A/N: Soo... I know I've said this story is over and it was, really until I reread it today and had to write something to close it up now, truly this is the end. Maybe a year from now I'll reread it and want to add more but at least I think this is the end anyway, enough rambling, here you go.
Draco didn't want to be out on the porch. In fact, he wanted to be anywhere but the porch. It was cold and windy and no number of cushioning charms made the steps remotely comfortable to sit on for any length of time. He didn't want to be there. But despite all that, he really just didn't want to be there without her.
Somehow, he kept finding himself back there, night after night on that same stupid step. It was the only place the air felt clear enough to think.
"Hey," Hermione said as she cautiously sat down on the step beside him.
He would have jumped had he not had so much practice suppressing such signs of "weakness" as his father had called them. How had he not heard her approach?
Draco looked at her with a furrowed brow for a long moment trying to find the right words to say. Malfoy so we're not ones to find themselves tongue tied often. Normally, out here, he'd say something sarcastic and maybe a little charming but nothing seemed appropriate now. He'd felt so small sitting at her bedside begging her to wake up and give them a chance to see what they could be. There was no way he could be that vulnerable now that she was awake.
"So imagine my surprise when I woke up and found myself surrounded by all the friends I could ask for when what I actually wanted was the one person who isn't my friend." She looked at him pointedly with playful irritation sparking in her eyes.
Draco cleared his throat and tried for a smile, "well it seemed like cheating on the porch steps to hang out with you anywhere else."
She laughed at his awkward attempt at dodging the point of her comments. Maybe he had lost interest while she was asleep. But he was still here in what had become "their spot" so maybe he hadn't. If she'd learned one thing from this war, it was that wasting time hiding feelings just wasn't worth it when you never know what tomorrow will bring.
She scooted closer to him on the step and grabbed his hand into hers. Draco sat as still as he could, waiting for something to happen and tell him that this wasn't allowed. Tell him that she had never actually woken up and this was a dream. Tell him that he'd never be good enough.
He waited for it...but nothing came. Instead, that easy, comfortable rhythm they'd had before her injury settled over them once again and Hermione was talking animatedly about how she'd really like to get another cat after the war ended or maybe a dog this time. Wizards didn't seem to have dogs as pets and that seemed odd to her since everyone knows dogs are man's best friend. As she rambled, Draco kept catching himself glancing down at his hand still grasped in hers and thought if after the war, he could still sit on some porch (maybe one with a comfy swing even) and just hold her hand, he'd be far luckier than he had ever thought he'd be.
Eventually, the people in the house realized their Sleeping Beauty had wandered off and went to find her.
Harry approached the screen door and Hermione met him in the doorway.
He gave her a small hug, his gaze bouncing between her and where Draco was left on the porch step.
"What's up, Harry?" Hermione asked after taking a small step back, noting his confused expression.
"I didn't know you two were... friends, I guess."
Hermione shot Draco a smile as she looked back over her shoulder, "Oh yeah, we're not."
Thanks again everyone!