Hey yall! Sorry its a bit late, the whole fam has got covid including me so I've been in a haze for the past few days, luckily this last chapter epilogue were pre written, I just havent had the chance to post them. Anywho, once we all get better I have another story ive been working on, so keep an eye out for it. It doesnt have a title yet. Happy Reading!

Steph

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Hermione sighed contently and she half-listened to Professor Biggs, the ghost who taught history of magic. She loved history. Having reread Hogwarts: A history dozens of times she still found it fascinating. Perhaps that was the subject she would choose to teach. She'd have to mention it to Headmistress McGonagall later.

Her birthday was in two days. She had hoped to be able to go to the three broomsticks and have some butterbeer for old times sake, but according to her and Draco's sentences, they couldn't leave Hogwarts, even to go to Hogsmeade.

The next day passed quite similarly. Hermione loved the routine she had fallen into, and after having nothing but chaos for so long, she was happy to have a predictable routine for once.

Draco had been allowed to play quidditch, and was captain of the Slytherin team. This meant he had practices most weeknights, but that didn't bother her. It made the nights he didn't have practice more special. She hung out with Ginny and Luna a lot, and the trio were becoming quite close. Harry had written her once since she been back, telling her all about auror training. Ron didn't, but she didn't really expect him to. The thought made her somewhat sad, but she supposed it was for the best. He was never really much of a writer anyways.

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Draco headed to the gargoyle that guarded the headmistress' office. "Catnip". The gargoyle revealed the stairway and he made his way to her door. After being welcomed in, he sat on the edge of the chair facing her desk, his leg bouncing in anticipation.

"What a nice surprise Mr Malfoy, how can I be of service?"

"Well, Hermiones birthday is tomorrow…"

"Yes?"

"And I was hoping, since we can't go down to Hogsmeade to celebrate, that I could contact madame Rosmerta, and see if we could have food and butterbeer brought here and have a small gathering in the Room of Requirement."

"Define 'small' Mr Malfoy. Neither myself or Ms Granger, if I'm guessing correctly,will appreciate a rager."

"Oh no definitely not. I only meant myself, Longbottom, Lovegood, Weaslette-"

"Mr Malfoy!"

"Uh sorry. Ginny Weasley, Potter and Ron Weasley. Also Blaise, Daphne and Theo."

McGonagall seemed to think it over for a minute before replying. "Alright you have my permission to have a small party for Ms granger in the room of requirement. HOWEVER, if I hear of any inappropriate behavior there will be severe consequences."

"Yes maam, thank you! In that case may I use your floo to call madame Rosmerta?"

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Hermione was starting to feel discouraged. Some of her friends had wished her a quick happy birthday, but otherwise no one seemed to notice. She had hardly seen Draco all day. After her last class she went searching for him. He didn't have practice today so she had no idea where he'd gotten off too.

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"Ok everybody ready? Great! I'll go get her and be back in a minute!" Draco raced out of the room as if he were floating.

"Blimey. I don't know if I've ever seen Malfoy this giddy. It's kind of creepy if you ask me."

Ginny smacked her brother on the shoulder. "Oh sod off Ron. He's happy and he makes her happy. I'm glad for them."

Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron. "It's a shame Pansy couldn't come, I know her and Hermione are quite close these days."

"Yeah, but Pansy is still on house arrest."

At that moment the door slammed open and in walked Draco with a yelling, squirming Hermione slung over his shoulder.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy! I was in the middle of writing my runes essay! Tell me where were going RIGHT NOW or I'll hex your-"

Draco put her down with a thud and turned her around. Hermione stared at 9 pairs of saucer sized eyes.

"Surprise?" Ginny chuckled. Draco was massaging his temples. This witch would be the death of him.

"What-Draco what is this?" Hermione finally stopped to look around the room. It looked just like the three broomsticks, only they had the place to themselves. On the bar was a spread of food and a whole keg of butterbeer. On a table in the middle sat a birthday cake complete with candles.

"Since you can't go to Hogsmeade to celebrate, we brought the celebration to you. Happy Birthday love." He kissed the top of her head and pulled her close.

Tears threatened to fall as Hermione was overwhelmed with joy. She turned to look up at her boyfriend. "All this- you got everyone together, even Harry and Ron, for me?"

"Of course, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you." He brushed a stray curl out of her face and kissed her soundly.

"Oi! None of that! You two are ruining my appetite! I'm gonna start barfing if you keep that up!"

Draco rolled his eyes and turned to face the group. "Oh yes we wouldn't want you having to clean up after slugs all night would we Weasley?"

Ron turned red as the entire group began to laugh. Hermione made her way to them and gave both Ron and Harry teary smiles and hugs. This was the best birthday she had had for a long time.

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It was close to 1 am before the group disbursed and slowly started trickling out. After many goodbye hugs, gifts, and birthday wishes all that was left was her and Draco. As soon as the last guest closed the door the room changed. Hermione stood in wonder as the room transformed to into a cozy living room, complete with a roaring fire.

"Draco, how did you-?"

"We went by your house remember? When we were first on the run. I know you probably won't be able to go back to your childhood home, but hopefully this is close enough to the real thing."

Tears were flowing freely down her face now. She ran and enveloped him in a hug that hopefully conveyed her feelings.

"Draco, this the best birthday ever. Thank you. You've made today a wonderful day." She gave him a soft kiss and laid her head against his chest. This man. He continued to wow her in ways she didn't think possible.

"Actually, I do have one more birthday present for you." He took her hand and lead her to the couch. As he took a seat facing her, he pulled a small black box out of his pocket.

"Now before you say anything, I know we've talked about it and we've both agreed we're too young to get married and we still have a lot of work to do growing our careers and things. However, this isn't an engagement ring. It's a promise ring."

"A promise ring?"

"Yes, it's a traditional thing and most people don't even know what it is now days, but it's still common among my family's circles. Basically it means I'm promised to you, and that everything I do, every decision I make has our future together in mind. And that one day, a formal engagement will come. I love you Hermione, you're the one for me."

Hermione smiled at him and slowly opened the box. Inside was a dainty silver ring, shaped in vines that reminded her of her wand, each leaf with a tiny diamond on the tip.

Hermione gasped. "Draco, this is beautiful!" She took it out of the box and put it on her right ring finger. It shrunk to fit perfectly.

"I wasn't sure what your ring size was so I had them enchant it to fit."

She leaned over and gave him a kiss. "That's brilliant. Thank you so much, I love it. I love you."

"I love you too. You deserve the world." He took the opportunity to study her, to memorize every feature of her face. Brushing a curl out of her face he lowered his lips to hers.

"I can think of one other way to make my birthday memorable." She said with a smirk.

He threw his head back in laughter. "Evil witch".

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Fall faded to winter. Draco and Hermione weren't allowed to return home for the holidays so they spent Christmas together just the two of them in the 8th year common room. Their friends made sure to visit and laughter, food, and gifts flowed freely.

Despite their limitations, Draco found this to be one of the better holidays he remembered. Hermione even went three days straight without studying for their NEWTS. He chuckled at the image of her frantically reading and scribbling, then reading again. She was so adorable.

He had another meeting with Professor Slughorn, and after a while decided to pursue medical potions research. He liked the thought of using his talents to help heal and he enjoyed creating and modifying potions. He had plenty of money for funding, but he also wanted to work closely with healers and mediwitches. Hermione thought it was a brilliant idea and supported him wholeheartedly.

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She had another meeting with Professor McGonagall as well. The older woman perked up when she mentioned teaching History of Magic. "Well you'll be pleased to know Ms Granger, that Professor Biggs has announced his retirement. If I can convince him to put it off for another few years, the job will be yours once it is vacant. He may even be amicable to bringing you on as a teachers aide while you pursue your teaching studies. Since History is not a practical subject and is more theoretical and book learning, you won't need a formal apprenticeship. However, being a teachers aide will give you valuable classroom experience."

Hermione beamed, "That's wonderful! If Professor Biggs is willing, then I'm all for it!"

"Excellent! I'll schedule a meeting between the three of us so we can iron out the details. I'm very excited to see how your future pans out, Hermione. You've always been one of our brightest students and an exemplary leader among your peers. You will be a wonderful educator."

Hermione smiled brightly and threw aside all professionalism as she round the desk and pulled the headmistress in for a hug. "Thank you Professor, that means everything coming from you."