Fourth Year officially is at an end, and Hermione overhears a conversation with Harry and Ron, while Draco reassures Hermione that he has good intentions.

The next morning, Dumbledore made a brief announcement lamenting Cedric’s death as an unfortunate accident—whilst most of those within the Great Hall were openly glaring at Harry Potter: some in anger others in confusion.

Hermione had walked out of there, with her fellow classmates—making sure she was seen before she slipped away, disillusioning herself and following Potter, Longbottom and Weasley outside, as they walked towards Hagrid’s hut. The two Gryffindors were asking Potter questions about what had happened and whether or not he’d remembered anything from the previous night.

Harry shook his head and sighed dejectedly to his friends. “I have no idea what happened. I remember entering the maze but nothing from that point on. Dumbledore figures someone must’ve obliviated me. My arm had a healing scar from where it’d been cut, but I don’t know how that happened either, and my head still hurts something awful. They tried to trace the magical signature, but the Aurors didn’t recognize it. Even Professor Moody seemed genuinely confused about what happened.”

“That’s awful, Harry,” stated Ron sympathetically, “I figure there’s gonna be some backlash on Dumbledore though. Dad wrote me first thing this morning that the Ministry is going to set up a full scale inquiry as to how Dumbledore allowed Cedric to get killed. After the whole mess with Crouch Sr.? Dad thinks Dumbledore may even lose his job!”

This caused Hermione to smirk as she watched the three boys head down the hill towards Hagrid’s hut. Turning around, she walked back into the castle and headed towards Professor Snape’s quarters to meet with Daphne and Draco.

Once she’d arrived at the meeting spot, she noticed Draco was alone as he was pacing back and forth along the corridor. Canceling the disillusionment charm, Hermione walked towards Draco with a small smirk on her face.

“I know that look, Granger,” teased Draco, “you were up to no good, weren’t you?”

Hermione’s smirk got a bit wider. “I’m sure I have no idea what you mean, Malfoy? I was just taking a lovely stroll on the grounds before we leave in the morning.”

“Lovely stroll, my arse.” Draco grabbed Hermione’s hand dragging her into ‘their’ room and closing the door. Hermione silenced and warded the room, while Draco went and sat on the couch near the far wall. Patting the empty space next to him, Hermione rolled her eyes at the blonde’s playful behavior.

“Where’s Daphne? I thought she was going to meet us here?”

Draco smirked. “I told her that I needed some time alone with you before we left tomorrow.” Hermione rolled her eyes again, but sat down anyway. “Don’t get cheeky with me, little witch! I’m not going to see you all summer, so forgive me if I don’t want to share what little time we have left, chatting with Daphne when we could be doing much more productive things.”

“Such as?” Hermione challenged back.

Draco grabbed his witch’s arm, pulling her into his lap and kissing her deeply. Hermione was surprised at first, but quickly sighed into the kiss before Draco broke away tilting his forehead onto her’s.

“Where are you going this summer, Hermione?” Draco asked his witch softly.

“I’m heading to Godric’s Hollow for a while this summer. A nice witch that my Muggle parents met, tutored me last summer, and she agreed to let me come visit this summer. I’ve made some new acquaintances there, which I’m looking forward to seeing again.”

Draco nodded. “Do you know how long you’ll be there?”

Hermione looked at Draco knowingly, understanding what he was trying to ask her. “No, I don’t have a time frame for anything at this point. I’ve been assured that I will be visited at some point.”

Draco averted his gaze for a moment and then back to his witch. “Are you concerned that being apart for so long might make things more difficult?”

“It’s always a possibility, but if I’ve learned anything these last four years? It’s not have expectations of anyone nor anything. That way, you’re not disappointed and you can’t get hurt.” Hermione’s voice was rather noncommittal.

Draco sat up and frowned, not liking the truth behind her confession. “So, you don’t have any expectations for us then?”

Hermione followed and stared at Draco in surprise. “No, why would I?” When Draco went to argue, Hermione put up her hand to stop him. “Draco? Neither one of us knows what tomorrow will bring? Things are very complicated right now, and I can’t say with any kind of certainty what my future holds. I’ve enjoyed our short time together, and I know how you feel. But can you honestly sit there and tell me that you will always feel this way? We are fifteen! That’s hardly old enough to have any understanding about long term commitments. I’m not saying this to hurt you, but I told you I can’t give you what you want right now. If what we have isn’t enough for you? Then perhaps you need to find someone who can give you what you want? I won’t hold it against you.”

Draco sneered at Hermione in shock and hurt.

Did she really feel nothing for him?

“So that’s it? You don’t feel anything for me?”

Standing up from the couch, Hermione turned to face Draco.

“I’ve told you how I feel, Draco. I find you attractive and I enjoy how you make me feel. It’s going to take more than a couple months of snogging to undo years of hurt. You can’t just expect me to ignore what’s happened. To trust you implicitly? I’m trying, Draco, but if you want to be with me you’re going to have to learn patience and give me the time I need to adjust to all of this. Can you honestly do that?”

Draco stared up at his witch intently, as she was standing there with her arms wrapped around herself, seemingly waiting for his reaction. He had to admit selfishly, that he’d wanted her to forget all about how horribly he’d treated her. But listening to her now, and seeing how she was bracing herself? He knew he’d have to be patient in order to gain her trust and win her love.

He was a Malfoy, and Malfoy’s only ever had the best.

His witch was the absolute best at everything she did, and he knew he’d never want another witch the way he wanted Hermione.

“I get it, Granger.” At Hermione’s dubious look, Draco smirked standing up and cupping her face gently. “I do. Malfoy men aren’t known for their patience, but I’m willing to make an exception for you. As long as you are willing to try, I’m going to be here by your side. I may be fifteen, Hermione, but I know myself and I know you’re it for me. So, however long this takes and whatever you need me to do, I’m here for you.”

Hermione smiled wanly at the boy before her.

Did he really understand what he was promising?

She wasn’t sure he did, but she wasn’t going to get her hopes up either way.

“Well then.” She leaned up and placed a small kiss on Draco’s mouth, which he eagerly reciprocated. After a few moments Hermione pulled out of the kiss, leaning her forehead against Draco’s, as they shared a quiet moment together.

“Come on, Granger, lets get you fed.”

Together the two of them walked towards the Great Hall for dinner, running into Daphne and Blaise on the way. The four Slytherins chatted quietly amongst themselves, discussing the upcoming summer. When they entered the hall, everyone was eating quietly and there didn’t seem to be much conversation going on. Viktor came over to Hermione and handed her a piece of parchment, asking her to write him over the summer. Smiling, Hermione assured Viktor she would be very happy to keep in touch with him, ignoring Draco’s scowl.

When the Slytherin’s joined their table next to Pansy and Theo, no one spoke for a while as everyone was too busy eating and when dinner finally ended, all the houses seemed to gravitate towards their common rooms, readying to leave first thing in the morning.

Hermione was relieved when no one engaged her in conversation, although she didn’t miss the questioning looks thrown her way from Pansy and Theo, nor the petulant look from Draco. When she retired to the fourth year girls dorm, Hermione closed the curtains and placed privacy wards and silencing charms, wanting to be left alone.

Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough for the young witch and she was looking very much forward to leaving Hogwarts behind for the summer.