I don't normally do author's notes in the beginning but I thought I'd put a disclaimer up here... I never forgot this story I just haven't been able to finish it the way I really wanted to. I've been sitting on this chapter for basically forever at this point so I thought I would just publish it and if you guys have comments/changes/whatever then let me know and I can keep editing until I like it. For now though, this is the last chapter!

Chapter 23 - Last Chapter

Hermione swallowed hard as she pushed open the door to Malfoy Mansion. She couldn't believe she was at her best friend's wedding. The same best friend who a mere month or so ago wasn't even engaged. Now he was marrying Astoria Greengrass. She felt sick to her stomach. What was she even doing here? Astoria made sure to show her she wasn't invited. They had had a few run-ins and the looks Astoria had thrown at her said everything she ever needed to know. Plus she never received an invitation anyways.

Hermione had spent the last few weeks completely avoiding everyone. She threw herself into her work to try to get her mind off Draco, but nothing worked. Her body and mind were now in conflict as she was again, not even supposed to be there, but her heart was saying differently. She was completely conflicted. Did she like Draco or did she not? Could she live without him? This past month had been completely awful. She felt like something was missing. And she could never forget the day that she found out Draco was engaged. It felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. That had to mean something. She also compared these feelings to those involving Ron… for some reason she felt like Draco mattered more. And she thought about this every single day not so much in a jealous way, but in a painful way like she knew what could have been but she lost it.

"Hermione?" asked Harry as he spotted her, "What are you doing here?"

"Honestly, I have no idea," she said, "It was one of those weird out of body experiences where my body moved but my mind said what the crap are you doing? I just don't understand why he is marrying her. I know he can't possibly be in love with her! She's awful! If anything it should be…"

But then Hermione shut her mouth. She'd already said too much.

"It should be who?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh don't give me that look. I know you know what I almost said," said Hermione.

"Yeah. But have you ever admitted it to yourself out loud or to him?" asked Harry.

"No! Definitely not! Especially not now he's freaking getting married!"

"You should tell him. You never know if he might feel the same and it will spare him from marrying her," said Harry.

"Wait. Does he even love her?"

"Unsure. I doubt it. He spent all of his time with you. He just wants to be married and have a family already. I've learned Draco is pretty loyal when it comes to his feelings."

"What an idiot! Who does that? I thought he would have gotten over that! It had to be a phase!" said Hermione getting more frustrated by the minute.

"Well all the more reason to stop it."

"I can't stop it now! It's too late! They would both kill me if I ruined their day."

"Hermione?" asked Harry started to get frustrated with her. She wasn't listening, "Do you love him?"

Hermione sighed.

"I… I don't… know… exactly. This is just happening too fast a month ago we were friends and then he decided to up and get married and then I feel all weird about it. I mean what if he doesn't feel the same way about me or what if I don't feel the same later on and it's just the drama of the wedding or…"

"Hermione!" yelled Harry.

He put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"Well you have about 20 minutes before it's too late. Think about it and just tell him. Trust me. I've never let you down before," said Harry, "Now sorry, but I've gotta go stand up front and play my part before you stop the wedding."

Hermione just nodded and retreated to her corner in hiding.

20 minutes later she was still hiding except now she was behind the curtains in the ballroom where the wedding was being held.

She heard the music and felt sick again.

She watched as Astoria practically floated up the aisle.

Hermione really wanted to throw up. She was absolutely gorgeous and Hermione had no comparison. Blonde vs. brunette – everyone always chose the blonde!

She chose that moment to look at Draco. A simple smile crossed his face as he watched her. Hermione wished he was thinking of her instead but she highly doubted that was even possible with the way Astoria looked.

Astoria reached Draco and Hermione took the opportunity to move unnoticed to the back row.

Hermione heard the ceremony binder start speaking. Her stomach tightened. It seemed like it was going way too fast. They were already on vows.

The binder then faced the audience and said, "If anyone here would like to speak as to why this couple should not be married we invite you to speak now."

Hermione's heart started to pound furiously. This was it. It was now or never and she had to do it. He just couldn't marry Astoria.

Hermione stood up. The couple looked up at her followed by everyone else.

"I… I don't think… you should," she said incredibly nervously.

Her whole body was shaking.

"What? Well why not?" asked Draco with a scowl on his face.

"Because. Just because ok?" she said.

"It's not good enough, Hermione," he said, "I'm still getting married."

He turned back to face Astoria.

"No you're not!" yelled Hermione, her strength returning as she realized she was hopelessly in love with him. She needed him.

"Give me one good reason why not," Draco yelled back.

"Because I love you! You can't marry her because I love you and it should be me up there and not her! I know that now!" she said.

A slow smile spread across Draco's face as he realized that she finally said it. His heart soared. He knew it. He ran to her and pulled her into his arms and spun her around. He put her down and cupped her face in his hands.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that from you," said Draco as he put his forehead against hers and looked in her eyes, "I love you, Hermione. I always have and I always will."

Draco leaned in and gently touched his lips to hers.

The crowd in the background started clapping.

"Why is everyone clapping?" asked Hermione confused, "I just broke up a wedding."

"Umm… well, technically you didn't," started Draco, "Please forgive me, love, we did this for your own good."

"Define we and what did you do?" asked Hermione frowning at him.

"Yeah. Everyone… me, Astoria, Harry, Ginny… you know, everyone! This whole thing is kind of a set up, not the whole thing but a lot of it. I pretended to be engaged to Astoria to make you jealous and realize your feelings for me. I borrowed her wedding too. She's getting married to Blaise today. Not me," said Draco wincing.

He really wanted her forgiveness. This was one of those that could go completely wrong and blow up in his face, or it could go right. Hermione was worth it though which is why he put up such an elaborate last scheme.

Hermione was still trying to comprehend everything and then Astoria appeared at her side.

"Hermione, I'm really sorry how I treated you! I never hated you and I think you and Draco are absolutely perfect for each other and I hope you aren't mad at him or anyone else because he loves you so much and you're all he ever talks about. Trust me, even though it might have been a bit harsh you needed this and he needs you and…," said Astoria smiling at her before she was interrupted.

"Ok! Thanks Astoria! I think she gets it!" said Draco.

He turned back to Hermione, taking her hands in his again and said, "Can you please forgive me? I love you. I just needed you to realize your feelings finally. I don't know how much longer I could have taken it. I need you. I can't live without you."

Hermione was more than confused but smiled and then threw her arms around his neck. This might have been the craziest thing she'd seen anyone do, but here he was saying he loved her.

She whispered so only he could hear, "I'm sorry it took me so long, but thanks for waiting. I love you."

He hugged her tighter against him and then pulled her back so he could kiss her.

"Ok, can I get married now? You're having the adorable moment that I want and you're stealing all my thunder on my day! You already stole my publicity to which you seriously owe me, Draco," said Astoria.

"Right. I know. And you're marrying Blaise right now," said Draco refocusing again.

Astoria left the room so she could walk down the aisle again. Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and took her to the front and sat her in the only open seat.

"Wait, where are you going?" asked Hermione.

"I'm the best man. I have to go get Blaise so Astoria can get married for real now. If we wait any longer she might hex me to death," said Draco, "I love you. I'll be by your side the minute it ends, I promise."

"Ok," said Hermione smiling at him.

She was beyond glad and relieved that Draco wasn't really marrying Astoria. She was kind of irritated now after thinking about it and having what felt like the entire world trick her, but she was happy with the ends results… Draco. She was glad she finally admitted it to herself. It would be completely worth it.

She took that moment to look up at Draco. An entire wedding was going on, yet he was only focusing in on her. When he noticed she was looking back he winked at her and mouthed the words "I love you."