Title: Remember When It Rained

Author: Kathea

Pairing: Draco/Hermione

Rating: Somewhere between PG-13 and R.

Summary: A new and completely different take on how Hermione and Draco could get together.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter world and it wouldn't be a good idea to sue me because I just bought a house and therefore have no money.

To my reviewers: G(Hermionewannbe8): I'm sorry I've been so cliffy addicted lately but if you had to wait till I actually finished a chapter, I'd never post. Fieryred20: Thank you so much. Lady-Delphinea: Thanks for staying up late to read as much as you did. Allied-Inspiriation (Innocent Rogue): I just love long reviews that wax poetic about how wonderful I am. I didn't have a great weekend so I was nice hear (read) someone saying I was great. Haylez90: Thanks for reviewing. Desiree K Troy: I'm not really sure how to write the battle either but I figure it's a different kind of scene to practice writing. Plus, everyone gets to see how far off base it is from what Rowling writes. Madnutterfan: I'm sorry that I torment you so. I will post as fast as possible. Shippo303: Many others have examined my evilness and ya'll are just going to have to put up with it. I'm almost done I swear. Snowy Winter Tales: At ease, soldier. Thanks for agreeing. One day, everyone in the whole world will agree that I am right. Don't ask about what.

AN: I apologize profusely for the length of time it has taken me to get this final chapter out. Work has been hellacious with federal grants and senators visiting and I've just about run out of energy. Also my dad was put in the hospital for a day and so no work got done then, but he's fine now. I wanted this chapter to be my best and I hope it is. There will be a long author's note at the end. Also, for me the Old Tongue is Gaelic. Hope that helps.

Chapter 15: It is finished

The castle continued to shudder as Lord Voldemort's minions magically assaulted the last remaining wards that protected the school. Dumbledore raised tired eyes to the students standing in front of him and pointed them to the door. Albus apparated out of his office and popped up in front of the doors to the school. Behind him the majority of the faculty and students waiting in the Great Hall gathered. Hermione, Harry, Ron and Draco exploded through the doors of Hogwarts. Headmaster Dumbledore had his back to the group gathered behind him. He was saying something in the Old Tongue and it definitely wasn't nice. Overhead death eaters flew in complicated patterns awaiting the signal for a full attack. Suddenly, spells burst from the battlements and flew across the sky towards the circling death eaters. Hermione halted, awed by the display above her. It reminded her of the Queen's Jubilee celebration from several years ago. The spells looked so much like fireworks in the bright sunlight. The sound of exploding stone jolted her and Hermione turned to see that the three boys were already in formation and Voldemort wading through his minions to reach Harry. Behind Voldemort, she could see a flash of white-blond hair. It's come to this, she thought, and rushed to Harry's side. The four stood, wands at the ready, as the Dark Lord and his lieutenant came to stop only feet away.

"Lucius, it seems that your offspring is fighting with our enemy."

"Not for long, my Lord." Lucius said wickedly and raised his wand at his son. A shot of green light raced towards Draco but inches from the boy's chest it was stopped by a shield of shimmering silver energy. Lucius' lips pulled back in a feral snarl and he shouted the spell again only to have it shatter against the shield. "You would stand with blood traitors and muggleborns?"

"If you can't beat them Father, join them." Draco responded with his trademark smirk.

"YOU WILL BOW TO ME!" Lucius bellowed.

"You have no power over me." Draco said triumphantly. The sounds of the battle around Hermione silenced. Everything had narrowed down to these two men. One she hated with every fiber of her being and the other one made her feel something so powerful it threatened to overwhelm her. The tension vibrated like a violently pulled harp string. All attention was focused on Draco and his father waiting for one of them to make the first move.

That's when Voldemort struck.

The other death eaters focused all of their attention on the other students and faculty. This left Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco with the full attention of the Dark Lord and Lucius Malfoy.

Sounds rushed back in and all around her the battle raged. Spells were shouted along with bellows of pain as student, auror, and death eater locked in heated combat. Voldemort was firing spells at Harry, nothing deadly but at such a rapid fire pace that it was sure to tire the him out quickly. Hermione pointed her wand at Voldemort and shouted, "Pertificus Totalus!" The spell flew quickly towards the Dark Lord but at the last second he blasted it away with a flick of his wand. Ron looked at her in shock. They would never win if they didn't get a break from the battle. Hermione caught Ron's eye and mouthed a command. Turning back to Voldemort, Hermione and Ron shouted the spell again, at the same time and watched as it struck the Dark Lord and he fell to the ground paralyzed. Ron punched a hand in the air and put a supporting arm around Harry and the weakened boy sagged dangerously. Hermione then felt herself flying back and then her body connected with the ground and she groaned at the impact. She opened her eyes to see Ron's brown eyes and messy red hair hovering over her face. "Hermione, are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"Yeah, what happened." She asked confused.

"Lucius Malfoy hit you with a stupefy." Ron replied.

"Oh."

"Come on. Let me help you up. This isn't over by a long shot." Ron said pulling her up from the ground. She could see students being carefully carried off the battle field by other students. She was surprised by the destruction. Part of one of the outer walls was crumbling and parts of the ground were scorched by fire and still smoldering. The main force of death eaters had withdrawn and were now zooming back on brooms taking on the waiting group of fresh aurors from the Ministry. She looked up and saw Lucius Malfoy hovering twenty feet in the air and spinning about madly. Draco, using his wand, was twirling his father about the sky. He released the spell and Lucius plummeted towards the ground only to be caught by a passing death eater on a broom. Before Lucius even regained his balance, he shot off a spell that caught his son unawares. Draco was sent flying back to slam into a half-destroyed wall. Hermione rushed to his side, lifting his upper body off the broken stone. Blood trickled down the side of his face, bright red on his pale face. He lay motionless, eyes shut, chest barely moving. The tears started to fall before Hermione realized that she'd started to cry. Her hands brushed over his pale cheeks and gripped his shoulders tightly. She started to shake him as she sobbed.

"You bastard! Don't you dare die on me. So help me Merlin, I'll raise you from the dead and kill you myself if you do." Hermione bowed her head over his body and didn't notice Harry and Ron take up a protective stance over their friend. "Draco, wake up, damn it!" Hermione shouted. Draco's eyes fluttered open. Malicious laughter filled the air and Hermione looked up to see Lucius and Voldemort watching the little group.

"How disgusting, the little mudblood has fallen in love." Lucius mocked. Hermione moved to rise but Draco's hand encircled her wrist and she looked back to his face. He was grimacing in pain but with Ron's help was starting to sit up.

"This is my fight, Hermione." Draco said seriously. "I have to finish it myself." The four students turned back to the Dark Lord with renewed purpose. The spells began to fly again and they fought tirelessly. Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw the Headmaster. His eyes were closed and his hands raised to the air. He was chanting something and he began to glow. Glow? Yes, he was glowing. A white light had engulfed him and he continued to chant. Hermione watched as Dumbledore pointed his hands at Harry and rumbled in a deep, powerful voice, "FOIRFE COSAINT!" Then Harry too was engulfed in light. Brilliant white light seemed to pour from his body. Hermione pulled it all together quickly. The chanting in the Old Tongue, the glowing light, it was all coming together. Dumbledore had called upon the earth magic. Something more powerful, more ancient than the spells they were so glibly flinging at one another. Magic that survived in the land and nourished the magically talented for eons. A voice that was not Harry's came from his mouth. It held the knowledge of the universe and the power of the ancients.

"Voldemort. Your evil has been perpetrated long enough. You are disturbing the balance and we will not allow that to continue. We had hoped you would see the error of your ways but we were foolish. We will not allow this to continue. AETERNO LETUM!" Without the help of a wand, all the magic of the earth flew from Harry to the Dark Lord. His body writhed in agony as the purest of magics burned through him. His body then burst into flame and those watching shielded their eyes as the flames burned through him. For one second, just before the flames consumed him, you could see the face of the man that he used to be. As Voldemort crumbled to ash, there was a backwash of magic. You could see even in the distance all of the death eaters thrashing about on the ground as Voldemort's taint was burned out of them. Lucius had risen to his knees and was shaking as he raised his wand.

"You betrayed me." He hissed at his son and his face contorted in pain.

"You betrayed all of us." Draco returned evenly. Suddenly, Lucius turned to Hermione and spoke.

"Avada Ke…" he was stopped as Draco finished his spell first.

"Exstinguo!" Lucius Malfoy dropped lifelessly to the ground. Hermione turned to Draco and wrapped her arms around him. She was the only one to hear his last words to his father. "I'm sorry Father." Above the littered battlefield clouds gathered and rain began to fall. The fires were put out and smoke washed away. The aurors trudged through the wet grass with the captive former death eaters who were still alive. Azkaban would be pretty crowded for a while. A shout of laughter filled the air and everyone turned to see Neville face down in the mud. That broke the tense silence. Relief washed over the weary warriors as the rain continued to fall. The soldiers were students again. The teachers had disappeared into the Great Hall to discuss casualties and damage and console the students. Hermione turned from Draco's embrace to see Harry on the ground with Ginny in his lap. She had never seen him look so happy. He had done what the prophecy said he would. He defeated the Dark Lord. Now he was free to be who ever he wanted instead of the Boy-Who-Lived. Ron was holding a crying Luna. From what Hermione could make it, two of the casualties were Parvati and Padma. She sighed, they had all known that some would die. Strong hands clasped her shoulders and turned her around. Somewhere during all the fighting, she had lost her jacket and the hands felt warm on the bare skin of her shoulders. Her tank top was soaked through and the water had drenched her hair. She looked up at Draco. There was a bruise forming on the side of his face and the blood from several small cuts was sliding in tiny rivulets down neck. His hands slid down her arms to grasp her hands.

"Hermione, I…" he never got to finish the statement. Hermione threw herself against Draco her arms around his neck and her lips firmly attached to his own. He stumbled back under the sudden weight as Hermione started an entirely different assault than what they had just finished. Her tongue forced entry into his mouth and her hands had slid up into his hair. Draco pulled Hermione's wet body as close to his as possible and poured all of himself into the kiss. He felt like he was flying and falling and spinning and the whole world had disappeared when her lips had touched his. Hermione pulled back for a breath. Draco groaned when he felt the cool air and warm run over his warm lips.

"Draco. I love you."

"I know."

"Good."

"I love you too."

"I already knew that."

"You always were the smart one. Now come here." Draco said gruffly and pulled her back into his arms and tucked her head under his chin and held her close. Applause erupted across the field. Hermione blushed when Harry, Ron, and Ginny came in and formed a group hug around the couple. Hermione interrupted minutes later.

"Why don't we all head inside and get dried off and something to eat?"

"I second that motion." Ron said quickly and the little group laughed. Harry and Ron looked at each other and then back at Draco. Ron continued, "Malfoy, what I said in the Headmaster's Office still goes. If you hurt her, I'll kill you. But I don't think you will. Welcome to the club." Ron finished and stuck out his hand. Draco's eyes widened in surprise but he gracefully extended his hand to shook Ron's. Harry clapped him on the shoulder and they all headed inside.

"So, Harry" Hermione began, "do you realize what happened? I mean the implications of using the earth magic, it's astounding. I'm sure there's a book in the Library about it."

"Hermione!" Ron groaned. She blushed again but felt Draco's comforting arm go around her waist. His lips brushed over her ears and his voice whispered.

"I love you."

"Promise?" Hermione questioned. Confirming more than his just love but his intentions as well.

"Promise." He whispered and hugged her close. They walked back into the Great Hall and surrounded by the general chaos felt at home. Dumbledore presided from the Head Table as teachers, prefects, and students ran about fetching this or that, performing minor spells, or comforting friends. Hermione noticed that the Headmaster looked older than she'd ever seen him look. Although the battle had taken a lot out of all of them, she knew it had hit him the hardest. How horrible must it have been knowing that you would lose some of your students, some of you children in this war? His quiet blue eyes caught hers and she nodded at him and continued to a seat. The people and conversation swirled around her. Ministry officials were interviewing students and a dazed group of Slytherins entered under the watchful eyes of Professor Snape. Dumbledore rose and students took to their seats quickly. Dumbeldore cleared his throat and began to speak.

"My dear children, it was my dearest wish that today's events would never come to pass. It is with much sorrow that I stand before you today. I want to say that I am so proud of all of you. You showed courage, strength, loyalty, and love. I could not ask for anything more from you. I know that graduation will be soon and so I have an announcement. ALL seventh years have passed their N.E.W.T.S. and with flying colors, I might add." The crowd applauded and the oldest students looked around wildly, unable to believe their ears. "We have suffered great losses this day and I hope we all remember that. To those who will be leaving us I offer these words.

As you move on in your lives

Remember the times that you have cried

Remember the people who picked you up

Remember the love that pushed you on

When sorrow comes your way

Hold tight to what you have learned

Remember the friends you have made and the family you have gained

Remember this day and find your way again

May you always find a home here at Hogwart's and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors." The audience exploded in applause and shouts of joy. Colin Creevey was standing in front of the table and asked for a picture. They stood, Ron in the middle with his arms over the shoulders of Harry and Draco and Harry holding tight to Ginny and Draco holding Hermione. They were dirty, wet, and scarred but smiles lit their faces. Draco leaned down after the picture was taken and placed a soft kiss on Hermione's cheek. His fingers twined with hers and she pulled him away from the group and out of the Great Hall. Silently they made their way to their room. It was just as they had left it in a rush earlier that day. The blankets were in a pile in front of the quietly burning fireplace. Hermione stretched out on the floor and Draco followed suit. Hermione didn't protest this time when his arm sneaked around her waist and pulled her close to him.

The sun had dimmed and the only light came from the fireplace, sending orange beams of warmth across the quietly sleeping couple.

THE END

Extended AN: Here are the translations: Aeterno letum means eternal death and Exstinguo means to extinguish a life or to die/kill in latin; Foirfe Cosaint means perfect protection in gaelic. There are several thins I want to say. First, I can't even begin to say how much I appreciate all the support and wonderful reviews I've got during the writing of this story. It was more than I'd ever anticipated. You are all wonderful people. I hope that I presented an accurate and realistic idea for how people who start out as enemies turn into friends and then fall in love. I'm not sure if I reached that goal but at least I think I held true to what I think is possible. I know I came no where near close to what the final battle scene will be. I do hope you all enjoyed it. The earth magic bit was my own creation. It is probably too much for some to take but I like the spin I gave it. I will probably write another HP story so keep an eye out for it. Also the bit about the "promise" is something I threw in from my own life. Only my fiancée will know what it means and he'll never read this but that's okay.

And of course bonus points go to the first people to tell me where the chapter title comes from and what movie reference I make in this last chapter.

Kathea