Disclaimer: This story was written only for fun, not for profit!

A/N: Wow, this is the last chapter. It's a pretty short chapter but when deciding to make it either 10 or 11 chapters, we decided on 11 because it's my lucky number. Ha! We started this story last May...which makes it really sad how long it took us to finish it. So anyway, it's finally over. Hope you liked this 26,500+ word, basically fluff-less drabble. Thank you so much to everyone who left a review, or multiple in some cases, and to everyone who has stuck with this story and my forgetfulness to post! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 11

A couple hours later the Hospital Wing was filled with the cacophony of conversations from the Heads of Houses, Harry, Draco, and most of the Eighth Years. The professors, along with the couple governors who could be contacted at such short notice, were huddled near the doors in a loose circle, talking about the punishment and further plans for the future to insure this won't happen again; Theo was sitting next to his brother's hospital bed, holding his hand and quietly talking to Blaise and Pansy; the rest of the Eight Years sat in a cluster on the opposite side of the Wing, quietly talking amongst themselves, attempting to give the Nott's some peace.

All heads turned when one of the aging governors, a willowy old man with a beard to his sternum, cleared his throat. "After talking with the professors and our colleagues, the board has agreed that the following procedures will be taken in response to this incident: the students involved in the attack will be suspended from Hogwarts indefinitely. Due to the fact that they have never been involved in anything violent prior to this incident, these students will not be expelled. However, we do believe this is a serious matter and these students will be required to see Healers for therapy throughout the rest of their years here at Hogwarts."

The Eighth Years muttered mutinously to themselves, a few faces showing outrage at the relative lack of severity of the punishment. However, no one spoke up, none caring enough to truly face off against their superiors.

Draco Malfoy stood emotionless in the corner, watching with cold grey eyes and a passive face.

"I am sorry, but this decision is final," Professor McGonagall said with slightly apologetic eyes. "Unless anyone has any other information to bring forth, the other professors and I have agreed this is the fairest punishment." Both Harry and Hermione looked to Draco, whose blank mask never broke, never even glanced at them. "Well, then. It's settled. You all may go back to doing what you were doing. I will go check with Madame Pomfrey," Professor McGonagall said sternly as the group of older students began to shuffle out of the Hospital Wing, talking angrily about the verdict.

Harry couldn't take it any longer, Draco's truthful words from before ringing in his ears. This school did seem to be ignoring the plight of the Slytherins; Harry threw a glance at Draco and quietly excused himself, walking out of the room, unconsciously heading down the corridor towards the kitchens. Harry plopped himself down against the entrance to the kitchens, bowing his head to rub his eyes wearily.

He heard them not a moment or two later – those familiar footsteps. Willing his ears to simply be hearing things, Harry looked up and saw the blond head he was trying to avoid. He looked away, focusing his eyes straight forward and winced inwardly when he felt a warm body settle next to his, their elbows brushing and their thighs touching.

"So…" Draco started quietly.

"Are you going to do something?"

"No." Harry turned his head sharply, feeling a pang of something when those grey eyes were gazing back at him softly.

"No? What if they do this to someone else? You were just ranting about Slytherin rights, and now you're giving up?" Harry yelled.

Draco looked as though the weight of the world was pressing down on his shoulders. "I don't know what you want me to say. There's nothing else to do, Potter, and I don't know why you care so much."

"You don't know why I care? Really?" Frustration seemed to fill Harry with burning energy. "I care because I fucking love you!" Harry scrambled to his feet, storming off before he did something stupid.

Draco just sighed tiredly.

Draco was still sitting there on the cold stone floor when Pansy found him an hour later, a curious Granger sneaking along behind her. Pansy plopped down next to him, staring at the side of his head; Draco didn't even bother throwing a glance at her, he just took a deep breath and prepared himself for a lecture.

"You are going to lose him, you nitwit, if you keep pissing him off like that," Pansy said.

"Probably," Draco sighed. "Do you think he really loves me?"

Pansy closed her eyes. "I'm going to hit you, I swear. Don't you agree, Granger?" Granger jumped from her obvious hiding spot behind a nearby column, emerging and tentatively nearing the pair of Slytherins.

"Yes, Mal–Draco, he really cares about you. And you love him, so now me and Parkinson are going to kill you both if you do not get together this instant," Hermione deadpanned.

"Well said, Granger," Pansy stated, and then looked at Draco. "What are you doing, then? Move!"

Draco smiled.

Draco found Harry sitting by the lake, staring out at the ripples. For the second time that night, Draco sat next to Harry, their legs pressed together warmly. "You know, nothing really changed at the end. Slytherins are still treated like crap; you still got attacked by some gits; nobody seems to care," Harry seethed.

"That's just your need to save everyone speaking." Harry rolled his eyes, tearing grass with his fingers.

"And I love you, too, you know."

Harry looked up into bright and shining eyes, mouth gaping.

They grinned.

"Alright, everyone, if you would turn in your reports to the front, we are going to begin a new assignment today. This potion will allow you to understand what makes you the most furious, what drives your passion," Slughorn bellowed.

Harry and Draco just looked at each other and laughed, hands intertwined underneath the table.

The End