided, but Hermione's took over Janice's spell and hit her square in the chest.

Hermione watched as Janice lifted off the ground and slammed into the Verbatim's coat of arms on the wall behind her.

"Gee... how do you feel about being beaten by a seventeen year old?" said Hermione twirling her wand in her fingers.

Janice growled and threw a spell Hermione's way. Quickly Hermione created a shield and it rebounded off and hit the coat of arms sending it up in flames.

"Yeah... that's right burn... in hell," smirked Hermione.

Janice screamed as she watched the coat of arms burned to ashes. She spun around and faced Hermione, "YOU LITTLE BITCH! I WILL GET YOU... I SWEAR YOU WILL DIE BY MY HAND!"

"Whatever," sighed Hermione her eyes brown as she walked past her to dinner.

!Z!

"Crookshanks!" called Ginny as she ran down the Burrows staircase that zigzagged, "Crookshanks! Come one boy! It's time for dinner!"

Ginny ran into the kitchen and sat at the table.

"Ginny dear... what's the matter?" asked Mrs Weasley looking up from the pot of vegetables she was cooking.

"Have you seen Crookshanks?"

"Why yes. He's in the lounge room with Blaise."

"Blaise is here?" cried Ginny standing up.

"Darling he's been here for an hour. I sent Ron up to tell you."

"Well he didn't," replied Ginny running out of the kitchen to the lounge room, "Blaise!"

Blaise stood up smiling and embraced Ginny tightly, "Hey. Where have you been? I've been here an hour."

"Mum sent Ron to tell me... and he didn't. How have you been?"

Blaise sighed, "Good. Have you spoken to Draco?"

Ginny shook her head, "Not since the day we left Hogwarts. You?"

"Same. My parents won't let me talk to him... they hate the Malfoy's."

"Are they Death Eaters?"

Blaise shook his head, "They aren't Dark Wizards at all... which everyone presumes they are. But they can't stand Voldemort. But they won't join the Order either. But I want too."

"Well... I can arrange that for you. My father is due home soon. I can talk to him about it. Draco is part of the Order, as you know. Dumbledore needs all the help he can get I think."

Blaise smiled and kissed Ginny on the forehead, "That would be really appreciated my lovely."

Ginny smiled, "Come on. Let's go for a walk. Dinner isn't for another hour or so I think."

!Z!

Finally Nine PM rolled around. Dinner had been a very quiet one with glares being passed between Hermione, Janice and Voldemort. Heath was bed bound for at least two days. Hermione had done quite a number to him. Gavin thought it would look quite comical if the situation wasn't serious. His parents or Voldemort didn't know him and Hermione had grown close or were plotting their death for this Sunday.

Gavin grabbed his navy blur hooded jumper and pulled it on and apperated to the shadows near Hermione's door as she walked out.

"Let's go," said Gavin taking her hand and appreating to the secret room.

"So tell what happened between you and Janice?" asked Gavin as they resumed cutting various ingredients, "You and her seemed to be sharing quite a few deadly looks."

"We duelled. And I burnt the coat of arms to ashes."

Gavin looked at Hermione shocked, "You burnt the coat of arms?"

"Yeah. Why, what's so wrong about that?"

"I've been wanting to do that since I got my wand."

Hermione smiled, "Well now you won't have to look at it any more. It's nothing but black ashes. Anyway now Janice is saying I am going to die at her hand."

"You better watch your back than. She'll try to hit you unexpectantly."

Hermione nodded, "I will. So have we chopped, crushed everything?"

Gavin looked at all the ingredients around him, "I think so. Okay, so who will make what potion?"

"Well I'll make the love potion and you can make our creation. Sound like a plan to you?"

"Defiantly. I hope this works."

"It will. Just think positively," said Hermione lighting a fire underneath her cauldron.

Gavin smiled at Hermione than they both began working in silence.

!Z!

The next dawned all to early for Draco. He'd rarely slept a wink as his mind was swirling with thoughts of his Hermione. His father had to die Sunday. He had to make sure he did. If he didn't Draco's future was bleak with Hermione not apart of it. Lucius would want her dead, and knowing Lucius he would expect Draco to do the killing, which Draco knew he couldn't do.

Draco sat up with a deep sigh and got up to dress.

After dressing he walked to the dining room where his mother was eating alone.

"Morning Mother," said Draco siting across from her.

"Morning darling," replied Narcissa smiling at him, "How are you?"

"Hardly awake. I had very little sleep last night."

"Oh. Well take it easy today."

"He will not be taking it easy at all today Narcissa. Draco has to find himself a job. I hear they are looking for a potion maker at St Mungo's. You've always been good at Potion making Draco. You could go into that career," said Lucius entering the room

"What do they do there Father?" asked Draco with fake interest.

"They make healing Potions and medication for the patients."

"Sounds interesting. I shall go and apply after I have had breakfast."

Lucius nodded and shot a glare at Narcissa daring her to protest.

Narcissa just gave him a half smile and returned to eating.

An hour later Draco left with his NEWT results, which arrived during the breakfast. All the Malfoy's were pleased with Draco's results, which were all OUTSTANDINGS.

Draco didn't particularly want to work in the Potions career area. But a job was a job and if it meant being away from Lucius Draco would do it.

Draco apperated to the front desk of St Mungo's and the blonde women looked at Draco waiting for his question.

"Hi. I'm here to apply for a job in the Potions section," said Draco in a polite tone.

"Here is an application form. Fill it out and return it to me," replied the lady in a bored tone.

"Thankyou," said Draco taking the form and walking to a table.

He sat down and began filling out the details only pausing to read the questions being asked.

Ten minutes later Draco returned the form and left. But not for home. It was the last place he wanted to be. Instead he went to the one place he thought he wouldn't dare go unless asked.

!Z!

"I personally don't give a damn what you think of me!" screamed Hermione walking away from Voldemort, "I hate the training, I hate you, I hate being here, I can't wait for the day you finally die!"

"GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT YOUNG LADY!" yelled Voldemort following her, "DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME OR YOUR TRAINING!"

Hermione spun on her shoes heel to face him, "I am not your daughter! You can't tell me what to do and I will no longer be attending training. Punish me if you will, I certainty have learnt to take a beating by now! And I will walk away from you if I want."

"No one walks away from me."

"No? Well now someone does, so get used to it because it's going to be happening a lot."

With one more glare Hermione turned back around and began walking to the castle.

"YOU SHALL BE PUNISHED FOR THIS ELLAWISE!"

"Oh good for me," replied Hermione smirking to herself, "And please get it right for once in your dismal life. It's Hermione."

Voldemort gave a frustrated scream causing Hermione to laugh.

Well at least I know I can annoy Voldemort. Who else can achieve such a thing?

Hermione ran up the flight of stairs towards her room. She walked down the hallway a smile still on her face.

"What are you smiling at?" asked Gavin exiting a room to Hermione's right.

"Oh I just got into an argument with Voldemort," replied Hermione leaning on her bedroom door, "I won."

"Aren't you meant to be at training?"

"I walked away. I told him I'm not doing it any more. He can punish me all he wants, I don't care any more."

"Hermione he could kill you," said Gavin worriedly.

"Let him try. I'll be waiting and I'll be ready. He doesn't scare me Gavin. Fear the name only increases the fear of the thing itself. I don't fear the name and I don't fear him."

"But he is deadly and not to mention powerful."

"I'm deadly and powerful. I know magic he doesn't know thanks to Harry. So I do have an advantage, so does Harry. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry as a baby and it failed he transferred some of his powers to Harry. Such as being able to speak to snakes. The light side has a huge advantage over the dark side."

Gavin nodded finally seeing Hermione's point, "Okay I get it. Meet you tonight as normal?"

Hermione nodded and Gavin left. With a sigh she entered her room only thinking of a long soak in her bath. She looked up from the floor and noticed her curtains were closed. She shut the door and walked over to them.

"I opened these the morning. Everyone else might live in darkness, but by Merlin I don't," said Hermione to herself, "Oh gee Hermione you're going crazy. Talking to yourself, what next?"

She reached up and opened them.

"You know I kind of like watching you in the dark. But I can see the sunlight makes you look even more beautiful."

Hermione spun around to see Draco leaning on her bathroom door.

"Draco!" cried Hermione, "W-what are you doing here?"

Draco smiled and walked over to her and pulled her into his arms, "I needed to see you."

"But you could be found here with me... and than... everything... you... by Merlin I've missed you."

"Now you make sense," teased Draco before kissing her.

Hermione literally felt herself melt in his arms, but gathered herself when he pulled away.

They both sat on her bed and Hermione turned to face him, "Have you been to Dumbledore yet?"

"I saw him yesterday and told him the plan. The Order is meeting up on Friday to plane out attack even more. How is the potion going?"

"It's in the works. Gavin and I are positive it will be ready by Sunday," Hermione sighed, "How have you been? You look dead on your feet Draco. What have you been doing that's so exhausting?"

"I'm worried about you. I heard what you told Gavin. And I heard yours and Voldemort's argument. Promise me you'll be careful. I know you can be deadly and are extremely powerful but... what if you loose control of your dark side? Voldemort could than take control of you and... Merlin knows what could be the outcome of that."

"Draco," said Hermione taking hold of his hands, "I will be careful. Gavin is keeping a close eye on me whenever he can. It's what? Tuesday? Sunday is five days away. All I have to do is avoid Heath, Janice and Voldemort and I will be perfectly okay."

Draco nodded not daring to tell Hermione what he feared might happen.

"Are you okay?" asked Hermione stopping his thoughts; "You went pale for a spilt second."

"I'm fine. Did I tell you Ginny is taking care of Crookshanks?"

"No you didn't. How is my cat?"

"Missing you a lot. He... is good otherwise."

Hermione nodded and they fell into a silence.

"Hermione?"

"Yeah."

"Um... you know I love you right?"

"Yeah," said Hermione frowning.

"Well... we may win this Sunday right? But what if we do but something else goes completely wrong?"

"Like what? Where are you heading with this?"

Draco sighed, "What if someone else came between us, stopping us from finally being together?"

"Like who?"

"Anyone."

"Well," sighed Hermione, "I wouldn't stop loving you. And I wouldn't move on either."

"But what if I told you to?"

"I wouldn't Draco. I love you for Merlins sake. I can't just turn those feelings off and start loving some other guy."

"Not even Potter again?"

"I never loved Harry the way I love you. I thought I loved Harry but I don't, I love him as my friend. Why are you talking to me about this? What aren't you telling me Draco?"

"Nothing. I was just being stupid."

"I don't believe you."

"I know."

"Than tell me."

"It's nothing."

Hermione sighed knowing it was a pointless fight, "Than how did you go on your NEWTS?"

"Got all O's. You?"

"Same," said Hermione her voice shaking.

Draco looked at Hermione worried just as the tears started falling.

"Mione? Baby what's wrong?" asked Draco pulling her onto his lap and holding her.

"I can't take anymore Draco," said Hermione softly as the tears fell, "I put on the brave front, hiding what I'm truly feeling. I am scared I'm going to die. I am scared the potion won't work. I am scared of this place. I am scared that I may loose control of my dark side. I want out now. I want this nightmare to be over now."

"Shh... I know you do and so do I baby," whispered Draco as he wiped her tears away.

Hermione looked up at him, "You'd better get back before you get caught."

Draco nodded and Hermione slid of him and both stood. Draco pulled Hermione into a hug never wanting to let her go again.

"I love you," said Hermione tears still falling.

"I love you too and just remember I always will no matter what I say," said Draco wiping more tears away.

Hermione nodded.

Draco again pulled Hermione close and kissed her with all the emotions he was feeling at the time going into the kiss.

A few minutes later they both pulled away and with one more kiss on the forehead Draco left with a snap.

Hermione took deep breaths and walked into the bathroom.

!Z!

"Draco, your home," said Lucius as Draco appeared in the front corridor, "How did it go?"

Draco looked at his father, resisting the urge of killing him with his own hands, "Good. I may get the job."

"Good. Now I am going out. I shall be home in time for dinner at six."

Draco nodded and watched as his father left.

"Draco?" came his mothers soft voice behind him.

Draco turned around and looked at his mother, "I went and saw her Mum... she cried... she was so scared... so alone... I can't leave her there much longer... and I love her more than life it self... but she cried.... She hardly ever cries."

Emotion swept over Draco as a tear fell.

"Oh darling," said Narcissa hugging her son and letting him cry for the first time... in a long time.

A/N: Okay... there you go. I know the Draco crying part seems... weird but I reckon... it goes well with that part. Anyway let me know about the sequel part.

Love yas!

Love Coz!