Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, that honor is all J.K. Rowlings. Anything besides my original characters and the plot most likely belongs to someone or something else okay? If there are any problems with this story please address me and I will try to remedy it to the best of my ability.

WARNING: This is an AU fiction from HBP but it may contain some spoilers for HBP (I haven't decided yet but I'll warn you before I put something in there) so you have been warned I will retain some of HBP's happenings but others will be changed. If you feel this is wrong please tell me so that I can reconsider the context. For explanations please send me an email or review to ask me.

-: Chapter 1 :-

The Last Goodbye'

A 20-year-old Hermione Granger stood amongst a solemn group of witches and wizards outside a small brick warehouse. She smoothed down her chestnut curls nervously as she glance anxiously at the door to the warehouse trying to keep her worries to a minimum. 'It's just a mission, relax ' she told herself as she looked at her feet, 'he's been gone on one before,' she began to scold herself.

" They're coming back out!" someone shouted. Hermione's head snapped up and sure enough a small group of men emerged from the small building. Amber eyes scanned the troop of men for someone. ' There he is!' She sighed in relief as she saw that familiar head of platinum blonde coming towards her.

When Draco reached Hermione he frowned, " What's wrong?" he asked.

" Oh, nothing." she lied.

"Hermione, tell me come on, what's got you so interested in your shoes?" he implored.

" It's stupid, I thought you left already without saying goodbye" she replied, embarrassed still looking down.

" Mia, look at me," he sighed, he gently tilted her head upwards locking his grey eyes with her amber ones. When he did he noticed the tears threatening to spill, " you know I wouldn't ever leave you without saying goodbye, now don't cry we've been through this remember? It's only 6 weeks okay?"

"I know, it's just you know how I hate good-byes." She replied sniffing loudly as she looked back down.

"Mia," he said softly, she looked back up," It's not really a goodbye, it's more like a see you in 6 weeks," he stated trying to lighten the mood. It worked she gave a small smile. "Besides," he continued, " this is the last one Mia, after this mission we're done, it's finally going to be over, we can get on with our lives, no more missions."

" No more missions really?" she asked excitedly.

" No more missions, no more good-byes." He chuckled, as she threw her arms around his neck delighted with her reaction. " Mia, I'm gonna go say bye to Harry then I'll be right back okay?

" Bye to Harry?" she asked, confused" why do you have to say bye to Harry?"

"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you Harry and I are separating for the mission, he's going to lead a team and I the other. That way we'll round up the remaining Death Eaters in less time." He replied. "He's leaving first so I'd better hurry."

" Well let's go then, I should say goodbye as well." she replied as she grabbed his hand and pulled him in Harry's direction.

When they reached Harry they found him trying to comfort his fiancée, a very distraught Pansy Parkinson. " Honey, it's going to be fine, you'll see we're going to be back in no time" he said in what he hoped was a soothing tone.

" It's not that it's just, you two have never been separated before, what if something happens?" she cried struggling to put an end to her tears.

" Don't worry Parkinson, Potter's got a good head on his shoulders he'll be fine, won't you ol' chap?" said Draco, trying to relax the group.

"Shut up, Draco" Pansy said in mock anger. She quickly pulled him into a hug.

"I don't like this one bit," Pansy started, " You two work best as a team, not separately I won't allow it."

" Pansy's right." Hermione chimed in.

"Don't tell me your gonna start too," Draco groaned, " Girl's we're going to be fine you'll see, I won't have you worried over something stupid while we're away."

" Well, then don't go off alone, you guys stick together and then we won't worry," Hermione started, "and I don't even want to think of what could happen to you two without each other to rely on."

" Then don't think about it.' Harry said simply " We'll be fine, I'll come back in a month in one piece and prove it to you nothing's gonna hap -"

" A month?" Hermione interrupted and turned to Draco, " I thought you were going to be gone for 6 weeks?"

" I am, but Harry is coming back in a month, his team should be finished by then anyway." Draco informed her.

" See! Even worse Harry's going to come home and you'll be all alone in France for two weeks. Without Harry there as even a possibility for backup!" Pansy argued.

" America." Draco corrected.

" What?" Hermione asked.

" She said I'll be all alone in France for two weeks, I'm not going to be stationed in France, I'm going to be in America." Draco explained.

"AMERICA?" Both girls shouted incredulously.

Harry groaned " Look girls, you may not like it but it's going to save us a mission and get us home sooner, don't you girl's want that?" Both girls nodded. " I figured as much so –"

"So, that means we're going to have to split up." Draco interjected calmly.

" Okay," Hermione sighed, " The boys are right," both boys grinned at this, she turned to them, " but this does not mean we like it one bit, it's just that –"

" We don't want you guys getting hurt." Pansy interrupted tearing up again.

"If things go smoothly we won't, but in order for things to go smoothly I've got to leave within the next 2 minutes." Harry said, turning to Pansy he continued, " Pans, I've got to go now but I'll see you in month and then we'll be able to plan the wedding okay? Don't worry so much, I love you and I'll see you in a month okay?"

" I love you too, Now go!" Harry looked at her in surprise. "Don't you look at me like that Harry Potter, the sooner you leave the sooner you'll be back." She gave him a tender kiss, " don't you go getting killed or I'll kill you." Pansy said mock seriously.

" Yeah don't you go getting killed Potter, who else is gonna help me keep these two in line" said Draco right before he was slapped upside the head by both girl's, " hey! I was kidding, kidding!" he cried, he looked at Harry "You see, you can't leave me hanging here with these two." Harry laughed.

" No, seriously Harry, you keep safe you hear?" Draco continued.

" I will, I will, I promise," Harry chuckled as he gave both boys gave each other a manly pat on the back. Both girls rolled their eyes. Harry turned to Hermione, " Now if I can just get my last goodbye, I can be off on my way." Hermione pulled Harry into a bonecrushing hug.

" Don't you go getting hurt on me Harry, ok? I need you." Hermione cried still holding onto him.

" Come on Mia, Harry's gonna need his air if he's to come back all alive for you"
Draco teased prying Hermione's arms from around Harry's neck. " I better get this good of a goodbye when I leave." He joked.

" Thanks man," Harry replied gasping for air.

"Jeez Potter, you can defeat the old Voldey but you can't handle little Mia's goodbye hugs?" Draco laughed, " What will you do without me?" He joked.

" You see," Pansy started, " You haven't yet left headquarters and you've already almost gotten yourself killed, I won't let you go on this death mission." Pansy finished only half-serious.

" Not this again," Harry groaned, " Look I've got to go now he said shaking Draco's hand and hugging Hermione again quickly before giving Pansy a quick kiss. " I'll see you girls in a month. Draco, you take care of yourself as well alright?" He said while walking backwards.

" Just go Harry, before you miss the portkey." Draco shouted good-naturedly. And then with a 'pop' Harry and his team were gone. Draco sighed, "Well that's my cue, girl's it's my turn to say goodbye."

" Draco, you be careful, I want to se you in six weeks dirty robes and in one piece mind you." Pansy said before pulling Draco into a tight hug.

" Don't worry I'll be back so fast you'll be begging for me to take another mission." Draco laughed.

" That's not funny" she said, " I'll see you in 6 weeks." She sniffed then turned to Hermione, I'll meet you in the parking lot" then she turned away leaving the couple to their good-byes.

" Mia, don't worry about me I'll be back before you know it," he said when he noticed her tearing up again, "I love you okay, I'll be safe and then when I come back we can start to fix that apartment of yours." He laughed.

"Draco, you know I love you too, I'll see you in 6 weeks," she wrapped her arms around his neck," now you be safe, I need you back here with me, I can't go longer than that without you."

"Without me or without what we did last night?" He grinned suggestively.

She blushed. " Without you, you idiot, that's just a bonus."

" I'll miss you everyday, baby," he said sincerely.

" You'd better," she joked. " I want to that abnormally shiny head of your in 6 weeks you hear?"

"Abnormally shiny! Woman I'll have you know this is perfectly normal!"

"Yea perfectly normal for a ferret." She supplied playfully. Draco grinned.

" Malfoy!" A man from the team behind them yelled.

" I'm coming!" he yelled back before turning to Hermione," I've got to go now but I'll be back, I love you don't forget that."

" Never." She said, " I love you too, now go!"

He grinned and turned to leave, but turned back and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Then he ran to his group before turning around and blowing her a kiss. She caught it and with a 'pop' Draco was gone.

With a sigh Hermione turned and walked towards the parking lot towards the car where Pansy was waiting. " Hey." Hermione said when she reached the car.

" Hey are you going to be alright?" Pansy asked when she heard Hermione sniff.

" Yeah, I'll be fine." Hermione sighed, " I know he's been away before but something about this time feels different, I don't know, am I just being silly?"

" No, I know what you mean, maybe it's because the boys are being separated or something of the sort, but something just doesn't feel right you know?" Pansy replied as she let a tear slide down her cheek.

Hermione laughed. " Look at us crying like little girls, we're being stupid, the boys will be fine, they know how to take care of themselves."

"Your right," Pansy said wiping her eyes and giving a small smile, " so do you think I could catch a ride to your place? I don't think I'm up to apparating at the moment."

" Sure, hop in," Hermione unlocked the car, " but I have to go to the market first is that okay?"

"Alright that's fine with me, it'll give me something to get my mind off the boys." Pansy replied as she got into the passenger's seat.

As they were driving both girl's sat in a comfortable silence. Hermione broke it.

"Do you think we should call Ron and Blaise and tell them the boys left just now?"

" Well let's just call their flat then whichever answers will tell the other."

"Ok, then we can plan the next month and a half of distractions," Hermione grimaced, " I'm glad this is going to be the last mission, I'll never get over him being away for so long." She whined.

Pansy laughed. " Well, at least that was the last goodbye."