Okay, so I totally lied in my last update. This is NOT the last chapter. Next one WILL be, though. Mind you, it'll be short and sweet and to le pointe. Yeah, I couldn't end it too soon without it being like. . . o.O

So here's this one. I hope you enjoy it!

By the way, why didn't anybody tell me that I've been spelling Voldemort's name wrong! Haha, I was rereading earlier chapters to see if I'd forgotten anything and I saw "Voldermort." Erm... that's not right, is it? I checked my reliable source and, sure enough, I'm an idiot.

P.S. I realized my mistake, but I'm too damn lazy to change it now. Oh well. From henceforth, he is Voldemort. Besides, I like to look back and laugh at my mistakes. Hell, I recently reread some of my fic, A Change of Plans, just for old time's sake. I'm half embarrassed to admit that I even wrote that. I could blame it on the fact that I was younger and a less experienced writer then, but I actually like the VERY first fanfiction I ever posted so... that won't work. Er, onto the story!

Chapter 5: Celebrating Victories

"Are you even trying, Hermione? That was, what? Fifteen times in a row?"

"Very funny Draco," the girl replied in a less than pleasant voice. "Besides, you get extra practice. I'm not allowed."

She was of course referring to Draco's revelation that Snape was a practiced Legilimens. One day, familiar with the feeling of having one's mind explored, Draco caught his professor taking a look at his thoughts. From that day forward, Draco used every opportunity he could to coax Snape into using Legilimency in order to test his own skills. It took a few weeks, but he soon found he could completely conceal his thoughts from Snape.

Draco gave Hermione the most arrogant look he could muster. It lasted for a total of two seconds before he broke out in laughter. "This is really great, you know?" He began taunting her in a sing-song voice, "You can't read my mind, ha ha ha ha ha ha."

Hermione tried her best to contain her own giggles. "I'm sorry, how old are you?"

"If you could read my mind you'd know!"

Hermione smirked.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Draco worked to lift his mental barriers, but it was too late. Hermione saw a familiar scene, one in which she made an appearance. She saw herself, in their third year, punching Draco in the face. She stopped the Legilimency.

"I forgot how mean I was as a kid," Hermione said jokingly. "You dropped your guard. I believe that means your back to one?"

"I wasn't even ready. You cheated!" Draco tried to act offended then quickly changed his tone. "I'm proud of you."

"Well, you would be," she sat down on the floor. It was closer than the sofa. "I need a break, I'm exhausted."

Draco landed beside her, but faced the opposite direction. He laid back, folding his hands under his head, and looked up at Hermione. "I am proud of you," he repeated. "Not for cheating, obviously," he corrected himself, "but for everything else. I mean, you're doing great in Potions, even Snape would be impressed. Not that he'd admit it, but you know. It's the thought that counts and all that junk. And it's not just that. I'm proud of you for admitting that you needed help in the first place. How long ago was that?"

"Almost two months," Hermione answered. "And I'm proud of you too. You set a goal for yourself and, as far as I'm concerned, you've achieved it. Not to mention I've seen a totally different side of you, one I never would have thought existed."

"Yeah, well, don't be spreading that information around. People might actually want to get to know me better, and I rather like my privacy."

"As if anybody would believe me anyway," Hermione teased. She looked at the clock. "It's earlier than I thought it was. A few minutes before ten," she said before Draco could ask.

"You know what I think?" Draco asked, looking up at the ceiling.

"I could find out."

"You wish! I'm not dropping my guard again! Anyway, I think," he paused for a dramatic effect, propping himself up on one elbow to look Hermione in the eyes. "I think we deserve to celebrate. You've surpassed Potter's skills in Potions, and I'm dominating in Occlumency."

Draco had roused her interest. "Celebrate?"

"Mmhmm," he nodded. "Meet me in the Entrance Hall in ten minutes. Dress warmly," he stood up, helped Hermione to her feet, and immediately began replacing his memories from the Pensieve. As he was doing this, he also grabbed some pumpkin juice and a book from the table. "Oh, and don't get caught," Draco added on his way out the door.

Curiosity made Hermione hurry to replace her memories. When she got to the table, however, she noticed a piece of parchment sticking out of one of the books. They hadn't taken any notes tonight. Hermione reached for the parchment and unfolded it. Her name was scribbled, in Draco's handwriting, at the top.

Hermione,

I need you to know something. I need you to know the reasons I wanted to learn Occlumency. The truth. When we first decided to help each other I never dreamed that we would become this close. I feel as if I could tell you almost anything now, and you would listen. So now, I'm going to try. Hermione, I'm terrified. I've been asked, or commanded rather, to do something that I simply cannot do. No, that I simply will not do.

For so many years I've been acting like some tough, ruthless kid but... I'm not. The truth is, I wanted people to fear and respect me and it worked. Now I just wish I'd never said or did half of the things I did. I'm so distant from everyone now and I have nobody to turn to, nobody to talk to about my predicament. Except you. I hate bringing you into this mess, but I need you. You've helped me in so many ways. I'm stronger now, I'm more confident now, and I'm not as afraid anymore. I want to tell you everything, I don't want to keep secrets from you, but I need to tell you in person. Until then, my friend.

All my thanks,

Draco

Hermione could not even think. She turned to leave the room and gasped. Draco stood at the door. He had a book in his hands. The two stared uneasily at each other. Draco finally forced a smile. "I grabbed the wrong one," he said awkwardly, holding up the book. "What do you have there?" He indicated the letter in her hand. She did not answer. He took a deep breath and walked over to the table. He exchanged the book he held with the one that had contained the letter.

"So what is it you've been told to do?" Hermione asked after a few moments. She had a good idea, of course, but Draco could not know that.

"I have to- Wait. Before I say anything, Hermione, I don't want you to hate me for this. I'd understand if you did, of course, but-"

"I won't hate you, Draco. And I'm glad that you trust me enough to tell me now. I promise I won't hate you," she waited for him to respond.

"Please don't hate me when I say that I can't tell you right now. I did mean to give you that letter, but not yet. I want to but... Let's just enjoy tonight."

Hermione reassuringly touched his arm. "I'll wait," she said simply.

He offered a smile before leaving once again.

Hermione walked to her dormitory and then crept downstairs to meet Draco. There he stood, in the shadows, waiting for her. Putting a finger to his lips, he opened the door and waited for Hermione to follow him before he shut it.

The air was frigid. The ground, thankfully, was nearly frozen and thus not muddy. In the darkness, Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and began leading her away from the castle. She realized he was carrying something under his other arm.

"Shouldn't we cast lumos, Draco?"

"And risk being seen? Don't worry, I know where I'm- DAMMIT!"

Hermione giggled. "That was a tree," she unnecessarily informed him.

He continued but said nothing. Hermione imagined he was trying not to smile. She guessed by now that Draco was leading her to the lake. But why?

"What are we doing?" Hermione whispered.

"Celebrating, of course."

They finally came to a clearing by the lake. The moon and stars shone brightly on the surface of the water. Draco and Hermione both stopped to admire the beauty before them. Hermione shivered so Draco let go of her hand and pulled out his wand.

"Accio dry wood, and brush, and... such," he added. After the summoned items made a pile on the ground Draco looked at Hermione. In the scarce moonlight, he could see her disbelieving look and knew she was mocking his choice of words. He shrugged. "It worked, didn't it?"

Hermione had to agree. She pointed her wand at the dry wood and brush and such and said "Incendio," to start a fire. "That is how you cast a spell," she playfully tormented.

"Where would I be without you?" Draco produced a blanket that he set down next to the flame. They sat on it and warmed their hands for a while.

"Butterbeer?" Draco offered Hermione a bottle. She accepted the warm drink with gratitude. He held up his own bottle. "Cheers."

"Cheers," Hermione echoed and took a gulp. "Thank you, Draco. This is really nice."

"Well, we've been working for two weeks without a break, and it paid off. I figure we deserve to get out of the castle and relax. And tomorrow night, I'll explain that letter."

Hermione nodded. Moments later, she heard something that sounded like music. "Do you hear that?" She asked Draco.

"Yeah, what is it?" He stood up and looked around. "From the lake," he said. "It's coming from the lake."

And so it was. The merpeople were singing. "How beautiful," Hermione mused. She too stood and grabbed Draco's hands to pull him farther from the fire and closer to the water. "What do you suppose they're saying?"

Draco slipped his right arm around Hermione's waist. "I have no clue," he answered. "But shall we?"

Accepting the challenge, Hermione rested her left hand on his shoulder. Their free hands joined and they began to dance.

"What?" Draco asked. Hermione, for the past few minutes, kept smiling, looking away, and trying not to smile. "Are you blushing?"

"No," Hermione said quickly.

"You're cheeks look pink."

"It's because of the firelight, not to mention it's cold. Your face looks red."

"Well, I am blushing."

"Why?"

"Because you did it first."

"That's ridiculous. I am not blushing."

"But you are smiling rather a lot for someone who isn't trying to hide a blush."

"Fine," Hermione finally admitted with a laugh. "I might be blushing. But just a little. And it's because, well, look at us. You and I. Here we are, we snuck out of the castle. I've never seen the lake look this beautiful and the merpeople are singing and playing the most lovely music I have ever heard. This night is just-"

"Perfect."

"Yes. Perfect. Thank you for bringing me here."

They stood still. It felt almost as if they were just now seeing each other for the first time. Hermione's eyes darted across his face and tried to take in all of it at the same time. She finally saw only his eyes. The grey eyes before her held her attention for mere seconds before her gaze drifted to his lips. Draco shared a similar experience in finding Hermione's captivating brown eyes moments before he considered how wonderful her lips seemed this close up.

Hermione found it impossibly difficult to breathe properly as she imagined Draco's face coming closer to her own. No, she wasn't imagining it. He moved forward until there was less than an inch between their lips. Hermione, allowing her eyes to flutter closed, readied herself for the moment they would meet.

She felt the light caress of his lips against hers. It seemed amazing, but that one little kiss sent a warmth through Hermione's entire body. They slowly, almost reluctantly, parted and could only stare at each other.

"Maybe we should go now," Draco's voice came in a hoarse whisper.

"I'm sorry," Hermione spoke softly, though she did not know why she apologized.

Draco shook his head, the faintest smile appearing on his lips. "It's not you. I just... This night, this place, it's magical, really. I just don't want to do something that we may end up regretting later."

Hermione had to agree. She stood on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek before helping him erase the evidence of their rondez-vous.

"I'll see you tomorrow night?" Draco asked as he and Hermione parted their ways.

"Of course," a soft smile appeared on her lips.

xxxx

End chapter five, and I hope you enjoyed it. I swear that the next update will be the last! For real this time!

Urgh, I would have had this up sooner, but I was working on the final chapter AND this one at the same time. I had the ending for the next chapter before I finished this one. So after a bit of feedback, in case there are any suggestions/criticisms, I'll have the next update ready for you!

Hey, did you guys notice that they're on a first name basis now? Without going into detail about how that happened, I just wanted readers to realize how close they've gotten since they started the, er, tutoring sessions. Yep.

Thanks for reviewing! ANONYMOUS, (Glad you're enjoying this!) mean-girl123, (So, I lied. We have one more chapter to go. THEN it'll be finished. I swear. And thanks for looking for my story just so you could review. That really means a lot to me!) PrincessGracieLupin, (Dude, because I can call you that, DM/HG could honestly happen. JKR is just too stubborn to admit it. Same with SB/RL. It could so happen! And who knows what she isn't telling us? It might have already happened and it's a big conspiracy to keep it covered up. Er... yeah. As for the pictures of Mr Felton, well, I'd marf him anyday. Screw waiting for marriage, he'd be my exception. Cuz, you know, it could happen. The powers that be are just too stubborn to admit it. xwinkx) Carly, (Hehe, you're obsessed with my story. Way to feed my ego! Er, I have to go to boot camp/basic military training because I'm enlisting in the Air Force. I ship out August 8th. I am SO excited!) licking cows, (I hope you appreciate the update! I have cows. But, I'm almost positive, you wouldn't want to lick them, lol.) JessieBear16, (Oh, who cares? Sing with me! Woot to tone-deafness! Luckily, if we sing loudly enough, we can't hear ourselves. Mwahaha. And, yeah, it did seem to be ending too soon. Thanks for, you know, helping me realize that. I'm extending this story JUST because you said that. Seriously.) and Iceblinkwolf. (Yeah, I try to keep it... somewhat realistic. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Thanks for the input!)