Epilogue

Hermione stood on the bridge leading to Hagrid's Hut, gazing out at the snow-capped mountains, their bases filled with spring heather. Breathing in the fresh air, she closed her eyes and sighed. It was wonderful to stop and enjoy the beauty of the hills and lake once again. Without fear that someone was going to sneak up on her, without fear that someone wanted to kill her.

"Draco," she said quietly, her eyes still closed. "I know that you are there."

Less than a moment later, a shadow of Draco appeared next to her, close enough to feel the heat of his body, but not truly touching her. She opened her eyes and stared at him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked gruffly. He wasn't used to wondering how another person felt, about actually caring for someone other than himself.

Hermione grinned, knowing his emotions were foreign to him. "I'm well. How are you?"

A flesh-and-blood Draco gazed out at the scene in front of him, a look of content spreading silently across in countenance. Hands on his hips, he spoke. "I'm good. I feel as if all the puzzle pieces have finally come together. And they fit." He turned to her.

Hermione nodded. "Good. I'm glad." They stood in silence for a moment, staring out at the beauty before them, and then she said, "You're going to London." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes," confirmed Draco, leaning his forearms against the rail. "Dumbledore has set up a way for me to take my NEWTS at the end of the year, without all of the coursework. I'll start an internship at Gringotts next week."

Hermione nodded, strange emotions swirling within her. She was sad to see him go, but knew it was for the best.

"You can come with me." The thought burst from his lips before he even had a chance to think of its implications. Turning to her, he reached out and grasped her hand, which hung loosely at her side.

Sadly, Hermione tilted her head, seeing him in a way she had never seen him before. She shook her head slowly, and said, "No, Draco. I can't. And, I think that you know I shouldn't either." Gently, she pulled her hand from his grasp. "It would never work between us. There is too much in our past to overlook."

Draco dropped his gaze to the hand she had just released. Embarrassed, he said lowly, "You're probably right." He looked up, his eyes resting on her lips. "But it doesn't mean that I don't want it to work."

He leaned closer to her, tilting her chin up with his hands. His lips descended on hers, and the sweetness poured through him. But, he didn't want to torture himself, so he pulled away.

"I came to say good-bye." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a galleon. He held it up, the gold glinting in the weak sunlight. "It has a protean charm on it, NEWT level magic." Picking up her limp hand, he pressed it into her open palm and closed her fingers around it. "Look me up when you're in London."

Draco turned and walked away. Hermione was torn. She wanted to call out to him, wanted to tell him that everything would be okay, that they could be lovers and friends and be happy. But she kept silent and watched his figure disappear around the bend in the road.

She turned back to the beautiful scene in front of her and realized it was missing something. She was missing something. She sighed and looked down at the galleon Draco had given her. Then she grinned and put it deep into her pocket.