A/N: sorry that it's taken me so long to update, I've been busy with my other stories. This is the last chapter I hope you like it. I'm not sure if I will create a sequel or not. Tell me if you want one when you review. R&R

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 18: More than a Mistress

Graduation was rolling around and Hermione hadn't had a second thought. She was looking for Lucius Malfoy. She was waiting for him to put her out of her misery. Every time she turned a corner, she wanted him to be there. Draco had gotten out of the hospital a few days ago. He was doing better, but Hermione really didn't want to know how he was doing. She just wanted to forget what they had. She wanted to forget all the feelings that she had ever felt for Draco Malfoy, even if that meant cutting herself off from the magical world, she was willing to do it. She was willing to do anything she had to do to get away from the memories and the heartbreak of losing her first real love. The only thing that she hadn't realized was that at that moment, Draco Malfoy was watching her, thinking of a plan to win her back forever.

Hermione sat in the front row of Transfiguration, taking her last N.E.W.T. test. She had slept for only four hours the night before, preparing for the Graduation, The Final Year Ball, and studying for Transfiguration and Potions N.E.W.T.s. The Final Year Ball was to be that night and Graduation was the coming Saturday outside, next to the Forbidden Forest.

As Hermione put her quill down and flipped over her paper, she found herself glancing around the room for him. She stopped herself and told herself, No. He wouldn't think of trying something in the school. Especially when Dumbledore was to return today. Hermione laid down her head and found she was drifting off the sleep.

She ran as fast as she could, away from her world and the one person that she had loved. She ran from her friends and her lover. He was coming up behind her fast and when she turned to see where she was going, she ran into someone tall and blond, with a snakehead cane. She looked up at the father of the man she loved, the man that had come to kill her. He raised his wand and started to shout the killing curse at her when Draco stepped in front of her and took the blow.

Hermione woke to the sound of the bell with tears in her eyes. She was the last person out of the room and she slowly walked down the stairs to the Great Hall to finish off the decorations for the ball. However, when she got there, it was already finished. When she looked around, the ball was filled with streamers, balloons, and a huge banner above the teachers table saying 'Congratulations Graduates!' Hermione continued to look in awe as she stood in the middle of the room she had come to know for over seven years. She stopped when her eyes fell upon someone standing in the doorway.

"I wasn't sure you would like it, Mia."

Hermione closed her eyes to keep the tears from falling down her face from the shock of hearing his nickname for her again.

"I love it."

"But---"

"It's just, I can't--I don't--I mean--I want to say thank you, but, I can't. I love you with all my heart, but, you're getting married. And I just can't live with that."

Draco opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, Hermione was out the castle doors, running away from the life she had known for seven years. She ran as fast as she could, away from her world and the one person that she had loved. She ran from her friends and her lover. He was coming up behind her fast and when she turned to see where she was going, she ran into someone tall and blond, with a snakehead cane. She looked up at the father of the man she loved, the man that had come to kill her. He raised his wand and started to shout the killing curse at her when Draco stepped in front of her. He stood between the woman he loved and the man he had grown to hate, but had been brought up to respect.

"Get out of the way, son."

"No."

"What did you say?"

"I said no. I won't let you hurt the woman I love. She's the only person that ever really got to know me for me and not for my heritage or for my money."

"Then you will die with her." Lucius Malfoy raised his wand once more only to be frozen to the spot. Hermione and Draco looked at each other in confusion, but then they saw their Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

Hermione and Draco stood on the dance floor of the Great Hall, in each others arms, dancing. Draco wore a white tuxedo and Hermione wore a matching white dress with sparkles. As the song came to an end, Draco got down on one knee and took Hermione's hand. Everyone in the room stopped to watch.

"Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?"

Hermione stood in shock as her lover kneeled before her and proposed in front of the entire seventh year class. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times before Draco stood and walked away sadly. Hermione followed him and grabbed his arm.

"Wait, you have to know what I was going to say."

"No need. I already know from you reaction. You were going to explain how it would never work and how--" Hermione cut him off by placing her lips on his. When she drew away, she opened her mouth to answer.

"There is nothing in the world that would make me happier than to be your wife, Draco Malfoy."

A/N: well folks, that's it. I hope you liked it. Review please!