Chapter Eighteen

‘Finally. I was just about ready to rip my hair out,’ Harry groaned, as they came out of the last potions exam.

They all walked outside to find the weather was perfect. The sun seemed to welcome them. It was the kind of weather that could make you smile even if you were in a bad mood. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Draco all sat on the grass, watching everyone enjoy the weather.

‘Can you believe this is our last year? I mean, we are never coming back to Hogwarts to study ever again.’ Hermione said.

They all said 'hmm' and 'yeah'.

‘Should we be happy or sad?’ Harry joked.

Hermione looked at Draco, he wasn't paying attention. Draco was looking into the distance. Hermione followed his gaze and saw a bunch of Slytherins hanging near a tree. She only knew some of them: Blaise, Pansy and... Well, she only knew two of them.

Pansy was laughing and batting her eyelashes at Blaise. Blaise whispered in her ear and they looked over to Draco. Pansy winked at him, blowing him a kiss and looked away.

Jealousy, disbelief and annoyance made Hermione’s eyebrows knit together. How dare she? She controlled the urge to get up and show her a piece of Hermione's angry side.

Hermione turned to Draco, discreetly. She was happy to see the scowl on her face.

She hugged Draco so hard, that he fell back and Hermione fell onto him. She landed a kiss on his cheeks.

‘I'm not complaining but... What have I done to deserve this... reward?’ Draco laughed.

‘I just love you so much.’ Hermione said, kissing him again.

‘Guys, please get a room.’ Ginny chuckled, landing a kiss on Harry's lips herself.

-----

‘Where is she?’ Draco asked, frantically.

‘She's coming, calm down.’ Ginny said, letting Harry take her trunk to put it on the carriage.

Draco could see the thestrals clearly in front of him, though he didn't want to. He looked away from them, keeping an eye out for Hermione. Everyone was waiting on her. Ron, Harry, Ginny, Neville and Luna were all sat in the carriage as Draco waited impatiently for Hermione

He then spotted her. One hand held her trunk, the other held the front of her shirt. Her hair billowed back as she ran.

‘I. Was-’ Hermione panted as Draco took her trunk and helped her climb in the carriage.

‘Hurry up,’ Ginny said interrupting her.

They climbed in and the thestrals, visible to all of them, ran towards the train.

‘I was talking to Slughorn.’ Hermione said, gaining her breath.

‘What did he say?’ Ginny asked.

‘He wanted to congratulate me on completing my final year and he said 'I'll amount to a greater good'. His words.’ Hermione said chuckling.

‘And so you will.’ Draco said.

They ride to the train in silence, practically running to it when the carriage stopped.

‘Come on!’ McGonagall ushered them in, ‘Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy, meet me in my compartment in ten minutes.’

They nodded and found an compartment. They had a hard time finding one as they were so late, but when they did eventually find an empty compartment they stored their trunks and sat on the seats as the train lurched forward.

Hermione watched Harry looking out the window, watching Hogwarts grow smaller and smaller and eventually disappearing.

‘Harry, are you alright?’ Hermione whispered, so no one else could hear except for Draco as he watched them.

Harry nodded, silently. Hermione knew he was emotional. For Harry, Hogwarts was a home and a safe sanctuary. Hermione nodded, not pressing him to talk. Draco moved a piece of hair off her face and kissed her head. He smiled. He always made her smile.

After a few minutes Hermione and Draco both made their way to Professor McGonagall.

She invited them in and they took the seats opposite them.

‘I imagine at the start of the year, both of you were probably scared or annoyed at the prospect of being Head boy and Girl together, but now...’ McGonagall looked at their entwined hands and smiled, which is rare for her, ‘I'm glad you got over your differences and saw that you could have been friends and more.’

Hermione and Draco both smiled, glancing at each other.

‘I wish you the very best,’ McGonagall smiled, but her face being business like, ‘Anyway, both of you have done an outstanding job being our Head Boy and Girl. Though this year, thankfully, everything was quiet. You weren't needed much. None the less you have done a great job. Thank you and i wish you the very best for the future. Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, I present to you your certificates.’

McGonagall handed them both certificates and smiled. Both, Hermione and Draco nodded and thanked her. They left the room.

‘Draco!’ Hermione squealed clutching her certificate.

‘You deserve it. Well done,’ Draco said.

‘And so do you, Head boy.’ Hermione said, pulling him closer she kissed him.

They went back to their compartment and showed everyone their certificates, gaining a congratulations and a whole load of smiles.

------

‘Hermione!’ Mrs Granger shouted, her arms outstretched on platform 9 and 3/4.

Hermione hugged her mother, tight, smelling her motherly scent as Harry, Ron and Ginny hugged Mrs Weasley one by one. Draco was silently conferring with his mother.

Narcissa's eyes were wide and she had a hand on Draco's shoulder. She said something and Draco nodded keeping eye contact with his mother. Narcissa closed her eyes, thinking, and opened them again, she smiled and nodded.

‘Sorry, your father had to work, since we are going on holiday he has to work extra. But I've got everything ready. Booked the hotel. We are leaving in three days. I've packed my bags and I'm sure Molly and Narcissa have too. Just you kids need to pack your bags and we'll be off.’ Mrs Granger said, excitedly.

‘Where are we going?’ Hermione asked, tearing her eyes away from Draco.

‘A beach in Florida, it'll be warm so pack light clothes and of course your swimwear.’ Mrs Granger said, ‘Now come on, let's go home.’

‘Wait, mum, I need to see Draco.’ Hermione said.

‘Okay, I'll talk to Molly.’ Mrs Granger went to Mrs Weasley who was explaining something to Ginny.

Hermione made her way over to Narcissa and Draco. Both fell silent as she approached them.

‘Hello, dear.’ Narcissa said, smiling too brightly.

‘Hi, how are you?’ Hermione asked, glancing at Draco who was looking at his mother, his eyebrows slightly joined together as he frowned, thinking.

‘I'm fine. I must go now before someone notices me.’ Narcissa said, looking out for photographers, ‘are you coming, Draco?’

Draco nodded once, smiling.

‘I'll expect you at home soon.’ Narcissa said before walking away and apparating.

‘Draco, what's up?’ Hermione asked, cupping his face.

Draco stared at her, thinking. He pushed his lips to her suddenly and kissed her. Hermione, surprised, pulled away, looking around.

‘Too many people, Draco,’ Hermione whispered, not wanting photographers to see them together just yet.

Draco took her hand and led her to a darkened area, leaning her against a pillar, he pressed his lips to her.

‘Draco, what's wrong?’ Hermione asked, pulling away.

‘Absolutely nothing! Everything’s great!’ Draco said happily.

He pressed his lips to her before walking away and apparating.

Hermione, smiling, walked out from the darkened area and saw her mother waving at her.

They walked out the station, silently. Hermione climbed into her mothers car and they drove off to their house.

The journey was relaxing as they talked about Hogwarts and her studies.

When they got home, Hermione went upstairs. She yawned, entering her room. It looked just how she left it. Tidy.

She opened her wardrobe, deciding to change her clothes. She took her cloak off and hung it on one of the hanger. She took her trousers and shirt off, standing in only her underwear. She wore black jeans and was about to wear a orange shirt when she heard a crack. She turned around, her neck cricking.

Draco stood in the middle of her room, smiling. He then realised she didn't have a shirt on, he smirked at her. Hermione tugged her shirt on, red in the face.

‘Sorry?’ Draco chuckled, ‘I didn't mean... I...’

‘It's okay, Draco.’ Hermione said, hugging him.

 ‘You're so beautiful,’ Draco whispered, leaning in.

‘Can i ask you something?’ Hermione said as his lips kissed hers lightly.

‘Sure,’ Draco said, pulling back to look at her.

‘What were you talking to your mum about? In the station?’ Hermione asked.

‘Oh,’ Draco said, ‘Well, you'll find out very, very soon. I love you so much.’

He leaned in closer and closer, closing his eyes, he kissed her. A hand resting on her waist, he pulled her closer.

‘What if my mum walked in?’ Hermione whispered, against his lips.

‘Hermione, you love me right?’ Draco asked, looking serious.

‘Yes. I love you.’ Hermione said confidently.

‘How much?’ Draco asked, taking her hands.

‘Draco, words can't explain how much I love you. I never reckoned we would end up together but we will. I will always love you.’ Hermione said, wondering why he was asking her this.

Draco sighed, a contented smile on his face. He got down on one knee and fumbled in his pocket, producing a small red box. Hermione's knees shook, literally her heart seemed to fill up with happiness, love and a small bit of nervousness.

‘Hermione Granger, I promise to love you for ever and ever as long as I am alive. Will you marry me?’ Draco asked, opening the box to reveal a small white diamond ring.

Hermione's heart beat faster in her chest as she thought. She remembered the conversation they had in the common room.

 ‘Would you marry the one you love at 19 years old?’ He asked, seriously, all the jokes and laughs wiped off his face.

‘Well,’ Hermione said, ‘Of course. I've always dreamed of marrying someone at a young age. I would love to get married.’

 ‘Draco,’ Hermione gasped, looking at the ring. She felt as though she was dreaming.

‘Hermione, you're killing me with the suspense!’ Draco said, still on one knee.

‘Draco, are you just saying this because of the conversation in our common room?’ Hermione asked, rubbing her hands nervously.

‘No, Hermione, I've been thinking about it a lot. I want you with me. I want to spend my whole life with you. Hermione, will you marry me?’ Draco asked again, looking up at her intently.

 ‘Of course I will... Yes!’ Hermione said and Draco stood up.

He took the ring and her hand. He slipped the ring on her finger easily.

‘It's beautiful’ Hermione whispered, staring at it, feeling herself tear up a little.

‘You're more beautiful,’ Draco whispered, kissing her.

‘Hermione! Here's a suitcase.’ Mrs Granger said, opening the door.

Draco took Hermione’s hand, squeezing it once as they both pulled apart. Hermione looked at her mother, nearly bursting with joy.

‘Oh! Draco! What are you doing here? How did you get here?’ Mrs Granger asked, dropping the suitcase.

‘Mum... I...’ Hermione smiled, holding up her hand she showed her the ring, ‘Draco asked me to marry him and... I said yes.’

 ‘Oh! Darling!’ Mrs Granger said, her eyes full of tears of happiness, she hugged her daughter tightly.

Draco smiled, kissing the top of her head. He had never felt happier in his life. It was as though he really had got a second chance. 

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