A/N: Well, my friends this is it...the last chapter. I can't believe it's finally done. I started this novel last fall. If I had waited a little longer, it would have been a full year. This was an iffy chapter to write. I wanted to put so much in it and I hope I captured all the things I should have. Well, I bet you're all anxious to read, so I won't keep you any longer. Do what you readers do best.

Chapter 19

Only the Beginning

For all those times you stood by me

For all the truth you made me see

For all the joy you brought to my life

For all the wrong that you made right

For every dream you made come true

For all the love I found in you

I'll be forever thankfully, Baby

You're the one who helped me up

Never let me fall

You're the one who saw me through

Through it all

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

You lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith that you believed

I am everything I am

Because you loved me-

" Because You Loved Me"

Celine Dion

The long awaited and much anticipated day had finally arrived. Everyone was rushing around the castle, making last minute adjustments to the Great Hall and to their appearances for the ball. In Alana's dorm, things were just as hectic. Every one of the girls were rushing about in their gowns, applying make-up, putting on jewelry or something of the like. Alana had locked herself in the bathroom fifteen minutes ago with her things, and Jezebel was standing at the door in her highly revealing gown, tapping her foot anxiously. She simply refused to come out of the room now. Jezebel knew the only reason for this was because Alana was nervous for no apparent reason; just Alana being Alana. Unable to take it anymore, she rapped furiously on the door and yelled, " Alana, come on! Come out of there! I'm sure you look gorgeous as always!"

" Oh Jezebel," Alana's panicked voice wailed from behind the door, " what if we were wrong about the dress? What if it isn't the one? What if Draco hates it? What if..."

" Alana Kaligaris, you did not spend more time than anyone else in this dorm making sure that you had absolutely everything ready for tonight and obsessing over this ball all for nothing!" Jezebel scolded her, exasperatedly. " You will look more fabulous than anyone else going to this ball, and Draco would be a fool not to think the same! Now, get your ass out of that bathroom before I blast this door down and drag you out myself!"

Thanks to her encouragements...and threats, the door opened hesitantly, and Alana stepped into the room ever so cautiously. Everyone else stopped what they were doing immediately to gawk at the sight. Even Jezebel was left speechless! Alana stood in a slim-fitting gown made of aqua blue chiffon. The gown was held up by two straps about two-finger width wide, each with a silver jeweled-circle on it. Its neckline was a wide v-dip that showed a small portion of the valley in between her breasts. Below the neckline and around her slim waist, a thick ban of silver beads was embellished on the material of her dress that flashed and gleamed brilliantly in the light. Her skirt brushed the ground and trailed out a little behind her when she walked.

Her hair had been straightened into shiny sheets of mahogany-colored tresses. The hair up front had been swept the to right with a silver and aqua blue, jeweled clip keeping part of it back; leaving a part on the far, left side of her scalp. Alana's ends had been straightened to where they framed the shape of her face. Her eyelids had been painted in several layers of silver eye shadow with just a tint of blue. Then, they were lined with a dark brown liner that almost looked black before a slight coating of black mascara had been applied to her long lashes. Just a hint of rose-colored blush tinted her tan cheeks, and reddish-brown lipstick had been administered to her lips. Alana wore a long pair of delicate, crystal blue and silver, chandelier earrings that barely brushed her shoulders. A silver choker with a single, pear-shaped blue crystal adorned her slender neck. Secured around her wrist was a silver and crystal blue, clear-beaded armband.

Her promise ring glinted attractively from her left hand-middle finger. Her silver heels had diamond gems cascading down her foot and latched securely to her ankle. Alana was really a spectacle in all her finery. The girls couldn't believe the transformation she had made from her normal self into this stunning, sophisticated beauty. She clasped her hands behind her back and blushed slightly at the looks the girls were giving her. Jezebel had one hand over her mouth and the other wrapped around her waist, looking as if she was trying to keep back her tears.

" Is it too much?" Alana asked, tentatively.

" Are you kidding?" Hannah exclaimed. " You look perfect!"

" Alana, you're going to blow them all away!" Ginny added with all certainty.

" Are you sure about that?" Alana inquired with a weak smile.

" Alana," Jezebel said, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, " you're going to shine tonight, brighter than any other girl in the room. You look ravishing, and I think Draco's going to have a hard time controlling himself around you tonight."

Alana offered a giggle at that before nodding her head and saying, confidently, " I can do this. Thanks, guys, I appreciate this."

" No problem!" They chorused and then, Jezebel added, " You better get going. I'm sure "Prince Charming" is wondering where his princess is."

Alana nodded and went over to her vanity for a quick second, only to spray a tiny bit of perfume on before waving goodbye to the girls. They assured her that they'd be down soon. She flew out of Ravenclaw Tower and down towards the Great Hall. It was almost as if she couldn't get there fast enough; that her long legs were moving in slow motion. When she finally came to landing of the main staircase, Alana leaned against a wall and took a deep breath, making sure no one in the Great Hall or Entrance Hall could see her.

" I can do this! I can do this!" Alana told herself, taking in another deep breath. " I'm gorgeous; I'm ravishing! There is nothing to be scared of!"

She took one peak from behind the corner and saw all of the couples gathering around the entrance to the Great Hall. There were so many of them that it was almost over-whelming. Alana flattened herself back behind the corner and shut her eyes tight.

" Who am I kidding? I can't do this!" She thought, despairingly. " With my luck I'll probably trip on the steps or spill something on my dress."

But the more she obsessed over this in her mind, the more ridiculous the more rational side of herself realized she was being.

" Oh, come on! I'm obsessing over nothing! It's not a big deal. So what if I trip? So what if I spill something? I'm Alana Kaligaris and I can do this. Besides, Draco's waiting for me."

That alone was enough to convince her that she couldn't wait any longer. With that, Alana pulled herself up to her full height and came out from behind the wall. She took hold of the side of her dress, making sure she wouldn't step on her hem, as she gracefully descended the stairs. That's when, Alana's eyes caught sight of Draco. He was standing with his back to the stairs with his hands clasped behind his back; an air of self-confidence about him. His body was relaxed and calm as he waited there patiently for her. Then, after hearing the sound of heels clacking on stone, Draco turned around, and his calm expression turned to one of awe. His hands became unclasped as one came up to his slicked-back hair, checking it self-consciously. Alana couldn't help, but giggle at his expression. At the same time, his appearance had made her unable to breathe as well. Draco was dressed in expensive-looking, emerald green, dress robes with a black silk inner-lining. His dress pants were black as well as his dress shirt that peeked through the clasps of his robes.

These colors brought out his platinum hair and stormy gray eyes. Alana had never seen Draco look more handsome than at that very moment. As he waited for her to come down the last set of steps, Draco couldn't help but marvel at her entire being. The colors, the jewelry, everything! It was just perfect. Alana had been transformed into the angel that she truly was. He couldn't believe that this radiant woman was his Alana; the one that only a few weeks ago had been an empty shell of a girl. She blew his mind off to some distant place and had taken away his breath the instant he had seen her. Not only was she bloody gorgeous, Draco thought she looked completely sexy as well. The way the dress hugged her body in all the right places and how her cleavage was sneakily on show was making it hard for him to resist the urge to tear her clothes off. In all, she looked simply incredible; a real feast for the eyes.

When she finally descended, Alana walked up to him, smiling kind of shyly. Draco could not wipe the awed expression from his face, no matter how hard he tried. When he opened his mouth to try to say something nothing came out. Alana had a hard time containing her amusement as he struggled to make sound come up from his throat.

" I...I...uh...Wow!" Draco stammered, running a hand over his gelled-back hair again. " Alana...you look...I can't even describe it. You look so...so...radiantly beautiful."

" Thank you, Draco." Alana said barely above a whisper as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. " You don't look half bad yourself."

Draco smirked and quickly glanced down at his apparel before looking back up at her with smoldering eyes. The gaze made Alana want to swoon. How could one look make him even more devilishly handsome and dangerously intoxicating than he already was?

" Not half bad, huh?" He asked with an impish grin, sauntering even closer to her than he already was.

Alana felt her heartbeat soaring to unimaginable heights as Draco snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her firmly against him. Her hands instinctively went up to grasp his shoulders; one sneaking around to the back of his neck. She gazed back into his alluring, stormy eyes with her own darkening sapphire ones.

" No, not at all." She exhaled, feeling herself become breathless as she felt his warm breath upon her waiting lips.

" Hey, you two," A voice rang out from the staircase, " this is a public gathering! We don't need you both ruining the night for the rest of us!"

" Yeah, if you must do whatever it is you two do, go somewhere else!" Another voice chimed in. " We don't want to see it!"

Draco growled in annoyance as he and Alana looked up at the stairs; their wonderful moment shattered. Jezebel and Blaise were making their way down the stairs; arms linked and steps in perfect sync. Draco raised an eyebrow at Jezebel's "unusual" dress, which Alana caught and couldn't help but giggle. Her black hair had been done up partially in a loose updo with little, gemmed-flower clips scattered around up top. The long, green, chandelier earrings and matching, cascading necklace she wore sparkled in the dim candle light. Blaise too was dressed finely in deep maroon dress robes; his black fuzzy hair slicked back as much as it could be, considering it was shaven close to his head. They smirked down at the two as they descended the last two steps. Draco and Alana offered two of their own.

" You two should have seen the look on your faces." Jezebel told them, amusement flashing in her brown eyes. " It was truly priceless."

" You're lucky that there are witnesses here, Sinclaire, or I might have had no other choice than to kill you." Draco replied, smoothly.

Jezebel laughed, untangling her arm from Blaise's and coming over to pinch Draco's cheeks.

" Oh come on, Drakie Poo," She cooed in a babyish tone, " you know that it was funny."

" Let...go...of...my...face!" He growled, darkly.

Both Alana and Blaise burst into gales of laughter, while Jezebel gave him a pretend hurt look.

" Fine, be that way, Draco Malfoy!" She yelled through her own laughter, turning her back on him indignantly and crossing her arms.

Alana thought her eye make-up was going to start running she was laughing so hard. Finally, Jezebel turned around and gave Draco a genuine smile, hugging him warmly. Draco returned it with a chuckle; one hand still clasping Alana's. When they parted, Blaise came over and clasped hands with him before they shook them, exchanging a few words on how each other looked. Then, Blaise went over to Alana, who hugged him awkwardly; used to just shaking his hand.

" Awe, come on, Kaligaris!" He complained as he let her go. " Is that the best you got?"

" Why did you want me to collapse your lungs or something?" Alana asked innocently.

The four laughed again, and before long, the others showed up as well. Each of the boys was dressed up in dashing dress robes, even Ron who had replaced his lacy, frilly robe from Fourth year. They made their way into the Great Hall, which had been decorated spectacularly. Small, circular tables with fresh, white table cloths were set up along the edges of a large, dance floor. Candles and rose petals sat in the middle of these tables for added flare. Different colored lanterns hung suspended in the air, giving the hall a dim-lighted look. There was a long, refreshments table set up against one of walls, holding everything from punch to cake. A D.J. was setting up his equipment on a small stage in front of the Staff Table, where most of the teachers were sitting, observing the activity contently. Coincidentally, it was the same D.J. that played at the secret parties up in the Room of Requirements.

After sitting down at a table that would hold their entire group, the gang chatted excitedly, waiting for the rest of the students to enter the Great Hall. When almost all of the tables were full, and the D.J. was all ready to go, Professor Dumbledore stood up from his place at the Staff Table and held up his hands, calling for silence.

" Welcome, students. Tonight we are here to celebrate the end of yet another year here at Hogwarts. For those of you who will be leaving these halls permanently to start new lives and careers, I wish you the best of luck. I know this year has been stressful to some more than most," Dumbledore carried on amiably, his eyes resting on one table in particular, " but we must not dwell on the bad times. Instead we must appreciate tonight and all of the good times ahead of us. Now, may I ask you to raise your glasses and join me in a toast."

Everyone picked up the crystal, water glasses in front of them and raised them in the air. Dumbledore smiled warmly out to them all; his brilliant blue eyes twinkling with merriment.

" To loyal friends and bright futures, may you all be blessed with each." He announced.

" To friends and the future!" The entire Great Hall chorused.

" Now, may the ball begin!"

The D.J. put in the first disc for music, and the whole hall filled with sound. Students started bopping their heads to the lively, jumpy music. Couples and groups alike got up from their tables to dance. Draco looked at Alana; an eyebrow rose in a silent suggestion. She nodded in approval and gave Draco her hand. They too walked out onto the dance floor and let their bodies sway in time to the music.

I still hear you voice, when you sleep next to me

I still feel you touch in my dreams

Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why

Without you it's hard to survive

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling

And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.

Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.

Need you by my side.

'Cause everytime we touch, I feel this static.

And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.

Can't you hear my heart beat so...

I can't let you go.

Want you in my life.

By this time, the whole group was dancing together. The instrumental was causing people to jump up in down, even some girls in heels joined in. Draco kept his hands firmly planted on Alana's hips, pulling her back up against his chest as they moved with one another; their bodies gliding together passionately even with the fast pace. Alana brought an arm back to wrap around Draco's neck; her eyes looking over her shoulder into his. Their gaze remained locked intently, both unable to look away.

Your arms are my castle; your heart is my sky.

They wipe away tears that I cry.

The good and the bad times, we've been through them all.

You make me rise when I fall.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.

And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.

Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.

Need you by my side.

'Cause everytime we touch, I feel this static.

And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.

Can't you hear my heart beat so...

I can't let you go.

Want you in my life.

" I think I have a new appreciation for Muggle music now." Draco yelled over the music.

" Really?" Alana asked with a smirk. " Do you mind explaining why?"

" Maybe this will explain for me." He whispered into her ear before claiming her lips with his own.

Alana returned his kiss eagerly, not paying any attention to the cat calls and whistles that they were receiving. They still continued to sway to the beat around them, not even being slightly distracted by their kiss.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.

And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.

Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.

Need you by my side.

The music was then cut off, and the crowd applauded. For the next two hours the gang danced or sat at their table, talking and munching on refreshments. Alana and Draco had never been happier as they were that evening. The whole school was back to normal now that the two were back to their usual affectionate selves. Jezebel watched the two fondly as Alana tried to kiss off the cake frosting she had "accidentally" smeared all over Draco's mouth. Suddenly, an idea popped up into her head. She immediately got up from her seat; her chair making a screeching sound on the hard wooden floor, and causing the rest of the group to look at her.

" Jez, what are you doing?" Blaise asked, taking a hold of her hand and looking at her worriedly. " Is something wrong?"

" No, nothing's wrong." She answered, innocently. " I'll be right back. There's something I have to do."

With that, she made her way up towards the D.J.'s station. Jezebel made her way up the stairs towards him, being careful not to step on the skirt of her dress. She then, started to whisper something in the D.J. ear, to which he smiled, and nodded handing over a microphone to her. He cut off the music and gave Jezebel the floor to speak.

" Attention," Jezebel called out, people suddenly going quiet to listen to the Slytherin girl, " I know you all want to dance the night away, but I'm just asking for a brief moment of your time. You all know Miss Alana Rosaline Kaligaris by now I'm sure." She gestured to Alana, who was now sitting as still as a statue in her seat as people turned to stare at her. " You all must have heard of the terrible tragedies that befell her this year as well. Even after all of those tragedies, she is still here, sitting as beautiful and strong-willed as ever. Alana has been an inspiration to many, gracing many lives with her presence. It is this woman that I would kind request to raise her beautiful voice to the Heavens and sing for us. Trust me once you hear her sing this song, you will understand all she has gone through. Well, come on up here, Alana!"

Alana started shaking her head and protesting as her friends started to drag her up from her seat. She struggled as best she could, squirming and thrashing in their grasps. Finally, it took Draco's assistance to get her up to the stage. Jezebel took her hand and led her up the steps and onto center stage, hanging her the mic.

" Jezebel, what are you up to?" Alana asked, looking at her questioningly.

" Nothing, I just want you to remember this night for a long time." Jezebel explained with a smile.

" But Jez, I don't even know what I'm singing." Alana replied with a laugh.

" You'll know soon enough." With that, Jezebel bounded down the steps and into the crowd, leaving Alana to stand alone in the middle of the stage.

The D.J. placed in another disc before nodding to Alana. A familiar piano and violin duet filled the air, and Alana smiled to herself. She did recognize the song.

" Perfect." She thought.

Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud up in the sky
Then it starts to rain, my defenses hit the ground
And they shatter all around, so open and exposed
I found strength in the struggle
Face to face with my trouble
When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken

Her friends smiled up at her, swaying to the gentle rhythm of the melody. Whistles and howls of approval greeted her ears and encouraged her on.

Little girl don't be so blue
I know what you're going through
Don't let it beat you up
Heaven knows that getting scars
Only makes you who you are
Only makes you who you are
No matter how much your heart is aching
There is beauty in the breaking
Yeah
When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken

Alana began to see tears in some people's eyes, but none more so than Draco. He got what this song was about. It was about her; her heart break; her struggles; but also her recovery. He smiled up at her, mouthing the words " I love you" to her tenderly. She mouthed them back before letting her voice ring out once more.

Better days are gonna find you once again
Every piece will find its place
When you're broken, when you're broken
When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken
Oh, when you're broken
When you're broken
When you're broken

A huge applause went up as she finished her song. Alana smiled and bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. She blew kisses and waved shyly to the crowd before giving her mic back to the D.J., who congratulated her too. As she made her way down the stairs, Draco rushed over to meet her. Before she had even descended to the last step, he swooped her up into his arms and spun her around, kissing her affectionately. Another roar of approval went up for the couple. When he set her back down, Draco gave her one more lingering kiss and said, " You were wonderful, Love!"

" Thank you, Draco." Alana replied, blushing slightly. " I was so nervous."

" The way you sang with such confidence and enthusiasm, no one would have ever been able to tell." He praised her, leaning down to claim her lips one more time.

Jezebel waved a hand to the D.J., and with a nod of understanding, he put on another slow song. Guys started to lead their dates out onto the dance floor, taking them into their arms to share a dance. Draco broke off his kiss with Alana, only to take a step back and bow deeply to her, extending a hand towards her as an invitation.

" Would you honor me with this dance, my Alana?" He asked, gentlemanly.

" Of course, Oh Prince of my heart." Alana answered, sweeping into a curtsy and accepting his hand.

Draco led her out onto the dance floor, twirling her once before bringing her smothering close to him. One hand held hers, while the other one snaked its way around her waist. Alana placed a delicate hand on his shoulder, gazing up into his stormy eyes with such love that it made Draco wonder if this was all truly real.

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

The two danced with such grace and elegance that other couples stopped to watch. It was as if they were the only two people in the entire world. Their smiles showed everything they felt for each other; all the love, loyalty, passion, and friendship that kept their relationship together.

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

Alana laid her head on Draco's chest, listening to the soothing sound of his heartbeat. Draco buried his nose in her fragrant hair, inhaling the sweet smell of lavender. Oh how he loved this woman. He would have given anything to just freeze time, so this moment would never end. All he ever wanted was to hold Alana in his arms forever and never let her go.

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

As the song ended, more clapping and whistling sounded throughout the hall. Only two people were oblivious to all of this. Alana and Draco stood as still as stone, embracing each other warmly. When they did pull away, their eyes met immediately, never to break contact. Draco's hand came up to palm the back of Alana's neck, holding her as close as he could without smothering her.

" What did I ever do to deserve someone as beautiful and perfect as you, Alana?" He whispered with such emotion in his voice.

" I don't know. I ask myself that same question every morning when I think about you." Alana answered, quietly, nestling her head back up against his warm chest.

" I never want you to leave me." Draco told her, sorrowfully. " I don't want to say goodbye tomorrow."

" I'll owl you everyday as much as I can. It won't be long, you'll see." Alana assured him. " Before you know it, we'll be on our way back to Hogwarts for our last and final year. Then, who knows what the world will set before us."

" Always the optomistic one, aren't you?" Draco chuckled, softly.

" Well, someone has to be in this relationship." Alana retorted, smirking up at him. Draco returned it before kissing each side of her mouth.

When he pulled away, Draco noticed tears in her eyes. He pulled her closer to comfort her from whatever had upset her.

" I can't believe that this is the end. This year went by so fast. I...I don't want it to be over. I...I don't want to forget all that happened, especially between us." Alana murmured, trying to keep her voice from wavering.

" Oh Alana," Draco whispered, holding her out in front of him, " don't you see? This is only the beginning for us. Things can only get better from here."

He then, took hold of the hand in which her promise ring was on. Even in the dim light of the Great Hall, the sapphire and diamond stones gleamed brilliantly from her hand.

" Remember what this stands for?" He asked her with a smile. " This is my promise to you that our love will never fail; that one day I will make you my wife and we will spend the rest of our lives together. I will keep that promise to you, Alana. Nothing will keep me from it; not Pansy, not my father, not even Voldemort, no one. I will always be here to protect you. Nothing will ever hurt you again. I swear on my life, I'll keep you safe."

" I love you, Draco," Alana proclaimed, passionately, embracing Draco to herself, " so much."

" I love you, too, Alana." He replied, crushing her body into his. " More than anyone ever could."

" This will not be our end." She stated, looking up at him with shining, sapphire eyes.

" No, this will not be our end." He agreed. " Our end will be when the world stops turning and time itself stands still."

Then, Draco's lips closed on hers just as fireworks started to burst from outside the windows of the Great Hall. As everyone else admired the brilliant, sparkling colors, Alana and Draco allowed themselves to become absorbed in each other with hopes and dreams of their perfect future together dancing through their heads. For the first time that year, the two lovers knew what complete and utter happiness was truly like.

The End

A/N: I hope you all liked the ending. I know it's sad that it's over, but I do have something to tell you guys that will brighten your spirits. I am making a sequel called " Fly Away Summer ". I won't let anything out, so you'll just have to read it. Well, goodbye for now my friends. Review and tell me how you all liked it.