2 weeks later

Hermione had all her bags packed, well one bag packed with an extension charm. She didn't have too much luggage anyway. She had sold her apartment 2 days prior and has been staying with Harry and Ginny. She had said goodbye to everyone at work yesterday and her friends had gathered for a last dinner and to wish her luck. Harry and Ginny hosted and invited the other Weasleys. Ron wasn't there, saying he had some business to attend to and said goodbye to Hermione previously. Pansy came with her girlfriend. Luna, Neville and some Hogwarts friends dropped by as well. She found a job in Canada and is going to be relocating for research work. She smiled and assured everyone that she will be alright and is quite excited. However, her glances to the fireplace and the clock were not missed. Ad she said her last farewells at 7 o'clock, Ginny and Pansy pulled her aside.

"He didn't come?" Asked Ginny

"I never asked him or told him to. It's alright, it's not like he can read my mind." Hermione smiled weakly.

"That stupid prat, even if you didn't invite him, I would have crashed the dinner to see you off. It's not as if he hasn't already done that at Slughorn's dinner party," came the response from Pansy

Hermione averted her eyes to the floor, "I didn't tell him I was leaving."

"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed, "Shouldn't you? It will be good for you both to get your closure."

"I think we already did."

Pansy and Ginny looked at each other disappointment clear in their eyes. Pansy was about to say something but Ginny widened her eyes, signalling her to stop.

"Alright well, don't forget to owl and visit! We'll miss you so much," the brunette was squished into a hug by the redhead and the Slytherin.

"I'll miss everyone here too. Take care guys!" Hermione gave everyone a sad smile as she walked into the fireplace and disappeared in green smoke.

Pansy snuck off to find Hedwig. She hastily scribbled a note and sent the snowy owl away.

A few minutes later as the party wrapped up, a cloud of smoke from the fireplace revealed a breathless blonde. He was frenzied and his grey eyes darted around wildly.

"She's gone, mate," said Harry.

The room was silent as Draco Malfoy, once again, fell to his knees. His hand clutched the edge of the fireplace so hard his knuckles turned so white he actually resembled stone. He was the picture of anguish, immortalized in marble carving, forever to be observed and whispered about by passersby. Watching as he remained still, stuck forever in that moment.

Pansy rushed to his side, "Draco. Draco, go after her."

Draco looked at Pansy and then at the remaining crowd. Whatever or whoever he was looking for was not there. What remaining hope that shone in his eyes was dimmed out, until it faded into nothing.

"She didn't ask me to," came his low whisper

"Draco, she wants you to. Just go, go after her."

"She has someone else," he sounded resigned as he retreated back into the fireplace and disappeared once more.

"What did he mean she found someone else?" Pansy looked to her redhead friend who looked just as surprised.

"I have no idea. Hermione didn't tell us anything about someone else. I don't think she could even have room in her heart after Draco."

The remaining party of friends bid their farewells to the hosts and exited awkwardly. Hermione's mysterious lover would be a topic of hushed conversations for a while later. Attempts to uncover their identity were unsuccessful and nothing had come up until it fizzled away, forgotten.


"Hermione Granger?" called an older witch. She had a sweet smile on her face and looked like the type of grandmother who would have your favourite cookies waiting when you come to visit.

"Yes, that's me." Hermione stepped forward. She wore a beige blazer with matching beige pants that were tailored to fit her perfectly. She had taken some time to get settled in her new home in Canada. She got a new apartment with a view of the mountains and she even bought some new clothes.

"Follow me, I'll show you around."

"I can't wait," smiled Hermione. Her heart still heavy but she felt a wash of calm coming over her as breathed in the mountain air.

a fresh start


Back in Malfoy Chateau, after the dinner party, Draco sat on his bed. The lights had been shut off and he had been staring at a photograph of the two of them.

"How could she," he thought. She left without saying goodbye. She left him without a choice. He was trying. He stayed with his parents to tediously work out the details of the spell. He had made little progress, but his mother was starting to regain colour. This made him feel lighter but the loss of Hermione weighed heavy still. And she just left and gave up on him. She did it so quickly, finding someone new the same night. It made him so angry that rage filled his brain like a relentless buzzing. He couldn't hear his own thoughts anymore so he laid back and covered his face with a pillow, trying to drown out the noise.

Tap tap tap

He looked up at his window. His owl was there with a scroll. He used his wand to open it and his owl perched on his arm and dropped the scroll on his palm. Draco unravelled it and saw the familiar script. A single pink rose petal fell but he ignored it and read the words.

Dear Draco,

I realize now I should have told you I was leaving. I needed a fresh start and I hope you find one too. I'm sorry that we ended this way and wish your mother and family the best. Take care.

Hermione

Draco flipped the scroll over and over to see if she left anything else. On the corner of the scroll, he found an erased message.

your faithless love is the only hoax I believe in.

Draco grew angrier. Faithless? Him? He stayed, he looked and was fighting. Grief and rage clouded his judgement and he proceeded to knock over things within his reach. His frightened owl flew out the window and left him to his black fury. He got up and let loose at furniture, books, walls, anything he could. His mother burst into his room moments later trying to calm him. She managed to sit him down on the plush carpet and she embraced him tightly.

"I'm sorry, Draco. I'm so sorry," she cried. Her tears flowing on his hair.

"It's not your fault, mother."