A/N: I know this is a really really REALLY short chapter compared to my others but it's actually just the last part of chapter 16 but if I didnt cut it in two parts then chapter 16 would have ended up being likeREALLY long!

OH and before I forget...the song in this chapter (Harry and Hermione's break up song) is Smile by Lonestar

Chapter 17: Every EndingIs a New Beginning

"Hmm?" Hermione answered, obviously startled from her daze. "Oh, no. I'm fine. Do you want to dance or something?"

Harry nodded, standing and taking her hand, leading her on to the floor. He glanced quickly at his watch. It was 10:30, only a little over an hour before it was all over, before he would let Hermione go and he wanted to savior as much of that time as possible. They danced and talked and laughed with their friends for about 45 minutes when suddenly Harry turned to Hermione and asked her to accompany him outside for a walk. The grounds were immaculate as well, done up in soft, twinkling lights and flower gardens magically composed everywhere.

Harry led her over to 'their rock' where they had shared their first kiss those long two months ago. They sat down next to each other and stared out over the glistening water as Harry took Hermione's hand in his. For a few moments, neither took their eyes off of the clear lake. Harry finally turned his attention to Hermione and noticed that she seemed very somber, her mind obviously lost in deep thought about something and Harry, unfortunately, figured he had a pretty good idea what that something (or rather someone) was.

It's now or never Potter. Harry thought somberly to himself as he watched her gazing out over the still waters. It's time to let her go. He sighed inwardly, bracing himself for what he was about to do.

" 'Mione?" Harry said, dragging her away from her thoughts.

"Hmm?" Hermione said, turning to look into Harry's emerald eyes which seemed to be reflecting the moonlight off the lake.

" 'Mione, I think that perhaps it would be the best thing for us to call this thing quits before either of us get really hurt." Harry said quietly, knowing full well that he had just crushed his own heart with that comment.

Hermione looked at Harry with a mixture of confusion and, what else was that….relief? Hermione seemed to search his eyes for a full five minutes before she finally spoke.

"Why Harry? I don't get it, I thought that 'us' was what you've wanted for the past couple years and now that it's happened….you just want to throw it away? I don't get it." Hermione stated, trying to show her confusion to cover up the small feeling of relief that was passing over her at the same moment.

Relief? Hermione thought. Why do I feel relieved? I love Harry….don't I? And now we're splitting up…just like that?

"I did Hermione, I do want that. But it's just not meant to be. As much as I love you, I can tell that you aren't completely in it anymore. I've noticed it for the past couple weeks, since our, um, argument in your room. You seem distracted all the time, 'Mione, and I cant even count how many times a day I catch you staring at him." Harry told her.

"Him? Him who, Harry? I haven't been staring at anyone." Hermione tried to cover. She couldn't believe that she had been so blatantly obvious that even Harry noticed all the attention she had been unconsciously giving the Slytherin. Harry just looked at his girlfriend and sighed inwardly, taking her hand in his.

"Listen 'Mione. I love you so much but it's not fair to either of us when your heart obviously belongs to someone else…" Hermione just looked him with fake confusion. "You cant deny it…I see the way you look at Malfoy, 'Mione, and the way he looks at you. You need to be with him." Harry leaned closer and kissed her lightly on the cheek. A lone tear began to slide down her smooth cheek as she sighed heavily.

"It's not that easy, Harry. I broke his heart, I doubt he'll ever take me back now." She hung her head and propped her cheek on her hand. Harry slid his arm around her bare shoulder.

"Something tells me that he may surprise you." He told her meekly. He glanced down at his watch--11:50, it was almost midnight. It was time to head back in and finish this right. "Come on, it's almost midnight. Let's go back in and have one last dance before the new year starts, okay?"

Harry led her inside and they went to their table where Ron and Lavender were sitting. Hermione sat down and Harry went up to the DJ. (They had hired a muggleborn to DJ the gala, since it was mostly muggle music that Hermione had requested, they thought it easier that way.) After a couple minutes, the fast song that was playing ended and a soft ballad began. Harry walked back over to Hermione and extended his hand, which she took, and led her to the middle of the dance floor as their 'last song' began to play softly. Harry took her in his arms gently and she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly as they began moving lightly as the soft vocals sounded through the hall. Harry buried his face in her hair as they clutched each other, oblivious to the fact that all around them, couples had stopped dancing to watch the couple.

I still remember the night we met….you said you loved my smile.

But you're love for me was like a summer breeze….oh it lasted for awhile.

I could hold on a little tighter I know,

But when you love someone, you've got to let them go.

So I'm gonna smile, cause I wanna make you happy…

Laugh, so you cant see me cry…

I'm gonna let you go in style

And even if it kills me, I'm gonna smile…

Kiss me once for the good times, baby

Kiss me twice for goodbye

You cant help how you don't feel

And it doesn't matter why

Give me a chance to bow out gracefully

Cause that's how I want you to remember me.

So I'm gonna smile cause I wanna make you happy…

Laugh, so you cant see me cry…

I'm gonna let you go in style..

And even if it kills me…I'm gonna smile…

I'm gonna smile…so you can find the courage

Laugh…so won't see me hurting

I'm gonna let you go in style….

And even if it kills me….I'm gonna smile.

As the song ended, the two best friends clutched each other tenderly, soft tears sliding down both of their faces. All around them, couples were watching them curiously. It was fairly obvious to everyone that Hogwarts most expected couple was no more. The two broke apart and Harry reached up and gently wiped Hermione's tears from her face.

"Don't cry 'Mione. You know I'll always be here for you. You're still my best friend." Harry said lovingly as she brought her tear filled honey-brown eyes up to meet his glistening emerald ones. "Now, go find him." He winked at her knowingly, kissed her cheek and walked away back to their table.

Hermione stood there in the center of the floor for a moment and noticed that everyone was still looking curiously at her, even though most had started dancing again. She scanned around the Great Hall for the platinum blonde head. She finally spotted him on the outskirts of the hall chatting with Zabini. Taking a deep breath she made her way through the crowd of students to where the two Slytherin boys were talking. As she approached, Draco's eyes glanced away from Zabini for a moment and caught her own. Zabini followed his friend's eyes to find Hermione standing a foot from them, the obvious remnants of her tears still slightly visible on her ivory cheeks. Blaise scanned her up and down a couple times and realized that she was definitely a piece of work.

"Looking good tonight, Granger…even for a Mudblood." Blaise said smugly, still eyeing her up and down.

Hermione's eyes shot daggers at the strapping black boy but simply nodded in acknowledgement. She wasn't there to fight with an annoying Slytherin prat at the moment. She needed to talk to Draco before she changed her mind.

"Draco, may I speak with you for a moment?" Hermione asked, trying to sound as nonchalant and confident as possible, adding, "Outside?" Draco regarded her for a moment before nodding and telling his friend that he'd be right back.

The two walked together out the front doors to the enchanted gardens outside. The walked quietly for a few moments before Draco finally spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"Was there something you needed to talk to me about Granger?" Draco asked, stopping abruptly, his arms crossed over his chest. Hermione stopped and looked back at him.

"Um yea actually there is." She motioned to a near-by bench and the pair sat down.

"Um I wanted to apologize for everything I've put you through for the past couple months." She told him, looking down at her hands which were wringing together in her lap. "It wasn't fair to you and I'm sorry." Draco looked at her for a moment before answering.

"You're sorry? You brought me out here at midnight to tell me that you're sorry for putting me through hell? What happened? Have another fight with Wonder-Boy so you thought you'd come running to me to comfort you again? Well sorry sweetheart, not gonna happen. My heart cant handle it anymore." Draco said, standing up to leave. Hermione jumped to her feet and grabbed his arm before he could walk away.

"No, no, that's not it at all Draco. Harry and I broke up, just now. He told me that it wasn't fair to either of us to stay in a relationship when my heart belonged to someone else." She told him, turning him around and looking deep into his eyes. "And he's right you know. Harry and I just don't belong together anymore. I guess I've known that for awhile now but I didn't want to admit it. You were right, Draco. I was terrified. Terrified of what I was feeling for you. I just don't want to get hurt again."

"Sometimes you have to take that risk, Hermione." Draco replied quietly, looking down into her big honey-colored eyes. "You think I'm not scared? I was never supposed to fall for you but I did and it scares me every day. But I cant keep holding on. I cant keep doing this back and forth thing with you. Its killing me 'Mione, don't you get that?"

Hermione nodded. "It's killing me too. That's why I'm going to stop. No more back and forth, it hurts too much."

"So you're just going to walk away completely then?" Draco asked, backing away from her slightly.

"Just the opposite, Draco. I'm not running anymore. I want to take the risk. I want to be with you, just you….that is if you'll still have me." She gave him a small smile and her eyes twinkled in the moonlight, and stepped closer to him, her hand reaching up and gently cupping the side of his face.

Draco's eyes widened and slowly a smile crept onto his lips. That's what he'd been hoping to hear for the past two months.

"Of course I'll have you." He answered, leaning down, capturing her lips with his own and wrapping his arms around her tightly, never wanting to let go. Hermione's arms snaked themselves around his neck and held on tightly, pulling him into the kiss deeply.

At that exact moment, a soft bell sounded through the grounds marking midnight, the start of a brand new year.