Tears and Raindrops, Chapter 10 (Last Chapter!)

Yeah, you read that right. This is the last chapter! I know, I know, I’m sad too. I wrote an epilogue, but I absolutely detest it, so I won’t be posting it. However, if I rewrite it, I’ll let you guys read it. Without further ado, our final chapter!

Chapter 10: Hermione

“Malfoy? Really, Hermione?” Parvati cried in consternation.

“I don’t… want to talk about this right now, Parv.” I sighed, holding my head in my hands and resting my elbows on my knees.

“Not optional,” Parvati stated firmly.

“Agreed,” Lavender put in. “How could you keep this from us, Hermione?”

“Do you even have to ask?” I mumbled grumpily. They both raised an eyebrow at me.

“Yes!!!” They whined in unison, then laughed and wrapped their arms around each other.

“But really, Hermione. Why him? Any boy in this school would kill to be yours.” Lavender lamented.

“And any girl, for that matter,” Parv winked, and Lav blushed.

“Guys, stop. It’s just… don’t you want me to be happy?” I didn’t understand why this was such a big deal. Never mind, I did. Because, well… it just is.

“Of course. But how can you be happy with Malfoy?” Lav was clearly confused and a little disgusted.

“He cares, Lav.” I gestured with my hands for emphasis. “He cares about me, and he likes me for me! It’s not just about my looks, or my brains, or what I’ve done. It’s who I am. And I like him! I really, really like him.” I flopped back on my bed and sighed. Suddenly Parv and Lavender looked understanding and sympathetic. “He’s sorry. He’s sorry for how he was.”

“Is,” Parvati glowered. She had especially hated Malfoy since first year, when he stole Neville’s Remembrall.

“Was,” I emphasized. “He’s changed.” They still looked dubious. Finally, though, they sighed and hug-attacked me.

“If he makes you happy, then we’ll deal with him,” Lav conceded.

“But if he breaks your heart, I’m jinxing him to high heck and back,” Parvati smirked.

“Deal,” I grinned. “Hey, when you guys go down for breakfast, can you please grab me some toast?” The gossip about me and Draco had spread overnight, and I didn’t feel like facing a bunch of whispering incredulity that morning. However, my friends had other plans.

“Yeah, right,” Parvati snorted. “You’re coming with us.” Lavender nodded emphatically.

“You’re gonna face those brats head on.” I stuck my tongue out at them.

“I already faced you two.” They stuck their tongues back out at me and dragged me downstairs. Wherever I went, curious eyes followed me, and I shrank back into my friends, my protectors.

“You can do this,” Lavender soothed. We stood in front of the Great Hall’s massive door, and my legs shook with fear.

“Pfft! Come on, girl. You’ve faced worse than this!” Parvati laughed. “You got a game plan?” I nodded. “Of course you do. Now go!” They shoved me towards the doors, which swung wide at my touch, and followed, hands clasped. Their presence gave me the courage to do what I needed to do.

Multitudinous pairs of eyes latched onto me as I strode the aisle between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables, my own eyes searching for the person I wanted to see most at that moment.

“Hermione?” There he was, gray eyes wide and bloodshot from lack of sleep, ivory hair still tousled from a rough night. Despite his flaws, I loved him.

Love. It was such a foreign concept to me at that point, but I had a plan, and I was going to follow through with it. I quickened my pace, cupped Draco’s pale face in my smooth brown hands, and kissed him in front of the entire hall.

Dead silence filled the cavernous space, interrupted only by several people, who had presumably had the hots for me, swearing violently. To me, though, it felt as if anything and everything faded away, leaving only Draco and me and our lips melding together.

It seemed minutes, hours, weeks before we pulled away, but eventually, we did. Draco’s eyes were wide, and they darted around the hall as we gauged various reactions. McCormick and Smith looked absolutely murderous, but Lavender and Parvati were grinning. Finally, Parvati stood upon her seat and wolf whistled. Slowly, a storm of clapping overwhelmed the boos and shrieks of outrage, and I beamed. I started towards my friends, but I felt a hand grasp my wrist as I was pulled backwards.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Malfoy smirked. I saw McGonagall smile before Draco pulled me close, and my world was made anew.

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Well, that’s it! I hope you enjoyed this. Comment below what your favorite part of this story was! Also, should I rewrite the epilogue and post it here?

Love from,