A/N: I neither own, nor make any profit form the publication of this story.

Thank you SilverRiv for being such a wonderful beta!

Also, a heads up to those who are new to this story: THIS CHAPTER IS NOT THE END-THERE ARE BONUS CHAPTERS AFTER THIS :P

Epilogue:

When Draco returned to Hogwarts after the trial, he felt strangely relieved.

All the remaining Death Eaters were being tried and sentenced to Azkaban. He, on the other hand, was now finally free to live his life as he pleased.

He still received icy glares and cold shoulders from many students, some because they hadn't forgotten his role in the war, others because of his more recent betrayal. He ignored them all.

They hated him, but he was used to being hated. All he wanted was for life to go back to some semblance of normalcy – as close as possible to how his third year had been – no living in fear, fewer nightmares, no tortured screams in the middle of the night.

And he got his wish. He was content. And then his life was changed once more, but this time, he welcomed it. It all began when the annoying know-it-all Muggleborn witch, Hermione Granger, asked him out.

Draco couldn't have been happier.

She'd approached him in the Great Hall on his first day back and given him a scroll with a list of things she wanted to apologise to him for.

The parchment had been over a foot long, and while the first few things on the list were actually worth apologising for, like 'for accusing you of being no better than your father,' 'for ignoring your warnings,' 'for calling you a slimy little ferret,' and 'for using you for the Greater Good' the later ones were quite humorous, like 'for not asking you out sooner,' 'for being so sexy,' and 'for making you want me.'

'For not asking you out sooner,' she'd written.

He'd sought her out and asked her about it in the Library the next day, a tiny smirk on his lips. 'You stole my lines, Granger.'

'You read the whole thing?' She'd teased, reaching up boldly to ruffle his hair.

He'd just gaped back. No one, no one, touched his hair. Ever.

But he couldn't find the heart to reprimand her, even as she continued to speak. 'I just wanted to make the list seem long. Didn't think you'd actually sit and read it all.' She grinned widely, slipping out of her chair to straddle his lap, acting completely out of character – for her.

'Are you trying to ask me out?' He'd asked, slightly giddy in disbelief.

'I guess I am.' She'd grinned widely, perhaps a bit too widely. 'So either accept or decline before I lose my nerve and embarrass myself further.'

'Hogsmeade this weekend?' he'd suggested tentatively, his surprise dissolving into hope.

She'd smiled, lowering her lips till they were mere inches from his, and ignoring the pointed glare she was receiving from the librarian. 'That would be lovely. Now kiss me.'

And that was when Draco Malfoy realized he had fallen for Hermione Granger. Hard.

UPDATE 24/3/16: THIS EPILOGUE IS NOT THE END – THERE ARE BONUS CHAPTERS AFTER THIS. YOU MIGHT FIND THEM INTERESTING AFTER READING THIS FAR, BUT THIS STORY IS COMPLETE EVEN IF YOU CHOOSE TO STOP READING HERE. OKAY, I'M TURNING THE CAPS LOCK OFF NOW, SORRY :P

A/N: Hey, you guys, I hope you liked it! Reviews are free, but they mean a lot to me!

This is it, guys. It's been wonderful to hear from all of you, the response I got for this story is amazing. Thank you everyone! I'd be ever so happy to see a review from each and every one of you :) Just a few words, or even a smiley face-that's all it takes. Come on, guys! And do recommend and share this story to your friends if you feel it's worth sharing!

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me along the way! Yes, I'm referring to all of you-SilverRiv, garbleturkey, kmuscutt23, chemical flashes, marianna79, KittyKatSilvana, Montara,PurrfectlyWordy, alpha wolfstar, JusMeMarissa, anja quickert 9, MusicalCatharsis, imadoodlenoodle, ADragons-LionHeart, theunstable1, frogtastic, sweets1111, hockey1, Beth, nikkigerald, ndavis77, PraiseGod, Sadler26, Lilhipkaligurl, lynnchan111, midnight-rxse, sln1987, BooBooKittyluv, AngeloftheAurora, Dramionelover26, keith alexe, rinmagic2, snlemonpie, LumosLight06, Mika Dain,mumma yoda, MorteDiem, voldys eighth horcrux, mallori johnson 7, mangoscabs, KeiraJ13, MissMaryLiz, asscheeks26, vampirequeengoddess, ShadowDancerUrami, SamIam44, seichirokamui,Mistress0fTerror, alexagranger, Karmidee, Lupine Princess, Schizo Zombie Kitten, enchanted16, kvance, poiuytrewqasdfghjklmnbvcxz, Carinalove67, Tsuki916, gingernightowl, Esthela89, Madelun,agj-girl, HPotter25, Montyyx, PADfootBalck, SweetSage, alulateu, annie26100,madgordon18, xomagooxo, Ms Waldo, DarkWitch121, c flor s 75, Kyrie Twilight, Sakura022496, Seraphina25,ahoyitsalyson, cw1718, latinadecorazon, 1998Ruby1998, JaleDM, keishasalder, mystuffff, HRB91, Instantstargirl, Rahena, Tommi1, bellatrixlestrangest, chinkie, greyc, jeevanbala23, lazylyz,BunnyLover66, GingersnapOO26, palephoenix, CrazyGal 7, J 44, Karkontrolyn, Sasha2121, NiceButNaughtyAngel, Tempestati, doddle, FgHatton, Padfoot's-Veela, merajaileena, smallwren,sparkyparky2,Liljackandpepsi, Mysterious Leigh, Tillyann19, kabg01, my darling ferocious105, confusedblueberry, BelovedEnemy83, BurningSkies20, Cassiobiagrangermalfoy, FayKatriona, jboyer13,pianomouse, Butterfly-fighter, SessysGirl219, kiwiroo, seichirokamui, Nathallya Black, warriorbabe1, Bookz24, DubheMalfoy, Falling Softly, Lazaria, ThirdStarOnTheLeft, cici love, hudini43, loukritia,Kiara Knoxville, dreambeliever17, kaitiaa, and all the amazing anonymous guest reviewers.

I love you all!

~craaazyaboutMalfoy