There is what can only be described as an Appendix at the end of this story. It's short, but I think you'll find it interesting. Yeah, I wrote the ending of this chapter before I wrote the rest. I needed to know how it was going to end! Let me tell you, this chapter totally kicked my butt in the creativity department. I even developed a mild case of writer's block. To work through the block, I wrote a one shot. It might be worth checking out. If you're interested. DM/HG, of course.

Don't freak out. A few times throughout this chapter, you might see quotes that you recognize. Well, I'm giving all said quotes credit at the end.

I'm also introducing a sort of timeline for this chapter for the simple reason that I'm spanning several months in this one chapter, and I don't want to keep saying things like x months later.

Warning. Muchos fluff! Well, by my standards, anyway.

Chapter 6: The End of the Beginning

April. The next day.

Hermione awoke the next morning with a smile on her face. Her feelings were no longer pretend. She did honestly consider Draco Malfoy her friend. She hadn't planned on falling for him, of course, but it had happened, nonetheless. When did it start? Hermione could hardly guess. She couldn't fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It was too long ago. She was in the middle before she knew that she had begun.

"Hermione," Ginny was with her. She caught hold of her arm as they walked out of the common room. "Where are you going? Did you forget? The Great Hall is this way," the redheaded girl pointed in the opposite direction that Hermione had been walking.

"I'm not really hungry this morning," Hermione explained. "I think I'll just go to the library and do some research."

"You should really come down and eat something," the girl began to protest. Then she sighed. "I'll bring you some toast to the library for you. You may not think you're very hungry, but you'll be grateful later."

"Thanks, Ginny."

"And wipe that dopey grin off your face. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were totally smitten."

"And if I didn't know any better, I'd tell you that I think I am," Hermione said to herself as she watched Ginny's retreating figure.

Though she couldn't explain it, she felt triumphant. Two months ago, Dumbledore faced her with the seemingly impossible task of approaching and acting friendly toward Draco Malfoy. Not only had she accomplished that, but Draco had opened up to her as well. Sure, he hadn't told her everything yet, but she was confident that tonight would be the night. She sat down in the back of the library when she realized something: Draco, almost positively, would tell Hermione his secret tonight. But what about her own secret? Could she ever tell him? Would he feel betrayed?

xxxx

Hermione hurried to the Room of Requirement. She'd only seen Draco a handful of times throughout the day, and he looked increasingly sick as the day progressed. Was he having second thoughts? "Please no," Hermione whispered to herself. "I want to hear the truth from you." At her words, a pang of guilt wrenched her stomach. This is different, she justified.

She opened the door and saw Draco standing in front of the Pensieve with his back to her. Quietly as possible, she walked up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. He showed no sign of surprise, but rather turned to look at her. Hermione saw uncertainty in his grey eyes, though he tried to smile. He sat down on the couch and beckoned her to sit next to him. She did.

"Okay," he said slowly. "I wanted to learn Occlumency in order to protect myself. I've been asked to... Well, you know about my father... Er. This isn't coming out right," Draco stood up and paced the room. Hermione sat, patiently waiting. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I just... I don't know how to say this. There's too many emotions and too much to say. I'm not even sure where to begin."

Hermione reached out and grabbed his hand. "Maybe you don't have to say anything."

"You mean-"

"Well, if you think it might be easier for you."

Draco slowly nodded.

"Just try not to resist," Hermione said, standing in front of him. "Try to guide me through it all, and through your emotions."

Again, he nodded. Their gazes locked, and Hermione looked into Draco's mind. Everything Dumbledore had said was true. Draco had been charged with the task of killing the Headmaster. At first, Draco was ecstatic to be trusted with such an assignment. But Draco was not a killer. The ensuing months were torture for him as he wrestled with his conscience. He could not kill Dumbledore. But Voldemort kept checking his progress. How could he lie to him? His father had told him about his Legilimency skills. And then Hermione entered the scene. Just the opportunity Draco had been desperately praying for.

Hermione stopped and collapsed back on the couch. "Draco," she began. Tears, real tears, lined her eyes, and she couldn't understand why. She did not realize that a small part of her hoped that Dumbledore was mistaken about Draco. Her brain had processed the information just fine, but her heart fought against seeing any flaws regarding Draco.

"I won't do it, Hermione. I can't. I want nothing more to do with the Dark Lord. Please believe me," he reached to wipe the tears on her cheeks. "I want Dumbledore to live. And he can now, thanks to you. We can tell him about the Dark Lord's plans, and he can go into hiding. I'm confident that none of the Death Eaters will suspect a thing.

"I'm so glad to hear you say that, Draco," Hermione's face softened. "I'm proud of you for even thinking about standing up to him. It's not going to be easy."

Draco held onto Hermione's hand. "You're not... mad?" He asked uncertainly.

Hermione shook her head. "I know you," she said. "I feel as if I do, anyway. You feel regret for your involvement, and you're doing what you can to sever your ties. It's not your fault, Draco. That's the life you were born into. You're not to blame. Not anymore."

Draco stood up. "I need talk to Dumbledore. I need to make this right."

"I'll come with you," Hermione declared. "You don't need to do anything alone anymore."

In that moment, in those words, in the looks they shared... Draco and Hermione formed an unbreakable bond. They could both feel it. And it was wonderful.

xxxx

Just a random day in May, really.

Draco and Hermione, as had become their custom, sat in the library in the afternoon. No one was about to start any more rumors about them being an item. Besides, they were only ever seen together doing homework in the library. Hermione found this lack of gossip all rather ironic. Although she and Draco were not officially dating now, there was a definite something between them.

Harry entered the library that afternoon. Draco was the first to notice him walking toward them.

"Play along," whispered Draco as Harry came ever closer. Then, in a louder voice, loud enough for Harry to hear, he asked Hermione, "And you're sure the baby's mine?"

Hermione kept her face poker straight. "Well, it couldn't possibly be anybody else's, now could it?" She turned and acted startled as Harry stopped beside her. "Oh," she said. "I didn't see you there."

Harry eyed them both suspiciously. "Okay you two. I respect the whole 'study buddy' relationship you have going on, which is bizarre enough, but you don't need to add any jokes to the weirdness."

"Who's joking?" Draco almost yelled, throwing his arms up in mock frustration. "Oh, and don't even think about making Potter the godfather," he said, looking pointedly at Harry.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure Crabbe or Goyle would be much better suited. Not. I don't even want those two around my child."

"Our child, Hermione."

Harry looked back and forth between the two in front of him. They both looked so frustrated. He slowly scanned his surroundings.

"What are you looking for, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"The portal. I think I might have stumbled into a parallel universe. I need to get back. Now."

Hermione finally lost her straight face and laughed. "I'm sorry Harry. Did you need something?"

Harry looked at her cynically. "Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?"

"I resent that!" Hermione declared.

"I'm glad. Anyway, I was just in Dumbledore's office. He wanted me to give this to you, Hermione. I'm leaving now. You two are scaring me," although Harry had accepted that Draco and Hermione had a professional relationship, he could not fathom how they could enjoy each other's company. "Making the best of the situation," Hermione had once said in her defense. Harry still couldn't grasp it. And we don't even want to discuss Ron's reaction.

Hermione opened the note from Dumbledore. "He wants to see us in his office," Hermione answered Draco's inquiring look. Her expression was apprehensive. "Now," she stood up to leave. Draco followed, close behind.

The hallways were relatively empty because most other students were at lunch. Dumbledore smiled when he saw Draco and Hermione enter his office. "Good afternoon. Draco, how are your Occlumency skills coming along?" Dumbledore asked. The two students had told him everything in their last visit.

As if on cue, Snape also entered the room. "Ah, Severus. You're just in time," he returned his attention to Draco. "I hope you don't mind, but I asked Professor Snape to test your abilities."

Draco and Hermione stared in disbelief. They both knew about Snape being a double agent, so how could Dumbledore trust him?

"Don't worry. Professor Snape plays a large part of our plan."

Utterly confused, Draco and Hermione did not know what to do.

"If you don't mind, Draco. I'd like to test your abilities. Severus, you may go first."

Snape nodded and then looked at Draco. The younger man barely even had to put much effort into resisting now because it had become second nature for Draco to protect his thoughts.

"Very good," Snape commented. "I couldn't get anything," he said to Dumbledore.

"Now, it's my turn," said the older man. Same deal for Draco, no problem. "I'm very impressed, Draco. This is excellent. You and Severus must go back to Voldemort, so as not to raise any suspicions. It is crucial that you always cloak your true thoughts. He cannot catch wind of our plan. That would ruin everything. You and Hermione should continue to practice."

"No problem," Draco assured him. Hermione smiled. They met almost regularly in the Room of Requirements regardless of whether they planned to review their skills or not. It was the only time they got to spend together where they could actually be themselves.

"What should we do about Granger?" Snape asked unexpectedly. "What if he suspects something and decides to come after her?"

"He shouldn't get anything from her, either. You forget that learning Occlumency and Legilimency is not mutually exclusive. Hermione has learned Legilimency, and so she has picked up, from Draco, the best methods of how to protect her mind."

"Of course," Snape nodded. "But still, shouldn't we make sure?"

"I've been trying for the past ten minutes, Severus. If you'd like to try your own luck, with Hermione's permission, be my guest."

Hermione was shocked. She hadn't realized that she'd learned any Occlumency. Thinking back on it now, however, it only made sense. If she could attack, why could she not also defend?

"You are all dismissed for now," Dumbledore announced. "We will meet back here sometime soon to review our plan."

Draco and Hermione started walking back to the library when Hermione noticed the time. "There's really no point," she said. "Potions begins in a few minutes."

A mischievous glint appeared in Draco's eyes. "Wait. Before we go," he didn't waste time finishing his sentence with words. Instead, he pulled Hermione close and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"What was that for?" Hermione asked as she suddenly became aware the sound of approaching footsteps and voices. She and Draco parted and began walking to Slughorn's classroom.

"Thank you. For being... everything for me."

xxxx

The day before that fateful night in June.

Draco held Hermione close to him as they watched the sunset from the astronomy tower. Neither of them had spoken a word since they arrived there. Earlier that day, Dumbledore had reviewed The Plan with them. It was unlike anything they had expected.

The sun set and the stars appeared, one by one. They laid down and watched the night sky.

"You know you'll have to act as if I betrayed you. We can't have anybody suspicious."

Hermione's gaze fell. "I know," she said, but she thought, "I'm a rather good actress. I had you fooled." She tried to brush away that guilt. Her deceit had been for Draco's own good, but it still couldn't keep him completely safe.

"Hermione, there's a million things I want to say to you. I may never get the chance to say them again."

"You can't think of it like that. Just trust that we'll be together again some day."

"I have no idea what's going to happen after tomorrow," Draco began.

Hermione silenced him with a kiss. "Just hold me. Whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on. We don't have to worry about it now. Honestly, the future doesn't scare me at all. I know we'll be okay."

Draco actually smiled. "Meet me in the Room before I leave. I want to say good-bye to you."

"We shouldn't, you know. We'd take a huge risk in being seen together."

"I'll be there tomorrow. I hope you'll be there, too."

xxxx

(I suppose we could call this an appendix. It's not written too formally, just kind of... there.)

And, of course, we know what happens in June. Dumbledore must die, but not by Draco Malfoy's hands. Just months after her husband's imprisonment, Narcissa Malfoy went to Snape's house to make him promise to watch over her son, protect him from harm, and to finish the deed which the Dark Lord commanded of him if he did not succeed. She made him take an Unbreakable Vow.

Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore had argued about this the entire year. Snape did not want to kill Dumbledore, he was such a powerful wizard, and he had given him a second chance. Dumbledore, however, knew that he did not have long to live anyway. Besides, he wanted to have someone faithful to him among Voldemort's most trusted. That being said, it was crucial for Snape to fulfill the Unbreakable Vow, and for Draco to follow Snape. They needed to keep up appearances in order to stay safe. But before Draco left:

Draco found Hermione sitting in the Room of Requirements. Waiting for him, as he had asked. She immediately ran to be in his arms. He kissed her passionately, trying desperately to remember everything about this moment. He did not know when, or if, he would be with her again.

"I'll come back to you. I promise," he kissed her forehead.

Hermione pulled herself tighter into his embrace. "I know you will."

"Remember, Hermione," he whispered into her hair. "No matter what happens in the future, I'm your friend. Even as I masquarade among the Death Eaters, I won't betray you," he lifted her chin. "We'll get him for this. We'll make him pay."

They stood back and looked into each other's eyes. The same three words were on the tips of both of their tongues, but neither said them. They didn't have to. Hermione looked into Draco's stormy grey eyes, and she knew. Draco searched Hermione's warm brown eyes, and he'd never felt so certain about anything else in his entire life.

xxxx

THE END! I hope you liked this! I really enjoyed writing it. I shall miss you all!

I apologize for any grammatical/spelling errors. i didnt' proffreed this as good as I ott two of. (Yeah, that's my sense of humor.)

Because this isn't some kind of an after school special, I decided that Hermione should keep her secret from Draco. Shocking behavior, eh? Er, it's also because, that would have opened up a whole new can of worms, and I honestly don't have the time to deal with anymore complicated issues in this story. Besides, that leaves it open for a, dare I say it, sequel. At least an epilogue. That is, if I ever decide that I have free time in a few months. OOH! I will for sure around Christmas time... Expect some kind of update-age! LoL I know, it's a really cheap thing for me to say as an author, but I have to take the easy way out and avoid any more conflicts between my characters for now.

Hey, are there any Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts reading this? If so, did a couple of those lines at the end sound familiar? I'm totally obsessed with KH, (I mean like, it rivals my HP obsession) and Kairi and Sora are just so cute!

Disclaimer on the quotes I used.

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun." -Pride and Prejudice

"Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?" - The Wizard of Oz (of course)

"Hold me. Whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on. Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all. Nothing's like before." - Simple and Clean, sung by Utada Hikaru

"I'll come back to you. I promise." "I know you will." -Kingdom Hearts (Yeah, that scene almost made me cry. I must admit, the ending for KHII did make me cry.)

Yeah, I'm not sure why I decided to use all those quotes. Lack of creativity perhaps? Or just wanting to have fun. Dunno, doesn't matter.

Thanks for reviewing! mean-girl123, (Hey, thanks for sticking with me and my story for as long as you did! I appreciate it. Oh yeah, was that enough fluff for ya? -) Michelle Felton, (First of all, I love your penname, lol. I'm glad you thought it was interesting.) and Gwinna. (Hey, you've been with me and this fic for a while, too. Thanks! I hope you enjoyed this last update!)