Friday, June 4th, 1999

The Black Lake

4:00PM

"I think I messed up my Transfiguration final."

"Hermione, I'm sure you did fine," Daphne said, unclipping the buckles of her sandals to dip her toes into the water. They had just completed their final exam less than an hour ago, and Hermione's anxiety in the wait for results was already setting in. "Let's not talk about school. It's summer. Let's talk about something nice."

Hermione sighed, copying her friend's movements to unlace her shoes. The water was cool in contrast with the mild warmth of the day, though after the gloom of winter, any sunshine was worth a trip outside. Now that exams had reached their conclusion, students littered the grounds. There was little to do until results were released and that wasn't due for almost a week, so their time at Hogwarts was their own. Hermione felt a pang of nostalgia at the thought that this was her last week at the school.

"How's Astoria?" Hermione asked, kicking her foot up slightly. The water rippled with the movement.

"Still a nightmare," Daphne said. "Honestly, she's still pining after Theo whenever they're in the same room, and you're lucky Draco is with you so often or else she'd be after him all the time. And, of course, still blaming you for every negative thing that's happened in her life. It's getting quite tiresome, really, and she better start behaving in time for the wedding. I don't understand why Theo couldn't wait until after I got married to break up with her."

Hermione smiled. Though she didn't admit it, particularly not around Draco, but she missed Theo. When he wasn't acting like a prat or staring at her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable, they got on exceptionally well. Since the incident at the party, he had regarded her with a coolness that upset her. Draco didn't particularly enjoy her talking to him at all, though after the debacle with Ron, he kept his mouth shut about who she was spending her time with.

"What's wrong?" Daphne asked. "Is it Theo?"

"I suppose," Hermione said. "I miss him. Or, rather, how he was before I got together with Draco. Now, he's soodd all the time. I can never be comfortable with him or mention my relationship or even look at my boyfriend without him acting strangely. If Draco hadn't been around, I suppose something might have happened with him, but he's just so full on about it all the time. I just want him to accept my happiness and move on with his own life."

"He's a bit like that," Daphne said, "although I've never seen it to this extent. Theo was an only child, like Draco, and he always got what he wanted without any of the consequences that Drake suffered. His father was a cruel man, but not to his son, and Theo hasn't grown up from that."

"I just want our old friendship back," Hermione said.

"Just give it time," Daphne said. "He'll get over it sooner or later. In more pressing news, have you planned out everything for tomorrow?"

Hermione smiled. Draco's birthday had been another cause for stress, conveniently located right at the end of exams which meant they were free to do as they pleased for celebration, but that also meant planning during the most stressful part of the year. However, being Hermione Granger, she had managed to put together what she hoped would be an intimate yet enjoyable party for her boyfriend, to be hosted at Hogsmeade the following day.

Hermione nodded. "It's all ready. You and Blaise are coming, right?"

"Of course," Daphne said. "Blaise would never give up a chance at a party. Will it be just the four of us, then?"

"And Pansy and Theo," Hermione said.

"Are you sure it's wise inviting Theo?"

"He and Draco are best friends, and I'm the only one he seems to have the problem with. It would be cruel for me to exclude him from the festivities purely because I'm uncomfortable. Plus, Pansy is remarkably good at keeping him in line."

Daphne laughed. "Pansy is good at keeping everyone in line." The blonde stretched, then leant back on her hands. "Is his present ready?"

Again, Hermione smiled. "It's all ready. It's the only thing I was certain he would like."

"You could just do a repeat of the quidditch final," Daphne suggested. Hermione blushed beside her. "Draco was smiling for three days straight after that, and I mean properly smiling."

"Draco never smiles," Hermione said, trying to hide her redness.

"He does at you," Daphne corrected. "Honestly, that boy would do anything you asked of him."

"Except perhaps move to Gryffindor or dye his hair."

The blonde let out a small laugh. "You're right. He's quite attached to the blond."

Saturday, June 5th, 1999

Hermione's Dormitory

2:00PM

"Do we have to go?" Draco asked for the eighth time that day, this time as he came out of the bathroom, towel slung around his hips. They had only risen from bed an hour ago, at Hermione's insistence. "I'd be more than happy to spend the rest of my birthday in bed with you."

Hermione smiled as he came up behind her as she pulled the bedspread into place, his arms around her waist and lips on her neck. She leaned back against him. "We're going," she insisted. "It's not even a big deal. We'll be gone for two hours, maybe three at the absolute most."

"And then we're going back to bed," he decided. He disengaged himself and began to search through the drawer of his things which had accumulated in her room as he searched for some clean clothes. "Why are we even having a party?"

"Truthfully, it's because I want to show of the present I got you," Hermione said, pulling her hair into a ponytail. "And don't say I didn't need to get you anything. There's a real, physical gift this time."

"I was quite fond of the last thing you got me," Draco said as he buttoned up his shirt.

Hermione looked back at him over her shoulder. "I quite liked that as well."

"An even better reason to celebrate in a similar manner," he said as he turned to the mirror, nudging his hair into place. "I suppose you're going to say we should go now?"

"Something along those lines, yes," Hermione said, tucking her wand into her back pocket. "Come on. You can't be late for your own birthday party."

Draco sighed but followed her from the dormitory. It wasn't an official Hogwarts trip to Hogsmeade, Hermione having organized it with the headmistress on her own time, so the castle and the grounds were still quite populated. Most people were outside, soaking up the sunlight, and Hermione could think of no better way to spend her time than walking in the fresh air, despite Draco's continuing complaints about having to get out of bed.

They reached Hogsmeade in record time, hands linked, and Hermione took the lead on the way to The Three Broomsticks where she had booked a function room. As she had guessed, the other guests had arrived. It was just a small gathering, with his closest friends from Hogwarts, his parents, and Daphne's parents. By the time they arrived, everyone else was already gathered, chatting happily with drinks in their hands.

"Nice of you to finally show up, Drake," Blaise said when they walked in. "What kept you?"

"Blaise," Daphne said, elbowing her fiancé in the ribs. "Happy birthday, Draco!" Glass in hand, she hugged him warmly.

"Cheers, Daph," Draco said. "And thanks to all of you for coming."

Hermione smiled as Narcissa and Lucius approached. She stepped away, squeezing her boyfriend's hand one last time before joining Daphne, Blaise, Pansy, and Theo. She heard Draco's parents wishing him a happy birthday, Lucius' tone more stilted than his wife's, before she opted to give them more privacy.

"So, Granger, what were you and Draco doing that kept you from his own party?" Pansy asked, sipping at a glass of dark liquor.

"Just having casual conversation," Hermione said, shrugging. "You know, talking about exams and the like."

Pansy's grin rivaled that of The Cheshire Cat's. "Fascinating conversation, no doubt."

Hermione blushed. She didn't let herself look at Theo.

"Oh, Pansy, leave her alone," Daphne said.

"I'm surprised you were able to get Drake here at all," Blaise said. "He hates birthday parties."

"As a rule," Daphne added.

Hermione frowned. "He never told me that. Why?"

"Parties weren't such a fun time at Drake's house when he was younger," Theo said. "There was one in particular. We must have been about eight."

Daphne sighed and shook her head. "I remember that. Lucius lost his temper to a new degree. We were all at Draco's house and we were just having fun, and then he came home from work. It wasn't at all a fun experience."

"What happened?" Hermione asked.

"You've seen the scars, Hermione," Daphne said. "It's what always happened to Draco."

Hermione cast a look over her shoulder at her boyfriend who was standing with his parents and Daphne's, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Lucius had rested his hand on his son's shoulder, the other clasped around the head of his cane. To outsiders, it would look as though Draco was providing support for his father, but the whiteness of Lucius' knuckles on his son's shoulder couldn't be missed.

"What fun party conversation we're having," Pansy said, finishing her drink. "It's a party. Can't we talk about something more interesting? Or at least cheery. Like your wedding, Daph. Surely you'd rather talk about that than Drake's messed up childhood."

"Surely you've all heard enough of me talking about the wedding," Daphne said, shaking her head. "How did everyone's exams go, then?"

They dissolved into easy conversation, Hermione finding a drink and sneaking glances across at Draco as his interaction with his parents continued.

"Here," Hermione said, after all the other gifts were cleared from the table. She passed him the last gift, her present to him, feeling her stomach tie itself in knots. As a final thought, she removed the envelope which lay on top.

"No card?" he asked, taking the neatly wrapped package and running his fingers along the smooth silver paper.

"You get that after."

He raised his eyebrows but said nothing, plucking at the dark blue ribbon until it loosened. Peeling back the paper, his eyes widened as bright green fabric spilled out. "Granger, this really isn't my colour," he said but Hermione could see he was struggling to keep the smile from his face.

"And now you get this," she said, handing the unopened envelope over, Draco's address inked onto the front.

He tore it open hastily, pulling the letter out. "Mister Malfoy," he read, "we are pleased to offer you a position at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries in our internship program, starting on the first of September."

"Oh, darling, that's wonderful news!" Narcissa said, first to react out of the happily surprised gathering. She pulled her son into a long hug. Lucius stepped forward, too, shaking Draco's hand.

Hermione let the rest of the guests offer their congratulations and return to their conversations before stepping towards her boyfriend.

"Happy birthday, Draco," she said, kissing him softly, quickly.

"How did you know?" he asked. "Did you read the letter?"

She shook her head. "I always knew you'd get it. You're brilliant. You mightn't believe it, and you might believe that the bad outweighs the good, but it doesn't, Draco. Not anymore."

He pulled her close against his chest, ignoring their audience, pressing his lips into her hair. "Thanks, Granger."

Saturday, June 5th, 1999

Hermione's Dormitory

5:00PM

The sun was low on the horizon as Hermione rested her head against Draco's chest, back in bed as she had promised him. Beneath the sheets, their legs were entwined and his arm was tight around her body, keeping her close to him.

"Where are you going to go after this year?" he asked. His fingers were pulling lightly on the end of her hair. "Where will you live?"

Hermione sighed. The issue had been pressing on her mind, but it was something she had hoped to avoid. With her parents still absent and her lack of relationship with Ron, her prior plans were now defunct. She knew that Draco was going to offer her a place in his manor, and although she was grateful to him for it, there was no part of her which believed she would be able to live in that place. "I'm not sure," she said. "I'll get a flat somewhere, I suppose. Take some time to figure it out. The more pressing issue on my mind is what I actually intend to do when I graduate."

"I suppose staying with me is out of the question?" Draco asked.

Hermione pulled out of his embrace and propped herself up on one elbow. "Not in that house, Draco. Your father would never allow it, and I don't think I could stomach walking through there everyday. I thought I was going to die in there. Apart from your room and the library, I would never be comfortable. I could never call it a home." She could see the disappointment in his eyes.

He nodded, lips thin. "A flat it is, then."

She resumed her position, this time shifting slightly so one hand was splayed across his bare chest. His skin was taut and tense beneath her touch and she fought off another sigh as she pressed her lips to the pale flesh.

A/N: There'll be one more chapter followed by an epilogue! Let me know what you think in a review!