A/N: Wow, this has to be my fastest review ever! But I'm in a good bliss of mind today! Just watch an exclusive video of The Click Five Live in Asia and my mood is high! I actually went to the Quiksilver Revolution Tour, you know! Proud of being a Malaysian... It has nothing to do with the story, I just had to blurt it out! On with the story!

Extras: A reader told me about crediting lines from movies which I used from movies or songs and I'm saying if you notice them, please do tell me. Because most of the time, I just watch and the line get stuck in my head. Then I'll forget where it comes from so you see...it wasn't on intention...

The Awful Truth and Aftermath

3rd March

Hermione Granger

"Yes," I replied through tears of joy.

Draco laughed as he slipped the ring onto my finger. I admired the diamond ring band with the inscription Draco & Hermione on the inside. He pulled me into a tight hug which was his way of saying he'll never let me go again.

"I'm engaged," I said out loud.

"Yes, you are… you're engaged to me!" Draco replied in an excited tone.

"It's cold here, isn't it? I think we'd better get going. Maybe some other couple wants to use this place to pop the big question, who knows?" I joked, wiping away happy tears.

"We need to tell your parents about it," Draco said.

"My parents wouldn't have a problem, it's your parents that I'm afraid of," I replied.

"Don't worry, they don't bite."

"But they sting."

We broke into laughter. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd end up with Draco. About 5 years back, I thought that I wouldn't even have a conversation with Draco and not end up having a shouting match. I guess I have to admit that things are totally unpredictable. It's almost as unpredictable as Harry's wedding with Claire. Everyone thought that Harry would end up with Cho, but no. Again, it's unpredictable, we can only accept it, not go against it.

"It's funny, even if the world is against us being together, I will still marry you," I told Draco.

"Remind me again why I love you."

"Because no one else sees me like you do," I said tearfully.

Draco gave me a kiss as we walked back to my apartment. Draco moved towards me and pushed me onto the couch. After making out there for a good ten minutes, we proceeded to the bedroom.

"I love you," Draco said between kisses.

I was too far into my own heaven to even make an answer or reply. I could only smile.

I woke up around seven that morning. I groaned and got out of bed with only my blankets around me. Draco was no where to be found. I found a bathrobe and put it on, figuring that I'd take my shower later. Smelling bacon, I walked into my kitchen. I smiled instantly looking at the scene before my eyes.

"Don't kid me, you can cook?" I asked ridiculously.

"I took a few classes," Draco pretended to reply. "Alright, so my mom and sister forced me into the kitchen once in a while, big deal."

I burst out laughing. "You'll be a good father. What's for breakfast Chef Malfoy?"

"Bacon and eggs; the usual. Be nice and I'll make sandwiches for you," Draco said smiling.

"I'll be nice," I assured Draco.

"It will be done when you finish your shower," Draco announced.

"That fast?" I said sarcastically. "Ow!" I exclaimed as Draco smacked my butt.

"Remember, be nice or you'll have to stick with bacon and eggs!" Draco teased as he started preparing the sandwiches.

I went into the bathroom and took a shower. Soon after, I stepped out of the steaming bathroom and got dressed. Wearing a white tank top and jeans, I entered the kitchen where 'Chef Malfoy' was still preparing sandwiches.

"I thought you said it'd be done when I'm finished with my shower?" I teased.

"Well, the food wouldn't cooperate with me!"

"Um, Draco?" I said, trying to think of a way to tell him that he was using the wrong side of the knife to cut, without offending him that is. "You're using the wrong side of the knife."

Draco looked down and went slightly pink. I cleared my throat and said, "Well, from now on, I'll be in charge of cutting foods."

"Right," Draco snapped, dropping the effort to make sandwiches.

I smiled and drew out my wand. I conjured sandwiches out of no where and began to eat.

"You seem to have forgotten that you can do magic," I said, biting into my sandwiches.

"I spent too much time around Muggles, and the effect is sticking to me!" Draco defended himself.

"I've got to go to work, bye," I said and blew Draco a kiss before Apparating away.

"Hermione!" a voice called.

"Oh hey, Estelle," I greeted one of my old friends.

"What've you been up to?"

"Nothing much, work, you know me…"

"Oh, Hermione; stop being such a workaholic."

"It's nothing. What brought you here today? Don't you like have something to design?"

"Oh darling, I gave up the fashion industry so long ago! I'm now a fashion adviser! But then I didn't want that publicity! I work here now!" Estelle said happily.

I raised my eyebrow. "Well, see you around then. I've got to run, honey."

"Don't break a nail, sweetie!" Estelle's high-pitched voice rang throughout the whole room.

I gave a shiver and walked towards the security check. I dreaded being with Estelle. She's so high class and I really, really, feel uncomfortable around her. I just hope she's not who I think she is.

"She is totally out of your league, Estelle," a tall, blonde lady with icy blonde hair said.

"She'll come around Lynette," Estelle assured.

"Whatever you say. But I am not letting dirty little Mudbloods like her ruin my plans," Lynette said, narrowing her eyes at Hermione's retreating figure.

"Don't worry, at the end of the day, you get your Draco, and I get my gold. And she, she'll get nothing. I guess that's the best part!" Estelle laughed evilly.

"Well spoken, Estelle. I just hope you get your job done well," Lynette said smirking as she Apparated away.

Estelle continued to stare at Hermione. Now, she will not be a single threat.

"Oh, Wright, you're here," Scrimgeour said from behind.

"Minister," Estelle said curtly.

"You are taking over Colin Street's position temporarily. I don't know why but Lynette Rivers insisted that I choose you," Scrimgeour said grimly.

"Don't worry, I won't turn the Department of Muggle Connections upside down," Estelle assured and walked away. "Not when there are other things I have to do, like ruining Hermione Granger's life," Estelle smirked evilly.

"Hi, I'm Jean Cosack, I'm your secretary," Cosack introduced herself.

"Right, Cosack, your first job, is to get me a cup of coffee. Careful not to ruin it, you don't want to spoil my mood, do you?" Estelle said and sat on her chair.

I peered into Colin's office. My suspicions are true; Estelle really is my new Head of Department. Merlin, where in the world have I gone wrong? I stretched my hands and went back to work. Everyday, there seems to be more and more work to do. Without Colin around to help me, I finally got a taste of work. I groaned grumpily as I stood up, abandoning my work. I'll just ask Estelle for a half day leave. Then I could visit Colin, and probably surprise Draco! I smiled at my thoughts. Everything is about Draco now, isn't it? I scolded my thoughts.

"Hermione, you got the dates of the hearing wrong, it's the 27th April, not 37th April," a colleague of mine said.

I slapped my hands to my forehead and slammed my head on my desk.

"Oh… oh, I'm so sorry, Klein," I apologised.

Alright, now I really need a break. I tentatively knocked on Estelle's door and a faint voice behind it asked me to enter.

"Ah, Hermione, I've been wanting to have a chat with you," Estelle said, seeing that her guest was me.

"I wish I could stay, but my thoughts keep running off track lately. I came to ask for a half day break," I explained.

"Sure, I'll give you a week off. I don't want any washed out heads in my office. Come back when you're really refreshed," Estelle said, giving me the papers I needed for my break.

I looked at the papers and realised she'd left the return date blank. What was she playing at? Without a second thought, I Apparated to St. Mungo's. I walked towards the counter.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Mr. Colin Street," I told the nurse at the counter.

"Level 4, Ward 12, next!"

I took the elevator next to the counter to Level 4. When I reached it, I turned right and walked until I came across Ward 12. I knocked and entered. The ward was empty except for a blonde woman who seemed to have fallen asleep on Colin.

"Colin?" I said a bit loud.

The blonde woman instantly woke up and I saw that it was Chris. Her eyes were puffy and red; I was reminded of her shouting match with Draco when he visited. I smiled mournfully at her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but I just wanted to visit Colin," I told Chris.

"Go ahead; he hasn't had any visitors other than Draco and Harry. When they were healing him, they saw, they… they saw the Dark Mark on Colin's left arm," Chris said, though her voice seemed to be cracking.

I pulled her into a hug; it was the least I could do. "Everything's going to be fine," I whispered in her ear.

"And now they think he's some kind of traitor and I dread to see him wake up, but I miss him so much," Chris sobbed.

"I suppose you can't go home now?" I asked. "With the Ministry thinking that Colin is a..."

Chris nodded and my heart sank instantly. She must've been staying here every night. I wanted to help her, but I couldn't. I couldn't bear to be in that room anymore, it was too saddening. I felt a tear falling down my cheeks as I witnessed Chris's pain. My heart ached and I knew there was nothing I could do to ease her pain.

"I should get going, I'm sorry," I sobbed silently.

"Don't be sorry. The person who's supposed to be sorry is Voldemort, but he's already gone," Chris hushed me.

I gathered my things and left the room. I Apparated to my apartment because I didn't know where Draco was, so I couldn't find him like I wanted to. Surprisingly, Harry was at my apartment.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" I asked in an instant.

"Hermione, I'm here to tell you that Ron's funeral is next week," Harry said with a little sniff.

"Oh, okay. There are just so many things in my mind it slipped away," I explained.

"You don't have to explain. I want to ask a favour of you," Harry said.

"Sure."

"I need you to sing for the funeral," Harry told me.

"I'll try my best," I assured him.

As he made his way towards the fire to floo away, I stopped him.

"Harry!"

He turned around.

"It wasn't your fault Ron died," I said.

Harry kept silent and nodded.

"He had to die, I mean, someone has to die," I told him, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"It's a nice ring," Harry said looking pointedly at my ring.

"Oh yes, Draco and I, we're getting married," I said cautiously.

"I see…"

"Harry…"

"No! I get it! You love him, but I wished you didn't get married when one of our closest friends just died!"

"Harry, if not now then when? Can't you be happy for me?"

"Happy? How can I be happy when my best friend just died because of me? Tell me that!" Harry raged.

"Sometimes things happen! You can't blame yourself for every single death, Harry! You're being stupid," I snapped angrily.

Harry had never yelled at me.

"Yes, I am stupid. But at least I didn't marry someone whose 'Lord' killed my best friend! You've changed a lot Hermione, and I wasn't complimenting you," Harry spat as he flooed away.

I sat on the sofa nearby and buried my face in my hands. How could Harry treat me like this? Has our friendship for all these years meant nothing to him? I exhaled deeply and I felt exhausted. Crying always made me feel tired. I laid down and fell into a deep sleep instantly. I had the weirdest dream. It was more like a flashback of my life than a dream. I saw myself walking down the aisle. Ron was standing there. I saw myself running away from the church. I saw myself at the Piazza Navona, at the top of the building and Ron was holding a knife to my throat. He brought me to the edge of the building and I closed my eyes, thinking that was the end. I realised I didn't want to die and desperately searched for help. I saw Chris firing at Ron and I was brought to safety. I felt alive again. I was at the hospital when Draco told me he cared for me. I saw the glint of tears in his eyes. I saw myself screaming at Draco by the pool. I saw me and Draco kissing by the pool. I saw Draco slip the ring he gave me onto a hand. But it wasn't my hand! I stared to see who the person was but the veil was covering her face. The only thing I could see was icy blonde hair. The next thing I know, Draco was shaking me.

"Hermione! Wake up!" Draco called.

"What's the matter?" I asked instantly as I got up.

"Nothing, you were muttering in your sleep. Bad dream?" Draco asked, grinning.

"Weird dream," I said, not smiling.

"Let's go out for dinner," Draco said and waited for me to get ready.

Twenty minutes later, we were at an elegant restaurant and I was seated at the balcony. I saw that no one was around and I figured Draco must've booked the whole place.

"Can I ask you a question?" I said.

"Sure."

"Remember at Lake Tahoe, when I asked you what you said to Derek? Did you mean to refer me as your fiancé or did the word just slip out?"

"I don't know, it just felt right," Draco said.

I nodded.

"My turn to ask a question. Why does everyone call you Haley?" he said.

"Well…" I said, feeling the colour rising to my cheeks. "Up till I was five, I couldn't pronounce my own name. So I called myself Haley and when I went to Hogwarts, I wanted to erase the past from my mind," I told him.

Draco could only smile…

A/N: Now that I'm sane again, I just want to explain why I decided to update so soon... Well, I did promised that I would post this chapter as soon as my beta sends it back to me...yeah, word, keep it real...and of course, I'm in a happy mood... it won't last long though, I've got math tuition class after this...sighs...don't forget to REVIEW!

Your proud Malaysian, Ashley!