Finally…graduation was here. All the seventh years were either at Hogsmead getting dressed or tuxes for the dance or mailing invitations for the ceremony. If you were the Head Boy and Girl or a prefect, then you were planning the whole dance…or at least should. The seventh years were really busy.
"I can't believe we're graduating! Feels like yesterday I was sitting on the stool to be sorted!" exclaimed Hermione. She fell back on Draco's lap slowly. Her, Draco, Ron, Harry, and Blaise sat in the Heads' common room. Ginny and Alex still had class, since they were only sixth years.
"I can't wait. Our years at Hogwarts have been so full of me almost dying or something around those lines," said Harry. He was laying on his stomach on the ground, reading a book on Quidditch and talking to everyone.
"Should you two be planning the dance?" asked Blaise. Him and Ron were playing Exploding Snap; Ron was winning.
"We should…" said Draco. "I don't want to though."
"Who are you taking to the dance Ron?" asked Hermione. She sat up and Draco snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
"Luna," said Ron. "I asked her last week." His cheeks turned a little pink. Although it was hardly visible through his freckles. Hermione shook her head with a smile on her face.
In no time at all, it was the day of the dance and Hermione, Ginny, Alex, and Luna had kicked the boys out of the common room. The girls crowded into Hermione's bathroom and took turned taking a shower. After Hermione took a shower, she conjured a stool in front of the mirror. She sat on it and started to lightly do her make-up. Ginny sat next to her. She could only go because a 7th year, Harry, was taking her. They made small talk as they put on their make-up and did each other's hair.
"So, tell me, what does your dress look like?" asked Ginny as she shook her head at a hair-don't Hermione tried on her. Hermione took it all out, brushed it, and tried something else.
"It's so beautiful!" said Hermione with much excitement. "It's light pink spaghetti strapped dress. It has a lot of ruffled layers. It's really pretty. Oh! It's a little low cut too, but not too much."
"Sounds wonderful," replied Ginny. "Mine's a midnight blue dress that goes down to my knees. It's spaghetti strapped and has flowers and glitter everywhere."
"That sounds pretty," Hermione said after finishing Ginny's hair. It was half up in a ponytail with a flower in the hair tie and a little bit of hairspray. Hermione had hers in a bun with a few strands of hair falling out here and here.
"Come on, let's go get our dressed on. We have about thirty minutes until the dance!" cried Finny. Hermione put her hand on Ginny's shoulder and smiled at her. "Next year is going to be so boring without you and Harry and Ron and everyone else!"
Hermione hugged her friend. "Don't forget, you still have Alex and all of your sixth year friends." The girls' eyes started to water a little.
They walked into Hermione's room and changed. Hermione's dress clung to her every curve. She flushed pink when she looked into the mirror that had complemented her. She was so beautiful. Ginny cam from behind her. They smiled at each other through the mirror. They stood quietly for a few moments. Hermione turned around to face her friend, still smiling.
"I hope he gives you all the love and happiness your heart can hold," said Ginny. She looked up at her friend. "Can you believe it? Two people…totally different in all ways…family…house…fall in love? Especially during these times…I hope you guys make it. I really do." Ginny turned away from Hermione. "Because you, Hermione, has shown everyone that people can change. I think…no I know that is why I admire you. You always seem to find the good in people…no matter what…Someday…someday I hope that I can be just like you."
"Oh Ginny! That was the nicest thing anybody has told ever told me!" Hermione hugged her. "Thank you. I hope the same for you and Harry."
"Come on," said Ginny. "Let's go. Our men are waiting for us." They smiled, took a deep, calming breath, and walked out of Hermione's room.
The boys sat on the couches, chatting together about what they were going to do once they were out of Hogwarts, Quidditch, and whatever boys seem to like to talk about. They were in the middle of talking about some famous Quidditch move when Hermione, Ginny, Alex, and Luna walked out of Hermione's room. The boys looked up, speechless.
Hermione smiled as she and Draco neared each other. Draco looked at her up and down. She was completely amazing. He held out his arm for her to take, which she did. He kissed her cheek. Arm-in-arm they walked to the Great Hall, followed by their friends. The Head Boy and Girl went into the Hall before everyone else and stood on either side of Dumbledore. The students filled into the Hall and looked at Dumbledore, Draco, and Hermione.
The Hall was decorated with the four house colors: red and gold, green and silver, blue and bronze, yellow and black. The four house animal wall hangings covered each wall. The Hogwarts crest levitated in the middle of the hall. The ceiling showed a clear star filled night.
"Before we begin the dance, our Head Boy and Girl would like to say a few words," Dumbledore sat down on his usual chair in front of the Great Hall. Draco and Hermione moved closer together.
"First of all, we'd like to congratulate all the passing 7th years," started Hermione.
"This year and six years past hold many memories-"
"Good and bad. We've been through hard times-"
"And had times where we would just love to stop time and live there forever-"
"We hope you had a great time here at Hogwarts-"
"Even if what happened these past seven years were hectic-"
"Our first year – Sorcerer's Stone-"
"Second year – Chamber of Secrets-"
"Third year – Sirius Black-"
"Fourth year – Triwizard Tournament and the death of Cedric Diggory-"
"Fifth year – capture of many death-eaters at the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic-"
"Sixth year – many attacks-"
"And so far, nothing horrible this year-"
Well, that is all we have to say to you all," ended Draco.
They stepped back as Dumbledore stood up and came forward. "Now, let us open the dance with the Head Boy and Girl dance the first song." Dumbledore smiled. The music started to play.
Draco took her hand and led Hermione to the middle of the Great Hall. He bowed low, smiling. Hermione giggled, shaking her head. Draco straightened and snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. His other arm went around her waist in an embracing hug. She wrapped her arms around him so it looked like they were hugging instead of dancing. She rested her head against his chest and he rested his chin gently on her head. Both of them closed their eyes.
Looks like we made itLook how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday
'This girl in my arms…oh, how I love her so much,' thought Draco.
'I love him. I really love Draco Malfoy,' thought Hermione at the same time
They said, "I bet they'll never make it."
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss goodnight
You're still the one
They weren't really dancing. They were really just swaying; too caught up in each other's arms to even notice or care. They were happy, complete, and loved where they were.
Ain't nothin' betterWe beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'
They said, "I bet they'll never make it."
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss goodnight
You're still the one
"I love you Hermione," whispered Draco when the singing stopped and just music played.
Hermione smiled. "I love you too Draco."
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss goodnight
I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
The song ended and a new song started, but Draco and Hermione just stood still. They breathed in each other's scent and savored each other's company.
1."There was something I always wanted," whispered Draco, loud enough for Hermione to hear and only her, "something I envisioned…loving parents, a happy home with everyone smiling at me. A home that no one would ever want to leave…a warm place…a warm person. It exits…I know it does." He bent down a little and captured her lips with his. He picked her up and spun around once. "You are my arm person and your heart is my warm place."
"Oh Draco!" cried Hermione. Tears of happiness swelled up in her eyes as the kissed in the middle of the Hall.
A/N: FINALLY! I have finished this chapter after a few weeks of our last chapter. I hope you all like this chapter. I really do. I think there's going to be one more chapter of Forbidden Love and its over. But I don't know, I might get another chapter, but don't count on it…it'd only come if I'm lucky.
1.This quote is from Fruits Basket, Vol. 4. It was said by Yuki Sohma when him, Haru, Momiji, Kyo, Uo-chan, Hana-chan, and Tohru were playing badminton outside after Akito came to visit the school.