After the Show

The lights blacked out on the stage. The curtain closed. The audience clapped and cheered. The curtain reopened and cast members took their bows. First the chorus members, then it built up to the more important ones. Blaise and Neville came out cheerfully and both bowed as the crowed whooped and hollered. Luna followed them, followed by Ginny who curtsied gracefully.

Ron came out with Pansy hooked to him at the his elbow. He gave the stage to her as she curtsied deeply and majestically. He bowed deeply and turned ruby red as he heard his mom yell, "GOOD JOB, POOKIE! WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU!" People laughed.

Harry came out, greeted with a thundering roar from all the Gryffindors, along with everyone else other than the Malfoys. Hermione followed suit, greeted with even more than Harry. A few whistles of adoration (based on beauty) sounded from the crowd. She curtsied profoundly, cleavage showing abundantly, earning her more whistles from the guys in the audience. Mr. Granger glared. Last, but certainly not least, Draco strode gracefully to center stage. A deafening roar erupted in the Great Hall as he bowed deeply.

The cast grabbed hands and took one final bow. The lights went out on them as the curtain closed. The Hall lights went on. The crowd murmured approval to Dumbledore for creating the class. Bill Weasley's daughter, Rena, walked up to Dumbledore and said, "Professor that was really really really really good. Someday I want to grow up, and be just like Hermione. She was really good, and is really pretty."

"Well, Rena," Dumbledore answered, "I'm sure Miss Granger would be delighted to hear that. As soon as she comes out here to greet her fans, I'll call her over here." The old man smiled over his glasses at the girl of only five.

"Okay!" Rena skipped off to her dad, who was open armed and scooped her into the air. She squealed with glee.

Backstage, Madame Kirkbell gathered the cast for a talk. Hermione sat in-between Draco and Harry, torn between who she should go with to the Sweetheart Dance held in three weeks. The cast chatted happily, but Hermione's face was blank and she was lost in thought. Her train of thought was broken, however, by graceful footsteps. Madame Kirkbell appeared, tears in her eyes. She sniffed, then spoke.

"That was the best performance I have ever seen out of a group of teenagers. I was so thrilled to see everything work just right. I would like to thank every single one of you for all of your hard work. All the sweat that dripped from your skin was worth every single milliliter. I would also like to congratulate our three main characters, Hermione, Draco, and Harry." She paused for a moment as the rest of the cast cheered for the three. When the chaos quieted, she started again. "I am also pleased to inform you all that the Ministry of Magic has begun plans to build a community theatre in Diagon Alley. The building will be up by the end of term and we shall begin our first play as soon as term is out. I'm not exactly sure what it will be yet, but I'm tossed between Wicked and Chicago. I will et you know as soon as everything is final. I am just so very proud of you all. Thank you for making this a joy for me as well as making it easy. I will now leave you to go tend to your fans. Thanks again." She walked off and was embraced by a big strong man who lifted her off her feet.

Hermione stood and stretched, arching her back. "I'll see you guys in a minute. I have to get something from my dressing room." She left and walked down the hall to the room. She opened the door to find her room smothered in bouquets of beautiful flowers. She gasped, and turned around to see Draco. "Hi."

"Hey. Good show tonight. I was impressed. Very impressed." He rushed to her and kissed her hard on the lips. They were getting into it when they heard an icy cold voice behind them.

"Draco," Lucius Malfoy drawled. The smell of heavy wine dripped from his breath. "What have I told you about kissing trash like her?"

"She's not trash, father. I love her and you can't stop me. I have had feelings for her as long as I can remember, but longed to strongly not to go against you. Now, I am seventeen, and deserve the right to make my own choices. It might be hard for you to accept it at first, but I suggest you learn to deal with it." Draco stared intensely at his father.

Lucius pushed past Draco, and staggered straight to Hermione. "My son, you shall learn not to go against me." His glare burned hotter as he got closer to Hermione. He slapped her as hard as he could, and she went sailing to the floor, hitting her head on the way down. She blinked and put her hand to her forehead. At a stinging sensation, she pulled her hand away to reveal crimson blood on her fingers.

Draco lunged at his father and pulled him back out of the narrow hallway where they were standing. "You, get out of my sight right now. I never want to see you again. You are bane of my existence. I hate you. Now, get out."

As Lucius staggered away, Draco went to Hermione. Her eyes were closed and she breathed through clenched teeth. "Hermione, are you alright?" he asked concerned. At a slight nod, he lifted her hand away from her forehead and saw the gash. It was not terribly big, but was deep. "We need to get you to the Hospital Wing," he said glumly.

"No," she answered. "Get your wand and say the incantation Medico. It is powerful enough that it will not leave a scar. Now, go."

Draco sighed and got up. He went to his dressing room and got his wand from the dressing table. A moment later he returned, and knelt beside Hermione. He placed the tip of his wand and said, "Medico." Within an instant, the cut began to shrink until nothing was left.

Someone cleared their throat behind them. It was Harry. "Hermione, people are becoming impatient and wish to see you. Your dad is growing cranky since its past his bedtime."

"I'm coming, Harry," Hermione laughed. "Excuse me, Draco." She got and walked out with Harry. On their way to the audience, Harry blurted out, "Hermione, do you love Draco?"

"Quite frankly, I don't know. That charge we felt when I kissed you earlier meant we are destined to be together. The only problem is, is that I feel it with Draco too." She paused, and her eyes went wide. "Come to think of it, I didn't feel it last time. Oh, God." She stopped walking.

"Hermione, please," Harry begged. "You have got to come out and see the audience. They have been asking about you for ages now. Look, I know you're in a hard place, but please just get through tonight, and we can worry about these things tomorrow."

"Ok," Hermione replied voice shaking. She regained control of herself as she saw the bright light of the Great hall coming into view. She took a deep breath and said, "Alright, let's go."

She and Harry walked out into the Hall and were instantly mobbed by people. Several bouquets of flowers were thrust into Hermione's arms. If you had counted the number of times Hermione had to say "Thank you" it could have stretched a mile at least. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came up to her and Mrs. Weasley hugged so tight she couldn't breathe. "Mrs. Weasley- can't- breathe!" she gasped.

"Oh, sorry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said and let go. Mr. Weasley hugged her also.

Bill Weasley and his wife Fleur came up. They both hugged her. Rena pushed her way through her parents. "Ooh! You were so good, Miss Hermione! Someday I want to grow up and be just like you!" The little girl smiled a huge smile as Hermione picked her up.

"How many times have I told you to call me Hermione, Rena? I don't like the Miss in front of it. It makes me sound too old for my liking. Did you enjoy the show?"

The little girl nodded enthusiastically. "It was so good! I only hope one day I can be as good as you!"

"Why thank you, Rena. That's awfully sweet of you. Now, you'd better be getting into bed. Come to think of it, I better get to bed. It has been a long week and I am really tired." She put Rena down and looked out at everyone around her. "Thank you so very much for coming. I can't explain to you the joy I have felt tonight finding my dressing room overflowing with flowers. And all of these will make my Head Girl room smell absolutely amazing. Thanks again, and good night." With she turned around went backstage to her dressing room to change. She opened the door and slowly sank into the chair at her dressing table. She slowly pulled the dress down over her body, shivering at the rush of cold air. She took off the contraption they call a strapless bra and put on one of those spaghetti strap tops with the bra built in on. She took off her hose and pulled on a pair of baggy sweats. She took a washcloth off the rack and washed her makeup off. Her hair, which was pinned half up half down, was slowly falling as she pulled the pins out. She stood and snapped her fingers. All of the flowers disappeared, and were now placed in her Head Girl room. She grabbed her costumes, put on some slippers and went out of the room only to bump into Draco. "Oops. Sorry, I can't see you over the mound of costumes. Stupid petticoats."

Draco laughed. "That's alright. Here. Let me take some." He lightened the load enough so she could see. "There. Let's get these to the costume room. Then, I'll walk you upstairs."

"Thanks, Draco. I needed to talk to you anyway."

"About what?"

"Uh…we need to talk in private." They reached the room and hung the costumes up.

They began their walk to Hermione's quarters. Once there, she invited him in. Flowers littered every available ounce of table space.

"Okay. Look, I noticed that when we kissed tonight I did not feel the charge. What happened?"

"I gave it to Harry."

"How? Why? When?" Hermione's questions came out in a hurry.

"To answer how, I did it by watching you kiss. I read up on it, by the way, and it said that I could give it to anyone I want by watching them kiss the person I was destined to. To answer why, I did it because I care about you and about your safety. My family is dangerous to you, and I wanted you to be safe. Tonight can testify to the fact that my parents dislike our working together. I want you to be out of harm's way. I think you know when it happened."

"But, Draco…"

"I know. Shh. Look, I'm leaving at the end of the term for America. I have a job waiting for me there."

"Is it acting or something? On Broadway?"

"No. It is nothing like it. I can't give details, but its dangerous. I don't know when or if I will return. You will never be far from my heart."

"And you will not be far from mine." Hermione's eyes glistened with tears.

"I love you, Hermione. Goodnight." Draco pulled Hermione up off the couch into a crushing embrace. She hugged him back. He pulled back, and started heading for the door.

"I love you too, Draco. Goodnight."

Draco went to the door, opened it, went out, and shut it behind him. Hermione climbed the spiral staircase to her room and tucked herself into bed. 'How could he leave? What is going to do in America?' she thought. Her eyes went wide and she gasped. 'THE WAR! He's going to track down Voldemort! OH GOD!' her mind shrieked. She had to stay with Harry. She had to be with him. Deep in her heart she loved Harry more anyway. Slowly, she calmed down and sleep overpowered her body.