Okay kids. Here's the final part of Something Blue. I wish I could write more for this one, but I've slacked so much on my first two fics, I don't think it's fair to drag this one out any further. Besides there's only so far I can take it. Afterall, it was based on ONE Buffy ep.
I hope this meets to everyone's approval. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to let this one go. I'm a slave to my reviews. You are the reason I continued this story in the first place since you all liked it so much.
Anyway, I tried to wrap things up as best as possible. I'm warning you….I ended it with some nice fluff, but it's my story and damn it….I soooo want these two crazy kids to get together and if Ms. Rowling ain't gonna do it, then I sure as hell will.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
For better or for worse I present…
Something Blue: the end. (Seriously….this is it.)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Parting each other's company in the Great Foyer at around 1am, Draco and Hermione returned to their respective dormitories. Their minds were not on the mid-year exam they were to take in less than twelve hours, but on what had just occurred between them in the library.
He had calmed her from a panic attack. He made her remember vividly how they left things a week ago in Dumbledore's office. His closeness and soothing stoked the fluttering flames of passion inside her - which he had seen clear to use it to his advantage. Just thinking about how kind and concerned and gentle he was sent her heart beating madly in her chest. God, he made her feel so good, so wanted…..so loved.
Hermione, believe it or not, was the calm one. As she readied herself for bed, she tried to rationalize their whole encounter. 'Perhaps Draco was deliriously tired and didn't know what he was doing? No, he's always sure of himself. Maybe he studied too hard and his brain was fried? No, that couldn't be it either. Sure he studied, but to study so hard as to loose his senses? That sounds more like something I would do…in fact probably had done. How can we do this? It's not supposed to be, we're never supposed to happen. A mudblood and a pureblood don't mix. That's what he always said. How could one stupid potion make a lifetime of brainwashing essentially disappear? Maybe we should speak to Snape and Dumbledore…maybe the antidote wasn't strong enough.' She got into bed and closed the drapes around her. Her mind wandered to back to their encounter in the library and the feelings he provoked in her, she thought back on his words:
"I can't help what I feel. My mind is telling me it wasn't real, but my heart is telling me something different. All I do is think about you. Kissing you, loving you….wanting you. It won't stop, no matter how hard I try to block everything out….it's all in here….."
"…….It's time I stopped pretending and trying to hide. It's always been you, from the very beginning. I just never saw it for what it was. You're all I bloody think about."
But, no amount of rationalizing on her part could make those heartfelt words of Draco's disappear. Hermione sighed, rolling over onto her side. She withdrew a necklace from inside her nightgown and twirled the green and silver ring around her finger. This was going to be a long night.
xoxoxoxxoxoxo
Back in the Slytherin dormitory, Malfoy stood looking out his window having just finished his fifteenth trip to his bed and back. The rhythmic snores of Crabbe and Goyle faded away as he thought about what had just occurred between him and Hermione in the library. He didn't know what had come over him. 'I'm such an idiot. Falling all over her like that, what was I thinking? She's going to think I'm a bumbling fop. Damn. I handled this all wrong. But I couldn't help it. She's beautiful, even when she's being all neurotic and freaked out, she's beautiful. A real spit-fire. God, I love it when she's like that….heated, determined….passionate. Her eyes get all dark and firey. I could get lost in those eyes and never want to find my way out. And she fit so perfectly in my arms too, her body molding so perfectly against mine. She's everything I ever wanted'. He groaned softly to himself remembering the feel of her.
'And Pansy…….what the bloody hell am I going to do about her? I could kill her…..or kiss her. Damn it! How can a person be happy and angry at the same time? If it wasn't for Pansy's obsession with us getting married and that stupid potion, I wouldn't have feelings for Hermione. But at the same time, it's these newly realized feelings for Hermione that makes me so bloody happy. She makes me happy. And that's going to be the death of me…the real Draco Malfoy. Do I really want to let the young man that I've spent these 17 years developing, go? I can evoke fear in those weaker than me with just a look, I'm head and shoulders above the rest when it came to family name and power. Do I really want to let all that go? Because if I want to be with her, that's what she's going to ask me to do. I just know it'.
He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the frosted glass of the window, as if to cool the heated thoughts running through his head. 'But her kisses were so full of passion. I know she feels the same….she didn't come out and say it, but…. Tomorrow, we'll meet tomorrow after the exam and we'll figure this out. Merlin, I need her'.
It was those thoughts that pulled him away from the window and to his bed. As his head hit the pillow, there were only two thoughts on his mind: making whatever he had with Hermione work and the fact that this was going to be a long night.
xoxoxoxxoxoxo
There were only ten students taking the advanced potions mid-year exam. For this test, Snape had divided the classroom into ten cubicles. This exam was comprised of 3 parts:
Part I The written - which was face down on the desk in each cube.
Part II Making the potion - the name of which was charmed to appear at the bottom of each written test once the final question was answered.
Part III An oral exam that was to be given by Professor Snape. As each student finished their potion, they were to bring it to him and answer one question. This question, just like the potion, was different for each student.
At exactly 11am, Snape announced, "Begin". They had a maximum of 2-1/2 hours to complete all parts of the exam. If a student finished early they were to leave the classroom as not to disturb the other students.
After she finished her test, Hermione gathered her things and left the potions classroom. She had tried to see if Draco was already finished, but the cubicle partitions were too high. There was still about a half hour of the allotted timeframe.
Instead of going straight to the library to meet Draco, she went back to her dormitory to freshen up. She changed out of her school robes and washed up. Hermione picked out a pair a jeans, a turtle neck sweater and a pair of runners. She quickly ran a brush through her hair and grabbed a few books off her nightstand. Hermione was about to exit the common room when Harry and Ron came in.
"Hey Hermione, how did the potions exam go? Did Snape make it a killer?", Ron asked.
"It wasn't too bad. I think I did well enough. Where have you two been?"
"Last minute Christmas shopping in Hogsmeade", Harry answered. "Where are you off to?"
"Library", she said glancing at the books she was carrying.
"Mid-year exams are over Hermione", Ron said with a whine to his voice.
"I know, Ronald. I'm returning these to the library. I won't need them over the break."
"Oh, good. Do you mean you're actually going to relax and enjoy the time off over the break", Harry asked.
"Yes", she answered in a slight know-it-all tone. "I can't say I'll be relaxing as much as the two of you…but I'll definitely give it a go."
"Hey, Seamus picked up some butter beer and was planning on having a bit of an 'end of mid-year exams' cocktail hour before we go down to dinner, say about 5:30. Meet us back here and we'll toast the holiday and then head down to the Great Hall together, okay?" Harry and Ron both looked at her with hopeful eyes. They hadn't seen much of Hermione this past week since the Malfoy incident and they were looking forward to spending a little quality time with their friend.
How could she say no? And it's not like she'd be sitting with Draco at dinner anyway. She'd have the afternoon with him.
"Definitely", she said. "I'll meet you both here at 5:30. Have a glass ready for me".
They said their good-byes and Hermione left through the fat lady's portrait. Since the potions exam ran through lunch, Hermione went down to the kitchen and asked Dobby for a few snacks. Well, 'a few' to Hermione was not the same as 'a few' to Dobby. He basically packed her a basket containing a small feast. Heading out of the kitchen she thought about the nice leisurely lunch she and Draco would share in the back of the library. She was in a marvelous mood. If the basket wasn't so heavy, she might have skipped all the way there.
xoxoxoxxoxoxo
Meanwhile, as Hermione left the Gryffindor common room for the kitchen, Draco had just finished answering his final question at Snape's desk. In his usual fashion, the potions master gave nothing away as to whether Draco got the answer correct or not. He just nodded and said, "thank you Mr. Malfoy. That will be all".
Draco couldn't wait to get out of there and meet Hermione. Despite his somewhat sleepless night, he thought he did well on the exam. The anticipation of being with her this afternoon was what got him through it. As he exited the dungeon, he met with an unexpected surprise. Pansy stood leaning against the stone wall in the stairwell. As he moved towards her, he noticed her eyes were puffy and her nose was red as if she had been crying. Draco stiffened and decided to ignore her, he was still angry.
When he passed by her without saying a worked, she softly called after him, "Draco, please wait. I need to talk to you".
"Not now Parkinson, I have more important things to deal with". He didn't even look at her.
"Please Draco, it will only take a minute".
Sighing, he rolled his eyes and turned around. He started at her blankly. "Well?"
"I….I don't know how I can even begin to express how truly sorry I am Draco. You have to understand, I never meant to hurt you. I only wanted to…"
"Yes, we've been through all this already. Is that all?" He was being purposely abrupt. He didn't want to deal with her right now.
She looked down in shame. "I….no. I wanted….I know I don't have any right to ask, but….."
"Ask what?", his tone was clipped as if being bothered by an annoying child.
"I wanted to know if you would help…"
"Help you?", he said exasperated walking over to her. "After all you did to me…..and to Granger. You want me to help you?" He started laughing to himself. "Oh, that's rich!" He shook his head. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Okay, I'll bite….help you with what?" He was mocking her. He knew it and she knew it, but he didn't care.
She sucked in a trembling sob and began, "I can't marry you, Draco. I know that".
"No kidding", he said looking down and crossing his arms over his chest.
"But if I don't marry you then my parents are going to make me marry one of father's widowed friends. I can't do that, Draco. I just can't! They're going to force me to marry someone I don't know, let alone, love!" She was getting upset again, tears were streaming down her face. She sniffed, "And he's….", she shuddered, "old, Draco. Like 50 years old!"
"Come on, Pans", he said sarcastically. "They can't force you. You're not nine years old anymore." He was being difficult and mean, but it was of no consequence to him. He was still quite angry. He started to turn away from her, but she caught the sleeve of his robe.
"Please, Draco", she said with a choked sob. "I can't do this. I can't face them alone. They're in Hogsmeade waiting for me. Waiting to know if you and I are planning to…"
"The hell we are!"
"I know and believe me, I'll tell them that we're not going to happen. But I don't know if they'll accept that. Draco, they'll gang up on me. I was hoping that maybe you would come with me and explain to them that you'll never love….that you'll never willingly marry me. If you told them, they would take it more seriously and stop pushing for the match between us".
"And?" He knew that couldn't be it.
"And….perhaps you could help me convince them to let me pick someone else from a pureblood line to marry - anyone but an old man. At this point I'd settle for Crabbe or Goyle….at least they're my own age. And, with some effort, I'd probably be able to mold either one of them into someone worth loving".
Draco didn't know what to say. It was clear that she was completely desperate, but all he wanted to do was to meet Granger.
"Please Draco", she begged. "When I meet them and tell them that you and I are not planning on getting married, then tomorrow we're going to have brunch with my father's friend. My parents are going to push to announce an engagement in the papers for Sunday's edition. I don't have any time left. They're not going to wait until after graduation as they planned to if you and I were to marry. This man wants to have the nuptials in spring….this spring, as in 3 months from now. He wants to have an heir by this time next year".
Draco was now thoroughly disgusted. He'd known Pansy his whole life and as much as he was still angry with her, he could now understand her reasons why she attempted to drug him. He looked at her and the saw the hopelessness and anguish in her eyes. Draco nodded his assent, and as they headed out the main doors he looked longingly at the entrance to the library.
xoxoxoxxoxoxo
It was about 1:30pm when Hermione opened the door to the library. She walked immediately through the empty room towards her usual table in the back.
At 1:45, Hermione had their impromptu lunch set up. By 2:30, she picked at some of the fruit and cheese. Around 3:00, she had taken out her frustration on the apple pie by stabbing it to pieces. At 4:30 she pitched everything in the trash and stormed out of the library without ever seeing neither hide nor hair of Draco.
'His words last night were a total crock! "All I do is think about you" Ha! Probably just wanted a quick snog and I was the only one around. God, I'm so stupid for having believed him'.
She returned to the Gryffindor common room in a fury. Thankfully no one was around to feel her wrath. Hermione stomped up the stairs to her room. Lavender and Parvati had already showered and were beginning to dress for the feast when Hermione threw the door open, grabbed her robe without acknowledging either of them and headed to the shower.
At 5:30, Hermione was dressed and ready to meet Harry and Ron in the common room for a quick butter beer before dinner. She was still upset with Draco. The hot shower didn't help her mood. Where she thought it would relax her and calm her spirit, it only left her all the more hot and bothered. Stepping into the common room she hoped that Seamus had also got his hands on some firewiskey….she could use something stronger.
At 6:00 Harry, Ron and Hermione left the common room for the feast as planned. On the inside, she was still angry with Draco, but on the outside she put on a smile for her friends. Walking down from the tower into the middle of the great foyer she looked up to see Draco and Pansy arm and arm coming in from outside. They both had smiles on their faces and Pansy was practically jumping up and down in excitement. Draco was doing his best to calm her down, though at the same time, he seemed quite pleased with himself.
Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. All the color seemed to drain from her face as she watched Pansy kiss Draco on the cheek. Her stomach lurched. Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing. Harry and Ron didn't even realize she had stopped, they had assumed she was behind them. Noticing she wasn't, Harry called out to her.
"Come on 'mione".
That was when Draco saw her. He blanched. Draco thought he would be able to have a few moments to collect himself before he went to find her and explain. It didn't take a genius to know she was angry, the look on her face gave it all away. He had stood her up. If someone had done that to him, he'd be pissed. Draco knew he was in for an earful, but hoped that once he explained things she would understand and forgive him. Then he would work on making it up to her.
"Granger, I'm glad you're here I…", he started.
"Malfoy", she said in a clipped tone. He shuddered inside. When she said his name like that it sounded so vile. 'Yep, she's pissed'.
Harry and Ron walked back to where they were, fully prepared for a potential fight.
Hermione spoke before Malfoy could continue, "waited for you in the library like we planned. I gave you about 3 hours, then I packed it in to get ready for the feast".
Malfoy closed his eyes and groaned. He didn't think she'd wait for him that long.
"Dobby prepared a lovely lunch, at least it looked lovely. I wouldn't know. It went uneaten".
"Grang…"
"'mione, what's going on? You had lunch plans with Malfoy?" Ron asked confused, but Hermione didn't answer him. She was not in the mood to explain the situation. All she wanted to do was find out what the hell was going on with Pansy and Malfoy.
"Plans…yes. Lunch was going to be a surprise. Didn't know I would be the one surprised since Malfoy never showed up….now I see why", she finished nodding towards Pansy.
Pansy turned to Draco a little confused herself. "You had plans with Granger? Why didn't you tell me?"
'Oh great', let's everyone have a round of yell at Draco'. He turned to Pansy, "I said I had something to do, but you were insistent that I go with you to meet with your parents".
"Something to do…oh, that's lovely. Thanks so much", Hermione said sarcastically.
Malfoy could barely get a word in and it didn't matter even if he was successful. Everything he said was the wrong thing. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration while Hermione continued.
"Meeting with the parents, Malfoy? How wonderful. Have you begun any wedding plans we should know about?"
"I wish". Pansy said under her breath as she glanced at Draco. Malfoy turned and shot her a scathing look.
"Hermione, what the hell is going on?" Harry was standing next to her trying to figure out, first…why she had plans with Malfoy? And second…why was she so upset that he didn't show up?
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing", she answered staring directly at Malfoy.
"Granger, can we please go somewhere private and talk about this…calmly?"
"Why should I listen to you? I'm done listening. I listened enough last night and I believed you…because I felt the same way. The potion brought out feelings I've always had but never wanted to admit to. I was too stubborn to see it for what it was. And maybe I didn't want to open myself up to be hurt. Maybe I thought I never had a chance when it came to you. Last night, you told me differently and I believed you. But today I realize I was wrong….very wrong." She was trying so hard not to cry, but a single tear slipped down her cheek.
Most of the students who entered the Great Hall were slowly coming back out into the foyer to see what was going on. She stepped closer to him and unclasped the necklace hidden inside her robes. She slid Malfoy's Slytherin ring off the chain and held it out to him. His heart leapt with joy then fell suddenly in his chest. With the pressure of exam week, he had forgotten all about his ring. He was elated that she had kept it and worn it, but now with a dull ache in his chest he realized she was giving it back….she didn't want it, she didn't want him. He was going to kill Pansy for screwing this up for him. 'Why did I agree to go with her to see her parents? Stupid, stupid, stupid.'
When he didn't reach for the ring, she thrust it at him. "Take it. I should have given it back to you last week."
"No, I won't", he tried pleading once more, "Granger please let me….".
"Here", she put it in Pansy's hand. "I supposed you should have it then".
Pansy tried to defend Draco, "Really, Granger you're overreacting. If you would just listen to him…"
But she cut her off and turned towards her friends, "Harry, Ron. I won't be at dinner. I need to see the headmaster about a memory charm".
That did it. "Now wait just a second!" Draco was angry. He would not let this happen…not without explaining first. Hermione jumped back, startled by his loud interruption. "You are going to stand there and listen, even if I have to put you in a full body bind to do it!" Harry and Ron instinctively pulled out their wands fully prepared to defend their friend.
With the sound of Draco's yelling, Snape and Dumbledore entered the foyer from the Great Hall.
"What is going on now?", Snape asked no one in particular.
"Would someone care to explain?" Dumbledore asked.
Everyone looked at the headmaster while Harry and Ron tried to piece everything together and explain. "There must be something wrong with them again professors, must be a relapse from the potion", Ron guessed.
Malfoy yelled "It is not a relapse!" Everyone looked back to Draco for an explanation.
Draco took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair while trying to collect himself. He turned back to Hermione. "I am sorry I didn't meet you after the exam. It was unavoidable." He gave Pansy a quick blaming look and she bowed her head apologetically. "As soon as I finished the exam, I had every intention of going directly to the library as planned. However, Pansy was waiting for me in the stairwell and had some very disturbing news. I have known Pansy since I was three years old and despite her flair for the dramatic, she is the closest thing I have to a real friend. She needed my immediate help with a personal matter and time was of the essence. I did not have time to find you and tell you. I was wrong and I apologize".
Hermione's features softened slightly, but she was still hurting. "What was so urgent?", she asked bitterly to Pansy.
Pansy was uncomfortable and embarrassed, but answered her. "Since I couldn't make Draco love me more than a friend, my parents were planning on announcing my engagement to one of my father's friends. My parents thought it was a brilliant match being that he is from a very affluent pureblood line. Unfortunately for me, he's more than 30 years my senior. Draco helped me convince them that I should be allowed to pick my own match…he saved me from a loveless life of misery".
During Pansy's explanation, Draco had taken a few steps away from them and began a careful examination of the stone floor. He was angry and hurt, but deep down he couldn't blame her or her reaction. He stood her up. He was going to see her but then another girl, a pureblood girl, ended up taking a priority. He had professed to her just last night that the experience of loving her changed him. But on some level, maybe he never would change. 'Damn my sense of loyalty', he thought. 'We have a lot to sort out. And it's not going to be easy'.
Hermione was still trying to make sense of everything. "But the way you two came in all…cosey?"
"I was happy Granger. Wouldn't you be if after years of being told what to do and who to love, you were finally able to pick your own husband?"
"Yes, I suppose I would be", she answered more to herself than to Pansy.
"Will someone please explain what the bloody hell his going on?" The outburst had come from Ron.
"Lord, Weasley. Could you be any slower on the uptake? Merlin, what part of this lover's quarrel don't you understand?" Pansy turned to Draco.
"Lover's quarrel? What are you talking about? They don't love each other anymore, they both drank the counter-potion last week." This time it was Harry trying to make sense this confrontation.
"Shall I?" Pansy asked.
"Be my guest". He held his hand out gesturing for Pansy to explain. While his hand was extended towards her, she gave him back his ring. Draco unconsciously put it back on his finger.
With the break in conversation, Professor Snape and the Headmaster took that as an opportunity to work their way through the crowd and dismiss the students to the Great Hall for the feast. They came to stand beside Draco and Hermione, Harry, Ron and Pansy waiting for the final outcome.
Hermione couldn't bring herself to look at Malfoy. Instead she looked towards Pansy who had just finished explaining everything fully to Harry and Ron. They were speechless to say the least. She held out her hand to Pansy, "I'm sorry if I misjudged you". Pansy looked at the hand and reluctantly shook it.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Granger".
Hermione moved to stand in front of Malfoy. He was closed off, arms crossed over his chest, and deep in thought. She tentatively reached out and uncrossed his arms, taking his hands in hers. He looked up at her. She looked into his eyes and saw his hurt. Hermione couldn't hold back the tears anymore andshe openly started to cry. "I'm sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion". She took a deep breath, "please forgive me, Draco".
And there it was again, his name spilling lovingly from her lips. Draco's heart was beating out of his chest. He loved it when she said his name. He let go of one of her hands and wiped away a tear. "I'm sorry about today. I didn't mean to hurt you….I didn't think, I just acted on instinct and on 15 years of friendship to protect her from her family". Hermione nodded in understanding.
"Please believe me. I meant what I said last night, I want a chance", he said softly.
"Even after all this?"
"I didn't say it would be easy…in fact it will probably be the most difficult thing we've ever tried to accomplish, but that doesn't change the fact that I still want to try". He took off his ring and lifted her hand, giving it a soft kiss. Draco held the ring against the tip of her finger. "Wear it, okay? It doesn't mean we're getting married, it just means we're together, okay?"
She didn't know what to say. Hermione blushed, "okay". Then he slipped the ring on her finger.
"May I please have a kiss now, Hermione? I've waited all day"
She was taken aback. "Did you just call me Hermione?"
"Yes". She smiled a huge smile.
"Did you just say please?'
He smirked, "Yes. Do you see what you've done to me?"
Hermione wrapped her arms around him and they kissed, long, hard and with great passion…reminiscent of the week before.
It was Professor Snape, who's blatant throat clearing, that brought their kiss to and end.
"Well, this is an interesting turn of events, don't you think Severus?" The old headmaster had this mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes", he drawled. "Mr. Malfoy. Ms. Granger. Do you honestly expect to give this relationship – and I use the term loosely – a go?"
"Yeah, 'mione. Do you?", Harry wanted to know. "This is Malfoy. Are you sure you're not under some spell again?"
"No, Harry. I'm fine…..we're fine".
"I don't understand you 'mione. This can't be what you want. You know how he is….how his father is…..", Ron and Harry were still protesting when Hermione stopped them.
"Harry, you said last week that if this is what I truly wanted, you would be happy for me…can you both at least try to accept this?" She looked back at Draco with a pleading look.
Draco looked at her and kissed her softly on the cheek, then turned to Harry and Ron. "Look, we're not shopping for our dream home tomorrow, alright? We still have quite a lot to sort out. The way we've acted towards each other for the past 6-1/2 years…", he paused to collect his thoughts. With a furrowed brow he turned to Hermione once more. "You do realize no matter how we try to convince ourselves that the past doesn't mean anything, it will always be there – haunting us. My family along is going to be a major challenge."
"I know, but I don't care. I want to try Draco".
Draco smiled and kissed her again.
"Ah, young love", the headmaster whispered to Snape. "Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger. I have nothing but good feelings about your future together", Dumbledore said to them as he turned to Snape. "Come Severus, let's return to the feast, we are not needed here".
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Parkinson. These two have much to discuss, let us join the feast". Glancing over their shoulders, Harry, Ron and Pansy reluctantly followed, leaving the great foyer and Draco and Hermione alone.
Draco took her in his arms. "I long for you, you know that, don't you?" Draco asked.
She kissed him slowly then whispered against his lips, "Yes".
His lips found her neck. He kissed and nibbled his way to her ear and then whispered, "Do you long for me?"
Hermione looked deeply into his eyes, "I do. Merlin, help me. I do", she answered and he smiled a brilliant smile at her.
"One more kiss before we join the feast?", she didn't even get a chance to answer him, Draco just leaned in and kissed her with a raw emotion that took her breath away. They pulled apart panting for air.
"Damn woman…the way you kiss, it burns me to the core…makes me wonder what else you do that good", Draco said wriggling his eyebrows mischieviously.
"Meet me in the library after the feast and you just might find out", she said teasingly tracing a finger over his heart.
"Vixen", he said taking her hand and giving it a quick kiss. "Are you ready to face your future?" he asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be", she replied.
They turned and walked hand in hand into the great hall and into their future….together.
xoxoxoxxoxox
Well, that's it. Let me know what you think. Hmmmmmmmm. I was just thinking. I suppose…….if you're really good…….I might just have a few more pages left in me to write an epilogue. But only if you want it…do you want it?
