Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 22

The remaining weeks flew by quickly. The seventh years were driven to near insanity by the amount of homework and preparation for their N.E.W.T exams. Hermione was in the library everyday with Harry. Having the exams to worry about kept her mind of Draco, for the most part. When she stopped working, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She still felt the pull toward him because of their now connected souls. Hermione continued to wear the ring because if she couldn't bring herself to take it off.

Draco was a mess himself, he missed Hermione. His bedroom was a disaster zone from where he threw things and hadn't bothered to clean it. He was angry everyday and little things would send him into a rage. All of the students avoided all contact with him as much as possible.

Despite their feelings toward each other, Draco and Hermione avoided each other. Hermione spent all of her afternoon and evenings in the library studying until it closed, which guaranteed she wouldn't see Draco. Draco spent his evenings with Filch doing whatever came to his mind. The various tasks kept his mind of Hermione and because of the late hours he didn't see her outside of the classroom.

XxX

The N.E.W.T's and the end of school finally arrived. Hermione rarely slept at all that week to insure she remembered it all, from Ancient Runes to Potions. Once the exams were over, the waiting for the results nearly killed her. The seventh years received the grades a couple of days before the last day and their graduation; which took place on the last day before all the students left. Hermione and Draco were required to give a speech since they were Head Girl and Boy. Hermione spent her time writing and perpetrating for her speech while Draco didn't care nor prepare.

Graduation Day finally arrived. The ceremony would take place outdoors by the Lake. A large raised platform was set up in front of the lake. On the platform was a magnificent podium for the speeches along with a table to hold the certificates and a chair for all of the professors and Heads. Hundreds of chairs were placed on the ground for the seventh years and the audience.

The ceremony started at twelve-thirty. All of the seventh years were required to be outside at eleven in their robes and hats. Professor McGonagall walked around carrying a long sheet of parchment placing all of the students in alphabetical order. Hermione was helping her along the way. Draco was late and didn't show up until around eleven-thirty when the professors arrived. He sat in his chair on the platform and ignored everyone.

Once everyone was seated, Hermione went to her chair next to Draco while McGonagall stood on the platform and explained the procedure. It was quite simple and Hermione hoped in went smoothly. Parents and relatives as well the younger students started walking down to the lake around noon. Hermione's nervousness and excitement grew tenfold. She was worried she trip walking up to give her speech or mess it up.

At twelve-thirty, Dumbledore approached the podium. The crowd was silent as they stared at him waiting for him to speak. "Welcome to this year's graduation ceremony. I want to thank all of the parents, relatives and fellow students for coming here today. I have been here for many, many years now and I have never been so proud of the students sitting in front of me. They have been through some tough times since their first year here at Hogwarts. These will be the young adults that will help change this world we live in and make it a better place. Before I get too sentimental, I'm going to have our Head Girl and Boy say a few words." Dumbledore backed away to his seat.

Hermione rose slowly from her seat and approached the podium with her speech in hand. She laid it down and brought her wand to her throat to amplify her voice. "It has been a long seven years here at Hogwarts but I'm happy to say we've survived it! The years haven't been easy with having a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor every year but we've all managed. Now that we are done, we will enter the real world. It is a bit scary out there but we did make it through fifth year with Umbridge. I feel Hogwarts and our wonderful professors have prepared us well. My advice to the graduating class is Carpe Diem! The world is changing out there and we need to make each day count. Thank you."

The crowd erupted in applause as Hermione returned to her seat. Draco pushed himself from his seat and stood at the podium. He waited for the clapping to cease before starting. He repeated Hermione's actions and brought his wand to his throat. "I'm ready to be done with this ceremony as much as you so I'll keep this speech short. We did it! We're finally done with school so let's get this over with!" The crowd clapped for him as he returned to his seat.

Dumbledore rose from his seat and stood at the podium again. "We shall now begin." On the table next to the podium, tied rolls of parchment appeared on it. "Abbot, Hannah."

The Hufflepuff rose from the first chair and slowly made her way to the platform and climbed up the stairs. She crossed the stage to wear Dumbledore was standing, smiling, with a roll in his hand. He handed it to her and shook her hand. She proceeded down the stage, shaking all of the professors' hands as Dumbledore announced the next student. This process continued on throughout the students. Hermione smiled at Harry when it was his turn. When Ron was walking up to Dumbledore, Hermione nonverbally made him trip and fall on his face. Ron jumped up with his face scarlet as he reached Dumbledore. Some people in the crowd couldn't help but laugh. The process continued until Dumbledore called out Zabini, Blaise.

When Blaise took his seat, Dumbledore clapped his hands together and confetti fall onto the students, "Congratulations, you are now officially the graduates of 1998!" All of the students cheered as they took off their hats and threw them into the air. A few tears fell down Hermione's check as she realized it was all over. She walked over the platform and made her way over to Harry. He wraps his arms around her.

"We're done!" he said. When he let her go he saw her tears, "Are you crying because you're finally done with school?"

"Yes, I can't believe it's finally over. It hasn't felt like seven years."

"Aw Hermione, now we both knew this day would come", he said in a mock tone.

"Shut up, Harry."

They were joined by fellow Gryffindor friends. Remus and Tonks came by to congratulate them and Mrs. Weasley followed. The seventh years remained outdoors by the lake, enjoying their last moments together at Hogwarts. That evening was the End of the Year feast. Afterwards, Hermione left her friends to return to her room to pack everything for the trip home the next day. As she packed her trunk, she came across the necklace from Draco. She loved the necklace and placed it in the box before putting it in her trunk. Once everything was packed, she crawled into bed for the last time at Hogwarts.

The train ride home was fun. She sat in the compartment with Harry, Ginny, Neville, and Luna. Draco sat alone in the Head's compartment. The ride seemed to be shorter to the graduated students. They said their good byes on the platform, promising each other they would stay in touch before departing their parents.

Hermione was invited back to the Burrow for a celebration but she declined. It sounded fun since the Twins and other Weasleys would be present but she needed to go home and pack. The next day she was going to 12 Grimmauld Place with Harry. The two of them were going to work together on finding the Horocruxes and keep each other company.

Draco met his mother on the Muggle platform. Thankfully she came alone without Bellatrix. He didn't plan on staying at the Manor very long because he knew she was still there. He already discussed it with Snape and was going to Spinner's End. He caught a glimpse of Hermione with her parents. As she was walking away, she glanced back and made eye contact with Draco. She gave him a half smile before she disappeared into the crowd.

XxX

Hermione had been at 12 Grimmauld for a fortnight and she was miserable. She thought about Draco everyday. Harry tried to keep her happy and busy but he was running out of ideas. He hated seeing his best friend depressed. He tried having them work on the horocruxes but it reminded her of the plan with Draco. So Harry tried other activities like taking her out to Diagon Alley or Muggle London. She was fine while occupied but when she was alone, that's when she would get upset.

Snape noticed the same occurrence with Draco. But he didn't try to help him because there was nothing he could do. Draco refused to talk to him about it and it was starting to annoy him.

One night during dinner, Snape finally had enough of his silence. "Draco, this has got to end. You've been moping around my house for two weeks now and I'm tired of it. I thought you were above whining over a girl."

Draco looked up from his plate and raised an eyebrow at Snape, "She's not just some girl, Snape. Hermione was more than that."

"Oh really, it doesn't seem like it."

"It wasn't easy. I love Hermione! She's the only person I've ever loved besides my mother." Draco felt his anger growing inside of him. He didn't like what Snape was saying and didn't why he was bringing this up all of a sudden. Draco looked away from Snape. He had never admitted that he loved Hermione.

"You really love her?" Snape asked.

"Yes, that's what I just said!" He snapped but he had lost some of his intensity. "But it's too late now."

Snape smiled on the inside and nodded his head, "It's not too late."

The finished the rest of their meal in silence. Draco went straight to his room afterwards and paced around his room thinking. He loved Hermione and deeply regretted those words he had said to her. He had to let her know how he was feeling regardless if it would change anything. Draco walked over to the writing desk and sat down. He started writing a letter even though he wasn't sure what to say, he had to get his feelings and thoughts down on paper. As he wrote, the words just flowed through him.

Snape stood outside of the room listening to Draco write. He couldn't help but smile. He was glad Draco finally got it.

When he finally finished it, Draco rolled it up but held it in his hand for a moment. Even though he took the time to write it he wasn't sure to send it or not. He placed it down on the desk. If he was going to owl it he would do it in the morning, if he chose to. Draco rose from the desk and walked over to the bed, striping down to his boxers along the way. He slid underneath the covers and fell asleep.

Snape peered into the room and saw the letter still on the desk. He frowned and accio'd the letter. It flew over to him and he skimmed over it. This was exactly what Draco needed to say to Hermione but he didn't see why Draco hadn't sent it. He left Draco's room and went into his own room where his owl was sitting on its perch. HE handed the letter to the owl and instructed, "Take this to Hermione Granger." Snape watched the bird fly away into the night's sky. "This is for your own good, Draco."

A/N: My semester starts next Monday so the chapter updates will probably slow down. So don't get too upset if it takes a week or two to read the next chapter. I will do my best to update as much as I can. We're getting close to the end so I really want to hurry and finish this story.