A/N: Alright boys and girls, it hurts to do this, but this is the last chapter. I promise not to make it too short…

Also, I am going into fanfic retirement, for now. Things are pretty crazy nowadays at work and as I am sure you have noticed, I haven't had much time to do chapters as quickly.

I will try my damdest to come back and do another story, I just don't know when…

So, here we go, the final chapter tear Enjoy!!

Chapter 12: The 'cliché" ending

"What did you say Hermione?"

Hermione sat up and looked around, "I need to see Malfoy! Where is he?"

Everyone looked at each other puzzled, "Er, Hermione, he just left to get some sleep. We insisted," said Harry.

"Yeah, he looked awful," said Ron as he shook his head slowly.

"What happened to him? Was he hurt?" asked Hermione.

"He," Pansy spoke quietly, "He's been up all night, in here, with you."

Hermione looked at her with confusion. Ginny cleared her throat and whispered, "Hermione, don't you remember? Blaise pushed you and you fell. You were knocked unconscious."

"Yeah, you've been out all night," said Harry.

Hermione then noticed the bright morning sun shining through the windows of the hospital wing. She closed her eyes and reached her hand to head. She felt the bandage that was wrapped to it and the large bump underneath it. She looked up at her friends, tears in her eyes, "I-I am such a bitch."

They all looked at her curiously, "What do you mean 'Mione?" asked Ginny as she continued rubbing her hand.

"He saved me…he saved me from his father…he saved my life," she finished softly.

Everyone looked at her in shock, "Hermione, you remember," said Ron puzzled.

She laughed lightly, "Guess I needed a good thump on the head to bring it back to me."

Her guests around her bed laughed nervously, "Guess so," said Ginny, "'Bout damn time though."

The five of them laughed louder now, and the mood was much lighter. Hermione looked back over at Pansy.

"Er-"she began but was cut off by Ron putting his arm around her shoulders.

"We are in love, and we are proud of it!" he declared.

Hermione laughed, "Well, I am happy for you, very," she smiled at Pansy, "Good luck with this one, he is a handful."

Pansy grabbed Ron's hand affectionately, "Oh, don't worry, I know."

The door to the hospital wing opened and the five teenagers looked at the new visitor. Blaise Zabini strolled in, a fake smile on his face, "Ah, you are up. Do you feel alright sweetheart?"

Before he could reach Hermione's bed, Harry and Ron stood and cut him off, "Where do you think you are going Zabini?" asked Harry.

Blaise smirked at him, "To see my girlfriend, Potter, do you have a problem with that?" he asked as he crossed his arms threateningly.

"As a matter of fact, he does," said Ron, "and so do I."

"And me," said Ginny as she stood next to Harry.

Pansy followed and stood next to Ron and grabbed his hand, "I do to, Zabini."

Blaise laughed loudly, "Parkinson? You and Weasley," he was laughing harder, "the rumors are true. Man Parkinson, I never thought you would stoop this low," he forcefully shoved Ron's shoulder.

Ron kept his footing and swatted his hand away, "You don't want to do that, trust me."

"Oh really, and what are you going to do about it?" Blaise stepped closer to Ron, who did the same.

"I'll show you what…" Ron pushed Zabini.

"STOP IT NOW!!" Hermione was out of bed and between the two of them instantly.

"Hermione, get back into bed, you're too weak," said Ron.

"Yes, sweetheart," said Blaise sweetly.

"Ron, please just, let it go, he is not worth it," said Pansy.

"Not until he apologizes to Hermione."

"And what exactly am I suppose to apologize for?"

"You knocked her unconscious, that's what for," shouted Ginny, her face turning red with anger.

"Oh," Blaise laughed heartily, "That was just a reminder of her place."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "My place? Please Blaise, tell me what my place is exactly."

"Yes, we are all curious Zabini, what is her place?" said Harry.

Blaise looked around at the five faces with amusement, "She's mine, of course, I own her, she does as I say, and it's that simple."

Before anyone had a chance to respond, Hermione swung at him and laid her fist hard into his jaw. Blaise fell backwards onto his rear and looked up at her, "Nice shot. That was about as good as Draco's."

"Get the hell out of here Zabini, before the rest of us gets a shot," said Ginny, her fist in a ball.

Blaise stood and smirked, "You were just a filthy little tease anyway, Mudblood," he turned on his heel and left.

Ginny was holding Harry back and Pansy was doing the same to Ron, "You're nothing but a giant horse's ass, Zabini," shouted Ginny.

The door to the hospital wing shut loudly, making them jump, "what a jerk," muttered Pansy.

"That's an understatement," said Ginny, "Hermione! Where do you think you are going?"

At this point Hermione was putting her shoes on, "I am going to see Malfoy," she stood and pressed her clothed down.

"No, you need rest," protested Harry.

"Harry, I have been resting all night, I am fine."

"Are you sure, I mean, we don't want you fainting on the way. The Head's tower is such a long walk," said Ginny with concern.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Ginny, would it make you feel better if you and Pansy walked with me."

Ginny nodded excitedly, "Yes, it would."

"Fine, let's go," she began towards the doors.

Ginny kissed Harry goodbye and followed.

Pansy looked at Ron, a small blush to her face, "I am going with them."

Ron smiled and kissed her on the forehead, "Welcome to the club," he grinned.

She smiled at him again and joined Ginny who had joined Hermione at her side.

After the door closed, Harry looked over at Ron, whose eyes were still watching the door, a smile plastered to his face.

Harry shoved him playfully, "Man, you are already whipped, aren't you?"

Ron shoved him back, "Shut it, Potter," he turned around and sat on the bed Hermione had occupied, "She is greatest, isn't she."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Nah, Ginny is, but she could be a close second. So, are you finally going to tell me what happened?"

"What? Oh, well, it was right after you and Draco left with Hermione to bring her here. I was about to go over to Blaise and knock his lights out when she stopped me. She said she knew what I was going to do and I shouldn't. She didn't want me to risk being expelled, said she didn't want to spend the rest of the school year without me here."

"I just kind of looked at her and asked her if she still hated me," Ron stopped and laughed a bit, "She rolled her eyes and said she never hated me. She just wanted me to be able to appreciate her in front of everyone else as I did when were by ourselves," he stopped.

"And then?" asked Harry anxiously.

Ron blushed, "Well, I just grabbed her and kissed her."

Harry's mouth dropped, "Right there? In front of everyone?" Ron nodded. Harry formed a small smile, "I'm proud of you man."

Ron laughed, "That's not the best part,"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it was kind of like film. Everyone round us just started clapping and whooping, you know cheering us on."

Harry laughed and Ron soon joined in.

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"What are you going to say to him Hermione?"

Ginny, Hermione and Pansy were just passing the Charms classroom, heading towards the Head's Tower.

"Hermione, are you listening to me?" asked Ginny

Hermione stopped abruptly, causing Ginny to almost run into her, "Ginny," said Hermione, "Please don't ask me that again, I am trying to think."

"Sorry," said Ginny sheepishly.

The three girls continued on, silent most of the way. After what seemed like just seconds to Hermione, they had reached the statue in front of the Head's Tower entrance.

Hermione stood staring at it, not moving or saying a word, "Hermione, are you alright," asked Pansy cautiously.

Hermione shook her head slowly, "I just don't know what to say, I was such a-a….argh!"

Hermione turned around and began walking away when Ginny and Pansy grabbed her, "where are you going?" they asked.

"I can't do this, I just can't do it. I can't go in there and just expect him to forgive me just like that, it's just so…so…cliché."

"Cliché? Hermione this isn't a movie, alright?" said Ginny, "You say what you want to say, and what ever happens, happens!"

Hermione looked from Ginny to Pansy, "What do you think?"

Pansy was in shock for a moment, then spoke clearly, "I have known how he's felt about you since the beginning of the term. Of course, he only tried to deny it, but I could see it in his eyes, Hermione, I mean, I have known Draco for a long time, and I have never seen him look at anyone," she stopped and slowly let out a breath, "I have never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you."

Hermione stared at her. She couldn't believe what Pansy was saying. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed it before. Suddenly, his face flashed before her. The face of the man that saved her, it was clear as day now.

Hermione faced the entrance and spoke, "Friendship and Love," the entrance opened and Hermione turned to Pansy and Ginny, "Thank you, I will be alright, from here."

She hugged Ginny tightly and then turned to Pansy. She put her arms around her and whisper in her ear, "Thank you."

She let go, took one last look at her companions and walked through the entrance.

"There she goes," said Ginny, "What do you suppose will happen?"

Pansy shrugged, "I don't know, but I have a good feeling that he will take her into his arms and kiss her passionately."

The girls laughed and began their retreat back to their boyfriends.

Hermione emerged into the common room she shared with Draco. It was empty. 'He's sleeping, I shouldn't-'

The door to Draco's bedroom opened and Draco emerged, wearing only his boxers. He suddenly realized Hermione was standing there. He smiled, but a frown soon followed, "What are you doing? You should be resting," he said in a scolding manner.

Hermione laughed, "You sound like everyone else. I am fine, not weak at all."

"But, you should still be resting, you took a nasty hit to the head," by that point he had made his way over to her. He reached up and softly caressed the back of her head.

She grabbed him by the wrist, "Draco, look, I had a-well, I guess you can say flashback."

"A flashback? Really?"

"Yeah, you were there, and so was your father. Oh, Draco, I'm so sorry, I didn't-"

She was cut off by Draco grabbing her hand, "Don't, please don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Apologize," he took her other hand into his, "It's not necessary."

"Draco, it is! I was such a bitch, I don't deserve to even talk to you after how I treated you!"

"Would you be quiet already," he said, "you've already given me the best apology I could get."

"And what's that," she asked lowering her head, her eyes watching their feet.

Draco lifted her chin with his finger, "You've called me Draco three times now, and it didn't even phase you. Do you know how long I have wanted you to call me by my first name?"

She smiled, "I suppose awhile now, huh?"

He nodded, "Yes," he grabbed her face gently and pressed his lips to hers.

After allowing this for a few moments, Hermione backed away. She started laughing, "you know what?"

"What's that," he asked as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Salazar Slytherin must be rolling in his grave right now. First Pansy and Ron, and now, you and me."

Draco laughed, "I would suppose so."

He pulled her to him and they embraced.

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A/N: Alright, was that a bit cheesy? Oh Well! That's just what you get from a hopeless romantic like me!

I am truly going to miss writing for you guys, but as I said, I promise, I will be back! When I have time, I hope to write a sequel to this story.

Please let me know what you think of the final chapter.

Goodbye for now!!

Rosafinch