A/N: I take it not many of you liked the previous chapter! I only got three reviews but over 2500 hits! So you are reading the story just not reviewing! Please review, you have no idea how much it helps unless you're in my position!

Chapter 14

It was the day of the funeral and Hermione felt sick. It had been a long four days what with all the preparations. And she hadn't spoken to or heard from Draco. She felt a weirdness in her heart, empty and lonely but she pushed her feelings to the back and began concentrating on what was more important.

She slipped on her black knee-length and a pair of black boots, tying her hair in a low, loose bun. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Hermione couldn't help but notice how gaunt her face looked, she couldn't recognise herself.

"Hey, are you done?" Sara moved into the room, her beautiful hair flowing down her back. She was also wearing a black dress and Hermione couldn't believe how daunting black was becoming.

"Yes, let's go. Is Aidan ready?" Hermione asked as she picked her back up as they both left the room.

"Yeah he's ready and waiting in the car. Are you sure you don't want the others coming?"

Hermione just shook her head and followed Sara out the door. There was a black car waiting outside, with Aidan inside waiting impatiently.

Hermione gazed along the road and stared at the other black car which held the coffin and inside lay her father, dead.

She hadn't cried since that night she found out that he'd gone and left her. And after a long time thing, she realised that he was never there in the first place to leave.

"Come on, it'll be over soon," Sara grabbed Hermione's hand and gave it a squeeze.

After a long half hour they had arrived at the church near where she had grown up. It was a small quaint church, with a graveyard at the back. Hermione got out the car and couldn't help notice how cold it was. She looked up into the grey clouds, getting ready to burst in tears.

Aidan came up to her and placed his small hand into hers and squeezed it, giving her a grin to cheer her up. She smiled back and the three of them made their way into the church.

She watched as the coffin was placed on a stand and she watched as the clergy walked in, surprised at the low turn out of people and she watched as he came over and greeted her, a sympathetic smile on his old face. He said a few words which Hermione didn't register but nodded her head anyway.

The service had begun, and she could hear the clergy talking about how her father was an honourable man who loved his family and friends. How wrong he was, Hermione scoffed in her mind.

A few days ago the clergy had asked her if she would do a eulogy and Hermione had politely declined. What was she supposed to say, she didn't feel anything towards the man she called her father, well that's what she thought anyway.

The clergy continued with his words and Hermione stared at anything that wasn't her father's coffin and several minutes passed. She jumped when the church bells were tolled, the chime ran like thunder through the hall several times until it stopped.

"Shall we proceed outside?" the clergy asked and Sara nodded quietly taking Aidan and Hermione's hands and leading them outside.

The service was ending and it had begun to rain heavily. They casket was about to be buried and the clergy said a few more words. She stared as they lowered the casket down underground and slowly covered it with the remaining soil. He was gone, underneath where she'd never see him again. Hermione didn't know whether to be relieved or sad.

The clergy came up to her and whispered his condolences and Hermione looked him in the eyes and muttered a quiet thank you and a faint smile. He patted her hand and left without another word.

"Why don't I take Aidan inside and you can come in when you're ready," Sara said when Hermione made no move to leave. She nodded again. Sara tried handing her the umbrella but Hermione shook it away.

She could feel herself getting cold and wet without the support of the umbrella but she was feeling numb so why did it matter.

The rain was getting heavier and she was soaked through. She stared at the disrupted soil and for the first time during the service she spoke, "I'm glad you've gone. I'm relieved that you're away from me as far as possible. You never loved me,' she kept staring hoping he'd come out and say that he did love her but just never showed it but he didn't.

"You treated me and mum like shit, you never cared for us and we did so much for you. You were always a selfish, cheating bastard, and I hope you rot in hell!" she sobbed as rain and tears streamed down her face.

She fell to the ground in a heap and placed her head in her hands, rocking herself back and forth. She began shivering and at this moment, all she wanted was someone to hold her, to spread some warmth into her body.

And He'd listened to her prayers. She felt strong arms around her frail body and instantly felt the warmth spread all over. His soothing voice calmed her sobbing down as he gently stroked her hair.

"Shh, you're okay," he whispered and they both rocked back and forth together as he consoled her. They sat there for several minutes, just listening to the fall of the rain and whispers of the wind.

"Come on, let's get you inside," he gently lifted her up so that she was standing but didn't let go. He supported her as they walked back inside where it was dry and warm.

Hermione didn't really register what was going around her. At one point she felt her head tighten but it was gone in a second. Then she sensed something warm wrap around her and she no longer felt wet. She could feel tiredness overcome her and closed her eyes, just for a bit.

---

Hermione woke up to find herself in her bedroom at Grimmuald Place. Looking out the window, she could see the rain falling heavily, pounding against the glass. It had already turned dark and Hermione realised she must have been asleep for hours.

Sitting up, she pulled the covers tight around her only to find them not budging. Pulling them harder she noticed they were lodged underneath something. Not something but rather someone.

Draco was sitting in an armchair next to her bed, his arms folded on the cover, his head on top, sleeping soundly. Hermione smiled and sat their staring at his angelic form.

Either it was a coincidence or he could tell someone was watching him, Draco woke up. Rubbing his eyes, he looked around until his eyes stopped on Hermione and he smiled at her sheepishly.

"Hi," was all he could think of saying. She avoided his eyes and she didn't notice that he too was looking anywhere else but at her.

Several minutes passed and Hermione still hadn't said anything. Thinking that she still wasn't on speaking terms with him, he got up, looked around for his belongings and made his way to the door.

"I'm sorry," she whispered it so quietly that Draco wasn't sure if he heard it all. He turned around slowly and met her eyes, tears falling down her soft cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, I've been an idiot and I should have listened to you instead of ignoring you and being stubborn,' she mumbled on, in between hysterical sobs.

Draco just stood there, he was angry at her for no believing in him and not trusting but seeing her cry broke his heart every single time.

"I'm sorry,' she rambled on again, 'You've helped me so much, you've no idea and I've treated you so unfairly. I'm sorry," she began crying even harder.

"Stop saying sorry," Draco whispered and edged towards her. 'Yeah you treated me unfairly and judged me before you got to know anything,' at this Hermione sobbed even more but he carried on, 'But that's because you're you, Hermione Granger, you're stubborn, and extremely annoying, you act before you think when it comes to personal things, you jump to conclusions and it always comes back to bite you in the arse!"

"You're not making me feel any better!" Hermione grimaced in between fresh sobs.

"I wasn't meant too, you buffoon!'

"I'm sorry for the way I am but it's not something I can change, I can try but…'

"Don't change," he whispered, staring at her intently.

"What?"

"Don't change?"

"Why? You just went on about how annoying I am and…"

"Because I love you just the way you are,"

A/N: I changed the ending at least five times before I came up with this. I hope you like it! And please review!!! Let me know your thoughts!