A/N: Thank you for your awesome reviews!! They all keep me going! I am so divinely sparked right now...so I shall write the LAST CHAPTER.
Thank you to:
Elle Granger, Thelovelyladylily, nevermind2, stella, cesia, chuckles-d-hobbit, wockygal, X green eyes X, fieryred20, deep blue quill, AimeeK, magickwolf, cheekii monkey, hiscefit, angelicwun, anon11, noubliz, shimmering evil, flavagurl, stargazer starluver, Gryffindor-magic, jessicadracomalfoy, boyluvr250, sad-soulz, angelserpent91, rosemitzkah
And to everyone else who reviewed in the past. I love you all.
I might make a sequel...what do you think?
Thank you so much for taking the time to review! Thank you so much!
Chapter 21: Goodbyes Don't Exist
Days, weeks, months and endless hours by the crackling fire have passed, and nothing was any different. Two persons, one girl, the other a boy, were thinking of each other. Cowards! For they had not thought of anything to do about it.
They had seen each other in class, Hermione and Draco, and they spoke not a word about the past. They've reminisced about the time when Hermione had Draco on her lap, and when Draco's shoulder held Hermione's head.
Feelings were the only thing that changed...they have become deeper. They have developed into something more meaningful...something that felt like forever...like there was no end.
They had not said anything, yet they had stared deeply into each other eyes, on occasion when there was no one else...in empty hallways, or in classrooms too busy for them to be noticed.
--
Hermione sat down on the couch. Her mind was filled with unlimited thoughts, endless possibilities. Hermione Granger thought about the future...what did it hold? Even she, smartest in their year, could not answer that.
The year was going to end. They had finals in a week, and it had put much pressure on them. Pressure considerably smaller than last years, yet there had been break downs and other casualties. She wasn't one of them.
She had started studying ages ago. She'd covered the entire lesson plan, and even put in some extra. She was not about to let others upstage her. Anyway, she was busy thinking about some other things...and only one other person. She wondered how Draco was doing.
--
"Go away Pansy", Draco said smugly and firmly to the girl.
"But Drakie—"
"Leave", Draco said, and he pointed to the door of the boys' dormitory.
"Hmph", she said playfully, "Frustrated, are you?" and she left, twirling her hair.
Draco rolled his eyes, and they rested on his pendant. He never ever even tried to take it off, and he didn't think he ever would. He tried to concentrate on his notes, written by his calligraphic handwriting on the neat rolls of parchment.
"Oh I wish I had studied earlier", he thought bitterly, "Granger never has these problems..."
Then, at those words, his mind suddenly drifted away...to none other than Hermione Granger.
--
"Hurry up Harry", Hermione said, "We're going to be late..."
"Oh shit...hold on—my bag"
"Hurry..."
They rushed to the Great Hall but Hermione's voice suddenly disappeared at the sight of platinum blonde hair by the Slytherin table. Her heart skipped a beat, and bumping into a few people, she, along with Harry and Ron, finally made their way to the Gryffindor table.
--
Breakfast was almost over. Draco had arrived only a few minutes before Hermione did, and he managed to catch a glimpse of her when she entered the great hall. As her eyes wandered over to him, he suddenly turned his head.
Presently, he took a piece of toast and started to eat it while trying to do some last minute reviewing. The tests were about to start...in perhaps, thirty minutes.
"Okay there, Draco?" Millicent Bulstrode called.
Draco looked up and smirked, "Of course...you?"
"Fine...but that Potter—"
"Oh don't talk about Potter here", somebody jeered.
"Shut up, I'm trying to study up"
The jeering continued, until McGonagall appeared in the front of the Great Hall.
"Time for your examinations", she said sternly, "—prepared by the ministry so we obviously have no control over the results. Cheating is not allowed and you will be caught so I advice you now, not to try"
Some laughed, some turned red.
"Please...all of you...except Granger, Hermione and Malfoy, Draco", she continued, "take your things and go to your respective classes"
Slowly, the Great Hall quieted down, and only two students remained. They approached their Professor.
"You may take your exams in two days...if you wish...but if you are prepared now—"
"We're not" Draco cut in, "May we have the extra two days?"
"Okay then, come with me"
--
A few staircases, and doorways later, they sat in the familiar office of Albus Dumbledore.
"Welcome. Since you have nothing else to do until Wednesday, would you like to decorate the Great Hall for the Graduation Ball?"
"Ball?"
"The first annual...it's for fifth, sixth, and seventh years...we have supplies, and right now, we just need your hands and your creativity. You could ask some others to help you out...like prefects and volunteers—the head boy and girl are currently busy with the entertainment and all that jazz...so—"
"We'd love to Professor Dumbledore", Hermione said, smiling.
"Yes..." Draco said, distracted with the glint in Hermione's brown eyes.
"Well that's settled then", Dumbledore said cheerily, "You may start tonight after the exams...you'd probably like to study wouldn't you?"
--
Hermione and Draco walked out of the office together...and as they rounded an empty hallway, they realized that their hands had been intertwined the entire time.
Hermione's cheeks turned crimson, and Draco's pale face was tinged with pink. Hermione looked into his pale, stormy eyes and mumbled an apology.
"Its okay—", Draco said quietly, "—well my dormitory's this way...see you tonight"
"Yeah..."
And with that, he turned into a corner, and slowly wandered over to another, out of Hermione's sight.
"You didn't have to go..." Hermione thought, quite happily.
--
Hermione and Draco met before dinner. They had managed to study well, amidst the distraction of each other. They smiled as they picked up a box of décor that was already there. Everything was white.
"Hogwarts has gone holy..." Draco said, pulling out some pure white cloth out of another box.
"Well..." Hermione said with doubt, "I suppose we can make this work"
"Of course we could"
They had some fun putting up décor. They were all alone. No one was there yet...except for each other—and that was all they needed.
There were some platforms that floated and served as ladders, and Hermione almost fell off three feet above the ground, but Draco caught her just in time, and he put down a very red, very embarrassed Hermione.
Draco on the other hand, did everything he was supposed to very smoothly. Truth was, he was just trying to impress Hermione. He'd never put in that much effort if it was just some other girl. Hermione was different.
--
When they finished, they were quite happy. Dumbledore had told them to just decorate the walls, and the teachers would take care of the rest, so they sat on the floor, admiring their work.
Hermione leaned over to Draco, and Draco stroked her hair. They felt so small; being alone in the great hall, but their feelings just lifted them up.
For a sec, they couldn't speak. They were surprised, dumbfounded, lost in the pureness of everything. They didn't think they'd accomplish that in such a short period of time. Nobody had come in yet. It was natural because, dinners were late when there were exams, so the two were happy to be alone for the time being.
"Great job, 'Mione"
"Thanks...you too"
"Thanks"
"Well..."
"—I can't believe that the year's going to end already, Hermione"
"Yes—in one week...well, I can't believe it either"
"Yeah..."
Just then, the doors of the Great Hall swung open, and a few Hufflepuff seventh years came in.
"Nice décor, Hermione"
"Thanks"
"Oh you too Malfoy..."
The Great Hall was gradually filled with people, and Hermione said goodbye when she saw Harry and Ron come in. Draco watched her approach a weary Harry and an obviously annoyed Ron. He heard nothing of their conversation since Blaise just arrived.
"How were the exams?" Draco said, mildly interested.
"Fine..."
"Small talk", Draco thought, and he took some food onto his plate.
--
"So...how were the examinations?"
"Horrible—", Harry said.
"Extremely", Ron added.
"Drama, drama", Parvati interrupted. Ron rolled his eyes. "Honestly..."
"Lucky you Hermione...", Lavender said, "Getting stuck with that hottie Draco Malfoy a whole year and getting extra time to study for the finals"
"Oh please...don't talk about Malfoy...that git--", Harry said, "—oh sorry Hermione..."
"For what?"
"Oh nothing", Ron teased.
Hermione was in a bad mood the whole night.
--
Two days passed, and the two took their exams. They had the whole day off. They spent the rest of the afternoon in two different places, but they thought of only one thing: each other.
A few more days crept by, slowly, and Hermione was getting bored of waiting, Draco was just lounging about.
The next day, they got into class and received their results. As always, Hermione had top marks, and Draco came in close as second.
Hermione immediately went to the owlery and sent her parents an owl. On her way back, she bumped into none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Oh, hey"
"Hey...see you at the ball..."
--
That night, Hermione unlocked her trunk, and pulled out a pure white ball gown that she'd bought in Hogsmeade last year. She was saving it for a special occasion...and now was the time to wear it.
She took out some Sleekeazy's Hair Potion and rubbed it in her hair slowly. She sat in front of the mirror, and fixed up her hair in a tight, neat bun. She curled the hair in the front, and let curls down to fall loosely in front of her face. She put on some light makeup and she put on the dress...
--
Draco put on his dress robes. They were delivered by post from Malfoy manor, along with a long letter from his mother that he put in the fire after reading. His dress robes were made from silvery fabric, and they accented his pale eyes.
His hair just fell loosely above his eyes, and he just let it be...
--
The doors of the Great Hall were locked until 8:00 sharp. People filled the hall, including Hermione Granger, accompanied by Harry, Ron and Ginny.
Draco entered the Hall a few seconds after the Golden Trio did, with Blaise Zabini and a few other Slytherins.
They took their seats on the tables that were covered with white tablecloths. They took time to see what the teachers had done to improve the decorations.
Instantly, Draco and Hermione had this intense feeling of Déjà vu. They had been there before...well, part of it.
Everything was white, as in, everything. The floors, the ceiling, and the portraits were taken down and replaced with white. Everything.
There was soft music in the background as more people began to file inside the Great Hall with awe.
--
After a huge meal, and delicious dessert, Hermione began to feel dizzy. She held her forehead in pain.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Ron said after taking a sip of juice.
"Yes Ron, I'm fine"
"Are you sure?" Harry said with uncertainty.
"Well...yeah"
"Okay if you say so..." Ginny said, as Hermione's eyes wandered over to where Draco was sitting.
--
Draco took in a deep breath. He wasn't ready yet, but will he ever be?
"Never..." he said under his breath, and he got up.
"Malfoy, where are you going?" Blaise said.
"Nowhere...just—just there..."
"But—"
"Let him go..." Pansy said flirtatiously, "Let's dance, Blaise"
Draco watched as they slinked over to the dance floor. Some song was playing. Draco ignored it, and—with his breath held—he made his way to Hermione Granger.
--
"Hi"
Hermione looked up abruptly and found herself locked in Draco's pale eyes.
"Hey...What are you doing here?"
"I'm here", he said suavely, "to ask you to dance"
Hermione couldn't hold it in. A smile crept over her face, and she held out her hand. Draco pulled her up, and slowly, they drifted to the dance floor.
--
It's been two weeks and three days long
I'm all alone since you've been gone
I can't keep myself from asking why
Just wanna see my reflection in your eyes
"I know this song..." Hermione whispered.
"You've heard it before...?"
"Yeah...somewhere...though I can't seem to remember—"
"Shh..."
They disappeared in the crowd, lost in a world of their own, surrounded by music, and a steady glow of light.
Hermione put her arms around his neck, and he put his hands on her waist knowingly.
Just know that I'm with you
And what you feel, I feel it too
She was quite unsure of what to do, but he, knowing what to do, led her slowly deeper into the dance floor.
As the music got louder, people began to stare.
"—Hermione and Malfoy..."
"Draco—and her?"
They ignored them; they were too busy with each other.
I'm feeling lately
I'm going crazy
Wondering how I'll go on without you
"Draco..."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing"
I keep on trying
Slowly dying
Thinking of how I need you here with me
They swayed gracefully to the music.
I wear your shirt, the scent of you
Reminds me of the night when we became two
There's nothing else that feels the same
Everyday there's sun, it feels just like rain
Soon, they were in the very middle, surrounded by onlookers. They didn't care. As far as they knew, they were together, and that's what counted most.
Just know that I'm with you
And what you feel, I feel it too
If you think it's easy for me
Well you're wrong
Sometimes I'm weak and baby you know
I'm not that strong
The song ended soon, and they were gazing dreamily at each other. Slowly, they snuck out of the Great Hall into the garden.
--
It was filled with glittering lights, and Hermione smiled. The music was still audible, though quite distant.
Hermione once again put her arms around his neck, and they danced around playfully and aimlessly, and smiling. They were so happy.
"Hermione..."
"Yes?"
"Remember the favor?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"I want to ask you to..."
Hermione looked at him carefully, and tilted her head, waiting for him to speak.
Draco went closer, and soon, they were just about an inch from the other.
"...to kiss me"
Hermione leaned in, happier than she had ever been, and they found themselves in the sweetest kiss...
They were overwhelmed with an indescribable feeling as they deepened the kiss. Their worries and thoughts disappeared, and there was nothing but love...
They reluctantly pulled away, and Hermione smiled. Draco leaned in again, and this time, Hermione didn't pull away. She kissed him back, thinking "finally..."
"Finally", Draco said as the kiss died away.
Hermione breathed in relief.
"Draco..."
"Yes, Hermione?"
"I love you"
Draco smiled, and kissed her gently on the forehead. "I have waited so long to tell you that too...I love you Hermione...I love you"
Hermione clutched her pendant.
"Draco look..."
The pendants, the "Love" and the "Hate", glowed brightly under the moonlight.
Suddenly, the word hate disappeared in the silver, and the word "Always" emerged.
"I love you...always...", Hermione whispered
"—and forever...", Draco finished.
They didn't want to let go, and now, they will never have to.
--
--
--
THE END...
So what did you think? Please please please review! I love you all! This is the last and longest chapter. I sure hope you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it.
See you all in my next fic... ;)
SHOULD I MAKE A SEQUEL?! TELL ME PLEASE!