Phillyactress: Lol, I know it was silly, but you have to ask! The new story will be called "Sometimes Things Happen," the continuation of this story, there will be a twist in the relationships for some of it, but you'll just have to read it to find out the rest, lol! I was thinking that it was angst, but I guess I forgot that other people have different views on that, so I'll try and make next story better that way! And believe me, a proper drivers license isn't all it's cracked up to be lol, I've had mine for about 5 years now and all it got me was more errands to run! Lol.
Ron'n'Hermione: Why thank you! I always love seeing reviews from new people, and I'm glad you like this story! It's very sad that you found this right before I'm going to end it! Lol, but 'that's just the way things work'…ouch, sorry about that horrible pun, I just had to say it! Lol, thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see your name again!
Yami Kiku and Hikari Kaiume: Wow guys, that was a LOT of reviews from you lol! First off, I'm so very sad about the whole Megan issue lol, if it makes you feel better it's for my friend Megan, who wanted to be in the story and was very fine with dying lol, plus it's my sisters name…so no hard feelings! A sugar high at 5 in the morning? Very dangerous, but oh so fun. Oh dear, since it was so long since the last chapter I'm very terrified of your rabid neon- pink chinchillas of DOOM wearing neon- green speedos lol, but sounds kind of fun to watch maybe? And thanks for the compliment on Herbert! Hope to hear from you guys again, (p.s-I read one of your stories, very nice!)
SMurphy: Ah yes, the power of Draco, you know, I always knew he had it in him lol. You see, he was supposed to have done things differently, but you know how it is when it's late in the morning and you're trying to get the chapter done for people! I was under pressure lol, and I suppose I made a mistake! But, as always, I thank you for pointing it out, so that I can change it next time! I hope you'll read the new one when I post…which I'm kind of scared and sad for!
ilovefiereyredheads: Thanks from Herbert, you know, I'm sure he gets quite the Irish swell of pride when he hears those compliments, modest as he is, Lol. Yeah, you're not the only one who is glad the triangle thing worked out, as I had contemplated changing it around. Thankfully, I stuck with what I posted, and I'm quite happy about it! Hope to see you on the other one!
ashley: Thank you so much for the compliment! It means a lot when people say that about my story, since I have such a low self-confidence for it! I was scared that when I first posted I was going to get many flames and such, but now I'm confident in this story at least lol, and my writing has improved I know for a fact. I'm so glad you think that they are in character, and I tried for most of them (Draco obviously is not, or else he would be getting praise from his father from killing well…everybody!) Thank you!

Disclaimer: I am not J.K.Rowling, and everything that you recognize from this story is NOT mine.

A/N: Well people, here it is! The final chapter of the story, oh this is such a sad day for me. The post was going up on Wednesday, but when I re-read the story to find mistakes I realized I didn't like it. So I rewrote the whole thing, from start to finish. I hope you like it; I made it into a closing chapter, rather than a 'cliff-hanger' chapter that I was going to do. You know, one that would make you go "Oh man…I wonder what they'll do for that in the next book." Lol. Sorry about the long update, but that's why…and btw, it sucks to rewrite a full chapter lol.

A/N: Important: This is the new story's title, "Sometimes Things Happen" look for it in the Ron, Hermione section under Romance/Angst (or it might be Drama, I haven't decided yet) and it will be under the rating of T. There will be new twists in the relationships in this story, and I hope you will all enjoy it! I will give something away now though, there will be a scene (or maybe two…we'll see, for I'm deathly afraid of the topic) with giant spiders (shudders). The gang is on a mini-adventure to get rid of a secret object to help save a friend. But you'll have to read it to find out who! Hope to hear from you all again! P.s.- the first posting will be on July 26th.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione woke up with a start and quickly glanced around the room. She found nothing. It was then that she remembered why exactly she felt so comfortable last night. She was in her own bed, back again at Hogwarts. The events of the past couple of days and nights swirled around in her head and she found herself wondering how on earth she made it through.

Looking around she saw that she was alone in her room, and that her other roommates were no where to be seen. Getting out of bed, she put on some day clothes and her robe, telling herself 'there's no sense in wasting any time getting to classes.'

"Hermione!" Before she knew what was happening a blur of red hair jumped at her when she opened the door to the girls' side of the dormitory. She pushed the person back and a smile lit on her face when she found out who it was.

"Ginny, oh my gosh! I've missed you so much! How did you know I was here?" She hugged her friend and they walked down to the couch in the common room. Ginny, was indeed all smiles as she looked at Hermione sitting on the couch.

"Harry and Ron have been up for awhile, I've heard all about it," she said hiding a blush that crept on her face. Hermione noticed this, "So…," she said, "are you and Harry okay then?"

"Oh yes," said Ginny, "we've talked it all out and Hermione," she added, "Harry told me that you were feeling guilty about what happened in the common room awhile go when you were….changed was it? Please," she said putting a hand on Hermione's knee, "don't…I would hate for you to feel bad because of me."

Hermione looked at Ginny and sighed, "Ginny, really I don't feel so bad anymore because Harry and I talked about it. I mean," she said hurriedly because of the look on Ginny's face, "I DO feel bad…but I understand now."

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked around and saw Harry and Ron walk though the portrait hole. She got up and walked over to give Harry a hug and Ron a kiss on his cheek. "Hi guys, how are you feeling?"

Ron rolled his eyes and pointed towards Harry, "Wanted to play Quidditch he did. I can't believe I let him talk me into that, I'm going to be sore for a week."

"He means we're fine Hermione." Harry said laughing. "Well," he said clasping his hands together, "who wants to go get something to eat? It's nearly time for breakfast." He set off to go out towards the Great Hall hand in hand with Ginny, as Ron and Hermione walked just a tad ways back.

"Hermione, can I ask you a question?" Ron said timidly. 'Why is he so nervous?' Hermione thought as she looked at him. Ron was slightly pink tinted and he was dragging his shoes as he walked.

"Of course Ron," Hermione said, "fire away."

"Well here's the thing," he said slowly, "Do you want to go out with me?"

Hermione laughed and had to stop to hold onto the wall, "Ron are you crazy, we are going out!"

He frowned and looked at her, "No Hermione I'm serious." Hermione smiled slightly and held his hand, "Well, yes I suppose I do. And before you ask, I'm sure because I couldn't kiss somebody I didn't like Ron." And she leaned up to kiss his cheek.

Ron just smiled sighed, "Hermione I was just wondering because, well, I asked you out about a week or so before you 'disappeared', as everyone says. And then when I find you again, you're completely different, not to mention the fact that we've just been fighting and running like mad since I found you again. You were hanging around Malfoy a whole lot and I just feel like I've been rubbish at being a boyfriend Hermione."

She looked at Ron and pulled him to a stop, "Ron," she said, "You weren't rubbish at all, I promise. Draco and I hung out because we had to, and yes you were running and fighting since because you were being a WONDERFUL boyfriend and protecting me. Now, let's go have breakfast before the food all disappears." She kissed his cheek and walked into the Great Hall where there were two seats by Harry.

Dumbledore was at the front of the hall grinning like he had a secret. When Hermione and Ron had sat down, he cleared his throat and began to talk.

"I would like to make an announcement," he said with an air to his voice, "Classes for the rest of the day will be canceled in consideration of certain adventures that have taken place. Secondly," he said a little more loudly because of the sudden wave of excitement of no classes, "I would like to announce that there will be a final dance at the end of the week. I found some old songs in my office and I can never turn down an opportunity to show Professor McGonagall who excels in dancing. I am sad to say that she beats me at the Foxtrot however," he added, "I've been told I do an excellent Tango."

McGonagall, who was sitting beside him, cleared her throat. "Ah, yes," he said to the bewildered looks amongst the students, "sorry about that. Please, enjoy your meal!"

The three, plus Ginny, sat silently eating at the table when all of a sudden…. "It's all right Hermione, it'll be fun."

Ron, who had been talking to nobody in particular, and who had nobody in particular talking to him, had started talking out loud. "Erm…" he said, "right, so…I thought Hermione was complaining about how silly dances were and how she would have nothing to wear…"

"Oh dear God," said Harry with his face in his hands, clearly exasperated, "he's internalized her." Hermione leaned over and smacked him on the arm and cried out in annoyance, "Oh come on now. I'm am not complaining about the dance, and as a matter of face," she added with sheer pride in her face, "I happen to have a dress for the dance thank you very much."

"It's true," said Ginny with her mouth full, a true Weasley trait, "I've seen it. A lovely blue color don't you know. Sorry Hermione" she said to her friends' disappointed look.

The rest of the day went quite quickly, a bit annoying, but all in all quick. Hermione found that she indeed had caused a stir when she 'disappeared' and had people coming up to her all day long to talk about it, or gossip in Lavender's case. Soon, it was time for the dance. The Great Hall was decorated in brilliant lights and streamers, with the addition of a giant lemon drop, Dumbledore's tribute.

They were all sitting in the common room, lazing around until time to get ready for the night. Harry and Ginny sat together in the narrow couch while Ron leaned back in the big chair, as Hermione sat perfectly cross-legged on the floor. "Please Hermione," Ron begged, "Show us the damn dress. If you don't…I'll…stop talking to you!" He grinned at her and watched her face turn from shock to understanding.

"All right, I'll show you the blasted dress!" She got up and went to her room where she looked underneath her bed towards a box. 'Oh I certainly hope Ron likes this one…'she thought.

"Oh wow, look at it!" cried Ginny when Hermione returned downstairs with the box, and drew out a lovely blue dress, as Ginny had already pointed out. It was long and nice, with white beads all over the bottom, and was undoubtedly the most beautiful dress Hermione had ever owned. They sat admiring the dress until Ginny realized it was time to get ready. Before any of them could move however, a toad came leaping into the common room from the boys' dormitory.

"Trevor, please wait up!" Neville bounded down the stairs with his wand out to seize his friend, and tripped on the bottom stair in an ill-fated attempt to get the frog.

"Oomph!" he cried as he hit the floor. A flash of light came from his wand and straight towards the group by the fire. They all covered they're eyes and looked up to see Hermione's box twitching in the chair where Ron was just moments before.

'Oh dear…' thought Hermione.

Oh dear was right, as Hermione picked up the box and took off the lid. Laying where was once a beautiful blue dress laid a puke-green dress with neon yellow polka-dots. Her eyes went wide as she took the dress out and held it up to herself.

"Hermione…I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen, I was just trying to get Trevor. He's a bit tricky sometimes you know…and he jumped out of the room before I knew what was happening. I would have let him be, you see, but I didn't want McGonagall to find him…she always said that if she found him again…." Neville stammered for a bit, going on about his Aunt and talking some nonsense about Professor Sprout and Herbology.

"Neville, Neville stop please," said Hermione, "it's really quite all right…Ginny and I will go fix it up." Neville tried to say something, but she had already walked away with the redhead. As they climbed the stairs she could hear Ron talking calmly to Neville…something about his Aunt again.

Try as they might, the dress wouldn't change color, and so Hermione was faced with the fact of designing it differently, to accommodate the color. In the end, she ended up with a puke-green dress with yellow polka-dots still, but now there were no straps at the top. Instead, it was cut above the chest with a white frill across the entire circumference. She added a darker yellow bow around her waist and different colored yellow polka-dots, Ginny's idea. The bottom of the dress was reduced to right by or below the knee, depending on how she was sitting, and was kind of poofed, in an okay way, Hermione decided. All in all, it didn't turn out as bad as it did right when Neville messed up, not that it was horrible before either. It was just that most everybody else would be in some magnificent dress, and well…she was supposed to also. After finishing getting ready, Ginny and Hermione decided to go downstairs, as the dance was about to start.

"It'll be fine Hermione, I'm sure nobody will say anything." Ginny was trying to comfort Hermione, but was failing miserably. "Oh wow…."

Hermione thought 'o wow' also, but that was an understatement. Down in the common room were Ron and Harry, who had also turned their dress robes unusual colors. Dean and Seamus were there also, and had sported off-colored ties to help with the situation. Hermione suddenly felt much better about the situation and almost cried at having such great friends if it weren't for the fact that Ron decided to take that moment and say "See; now you won't have to look like that by yourself!

A couple apologies later, and a hit from Ginny, they were walking down to the Great Hall. It looked magnificent and Hermione forgot the issue with her dress, as the six off colored Gryffindors walked in.

The dance was turning out great and everybody managed to forget that Hermione had left for a bit there, all they cared about was dancing and eating pastries that the house-elves had lain out. The highlight of the evening came when Dumbledore turned his party hat into an oddly shaped bird and started to do the "magical chicken."

Awhile into the dance Hermione saw a flash of blonde hair walk outside into the garden area. She turned to Ron who was just about to ask her to dance and said, "Hey listen, I'll be back. I've got to go check on something. Yes Ron, I promise I'll be back." And with that she scurried off to the exit and into the gardens. The smell of flowers seemed to lift her spirits. Although she had been back for a week, she had been constantly working to catch up and the fresh smell made her float and relax.

She had an inkling about who the person was, and went immediately to the spot she knew where he went. After all, it was kind of their spot. She turned the corner into the grand arch with vines all across it and stepped into that place, where she felt like in Caesar's time. 'I haven't been to Heaven for a very long time' she thought before her eyes came to rest upon the blonde haired boy at the edge of the peacock fountain.

"Draco, what on earth are you doing here?" Hermione asked walking towards him, "You should be at the dance. Wasn't it you who told me that dances are fun, a good place to hang out with friends?" She watched as he looked at her and smiled.

"Hey Hermione." That was all that he said. Although, Hermione could tell there was a lot more to uncover. She walked over and sat down next to him, staring with him into the reflection in the water. "What happened Draco? Tell me."

Draco sighed and twirled the water with his finger before talking, "They've found out Hermione. The rest of the "followers" I mean," he said sadly, "I mean c'mon though right? I killed my father, the truth was bound to get out sooner or later that 'Draco Malfoy killed his father, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named lost one of his most faithful followers in the process."

"That's good though right?" Hermione said quickly, "They need to know. You can't live your life a lie forever Draco, you need to get out of that." She put a hand on his shoulder and sighed, "Listen Draco, I'll help you get through this. I know it's going to be hard the last year or so of school. But…now you don't have that blasted reputation to live up and…" she was cut off by Draco was started to turn red in the face.

"You don't understand Hermione!" he said loudly, "Yes I wanted out of this damn life I was leading on. But I didn't want to get out this way! I've killed somebody, more in fact! That means I'm just as bad as my father was, and I deserve to be an outcast in school. It will teach me what not to become, a stinking follower for the rest of my life!"

Hermione grabbed Draco's shoulders and made him look at her face, "Stop it Draco, stop it right now! You are nothing like your father, you understand me. Yes, you may have killed some people, but it's different! You killed them to save me, and Ron and Harry, and that's what makes you different from your father. You were doing it for good, while he was doing it for himself, and Voldemort. I'm sure Herbert will be glad to take you into his home," she looked at him, "Yes life will be hard, but dammit Draco, sometimes you have to work for what you want."

She breathed out slowly and smiled at him, "But lucky for you, you've got some new friends who will be by your side through it all."

They sat in silence for a bit, looking at the water and listening to the music from the dance. The water spurting from the peacock's mouths glistened from the light of the moon, and cast an odd effect in Heaven. Suddenly Draco spoke, the first one for 20 minutes.

"I have something for you," he didn't look at her as he spoke, but to his reflection in the water. When Hermione didn't respond he looked at her until she spoke. "What do you mean, 'you have something for me?'" Hermione said.

Draco took out a small package from his dress robes and handed it to Hermione. "I was going to give this to you before we had to go to my father's house," he said, "it was supposed to be an "I like you Hermione" gift. But now," he said quickly to her startled face, "I want to give it to you as a friend.

Hermione opened the package slowly and waited nervously for what she was going to see. When she removed the last bit of paper, her eyes got huge. 'Oh my god' she thought.

"Draco…it's beautiful." She held up a necklace, a silver chain with a tiny turquoise gem hanging from the middle in the shape of a book. She looked up at him and smiled as a tear ran from her eye, wetting her cheek. "I can't take this…it means so much."

Draco shook his head and prodded the necklace back that she was trying to give to him, "No Hermione, it's for you. It had a different meaning at first, yes, but, now I want you to have something that has a better meaning. This shows our friendship, and that I'm not afraid to show it anymore," he smiled brightly and rubbed his hand at the back of his neck.

Hermione just sat there for a bit and stared from the necklace to Draco then back to the necklace again. Besides Ron changing his robe colors, this was this nicest thing anybody has ever done for friendship.

Draco leaned over and kissed Hermione softly on the cheek, "You should get back to the dance, I'm sure Weasley's waiting. I'll be fine," he said to the look on Hermione's face, "I'll just see you tomorrow okay?"

Before she could answer he got up and walked out of Heaven, leaving Hermione by herself with the beautiful necklace. She decided to go back to the dance like Draco said to do, and put the necklace on, which surprisingly, didn't clash with her dress color. Maybe it was because of what the necklace symbolized, but she thought it looked rather good at the moment.

She found Ron in the dance floor scowling at Harry and Ginny, in her beautiful blue dress and pulled him for a dance on a slow song that the pumpkins up front started singing. She saw the look on his face when he saw the necklace and hushed him before he said anything, "It's just a friendship one Ron, please…he's my friend." She told him in summary what is going on with Draco and Ron just looked at her with a slight smile on his face. When she was done he looked over her shoulder, "You know Hermione, I think this is for the best."

"What is?"

"The whole Draco situation, I know it's horrible to say but I really do think he'll be better off in the end, with the help of his friends," he said with a grin.

"Yeah," said Hermione, "but I just feel so bad for him…it shouldn't have happened you know? It's just horrible."

Ron was silent and held her close, "That's just the way things work sometimes Hermione" he said, "but he'll get through it."

She leaned her head on his shoulder as they danced to the song that was still going. She knew instantly that Ron was right; they would all get through it. What it was, she didn't know yet, but she knew there would be some. After all, they weren't done with school yet. Ron leaned down and kissed her softly and whispered that he loved her. She knew at that instant that all that happened was silly. How could she have possibly thought she needed to change herself for anybody's sake? This is where she wanted to be right now, and she was just fine with that, thank you very much.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: Oh dear, now I'm going to cry, I just know I am. If anybody can tell me which line I borrowed from "Coupling", kudos! Even though that was the end, I would love to see reviews from you. Don't forget to watch for, "Sometimes things Happen." Love, doublelily.