'Cause even the stars they burn

Some even fall to the earth

We've got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No, I won't give up

Monday morning, Draco and Hermione along with the rest of the pairs in House Unity were standing in front of the great hall chattering anxiously.

Each of them passed through security and were forming circles around portkeys. Hermione and Draco found a portkey along with Padma and Ernie, Dean and Pansy as well as Neville and Blaise.

"We're gonna kick your asses." Blaise whispered to Draco and winked at Hermione. She rolled her eyes and so a little smile on Neville's face. To her surprise Blaise swung an arm around Neville and held his head up high.

"Yeah right. Be prepared to get burned and beaten because we are winning Zabini." Draco scoffed swinging his arm around Hermione.

"We'll see." Blaise grinned as Giurbin began counting down.

"Hold on to the portkeys. They leave in three….two….one." his voice faded and the air closed in as Hermione was compressed in the familiar feeling and transported onto the hard grassy surface in front of a forest.

Everyone else adjusted themselves and stood up shakily. Giurbin, Flitwick, Vector and Sprout were standing in proper muggle clothing with grins on their faces, except for Giurbin of course.

"Now, as you can see, we are standing in the middle of the Taiga Forest. The largest forest in the world. We have divided a small portion of it so you can only stay within boundaries and are not to get lost. No sabotaging other teams, we have cameras everywhere and your task is simple. To survive in the Taigan woods. To successfully cook all your meals by hard labour and by finding your own means of hygiene and whatnot. The cameras will also tell us how you did what you do to survive. No one will die, because we've made sure there are no wild animals of danger and three days is the maximum for a time period without food and that's how long you have. Sounds simple but you'll see it is rather the exact opposite." Giurbin explained as the teachers exchanged meaningful glances.

"Excuse me! But I don't see how this is important. This class, these tasks with our partners...it will never help us in the future." Pansy said in a high voice.

"Actually, it is rather quite important. A whole war was waged because people saw only differences between people and not similarities. This class of House Unity is just as important as your other subjects because the light side won. And that's the way it should be. You will encounter people of different backgrounds and that's how life is. This class forces you to spend time with other people of various histories to see how alike you are, not unalike. This will help you in the future I promise you that. You people are the next generation. And if the next generation is like the first, you'll be seeing yourself a 3rd wizarding war." Giurbin's expression remained stony as he explained the lengthy answer to Pansy.

"Three days. Go." Giurbin ordered. It took a few moments for people to snap out of it and get going into the forest. Vector stood there with a bag for their wands.

The forest was bright and sunny not hot but a cool and sunny temperature. Draco took Hermione's hand as they wandered into the forest.

"Do you anything about camping?" he asked a little worry on his face.

Hermione smiled. "I've been camping before. And last year Harry, Ron and I were on the run surviving without much remember?"

"I don't like to remember." he murmured as they hiked through the natural forest bramble.

"We should find a spot near the river. It allows better access to gathering water." Hermione pointed out. She stopped them and shushed him. "That way." she said once she heard the familiar sounds of water running.

"At least one of us knows how to do this." Draco smiled dryly. Hermione gave a small smile as they found the river. "How about here?" he asked finding a spot a little ways away from the river.

She nodded and took off her backpack. He did too and they managed to set up the tent with Hermione directing Draco.

"It's a normal muggle tent. No enlargement tent." she whispered reading the manual again.

"Fine by me." he whispered huskily wrapping his arms around her waist. She went still and felt him hard against her. Bloody hell.

He was wearing a vest over a long sleeved shirt and slacks. She was wearing her favorite jeans, a woollen sweater with a half sleeve shirt underneath. In conclusion not much between them.

There came a sudden scream from their left. They jumped and looked around frightened. Hermione groped for the wand that wasn't there.

A few moments later, Flitwick came trotting out from where the sound had come from.

"What's wrong professor?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Oh Miss. Parkinson just realized there is no enlargement charm on the tent." Flitwick chirped happily as he trotted away.

"Well not everyone was going to love this." Hermione shrugged tossing their bags inside the tent to set up the sleeping bags.

Once they were set up she felt strong hands push her down on one of them. His lips kissed tenderly up her neck causing her to bite back a moan.

"Draco….we can't." she panted gripping his vest.

"We can…." he breathed his hands running up and down her waist.

"We have to survive this first and we may not even…." Hermione trailed off. "Let's survive this okay?"

"We're not going to die remember?" he asked sounding put out.

"Let's go find breakfast." Hermione smiled slightly leading him out of the tent.

He reluctantly exited the cramped tent and they wandered towards the river. Hermione leaned over the river looking down at it searching for fish. "We can catch some fish for dinner." she offered. "And I brought a book that would tell me what plants and berries are edible from last year and I see some over there." she said.

For breakfast were the berries and Hermione could feel the hunger kick in slightly. After breakfast they began planning together outside their tent for the graduation ball.

"Okay the invitations to parents are finalized now McGonagall has to approve and send them." Hermione read and pocketed the copy of the invites.

"Do you think my mother can come?" Draco asked fingering the grass.

Hermione turned to face him. "I already asked Kingsley about that."

Draco's face filled with shock. "And?"

"He agreed. Afterall, her house arrest is nearly over." Hermione smiled kissing him softly.

By 11:30 they finished planning the graduation ball and made their way to find some plants to eat.

"Disgusting!" Draco cursed as he spat the leaves onto the ground. Hermione laughed at his funny face. "Makes you miss the wizarding traditional food doesn't it?" he asked now watching Hermione stare off imagining the food.

"This is hard!" Draco sighed rubbing his forehead.

"Let's go catch fish for dinner, that should take a while. But first we need a fire." Hermione thought aloud ignoring his complaints. Together they collected wood and Hermione whittled a fire.

Draco watched in wonder before Hermione lead him back to the river. She began rolling up her jeans and she took off the woollen sweater.

"Uh….I like where this is going but I thought we were catching fish?" Draco asked still watching her.

Hermione shot him a dirty glare and he smiled slightly. "Roll up your pants and take off your vest." she instructed.

He grinned cheekily and began doing as he was told. Then Hermione climbed into the river and slapped her hands together.

"Bloody hell!" Draco exclaimed clapping a hand to his heart. "What are you doing?!"

"Catching fish!" she responded slapping the water between her hands again missing slightly. "Damnit." She made another move for one swimming rapidly away from her. When she missed she turned back to face him. "Come help."

Draco looked wary as he hopped in. A wave of water suddenly hit him full in the face. He roared in surprise wiping his eyes.

He caught her giggling as she smirked slightly. "Oops. I thought I saw a fish."

"Oh haha." Draco grinned as he rubbed his hands together. "Let ME try." he said smacking his hands together hard crashing a wave of water over Hermione.

She shrieked and flailed before falling on her butt on the cool river floor.

She whirled on him. "Why you…" she said standing up. She tackled him onto the river floor engulfing them both in water.

Draco laughed wrapping his hands around her waist and capturing her lips.

They were now both soaking in water from head to toe. Hermione straddled him and locked her arms around his neck kissing him hard. Passion sparked through her making her body react lustfully towards his. His hand began travelling skillfully down. His lips trailed searing kisses all the way down her neck and found her collarbone and top chest. His other hand slipped underneath her shirt and began fingering her bra. Hermione kept one hand around his neck and the other gripped his shirt painfully tight. Instinctively, she grinded against him and he groaned low and deep.

"Fuck Hermione, if you keep doing what your doing I'm going to fuck you right here in this damn river." Draco breathed hard his hands on either side of her.

Her chest was pushed tightly against his and she could feel his rock hard abs beneath.

"I think we scared the fish away." Hermione giggled. "Looks like it's plants for dinner." she smiled as his face fell.

"Ah well it was worth that snog." he smirked lifting them both out of the water kissing her again.

"I guess we're going to have to find another river to catch dinner, this one seems er-occupied." came the voice of Dean. They looked up to see a sheepish Dean rubbing the back of his neck and a furious Pansy next to him.

"You little bi-" Pansy began before Dean grabbed her wrist and dragged her away sending an apologetic glance towards them.

"Let's go get dried then we can pick some damn weeds for dinner." Draco smiled as they returned to their tent.


The next morning was rather cloudy and gloomy. Hermione predicted a thunderstorm and so they made their way to the river early in the morning for hygienics and an early catch of dinner and lunch. They had lots of extra berries from yesterday.

Draco shamelessly stripped down in front of her revealing his boxers and bare chest. Hermione blushed and walked along down the river.

Luckily for them, they seemed to be the only ones in this general area. Except for Dean and Pansy but they probably avoided this river if they could.

Hermione stripped down behind a tree and wrapped a towel around herself and slipped into the water.

Draco had already dunked himself under wetting his hair. He was leaning against the edge of the river running a hand through his hair.

Hermione's breath caught in her throat and she turned away blushing madly. She bobbed under and sprung up her hair now wet. They had packed travelling shampoos and she lathered her hair with it and rinsed off. She couldn't help occasionally glancing towards Draco.

She felt his eyes on her more than she had allowed hers to be on him. She refused to meet his eyes in case it lead to more.

She rinsed one last time and was about to hop out when a painfully sharp prick sunk into her mid calf. She screamed and grabbed her bloody calf and shuffled away tears cascading down.

"Hermione?" Draco called alarm evident in his voice. He cursed and swum over where she was surrounded in a pool of blood. She breathed in and out heavily as she pressed a hand limply on top of her calf.

Draco cursed as he swept an arm under her knees and the other under her arms carrying her out of the water. He was already dressed in clean clothes and was soaking now from the thigh and under.

She was still bare and was in too much pain to think about their position. She bit her lip to refrain from screaming out loud as blood trailed down her calf.
Draco had run to the tent and had laid her on the small patch of dirty clothing they used to sit on outside and his eyes popped at her wound.

"It was a snake. There was a snake in the river." Draco murmured worry in his eyes. He tore off his shirt and wrapped it around her calf tight. She cried out in pain as the knot was tied securely. "It's alright Mya, you're okay. Breathe. It's just a bite." he whispered as he found some emergency bandages around his shirt and pressed firmly on the wound. Her tears slowed as the pain became a repetitive thud.

Hermione's vision blurred briefly and the last thing she saw was Draco's frightened face.

Hermione woke up inside the tent and heard the sound of heavy pounding against the tent ceiling.

Rain was pouring down hard against the tent ceiling and she found herself tucked snugly in her sleeping bag wearing a long sleeved striped shirt and a knit sweater on top with Slytherin sweats on. Her hair had dried and her injured leg was hanging outside her sleeping bag wrapped securely.

Her eyes scanned the room and Draco was watching still from his sleeping bag clad in his damp khakis and a Slytherin sweater on top.

"Are you alright?" he croaked reaching towards her. She grasped his hands tightly.

She nodded trying not to wince in pain as she sat up.

"How long was I out?" she asked her voice raspy. He handed her their last bottle of water and she drank a gulp.

"A few hours. It's 8." he replied crawling towards her and touching the back of his hand to her face. "How are you feeling, really?" he asked.

She hesitated before responding. "The wound just hurts but that's normal. You did a wonderful job. You saved me." Hermione smiled squeezing his hand.

His face showed little change and remained stonily worried. "You almost died."

"I've almost died before and I have a feeling there will be many more opportunities for that in the future." Hermione sighed.

Draco winced and looked into her eyes, his grey eyes startlingly intent. "You won't."

"Don't blame this on yourself, it was a part of nature." she said narrowing her eyes. He nodded reluctantly and his face softened.
"I'm glad you're okay love." Draco whispered moving to sit behind her wrapping his arm around her. She leaned into him pecking his cheek.

"All thanks to you." she murmured enjoying the feeling of his body against hers.

"Can you answer something for me?" Draco finally asked as the rain continued to patter hard down against their tent.

"What?" she asked turning to look at him.

"Yesterday, we were kissing….and you said we can't. I said we can. Then you said that we had to survive this first and that we may not even...what? 'We may not even' what?" he asked looking deeply into her eyes.

She was touched by memory of every little word he remembered and the passion and love he had for her.

"It's not that I don't want to make love to you. I know I told you that it was because I wasn't ready because of past events. And I wasn't. Until recently when I realized that I had already moved on and that I was just waiting for the one. And I know that you are the one for me. And I'm ready to give myself to you. But...we may not even find a way out of this whole betrothal messed up stuff. I can't….I just can't give myself to you and then find out you aren't mine anymore. That you're someone else's. Whether you like it or not, if this betrothal is approved, it's over. We're over, you can't cheat. Dealing with that itself will kill me but giving myself to you then losing you to someone else, will kill me all over again." Hermione whispered hastily wiping away tears that were dripping down her face. Draco kissed away her tears and hugged her closer.

"What are we going to do?" Hermione cried softly. "I've noticed, you've noticed, I'm sure your father has noticed, that time's nearly up."

"We'll figure something out." he replied his own eyes glistening fearfully but now more determined than ever.

That was the slap of reality. Time was ticking, there could be a new Mrs. Malfoy soon and they might not be able to stop it.


Hermione had fallen back asleep again in Draco's arms and awoke to the sound of the nature and wilderness outside.

Draco was snoozing softly as she lay on top of him. She noticed that her bandages were changed and Draco had washed and wrung out the dirty clothes.

Hermione noticed they were out of plants but had enough berries for breakfast. Lunch and dinner, they would have to be sure to catch fish instead of a snake.

"Mya?" Draco asked groggily sitting up. "How're you feeling?"

"Better." Hermione smiled warmly. "No, really, much better." Hermione insisted at his disbelieving look. He studied her before eyeing her wound.

"It's healing." he muttered brushing the bandage. She placed her hand on top of his.

"I love you." she whispered caressing his face.

"I love you too." Draco replied capturing her lips passionately.

Hermione clambered on top of Draco and pressed him down, kissing him hard. His tongue swirled along with hers and she couldn't help but moan in ecstasy.

Draco ran his magical fingers up and down her leg, thigh, stomach, waist and landed on her lower back, rubbing slow circles. His other hand was tangled in her tangled hair. Hermione's arms gripped his shirt, keeping them close together. His lips parted slightly in a low groan and she bit his lip softly.

"Merlin Hermione…." Draco trailed off breathing hard, his face buried in her neck.

Hermione smiled and squirmed her way out of the tent grabbing the bowl of berries on her way out.

"Be careful on that leg Hermione!" Draco yelled rushing out. His hair was ruffled and his eyes had dark circles as he made a seat with their dirty clothes and forced her to sit. "You're not walking on that." he said with finality.
"I can walk! I'm perfectly capable of moving! Plus this is an exam remember? I'm not failing." Hermione scowled munching a berry harder than necessary.

"You can help in other ways." Draco amended sitting next to her and wrapping an arm around her waist. "But no physical labour."

Hermione rolled her eyes and popped a berry in her mouth.

At 11 on their third day, Hermione was assisted to another river with the help of Draco after he refused to return to the river where she was bitten.

"You realize the snake can move too right?" Hermione demanded after he made another seat for her with the dirty clothes he brought along.

Draco smiled slightly before rolling up his sleeves. "I better not see you moving missy with that leg. Now time to catch some damn fish." he said before sliding into the river. He spent the next 40 minutes clapping his hands for fish. At last he managed to seize one by the tail and jumped in victory as the fish squirmed in his grip. Hermione enjoyed watching him run around aimlessly around the river.

She knew he was making a show for her enjoyment. In total, he had managed to catch three fish by the end of the day and they headed back to their site collecting wood along the way.

Hermione added it to their burned out fire and whittled a new one. Draco began cooking the fish as best as he could and soon a wonderful smell of fish was in the air. Hermione's stomach was raving as she swallowed the pieces of fish eagerly.

They spent their afternoon going over every aspect of the graduation ball and then began dinner preparations again.

"And after our speeches, the headmistress and then the name call for diplomas and such." Hermione read off her list pulling Draco's vest tighter around herself.

"Then party time!" Draco grinned his face bright in the light of the crackling fire.

"Yes yes, party time. We're going to need the prefects help decorating before the party. Remind me to tell the prefects." Hermione said still scanning the list.

"I remember our first day." Draco suddenly said smiling crookedly. "You were the bushy haired girl with a bright face and brilliant smile bobbing up all over the place looking for some damned toad." Draco laughed.

Hermione laughed too. "And you were the pale blond boy with a pointed face and an ignorant attitude, innocent and sweet. Cute even actually if I remember correctly." she grinned. "What happened?"

Draco scowled playfully pinning her to the ground. "I turned into a man. The handsomest man you've ever seen in fact."

"Oh really?" Hermione asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh yes and you fell in love with him at first sight and had the HUGEST crush on him their whole childhood." Draco finished smiling in a faraway look.

"Sure. Whatever you want to believe." Hermione laughed lightly.

"Hard to believe we're graduating." Draco smiled resting his head on his hand.

"I know. Feels like just yesterday we got out first owls." Hermione matched his dreamy smile. "But now it's….the beginning of the rest of our lives."

Draco watched her seriously now. "You are always going to be the most important part of my life."

Hermione reached up to press her hand against his face but didn't say anything.

Time was ticking. And it seemed to be one of the many things still fighting against them.

On the morning of the fourth day, all the partners met up at the front of the forest with the professors who looked intrigued as they gathered around them.

"Well you all are alive and well. None gravelling for food so that's wonderful." Giurbin remarked. "Well, we have calculated the results of this task and exam and have come to a conclusion."

"Bow down Malfoy." Blaise whispered watching Giurbin intently.

"Not a chance Zabini." Draco retorted gripping Hermione's hand tightly.

"Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger." Giurbin read to a loud round of applause. "And let me tell you WHY!" Giurbin shouted over the chatter. "They were very successful in their other tasks firstly, secondly, they worked together extremely well in the woods. Not only to survive but they had something no one anticipated. There was a snake that was in the river they were bathing in and had bitten Miss. Granger's calf. It could have been deadly but Mr. Malfoy saved her. Then they worked well together to live well off these past few days. So top marks to the two of them."

Hermione beamed as she kissed Draco sweetly before the crowd began torpedoing towards the portkeys, all grumbling about a waste of time and want to get prepared for the graduation ball in two days.

"At least we're back to decent methods of survival conditions." Theo muttered darkly before he stalked off towards a boot portkey vibrating madly.

In a whoosh, they were all transported to the front of the gates where Pomfrey was waiting in case any of them needed emergency help. Draco dragged Hermione towards Pomfrey who healed her bite easily before dismissing them and praising Draco on his potential as a healer.

As the students got back settled in to castle routine again, they were all abuzz with excitement for the upcoming graduation the next day.

Teachers, prefects and heads were crowded in the great hall decorating according to the head's plans.

"That's not straight Terry. I need the Hogwarts crest to be centered not crooked! A little to the right." Hermione called over for the tenth time to Terry as he attempted to hang the crest.

"Geeze it doesn't have to be perfect." he muttered becoming annoyed.

"Yes it does! This is our last year, our graduation, don't you want it to be memorable?" she snapped moving around the hall.

The morning of graduation dawned bright and early. The graduating class were chattering excitedly, some rather nervously. Hermione had spilt her coffee several times as she muttered her speech to herself repeatedly.

"Hermione! You're going to be fine!" Ginny assured as her newspaper was soaked.

"Sorry." Hermione replied and went straight back to muttering her speech.

"Come on." a voice said in her ear. She turned to see Draco holding out his hand for her.

"What?" she asked surprised.

"Get her to chill, she's being overly nervous again." Ginny told Draco getting up too. "I'll meet you in the Gryffindor common room at 5." she said before walking off.

"Where are we going?" she asked taking his hand as he lead her outside.

"I was thinking Amour Circle again. I got some of your favorite foods…" Draco smiled as Hermione's face lit up.

"The wizarding food? Let's go!" Hermione smiled dragging Draco faster towards Amour Circle.

They nestled themselves in between the two willows and began their early lunch since neither had much breakfast.

"Do you think your parents will like me?" Draco asked watching as a little Slytherin boy chased around a fanged frisbee.

Hermione was startled and turned to face him from where she lay in between his legs basking in the sun. "Well I did...er complain about you when I was younger but I owled them that I was dating you a while back. After a few assurances, I think they understand somewhat." she said before posing a question herself. "Do you think your mother, obviously not your father, but do you think your mother will like me?!" she asked and couldn't help the panic flood into her voice.

"Don't worry Mya. She wants whatever I want. She just wants me to be happy. And you make me more than happy, so she'll understand I promise. She's nothing like my father." he assured drawing circles on her forearm.

"It's 4:45. I should go meet Ginny." Hermione said getting up. "I'll see you tonight."

"I'll meet you in the Gryffindor commons. Hurry up though will you? I don't fancy angry and vengeful Gryffindors tearing me apart." he said acting serious.

Hermione laughed and turned to head back towards Gryffindor tower.

Her dress was one she had had an eye on for a long time. She got it the same time she did for the Valentine's ball.

When she entered the tower, many boys were lounging around carelessly playing exploding snap.

"Come to join the squealing girls upstairs?" Dean asked looking up from his game with Seamus.

Hermione winced at the thought of the high pitch squeals as she entered the dorms. Girls were showering and doing their makeup with utmost attention and she spotted Ginny taking out her dress.

"Hey Hermione." Ginny smiled. "Ready? This looks like a nightmare of work." she nodded towards Lavender and Parvati who were focused so attentively on their makeup they hardly noticed the paper airplanes being sent up to drop off snarky comments from the boys downstairs.

"No…." Hermione sighed as she began the long process with Ginny.

Hermione had light makeup, nothing over the top. Her hair was down in lovely curls that framed her face wonderfully.

Her dress, was her favorite part of her entire outfit. The dress was a raspberry rosy pink colour that was strapless and heart shaped leading to an empire waist. It flared out in sharp angles of chiffon that flowed down magnificently. The back had a large oval sized opening with a thin layer of material over it.

Hermione matched it with a pair of light pink glossy heels that complimented her makeup. She'd never put this much effort into a ball before. But this was her time. She deserved this graduation ball after years of hard work.

Suddenly, a little girl in second year came skipping towards her and handed her a package. "A delivery for you, Miss. Granger." she said holding the book above her head. This girl reminded Hermione very much of a house elf.

"Thank you." she said not unkindly and took the package. She unwrapped it quite surprised to see her book she ordered from Flourish and Blotts that was under the 'Similar Books' in other pure blooded mariage books.

This book was called in beautiful scripted writing-"An Alternate Impossible Future"

She decided to flip through briefly and came to a stop when she read pg 47 in chapter 3-I do.

No. Not possible. No.

Hermione yanked out that particular page and placed it in her clutch somehow forcing her mind to believe that it was true before she slammed the book shut and shoved into her bag shaking her head feverently and rubbed her temples.

Impossible. It would never work. It was over.

She masked her fallen hope and walked down the stairs.

Draco was waiting there with a bouquet of red roses and his mouth promptly dropped upon seeing Hermione walk down the stairs.

"Bloody hell Hermione." he managed to get out before handing her the roses. He pulled her tight against him his lips close to her ear. "You are so beautiful."

Hermione smiled and kissed him softly. His hands gripped her waist firmly pressing her against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, raising her leg to wrap around his waist. Their lips were locked in a passionate kiss that rocked Hermione's world.

"Oh come on!" a familiar voice complained from behind them. They separated and turned to see Harry looking disgruntled as he entered with a disgusted look on his face. "Can't help but snog publicly can you?"

"Sorry Potter. I mean Mr. Potter. I mean Boss. I mean er….what should I call you?" Draco asked his arm firm around her waist.

Harry scowled. "All my workers call me Potter. And you haven't even passed Auror training yet. How am I supposed to know whether I'm Potter-Potter to you, or Potter-Boss-Potter to you."

Hermione shook her head and walked towards Harry and hugged him. 'It's good to see you."

"Good to see you to Mione. Although I would've fancied a more...subtle hello than bumping into….that." he shuddered. Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Be nice." she warned. "Both of you." she added. Draco dramatically sighed and wrapped his arms around her.

"Wow….er…..I guess….it takes a lot of love if Malfoy is willing to actually take orders from you." Harry said wrinkling his nose.

"I don't take orders." Draco huffed. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Shut up both of you. Draco we should get going. Harry we'll see you and Ginny there." Hermione said pulling Draco out of the portrait hole.

"Damn Potter for interrupting us." Draco grumbled as they headed towards the great hall.

"Oh according to Ginny, he's nothing compared to...Ron….Ron...was much...worse." Hermione trailed off. She shook her head and continued on.

Hermione and Draco took their seats as everyone else filed in. She waved to her parents and the Weasley's.

Mr and Mrs Weasley, Percy, George, Bill and Fleur were there smiling brightly next to her parents who beamed with pride.

Ginny, the chosen prefect to give the introduction speech finished, Hermione stood for her speech utterly shaking.

"Good evening parents, professors and students. Welcome to the Hogwarts Graduation Ceremony. I'm Hermione Granger and it is a pleasure to be your Head girl this year. Let me start off by saying that not long back, we were the first years starting off at Hogwarts. Just remember, how you felt, and looked when you received your Hogwarts letter. When you first went to Diagon Alley for supplies. When you first boarded the train to Hogwarts. When you got the first sight of this castle. When you entered it and was sorted into your house. Your home away from home inside another cosy home-Hogwarts. Your first class, your first time on a broomstick, your first exams, your first friends and adventures, your first match of quidditch, you first Hogsmeade trip, your first yule ball. And now...now look at you, and where you are. We are all at our final step. Our final part of our journey at Hogwarts. Although it is sad to say goodbye, it is not goodbye forever. In 2 years you could be a professor here. In 10 years you could be sending your kids here. In 18 years you could be sitting where your parents are sitting watching your child graduate. It's never really goodbye with Hogwarts. Hogwarts is always home. And we all have a place here. Thank you." Hermione finished to a massive applause.

She hadn't wanted to talk on and on about how their year was and all that, she wanted everyone to realize Hogwarts never truly left them. And realize the journey they've all taken from first year to last.

"Good evening fellow parents, professors and students. I'm Draco Malfoy your Head boy. Wow I wish I had gone first, because there's no way I'm topping that speech." Draco smiled at Hermione. The crowd roared with laughter. "I started here as a complete opposite of who I am now. Hogwarts changed me. It made me better, stronger and helped me grow into the person I want to be. This final year has made me realize who I want to be more than ever. To me, it was a year of self discovery and self growth. I discovered new things about myself and became the person I wanted to be. So just think….all these years...what has Hogwarts made you? Are you different from when you started on your first day or the same? What was this year to you? This is only the beginning my friends and we have much more to come. This is simply, the beginning of a new chapter." Draco finished sitting down to an applause to match Hermione's.

After McGonagall's speech, each student was called up to receive their diplomas. The graduating class stood before the crowd as one, to a loud round of applause.

Afterwards, was time to greet your parents for a while. Hermione's parents found her and enveloped her tightly hugging her close.

"We're so proud." her mother whispered tears falling. "We love you so much."

"I love you too mom." she replied hugging them both. The Weasleys and Harry made their way towards them and began hugging again.

"Congratulations Hermione." Mrs Weasley cried hugging her hard. Hermione had always been so grateful that the rest of the Weasley's still welcomed her despite her downhill with Ron.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Hermione responded her eyes wettening.

After rounds of hugging and talking, Hermione searched the crowd for the familiar blond. Instead she spotted Mrs. Malfoy sitting at a table sipping wine. She took a big breath and walked towards her. Mrs. Malfoy looked up and smiled.

"Hello Miss. Granger, that was a wonderful speech." Mrs. Malfoy complimented.

"Thank you Mrs. Malfoy. I...just wanted to introduce myself formally. I'm Hermione Granger, please call me Hermione." Hermione managed to keep her tone smooth and not shaky as she felt.

"Then I'm Narcissa to you." Narcissa said gently grasping Hermione hand. "I truly thank you for helping my son and appreciating who he wanted to become. And giving him the love he deserves."

"I love your son very much. And he changed on his own accord. He really is a good man." Hermione smiled shyly.

"I know he wasn't the kindest when you were younger but he had a lot of respect for you until his father told him otherwise. I know he still respected and liked you, I just wished Lucius hadn't ruined our little boy." Narcissa said a little sadly.

"I know what you did for Harry." Hermione said softly. "That was very brave."

"Thank you, but really, I just wanted to see my son." Narcissa smiled waterly.

"Understandable but still nevertheless brave." Hermione squeezed her hand.

"You're good for him Hermione. Take care of my boy." Narcissa said when Blaise began shouting.

"PARTY TIME! PARENTS OUT!" he hollered. Mrs. Zabini whacked him on the head but he was still grinning away madly.

"I will." Hermione added to Narcissa as she stood to leave. Hermione spotted Draco to her surprise, bidding her father and mother goodbye.

"I did raise him with manners." Narcissa smiled seeing what she was seeing.

"Goodbye Narcissa." Hermione said smiling. Narcissa pulled her in for a hug.

"Goodbye Hermione, you must come over for dinner soon." she added before whisking off along with the parents whom were rudely kicked out by Blaise.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there when you were talking to my parents." Hermione said smiling at Draco who wrapped an arm around her waist.

"It's all good. They were very polite and understanding." he grinned. "I see you met mother dragon. How was she? I wish I was there, you should have called me."

"I couldn't find you. She was just lovely." Hermione assured.

"HEY DRACO. DO YOU HAVE SOME HANGOVER POTION?!" Ginny screamed over the noise. "MCGONAGALL DOESN'T WANT ANYONE DRUNK DURING THE BALL!"

"I forgot some." Draco said smacking his forehead.

"I brought some. Here look through this, see if you can find it. I'm gonna go welcome the band in to set up." Hermione shoved the clutch in his hands and made her way towards the weird sisters.

The party was very much like not a ball and more of a club again. She couldn't blame the Slytherin's, they were all free now and wanted to party.

She found a few friends and she talked merrily before going in search of Draco.

"Meet me at Amour Circle in 30 minutes." he whispered suddenly in her ear.

"Why?" she asked quizzically.

"I have a surprise for you, but I really need to go do something. Just hold on! I'll see you there!" he said smiling before rushing off.

Hermione was flabbergasted and utterly confused. That was Draco for you she shrugged still confused. But Ginny dragged her to the dance floor as the weird sisters began playing.

"Don't drink Ginny, you're pregnant remember? How did the family take it?" Hermione asked as they danced on the dance floor.

"Happy but a little surprised we didn't wait for marriage. They thought we were bound to get married anyways." Ginny grinned as they kept dancing.

At 20 minutes to, Hermione exited the great hall and made her way to Amour Circle. Her heart beat increased as she walked outside the grounds.

She pushed her way through the trees and stopped short in front of Amour Circle.

There were lanterns hanging on trees, each giving off an peachy glow. Draco stood in the middle of the circle waiting for her with more roses.

She walked up to him and hugged him hard. "Where did you go?" she asked.
"To call back my mother." he said smiling.

"Why?" she asked her confusion growing.

"Because." he simply answered. He then bent down on one knee and pulled out a blue velvet box. "Hermione Granger...I love you... more than life itself. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" he asked opening the box to reveal a beautiful diamond on a thin band with two smaller sapphires beside it.

Hermione was shocked as tears threatened to spill. "Yes." she murmured yanking him up to kiss him hard. He lifted her up and she could feel him smiling against her.

"But what about…?" she trailed off her face falling.

"I read that piece of paper in your clutch. The one from that book! About how to break the betrothal." he smiled.

"I didn't tell you because I thought it was impossible. It said that the Head of Malfoy house must give blessing of alternate marriage to break betrothal. Lucius would never do that." Hermione whispered.

"Right, but Lucius is in jail, therefore ineligible to be Head of Malfoy house. I am too young, until my 20th birthday. Therefore….my mother is head of Malfoy house." Draco beamed.

Hermione's face lit up. "And what did she say?" she asked excitedly.

"I called her back through McGonagall's floo after asking permission. She came over and blessed the ring with her approval." Draco murmured taking her left hand and slipping the ring onto it. A small glow emitted from it.

"I love you Draco, so much." Hermione murmured kissing his jaw, tears falling. "I love you more than I can say."

"I love you more. And I can't wait to spend the rest of forever proving that to you." he whispered kissing her longingly.

Author's Note

Yayyyyy. Long chappie, really hope you liked it!

NOT the end, there will be more, this series is long…..

Please review your thoughts!