At breakfast the next morning, it was announced that due to the terrible atmosphere of the year, exams would not be held. It seemed as though everyone but Hermione celebrated at the news. She relished the chance to prove that she was as competent, if not more so, than all of the pureblooded witches and wizards at the school.
"We already know you're better than the rest of us, Mia." Hermione blushed at Draco's praise and gave him a quick kiss. She had meant it to be on his cheek, but he had turned at the last minute and it became a kiss on the lips, embarrassing them both. Harry wisely kept his mouth shut, but Luna whispered to Hermione.
"Mia, you like him, and he likes you. Why don't you do something about it? Are the wrackspurts bothering you?"
"The what?"
"Oh, um, nothing. It's just something my dad says."
"Oh, um, ok." Hermione was distracted from asking any other questions by further announcements from the Headmaster.
"I have even more good news for you all. The mandrakes have been declared mature by our esteemed Professor Sprout, who is, at this moment, harvesting them. As soon as she has done so, Professor Snape will be able to make a restorative draught, curing all of those petrified of their affliction." A loud cheer rang through the Great Hall. Everyone had been affected in some way by the events of this year, and it seemed as though by restoring the petrified victims, the nightmare was well and truly over.
That night, the newly revived students joined their classmates for dinner, sending another roar of noise through the Great Hall. As there were no exams, the rest of the week was spent relaxing and enjoying the fine weather. Hermione and Draco had taken to holding hands often, and she had even been so bold as to give him a goodnight kiss once or twice. They had spoken, and neither wanted to go too far, too fast, but they definitely wanted to explore these feelings. Harry was amused by Draco's attitude. He was constantly happy, and always seemed to have a grin on his face. The boys naturally teased Draco, but he took it well. He was a little worried about what his father would say, but he knew that if Hermione set her mind to winning him over, she would do so.
Finally, the rooms were empty, beds were made, trunks were packed, and they all headed down to the Great Hall for the Leaving Feast. Slytherin had won the House cup again. They had reached eight years in a row. Only three years to go, and they would beat Gryffindor's record. Harry personally planned to win every year he was in school, to make the record that much more difficult to beat.
The Slytherins all ate their meal in quiet self-satisfaction. After all, the main point of being a Slytherin was to succeed. They had won the house cup eight years in a row. Both of the Heads had been from Slytherin this year, and there were rumors that the Head Girl would be from Slytherin next year. They had the top students in the class for years two (Harry and Hermione), three (Geoffrey Nott and Matilda Moon), and four (Regina Grey and William Yaxley, and the top girl for year one (Luna). Violet and Alexander both got second for third respective years. The Sorting Hat being tricked to put a student in a different house was the talk of the school, and Slytherin was very glad to gain Violet, although Alexander was a little bummed. Their house was doing well. When the feast ended, the students all went to their dormitories and straight to bed, knowing it would be an early morning the next day.
Once on the train the next morning, Draco asked Harry if he could speak to him privately for a moment. They excused themselves from the girls and found an empty area on the train.
"What's going on Draco?"
"I want to ask Hermione to be my girlfriend."
"You mean you haven't already?"
"No, I wanted to make sure it's ok with you and get permission from her parents."
"Why wouldn't it be alright with me? I don't like her in that way."
"I know, but we've been a group of four friends for a while now, I don't want to mess that up."
"Draco, I don't think we will. Just be good to her. Now I do have to say one thing. You may be my cousin, but she's my friend, and if you hurt her, you will pay for it."
"I'd never hurt her!"
"I'm sure, but it had to be said."
"Good point. Same goes for Luna when you finally work up the nerve to ask her out."
"It's not nerve I'm lacking. She's just younger than us. Remember, she's only eleven, and I won't turn thirteen for a while yet. It's different for you and Mia."
"Good point. Well, also, I'm a little nervous about asking her parents. What if they say no? They might think she's too young."
"Just tell them it's more a chance to explore feelings. I'm sure they'll accept that. It's not like you're about to get married, you're wanting to date her." Draco laughed. Yes, that's true. Well, thanks, mate. Let's go back to our girls."
"Good idea." They returned just in time to see Ronald Weasley being forcibly ejected from their compartment by a combined barrage of spells. At least one of them was an itching spell, judging by his actions. When he saw Draco and Harry, he drew his wand, but he was much too slow.
"Stupefy!" Neither Harry nor Draco had spoken. As Ron fell to the floor, Sydne Dolohov, the Head Girl, was revealed.
"He will never learn. I cannot believe he was attacking you all. I'll make sure he receives proper punishment."
"Thanks, Sydne. By the way, what are you doing now that you've graduated?"
"My father managed to secure an internship for me in the Department of Mysteries. If all goes well, I may be joining them at the end of summer. If it doesn't, or if I don't like it, they'll wipe my memory and I'll try another section of the ministry."
"I'm sure you'll do great."
"Thanks, Harry. Anyway, if I don't like my internship, I do have several other offers as well. So I'll be fine."
"Congrats, Sydne."
"Thanks, Draco. Now, I have to take Weasley up to the Heads' compartment. Have a good ride." They watched as she levitated Weasley in front of her, then joined Hermione and Luna who were laughing over something.
"I know Weasley's incompetence is funny, but not this much. What did you two do to him?" Luna and Hermione laughed even harder.
"Every time he speaks poorly of a Slytherin, he will start itching in very unpleasant places."
"Remind me never to make you angry," said Harry.
"Ditto," said Draco. All too soon, the train was pulling into King's Cross Station. They all gathered up their trunks, and, with the exception of poor Hermione, shrunk them. She was unable to do so, as any magic she used outside of school could instantly be tracked back to her. Unlike the pureblood, or even halfblood witches and wizards who had at least one magical parent around them at all times, Hermione was the only witch in the area. They had all thought this very unfair, and Draco had come up with the idea to speak to his father about changing the rule. They needed a better reason than "Hermione wants to practice magic", though. So, for now, they were in the research stage. Hermione put the thought from her head as Draco levitate the trunk to the platform for her.
Harry followed Draco and Hermione over to the Grangers, and occupied Hermione in finalizing summer plans regarding school shopping and his birthday. Draco, grateful for the distraction, stepped up to Mr. and Mrs. Granger rather nervously.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Granger. May I speak with you privately for a moment." Surprised, the Grangers agreed. They all stepped a little off to the side to provide a bit of privacy. "I...I've been a very close friend of Hermione for two years now, and have never failed to be impressed by her brilliance, beauty, caring, and loyalty. I care for her greatly and would like the opportunity to explore these feelings. I would be honored if you allowed me to court your daughter." Draco was relieved he had managed a proper request without stumbling, but he waited anxiously for their answer.
"Well, Mr. Malfoy, I truly appreciate your appealing to us first. That means a lot. I do, however, worry that you are both rather young for a serious relationship." Draco's face fell some at Mr. Granger's answer.
"I can assure you, sir, that there would be no improprieties. As I said, I'd merely like a chance to explore our feelings, as I have reason to believe that Hermione returns my interest. However, if you feel that we had best wait another year or two, I respect your wishes, despite however hard it may be to hear them." Both Grangers were impressed by Draco's answer. Mr. Granger, especially, was forcibly reminded of his own plea to his wife's parents when he began dating her. He was sure that his daughter was too young to date, but perhaps that was simply because he was her father. She had, after all, always been mature for her age. And he truly believed that this young man would take care of her, and that he would keep things age appropriate.
"Mr. Malfoy, I can appreciate what you've said, and I give my consent to your request. However, you had best not betray my trust."
"I would never betray your trust, Mr. Granger. And thank you for your consent. May I be excused to speak with Hermione?"
"Yes, of course." Draco shook Mr. Granger's hand, and kissed Mrs. Grangers. As he walked away, both Grangers felt that Hermione was one very lucky little girl. When Harry noticed Draco coming back, he quickly gave in to an idea Hermione had mentioned, and said he would owl her to finalize the date they would all visit Diagon Alley. Both he and Luna went to find their families as Draco approached Hermione.
"Luna, do you think your father will let you visit me during summer? I'll miss you if I only get to see you for my birthday."
"I'm sure he will, Harry. And I'll definitely see you for school shopping as well. My father isn't particularly fond of shopping."
"Well, at least I have that to look forward to." They had reached their parents, and Harry let his Aunt Cissy know that Draco would be along in a moment. He told her he was saying good-bye to some friends. Harry said hello to Mr. Lovegood and gave Luna into his care before embracing his parents and quietly greeting them. To avoid suspicion, he hugged the Malfoys as well.
"It's good to see you all again. I think we have a lot to talk about."
**Draco**
"Mia, I need to speak with you a moment."
"Ok, Draco."
"Mia, I spoke to your parents, and they've given me their permission to court you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
"You asked my parents?"
"Of course, I would never want to go against their wishes, and we are rather young." Unsure what to say, Hermione simply kissed him in answer. When they parted for breath, Draco grinned cheekily.
"So, is that a yes?"
"Draco Malfoy, if you think I'd kiss anyone like that other than the man I considered my boyfriend, you are sadly mistaken in my character." Draco picked her up and swung her around.
"You, my dear Mia, have made me a very happy Slytherin indeed. However, I think you had best join your parents. They must be anxious to see you again after such a long time. I'll owl you soon."
"Thanks, Draco. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Mia." Draco walked her over to her parents, and said good-bye to them once more before finding his own parents. His mother had been anxiously scanning the crowd for him, and, as she enveloped him in a hug, he wondered how he would go about telling his parents that he was now officially dating a muggleborn.