The End

We were stunning together, everyone always said. We were night and day, didn't you know? The silver-haired Adonis and the jet-black Persephone. We were king and queen of Slytherin. We were invincible. We were destined.

But destiny counts for nothing when the world comes crashing down around us.

We were supposed to be immortal, didn't you know? It was always supposed to be you and me, together. I used to always keep you waiting. Now, I'm the one who waits. I'm the one that watches you go.

:::

"Draco!" she sing-songed, as he entered the clearing.

"Hmm?"

"I've been bored out of my mind waiting for you!" Pansy reclined against an aged tree; her bare feet stretched out in front of her leisurely. Mindlessly, she fingered the shiny silver badge pinned to her cloak.

Draco threw his bookbag off and sat beside her, shoulder to shoulder. "Are you still playing with that thing? We've had it the whole year—I can't believe it still pleases you."

"What's not to like? It's shiny and pretty and tells everyone I'm perfect!"

"Prefect," he corrected.

Pansy stuck out her tongue at him playfully. "Same thing." She rested her head against his chest, and Draco was able to catch the scent of her hair. They sat in silence listening to the early spring birds return from their winter travails, while the sun slowly dipped down into the horizon.

"Merlin, this is perfect, isn't it?" Pansy sighed.

"Oh, that reminds me…" Draco disentangled himself from her and stood. Pansy watched breathlessly for several minutes while Draco performed a complicated incantation. His eyes narrowed with concentration; beads of perspiration formed on his brow.

At last, he lowered his arms, almost panting. "Pans, ask me how to get to the clearing."

"Um, how do you get to the clearing, Draco?"

"You—!" Draco choked on his words. He attempted to speak several more times before shaking his head in defeat. "I can't say."

Pansy's eyes widened in delight. "You did it!"

Draco couldn't help the half-grin that formed on his face. "I made you a promise."

She leaped into his arms and kissed him hard on the mouth. "I love it, Draco, thank you!"

"For you—anything."

"This place will finally be just ours, right? No one else is allowed to come here?"

"I promise. No one but us, Pans."

The bell tower rang in the distance. "Shit! I was supposed to meet with Umbridge half an hour ago!" Hurriedly, she gathered her wayward shoes and bookbag, and—with one last grin over her shoulder—she sprinted from the clearing.

Draco watched as she raced back to the castle, her hair flying behind her like a flag.

Fin.

A/N: Thank you to those who stuck with this story since the beginning. Your encouragement and support meant the world.