Disclaimer: Not mine. Not yours. Only JK Rowling's.

A/N: And... here's the next chapter! Thanks to all those who reviewed in the last chapter. Oh, and by the way, to all those who are expecting me to write something about the threesome's date, I'm so sorry. I haven't included it here at all. I hope you'll like this chapter even if their date is not here.

Anyway, enough of those gibberish. Just enjoy reading!

Chapter Eleven: Graves


2. I want to visit Harry and Ron's graves.

"Good morning, Beaver," Draco said in a sing-song voice once hearing Hermione's footsteps trudging towards her kitchen. The blond was seated on one of her chairs and casually reading The Daily Prophet. He also had a steaming mug of coffee clutched in his hand. "Did you have a goodnight last night?" he asked, eyes still intently trained on the sports section of said newspaper. He raised the mug towards his lips and took a sip before gagging and coughing. "Damn, that tastes so bad. Granger, could you make me a new one, please?"

Hermione's only answer was silence.

"Oh, and, can you give me another neck massage?" he asked, cringing as he poked his neck. "I'm having neck tenderness again. Honestly, it's happening often these days. All these years being a Healer and bending over patients must be getting to me."

This time, Draco looked up from his newspaper only to be greeted by a brooding Hermione. She was still wearing her usual pajamas while her hair was messily tied into a loose bun. "Is there something wrong?" he asked, frowning. Confusion was written all over his face. "You're a morning person after all, Hermione. Is there something wrong?"

The brunette slowly looked at him and that was when Draco saw the redness of her eyes. She had been crying last night.

"Granger…"

She softly sniffed, tears threatening to fall. "Draco, I'm going to warn you now, okay?" she said shakily. "I'm going to cry. So, if you don't want to be my human tissue or my human-sized, huggable stuffed toy, go back to your house and leave me a-alone." The brunette released a choked sob, still trying to stop her tears from falling. "P-p-please," she hiccupped.

He scowled and stood up, messily dumping the newspaper on the table. "You know I was just joking when I said that, Hermione," he said. Draco opened his arms wide. "All right, come here," he beckoned.

Hermione released another sob, this time letting the tears fall. She slowly walked towards the blond and wrapped her arms around his neck. The brunette leaned her head against his shoulder and that was when her tears became uncontrollable.

"What is it now?" he asked, slightly frustrated. "You kept on crying, Hermione. This is not like you. What's the matter now? And see, you're ruining my appetite. I was so hungry, waiting for you to make breakfast for me. But then, you go and bawl your eyes out."

"I-I'm sorry," she sobbed. "God, I kept on apologizing. I'm sorry."

Draco softly chuckled, running a comforting hand through her hair. "It's all right. You're a woman, after all."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" she wailed.

"Nothing, nothing, ignore me," he said, followed by a huge sigh. "Now tell me what's bothering you?"

"It's February 28," she cried, tightening her hug around the blond.

"Of course I know that," he said, slightly uneasy. Silence was first heard before the blond broke it again. "Is this connected to your disease, Hermione? Are you feeling any symptoms?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip. She had forgotten that Dr. Nobleman told them that she would feel the symptoms after two months and it was almost March. She surprised Draco when she shook her head. "No, no," she said. "My reason's different. It's February 28th today, Draco. Think, please. Don't make me say it. I just can't."

He sighed and closed his eyes. "It's too early to have guessing games," the blond whispered. "Why don't you just tell me?"

The brunette sniffled and buried her head deeper against his neck. "I-i-t's F-f-february 28," she repeated in a soft whisper, stuttering and hiccupping as if the words actually physically hurt to say. "I-t-t's their death a-a-nniv-versary."

The blond frowned. He knew that her parents died the summer before the war even erupted. Realization dawned to him. "Harry and Ron," he whispered, feeling her flinch slightly against him. "It's Potter and Weasley's death anniversary."

Hermione, not trusting herself to speak, only jerked her head up, and then down. Draco assumed that she was attempting to nod.

"So, what do you want to do now?" he asked, closing his eyes as he placed his chin on top of her unruly hair.

"I-I guess I want to accomplish my second goal," she said, almost inaudibly but Draco caught it. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Beaver," the blond said, pulling the brunette away from himself. "That's being brave of you, you know. But, you don't have to do this soon. It's clear that you're not yet ready to see their graves."

Hermione opened her eyes and looked up at the blond. "So, when will I be ready, then?" she softly cried. "Yes, I admit, I'm not yet ready. But, God, Draco, it's the end of February already. The symptoms of my… my damnable disease will attack me soon. What if I won't have the strength to visit their graves anymore?"

Draco sighed. "All right, I won't protest to that. It's your decision, anyway." He looked at his Muggle watch and nodded. "I'll be having a meeting ten minutes from now. I still have time to owl Father and tell him that I can't go. He'll understand."

"You don't have to do that," she said, completely pulling herself away from the blond. She grabbed a tissue from a box of Kleenex lying on one of the tables and wiped her face. "I can go there by myself."

"Yeah, and bawl your eyes out to some random stranger," he sarcastically answered. "Don't protest, Hermione. You know me. I'm Draco Malfoy and I'm stubborn. You can protest all you want but I'll still insist."

Hermione shot him a small smile. "Thank you," she said. "I guess I could do with some moral support."

The blond waved a dismissive hand. "Now, get upstairs and change into some nice and decent clothes," he said. "And please do something with your eyes, Beaver. Merlin, Voldemort would be envious of the redness of them."

The brunette just chuckled and walked up her stairs.

Meanwhile, Draco conjured a parchment, an ink bottle, and a quill to write to his beloved Father. He just hoped that he wouldn't make a big deal out of it. After all, his father already knew that the Malfoy heir would do anything and everything just for the girl.

"What?" Hermione asked, eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Is there something on my face?"

Draco blinked rapidly before breaking into a wide smile. The brunette really did wear something nice and decent… now, who was he kidding? She was definitely beautiful. It was obvious Hermione fixed herself. She was wearing a white, long-sleeved turtleneck sweater beneath a grey dress that ended a few inches below her knee. Her hair was fixed nicely into a half-clipped style. And lastly, her sandals – she was wearing her favorite sandals. Thank Merlin she followed his suggestion of doing something to her bloodshot eyes. They were now her usual beautiful eyes without any trace of the tears that graced her face just a few minutes ago.

"As a matter of fact, there is," he lied, placing his right hand gingerly against her cheek. He brushed his fingers gently against it, marveling at the softness of her cheek. His smile gently grew when the brunette's cheek grew slightly warm from his gentle caresses.

"Is it still there?" she asked, smiling softly up at him.

"It's gone now," he said, hesitantly retrieving his hand away from her cheek. He was honestly regretful for doing that. "Are you ready?"

She took a deep breath. "I'll never be," she said, her smile faltering. "But, I made up my mind already. I'll do it no matter what happens."

"Gah," Draco said, making a face. "You sound like a Gryffindor. Sickening."

Hermione playfully punched his shoulder and laughed. "I am a Gryffindor, for your information."

"Now, who could forget?" he asked her, smirking.

The brunette just rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she said. Hermione took another deep breath, though, her face was visibly paling. "Let's go."

"To Hogwarts?" he asked, now looking very concerned. "You know, Beaver, there's still time to back out. You don't really have to do this if you don't want to."

"Draco, how many times do I have to tell you that I'm going?" she asked him, frustration evident in her voice. "I want to do this. It will be hard, yes. But I want to do this."

Draco gave her a small smile and pulled her into a gentle hug. "Just so you know, Beaver, you're the strongest woman I had ever met in my whole life," he whispered, placing a light kiss on her forehead. "I hope that compliment helps."

Hermione grinned. "It does," she murmured, burying her face on his shoulder. They stayed in that position for a few more minutes before the brunette broke it. "Draco?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared," she whispered. "I might be the strongest woman you have ever met but I'm still scared."

"Of what?" he asked.

"Of breaking down," she said, directing her misting eyes towards his grey ones. "You know that even after six years, I still haven't gotten over their deaths, right? You know that even after six years, I still haven't forgiven myself from failing to rescue them?"

"Now, now, Hermione," he said, alarmed at her watery eyes. "Don't you dare cry now! We're not even at Hogwarts yet. And, stop it, you're being ridiculous. It's not your fault they're dead."

"It is," she fought back.

"Nonsense," he said.

"Truth," she whispered, followed by a long sigh.

"Look at me, Hermione." He placed one finger under her chin to force her to meet his gaze. "Weaslette was being ridiculous to blame you for her fiancé and brother's death. It's not true, so do not believe it, okay?"

Hermione just looked away from him and pursed her lips tightly.

Draco sighed. "All right, I give up," he said.

The brunette closed her eyes and sighed. "Can we just go to Danny's grave first?" she asked him.

The blond looked surprised. "Of course," he said. "Where is it located?"

"My old home's backyard," she said softly. She stretched out her right hand and looked up at the blond. "Come on, take my hand. I'm going to take us both there."

Draco obeyed and clasped his hand around hers.

And then, they apparated.

"Wow," Draco commented. "Nice house."

"Thanks," the brunette said, smiling. "This is where I was born and where I grew up." Hermione looked up at Draco and offered her right hand, palm up. "Come on, I'll introduce you to my big brother."

Draco smiled and held her hand, letting her lead him towards the Grangers' backyard. His smile turned into a slight frown upon seeing weeds stubbornly growing around said place. They were over towering almost all of the flowers.

"Wow," she said, surprised, too. "I guess I haven't visited this place for a long time." Her eyes landed somewhere and Draco followed her gaze. His eyes grew upon recognizing the unfinished tree house Hermione's father had made her when she was still a child.

"My tree house!" she gasped, tears welling up in her eyes again. The brunette released a few chuckles while brushing away her tears. "See, it was never finished. Daddy was too busy to even bother finishing it." The brunette grinned at the blond through her tears. "Be proud, Ferret. Your tree house is way better than my father's."

Draco grinned back at her. "You're inflating my ego, you know," he shot back. "And besides, it's not my tree house. It's your tree house."

"Ours," Hermione corrected, running a hand through her hair.

"Yes, true," the blond said. He looked around the backyard again. "Now, where's Daniel, hmm?"

The brunette pursed her lips and looked around. Her eyes then landed on a familiar apple tree and smiled. "There," she said, pointing towards the majestic trunk.

"Under an apple tree?" he asked, amused.

"Danny's favorite fruit was an apple," she said, now slowly walking towards the tree with Draco following behind. "He said it was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted." The brunette laughed with a specific memory. "I remembered that he had a terrible tummy ache because he ate five whole apples consecutively."

Draco's eyes landed on the bark of the apple tree and smiled. An inscription was written on it and, even if it was quite messy, it was no doubt Hermione's handwriting when she was a little child.

"'I'll always remember you, Danny'," Hermione softly read, tears now freely trailing down her face. "I wrote that when I was five-years-old." Her had touched the engraved words on the tree bark and fondly caressed it. "I'll always remember you, Danny."

The blond placed his right hand on top of hers and gave it a slight squeeze. "I'm sure he'll always remember you, too, Hermione," he said in a soft whisper. "Merlin, who would forget a stubborn and insufferable witch like you?"

Hermione softly chuckled despite her tears. "Danny wasn't even beside me when I receive my Hogwarts Acceptance Letter," she said. "What if he was a wizard, too?"

"That'd be terrible," Draco commented. "I mean two Grangers in Hogwarts? A total nightmare."

"Silly," the brunette said, hurtling a playful punch towards the blond. "That would have been fine. Someone would protect me besides… you know."

The blond grinned. "Merlin, if he was there to watch his little sister punching me in our third year, he would mock me endlessly," he told her.

Hermione sniffed and smiled, now slowly kneeling down in front of her big brother's grave. Once she did this, Draco's eyes landed on a grey tombstone with the words Daniel Granger written on it. "Hey, Danny," she softly murmured. "See that blond standing beside me? That's Draco Malfoy and he's my best friend."

The blond smirked and knelt down beside the brunette. "Nice to meet you, Danny," he said, playing along.

The brunette gave him a grateful smile before looking back at her brother's tombstone. "I'm quite all right now, Danny," she said. "Don't worry; Ferret's taking good care of me." She took a deep breath and brandished her wand out. "But sometimes, Draco becomes intolerable. Can you haunt him if he's being annoying to me?"

"Hey!"

Hermione chuckled and conjured a red rose. She gently placed it on the tombstone. Draco eyed it curiously. The brunette must have noticed his curiosity since she answered, "Danny's favorite flower was a red rose." She looked up at him and smiled at his surprised look. "Not very manly, I know. But he told me that the reason for his favorite flower is because it reminded him of me."

The blond nodded, understanding the deceased little boy. He agreed with him silently. Hermione really reminded him of a red rose.

She took a deep breath and then stood up. She wiped away her tears and helped Draco up. "Come on; we have other graves to visit."

Draco smiled and nodded. "Hang on," he said, pulling out his wand as well. He conjured a red rose and placed it beside the rose Hermione had conjured. "I'll take care of her. I promise," he whispered inaudibly so no one but the wind could hear him.

"It looks the same," Hermione commented in a whisper as she observed the happy students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry lounging around the grounds. "It's as if the war never happened at all."

The Malfoy silently nodded his head, eyes trained intently on his once favorite spot. "It's so nice to reminisce of good memories again," he said.

"True," the brunette said. And then, she saw a familiar face and grinned brightly. "NEVILLE! OH, NEVILLE!"

Draco looked amused as Neville Longbottom, now twenty-five-years-old, looked around the Hogwarts ground for the source of the voice. Some students, too, looked surprised with the sudden outburst.

Neville's eyes landed on Hermione and eagerly approached her. The bell rang, signaling for the start of the classes. Before the ex-Gryffindor could even approach the two, he stopped one nearby fifth year Prefect and instructed him that he would be a quite late for his class. He also instructed him to call for him if he was over ten minutes late. The Prefect nodded respectfully before running inside the Hogwarts castle.

"Ah, Hermione!" he exclaimed, opening his arms wide as the brunette launched herself towards him and gave him a tight hug.

"Oh, Neville, it's so nice to see you again," she gushed, grinning brightly at her ex-Housemate. "Oh my, you have grown! And you're Professor Longbottom now, too!"

The Herbology teacher grinned sheepishly. "It's my dream job, Hermione," he said. His eyes landed on the blond accompanying the brunette. "Draco Malfoy!" he exclaimed, surprised that he was with Hermione.

The Malfoy heir smirked. "Professor Longbottom," he greeted politely.

Neville looked horrified. "Did you do something to him?" he whispered softly to the brunette. Hermione just giggled.

"He's changed; don't worry," the brunette answered back. "Now" – she looked around Hogwarts – "where's Headmistress McGonagall? Draco and I need to talk to her."

"Minerva's at the Ministry of Magic," Neville said with a sigh. "They're having a meeting about something. But you can tell me what you need. I'm the newly appointed Deputy Headmaster."

"That's wonderful!" the brunette said, clasping her hands together.

"So, what do you want?" he asked politely, smiling at the grinning brunette. His eyes constantly darted towards Draco, eyes full of curiosity and suspicion.

"Christ, Longbottom, stop doing that," the blond drawled irritably, glaring at the Herbology Teacher.

Neville flinched. Even after years had passed, he still had this fear towards the ex-Slytherin. "Pardon me," he said in a rush. He watched in amusement as Hermione shot the blond a pointed look and he smiled back at her sheepishly. 'Surprising,' he said, frowning. "What is it that you want, Hermione?"

The brunette pursed her lips and hopefully looked at the Malfoy heir. The blond sighed and rolled his eyes at the Hogwarts Professor. "We came here to visit Potter and Weasley's graves."

The Herbology teacher looked fairly surprised. Apparently, he had known the fact that Hermione didn't show her face on the day of her best friends' burial. "Really?"

Hermione slowly nodded her head and expectantly looked at Neville. "Will you allow us?" she asked softly.

"Of course!" Neville exclaimed, patting the brunette's head. "Why would I stop you?"

She smiled and gave her ex-Housemate another hug. "Thanks, Neville," she whispered. "This is important to me, you know."

"I know," he whispered back and pulled away from Hermione. "Anyway, I think you better go there now. My class is waiting for their teacher!" Hermione laughed and pulled Draco by his arm. "See you someday, Neville," she said.

"Yeah," he said. "Goodbye Hermione… Malfoy."

Draco only raised an eyebrow and smirked at him. Neville glared but the blond had already looked away from him.

Now, as Neville watched the two slowly walk towards the place where Harry and Ron were buried, he couldn't help but wonder. When he was in his Hogwarts years, he never thought that Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy would be smiling at each other. They even looked like best friends!

He raised his eyebrows, though, in surprise, when he saw the blond's right hand resting slightly on Hermione's back. And the brunette didn't even seem to mind. "Hmm… I wonder," he whispered softly to himself, catching a glimpse of the ring around the blond's neck.

"Professor Longbottom!"

Neville looked at the source of the voice and saw the same Prefect he was talking with a while ago.

"It had been ten minutes, Professor Longbottom," he said.

The Herbology Professor nodded his head and followed the prefect inside Hogwarts. Before he completely disappeared inside the school, he gazed at the unlikely pair. "I do wonder…"

"This is it," Draco slowly said, eyes trained intently on the brunette. They were nearing the place where both of her best friends were buried – near Professor Dumbledore's grave.

Hermione's breath hitched as she remembered Professor Dumbledore's white marble sarcophagus which was beside the Hogwarts Lake. She knew that Harry's lay beside the Professor and Ron's grave lay beside Harry's.

"Are you ready?" the Slytherin asked.

The brunette blinked, her eyes already stinging. She bit her bottom lip since it was unnaturally quivering continuously. 'A few more steps then we'll be there,' she thought to herself. Five steps… four steps… three… two… one… A tear slipped down from her eyes once her eyes landed on the three graves placed beside the Hogwarts Lake.

"Hey," Draco said, catching her attention as he stretched out his hand and clutched Hermione's. The brunette jerked, eyes immediately snapping towards her best friend. The blond gave her a small, knowing smile while lifting his free hand to wipe away the tear that had slipped down from her eyes. "I knew it. I told you, you don't have to do this, Hermione."

She pursed her lips and looked back at the graves. "I can do this," she whispered softly, now walking towards her deceased best friends' graves while tugging Draco gently. "I know I can do this."

"It's all right to stop being a Gryffindor for a moment, Hermione," he softly whispered. "It won't kill you."

Hermione shook her head. "I want to do this," she answered in a soft whisper. Tears flooded her eyes and slowly trickled from her eyes. "I want to do this."

Slowly, the brunette walked towards the three graves and knelt down. Her eyes first landed on Professor Dumbledore's grave and she smiled. "Hello, Headmaster," she softly said. "It's been a while since I last saw you. I'm sorry for not visiting. You understand, don't you?" She paused to gently sniff. "Of course you do. You're Albus Dumbledore. And you understand everything."

Draco's face was full of concern to the point that he was driven to kneel down beside his best friend. He watched as her eyes landed finally on Harry Potter's grave.

Hermione's sobs became uncontrollable. The blond was surprised when the brunette grabbed his hand, finding comfort from its warmth. "Ha-Harry," she gasped. "Oh, Harry… Harry." Her free hand gently placed itself on the inscription of Harry's name. "I miss you so much… I-I miss you."

The brunette punched his tombstone, making her knuckles turn red. "That's not fair, Harry," she sobbed. "You weren't supposed to leave me so soon. You're being so bloody selfish, do you know that? I've been beside you ever since we met, right? There were times when I wish I haven't befriended you at all so I would have only been an ordinary student. But no, I stayed beside you. Do you know why? Because I cared for you so much, Harry. Hell, I even loved you! You… you became like a second Danny to me. But you left me, you selfish git." Hermione ran a hand through her tears. "You left me."

The blond, slightly uncomfortable, pulled his hand away from the brunette's grasp. Maybe he should leave her alone first and wander inside Hogwarts to see if everything was still the same. But, before he could even take a step, Hermione's hand found its way back into his again.

"Please don't go," she gently pleaded, tears still continuously falling from her eyes. Her face scrunched up into pain as she looked back at her best friends' graves. "I need you. Please don't go."

Draco's heart skipped a beat as she said those words. I need you. The blond blinked and slowly knelt down beside Hermione again, this time, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Hermione's eyes were now trained intently on Ron's grave. It was common knowledge that the redhead had been her first love. It just slowly subsided when Ron made it obvious that she wasn't the one whom he fancied but Lavender Brown. A slow smile formed on her face and she closed her eyes. Her hand brushed against Ron's name, remembering everything that was him. "I hate you, Ronald," she cried. "I hate you for leaving me, too. You made me mad when you told me that you don't love me, too, you know. But, don't worry, I've forgiven you now. But leaving me? That's a low blow… a very, very low blow."

The Malfoy heir rubbed his thumb against her neck to calm her down. Hermione's eyes slowly closed, succumbing to his gentle caresses.

Slowly, the brunette opened her glassy eyes and stared back at the blond's worried ones. "Thank you," she whispered, placing a wet kiss on his forehead. "Thank you so much."

Draco sighed and wrapped his arm around her waist. Hermione leaned her head against his shoulder and continued to cry. "Let's get out of here," he whispered.

Hermione didn't answer so, the blond just apparated both of them away.

Draco and Hermione were inside a nice, comfy coffee house which located a few blocks away from Hermione's apartment. The Malfoy heir chose a place secluded from the other usual customers of the store so that they wouldn't attract too much attention (especially Hermione's cries).

The brunette was still continuously sobbing, face buried behind her hands. It had been twenty minutes since they had visited the graves but Hermione was still crying. And truthfully, Draco was becoming alarmed.

"Hermione," he said for the umpteenth time. "Please stop crying. It's killing me, do you know that?"

Hermione buried her face deeper so as to muffle her tears but still didn't stop crying.

Draco looked around the coffee shop. Some people were busy minding their own business, thank God. But one of the waitresses of the shop, their waitress, was looking at the pair curiously. He shot her a warning look which made her blush and look away from the both of them.

Sighing, the blond gently removed Hermione's hands away from her face and clutched both of them tightly. "Come here," he beckoned, pulling the brunette gently to himself. Hermione obliged until she ended sitting in the blond's lap, face once again buried against the crook of his neck.

"I miss them… I miss them both oh so much," she gasped, gripping the front material of his t-shirt for dear life. "It's unfair… it's so bloody unfair."

"Hush," he whispered, closing his eyes as he leaned his head against hers. "It's all right."

"You don't get it!" she cried, banging her fist against his chest. Draco didn't seem to mind. "Everything's not all right. Life… life had been harsh… too harsh! A-and now, I have lung cancer."

"Calm down," he murmured, running a hand through her hair. "It's all right. It's all right. Please, calm down."

"I'll follow them soon," she sobbed. "Soon, I'll be able to see them again. Soon, Harry will greet me with a warm, big hug and Ron will flash me his usual, crooked smile. Soon, I'll be able to scold them again." Her last sentence made her on the other hand, Draco didn't find anything funny at all.

"Don't say that," he said, hugging her tight. "Please take that back, Hermione. It wasn't funny at all."

"Well, it's true!" she cried indignantly.

Draco just pursed his lips and continued to comfort the crying brunette.

Silence ensued. People hustled and bustled in the café. Teenagers came in… Adults came in… Families came in. But the two young adults, one seated on the other's lap, were silent except for the soft cries of the brunette.

"Hermione," he softly whispered, breaking the comfortable silence.

She didn't answer. Instead, she snuggled her head more comfortably against his neck, her breath gently blowing against his neck.

"Hermione," he repeated.

"Yes?" she asked, sniffing softly.

"Aren't I enough?"

The brunette didn't answer. Surprisingly, she stopped sniffing. And then slowly, she moved her head away from his neck so that she was staring straight into his eyes.

"Aren't I enough?" he whispered again. Hermione pursed her lips at the look in his eyes – sadness. It was there, clouding his usual warm and happy eyes. The brunette placed one hand beside his cheek. She gently brushed it as he closed his woeful eyes. Leaning closer, the brunette pressed her lips sweetly against his forehead.

"Please take me home now," she whispered.

Draco slowly opened his eyes and stared at her watery ones. He nodded mutely, watching as the brunette stood up from his lap. He stood up, too, and walked towards the exit of the coffee shop.

Hermione hadn't answered his question and that made him troubled. 'Silence means yes', she once quoted. And so, her silence meant yes, then.

For some reason, that made him slightly angry. He ignored the brunette as he trudged towards the apparition point. He was about to apparate away when Hermione's warm hand enveloped his.

That calmed him down.

Draco followed Hermione to her bedroom. It was still too early but the brunette had announced that she was tired.

Upon arriving in her bedroom, the brunette grabbed shorts from her cabinet and slid them on before removing her grey dress, revealing her white turtleneck sweater. She crawled on her bed and smiled gratefully at her best friend when he tucked her inside her comforter. She watched as the blond grabbed her ferret stuffed toy from her desk and placed it beside her.

"I'm going now," he said quietly, straightening up. "Father demanded

my presence and I have to explain why I didn't arrive at the meeting a while ago."

Hermione gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry," she said.

"Not your fault," Draco said dismissively. "Father is just being his usual self."

The brunette just nodded in agreement.

"Anyway," he said, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead, "I think it's best if you go to sleep now. God, crying drained your energy, eh? It's too early for your bedtime but you are dead tired."

"I'm sorry," she repeated again, wrapping an arm around his neck to give him a kiss on the cheek. She immediately released him and closed her eyes, not noticing the blush that crept on both of the blond's cheeks. "Goodbye, Draco."

"Sleep tight," he said, brushing a stray strand away from her forehead.

"Don't let the bed bugs bite."

The blond chuckled and turned on his heel. He was about to cross the threshold of her bedroom but then, Hermione stopped him.

"Draco?" she whispered, barely audible, though the blond still heard her.

He turned around, looking at her curiously. "Yeah?"

Her eyes connected into his while a small smile grew on her lips. "You're more than enough," she simply said.

Draco looked surprised at first. He blinked exactly three times before breaking into a large, heart-warming smile. He turned around on his heel and then strode away from her bedroom.

Coughs were heard in the dark bedroom, shattering the serene silence. The only thing that was visible was the moon outside the window, illuminating the whole bedroom.

Coughs would repeat and repeat, sounding like a gun until the voice became hoarse and croaky. Grabbing a white handkerchief from the bedside table, it was gingerly pressed against the lips, muffling the sound of the deafening coughs.

After removing it from the mouth, there it was, greatly contrasting the stark whiteness of the handkerchief.

Blood.

Replies to Reviews:

.Poisoned Scarlet.: Hahaha, yeah. Tenten does need some more screen time (and yeah, you said that already in your last review XD) Anyway, thanks for the great, great review! And, do you really think James Moore's a rival? Hahaha, just stay tuned for more!

TMRC: Thanks for thinking the last chapter was brilliant. And yeah, of course, I would update. Thanks for the review!

jessirose85: Hahaha, glad for finally remembering :D Thanks for reviewing!

Jazii26: Awww, honey, did you really expect me to put some details about their date? I'm so sorry, I just needed something to end the chapter! Hahaha, yeah, I know, lame. I'm so sorry if I disappointed you. Thanks for reviewing, though.

lrmorena: Yeah, Lucius was adorable in the last chapter. And for happy endings… hmm… let me think. Why don't you just wait for the end of my story? LOL! Thanks for the review :D

Binxs1: Thanks for the comforting words, honey. Don't worry, I'm continuing it. I got over that bloody 'festering sore' a few days ago already. Thanks for the awesome review!

ronniekins-mione: Oh, no! I have to re-melt you back! HAHA! You still haven't finished reading my whole story! And I'm continuing, don't worry. Thanks for the review!

malfoysgirl09: Lovely, eh? I mean, when I first thought of James having a crush on Hermione, I was like 'Why not?' And, it turned out well (umm… for me) And hahaha, yeah I could see his jealousy! Aww, adorable Drakie! And as for your theory… hmm… maybe. Only God knows… and of course, my dear beta and I! Anyway, just keep waiting, okay? Thanks for the review.

Cymberline: Yeah, I figured out you disliked this pair while reading your profile. I mean, aww, too bad. For me, they're a lovely pair! Well, I'm not really offended. I mean, I have friends who hate Dramione stories, too! Well, actually before, I was disgusted with the idea that some of my friends are supporting this ship. But well, I just fell in love after reading one fan fiction. Thanks for reviewing and giving my Dramione story a try. It's greatly appreciated.

Thu: Yeah, someone called my story a festering sore. And hahaha, you'll festering sore them? Hahaha, I hope your wish comes true :p Too bad… cancer in real life just couldn't avada itself, right? What if it can? Everybody will be happy! And, sorry if you expected them to have a date when I decided not to put it here in this chapter. It would… let's just say, not fit in this chapter. Anyway, thanks for the lovely review!

mandita: Yeah, the ending was kinda cute for me, too. I hope you'll like the endingof the whole story. Thanks for reviewing!

-Zabini: Hahaha, yeah, Hermione's so dense :D I mean, some intelligent people are dense when it comes to feelings and emotions. I know some people who are like that… Anyway, as for your suggestion, why don't you wait for my updates? Thanks for reviewing.

vernalequinox135: Hahaha, funny review. The excerpt of what you thought was cool, honey! Anyway, thanks for the review!

Hachiko06: Dearie, it's D-R-A-M-I-O-N-E!!! Hahaha, are you implying that the person who said my story's a festering sore is not normal? AND, I AGREE! French is a beautiful language. Ever since I was in Grade 6 (I think), I always wanted to learn French but I never had the chance. Don't worry, if I need help, I'll email you. And, don't apologize for giving me a long review! I mean, the longer the better! :D

Kwebbeltje: Hahaha, sorry if that random 'James asking Hermione out' made you quite frustrated. But, remember honey, it's a Dramione story! Thanks for reviewing!

fantasia-49: Awww, thanks. :D Compliments, compliments, greatly appreciated! Thanks for the awesome review!

GurlOfTheNight: Yeah, I mean, finally after four years, he's getting better! Thanks to Hermione for the awesome theory she made. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

WinnieThaPoo92: You can't make up your mind, eh? Hahaha, I'm so sorry for that. And yeah, I think they're awesome, too! Thanks for the review!

gitgit: Aww, thanks for the awesome review, too. And, now you know what number 2 is on her list! And really, you think the post-it part was cute? I mean, I really got the idea on Hermione's ninth goal when Draco was supporting her through the post-it note and note-shaped spread on her bread! Anyway, thanks for the review!

redandblack 4eva: Don't worry, you're not alone. I'm a hopeless romantic, too. I had fun typing the post-it notes part! I think that's the best part I made in the last chapter. And, I really intended on doing that. Dear reader, I want you and the others to hate James but then end up liking him (just like Snape! Well, for me). Anyway, thanks for the review!

Cee M.: Yes, yes, convince them! HAHAHA! It would be greatly appreciated. Of course Hermione had to be the one to discover the cure for something thought to be deadly and incurable. I mean, I really want her to accomplish her goal of saving someone's life. AND, honey, I love it when Hermione's dense. I mean, she's so intelligent! Sometimes, intelligent people should be dense about one thing, right? Anyway, I'm so sorry if I disappointed you. I was having a hard time thinking of details about the threesome's date and so, I just decided to move on and start Hermione's wish of accomplishing her second goal. So, sorry! And hey! That's Hermione's line! :p… oh, yeah, yours is writer's block bugs bite!!!! HILARIOUS! Honey, thanks for the awesomely long review!

Twitchy the Squirrel: Wow, I'm happy you chose to read this story even if it's sad(ish) :p Hahaha, and don't worry, I'm totally over the festering sore thingie… And THANKS! You're another reviewer who told me the post-it notes part was hilarious. I love that part, too! Hmm… and your questions, I thought of some things about it already. Just wait for the last chapter to discover the answers (ha! I gave you a clue!) Thanks for the review!

moon23: Aww, thanks for the compliments. I mean, it's rare when someone tells me I'm a great writer. Would you believe it if I don't excel much in writing essays in English? Hahaha! Anyway, thanks for the awesome review!

mentarisenja: Sorry, honey, if I disappointed you of not writing the part when the three dated. And for your questions, why don't you wait for my updates. Maybe, some of your questions would be answered. Thanks for reviewing!

Jika: Hahaha, sorry if I'm confused. I really thought that the 'sequel' you meant was for my other story 'Time's Up!' Anyway, thanks for the great review!

jp'slover4life: Demanding much? Hahaha, Draco would look adorable if you boss him around! Tell him to stop being so dumb and ask Hermione to marry him! And yeah, I'm proud of Hermione too! Thanks for the review!

Draco and Hermione is like PBJ: Don't worry, I'll keep writing :D Aww, and was it really sweet? I really thought so, too! Anyway, thanks for the review!

CookieMonsterxx3: Sorry, honey. But I really like your suggestion! I should have thought of that goal of hers wayyyy before I finished doing her list! Anyway, your reassurance comforted me. Hahaha. Thanks for reviewing!

meandevil: Awww, wow! Nice compliments! As for your question about Ginny, why don't you just wait for my next updates to know the answer? Thanks for the review!

Hermone-Loves-Ron16311: That was so sweet. Your review's short but it's still greatly appreciated. Thanks for reviewing!

Umbridgeskitty: Hahaha, I'm a fan of love triangles, you know. Thanks for the review! :D

flamingbunnies: Before anything else, I just want to say I love your avatar! Hahaha, I love Potter Puppet Pals! I mean, did you see 'The Mysterious Ticking Noise' already? I mean, brilliant! Anyway, back to topic. Thanks for the great review! Aww, James Moore has a new fan! Hahaha! :p

Ninja Nicole: Yeah, I really intended that. I want people to think that James hates Hermione first but then, when he starts to warm up around her, he would soon ask her out. And, if you expect me to write something about their date, I'm sorry to disappoint you if you didn't find anything. I just have no idea what to write. Hahaha! Anyway, thanks for the awesome review!

Hermione'sBFF454: Awww, hahaha. Thanks for the compliment. And thank you for reviewing! :D

The Jazzled Author: Yeah, I also have a bit of fascinations towards fan fictions which are based or remind me of 'A Walk to Remember'. Read it, honey! I mean, I bawled my eyes out after finishing the book! Oh, I'm not really a fan of Twilight (sorry) but my most favorite pair in that book is Jasper x Alice, too! Thanks for the awesome review!

samxlove: Wow, you're the first reviewer who didn't beg me to make Hermione take the medications. I mean… wow. Anyway, thanks for the review!

Gryfferin Princess: Hahaha, and my reviewers deserve the 'happiness, care, and love' I give! And PLATYPUS?! Seriously! That's downright HILARIOUS, sweetie! AND GRIZZLY BEAR! God, what if Hermione really called James 'Grizzly Bear'? HAHAHA! And what's with the evil laugh?! :p Hahaha! Hmm… I wonder what your guess is about Hermione's number one… And don't worry, I love loooong reviews! Thanks for giving me one!

Erilin-chan: Ah, yes, I like the contradiction, too. That's why Draco blew up in the first part of the chapter "James Moore". Anyway, thanks for the awesome review!

WOW… I mean, really… WOW!!! A total of 38 reviews! That's so awesome! I feel so loved! Thanks for all those who feel so happy with my updates to the point that they'll give me reviews (or LONG reviews, if they feel happier) Hahaha.

By the way, I'm almost done typing the Epilogue… yes, dear readers, you read right – The Epilogue. There will be another chapter after this before the epilogue; so basically, there will be two chapters more. I can't believe I'm going to end this story soon! I mean, it seemed like yesterday when I decided to open a Math notebook and write all the ideas and outlines.

Hugs and kisses to all of you!

With love,
2booklover4