A/N- Hey everyone! Wow- I'm horrible; you guys are all probably reading this thinking "Finally! Took her long enough!" And truthfully, I'm thinking the same thing. I mean, I've been reading some books for school, and going over peoples houses every once in a while, (I went camping for the first time last weekend! Crazy experience!), but I still had time to update…so no excuses. I'm sorry! SO, hopefully the chapter will make you forgive me. Thanks for all the awesome reviews! Loved them:)

And for just to let you guys know- HBP isn't going to change this story at all. (Though isn't that the case with all dm/hg stories now? Because if we didn't pretend, they'd probably all be invalid…and non existent. Still, let's just pretend it didn't happen, lol)

And the story is not over just yet!

Disclaimer- everything belongs to J.K Rowling…except for the plot…plots mine…and Aleesa! Wow- I never thought about that- yeah I own her too. :) (or is that a bad thing?)

Ch-13

"The bracelet was still activated and recorded everything…well until you showed up. Now, we can take the tape to the Ministry, and they finally have something to convict him of. God knows they waited so long and they've been searching for something, anything-" She was cut off by Draco's lips crashing onto hers. She smiled out of the kiss while he couldn't get enough of her. He kissed her on the corner of her lips, then onto her cheek, her jaw, her ear, her neck, and on the lips once more.

"Hermione you are a genius!"

"I know." She smiled.

"Okay, okay. I can't think straight!" Hermione laughed. "You need to rest! And I need to get this in quickly. This is…it's crazy…Ah!" Draco was ecstatic. It was finally over. His father was going to Azkaban.

He quickly went over to Lucius, but a heavier spell on him, and bound him together so he couldn't go anywhere. He'd still send Potter and Weasley over, let them have an hour of fun with him until Draco would let the aurors come get him. He put apparition wards all over that room, grabbed the bracelet and Pansy's wand, and shoved it into his pocket. He picked up Hermione and walked out that room, wanting to never look back again.

Chapter14-Tying up loose ends

Hermione opened her eyes, finding herself cradled in Draco's arms, and was standing over her bed. Draco placed her down on her side, and then sat on the edge of the bed next to her knees, looking at her. They sat there, staring peacefully at each other, sort of letting a silent moment pass between them. A moment of freedom. Hermione smiled as Draco leant in to kiss her, and as he pulled back, about an inch away from her face, he smiled as well.

"Thank you."

She nodded.

"Listen." He said, and averted his eyes to the door. Faintly, they could hear the yelling and accusations from their friends downstairs. "I guess they would like an explanation."

"What did you do?" she asked, giggling.

"I told them about us. Pretty bluntly actually. And I know it wasn't my place to do so, but Weasley was really pissing me off." He smirked.

"You didn't!"

"I did." He said proudly.

"Well we must go down so I can talk to them."

"No. You are staying right here and resting. You're lucky I'm not taking you over to St. Mungos, just to rest for a day-"

"I'm fine."

"-Fine doesn't work. I want you to be perfect. There's a difference-"

"AND, Ginny is a trained medi-witch. She can help."

"Well, good to know she's useful for something." Hermione rolled her eyes. "And I have to leave as well. I want to get this tape into the Ministry quickly, but I'll be right back."

"And Draco, I want-"

"I know. I know…I'll send them up here, but you have to stay in bed."

"Fine." She sighed.

"And don't let either one of those blubbering idiots lay a finger on my bed."

"I won't! Just go!" she laughed.

"Good." He kissed her quickly on the lips and left the room.

Ascending down the stairs, Draco heard the argument loud and clear. He quietly looked around the room, studying the stressed and frustrated adults before him. The former Gryffindors were standing by the chair closest to the door. Ginny was sitting in it looking rather annoyed with her legs crossed and her head leaning in her fist, which was relaxing on the arm rest. Ron was standing next to her, though he was leaning against the other arm rest with this arm's folded across his chest, probably doing the most arguing. Harry was standing behind the chair, slowly pacing back and forth and sighing heavily; looking anxious and worried, ready to see Hermione. Opposite them sat Pansy and Blaise across room, Blaise sitting on the love seat with one foot on the table, while Pansy sat beside him, banging her head against the arm rest. Over all, it was not a welcoming sight.

"Will you two please stop arguing? You've been at it for like, twenty minutes now." Pansy pleaded.

"For once, I'm agreeing with her. Enough is enough, Ron." Ginny warned.

But the two continued to ignore them.

"She's NOT pregnant. She would have at least had the decency to tell us that." Ron spat.

"No one said she was. I only stated that since they were together, don't act all surprised if she isn't so 'holier- than- thou' anymore. It's perfectly natural for them to engage in…other affairs." Blaise stated pretty simply.

"Oh that's vile. Don't ever give me that mental image again."

"So unhappyto hear you think about me Weasley. Please, don't get too attached." Draco interrupted.

Everyone turned their attention to Draco; Blaise and Pansy smirked, and Ginny and Harry looked up at him in relief. Ron growled under his breath "Malfoy…".

"Where you been mate? I had to sit here this whole time listening to Weasley." Blaise inquired.

"Terribly sorry about that. Must have been dreadful." Draco smirked.

"Getting to the point…" Harry pushed further while moving his hand in a circle, motioning for Draco to continue.

"Yes, well…Hermione's fine. But she's hurt and tired. She wants to see you three."

They didn't need another word; a second later their seats were vacant and they were almost to her room.

"And Weasley don't touch any of my things! I know it's tempting!" Draco shouted up the stairs. Ron turned around, made an obscene finger gesture, and continued up the stairs. Draco smirked to himself and walked over to his friends.

He pulled Pansy's wand out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Sorry for the twenty questions earlier Pans, we were just suspicious."

"It's fine, I'd do the same." She stated, accepting her wand.

"So that's it? You and Hermione are okay now?" Blaise asked.

"No. She doesn't like me any more than I like her. But, the respect is there. And I paid back my debt to you two for being involved with Aleesa in the first place."

"Shit! I completely forgot about her." Draco realized, sitting down on the couch in thought.

"Me too." Blaise agreed.

"Really?" Pansy asked the two.

"No! How can you forget someone like that? I've been thinking about her the whole time. I don't even think she realized she lost." Blaise said.

"Me either." Said Draco.

"He's talking about the 'not realizing' part. He really did forget about her though. Amnesic moron…" Blaise trailed off.

"Well that's one more thing I have to take care of." Draco ran his fingers tiredly through his blonde hair. He was thinking more to himself out loud than really speaking with his friends.

"So what really happened?" Pansy inquired.

"Er- I have to go. Things I need to take care of. But from the general standpoint- Hermione made Lucius cast unforgivables, but she recorded it using the bracelet, then I kicked his ass, now I'm turning him in to the aurors. I'll tell in detail later…or you can just eavesdrop outside her room because I'm sure she's telling them."

"Yea. Right after Weasley asks her if she's till a virgin." Blaise stated sardonically

"Ha! That's real funny." Draco said, but didn't laugh.

"Maybe she'll lie just for him." Blaise suggested.

"Or, maybe he'll just remember who I am." He smirked.

"I'm still here, remember?" Pansy asked annoyed.

The two just laughed.

"But seriously, that's crazy what she did."

"And very clever."

"I know. But, we'll talk later. I have to go." Draco stated. And with a loud crack, he was out the room.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Hermione was now sitting up, Indian style on her pillows, while her three best friends were in the room with her. Ginny laid across the bottom of the bed, and Ron and Harry were standing on either side of it. They had all smothered her with hugs and kisses upon entering, and Ginny did some quick spells to make her feel better. But, now they were listening intently to her long saga of her and Draco's relationship. She had to tell them everything; how her and Draco broke up in seventh year, all the way to the happenings of this evening. (Though she did leave out many… 'other affairs'). She finished and stared at their faces. Ron's was red, though he looked utterly confused….Harry stood still, mouth agape as it was before…Ginny laid at the end of the bed, staring at her excitedly, as though Hermione was telling some juicy gossip.

"And, now I'm here." Silence. "Now before you say anything, know that I have no regrets and that I'm contempt and happy. And honestly, right now I have this…ecstatic feeling…which I don't know where it's coming from…but it's got to be good right?" Silence. "Say something."

"The feeling probably came from the knowledge of me having strangled Malfoy with my-" Ron stated bluntly.

"Ron. Stop. You aren't going to touch him. Especially not if its with your hands around his throat."

"Well I was going to say my boot-"

"Boot?" Harry asked calmly, mouth still slightly hanging open.

"Yes, put him on the ground and stand on his throat." He answered simply.

"Ahhh."

"Boys!" Hermione couldn't help but giggle a little. But she stopped quickly after seeing their faces of disbelief. "Sorry. So…"

"You could have told us." Harry stated.

"Harry, you know I would have, I wanted to so bad. I hated lying to you all the time. And not being able to tell my best friends about something so…colossal in my life, was the most difficult thing."

"It's all right Hermione. I understand. And if it was for your safety, I wouldn't want it any other way." Ginny smiled.

Hermione smiled back and hugged her for a while. It meant a lot to have her best girlfriend supporting her.

She went back to her original place on the bed, waiting for the other two's blessings.

"Well…if I don't see you two together, in any physical way…I think I'll live."

"Oh Ron!" She smiled and flung her self onto him.

"But no touching." He smiled, holding onto her.

"Ron…"

"But I swear Hermione, if he makes one more remark about me, my family, or my money, I'm throwin' punches." He said into her hair.

"I'll talk to him." She whispered.

Ron put her down on the floor to let her walk over to Harry.

"Harry?" She asked.

He started at her for a second, and then ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up even more. 'Draco does that…'

"Well Hermione. Can't say I wasn't surprised. Definitely didn't see this coming."

She smiled gently.

"And it's kind of weird, giving you over to one of my enemies…well not so much enemy anymore…but I don't like him. As long as he doesn't hurt you…and, you're a big girl. So, far be it for me to say you cannot be with him…that's not my place. Besides, what kind of best friend would I be if I didn't want to see you happy?" He shrugged and held his arms out.

Hermione jumped up and latched herself onto him, as he kissed her on her cheek.

"Thank you Harry."

As Harry sat her down, she smiled from ear to ear.

"Hermione? Lie and tell me you're a virgin." Ron said to her back.

"What! Have you been speaking with Blaise?" Hermione whipped around laughing at his incredulous question.

"Just…please…answer the question." Ron said closing his eyes.

Hermione, knowing he couldn't see her face, rolled her eyes and then said in all innocence.

"I'm a virgin."

Ginny started laughing hysterically.

"Gin-ny…you're not help-ing" Ron sing-songed.

"Sorry, it's just…Malfoy's been with her for how many years! And them not…shagging at all?"

"Ginny! Shut UP!" Ron yelled.

Hermione joined Ginny in the laughter.

"I'm not hearing this for SO many more reasons than one." Ron started. "I'm leaving!"

"Mate, as much as I'm not enjoying this either…you think you'd rather be with the Slytherins?"

"I'll take my chances."

"Let's try to lighten the mood a little." Harry suggested.

"I got a promotion!" Ginny shouted.

Cheers of congrats erupted from the other three as they talked of good times. But the 'good times' talk only lasted a minute before Harry and Ron decided to leave to "make sure Lucius wouldn't escape". Of course, Hermione argued saying the "spell on him won't allow him to stir", but Ron replied that Lucius would "wish it did".

00000000000000000000000000000000000000

Aleesa sat behind her desk, buried in paperwork looking calm and collected. Though, internally, she was feeling completely opposite. In reality, she was utterly stressed. Stressed because of Hermione. Stressed because of Lucius. Stressed because of Pansy. And stressed because of all this work in front of her. She kept fighting the urge to apparate right back to the manor to ask Lucius how it all went, but she was afraid of doing that, just in case this didn't go according to plan. But of course they would…

Right?

Worrying and stress wasn't the only thing on her mind though…oh no. She was also enraged. She was so angered at the fact that Draco chose someone else over her…and someone of such 'low character and heritage'. And she wasn't 'emotionally distraught' at all. She didn't feel bad, and she sure as hell wasn't going to cry after losing the love of her life. That just wasn't who she was.

No tears, just rage.

She even had to change her quill twice because it snapped under such force in her writing.

When the door to her office swung open, she looked up to find a surprisingly pleased Draco Malfoy.

"Aleesa, Aleesa, Aleesa." Draco drawled.

"Get out of my office you shit." She bit back.

"Oh. Someone's got a bit of a temper problem. Didn't anyone ever tell you that stress gives you wrinkles?"

"What do you want?"

"Well this is a change of character. You weren't this mean this morning." Draco smirked.

"Yes I was. Just in a more pleasant way." She forced a smile.

"Ah yes, playing the lonely, mistreated yet- still wants to stay committed to her cheating husband- was a new low, even for you. Wasn't it?"

"Not if it worked."

"Well it did. But I'm happy to say not to your advantage."

Aleesa's eyes narrowed in hate, though she was slightly getting the feeling he wasn't bluffing.

"You're lying." She spat.

"Am I?"

"Lucius put her in her place for me, I know it."

"Listen." Draco started, putting his hands on her desk and leaning in so he was eye level with her. "Now, understanding that you had everything to do with this 'termination of Hermione' makes me want to rip you apart limb from limb. But knowing you're a woman and also knowing that I wasn't too fair… nor honest with you in our relationship, makes me need to give you the benefit of the doubt. But I'm only letting you get away with this once. Lucius is already going to Azkaban, and you could join him just as easily. I know there are things to convict you of. But, if you agree…and I mean seriously…almost like unbreakable vow serious…to go your separate ways while I go mine, with Hermione, then I'll let you stay free and in your empire." Draco proposed and stood back to give her time to think on it.

"Is that a threat?" she challenged.

"Fuck yes it is."

"How do I know that this isn't the end? That Lucius didn't-"

"His arrest will be tomorrows front page. I guarantee that."

Aleesa sighed deeply, feeling defeated and knowing it was out of her hands. This, or Azkaban.

Hard choice.

"Fine. I'll stay away from you and your precious wife." She spat harshly; though she was serious. She did not like this outcome…but something nagging at her said Draco was right. It was over. And she also knew very well that she was importing illegal chemicals for potions...which she probably could serve some time in prison for. And although she was ready to give up Draco, she sure as hell wasn't ready to give up her company. Aleesa took the engagement ring off her left hand and gave it back to him.

"Here. Have a horrible life. I hope you die." She smiled meanly.

"Very touching, parting words. I'm glad you see this my way."

"Ugh. I feel like I just went through a horrible divorce."

"In many ways- you did."

They thought to themselves.

"Well- no use staying around here- I have bracelets to be turning in. Kind of ironic that the thing made to help you ended up hurting you the most." Draco smiled smugly. 'Too much Blaise…'

"Get the hell out of my office." Aleesa demanded for the last time.

"With pleasure." Draco smirked, and left her office, dropping her expensive ring in the nearest waste disposal he could find.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Fudge looked up from his desk once he saw green flames rise up out of the corner of his eye. He sat back in his chair, surprised at seeing Draco Malfoy come through the fireplace. Angrily, Fudge abruptly stood up behind his desk, demanding an explanation.

"I demand an explanation, Mr. Malfoy!" (ha)

"And you'll get one. I'm here regarding my father."

Although he was intimidated, this seemed to slightly calm the Minister. "Fine then. Take a seat."

Draco hesitated, considering for a moment to not sit because he was being 'commanded' to do something, but he thought against it.

"Well, speak."

"I'm no dog Minister, so I'd appreciate you stop ordering me around like one."

"My apologies Mr. Malfoy. It's been a hard week for me."

"I know the feeling."

"Anyhow- what is this business about your dad?"

"My father" Draco corrected.

"Er- right. Your father." Fudge corrected himself…slightly puzzled.

"I have something you can finally convict him of."

"Draco, my boy, we've been trying to send him to Azkaban for several years now, so this needs to be very incriminating evidence."

"I can prove he used unforgivables…multiple times…and evidence of him almost completing the killing curse."

Fudge looked taken aback at this new information. He smiled outwardly as well as in, and continued, "Well! I think there are some things we need to discuss…"

000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Draco apparated back into Hermione's apartment with a satisfied grin on his face. He was sure that the aurors would be at his house right now, and would be taking Lucius to Azkaban very shortly. He really wanted to watch them carry him there, but Draco figured he should go back to Hermione. Apparating into Hermione's room, he saw each of them jump when they heard the loud 'crack'. Looking at Ron's face contort into annoyance made Draco smirk even more.

"Okay, party's over." Ron said in a bored voice.

"No Ron! You don't have to leave yet." Hermione sympathized.

"Er—they don't?" Draco asked, more than happy to show them the door.

"No, they don't. They're welcome to stay as long as they like." Hermione smiled.

"Joy…" Draco drawled sarcastically.

"Um, guys can you go downstairs? We'll be there in a minute." Hermione asked. "And try not to pick a fight. You're going to have to get used to them sooner or later."

"All of them? Agreeing to Malfoy is hard enough, but-"

"Let's go Ron." Ginny said, pushing her brother and Harry out the room. She threw a look over her shoulder at Hermione while rolling her eyes. Hermione giggled in return.

"Oh, okay love, I get it. I can do a quick shag right here. How long do we have? 5 minutes?" Draco smiled, rubbing his hands together mischievously.

"Draco…" Hermione said slowly. "I have something more important to tell you. Each of them approve of our relationship." She finished proudly.

Draco stopped rubbing his hands together and looked curiously, "And?"

"And…that's it. They're going to be supportive."

"Oooooookay…Not like there disapproval or non-support would've mattered anyway." He said, shrugging it off.

"It would have to me." She said seriously.

"Well. Good thing that they do then right?" He smiled, not wanting to get into an argument. He really had other things on his mind. "So, that's it right?" she said nothing. "Good! 4 minutes! Let's go." He said, moving in and kissing her on her neck.

Hermione laughed, but scolded him, "Draco! We have…ohh… guests." She tried stopping him, but still she tilted her neck for him to get better access.

"So what. There adults…they can…entertain them…selves…" he said in between kisses.

"All right...oh…that feels…" she started, closing her eyes. But her 'good girl' side took over and she pushed him off lightly. "Noo. Draco, stop."

"You are no fun." He said evenly, eyes full of hunger.

"I don't want to stop, you know that…but it's rude."

"Screw them." Draco said, before crashing his lips onto her and falling onto the bed. Hermione kissed back feverishly, but then suddenly twisted them so she was on top. Breaking the kiss, she looked at him, eyes belying her words.

"I said no." she smiled seductively. Hermione climbed off him and stood onto the floor.

"Where are you going?" he asked laying on his back, bringing his elbows up so he could rest on them.

"If I stay near you, I won't stop."

"And the problem with that is…?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow with an evil smirk behind it. She walked over to the door and opened it slightly. "Oh and Draco? I don't want you making fun of Ron's wealth."

"Or lack thereof."

"Same thing. I'll see you downstairs."

Draco jumped off the bed and ran to her in two strides. But, right as he reached the door to close it, she slipped out of the room. Draco sighed deeply, "You're killing me woman…"

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Throughout the evening, both groups sat peacefully, without bickering, and miraculously displayed very adult-like behavior with each other. However, it was obvious that the only reason they did was because neither group wanted to mess anything up with Draco nor Hermione, considering everything they went through. All (except Blaise) were still equally shocked that the couple did not tell them sooner.

The night passed along easily, everyone feeling better now that the two were pretty much at ease; they made small talk and Hermione cooked dinner, much to Draco's protests for he had other plans…

"Hermione, they don't need you to make them anything."

"I know I don't need to, but its fine."

"Yes it's fine Malfoy. And, I wouldn't mind some food."

"Of course you wouldn't Weasley if the food's free- ouch! Jesus Hermione! What!…I'm trying."

"Everyone sit, I'll make something."

"No, Everyone leave. She's tired…not thinking strait. We need to be in bed…What? It was a long day!"

"I'm going to go….like…bang my head on the fireplace or something…call me when the foods ready Hermione."

…but the night went relatively well. (After Harry and Ron gave a detailed account on how they finished Lucius off... When the aurors arrived, they asked how Lucius got into such a state…the two replied that he fell down the many flights of stairs after chasing a house elf who talked of socks.)

The night came upon fast, and after some desert, everyone went home. Draco and Hermione were cleaning up the table, going in and out of the living room and kitchen.

"You really cooked dinner."

"You thought I was kidding?"

"I thought you'd want to do more…exciting things than 'entertain our guests'."

"It was exciting!" she laughed, hitting him with the dish towel.

Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Okay maybe not 'exciting', but it was the least I could do after lying to them for so long. And we hardly get together anymore; it was good to see them."

"Though I'm sure Weasley would've preferred it was without the company of me."

"Well he's just going to have to get used to us, isn't he. And, you really should be nicer to him, I would appreciate it."

"I'll will."

"Really?"

He snorted. "Maybe" Draco put the last of the dishes away and started wiping down the table. Suddenly, he abruptly stopped wiping, and looked at what he was doing. He shook his head and threw the dish towel on the table, taking a seat and internally scolding himself for doing manual labor. "You know, I can't believe that you don't have house elves…this wouldn't be a problem."

"That's so typical of you to say. You were raised with house elves, not knowing how to physically do things and be independent-"

"Okay I take it back. I can believe it." he smirked.

Hermione huffed and went back into the kitchen.

"You know…I was thinking-"

"Uh oh- major step forward in your life."

"-THAT maybe, you'd want to move." He said, ignoring her.

Hermione came back into the living room, leaning on the table while staring at Draco intently.

"I mean- it's hard to ask you to leave this flat and come to the manor…but, if you wanted to, we could move there. There's no one living there, and you could do whatever you wanted with it. That or, I'm selling it."

"You need the money?"

"Hell no. But, I'm just not going to have a barren house under my name if we're not going to use it. I'd sell it, and we can stay here, or, go wherever you want."

"Wherever I want?"

"Yes."

"Well…do you want to move?"

"Yes.

"At east you're honest."

"But if you don't-"

"No, it's not that…it's just. That house…"

"I know." Draco reached out with his left hand, gently stroking his fingers up her right arm. Then he tugged a little, and she complied and sat on to his lap. He wrapped his arms around her as she strung her right arm around his neck.

"It doesn't matter if we move...it's just a flat. But, that room just…"

"I can close it off. Magic will do that. I can cast a charm to make it look like it's just a wall…or I can remove it…it'd just be a huge hole."

"Yes. We could do that."

"Or, we could burn that whole wing down…of course preventing the fire from spreading…but just to get rid of the wing."

"Hm…I guess."

"And you could do whatever with the house. And I think I'm being pretty lenient here...I mean anything. As long as I get a few manly rooms."

"Manly rooms?" She asked, smiling.

"But of course. You wouldn't want me turning into the womanly Potter, would you?" he smirked.

"Draco…!" Hermione started to scold him, but she couldn't suppress a smile as he sent his lips to silence her. As he pulled back, she looked at him, then answered 'the question'. The question she knew would be coming tonight.

"Yes." She whispered.

"Yes to the house? Good then we can move in as soon as you want." He replied satisfied.

"No…"

"So, no to the house?"

"No! Yes to that house and yes to the proposal." She smiled.

"Proposal? Now…Ms. Granger, don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself? What proposal do you speak of? Are you referring to that Arithmacy project I agreed to do 40 percent of the work back in 7th year?"

Hermione smile and bit her lower lip, shaking her head 'no'.

"No? Then you must be referring to the proposal that I would be so lucky if you would agree to. The one where we stay committed to each other for all eternity, where I love you so much that it drives me mental, and where we shag at least…five days a week."

"Five!"

"Yes five."

"Is that all?" she smirked.

"Oh a higher number can definitely…definitely be arranged."

"Good." She smiled. "I'd like that."

"As would I, love." He smiled back and as she leant into kiss him, he stopped her with his index finger.

"Not yet. As it is killing me, and using all my self-control to not take you right here on this very shaggaful table-"

"Did you just say 'shaggaful?" She giggled.

"-I am not about to break tradition. So…" Draco stood up, with Hermione in his arms and placed her back down in the chair, and then took her hand while getting down on bended knee. "Hermione Ann Granger, would you give me the immense honor in allowing me to be your husband?"

"Of course I will." She answered, tears already brimming her eyes. Draco kissed her hand and then kissed her mouth, with all the love he could muster. She pulled back and added, "Third time's a charm." while giggling. Draco kissed her again, harder, with passion…(and all the sexual tension from tonight) that he had in him. He smirked in the kiss, and without breaking it, he carried her upstairs, ready to have a blissful night of love making underneath the sheets…

2nd a/n- is Hermione's middle name really Ann? If it's not- I guess I read it in other fics so many times that I was just under the impression that it was. :)