Chapter 28

A War Within Himself

The next morning Draco and Hermione woke up. Draco had had a bad night sleep so he was a little groggy. Draco leaned into Hermione's hair and closed his eyes and inhaled her. Hermione stretched and started to get out of bed when Draco grabbed her and pulled her back down.

"Not yet, let's just lay here for a little while longer. We have time to just relax." He said not ready to get up and face the day. Hermione turned her head to look at him.

"All right, but just for a few more minutes then we really need to get up. It's the last full day of term, the Ball's tonight and…" Draco's lips cut her off. The kiss was soft and filled with love with a hint of passion. He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

"Shhh, lets just enjoy the moment." Draco said. Hermione looked deep into his eyes that were only about an inch away and replied with a smile.

After about ten minutes Hermione finally dragged Draco out of bed and got ready then headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione sat next to Ginny and grabbed a spoon full of cinnamon apples.

"So today is our last full day." Harry said looking around the Great Hall.

"Not mine and thanks for reminding me." Ginny said with a slightly playful smile.

"Sorry, Ginny. So what time do you have to start decorating tonight?" Harry asked across the table from Ginny.

"Well, we can't start until everyone is done eating dinner. Since none of the seventh years will be helping, the teachers have recruited the help from students who have gotten themselves into trouble. So instead of detention they are doing this. Depending on how many there are, we should have it done pretty quickly." Ginny said.

"Ron, are you okay?" Hermione asked Ron who had been quiet the whole time.

"I'm just tired. Last night Kiara kept me up late talking and going over details of the wedding." Ron muttered tiredly. He and Kiara were to be married in a few weeks.

After breakfast Hermione finished with all the things she needed to tend to and when everything was in order she decided to go to lunch then just walk around to see if anyone needed anything.

After lunch was over and it seemed that everyone was fine so she decided to take a good last look around the castle. She walked around and finally reached her last destination, the library. This place she loved. She wandered around looking in every spot she had ever been, which had been all of it. Finally she made her way to the back to where she normally would sit with her friends and Draco. She realized she had not seen Draco since that morning. When she turned around a row of bookcases she saw him sitting at their normal spot starring at his hands as he leaned over, resting his elbows on his legs. He looked upset and distracted. It looked as if he was having an inner battle within himself. Hermione felt her stomach drop and her eyes suddenly felt heavy. She knew why.

She walked over to him and sat on the end and faced him. He looked up briefly then looked back down. They sat in silence for a few seconds when he finally spoke.

"Hermione…" Draco started in a quiet voice but Hermione cut him off.

"I know." He looked back up at her. "It's not like I expected this to last and I know that you didn't either. I wish it could but I understand that you can't stand up to your father. You are who you are and I am who I am. You're a 'pureblood' and I am a muggleborn, and I am proud of it, it a part of me as much as the wizarding world is. I love cars, toasters, the telephone and all the other muggle contraptions. It's a part of who I am and I love it, and I always will. That's just not a part of your life and I don't expect you to understand. Then there is the whole me being an Auror, well with you being who you are that would be just… well." She paused trying her best to keep her voice stable and to fight her tears of achingness. " I'll always remember how beautiful and fun it has been and it will always be in my heart. You will always be there, I won't love anyone quite the way I love you." She paused again then put her hands on his the feeling sent the same warm rush through their bodies as it always does when they would touch. This caused them both to bite their lips to hold back the pain. "It's okay, I understand. We are just from two different worlds and this is just the way is has to be. Thank you for what you have given me." She paused once again and put her hand on his cheek and looked deep into his eyes. "Good luck and good bye Draco Malfoy."

With that she rose from her seat and started to walk away, then paused and turned around. "Oh and just remember," She began making him look up at her. "I may have been born to muggle parents but I have been a witch since I was conceived." She then turned, and taking her every ounce of strength she walked away holding her head up trying not to cry. She had never felt more in pain.

He watched her walk away following his eyes in her direction and admired her for her bravery and strength for he could barely get up the nerve to say her name. He admired how she held herself up and carried on with her dignity knowing how much pain she was in because he felt ten times worse. He got up and watched her hips sway as she glided towards the door. All he wanted to do is go after her and grab her and never let her go. Tell her that he loved her and wanted her, to tell her they would be together forever, but he didn't. He just watched as she walked towards to doors.

Hermione felt as if her world just fell on her for she felt so heavy and felt no way to release it. Before she reached the door Jameson Jackson walked in with a hand full of books.

"Hey Hermione, are you okay?" Jameson asked as he put the books into the return box that automatically checked them back in and waited to be placed back onto the shelves.

"Um… yeah." She said as she looked around the room.

"Yeah, it's hard to believe that we are leaving tomorrow so no more studying in here." Jamison said.

"I sure am going to miss this place." Hermione said as she and Jameson walked out of the library. Draco glared and followed unbeknownst to the pair.

Part of her just wanted to be alone and cry her eyes out and for that reason she was glad he was there to keep her mind off of it, it was very difficult though.

"So where are you headed to?" Jameson asked.

"The Great Hall. I am supposed to meet Harry and Ron." Hermione answered with a sadness in her voice..

"I am also on my way there. I need to talk to my sister about something. I'll walk you."

"Thanks. So how are she and Snape? I haven't really gotten to talk to her in the last few weeks."

"Good I suppose. I for one am trying to figure out what it is that she sees in him, but she is my sister and it is my duty to stick by the ones I love."

"You know I wish everyone could have that attitude." Hermione said as they reached the great hall and stopped at the opened entrance.

"So hey save me a dance tonight so I can show you my moves okay?" Jameson said as he wiggled his body. Hermione couldn't help but smile a give a small laugh.

"I will, I'll see you later." Hermione said before she turned towards Ron and Harry then added. "Oh and Jameson, thanks"

"You're welcome, for what exactly?" He said kind of confused.

"For making me laugh."

"Hey no problem." He said with a smile. They waved and went their separate ways.

Draco watched as they talked and all he could feel was a jealous rage build inside of him. The only thing that kept him from grabbing Jameson and breaking him in half was the fact that Hermione wasn't his, although that didn't stop him before. However he still felt that she was still very much his, he wasn't going to get used to the fact that she really wasn't his anymore and that there was a possibility that she would move on. He didn't like that thought, not one bit.

Hermione met up with Ron and Harry then headed up to Dumbledore's office. They walked into his office and sat down in the tree chairs in front of his desk.

"Hello Professor" They all said in unison.

"Good afternoon" Dumbledore said in return. "I'm sure all of you were wondering why I had asked you to meet me here. First off I would like to congratulate you on finishing your final year here at Hogwarts as students. Secondly since you will be out of school and you are of age I would like to let you know when the first Order meeting you will now be able to attend as official members."

They all looked at each other in excitement. The professor told them when and where it would be held. Then it hit them, they were truly adults now.

"With that I want to say," Dumbledore began with a twinkle of pride in his eyes for he was finally able to say officially, "Welcome to the order of the Phoenix!"

A/N: Sorry I can't answer reviews this chapter I will the next. I am in a hurry so see ya in 15! Keep r/r! Thanks so much!