Disclaimer: Only the plot and Jennessica Sanders
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All was quiet for a while. Both sides just starred at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. Finally the first spell came from one of the Death Eaters and so all hell broke out. Harry, Ron and Hermione searched through the people and creatures searching for Voldermort. They were just getting past a group when Hermione was hit with a spell. Harry and Ron, as they were told to do, kept going while Hermione fought her attacker.
A little distance away from where Hermione and the attacker were fighting the Slytherins were sitting (and standing) in a small cave on a plateau. It was finally the time that they had to make their decision as to which side they would fight for. Draco Malfoy was one the few standing and he was pacing like mad. Either fight along side his father or fight for what he thought was right. Draco peeked out over the edge of the plateau and that's when he saw it. Hermione Granger and his father were engaged in a duel. Draco watched in horror as his father managed to free her from of her wand and was about to kill her when Draco made his decision. He jumped down off the plateau and when he landed his wand was pointed directly at the place where his father's heart was supposed to be. Lucius made a 180 degree turned so as to face his only son. He sneered at him and pointed his own wand at him.
"Well Draco I see you have chosen your side. I'm very disappointed in you. I always thought you would choose the right side but I see now that I was very much mistaken. Your filthy mother must have gotten to you after all." Lucius drawled out. Draco was infuriated now.
"How dare you speak of mother like that! For your information I have chosen the right side! I will never be a follower! NEVER! I will never be like you…" Draco spat. He then sent his father flying with a simple Ritisempra. Hermione scrambled up and watched in amazement as father and son dueled like mad. She had never seen either Malfoy so angry and they were clearly using their anger on each other. Hermione could see something else also. Draco was directing all his pain at his father as well. Hermione had heard of the lady Malfoy dieing but she never knew how. It was now that she knew. Lucius must have killed her.
Suddenly a flash a bleach blonde hair went past her and then, standing next to Draco, was Jennessica Sanders. Hermione smiled slightly. So she finally chose her side, the side her brother was on. Hermione looked up and saw many Slytherins jump down from the plateau above her and run into the battle. She saw them become engaged in ravenous duels with their mothers and fathers. Hermione turned her attention back to the battle in front of her and watched as Draco and Jennessica held eachothers' hand. Bright lights circled around their hands and then Hermione saw something truly amazing. Something, powerful magic she suspected, surged up both their arms and then throughout their bodies. Lucius sent the killing curse at them and Hermione thought that that would be the end of the brother and sister but yet again a truly amazing thing happened. The two held out the hands they were holding and a powerful shield erupted making the curse backfire, furling Lucius in the air and when he landed he was dead. Hermione turned her attention back to Jennessica and Draco to see them fall to the ground unconscious. At that very same moment Blaise Zabini killed his father and mother, Theodore Nott killed his father and Pansy Parkinson killed both of her parents. But the biggest and most wanted death was the death of Lord Voldermort. Harry Potter, the-boy-who-wouldn't-fucking-die, had defeated the darkest wizard of the age and came out alive, though unconscious. Suddenly a Death Eater, as a last resort pointed his wand at Harry and was about to send the killing curse at him when Hermione hit him in the back with a powerful stunning spell that would have him out for over a month.
All was once again quiet as everyone realized what had happened. The Slytherins had come to the rescue, killing off many of the most dangerous Death Eaters, and Lord Voldermort was defeated, killing, gone…
Nobody could believe it. It was all over. They were safe…
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A week later Draco awoke and groggily sat up. He heard a gasp from his right and saw Hermione sitting at his bedside looking relieved and happy. She automatically practically jumped on him while hugging him. He cringed and Hermione automatically let go of him. He had a nasty bruise on his shoulder and his stomach was also badly bruised because of all the magic that had been used to create the shield. Jennessica had awoken a couple of days earlier and was now allowed to leave the Hospital Wing. For extra protection Jennessica was now getting private teaching. They felt that it was important that she stayed out of sight, yet still at Hogwarts. Everyone would be after her powers and some Death Eaters were still out there.
Hermione smiled at Draco and he returned it. "Thank you." Hermione said softly. She looked him straight in the eyes. "Thank you so much for saving me. I don't think I would be here if you hadn't come to the rescue."
Draco smiled and lightly stroked her cheek with his thumb. "I had to do what I felt was truly right, Hermione." Hermione smiled brightly. That had been the first time he had ever called her by her first name.
"And I'm glad you did do what you felt was right, Draco" This time Draco smiled brightly. Hermione stayed there for another hour before Madam Pomphry made her leave saying Draco needed his rest. Hermione nodded and left the Hospital Wing.
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Three days later Draco was aloud to leave the Hospital Wing but he had to keep it easy. The magic that had been used wasn't something he was supposed to use. His body wasn't made for it like Jennessica's was so he suffered more damage from it. As a precaution all houses had been joined so that there were only two common rooms, one for the Heads and prefects and one for everyone else. Both common rooms were huge. They were the size of about two medium sized houses. Slowly but surely the houses began to get along but no one expected them to be like one happy family, they would do with what they got.
Two weeks after the battle it was Valentines Day. Hermione could just feel it, something special, something wonderful would happen today. Hermione walked up to her beautiful room (it had lavender walls, a light pink rug, a circular queen sized bed with light pink curtains around it and an oak desk and bookshelf) and upon entering saw the most beautiful rose ever placed on her bed ever so delicately. Hermione walked over and slowly opened the letter that came along with it.
Hermione dearest,
Happy Valentines Day! You have to have noticed the individualality (a/n sp?) of the rose that I have left you. I used some very special magic to create it just for you. Now for my meanings of each color.
Red symbolizes your Gryffindor status and my love for you. The green stem symbolizes (As you have most likely guessed) my Slytherin status, the endless lush green fields I see you read in, and when I'm green with envy seeing Harry and Ron (Wow I can't believe I remembered Ron's name LOL :p) with you all the time. Yellow stands for the light you emit in my life whether intentional or not. Pink stands for your girlish ways and what I have to fight back from tingeing my cheeks when you manage to embarrass me. Orange stands for your obviously favorite fruit, a favorite of mine also. (winkwink) Last, but not least, is the white. White symbolizes the commitment to a relationship I hope we one day share.
So once gain I will say Happy Valentines Day. Also if you have no plans tonight I was hoping you would join me for dinner tonight. If so meet me at the lake no later than seven o'clock and I shall take you to the restaurant. Make sure to dress in formal wear, though not to formal! I really hope you come!
A hopeful and anxious,
Dragon Warrior
Hermione squealed with joy (yes surprising right?) and nearly ran to Ginny's room. (She was also a prefect) Ginny automatically let her in and Hermione told her all about the rose and the invitation from her secret admirer to dinner. Ginny squealed like Hermione had earlier and quickly forced Hermione back to her room. Ginny looked through Hermione's closet trying to find something fitting to wear. When she couldn't find anything she took out a simple sundress and transfigured it into a beautiful, sparkling, off shoulder red dress. Hermione changed into it and twirled in front of her full length mirror. It was beautiful that was for sure. Ginny sat Hermione back down and quickly began putting her long hair up in a braided bun. She added some sparkle dust to it and then began working on Hermione's makeup. She went simple with a light pink eyeshadow, light pink lipgloss, dark brown marsquera, and dark brown eyeliner on the lid. After she was done Hermione put on the bracelet she was given for Christmas and Ginny transfigured the rose to make the stem short enough to be put in Hermione's hair. Hermione put in some simple dangling gold earrings and a necklace that had a gold chain and gold cross. The necklace stopped just above the small amount of cleavage that the dress allowed to be shown. Hermione was still kinda conservative so she wouldn't go all out. So as not to show bra straps Hermione had put on a red strapless bra before she had put on the dress.
Hermione smiled at Ginny and checked the time. It was ten 'til seven. Hermione smiled at Ginny and grabbed the sparkling red cloak Ginny handed to her. She put it on as she walked out of the common room and walked down the halls. Hermione was surprised to find that she didn't see anyone on her way outside. As she approached the lake Hermione became nervous. What if this was a trick? What if something happened? Hermione pushed this thought to the back of her mind. No way could this be a trick. Whoever has been writing me these notes is to… what's the word I'm looking for? Romantic… ya that's it. Hermione thought. She was finally at the lake and she looked around. She saw no one around and began to actually wonder if this truly was a trick when she heard the sound of a twig breaking behind her. Hermione wiped around with her wand out but when she saw who it was she dropped her wand, her mouth was hanging open. It was Draco Malfoy. She couldn't believe it! Draco stood there uncomfortably for a second before Hermione closed her mouth and smiled at him. Draco took that as an okay and approached her. He bent down and grabbed her wand. After handing it to her he handed her a single red rose.
"You look fantastic Hermione." Draco said softly and Hermione knew that there was no joke behind this.
"Thank you, you look very nice yourself." He truly did look great. He had black dress slacks and a white button-up t-shirt on. He wore an, obviously, black cloak and black dress shoes. Hermione could see a red wife beater under the button-up t-shirt he wore. His hair hung loosely in his eyes making him ever so mysterious.
"Well then, are you still up to going to dinner with me?" Draco asked, still unsure of himself. Hermione nodded with a smile and Draco smiled brightly at her and offered his arm to her. She took it and he led her towards Hogsmeade. After walking down the street for a while Draco stopped in front of a new Italian restaurant. They entered and the waiter automatically led them to their table without Draco even needing to say anything. The table was in the far back right by a huge bay window that showed beautiful scenery. You could see the forest in all its winter glory. Fireflies would pass by the window and tree making it look like the forest was sparkling.
Hermione took her eyes away from the window when Draco pulled her chair out for her. After she sat down Draco sat down in front of her and smiled once again. Hermione smiled back at him and they talked for a while. Hermione couldn't help but thank him a million times for the beautiful bracelet and rose. All he could do was smile and laugh.
"What's so funny?" Hermione finally asked. She didn't say it in an aggravated voice like most would think she would. She actually asked in a somewhat laughing tone.
"The fact that you're thanking me so much. It was no problem at all Hermione. You deserve so much better than what I've given you anyways." Draco said sound all sincere. Hermione almost sighed. He was the romantic that was for sure and he had the best manners she'd ever seen a guy have. It was no wonder so many girls loved him.
The two had an excellent dinner and then took a walk down the street. It had begun snowing and so snow made Hermione's hair glitter even more. Draco just smiled and they kept walking. While passing a jewelry store Hermione couldn't help but gasp at a beautiful necklace. It had a pure silver chain and a diamond tear. Draco saw and heard her gasp and practically dragged her into the store. He had a girl take the necklace out of its display case and he bought it for 155 galleons Hermione kept insisting that he didn't have to buy it but he kept insisting that he did. Before they left the store the girl who had taken the necklace out of its case whispered to her how lucky she was to have him. Hermione just blushed and tried to explain that they weren't quite dating. The girl and smiled and laughed as the two exited the store.
Once back at the castle and in their common room Draco kissed Hermione's cheek and they went to their respective rooms so they could retire. Before Hermione fell asleep she couldn't help but think about the situation she was in. Draco was obviously in love with her but she wasn't sure of what she felt for him. Did she actually like him more than a friend, or just a friend?
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