DISCLAIMER: Refer to previous chapter.

Previously:

"Did Ron pay you to kiss Draco? I want the truth. Now," demanded Hermione as the end of the song played, stopping Romilda from answering for a few seconds.

Ron reached Hermione's side as Romilda gave her answer.

"Yes. He did."

Chapter Nineteen: Leaving Home

"Do you think she is asking her?" asked Draco watching Hermione walk over to Romilda.

Pansy nodded, "Something inside her has finally made her go ask."

The three watched as Hermione waited for Romilda to answer her, as Ron went hurrying over.

"Oh… she is going to answer now," whispered Millicent as the song ended another began.

HD

Hermione took a deep breath as Romilda looked at her with wide eyes. Ron however was trying to leave but Hermione suddenly grabbed him tightly by the arm stopped him from leaving.

She turned and looked at him with brown eyes full of mixed emotions. A few people were starting to look at the pair wondering what exactly was going to happen.

"We are going to discuss this now, outside so we don't ruin anyone's night," said Hermione quietly before leading Ron out through the Entrance Hall to the cool air outside at the castle steps. It was when the door snapped shut behind them that Hermione exploded, "Why did you do that? I thought you were my friend! My best friend! I thought you would at least want the person you claim to love to be happy, regardless of who it is with!"

"I was jealous," said Ron lamely.

"Oh and that's meant to be an excuse?" cried Hermione in disbelief, "I was told by two best friends of mine that you paid Romilda bloody Vane to kiss Draco but I didn't want to believe it because I thought that was not something you would sink so low to do!"

"I'm sorry, Hermione."

"Sorry isn't going to give me back the relationship I had with Draco, is it?" whispered Hermione turning away from Ron blinking back tears.

"Please Hermione-"

"The best thing you could do right now is to just stay away from me. At the moment I want nothing to do with you. You have really hurt me Ron and I don't know if I could ever trust you again, let alone consider you a good friend."

Ron backed away from Hermione looking miserable and beyond guilty. He headed inside as Hermione stood looking out at the night sky not knowing if she should cry or go speak to Draco.

"Sweetie?"

Hermione looked up to see her mother stepping outside dressed in a black dress with a matching light cardigan.

"Oh, hey Mum," said Hermione attempting a smile.

"Did you and Ronald have a fight?"

"More like a revelation of lies and deceit."

Hermione took in a deep breath as her mother gave her a sympathetic look.

"Your father just had a good talk with that Draco boy. He seems like a nice young man. Your father said he truly cares about you… that he would do anything to have you back in his life."

Hermione looked at her mother and gave a sniffle, "Do you think he is worth it?"

"Honey I can't answer that. Only you can decide if he is."

Hermione nodded and took a deep shuddering breath; "I should go and talk to him then."

Her mother smiled and the pair headed back into the dance where people were either dancing or sitting at their tables. Hermione parted with her mother who went to join her father as she searched for Draco. She frowned as she looked around wondering where he could have possibly disappeared too.

"Looking for me?"

Hermione spun around, coming face to face with Draco, "Hi."

"Hi," he replied, "So…"

"I am so sorry," said Hermione desperately, "I just… well…"

"You wanted to have faith in your friend's?" finished Draco.

Hermione nodded lamely not looking him in the eyes.

"We all do. And we all do stupid things," sighed Draco, "I think I am prime example of stupid things."

Hermione gave a half laugh and looked at him, "So… you met my dad, huh?"

"Yeah. He is a nice guy. He asked why we broke up."

"Oh… did… did you tell him?"

"I just said someone with bad jealously came between us."

Hermione nodded and both fell silent as Pansy and Millicent skipped over to them in beat to the music.

"So, have you both kissed and made up?" asked Pansy grinning.

"We are too soon, Pans," whispered Millicent, "Come on… lets go dance."

Pansy and Millicent skipped off to the crowded dance floor. Hermione and Draco smiled at each other awkwardly listening to the Weird Sister's singing a song called, "Takes Two To Tango." It was a fast paced song and people were dancing in groups or couples all over the place.

"My mum used to sing this song," said Draco suddenly, "She would sing it once a day and make me dance with her."

Hermione smiled, "It's a fun song."

"Let me guess, this is your first time hearing it?"

Hermione nodded, "Bingo."

"That song I requested… it was a muggle one."

"I know. I love the band that sing it," said Hermione with a small smile, "I think it was seeing you looking out at the parents that made me realise that you wouldn't push me away when you…"

"When I what?" asked Draco wanting her to continue.

"Didn't want to lose me… again."

"Bingo," said Draco quietly.

A slower song came on and the DJ made a call for all the couples to enjoy this one.

"Care too dance?" asked Draco holding his hand out.

Hermione took it and he led her to the dance floor unaware of her parents watching with satisfied smiles.

At first they kept a gap between their two bodies, both feeling a little awkward. It was someone bumping into the back of Hermione that caused her to step closer to Draco. She looked up at him about to apologise but he gave her a soft smile that told her he had no problems with them being that close and neither did she.

He shifted his hands to the small of her back as she rested her head on his shoulder a small smile on her face. Nothing else mattered. Nothing at all, because Hermione knew he was worth it. She tilted her head back and met his mesmerizing grey eyes. Slowly their faces came closer together, his hands trying to draw her closer to him, if it was possible. The kiss was slow at first, a little hesitant before both let the overwhelming emotions take them over. Hermione's hands left Draco's shoulders with one on the side of his cheek the other playing with the back of his hair.

They broke apart, a little breathless but smiling. It felt like years since both had felt anything remotely relatable to that one moment.

"Well," said Draco, smiling at her softly, "I never dreamt of that to happen tonight."

Hermione gave him a smile and glanced away to see Pansy and Millicent jumping up and down excitedly, her parents were smiling, Mr and Mrs Weasley seemed confused, Harry and Ginny didn't know what to think, whilst Ron looked ready to either faint or kick and scream in frustration. Hermione couldn't really decide what he looked to be feeling.

"Everything okay?" asked Draco seeing Hermione's concerned face. He followed her eye sight and withheld an annoyed sigh, "Worried about the Weasel?"

"I know I shouldn't but… but I am. I just can't bring myself to face him at the moment," sighed Hermione looking away from Ron and resting her head on Draco's chest as he circled his arms around her more snugly.

"Do you think you could forgive him?"

Hermione shrugged and sighed, "Lets not talk about it. I want to enjoy tonight."

Draco nodded and gave a soft smile. He was glad Ron's plan backfired because if it hadn't he wouldn't have Hermione in his arms.

HD

Hermione woke the next morning with a sense of dread. Not because she was back with Draco, but because at 11am that morning she would be boarding the train away from Hogwarts for the last time. She sat up and looked around her packed room and wiped a stray tear away. She stood and dressed into jeans and a maroon shirt. She tidied her hair into a ponytail and slipped on her black slip ons before leaving her room. Harry was up and standing on the balcony looking out of the view with a look of reminiscence on his face.

"Hey," said Hermione standing beside him, "Last minute look?"

"Yeah. Hard to believe seven years have flown by."

"I know. So much has happened."

"Yeah… the troll."

Hermione grinned, "Fluffy."

"Chamber of Secret's."

"Lupin's furry problem."

"Triwizard tournament."

"Department of Mysteries."

"Half-blood Prince."

"The war."

"The issues," finished Harry, "Finishing with the solutions."

Hermione nodded, "Now its University."

Harry nodded as they walked into the common room, "So, I saw you and Malfoy worked things out."

"Did Ron tell you what happened?"

Harry nodded, "Ginny is pretty pissed with him."

"What about you?"

"What can I say? We all make mistakes. You did, Malfoy has made tonnes… I have made mistakes as well. Ron just made a big out of jealousy. He knows he has done wrong by you… you can't leave Hogwarts on bad terms with him Hermione."

Hermione gave a nod, "Well, lets go to the Gryffindor Common Room. I want one last look before breakfast."

HD

"You look really happy for this hour of the morning," said Pansy entering the Common Room and finding Draco sitting on the lounge reading the paper and smiling.

"Well, I did get Hermione back last night," said Draco, "And I am going to University to play Quidditch."

"With Potter," pointed out Millicent flopping down beside Draco, "And Weasley is going to the same University as well."

"Do you pair have an aim to remind me of all the bad stuff so I am in my normal morning bad mood?" asked Draco with a look of amusement on his face.

Pansy and Millicent both grinned in reply and the Slytherin trio left for the Great Hall talking about old memories.

"And I can so remember when Greg tried to crack onto you," said Draco smiling at Millicent, "I think you responded with a book to the groin."

Millicent smiled, "Well, he ended up trying it on some one else. I can't remember who but."

"My fondest memory," said Pansy quietly, "Was Blaise kissing me for the first time… it was a simple, sweet single kiss."

Draco and Millicent both smiled at Pansy. They both knew her and Blaise planned on going travelling before University began.

"You know, maybe I should live out the plans Blaise and I had for this summer," said Pansy, "Maybe I can finally say goodbye after that. I've let William go… but not Blaise."

"Hey, that sounds like a brilliant idea," said Millicent as they sat at the Slytherin table, "Where did you both plan on going?"

"Australia first then New Zealand. After that we wanted to see Vanuatu, Singapore, China, America and then randomly pick countries."

"Sounds like fun," grinned Draco.

HD

"Ron."

"Hermione."

"We need to talk."

"I know."

"Well can we?"

"I guess so."

Hermione and Ron walked over to the Common Room window that looked out to Hagrid's Hut. That was another place Hermione had to visit before leaving time.

"Look," said Ron beating Hermione to the speaking part, "I am sincerely sorry for the stunt I pulled. I am a total… jerk, idiot… any name you can think of, that is who I am. I don't want to lose our friendship, Hermione. We have been best friends for years… you… you really are a sister to me."

Hermione nodded, "What you did hurt me. But someone made me see some sense. We all make mistakes, little ones, and the huge ones. But every one deserves a second chance or however many I have given Draco. And I will give you that chance to prove that you are my friend and not someone out to sabotage my happiness."

"I won't… but you don't expect me to be nice to Malfoy do you?"

Hermione gave Ron a raised eyebrow look, "And even if I did it wouldn't happen. It would flood for two years before that ever happened."

"Okay… I won't share words with him… I just won't play best buddies with him either."

Hermione smiled and hugged Ron, "That's all I can ask for. Come on, you must be starving. It's ten past eight and you haven't eaten since last night."

"Now that you mention it, I am a tad hungry," said Ron as his stomach gave a huge growl.

Hermione chuckled, "Yeah a tad hungry. Harry, Ginny? Coming?"

The two lovebirds parted at the lips and followed the other two to the Great Hall, talking and laughing along the way with other Gryffindor's.

They entered the Great Hall and Hermione smiled and waved to Draco, Pansy, and Millicent. The three waved back, though Draco seemed surprise to see Hermione and Ron laughing and talking like nothing happened at all.

"Pass the omelettes?" said Hermione to Harry, who passed them.

"Can someone pass the toast tray?" called Neville, "Not the ones with jam on them. The ones with only butter."

"Who drank all the pumpkin juice?" cried Seamus, "Never mind, it is refilling."

"Someone picked all the strawberries," moaned Lavender pushing the fruit bowl away, "Any yoghurt left?"

The normal chatter continued before moving onto funny moments shared by all, from Hermione storming out of Trelawney's lesson to Dumbledore's Army.

"Okay," said Ron grinning, "How about this- Cornish Pixies."

The seventh year's cracked up laughing with other students frowning at them. They calmed down enough to finish eating and parted ways to go see special places one last time. Hermione, Harry, and Ron headed directly to Hagrid's Hut. Hermione kept blinking back tears whilst Harry and Ron remained strangely quiet.

Harry knocked on the door and Fang gave a loud bark. Hagrid opened it and beamed down at them.

"I was hopin' yer would come see me," he said letting them in with Fang bounding around until Ron scratched him behind the ears, "So, yer leave soon."

"Yeah. At 10:30 we head to the station," nodded Harry.

"Ah, hard ter believe yer won't be comin' back next year," sighed Hagrid, "Like sayin' goodbye to James, Lily, Sirius an' Remus again."

Hermione let out a chocked sob finally. She turned away but Hagrid placed a heavy hand on her shoulder smiling at her fondly.

"No need ter cry. No one's sayin' we won't see each other again. We can always meet at Hogsmeade."

"I-I know," nodded Hermione, "But… it's really over."

Harry and Ron nodded quietly.

"Jus' think, yer will be at University soon an' Hogwarts will be a distant memory," said Hagrid brightly though he looked a little emotional himself.

"Hogwarts will never be a distant memory," said Harry firmly, "Hogwarts is special… it has been my home."

"Well, yer all have ter leave home sometime," sighed Hagrid, "But never forget ter visit once an' a while."

HD

Hermione looked at the lake with a soft smile. Harry and Ron had gone flying with the team one last time and Hermione had taken to having one last walk around the lake. She now stood on the shore wiping random tears away.

"Thought I'd find you here."

Hermione looked up and smiled at Draco, "Seeing my favourite spots one last time."

"I've done that as well. So… so you worked things out with Ron?"

Hermione nodded, "I know you think I'm insane but everyone deserves another chance. I've given you a fair few. Ron knows he did something horrible but… well… he's my best friend, my brother even. I can't leave with things sour between us both."

Draco nodded, "I'm not going to be his friend."

Hermione gave a chuckle remembering Ron's comments earlier, "I know. I don't expect that."

"I'll keep my words to him too a minimum for you… but no buddy behaviour."

Hermione smiled at Draco and nodded, "That's all I can ask."

Draco gave a final nod and wrapped his arms around Hermione as the bell sounded. Hermione looked at her watch and saw it was 10:15. Tears started to fill her eyes as she realised it was time to line up to board the carriages.

"Hey… don't cry," said Draco wiping Hermione's tears away gently before slipping his hand into hers, "Come on."

The pair walked back to the castle with Hermione sniffling every few seconds. Students were filling the Entrance Hall up, lining up in year order. Hermione and Draco reached the end of the line where Harry and Ron stood. Pansy and Millicent lined up behind Draco and all were quiet. McGonagall walked up and down the line counting heads before telling Filch to let the first years and second years on.

Slowly year-by-year filed out and before they knew it the sixth years were boarding.

"Seventh years," said McGonagall her eyes looking teary, "I have never said this… but your year… you have outshone every other year with a breeze. I am proud of you all and believe you will go far as every single one of you have either got University or a job lined up."

Hermione let out a sob, as did a few other girls. Draco wrapped an arm around her swallowing a lump in his own throat. Finally they began boarding the carriages. Harry and Ron shared one with Hermione, Draco, Pansy, and Millicent and within five minutes they were moving. The group of them looked out the windows watching Hogwarts grow smaller with size. Hagrid stood outside his Hut waving too them all holding a handkerchief in one hand, Fang beside him barking loudly. But before they knew it, they were rolling into Hogsmeade station.

They hurried onto the train and Hermione suddenly realised she didn't know who to sit with.

"How about you sit with Malfoy and them for a while and come see us?" said Ginny who had waited for them.

"No," spoke up Draco, "Hermione sit with your friends. I'll see you at 9 and ¾'s. I swear."

Hermione seemed unsure but nodded and followed Ginny to the compartment Harry and Ron had found. They sat around quietly for the first half hour before breaking into chatter and playing the traditional game of exploding snap. The food cart lady came around and Harry brought them a mountain of goodies, ranging from Chocolate Frogs to Cauldron Cakes.

HD

In Draco's compartment things were similar. Draco, Pansy, and Millicent played wizard chess, ate their chocolate and discussed University. As the hours ran by and the day got darker the talk never ended and before they all knew it the train was pulling into Platform 9 and ¾'s. They grabbed their gear and climbed off the train to the busy platform. Parents were calling out to their children and excitedly greeting them. The Seventh years were smiling but realisation was dawning on them that they might never see each other again.

Draco, Pansy, and Millicent knew they would keep in touch but they knew that might not be so with other people. Draco hugged goodbye his teammates and told Chris Lowe to keep the team in shape next year.

Hermione was hugging all her classmates, even Lavender Brown. Harry said they would meet up during the summer at Hogsmeade for drinks and it would become tradition. Hermione finally left her friends after hugging Harry, Ron, and Ginny goodbye and found Draco with Pansy and Millicent.

"Oh, Mione!" said Pansy seeing she had been crying, "Cheer up!"

Hermione gave a smile and sighed leaning her head on Draco who had an arm around her, "So… my parents must be waiting."

"Same," said Millicent and Pansy.

"Herms, this is goodbye until Christmas," said Pansy, "I'm going travelling starting next week."

Hermione's mouth fell open, "Oh… that sounds brilliant."

Pansy gave a smile and her and Hermione hugged, both crying. Hermione hugged Millicent with tears again and the two said goodbye to Draco with hugs and left.

"Come on," said Hermione picking her trunk up, "My parents will want to see you anyway."

The pair ran out through the barrier together and sure enough, Mr and Mrs Granger were waiting with smiles.

"Honey, cheer up," said Mrs Granger in greeting, "Hello Draco."

"Hi Mrs Granger, Mr Granger," said Draco nodding to them both awkwardly.

"Please, call me Sam," said Hermione's father.

"And call me Elle," added Mrs Granger, "We should head home."

Hermione looked at Draco worriedly before turning to her parents, "Draco is returning to an empty mansion."

Elle looked shocked at the idea and looked at Sam who was frowning at the thought of returning home to nothing.

"Then Draco will be joining us for dinner," replied Sam.

"You don't have to do that," said Draco suddenly, "I don't want to be a trouble."

"It's no trouble," insisted Elle, "You are our daughters boyfriend. That is practically family. Come on. The car isn't far."

Hermione smiled and entwined her fingers with Draco, "Come on family man."

Draco smiled and walked with Hermione out of the train station. The chapter of Hogwarts may have ended but another one called University was just beginning and so far, Draco liked how it was turning out.

A/N: So… can anyone smell a sequel? I can. I will have that up as soon as possible. It will be called You're All I Have. It will have new faces and places, along with old faces and places. Something from Hermione's past will come back to haunt her... Review!

Until next time!

Love yas!

Love Coz!