I didn't realize that it had been almost a year since I updated this. I'm so sorry for that guys! I think I keep putting it off because this fic is so close to being completed (literally 3 more chapters + an epilogue. This doesn't include the alternate ending one shot). This story is just so dear to me because I've put my all into this. I hope that when the time comes either ending is to your satisfaction, and you guys won't hate me too much. :)

Warning: Death

Farewells aren't something great,

I'm scared of the feeling that we'll hurt each other.

The future that comes from the consequences

Comes without fear

-No Manners, Super M

Hermione woke up to the sound of hushed voices rising from below her, the aggressive tones telling her that it wasn't a pleasant conversation. It was enough to even stir Scorpius, the rustle of fabric and soft mewls reaching Hermione's ears, a sign that he was beginning to wake. She hurriedly made her way to his crib, taking the squirming child into her arms and softly shushing him. It was futile, because seconds later, a fairly unfamiliar voice rose unexpectedly, the unintelligible words making Scorpius cry out.

There was a pause in the conversation, and Hermione figured that they must have realized what happened. She assumed that was the case, because she couldn't hear them at all, now. A few more minutes passed before she was finally able to lull Scorpius back to sleep, and she sighed. She gingerly placed him down, curiosity and annoyance peaked as she turned to gaze at the door.

She was quiet as she exited the room, feet carrying her towards the stairs, the voices clear as day, now. Her eyes widened as she recognized the voice of none other than Lucius Malfoy, expletives flying from his throat as he spoke to his son. She recalled the last time she'd seen him, the blond man aiming a gun at her head. She didn't know how she felt about him being in such close proximity to her again, and more importantly, to Scorpius.

"I refuse to believe that I raised a son so absolutely dimwitted."

Even Hermione flinched as he spat the word out, the venom in his voice surprising her.

"Father-."

"This child might not even be yours. Are you going to raise Riddle's seed, Draco? Am I to leave the estate in the hands of the boy who has our enemy's blood running through his veins?"

"We don't know that he's Riddle's son! Even if he is… I'll be the only father he ever knows-."

Draco was cut off by a harsh scoff, Mr. Malfoy's disapproval was evident.

"He's my son, father. Mine and Hermione's. The suspicion surrounding his parentage is already hard enough on the both of us considering…"

Draco trailed off, and Hermione took a step back, wondering if she wanted to hear anymore. She sometimes wondered how Draco truly felt about what Riddle had done to her. She knew that he blamed himself, but there were times where she wondered if he viewed her the same as he did before. She wondered if he thought that she was…tainted, in a way.

"I don't want to speak with you about this anymore. Your distaste of Hermione has been…obvious, to say the least. To be perfectly honest, I don't even know why I let you in my home after what you tried to do."

"Why you-."

"I meant no disrespect, but you tried to kill the woman I love. Surely, you didn't expect me to just get over that?"

"I expected you to get over her! Ever since you've met her, it has been nothing but trouble. One thing after the next," Mr. Malfoy spat. "You started a war over this girl, something Riddle has been aching for, for years!"

He scoffed again, huffing.

"…and you just handed it to him on a silver platter…and for what?"

There was a long silence, one thick with tension and anger, before Draco spoke.

"I'm going to marry her, father. I'm going to marry her and be a wonderful father to my son. If this displeases you...then die mad about it."

The silence that followed made Hermione's hair stand on end, and she flinched when the door was abruptly slammed shut. She looked over her shoulder, pleased when the sound didn't wake Scorpius. She walked to the top of the stairs, watching as Draco heaved a tired sigh, raking his hands down his face as he shakily exhaled.

As if sensing her presence, he suddenly looked up, haggard eyes resting on her frame. The faintest of smirks graced his lips before he reached a hand out, beckoning her over. She descended the stairs with caution as if somehow afraid that Mr. Malfoy would pop back in and gun her down.

A sigh escaped her lips when Draco wrapped his arms around her, nose pressed into her hair as he breathed her in. They stayed like that for some time, just holding each other as Draco deescalated from the ugly argument he'd just had with his father. She tightened her arms around his waist, face pressed into his chest.

"He got wind of the test we did a few weeks ago…"

Hermione looked up at the mention of the paternity test.

"He wanted to know the results, but I told him that I hadn't gotten them yet, that there was some mix up at the office and they would be delayed…"

He looked down at her, and Hermione felt a bit disappointed, opening her mouth to speak when he interrupted her.

"…but I lied."

Her eyes widened, blinking as he pulled an envelope from inside his coat pocket. Hermione took a step back, staring at the slip of paper like it held the answers to the universe in there. She was suddenly all too aware of how dry her throat was, heart picking up in speed.

"Do you want to-?"

"Can we wait…til later?"

Draco frowned, having not expected that, and Hermione rushed to explain herself.

"After the wedding," she proposed. "I just… If he isn't- if it's not… I just don't want to put a damper on Ginny's day, you know? I wouldn't be able to fully appreciate her day if Scorpius isn't…"

Hermione trailed off, unable to get the words out. If he isn't yours, she silently finished. Draco seemed to understand, nodding before taking her hand.

"Okay. After the wedding then," he agreed.

Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Draco suddenly smiled, reaching up to brush her hair away from her face.

"Speaking of… What time do we need to be at the church? I don't know the missus very well, but she looks like a girl who'd have my head if I had you late."

Hermione chuckled with a nod.

"Well, you're not wrong…"

"Blimey, Hermione!"

"I know, I know," Hermione hurriedly said as she was ushered into the room.

The grand white room was bustling with commotion, Mrs. Weasley hurriedly finishing some minor adjustments on Ginny's dress. Hermione froze as she got a really good look at her friend, and she let out a soft breath.

The dress looked even more grand than it did at the final fitting. Ginny's long fiery hair was flowing around her shoulders in romantic curls. Her veil and small tiara made her look like a princess, and Hermione couldn't stop the tears that sprung to her eyes. She took a step forward, and Ginny rolled her eyes, but Hermione could see how glassy they had become.

"Don't…"

"I'm sorry," Hermione whispered. "You just… You look so beautiful. You're getting married."

She took Ginny's hands, and Mrs. Weasley reached up to brush along Ginny's face.

"None of that, dear. We've spent too much time on your makeup," she tutted.

"Oh hush, mum."

The older woman waved Ginny off before pressing a brief kiss to Hermione's cheek.

"You look stunning, Hermione. You two don't take too long. We don't want to keep poor Harry waiting," she said before leaving the room.

Ginny chuckled, reaching up to press a finger to the corner of her eye.

"I'm really doing this," she whispered.

"You are," Hermione tearfully agreed. "My best friends are going to spend the rest of their lives together. We're all growing up."

"Oh, don't do that. I'm begging you! We're all still so young. Hell, none of us have even graduated from university yet."

Hermione chuckled, almost sadly.

"I know. I just meant…in other ways. You and Harry are getting married, I have a child, and Theo… Teddy is actually trying to work on himself. I never thought I'd see the day where he was actively trying to be a better person," she mused.

Ginny chuckled, nodding in agreement. She suddenly sighed.

"Yeah…I see what you mean. Plus, we've had to mature a lot faster than we wanted to in some ways…"

Hermione frowned, squeezing Ginny's hands when she sent her a sad smile.

"I wish Ron was here," she whispered.

Hermione swallowed, guilt suffocating her chest as she nodded.

"Me too," she whispered back.

Ginny blinked back tears before exhaling, adjusting her dress once more.

"I'm going to marry my best friend," she announced with a blinding smile.

It wasn't long before Hermione was walking down the aisle with Draco as a soft melody filled the small church. Despite the fact that she knew Harry was extremely uncomfortable in his tuxedo, something about him looked at ease. Calm. She caught his eye and sent him a small encouraging smile.

A solid minute followed where the tune continued to ring in the air with no one walking down the aisle, and Hermione looked down, Ron's absence more evident than ever. She glanced up at Harry again, noticing the way his eyes shone as he silently mourned his best friend. Her eyes briefly caught Draco's, and she hurriedly glanced away just as the tune changed.

Somehow, Ginny looked even more radiant as she walked down the aisle. Hermione always thought Ginny looked like a princess, something out of a fairytale, and those words never rang truer than they did at that moment. Soft murmurs filled the church as everyone admired the blushing bride, and Hermione couldn't hold back her own tears as she noticed Harry had started to cry.

As she stood there, listening to Harry and Ginny confess their love for one another, Hermione couldn't help to think what her own wedding would be like. No one would be there, of course, Blaise and Teddy if she was lucky, but she found that the thought of professing her love for Draco like Ginny was doing for Harry filled her with the strangest emotion.

Draco was flawed in so many ways, but so was she. There was so much about him that was just wrong, but she realized that she was proud to call him hers. Draco could have anyone he wanted, anyone who would be better suited for his lifestyle, and he chose her. He was dedicated to her, renouncing his family legacy for her. He would quite literally give her the world if she asked for it.

She caught his eye again just as Harry began to say his own vows, and for a moment, it seemed like she could see her own thoughts in Draco's eyes. She could see their wedding, their house, and their son growing up in a safe environment. She saw their future reflected in his eyes, and she looked down, the intensity of it almost too much for her to bear.

"…I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Hermione grinned, a squeal escaping her lips when Harry pulled Ginny into his arms for a dazzling kiss. Claps and cheers filled the chapel as everyone congratulated the happy couple. They intertwined their hands before running down the aisle and through the now open doors.

The rest of the wedding party followed them, followed by the rest of the guests. The happy couple piled into the waiting limo while everyone else slid into town cars and personal vehicles and prepared to make their way to the reception. Hermione sighed as she slid in next to Draco, a smile on her face.

"My best friends are married," she breathed, almost in disbelief.

Draco took her hand as he began to follow the line of cars.

"Are you alright?" he asked just before bringing her hand up to press his lips against it.

She knew what he was hinting at, and she sighed.

"I don't want to talk about Ron, right now," she slowly replied. "In fact… I don't think I want to talk about him ever."

She could feel Draco's eyes on her.

"If this is going to work between us…I have to let him go. If I think about him, then I'll just think about what you did, and then…then I'll think about what I'm doing. That's when I'll ask myself what am I doing?"

"Hermione…"

"I don't know who I've become if I can still be with you after what you did. I don't know if it's because I'm telling myself Ron was doomed anyway, but… I don't know."

She suddenly looked at him, a sigh leaving her.

"I do know that I can't imagine my life without you, Draco. You've had such an impact on my life, both positive and negative, that I don't think it would be truly possible to ever move on from you. Even if I did want to…and I don't want to."

Draco's eyes were on the road, but they fell to her everyone once in a while as she spoke. She brought their intertwined hands up to her own lips, brushing them over his skin.

"I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you…to raising our son," she murmured.

Draco stopped the car in front of the fancy building. He released a breath before turning and pulling her into a kiss. They lingered like that for just a moment before eventually pulling away. They held hands as they walked inside, awaiting the arrival of the happy couple.

They didn't have to wait for very long, and the small venue erupted into cheers as they made their way inside. It was a beautiful reception. They danced to their favorite song, a song Ginny had put on all those years ago when she'd been trying to impress Harry with a dance. It was sweet and filled with camera flashes as everyone wanted to capture the romantic moment.

Hermione and Draco had eventually made their way to the dance floor, embracing each other as they swayed to the music. She basked in the moment, surrounded by friends and family as they succumbed to the celebratory atmosphere. As expected, Ginny had smashed the cake in Harry's face after cutting it, resulting in a minor food fight between the two that Fred and George had no qualms about joining.

Mrs. Weasley wasn't pleased, but she clearly didn't have the heart to fuss. Ginny's siblings and a few of their classmates came up to speak while the happy couple listened to nostalgic stories of school and the reputation they'd earned as high school sweethearts. When it was Hermione's turn, Draco gave her an encouraging kiss before urging her to stand. Her eyes were misty as she stood in the middle of the room, gazing at her best friends.

"I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said," she tearfully began.

Her eyes met Ginny's before flicking to Harry's, both of them tearfully looking back at her.

"It's fortunate that two of my best friends fell in love. I was lucky…to have witnessed that happen before my own eyes. A lot of us were. I don't think I've ever met two people who were more suited for one another."

She looked down with a sigh.

"If Ron were here…he'd say the sight of them together often made him ill."

Chuckles filled the room.

"He'd complain about them all the time, but we all knew that he loved that they were together. He loved that his sister found a soulmate in his best friend."

She looked at her best friends with a small smile.

"If he was here, he would've teased the both of you endlessly. We would've had to take the mic from him, but he loved you both, and he loved what you had."

Hermione looked away.

"I'm happy I was here to witness what we all knew was going to happen from the first moment the two of you met. It feels like something finally went right in the world."

Her eyes met theirs, large grins exchanged between them as they both thanked her. Champagne was passed around and everyone mingled about the happy couple. All too soon, the festivities had to come to an end. Everyone cheered as they made their way out of the building, excited to get to the fancy car that would take them away to their honeymoon.

Hermione laughed in awe as doves were released, surprised that Ginny had actually talked her mum into doing it. Flower petals were tossed at the married couple, and Hermione reached into the basket of someone next to her to grab a handful of petals herself. She flicked them, and they flew and fluttered like feathers in the wind. They rained down over everyone, and that was when Hermione saw it before she heard it.

Crimson stained a few petals at her feet, and she stumbled when the person beside her fell into her. She looked over in time to catch them just as they collapsed into her arms. Then someone screamed. And another. And another. Everything was a flurry of colors as everyone started running, loud popping sounds reaching her ears as the reality of the situation finally clicked. She fell to the floor with the person in her arms, and her eyes widened when they met their own open and vacant ones.

She looked up with a gasp, watching as two cars paused in front of the grass, people shooting from the inside. Hermione could only hear the sound of her own breathing as she stood, running towards Ginny and Harry. Her pursuit was halted, familiar arms wrapping around her and knocking her to the ground. She was forced along the grass as Draco hovered over her, crawling and pushing her back into the building.

"G-Ginny-!"

"No, get in! Stay here," he growled.

Bullets tore through the wall, hitting the tables and champagne glasses. She screwed her eyes shut as shards flew around her. She reached up to push against his chest, but Draco wasn't budging.

"Draco, I have to-!"

"Hermione, you can't!"

He gripped her hands, pinning them down as he held her to the floor. She fought against him, but only ended up frustrating herself more when he wouldn't let up. Tears spilled from her eyes as the sound of gunfire continued, and Draco looked at her sadly.

"Ginny…Harry…," she shakily breathed.

"I'm not losing you," Draco whispered, breath just as shaky.

She closed her eyes, a sob escaping as Draco lowered his head beside her, hands clutching her own and body pinning her down like his life depended on it.

Hermione stumbled down the busy corridor, eyes frantic and searching. Draco was right behind her, looking around too.

"Hermione!"

They both looked over before running towards the fiery haired twins. She fell into their arms, frame trembling as they embraced her.

"What-? Who…?"

Everything had happened in a matter of seconds, and the arrival and departure of ambulances and police seemed just as sudden. She pulled away from them, and her face fell at the devastation in their eyes.

"Charlie didn't make it," Fred choked out.

Tears started falling all over again as she took this in. She knew that a number of the attendees hadn't made it, but hearing that Charlie was among them…

"Dad got hurt in his leg, and Ginny is having emergency surgery right now," George continued as Fred turned away, shoulders shaking.

Hermione felt like she'd been punched in the gut.

"Emergency surgery?"

"She…she was pretty bad, Hermione," he whispered.

She looked at Draco with wide eyes, and he swallowed, resting his hand on her shoulder.

"Harry?" she asked, turning back to George.

Fred let out a rather loud cry, and her eyes widened. She rested them on George again as his face fell, and he took a step back.

"George… What about Harry? Is he okay?"

George's face was red, jaw clenched as he jerkily shook his head. Hermione stumbled back, tripping over her own feet as she collapsed into Draco's arms. Fred and George reached for her as well, and she wailed as her knees hit the ground. There was the most awful pain in her chest, trying to force its way out like a knife and she screamed again.

She couldn't breathe. Her throat was closing up, and she couldn't breathe. The air around her grew thin, and her vision spun as the voices and colors around her started to blend together. She could feel more hands on her, but she pushed them away, eyes rolling into the back of her head as she fell backwards.

When she woke up, Draco was there. They had put her in a room it seemed, and Draco was slumped in the chair beside her bed. She wished that fainting had given her memory loss, because she remembered everything, and it hurt just as much. She sniffed, and Draco straightened, rushing over to her just as the tears fell all over again.

She wrapped her arms around him as he rocked her back and forth, hands clutching her to him. He didn't say anything, either having nothing to say or feeling no need to. She couldn't fathom that Harry was dead. Her mind was having the hardest time grasping it, and every time she tried to, it felt like a blade was being shoved into her chest. She sobbed into his chest for literal hours.

When she finally looked out of the window, the sun was going down, and she turned her face away.

"Ginny's surgery was successful," Draco whispered.

Hope filled Hermione's chest.

"They said it's really just up to her, now. They put her in a medically induced coma to see if that will help move things along, but… They've done all they can at this point."

She looked away. Hermione wasn't even sure she wanted Ginny to make it. Maybe that sounded cruel, but if she woke up, she'd wake up a widow. She walked out of that reception with the love of her life, and if she woke up, she'd wake up alone. Fresh tears started to fall at the thought, and Draco reached out to wipe them away.

"This…"

Hermione swallowed, licking her lips before continuing.

"We did this. We caused this, and where does it end?"

Draco sighed, resting his hands against her neck.

"We…have to end this. Tonight. We have to put a stop to this tonight, and then…then we need to get as far away from here as possible, so that we can't hurt anymore people," she whispered.

Draco nodded, brushing his thumbs along her jaw.

"I have to see her before I go, but…," Hermione trailed off with a frown, knowing that wasn't going to be possible.

She was most likely in the ICU.

"Hey, look at me," he softly ordered.

She rested her wide eyes on him.

"I'll handle it. You'll get to see her…"

Draco was true to his word. An hour or so later found him standing outside of the door as she slipped inside. Hermione's heart broke, and she briefly stopped to turn away at the sight of Ginny. She rubbed her chest before wrapping her arms around herself as she turned back around.

Her best friend looked so small in the huge bed, hooked up to machines like something out of a horror film. Hermione hesitantly approached her, looking down at the pale girl. She slowly reached out to brush her finger along Ginny's hand, and she snatched it back. She felt so cold.

She swallowed, forcing herself to speak as she remembered that she wasn't supposed to be there and was on a time crunch.

"I'm… I'm sorry, Ginny."

She took a shaky breath, finding that the words started to flow once she got started.

"I wish…I wish that there was a proper way to convey just how sorry I am, because saying it will never make up for what I've done to you. I thought that I could be in Draco's world and come out unscathed…but I was wrong. I was naïve."

Hermione trailed a finger over her hand again.

"I'm a horrible best friend and a horrible person. If…if you knew the things that I did…," she tearfully trailed off, looking away.

Hermione shook her head.

"If you knew…you would hate me, and it would be nothing less of what I deserve."

She sniffed, wiping her face.

"Part of me wants you to wake up to be with the rest of your family and to live the long life you are owed, but… Another party of me doesn't ever want you to wake up, because…if you wake up…you'll wake up alone," Hermione's voice broke, and a few tears skipped off of her eyelashes.

She took another deep breath.

"Harry is gone. You married your best friend, the love of your life, and my mess took him away from you. I don't want to imagine you waking up in a world without Harry, because I'm in a world without Harry, and it hurts. It hurts so much, and I know that whatever I feel won't compare to what you would feel and…and that breaks my heart. I don't want you to feel that."

Hermione exhaled.

"I don't know if you can hear me, right now. A part of me hopes that you can't because…" she paused, pulling her hand away to fiddle with them. "…if you can then you're going to hate me forever for what I'm about to say."

Hermione stepped away, briefly looking at the wall before her gaze found Ginny's prone form again.

"Draco killed Ron…and Teddy helped. That's why I left."

The room was silent give for the beeping of the machine, and Hermione didn't know why she expected Ginny to rise and say something. Scream at her, hell, anything. She sighed again.

"I left because the man I loved killed your brother, and I couldn't handle it. I couldn't handle seeing him…you…your family. Not after what he did."

Hermione suddenly chuckled, a humorless sound.

"…but I took him back," she slowly and sheepishly continued with a scoff. "Yeah. Yeah, I did that."

Hermione ran her hands down her face with a long sigh.

"Maybe Draco's world is exactly where I belong, now. If you can hear me…you'll never have to see me again. I couldn't leave here without telling you the truth, not without…doing…the one thing I could finally do right."

She shook her head.

"…but things will never be right. I'll never be able to make up for what I caused. I will never be able to set things right, and that kills me."

Hermione neared her bed, leaning over to press a light kiss to Ginny's forehead.

"I'm sorry," she whispered against her skin.

She stepped away, eyes never leaving the other girl as she approached the door. She placed her hand on the door handle as she just stared, unable to find anything else to say. It wouldn't matter, anyway. Nothing she said would change anything. Ginny was still probably going to wake up in a world without two brothers and the love of her life.

Hermione slipped outside, meeting Draco's eyes just as he looked up. Neither one of them said anything, taking each other in as something changed between them. Hermione clenched her jaw, angry at her naivete. Hermione wondered if this was what Draco felt like on his 15th birthday, when he'd been forced to confront the harsh reality of his world head on.

Hermione didn't know why she thought certain things in her life would remain untouched. She didn't understand how she couldn't see that nothing was off limits. Why did she think she could be so immersed in Draco's world while still having a toe dipped into her own?

Draco stepped towards her, pressing his lips against hers just as she slipped her hand into his. He didn't say anything when he pulled away, simply breathing her in. He pulled her along, and she followed, hand clutching his as they made their way out of the hospital, never looking back.

~ SD ~