And then there were two.

Disclaimer: Not mine!!! All hail JKR!
A/N: Thank you to my reviewers! And to answer the question about Molly, yes she is most assuredly around!




Draco spent the next week alternating between times with Hermione and brooding over the strange feelings he was developing for her. It was on a beautiful sunny afternoon that Draco found himself next to the lake thinking about the difference between his feelings for Blaise and his feeling for the Gryffindor. He didn’t notice his mother and Severus strolling around the lake until they greeted him.

“Good afternoon darling. What has you so distracted?” his mother asked sitting down next to him. Severus took a seat on her other side. Draco noticed he looked at him as if he already knew the answer to the question.

“I’m not sure really. I’m trying to understand the unexpected feelings I’m starting to experience for He
rmione. I can’t call it love but it’s more than just attraction. I loved Blaise. He only had to walk into a room and I felt it from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. It’s different with her, its calmer more tender. Am I making any sense?” he asked with annoyance.

To his surprise it was Severus that spoke. “I believe I understand. Blaise was a grand passion for you. Rather like a candle that burns bright and hot. Hermione is more soothing and reassuring like a candle that burns slow and soft.” With that he conjured two candles one burning bright and melting quickly the other burning steady and slowly.

Glancing at her lover with a small smile Narcissa picked up the conversation. “The candle that burns the brightest also burn the fastest therefore Blaise was fated to come and go very quickly in your life. If what you feel for her is really love then she will be like the steady candle, a love that is meant to last. Only you know what is in your heart. But you will have to giver her time. You’ve had three months to begin to heal and move on in your life. She’s only had a week. She’s lost Ron and Harry and her entire family.” Giving him a hug she and Severus stood and began to make their way into the school.

The weeks passed and Draco took more time to get the Malfoy business in order. He still saw her everyday. Most of the time he found her in the library revising. It always made him smile. He knew she could have sat these exams at the end of last year and still made O’s.

On the day of the exams he found her sitting in the Great Hall with the remaining seventh years from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. There were about ten students in all. Every last one of them had trained with the DA. He was certain that was the reason they were alive. Snorting he could still hear Moody saying “Constant Vigilance” as they trained.

The exams were not easy. He was confident about most of it but Charms gave him a moment’s pause. He was beginning to think that maybe he should have studied with Hermione more as he returned to the Great Hall. The wizard was nearly bowled over by Hermione as she leaped to hug him.

“How do you think you did? I think I did well. One question in Potions gave me a devil of a time but I worked it out.” she chattered on excitedly. Not noticing the slight blush in Draco’s cheeks. It was the first time she had initiated touching him. He had given her hugs and occasionally squeezed her hand but she had never initiated any physical contact with him. Maybe this was good, maybe this was a step in the right direction.

Hermione was waiting for Draco in the Great Hall after exams were over. When he came through the doors she threw her arms around his neck and shared her day with him. She had become accustomed to the two of them sharing the day with each other. She also noticed his slight blush and hoped it was a good sign.

She and Molly had talked several times about getting on with life. Molly had convinced her that Ron would want her to go on and live life. She had confessed to Molly that she was very attracted to Draco and wanted to see if he felt the same way. Molly had encouraged her to live her life to the fullest because you never knew when it could be cut short. Hermione understood that all too well.

All of the students were invited to stay for dinner .They all sat at one table and talked and laughed. The staff joined them and shared their memories about the last seven years. After dinner was finished and cleared away Dumbledore announced he had a surprise for everyone. Waving his hand envelopes appeared in front of the students.

Hermione was amazed that they contained her test scores. She was relieved to see Outstanding in each class. She turned too look at Draco next to her and gave him a big smile.

Draco thought his heart would melt when she turned that smile on him. He would give the entire Malfoy fortune to see her smile like that all the time. He was smiling pretty big himself at the test scores in front of him. He had finally matched her grade for grade. Now he could leave the day to day running of the family business to his new Vice President and pursue his teaching career alongside Hermione. Things were looking pretty bright for his future.

With a smile and a twinkle in his eye Dumbledore announced that there would be two new additions to the Hogwarts staff and introduced Hermione and Draco. Everyone clapped and congratulated them. Narcissa had tears in her eyes when she hugged Draco and told him she was so proud of him. Snape shook his hand and welcomed him to the staff. He also offered to apprentice him for his Masters which Draco gratefully accepted.


As the days slowly slid by Hermione became restless and Draco felt a small getaway was in order. The pair decided to take a trip to Diagon Alley. Hermione was finally looking well enough that he thought she could handle the crowds and the excitement. For Hermione’s part she was tired of the castle and wanted a trip to the book store.

Neither was prepared for the reception they got as they walked down the crowded street. Many people wanted to thank Hermione and some just wanted to touch the last member of the Golden Trio. Hermione was holding up well until the press started to shove their way to her and asked so many questions that she started to look panicked.

The last straw was of course Rita Skeeter, she shouted over the top of several people. “So how does it feel to know you are the last surviving member of the famous Golden Trio? How would Ronald Weasley feel to know that you barley waited for him to die before taking up with his boyhood nemesis?”

At this Draco let out a low growl and pulled Hermione into his arms appariating them to the first place that came to mind, the manor. As he slowly loosened his grip on the crying witch he realized she was going to fall if he let her go. Instead he picked her up and took her to his mother’s parlor.

The sun was streaming in through the tall windows that looked out over the gently rolling grounds. The settee and matching chairs that faced the window is where he put her down. He knelt next to her and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Hush darling, it’s Ok now. You’re away from that horrible woman. She can’t upset you now’” he whispered. She slowly sat up and put her arms around him.

“Do think everyone feels that way? Molly doesn’t. I know because she and I have talked but it.” Hermione said softly. She never thought how being with Draco might appear to outsiders. Did everyone think her a tart?
“No, only that pest Skeeter would be so low. She has been a problem from the Tri Wizard Tournament. One that I will remedy right now” he said as he disentangled himself from the witch’s arms. He strode over to the white marble fireplace and tossed in some floo powder from the ornate golden bowl that sat on the mantle.

“Harvey Warner!” the angry wizard called into the now green flames. Seeing a balding man with half moon glasses floating in the floo Draco continued. “As of this minute Skeeter is fired. If you print just one word about Hermione Granger being in Diagon Alley today I will sell this rag you call a newspaper to Disney. Do I make myself clear?” Draco hissed.

“Yes Sir!” came the quick reply. The poor man looked completely scared out of his wits. Hermione couldn’t help the small snort of laughter that escaped. Draco could be as scary as Lucius when he wanted. Draco broke the floo connection and turned to Hermione.

To his surprise she was smiling at him. Gods, but this witch was mercurial! Crying one minute and laughing the next. He began to understand that he would never figure her out. She was a puzzle he knew would last a lifetime. He loved puzzles.

A feeling of impulsiveness came over him. He knew he should control the urge but he couldn’t. She needed to get away for a while and frankly so did he.

“Hermione, do you like to ski?” he asked with a strange glint in his eye. The idea of whisking her away to a private retreat forming in his mind. He had a chalet in Switzerland that was very private. Maybe the beach house in Monaco would suite her more. Oh Merlin, she would look wonderful in a swimsuit!

“I’ve never learned to ski. My parents used to love it. I usually just sat by the fire and read.” She answered. ‘What could he be thinking now,’ she wondered.

“Ok Monaco it is then!” he exclaimed. Grabbing her hand they disappeared with a loud pop.