A/N: Hey guys, I am so sorry, I apologise for the lateness of this chapter. I tried to get access to internet all weekend and when I finally did, fanfiction wasn't working! Once again terribly sorry and here is the last chapter! The epilogue will be out in a couple of days.

You have no idea how excited and nervous I am! This chapter hasn't been beta-read, nobody else has seen it and I have no idea how you guys are going to react… but oh well, the finalscene was in my head from the start and I've been working on it for a long time!

Shout outs:

JTfanaddict: Hey, well as there's a sequel I couldn't really kill anyone off. Draco is power hungry and like every young adult he has dreams and wants to fulfil them, especially if it makes him all big and powerful! Lol, what will Hermione think? Thanx for the review!

MissDtizy: Yeah, I'm glad you like the dark twist. Draco's plan isn't very definite yet but basically they (Death Eaters) are all gonna get super powerful and kinda rule the wizarding world and then get revenge on Dumbledore. Sorry if it isn't very clear. About Voldie's dad being a Muggle, they didn't seem to know in the fifth book so I guessed it would be the same for the fic. Enjoy the last chappie!

Obbsesive: I always thought Draco was kinda like Darth Vader, lol! No seriously I agree, the first chapters aren't as dark and the writing is quite bad sometimes but I'll revise them soon. Thanks for pointing it out.

Malfoy'sAngel: Hehe, did you think I would let Draco just up and leave without a final scene with Hermione? That scene has been in my mind for ages, probably the first one I thought of, so hope you enjoy!

Twinklerbell23: Am I that good? Well I guess you'll find out once you read this chapter, but don't forget whatever happens there is a sequel and it will be up as soon as possible. Thanks for reviewing!

UpTheIrons: Your penname is really original, I like it. Thanks for reviewing, I'm always touched when people get emotional over my story, its my reward I guess. Hope you enjoy the final chapter.

Tomfeltonlover1400: Tom Felton is too young for me, lol but I guess he is cute! Yes Draco is going evil and in this chapter it's the final confrontation with Hermione. Yes it will happen and you'll have to read on to find out if she stops him or not. Thanks for the review!

DracosMine89: Hello Farha, thanks for reviewing. Yes I know there is so much to be said and that's why there's a sequel. Draco is at a point where power is important for him, he's constructing his future and wants to make it out on his own now that his father is dead. I guess Hermione doesn't fit the picture but there's still this chapter. Enjoy!

Velvetyblack: You asked a really good question! About Abigail well basically she would have lost her powers casue she helped out in the war but as Draco is maintaining the dark side, she is in his debt and must pay or she'll lose her powers anyway. Abigail at this point probably prefers to lose her powers but maybe she'll change her mind. Thanks for reviewing!

Alexistheman: Thank you for the reviews! I'm impressed you managed to read everything so fast! I'm glad you fell on my story, fanfics are brilliant when waiting for the next HP book. Will Hermione change Draco? Read on to find out!

KittKatShauna: Hey, I can't believe you print fanfics off. I use to do that because I didn't have time to read them on the net but it cost me so much money! I'm so glad you like my fic, hopefully you'll continue and read the sequel. Enjoy!

Roguish muse: Hehe, I have you so worried. There will be a final confrontation but you'll have to read on to find out what happens in the end. Thank you for reviewing faithfully at each chapter!

May: Hey, first of all thanks for reviewing so faithfully, I always enjoy your reviews. I'm glad you understand where they're both coming from and why they inevitably fall apart. Read on to see what happens but remember, there's a sequel and anything can happen yet!

Hpcrzyfb: Hi! Well its finally the last chapter and you're right Draco has turned his back to everyone who trusted him. Unfortunately Hermione loves him so will she be able to stop him, well read on to find out and remember there's asequel. Thank you for reviewing!

And a big thank you to: jonadark, Pepperea, Zippyrox, Da manta ray, .Drama-Queen, Love4AllSeasons, Sam, xOxOkIsSmYaSsXoXo, spicecate38, poorpadfoot, Eriador, BrownEyedQT715, sApPhire rAiin, Juicy-Fuit for Drako, Baboo, Absh,

Now all I can say is I'm sorry to all you believers out there, but it just had to be.

..~**~..

Chapter 38

"It's all over!" Dumbledore announced to Hermione and Harry in the infirmary. "Voldemort is officially dead and a celebration is planned in the Great Hall tonight."

But they barely listened to him. Hermione's cuts and bruises had been healed earlier on and her now mended arm rested in a sling. She sat next to the bed Abigail was laying on watching over her. Harry sat on the opposite side.

Madame Pomfrey had finally arrived in time and brought Abigail back to Hogwarts' hospital wing by portkey. Hermione and Harry had travelled back with Mad-Eye Moody and had watched helplessly as the school nurse along with McGonagall, Snape and several Healers from St Mungos tried to stop Abigail's multiple bleedings and stabilise her condition. Now, all sorts of tubes connected Abigail to magical devices standing around her bed. Empty potion vials littered the nearby table, blood covered the white sheets and floor beneath and yet after a three hour effort, Abigail was still in a coma.

Dumbledore had eventually admitted that the portkey had led them to the South of France, where the Serpent family had been forced to exile a few years ago. However, he didn't explain what the Serpent books were or why they were so important and Hermione preferred not to ask. Although watching Abigail was a terrible sight, Hermione felt even worse inside.

She was so anxious.

Abigail looked near death, Ron had gone back to the Burrow to mourn his brother's death with the rest of his family and no one had heard or seen Draco since they had left Serpent Manor.

No, it wasn't all over as Dumbledore had said. Now they had to cope with the pain that came with war and had inevitably scarred their hearts and souls forever.

"I understand if you prefer not to attend tonight's celebrations," Dumbledore continued noticing his students' fatigue and sadness. "However, if you do decide to come along, I must warn you the press has also been invited and of course they will want you to answer their questions."

Hermione looked up at Harry, waiting for his decision but he continued to stare at Abigail's face instead. Turning around to face her headmaster, Hermione gave him a small smile and told him she would probably attend the feast later on. Nodding his head, Dumbledore left the infirmary and Pomfrey came back in, walking hurriedly from bed to bed as she tended to the other wounded students.

The school had been severely attacked by half of Voldemort's army but with courage, a strong defence and the help of the Order of the Phoenix, they quickly defeated their enemies although the casualties had been numerous. A dozen of students had been killed and many others injured. Healers from St Mungo's had arrived on Pomfrey's request to help heal the students and teachers. The hospital wing was considerably less crowded now and only the serious cases remained.

Feeling her eyes gradually start to close, Hermione slowly got up from her chair and with a Healer's help, she climbed onto a bed and tried to fall asleep. She refused a potion to help her sleep as she wanted to be up in a few hours time for the feast. She also secretly wanted to remain awake in case someone had news of Draco's whereabouts.

But she still needed sleep. It was the only way she could get away from all the pain. The pain that stung her heart as she heard Dumbledore list the deaths of so many of her friends.

Tonks had died some time after sunrise from her internal injuries and a Death Eater had killed George Weasley as he was busy watching over the injured members of the Order. Hermione was relieved to see Ginny safe and sound a few moments before she heard about her brother's death and left hurriedly for the Burrow. Hermione had then spent the rest of the day in the hospital wing, watching family and friends hurry inside to find their beloved ones either injured or dead. Hermione had then remembered her own parents and sent them an owl as soon as she could to explain the situation and to reassure them that she was fine.

But she wasn't. It was all too hard for her and she didn't want to face reality anymore.

When her mind finally seemed to settle down, Hermione fell asleep, wishing Draco was beside her, holding her in his arms and telling her everything would be alright.

..~**~..

In her dream, Hermione suddenly found herself back in Potions class. She watched her classmates file out of the classroom and suddenly heard Snape call out her name.

She looked up at his desk and there, standing besides it, was Draco.

He was waiting next to the desk, scowling at her. His blond hair was gelled back tightly into place and his stormy grey eyes glared menacingly at her as he watched her stand up and move closer to him. Hermione quickly realised that he was wearing his Prefects badge instead of his Head Boy one. What was going on?

She looked expectantly at Snape, but before he could answer her, Draco opened his mouth.

"You must be joking? She's going to be tutoring me?" he commented mockingly, looking at Hermione as if she were dirt under his shoe. "I'd rather not!"

And then she remembered.

This was the day when it had all started, back in her sixth year, when she had tutored Draco every weekend. She had hated it to start with, but then they had gotten to know each other better and eventually, they had become more than friends. That year, although Hermione hadn't realised it, she had fallen for him.

She watched amused as Draco continued to glare at her before turning to Snape.

"Professor, I refuse! I don't care what you do but she is not tutoring me!" he continued to complain, looking extremely annoyed.

"What can I say, Malfoy?" Hermione remarked loudly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Your grades simply aren't as good as mine and therefore you need my help."

Malfoy's glare was becoming more and more murderous and Hermione had to stifle a laugh.

"Miss Granger is your new tutor, Headmaster's orders, end of story!" Snape snapped at him before storming out of the classroom, muttering under his breath.

Draco was about to say something, when Hermione butt in.

"Listen Malfoy, stop being so arsy about this and maybe we can get it over with before Christmas," she proposed, tired of hearing his whining.

She then turned away to gather her belongings still sitting on her desk.

"Fine!" she heard him snarl, picking up his book bag. "But for the record, I'm still a Malfoy and you're still a Mudblood."

Hermione's head snapped up at his words, but abruptly the scene changed and she found herself in the Heads' dorms, in the common room. She looked around and suddenly her heart skipped a beat.

There, looking exactly the same as the last time she had seen him in Southern France, stood Draco - her Draco. His black clothes were torn in places and he looked worn out from the battle. His messy hair fell into his face, casting shadows upon his pale skin tinted with blood. He was casually leaning against the wall opposite her with his hands in his pockets.

He seemed to be waiting for her.

Hermione couldn't believe her eyes and stood rooted to the ground. He smiled at her and his soft grey eyes gazed into her own. Pushing himself off the wall, he stepped up towards her.

"Draco, is it really you?" she whispered to him in disbelief, keeping her eyes locked on his.

He kissed her softly on the lips in response and immediately Hermione threw her arms tightly around him. She rested her head on his chest and felt his arms wrap around her waist. Closing her eyes shut, she let herself be overwhelmed by his scent. She felt safe - she felt loved and she never ever wanted this moment to end.

"This is a dream, isn't it?" she asked sadly, looking up into his silver eyes. "You're not real."

He nodded, looking back at her, his smile fading as tears started to form in her eyes.

"I'm so worried, Draco," she confessed to him, holding him tighter. "I don't know where you are or what to do - you left so suddenly. Why didn't you tell me? What are you hiding from me? I don't know where you are and it scares me."

He kissed her again as if to reassure her and suddenly pulled away.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," he breathed out, stepping away. "You know my feelings for you have always been true."

A familiar feeling swept over Hermione, as she remembered having heard those words before. However, she wanted to move forward and hold Draco back but she couldn't. She couldn't move or say anything; all she could do was watch him leave.

"Wake up."

And with that, Hermione woke up with a start on the hospital bed. She quickly sat up looking among the other beds, hoping to find him there but he was nowhere to be seen.

..~**~..

"There she is! There she is!"

Hermione had barely opened the Great Hall doors that she was blinded with multiple camera flashes and drowned in a human sea of reporters and photographers.

"Miss Granger? Miss Granger? How are you feeling? Any comments about last night? Any news about Harry? Is it true Abigail Serpent help defeat You-Know-Who? What are your plans now that You-Know-Who is dead? How does it feel to have defeated You-Know-Who?"

And on and on it went until Hermione caught a glimpse of Remus Lupin coming to save her.

"Alright, that's quite enough!" he announced, pulling her to safety by his side. "Miss Granger will answer your questions later. Now if you'll excuse us."

"Are they always like that?" she asked him, suddenly regretting to have come to the feast. Although her arm was in a sling, few people noticed and knocked her elbow a couple of times, making her wince.

"Unfortunately, yes," he answered dismally. "You guys have a whole new life of fame awaiting you now."

He pulled her away from the angry press and Hermione finally noticed the multicoloured decorations that filled the hall. The house tables had been moved to the side and were covered in all sorts of dishes and drinks whilst the rest of the hall was filled with students, teachers, Ministry officials and members of the Order all celebrating their victory over the dark side.

"Ah Miss Granger!" Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic greeted her, holding a full glass of wine in his hand. "Congratulations! I am sure you must be ecstatic to have defeated the darkest wizard of all times! You certainly deserve an award! What did you think of the press? Have they named you the 'Cleverest Witch of Hogwarts' yet?"

He then laughed merrily along with several other Ministry officials that Hermione had never seen before. Harry would hate this, she thought to herself as she forced a smile upon her face. She exchanged a few polite words with Fudge before leaving to find Dumbledore, standing alongside McGonagall talking to various other teachers.

She decided not to join them in the end, afraid to interrupt although she had badly wanted to ask him several questions. She decided to stick with Remus instead but found him sitting in a corner by himself with a sad expression on his face. He had taken Tonks' death particularly hard and Hermione preferred to let him be for the moment. After looking around for any familiar faces, she found herself to be quite lonely but soon spotted Dean and Lavender sitting in a corner, eating away.

She gleefully filled up her own plate with food which proved to be hard with one hand but she finally managed and joined her friends in their conversation. They ended up talking about the war and Hermione listened to them attentively as they described what had happened at Hogwarts. She then filled them in, explaining what had happened at Voldemort's hideout and they were both extremely surprised and yet proud when she told them how Voldemort was finally defeated.

Apparently nobody knew the details yet as none of the defeaters had told anyone.

A few minutes later, Hermione was a bundle of nerves. She couldn't stop thinking about Draco and she racked her brains to find out where he could have possibly gone. Finally, she decided to find Dumbledore again among the crowd of people to ask him if he had any news and soon spotted him talking to Fudge. She tried to make her way through the crowd but quickly gave up and decided to lean against the nearest wall to cool off instead. The room was hot and stuffy from the numerous people inside and Hermione felt herself get dizzy.

She decided it was best to leave the feast and return to the infirmary to check up on Harry and Abigail when suddenly an intolerable sting shot through her skull, making her grab her head in pain.

A voice burst through her mind, screaming.

Hermione! – Draco – forbidden forest – stop him!

The pain made her want to scream but Hermione quickly recovered as she recognised Abigail's voice in her mind and then realised what she had said. Her breath was suddenly caught in her throat.

Without a second thought, Hermione ran through the hall, doing her best to dodge the press and make her way through the thick crowd. She grabbed her cloak from her chair on the way and once she was out of the Great Hall, she ran as fast as she could down the entrance hall. Opening the heavy front doors, Hermione gasped as she noticed the rain pounding down from the sky in bucket loads and heard the rumbling of thunder above her.

But she didn't hesitate. Throwing her sling aside, she wrapped herself up in her cloak and ran down the pathway leading to Hagrid's hut and the Forbidden Forest. The rain whipped across her face and soaked her clothes through her cloak but she didn't care. She had to find him, she had to stop him from whatever it was he doing but most importantly she had to see him.

Why had he left her? Where had he been? All these questions zoomed through her mind as she continued to run as fast as her tired legs could carry her through the dark forest to the only place she knew he would be – the clearing. It was the only possible apparation point at Hogwarts and she knew that he was surely headed there.

Her heart pounded against her chest as her eyes searched for him among the trees and bushes, and suddenly, as she approached the clearing, her eyes spotted a tall dark figure at the edge of the clearing.

"Draco!" she shouted, but the noise of the rain falling down and the menacing rumbling in the sky prevented him from hearing her.

"DRACO!" she shouted louder this time as she reached the clearing bathed in moonlight.

He was standing in the middle and when he heard her cry out his name, he whipped around, the hood of his cloak falling down, revealing white-blond hair, which gleamed in the moonlight. His face seemed to be carved out of marble, as the raindrops slid down his temples. He looked surprised to see her and stood still as she faced him, bewildered.

"Where were you? Why did you disappear?" she asked him over the sound of the heavy rain, searching the truth in his dark eyes.

She stepped forward to meet him, but his words caused her to halt.

"Hermione, you shouldn't be out here. Go back inside!" he shouted at her, before turning around to leave.

"Draco, what's happening?" she questioned him, wondering why he hadn't already taken her in his arms. What was wrong with him? Why was he being so distant? She saw his shoulders heave as he sighed deeply. She stepped cautiously closer to him, losing balance as her shoes slipped against the muddy ground. He turned back to face her and for the first time Hermione noticed sorrow and darkness in his silver eyes.

"I'm leaving, Hermione," he informed her, looking down at her. "I chose to follow my destiny and that means I have to leave."

She frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm their new leader," he admitted suddenly.

She felt her heart drop to her knees, her head aching wildly. What had he just said? Surely, it couldn't be!

"The Death Eaters. They accepted me as their new leader. It's my destiny," he added, seeing her reaction. "It's the path I've chosen."

He tried to reach out for her as she stepped back, but she hit his hand away in horror.

"No, you're lying!" she cried out, as realisation sunk through her against her will. "Why - why would you do that? It doesn't make sense! I can't believe it!"

Anger raged inside of her and as he moved closer to her, she pushed him away hard. "I won't believe it! You defeated Voldemort! You're not one of them anymore!"

Draco grabbed her by the shoulders hard. "Voldemort was an imposter!" he roared, trying to make her understand. "He killed as many Mudbloods as Purebloods. He didn't understand the reality of the world around him. He only believed in torture and death. I can do better than that."

As he continued to shout, Hermione wasn't listening, focusing only on the fact that he had used the word 'Mudblood' again. It hit her more than the rainfall beating down upon her body, drenching her clothes. His dark silver eyes pierced through her own terrified ones as he tried to make her realise his truth.

"I've waited for an opportunity like this all my life."

His words sliced through her heart like a knife and she felt the hot tears slide down her cheeks and mixing with the raindrops.

"But what about us?" she whispered to him, no longer fighting against his grip.

He laughed at her in exasperation and it killed her inside.

"There never was an 'us', Hermione!" he yelled over the sound of the deafening rain, letting her go. "Do you think the wizarding world would ever accept us? Do you think they would ever let us in peace? You wouldn't even tell your best friends about us!"

"I don't care if Harry and Ron never speak to me again!" she screamed at him. "I love you and I know that you love me too."

Silence followed her words. His hesitation made her want to choke.

"Draco?" she asked him in despair, waiting for his answer.

He stepped quickly towards her and kissed her deeply, pulling her against him. Relief flooded her body.

"I love you, Hermione," he breathed out as he pulled away, "but I made a choice. I am what you don't want to say, but I've never had a doubt about."

"No!" she cried out desperately, clinging on to his robes, making him look at her. "You're not evil, Draco! I've seen you undisguised, you opened up your heart for me and it's good. Stop fighting your soul, it's good!"

She felt him stiffen at her words, but she held on to him nonetheless. "There was a time when I once believed that," he told her, looking away as he remembered the event. "Last year, after the massacre, I decided I hated what I would eventually become and secretly went to see Dumbledore."

Hermione's eyes widened at his revelation. She had never known, Dumbledore had never told her before. Why was he telling her this now?

"I told him that I was to become a Death Eater during the summer and that I wanted to change before it was too late." His eyes darkened as he spoke and suddenly his tone became harsh. "I sunk low enough to ask for his help and do you know what he did?"

Hermione shook her head, tears falling down her face, as she feared the worst.

"He laughed right back in my face!" Draco answered for her angrily. "He told me a Malfoy was always a Malfoy no matter what! And I guess, in the end, he did help me. He helped me understand that I had to become my own master and that I didn't need anyone else. He helped me understand who I truly am!"

"It's not true! You know it's not true!" she yelled to him as she watched the rain fall through his silver hair and down his determined face. "You love me, you can change, I proved that!"

He tried to move away as she spoke, but she clutched his arm angrily and forced him to face her.

"You may have turned me inside out, hurt me more than anyone else in my life but I always gave you everything I had inside!" she screamed, trying to make him understand what her soul was dictating her. "I gave you my heart!"

All of a sudden, his eyes flashed angrily back at her and Draco closed the gap between them, grabbing Hermione roughly by the arms.

"Do you think this is easy for me?" he spat out, holding her face. "Do you think this is easy when I know you're the best thing that's ever happened to me? I have to do this! I have to know what I'm worth! Do you understand that? I choose power, Hermione!

His fierce eyes stared into hers, begging her to understand his decision. "For Merlin's sake, I choose power over love! That's who I truly am!"

Hermione wouldn't listen to him, she couldn't. It hurt too much to hear his reasons. She fought furiously against him and abruptly fell backwards into the giant puddle of mud behind her. A bright flash of lightening suddenly ripped through the sky and she started shivering as she realised that she was soaked to the bone.

"I was your worst enemy and Muggle-born," she whispered, her desolate chocolate eyes looking at him. "And yet you loved me, you love me, you fought for me! Doesn't that count for anything?"

"You're too late," he told her quietly. They both knew it, but Hermione wouldn't give up so easily. She stood up on her feet again and pressed the palm of her hand on his chest, looking up at his face with shimmering, imploring eyes.

"I felt your heart beat – for me!"

"Hermione –"

"Draco, please!" she croaked, not able to hold back her tears anymore. "Don't do this! I'm begging you, stay with me!"

She put her hand on his cold cheek and stared desperately into his soft grey eyes, as the other one held desperately onto the front of his robes. Rain continued to beat down on them.

"Don't you understand - I can't go on without you."

Draco gazed back one last time into her pleading red eyes. For the very last time, his dark silver eyes betrayed his undying love for the Gryffindor girl held in his arms and he pulled her closer to him. As lightning streaked the sky above them, his soft lips crashed on hers and he kissed her deeply. Hermione felt her body melt against his and her mind suddenly went wild, remembering the past months she had spent with the Slytherin Prince.

Her one and only true love.

"What could a Gryffindor possibly want from a Slytherin?"

"Don't you want this as much as I do?"

"I'll always be there for you, Hermione."

"You won't lose me."

"I love you."

Hermione felt him pull away and her heart stopped.

"I'm sorry."

And before she could stop him, he disapparated with a loud pop.

"DRACOOO!"

But it was too late. He was gone. He had left her. He had disapparated before her eyes, out of her embrace and out of her life.

And what did he leave behind?

Hermione Granger, the cleverest witch of Hogwarts, defeater of Lord Voldemort, collapsing to the ground under a heavy rainstorm, gasping for air as she cried out his name, pain in her chest as Draco Malfoy had broken her heart.

..~**~..

This isn't exactly the end yet, I'm not that mean. The epilogue will be up in a couple of days and there is definitely a sequel to this story !

REVIEW PLEASE!