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.