Author's Note: Yes. I know, I know. I've been gone practically forever. But I figured that this would be a good time to update. Christmas. Before you read, please realize that this is not my favorite chapter at all, but I can't seem to get it just the way I want it. Maybe that's why I haven't updated in so long. But, anywho, I guess I just hope you'll like it. So, now I present you with the last chapter of "A Little Misunderstanding". It's sad to know that it is over, but hopefully you've all enjoyed my little work of fiction.

Thanks: sweet-77-thang, dracoandhermioneforever88, SlytherinRoyalty, MalfieMia22, Evangeline1, Gryffindor620, Liza, Callie, Some12, SwTnDrEaMyPnAy03, Hyper Dudette, Morgan27, Horny-Cotter, SweetiePye2332, KeWlGaL9tH, Amanda (Yeah, I have to end it soon. New Year's Eve. And everyone thinks that she didn't take it. Well, if you read closely, she grabbed a few last minute things before leaving. Now I wonder what that last minute thing could be? Huh? Huh! And I figured he just knows since it was bound to come up in one of the conversations.), Karana Belle (Glad you liked it. Oh and... Hmm, but really, did she leave the necklace behind?), ckrfan (Yes, I luff that part.), Maeggy (-blushes- Thank you.), citcat299 (I would be a truly evil person to do that!), Mikasa Wormhole (Oh no, not another person crying!), Saiyachick, MysteriouslyUnique (Good things come to those who wait!), BlissfulSuffering, MajorFanFic, HealerAriel, super sycoh, Pigwidgeon188, fionger, steffi25, Kathe, Krirobe (Don't apologize. It was a lovely review. ), Ezmerelda, Jexi, S A K U R A22, Rytanya, xoOBlackDragonOox, ambrosia, FiRe-n-IcE-62, charmed-phoenixgirl, xmaverickf14x, Sofa Girl, Meg, and DanishGirl.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. -----

Chapter Fourteen: No More Misunderstandings

The song had ended and before Hermione knew it, Drew was moving to walk her off the dance floor. She was glad about that too, because she felt that she'd start to cry if he wanted another dance. Not that he wasn't a nice guy, and she probably would have liked him otherwise, but he just wasn't... he just wasn't Draco.

She suddenly glanced up at Drew, realizing he was speaking. Truthfully, she had gotten lost in her thoughts. He was thanking her for the dance. "My pleasure." She replied, though it really hadn't been. He looked at her a moment longer and she gave him what could have been a smile, hoping that that would send him on his way. Thankfully it did, because she really didn't know how else to get him to leave.

Feeling her chocolate eyes brimming with hot tears, she hastily headed off the dance floor, making her way to the ladies' room. Once inside, she grasped the edge of the counter with her shaky hands, bracing herself. She didn't know why she let herself get so emotional over this. She had never been like this about anyone. She had always been in control. Though it seemed that a certain Slytherin always made her lose just that.

She slowly looked up and, with a frown on her face, she surveyed her appearance in the mirror. Her mascara was running and there was a single tear that had managed to trickle down her cheek. She hastily wiped it away, not wanting to see it any longer. She then reached inside her purse, looking for a tissue or anything to make her look any better than she did just then.

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the sparkle of her emerald necklace at the bottom of her bag.

Merlin, she thought, why had she brought it? Why couldn't she just have left it back home on the table? She wanted so much to leave it, to forget about it, damnit. She should have put it away and sent it back to him with the article. She doubted that he'd want her to have it anymore.

But against her will, Hermione's hand reached inside of her bag and with trembling fingers, pulled it out. She held it in her palm and stared down at the multifaceted gem.

Suddenly the bathroom door opened and an older lady walked in. Hermione's eyes darted over to her. The woman looked somewhat surprised. Though, who wouldn't be, to see this poor girl looking so sad? Her wise old eyes lowered, settling on the jewelry.

"Oh, doll," She said kindly, "Would you like me to help you with that?" But the woman didn't wait for an answer. She was already over by Hermione's side, taking the necklace from her hands. She unhooked the piece of jewelry and then quickly clasped it around her neck. She then glanced over to the mirror, looking at Hermione's reflection. Seeing the girl's wet eyes, she pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it into her palm. A faint bittersweet smile caressed Hermione's lips at the lady's gesture.

"There you are, dear." She said softly and Hermione slowly tried to fix her makeup. A moment later, she turned to return it and thank the woman, but she was gone. Mione quickly hurried out of the bathroom and let her brown eyes scan the room, looking for her retreating figure, but she could find none.

She slowly went to walk back towards her table when something caught her eye. Hermione looked over towards the door, where she could see some people in a commotion. She slowly got up, wondering what all the fuss was about.

oooooooooo

Draco was getting more and more agitated by the minute. He had just pulled into the car park. Slamming the car door shut, he ran towards the door. He pushed some people aside, getting up to the front of the line. That move earned him a fair few curses and shouts.

He ignored them though as he tried to reason with the doorman. Draco didn't have an invitation, so the doorman didn't look as if he would be letting him inside. He looked down at his watch again. Damnit, he would surely miss it if this damned doorman wouldn't let him through. Malfoy had been arguing with him for the past fifteen minutes, trying to weasel, or shall we say ferret, his way inside.

"Look, I already told you that I don't have the invitation, but I need to see someone inside." But that didn't seem to be working. God, this doorman was not going to budge an inch on this subject, was he? Draco wanted to just put a spell on him, but there were too many people around. "I promise, I'll only be in there for five minutes. I just have to see someone and I'll be out again... Please."

The man crossed his arms over his chest, blocking the way even more. "If you don't have an invitation, then you're not getting in." He said sternly.

Draco had no choice. "You better bloody well let me in..." He said firmly, his hand reaching for his wand.

oooooooooo

Hermione's eyes went wide when she heard someone shouting. It was his voice. It was Draco's voice. But no, it couldn't have been. She shook her head, getting ready to turn back. But there it was again. And when Hermione saw a flash of platinum blonde hair, she thought she was going crazy.

She wasn't.

She quickly pushed past some people, trying to get towards the door to see if it really was him. She nearly dropped her bag and she didn't catch her jaw as her mouth fell wide open in shock at the sight.

Draco had his wand halfway out of his pocket when he saw Hermione and he said a quick 'Thank Merlin' under his breath. He quickly slipped his wand back into his pocket and pointed over at Hermione, "Look there." He paused, "You see, she knows me. Please just let me in..."

The man looked back to Hermione, narrowing his eyes some, but he relented when he saw the girl say his name. "D- Draco?"

But the blonde man didn't wait any longer and he quickly pushed past him and walked over to her side.

"Can we talk?" He asked, his eyes insistent, "Please." She nodded and he led her over towards the main room, getting away from the doorman's prying eyes.

oooooooooo

Hermione looked up at Draco, giving him what she hoped appeared to be a blasé, indifferent look. Her eyes darted down to his hand still on her elbow and she slowly disentangled herself from his grasp.

"W- what are you doing here?" She asked softly, furrowing her brow in confusion.

Draco knew that that was coming. He'd be a fool not to expect it and he quickly started to try and explain. "Hermione, I know that this situation has been, for lack of a better term, complicated and that…" He was interrupted by the loud voices of the people around them, cheering and beginning the countdown to midnight.

10…9…8…

He glanced around for no longer than a second before settling his silver eyes back on her.

"Hermione," He said, as he took her hands and looked deep into her now watery brown eyes as the countdown continued.

7…6…5…4…

He opened his mouth to try and continue, but he couldn't find the words. What a time to be speechless? No, he certainly didn't expect it to be this hard. Then an idea struck him.

3…2…1! Happy New Year!

And no sooner had she heard the cheering that signaled the ringing in of the New Year when she felt Draco's lips lower onto hers. The surprise on her face was obvious, and she slowly pulled back to look up at him.

Her face was almost touching his and she spoke softly, "Draco…" Her eyes were almost pleading. This was not the kind of New Year's Kiss she had expected.

"Shh…" He said, his grey eyes darting down to the jewlery he gave her that was now around her neck. He swallowed hard, finding his voice once more. "I... I know that this all started out with a misunderstanding and that none of it was real, but I know enough about you to know that I want to give us a chance. I'm a wreck without you." When he finished, he looked down at her, waiting anxiously for her reaction.

By that time Hermione was crying, and she slipped her arms up and around his shoulders. She buried her face against the curve of his neck, holding him tightly. A moment later she pulled back, but only enough to whisper, "I didn't think you'd come back."

Relief washed over Draco's face and then a smile broke out to join it. "I didn't think you'd want me to." She smiled at that, leaning down to rest her head on his shoulder, but stopped and looked up when she heard him begin to speak again.

"I'd like to kiss you now." He said, smirking broadly the way only he could, "...for real."