[A/N: Hey guys, thanks for all the reviews and favourites. You guys are awesome. Here's the next chapter! If you can't tell, we're entering the final stretch, but there's still a few chapters to go. I'm in my summer break so there'll be more frequent updates until we're done. Enjoy this one!]

Chapter 13:

Impossibility

After that extremely awkward moment on the couch with Draco, Hermione had pretended that nothing had happened. And nothing really had. Even if she was going to face him differently now, and with less hostility, it wasn't like she still loved him.

They ended up running into each other in Flourish and Blotts early one Saturday morning, when the shop was almost empty. Draco's head was just visible above a bookcase and when Hermione rounded the corner, she found him not only with his nose stuck in a book, but struggling with half a dozen picture books held in his arms.

"Do you need some help?"

At the sound of a voice so close behind him, Draco span around, managing to drop all but one of the books.

"It seems like you do," Hermione added, picking up the scattered books and handing them back to Draco before he finished registering that he should pick them up.

Draco muttered his thanks and enquired, "How are you?"

"Good, good. And you?"

"Oh, you know. The usual. I'm good. Normal, you know?" He struggled, still awkward from the last time they'd met. "I'm picking up some books for Alec to have for at my place. Do you think he'd like these? I mean, they're picture books... is he too advanced for that?"

Hermione smiled, "No, no, they're fine. Plus, you're never too old for a picture book. I'm sure he'll love them."

They started walking toward the counter, Draco with his numerous books and Hermione with just one.

"Why isn't Diggleby here with you?" He asked suddenly. Hermione raised an eyebrow at the purposeful mispronunciation and Draco added, muttering, "I would have thought that he'd stick to your shoe like gum most of the time..."

"Actually, we broke up."

Draco grinned, before covering up his reaction with a not-so-subtle cough.

It was several days after The Incident and instead of wallowing at home with Alec on a Sunday afternoon, she sat in the Potters' garden with Harry as they watched their children play.

"You have to dump Digby, Hermione," he said bluntly.

Hermione's head snapped toward him, "Why?"

Harry frowned apologetically, but added, "He's a bore. He's not all that great of a person. Most of all, you don't like him."

She opened her mouth to protest but her friend held up a hand to stop her.

"I know that you're only dating him to annoy Draco. In the beginning, yes, you were interested. But now? I doubt you can stand him any more than Draco can."

Hermione fixed her gaze on the children once again and shrugged, "He's a nice person... but I was already planning on breaking up with him. I've fully forgiven Draco and it's time I stopped punishing him."

Harry's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was unlike Hermione to admit that she was even somewhat in the wrong.

"Good. Do it sooner than later, though, 'Mione."

She laughed, "Merlin, yes."

Hermione had to smother a laugh at Draco's reaction. He was overjoyed.

Still spluttering, he asked, "Can I ask why? You seemed to like him..."

"He was a nice, smart person. But I fell asleep twice while he was telling me about his work, and he wasn't funny. I didn't like him, but he's a decent man," she concluded. "Another reason I continued to date him was because you hated him, I have to admit, and when I decided that I can't hate you anymore and that we should move on from the pas-"

Hermione froze, realising that she'd said more than she had intended.

But instead of grinning again, Draco just nodded, quietly responding with, "I appreciate that. Thank you."

"So, er, friends?"

"Definitely," he said, proffering his hand.

"I'm glad."

She placed her hand in his and instead of shaking it, he just held it. One thumb slowly moved until it was softly caressing her hand. His eyes met hers and they were so warm, so thankful, so happy that Hermione wanted to cry.

Had she really been that awful?

Yes, yes she had. But she had stopped and she had apologised.

They were moving on.

They were... holding hands.

Still.

Draco's eyes darkened slightly and Hermione swore she saw some indecision in them, before he leant forward and-

"Sir, please take your books."

Hermione blinked and stepped back, pulling her hand away.

They were in public.

They were in a bookshop.

And they had been holding hands.

She'd just forgiven him and now they were holding hands?

What had she gotten herself into?

Digby had been unsurprised by her suggestion that they break up. He hadn't argued that they should persevere or try to work things out. He didn't ask for excuses or pretend to give them. In fact, he said that he'd known for a while that they wouldn't work out.

"It's the Malfoy bloke, isn't it? Alec's father?"

Hermione couldn't respond. It wasn't really about Draco...

"I saw it in your eyes that day when we met, and every time you mention him. There's something there. Whether it's old feelings or a new romance, I don't know. But don't kid yourself anymore, Hermione."

"I-I..."

"I don't care what your excuses are. We aren't suited, anyway. You're a bit... unconventional for me, to be honest. I need someone a bit more stable, a bit more... studious?"

Hermione wanted to laugh, but she was having trouble comprehending what had just happened.

Was he... dumping her?

Was he saying that she loved Draco?

That was... an impossibility.

Or so she thought until they were standing in a bookshop holding hands the next day, gazing into each other's eyes.

An impossibility.

No way.