Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, or ever shall be . . .

Chapter 22

"I thought I already told you to stay away from me, father. You have no right, and I can see no need for you to be here. How dare you call Hermione a whore, when that's who you're with night after night. Whore's, the lot of them. Did you think I didn't know? Or that mother doesn't know? You're not exactly quiet about it, you know."

Malfoy walked over to Lucius, pulled out his wand, and stunned him, so he was unconscious. After doing this, he walked over to a desk, wrote a quick note, and called for his owl. When it arrived, he attached the note to the owl and let it go.

Hermione watched all of this with a weary look on her face. This had just gone from the greatest moment in her life, to one of the worst.

Draco, seeing the look on her face, walked over, took her hand, and got down on his knee.

"Now, I do believe we were in the middle of something before we were so rudely interrupted. Hermione Granger, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, the keeper of my heart, for the rest of my life?" He asked, tears making his eyes sparkle.

"Oh Draco, of course I will!!" Hermione exclaimed, joining him on the floor and kissing him, their tears mixing with each other.

Draco pulled them up from the floor and slipped the ring onto her finger. It was the perfect combination of Gryffindor and Slytherin; Silver and Red.

"Draco, this is the most perfect ring; I would have designed the exact same thing if I had the chance. I love you so much. And I can't wait to tell Harry and Ron . . . not that I expect them to jump for joy, but once they see that I am truly happy, they won't care, I'm sure."

A few moments later, Professor Dumbledor came walking in the room, looked to the body of Lucius Malfoy on the floor, to Draco's face and Hermione's hand, and just smiled.

"I assume this is the 'disturbance' you were referring to, Mr. Malfoy?" he asked, his blue eyes twinkling merrily.

"Yes Professor. If you would be so kind as to remove him, I would be greatly indebted to you" Draco replied, his own eyes full of laughter.

"And may I add a congratulation to yourself and Miss Granger? I always knew there was more than met the eye between the two of you. Have you informed Misters' Potter and Weasley?" Dumbledor inquired gently.

"No sir, but we had only found out ourselves, so you really can't blame us for keeping it to ourselves for a little while, can you?" Hermione asked.

"Of course not, my child. If you will allow me though, I will tell them you request their presence

at once. Again, it is wonderful news. Good day children" Dumbledor said before he levitated Lucius's body out of the room.

A mere moments later, Harry, Ron and Ginny walked into their room, and from the looks on their faces, they already knew something was up. Before speaking, Hermione took a quick look at Ginny and Harry, and noticed that they were holding hands; some things work out on their own, after all.

"Well, we requested you all her to let you know that Draco and I have just become engaged to be married! Isn't it wonderful?" Hermione exclaimed, looking from Harry to Ginny to Ron.

"Oh Hermione, it's like a fairy tail! Congratulations!" said Ginny.

"That's great Hermione, as long as it's what you really want" said Harry.

"Are you sure 'Mione? Really sure? I couldn't let you go unless you were so positive that he is right for you, and that you truly love him." Said Ron, staring hard into Hermione's eyes.

"Oh Ron, I'm so sure!"Hermione replied, her eyes full of love for Draco.

"Then, Congratulations, to both of you" Ron said, shaking Draco's hand, then pulling Hermione into a huge hug.

When he let go, Hermione could see tears in his eyes, but decided to ignore this, she couldn't bear to humiliate Ron like that.

That night there was a celebration for Hermione and Draco in their shared common room. If this was a preview of life to come, she could definitely handle it. She looked around the room and saw Draco interacting with all of her friends, and while most of them were still wary of him, they were beginning to get comfortable of the thought of him with their Hermione.

Not to say life was perfect after that, they had their trials and heartache, and in the final battle, she almost lost him, if it wasn't for Ron, he would have been hit by the Avada Kedavra. But Ron knew Hermione couldn't survive without Draco, and pushed him out of the way, narrowly escaping the shot himself.

But that is a tale for a different time. This one ends on the idea that if you have love, everything will eventually be ok.

Authors note:

Ok so it was ages since I touched this story, as I lost the feel for it about halfway through, so I let it rest. But I couldn't let it go forever so I decided to end it. I know it's a bit abrupt, but it had to end somehow, and seeing as I'm currently working on two other stories, I had to end it quickly.

Someday I might right a sequel, if there's enough interest in it. But now I would like to thank absolutely EVERYBODY who has ever read, reviewed, and helped me with this. This will always be my favorite, as it was my first. Any questions or comments, please do contact me with those, I really do appreciate and listen to them.

I love you all . . . And Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Adieu.

Maria