AN: DRamione would not leave me alone -_- this is it though! Last chapter, for real! Enjoy : )

Making Amends:

Hermione was getting quite used to the loneliness she would feel throughout the day. With Harry, Ron, and Ginny not talking to her (and the rest of her dorm mates not being quite on her level) she felt like it was third year all over again.

Sure she had Draco, but he had his own friends and life too; and Hermione did not want to be that girlfriend. As she looked over some Runes for a review lesson Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil came into the room.

"Crying! I didn't know what to do. And he won't talk to me about it but I know it's Hermione's fault." Lavender was saying.

Hermione's bed hangings were drawn already so she cast a silent enchantment so the other girls would think she wasn't there.

"I heard from Dean that it's because she's snogging that Malfoy from Slytherin. That's why they're all fighting." Parvati gossiped.

"Well still. Crying about it? What's a girlfriend to do? I tried distracting him, even unbuttoned my blouse! Not even a hint of interest."

"He doesn't fancy her Lav. Don't worry about it. He always says she insufferable."

Lav didn't seem assuaged.

"Well, I wouldn't mind at all that they were fighting, and frankly I don't care who Hermione is snogging. I just want my WonWon to be happy again."

Hermione could feel her anger mounting. She abandoned her essay and fumed until the girls went to bed. Harry, Ron and Ginny had been mad at her since before Christmas holiday. After the break she thought they might have been able to be friends, but to no avail. She had to get her friends back. She stewed silently, resolving to make everything right in the morning.

...

Hermione awoke refreshed and ready to make amends. She would start with Harry she decided; he was her best friend and most likely to see reason.

She dressed and went down to breakfast alone as usual. She found Draco sitting with his usual friends; she waved to him but made a beeline for the Gryffindor table. She sat down next to harry as though they weren't fighting.

"Morning." She said cheerily.

Harry looked at her as though she'd gone insane before ignoring her completely. She felt her heart break slightly. She was hoping her Christmas packages had won them over and while she got a hastened 'Thanks' in response she felt sure that had been the owl's doing more than their sense of gratitude and forgiveness.

"Harry, please just let me explain." Hermione's voice was soft and a hint of desperation tinted her words.

Harry didn't answer her but he did acknowledge he was listening. "I'll be in the courtyard after classes. Please."

She got up and hurried out of the hall.

Classes went by agonizingly slow as Hermione thought and rethought her strategy to get Harry to forgive her. She was so used to the boys ignoring her in classes that she didn't even bother to make small talk as usual. Instead she tried to plan out a speech to deliver so as to convince Harry that he was being a prat. She could tell him the truth about her and Draco but she felt like that might not be enough.

At last the final class let out and she ran to the courtyard. She waited in the cold for only a few minutes before Harry joined her.

"I've got Quidditch." He said impatiently.

Hermione would have been lying if she said his tone didn't hurt her.

"Harry, you're my best friend. And I would do anything for you. I'd fight for you, I'd support you, risk my life, all for you. All I'm asking is that you let me make my own choices and don't judge me for them or hate me. If you want I'll tell you everything about how Draco and I ended up together. I'll tell you why I feel this way. But please, don't write me off Harry."

Harry sighed, "Let's go someplace warm to talk. I have a feeling this is going to be a long story."

Hermione beamed at Harry and followed him inside.

"How long do you have before Quidditch?" Hermione asked as they looked for an empty quiet space.

"I don't really have Quidditch today." Harry admitted.

"Oh."

"Here should be good." they ducked into an empty classroom.

Hermione sighed, not knowing where to start. "So, I guess your biggest question is 'why Malfoy'?"

"Pretty much." Harry still had his impatient tone.

"Well, it started over the summer break kind of –"

"That was ages ago! You've been hiding it all this time?"

"Yes. Because I knew you'd react like this. And I don't blame you. But please, let me talk."

Harry crossed his arms and waiated for Hermione to continue.

"So, it was over summer break when we were in Diagon Alley. Remember when we saw Draco and Mrs. Malfoy going to Borgin and Burkes? Well, that wasn't the first time I had seen him that day. While we were in the twins shop I saw him and I was curious so I followed him – Mrs. Weasley was keeping an eye on you and her kids so sneaking away wasn't too hard. Anyway, I followed him outside and I heard him arguing with his mother. She was saying something about how she didn't like it any more than he did but that he had to do it for the family.

Well, then Draco said, 'I don't want to pay for Father's mistakes'. And there was so much raw honesty in his voice… well he saw me eavesdropping and he said. 'What are you doing Granger?' and I said, 'That was really brave of you. Standing up against your mother.' And he scowled and followed Mrs. Malfoy up the street. But that is the moment I can pinpoint to the start of it all."

Harry had an eyebrow raised. "So you're dating a muggle-born hating Death Eater because he argued with his mother?" he scoffed.

"No. But that was the start. Shall I continue?" Harry gestured for her to continue. "Thank you. So then I ran into him on the train. He was all alone in a compartment and I almost walked by him when he called to me.

'Hey Granger?'

'Yea?' I said.

'How are you?' he asked.

I admit I was taken aback by this pleasantry, but rather than put up my defenses I just answered him.

'Fine. You?'

'Been better.' He said with a hollowed laugh.

'Nice summer?'

'Not really. My dad's in Azkaban and I'm meant to take his place amongst the ranks of the Dark Lord. Nothing like having your future planned out for you.'

I felt compelled at this point – I don't know if it was the compassion within me or it was his big sad eyes but is at down across from him and I looked into said eyes and said –

'You don't have to do it Draco. Whatever you think you have to do you always have a choice.'

And he said, 'What if I really don't?'

And I remained resolute and said, 'You always have a choice Draco.'

He didn't answer and we sat in silence for a long time. Eventually I got up to leave when he grabbed my hand and said, 'I'm sorry I called you a mudblood.' And I swear he was almost crying.

'I forgive you.' I said.

He released my hand and looked out the window so I left.

But the relationship officially started after potions about a week later. He pulled me aside and asked me how I was so good at everything. I told him it's because I focus, concentrate and study. And he caught me off guard by saying he couldn't stop thinking of me and the things I said to him. I admit, at first I thought he was playing a trick or something. And then he kissed me."

"He kissed you?" Harry exploded.

"Yea. I was pretty shocked too. I kind of pushed him away. But then I realized I kind of liked it. So, well, I kissed him. But I made him promise not to tell anyone until I worked out how to tell you and Ron myself. But I couldn't figure out how to tell you. I'm so sorry. All I know is he's trying so hard to not be what everyone expects. He doesn't want to just be a pawn of You-Know-Who's. And he thinks his father might have even deserved to go to jail. He wants to be better Harry. You-Know-Who scares him. He wants a different, better life.

And I'm so sorry I hid this from you. I didn't know how to tell you."

"Thank you for telling me the truth Hermione. I don't trust him. I don't like him. I don't approve of your choice. But you're my best friend. I love you like I imagine a brother would love a sister. I don't want you to get hurt. But it's your life Hermione. You should be able to make your own choices so, I can't say I support you per say but I won't ignore you anymore."

"We can be friends again?" Hermione tried to keep in the smile threatening to spread across her face.

"Of course."

Hermione leapt into Harry's arms. "Oh, I'm so glad! You're my best friend and I've missed you so much!"

"I missed you too Hermione." And he had.

"Now I have to figure out how to get Ron and Ginny to forgive me."

"Ron will probably come around. Ginny though, she can be stubborn."

"Maybe you can help me with Ginny? She'll listen to you."

"Oh no. Hermione you're on your own."

Hermione sighed, "It's okay. Hopefully I can get through to them."

"I think they were just stunned by the news Hermione."

"Yea. It's kind of boggling."

"We've been in here for ages. Are you hungry?"

Hermione smiled, "Starving."

"Come on."

Hermione walked with Harry to the great hall. They spotted Ron and Lav sitting near Ginny and Dean.

Harry sat across from Ginny and Hermione sat next to him.

"Hey." She smiled.

Ginny pointedly ignored her and Ron turned to Harry.

"You forgave her?" he asked as though Hermione weren't sitting right there.

"Can we talk later?" Harry asked.

"You do realized she's snogging Malfoy." Ron barged on.

"It's her decision. We can warn her, advise her, but in the end its her decision. Friends support each other."

Hermione could have kissed Harry for being so sweet.

Ron scoffed. "How did this even happen?"

Hermione sighed, "I'll tell you everything."

…...

Hermione, Harry, and Ron were sitting in their usual spot by the fireplace. Hermione had finally convinced Ron that her mistakes were her own to make and that Ron should support her even if he couldn't accept it.

Ron sighed, "It's Malfoy though. Couldn't you go for Seamus or Lee? Or hell, Harry or anyone?"

Hermione smiled slightly. She knew he had forgiven her.

"You're really dating Malfoy?"

"Yes." Hermione said firmly.

Ron shrugged. "Don't expect me to be his friend or anything."

"Oh Ron!" Hermione hugged Ron and smiled.

With her two best friends back Hermione felt amazing. Now to work on Ginny.

...

"Granger!"

Hermione turned at the sound of her name. "Hi Draco."

He kissed her slowly on the mouth, enjoying the moment.

"I like not hiding our relationship." Draco said as he broke away.

"Me too." Hermione said, slipping her arm around Draco.

"Do we have to talk to Weasley?" Draco asked as they headed to the Quidditch pitch.

Hermione glared at him, "Yes. Ginny's my friend. She'll take a bit more convincing though. I think she hates you most." She said this matter-of-factly.

"Gee, that makes me feel like doing this." Draco huffed.

"I'm sorry. But there's no point sugar coating it."

The pair arrived at the pitch and watched the Gryffindor team practice. They were all flying exceptionally well and though Hermione wasn't the best at sports she could tell they stood a sporting chance of winning the match.

"They're going to think I'm a spy or something. Can't you do this alone?"

"Is Draco Malfoy afraid?" Hermione teased.

Draco scoffed. "Afraid Granger? You wish."

Hermione kissed him on the cheek, "She won't punch you."

"Like I'm worried about being punched by a girl."

Hermione smirked, "I seem to recall a time when you were very concerned about being punched by a girl."

"I'm ignoring that."

"You wait 'til my father hears about this." Hermione said in a reasonably good impression of Draco's voice.

Draco shoved her gently with his hip, "You're awful Miss Granger. Teasing your poor defenseless boyfriend, who by the way is doing you a huge favor."

Hermione stopped her giggling but continued smiling, "I know you are. Thank you."

He rolled his eyes and Hermione latched onto his arm, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Okay guys bring it in!" she heard Harry yell.

"Oh, looks like they're wrapping up. Come on, we have to catch Ginny!" Hermione said and they descended the bleachers.

Ginny seemed to sense the couple as she stuck close to Harry and Ron, determined not to be pulled aside.

"Ginny! Wait please!" Hermione begged.

"Gin, you might as well talk to her." Harry said.

"It can't hurt to hear 'em out." Ron agreed.

"I hate the pair of you! Traitors!" she huffed as Ron and Harry left her behind to talk to Hermione.

"Oh come on Ginny. Traitors? Really?" Hermione asked, feeling deflated.

"Well they are! Defending you two." Ginny crossed her arms over her chest.

"Ginny, please, it's not Hermione's fault." Draco said, obviously taking great care to not be snarky. "What happened between us was…" he thought of all the things him and Hermione had gone over; the things to say to pacify and smooth over, but he couldn't do it. "You know, what happened between us was just that! What happened between us!"

"Draco!" Hermione interrupted, flabbergasted.

"No Hermione. Stop trying to protect everyone! If they don't like you and me that's their problem! I love you Hermione. And I think you love me. And we have this fragile newish relationship and I'm sorry Hermione but I don't really care what your friends think. And if they don't like you because of me then that's there issue and you deserve better friends."

"Better friends? Like Grabbe and Goyle?" Ginny huffed.

"Ginny. This isn't going as I hoped." Hermione sighed.

"I've heard enough." Ginny said. She uncrossed her arms. "He has a point. As your friend I should have listened to you before I freaked out. I'm sorry."

"Does this mean you're still my friend?" Hermione asked, hesitatingly.

"Well… I still like you Hermione… it's just don't think you have very good taste in boys." Ginny smirked.

Hermione smiled back, "I can live with that."

Hermione threw her arms around Ginny, "I missed being your friend! It's hard to have only guy friends!"

"I missed you too Hermione!"

"Still here ladies."

"I'm so glad we could work this out."

"Me too Hermione. I'm sorry I wasn't being very supportive."

"I understand." Hermione brushed away the apology.

"I should go get changed from practice. See you in the common room later?"

"'kay."

Hermione and Draco turned to head back up the castle.

"You know Draco you said something back there that got to me." Hermione said.

"And what's that?" he asked, slipping his hand into hers.

"That you love me."

"You knew that though Granger."

"But I like to hear it." She smiled.

"Shall I say it every day?" Draco asked, teasing.

"Yes please." Hermione turned to walk backwards so she could face him, "Multiple times a day if you don't mind."

"I love you."

Hermione smiled, pausing their walking to lean up and kiss him. "I love you." She answered.

Draco held her close, kissing her again. "I love you." He whispered.

Hermione blushed.

"Okay, enough of that. Too much love and I break out into hives." Draco kissed her once more.

"You're not as cold as you pretend to be you know." Hermione said as they once again started up their trek back up to the castle.

"And you're not as bad as you pretend to be."

Draco scoffed. "Please."

Hermione smiled. "Race you to the room of requirement."

Draco laughed as she took off, and followed in her steps.


AN: Done for real this time xD hope you enjoyed the conclusion! – -