Hermione sat at her desk, breathing calmly, staring out the window of her classroom. She'd been through this three times already, but it still made her nervous. Getting new first years was just the kind of thing that could tear her otherwise sturdy heart away from her.
Last year had been easy, Harry and Ginny's daughter had been in her class. Hermione had known Lily since the day she was born. The only problem had been convincing her to call Hermione "Professor Granger" instead of "Aunt Hermie."
This year, however, was a pause between her best friends children. Ron and Lavender's son, Theodore, was only ten, and therefore wasn't a first year until next year. So, she knew none of these children in advance, and it made her a little nervous.
The bell rang for first period of begin. In filed the patiently waiting students who had been standing outside the door. Hermione was impressed. Usually the first years got lost. She was always willing to give them a few minutes of leinancy, because it was their first day, but it looked like she wouldn't need to, as most of them were already sitting in their seats.
They were all very small and timid looking, and they seemed genuinely frightened of her. This made Hermione smile inwardly. First years were almost always afraid when they first saw her, but she'd heard that when they got to know her, they considered her a fair, and sometimes even kind, teacher.
When the last bell rang, Hermione was very impressed to find every seat occupied. None of them were late. This would be a promising year. She stood up.
"Welcome," she said, ceremoniously, "to Charms class."
As she looked around the room, she saw a small little girl, petite you might call her, with an angled face, platinum blond hair, and steely gray eyes. She had noticed her at the Sorting as well, and already knew her name. Sierra. That was it. Sierra Malfoy.
The class went unusually well. There was no talking out, there were no trouble makers. There had been a few groans when she assigned a small homework assignment (Read through Chapter One of Simple Spells and Common Curses and write one paragraph on the spell of your choice). Other than that, they were perfect.
"Sierra, I'd like you to stay after class for a moment, please," Hermione said, as the class filed away. Sierra looked terrified. Hermione almost laughed. "Don't worry, you're not in trouble."
As soon as all the other students left, Sierra walked timidly to the front of the room, standing only a little bit above the desk edge. "Yes?" she said, her voice soft.
"Do you happen to be related to Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asked. Sierra gave a quick nod.
"He's my father."
"And what's your mother's name?"
"Mother?" Sierra repeated, timidly. Hermione nodded. "I'm not sure. Daddy never told me."
"Why's that?"
"She died. In the war with Voldemort. At least that's what Daddy said." Hermione noticed how freely she said the name. So unlike the taboo that had been placed upon it in her school days.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Sierra said, shrugging, but she looked at the ground sadly. "If you don't mind my asking, Professor..."
"Yes?"
"Why did you want to know about my daddy?"
"I used to go to school with him," Hermione answered.
"Were you friends?"
"You could say that. You'd better go to your next class. Tell the teacher I held you up, all right?" Sierra nodded, and practically ran out of the room.
Hermione smiled after her. She had a free period now, and walked briskly up to the owlery.
She whistled, and a great horned owl swooped onto her shoulder. "Hello, Tiponya," she said to her owl, her only family in the magical world. "How are you?"
Tiponya nipped her ear affectionately. Hermione smiled.
"Well, you can fly off, but stay close," she warned. "I'll need to send a letter to Malfoy Manor. All right?"
Tiponya answered this by flying up onto the lowest beam and peering over at her. Hermione laughed. "Silly bird..." she mutter, and sat down and began to write.
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
Or should I say Draco? I just met your daughter, she'd wonderfully adorable.
No, that was just silly. Hermione ripped up the parchment and began again.
Dear Malfoy,
You probably do not want to talk to me, as it has been so very long, but I just need to get this off of my chest.
No, that was dumb, too. Dear Malfoy, what a wonderful beginning. Hermione ripped this paper as well, and stared at the blank parchement in front of her. It seemed like an hour before she could think of anything, when finally, she dipped her quill into the ink.
Dear Draco,
I love you, too.
Hermione.
She unrolled the parchment and her heart skipped a beat. It was headed with the seal of Malfoy Manor (A snake coiled around a shimmering silver dragon's scale.).
My Dear Bittersweet Hermione, it began. Hermione already was blushing. Her letter paled in comparison to this, and it was just the heading.
I have been waiting for you to write since the last moment I saw you, at graduation in seventh year. I have your smiling face plastered in my memory. There does not go a day when I do not think about you.
But, you hurt me very badly, my love. I never forgot that fateful Valentine's Day when you told me how you truly felt, and I'm sure you haven't either. That's why when I think of the courage it must have taken you to send that small, but uplifting letter, it makes me want to fly into your life once more. Alas, I cannot.
For one thing, I can't fly.
I do love you, Hermione Granger, but I'm not sure that we can be together. I love you with all my heart, but perhaps we have waited too long. Perhaps it has all been in vain, your courage and my heartache. But, if you do love me, and if you would still have me, look out your window and because for once I am not afraid to tell the world the way I feel.
All my Heart and Soul, and anything more that I can give,
Draco
Hermione was blushing. She wasn't sure what to make of the letter. She had sat on her bed, back facing the window to read it, and swiftly turned to the window again. Her heart cried out, but her face said nothing.
There, sitting on her window sill, was a vision from a dream. One leg swung absently into the room, the other was bunched up on the window will. His arm rested on his knee, and he had a haphazard smile on his face. His blonde hair was long, and hung into his eyes, but not too long so that it might be put into a ponytail. His gray eyes were shimmering with more happiness than Hermione had ever seen in anyone.
His body was framed by the sky, and when Hermione looked out at it, her heart stopped completely. Written in midnight, as if by the stars themselves, was, "I love you, Hermione Enid Granger. Marry me."
Hermione looked at Draco and her voice caught in her throat. He jumped down from the windowsill and took her in his arms in a kiss that would end all kisses, or begin many more.
"I love you," he whispered to her as they parted. "Will you marry me? Please?"
"I think you know the answer to that better than I do," Hermione said, and kissed him again.
Draco pulled away and they both laughed, although Hermione had tears in her eyes. "There's just one thing," she said. Draco ran his thumb under her eyes.
"Anything, love. Just anything."
"My middle name's not Enid."
FINISHED
A/N: THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS! They mean so much to me, they really do. I'm sort of sad it's ended, but I will have more fics up, and you're all welcome (hint hint) to check out my stories on my other fandoms, if you're interested. Don't forget to review this chapter and thanks so much again!