A/n: tears… sniffle… sniffle

P.S. U know I don't own nething by now, except for the plot

Epilogue: The Last Task and the Last Decision

Potter and I kept watch over her fallen form as she still lay in her bed at St. Mungos. I felt guilty but happy at the same time. I was happy that she had survived, I was happy that the Dark Lord was finally vanquished. It had been four whole days since the Dark Lord fell. Mostly all of the Death Eaters were rounded up thanks to me.

The sunlight streamed through the lone window with white drapes. I was still in the clothes I had been in for four days. I was told by many to take a shower but I didn't want to leave her side. Harry had been in and out and looked as though he wasn't getting any sleep. Everyone wanted to speak to him; he was the cause of the downfall of one of the most powerful wizards of our time.

I held her hand, her soft hands that had cuts and small bruises on them. Potter held the other. I didn't know what to expect when she awoke but I wanted to make sure she was alright. Ginny kept popping in and out all the time with Ron and the rest of the Weasleys. Dumbledore also made a couple of appearances as well as the order. I sat there in the same seat I have been sitting in for days, stroking her hand softly.

I didn't know how long I was pulled into my mind, nothing showed that time went by. I went to room after room reliving old memories and emotions. I kept looking for Merlin's chambers but I would never find them. The corridor seemed endless as I kept entering rooms. Some of the doors still were shut tightly. I couldn't enter them at all.

There was a mounting sense of anxiousness as I went from door to door. I knew today I was going to find my way to Merlin. I opened one more door and I saw Merlin and Asis waiting for me.

Asis ran the length of the room and gave me a big hug.

"I am so glad that you are safe. You gave us a right scare, you did." She said smiling.

We walked over to Merlin and sat down.

"Congratulations Miss Granger, I knew you could do it." He said smiling. "I had underestimated you for a moment. I would have never thought of doing a Chinnechi charm, so simple, yet so brilliant."

I smiled at the both of them.

"You must finish the last task Miss Granger to grasp and harness your powers. Although there is not a threat, I would still like for you to finish the last task."

"Alright," I replied.

"There's still another matter that you need to take care of." Asis added, "But you will find out what that is as soon as you regain consciousness."

"You're beginning to stir," Merlin called out.

It felt like I was floating back to my body. I was aware of how sore my body was and how heavy my eye lids were. I opened my eyes reluctantly to see both Harry and Draco sitting there.

Draco's hair was ruffled and it looks like he hasn't shaved or done anything to groom himself in the past couple of days. I looked to Harry who had a wide smile on his face. His hair was sticking out at odd angles. I slowly sat myself up.

"I'm going to go get the Weasleys, let them know that you're awake." He patted my hand and made his way out of the room.

I turned to Draco; his eyes were filled with tears. I watched as they silently fell down his face.

"I am so sorry, please don't hate me." He said softly. "Hermione, it's true that I wanted to hurt you, but now I love you. I love you so much my heart is aching for you to forgive me. Forgive me for every stupid little things I have done, forgive me for everything that has happened to me. Forgive me for everything."

I grabbed his hand with my other and I was slowly pulled back into my mind.

I spent two wonderful weeks with Hermione before returning to my Manor. It was now mine since my father was dead. My mother greeted me brightly when I came home. I had finally given her what her heart wanted. Severus Snape and she were to wed in a few months. I was happy for both of them. The coldness that had once loomed in this house was gone. Since my mother was going to live with Snape I decided to sell the Manor. It was just too full of Malfoy pride and bad memories.

I had finally gone home to my house. I was surprised to hear the voices of children as I walked around the corner to my house. It seemed as though everything was back to normal as I watch the little girls play jump rope and the boys kicking a ball around. I unlocked my door with my key and walked into my house.

The house was unsettingly quiet. I saw a note on the stairs. It said 'open me'. I opened it, Draco's handwriting caught my attention. It read:

Hermione,

To help you get back on your feet I decided to clean the whole house… no magic. I also sent over some food from my house all you have to do is heat it up in that muggle contraption, what do you call it, micormave? I will be by later. I need to talk to you.

Love,

Malfoy

I chuckled at the note and made my way into the living room. To my surprise I saw Harry, Ginny, and Ron watching the television. Ginny turned off the television and gave me a huge hug, Ron followed.

Harry came up to me gave me a huge hug as well. He then grabbed my hand and kissed it softly.

"I hope you not expecting me to cook." I said chuckling softly.

Harry, who was still holding on to my hand, slowly got on his knee. Ginny's eyes nearly exploded in her head and Ron just looked at me smiling. I looked down at the-boy-who-lived. His eyes were full of passion, desire, and love. I was completely and utterly speechless.

"Hermione," He said softly. "I love you so much, and the thought of losing you again makes me want to rip out my heart and eat it. I want you, I always have and I always will. Marry me."

He pulled out a black velvet ring box and opened it to reveal the single tear drop diamond ring in a gold setting. I looked towards the ring and then to the note that was tightly clenched in my right hand.

I went to Hermione's later than expected. My mother insisted on me helping her plan her dream wedding. I rung the doorbell and Hermione answered smiling brightly.

"I love seeing that smile on your face." I said as she stepped aside to let me in.

"Thanks for the food," She replied. "And for cleaning, that was really thoughtful of you."

I followed her into the dining room.

"So I have a couple things that needed to be gone over." I said sitting down in my usual chair. Her hazel eyes were shining brightly.

"Our potion has won the heart of our advance potions master. She is now sending it to various companies to get it tested and then marketed. We will soon be rolling in so much money we won't have enough people to hire to count it." I said smiling.

"Who knew that a potion that could cure the infamous squibs syndrome permanently would be such a big hit?" She replied softly, smiling.

"There's another thing," I fingered the small box that was in my pocket. I got up from the table and made my way around it. I got down on one knee.

"I can't live my life without you. You are the person I will and ever want to love. Hermione, will you be my wife?" I asked her.

Tears filled her wide brown eyes. I pulled out the ring. It was a princess cut one carat diamond in a single platinum band setting. Tears fell silently down her face.

"I… I," she said trying to catch her breath. "I can't."

"I'm sorry Draco," she said softly. "Harry asked me and I said yes."

I was in shock. I stood up quickly. My heart seemed to have stop beating. I closed the ring box and handed it to her.

"Why," I swallowed. "Why him?"

"He never lied to me." She said wiping her tears.

"I thought you forgave me?" I said softly.

"I did forgive you," She said. "But, I will never forget what you have done to me. Our relationship was built on one big lie. I don't even know you, the real Draco Malfoy."

"All you need to know is that I love you," I said to her. "That's all that matters. I know you love me too."

"I love Harry." She replied. That statement cut through me like a knife.

"You don't love him, you love me." I said to her.

"I'm sorry, Malfoy." She handed me back the ring box. Her calling me Malfoy alone cut through me even deeper.

"Kiss me," I said softly. "Kiss me."

I leaned in to kiss her. Her lips captured mine in the sweetest kiss that I have ever tasted. Her hands went around my neck as we let our feelings for each other known. She pulled out of the kiss gently her eyes still closed. She opened her eyes slowly.

"I'm sorry Malfoy," She said. "I belong to Harry now."

I got up and left, heartbroken, knowing that no amount of magic could fix it.

Hermione and Harry wedded two years after the fall of Voldemort and after Harry completed his Auror training. Malfoy, who was completely heartbroken, went into self exile after he sold his house.

I watched as he took her away from me. She had made her decision. I hired people to follow her, to keep tabs on her throughout her marriage to Potter. She stayed home watching over Ron's son. Ron had married Luna Lovegood a year before Potter and Hermione had. Hermione was still making potions, and had begun writing books of her own.

Everyday before the marriage, since the day she turned me down I would send her one long stem blood rose. Reminding her every single day of every moment we had.

I am now in some disclosed place, just waiting. Waiting for her to come back to me, because with me is where her heart truly belongs.

THE END?

A/n: So ends this story… please don't throw anything at me. I told you there will be a sequel so don't get upset too fast. Please look for it, I haven't decided on the title but it should be out soon. Most likely it will be called, "Revenge, Doesn't It Taste Sweet?" So there it is. I want to thank all of my faithful reviewers. U GUYS ROCK! I want to thank my beta, dracos-sexy-bitch, check out her story in the meantime.

As Always… Cherbi161