A/N: Hi Guys, sorry I dissapeared off the face of the earth, I lost my muse and I would rather wait than write uninspired chapters.

Anyway, here is the LAST chapter, read and weep my darlings. And enjoy of course.

Had there been anyone on the outside of the house who contrived to peer through the exterior window for a small peep inside they would have been met by figures so still they appeared to be more akin to a picture in time rather than almost friends caught in tumultuous emotions.

"I have to leave."

The words were spoken softly, and she wouldn't meet his blank grey eyes. They were both standing in his small living room, two pairs of feet glued to the floor, he on his way from the kitchen to hand her a cup of coffee, and she having just rushed through the door only to stop abruptly after her quiet exclamation.

The distance between them was less than a half a meter, but it would appear that it did not take physical space to feel distance. The grey eyed man simply handed the coffee to his uncomfortable counterpart before leisurely walking to his couch and taking a seat.

Confused brown eyes peered into the liquid it shared a color with. The warmth was a small comfort to the cold dread that had filled her petite form at her companions continued silence.

"The ministry?" A monotone inquiry was elicited after a careful sip of his slowly cooling beverage, bittersweet and perfect.

"Yes, I just had an impromptu meeting with the head of the muggle immersion committee in my office. He was not very approving." She said while ungluing her feet and moving to sit on the couch, stealing what little closeness she could while she could.

"The damage?" He swirled the coffee in his cup, eyeing it speculatively. If he was the least bit upset the most trained eye would be none the wiser. But Hermione knew better than most that an outward manifestation of emotion was not necessary to feel on the inside.

"Immediate removal from my position as both your 'parole officer' and professor, it was highly suggested that I spend some time outside of England, for my health of course. I have already informed the university that an emergency has come up, I will be using my vacation and sick time while I find another position elsewhere." There was a strained undertone to her answer that gave way to the suspicion that she had been more than forcefully informed of the changes.

Narrowed eyes cut sharply to the sad face of the pretty brunette seated calmly next to his person. "I was not aware they had jurisdiction to dictate your place of work."

Brown flickered to grey before dropping once more to its liquid colored equivalent. "They don't. But they have more than enough jurisdictions to dictate your place of residency."

Draco swallowed the sudden anger that bubbled up his throat before it could escape out his mouth. His companion for the better part of a year clearly thought herself at fault. Though partially true, he felt the blame lay more with a green eyed savior of the wizarding world. The ministry had seemed quite apathetic towards their progress before a certain former Gryffindor had manufactured to get Hermione and subsequently himself to Weasley's wedding. He was convinced that whatever alarm the ministry felt upon learning of their relationship beyond that of the muggle immersion program was only magnified by the messenger. He was actually a bit surprised that they had managed to steal as much pleasurable time as they had; though he was not sure if the delay was with the messenger or the ministry.

They had spent a blissful week discovering the more physical side of their odd relationship after waking up for the second time in one day in his soft bed. Up until now he had thought that perhaps drinking with her had been the best thing to happen in a long while.

There had been very little awkwardness, no dramatic assumptions of overt commitment, like everything else they did it just seemed natural for her to curl up against him while they read their respective books, or for him to play with her hair while she took her daily nap, the well-used couch pillow replaced by his lap.

They did not have sex, they did not even kiss, but somehow the small touches of familiarity felt infinitely more intimate and satisfying. A mutual physical appreciation to compliment the mutual mental appreciation they held for each other. They were in every sense of the phrase 'almost lovers', and oddly 'almost' was more than enough.

But now, 'almost' seemed as though it was entirely too much. Each would have gladly retained their non-physical relationship in place of this, to get to touch for such a short amount of time only was not the gentlest reality check.

"And everything is decided for us." He said resignedly. She nodded once in response.

"I am surprised they didn't simply arrest me under allegations which would be just a stone's throw away from true." Was his dry comment, a self-deprecating smirk fitting his lips.

A delicate snort was heard from his curly hair couch partner as she shot her coffee a dark look. "Not for a lack of trying. This situation was my idea. Up until now we have done nothing wrong but perhaps spend more time together than strictly necessary or socially proper." He nodded his head absently in agreement. Surely it was against school policy, ministry policy, and general common sense to think it okay and unbiased for them to continue on in this way. Professors with students were always frowned upon, and parole officers with their parolee stank of corruption.

For the first time since she walked through the door their eyes met for than a brief second, whatever she saw in his eyes and on his face caused a smirk to fit her lips and a mischievous light to enter her eyes. "I guess we should thank them for interfering before we did do something wrong." She said teasingly.

His brow furrowed as he shot her a questioning look, more confused by her change of mood than her implication.

"Come now, you must know that with as devilishly handsome as you are I would've jumped you sooner rather than later. There's not enough restraint in the world to have kept it from happening." Her tone was playful but he saw the honesty in her eyes. It was the first time that one of them had spoken of the mutual attraction aloud-too bad for the situation that prompted it.

A soft smile touched his lips as he looked at the woman who had redefined his world so quietly yet thoroughly. "Fair enough, love. When do you leave?"

The smirk dropped into a small frown as she gave him apologetic look.

"That soon, eh? Your idea no doubt." He said without accusation. He received a shrug in response.

"If I didn't leave now, I'm not sure I could ever be persuaded too. And I must admit it would be dreadful to have to follow you into Azkaban because I did not have the fortitude to leave when it was pertinent. I hope you understand." She finished softly, giving him a regret filled smile.

"But of course." He said while placing his coffee cup on the table and rising from the couch. He stood and looked down on his companion still seated on the couch as she gave him a pitiful look.

Gracefully he bent slightly and took the cold coffee from her small hands before setting it next to his on the table. That accomplished he filled her empty hands with his as he pulled her to her feet.

Fingers laced he pulled her the short distance to his door. There they paused to drink up the others appearance a moment before the inevitable parted them.

"I am going to miss you terribly." She said bluntly while staring into grey eyes swirling with emotion. He closed his eyes as he pulled her into a hug, making sure to wrap his arms tightly around her small frame. She too closed her eyes as she buried her head into his chest and clung desperately to his waist; both trying to memorize the feel and smell of the person that was sure to haunt their thoughts and dreams for quite some time to come.

After a few moments he kissed the top of her head before reluctantly pulling back to look into her tear filled eyes, though he knew she was too stubborn to let them fall. "Chin up love, we've been through worse." He said while lightly brushing his hand against the side of her face. "What's another four years of loneliness compared to the previous seven?" He asked in hopes of cheering her a bit.

"Four years too much, I'm afraid. You'll come find me after you've graduated and been cleared, right? If only for a cup of coffee and a conversation with an old friend?" She asked timidly, no doubt in her mind that he would be fine without her.

They were both painfully aware that a lot could happen in four years, feelings could fade, feelings could grow, and the best of friendships could cool. What chance did their almost relationship stand?

"If only for coffee." He reassured her. She nodded a bit shakily before standing on her tip toes and pressing her lips lightly against his soft cheek.

And just like that she turned and walked out of his life, shutting the door softly behind her. Neither said goodbye. Overwhelmed grey eyes scanned an empty loft, her coffee cup being the only confirmation that she had ever been there.

Not knowing what else to do he walked to his bedroom with low spirits where he too shut the door, closing himself off from the living room, leaving only their coffee cups to keep each other company while their owners re-centered themselves and steeled their nerves towards the next four years of a life without the others company.

Soooo, That's the end of My Almost. What do you think? It leaves plenty of room for a sequel, though I'm not sure if there is enough popular demand to justify one. Feedback is always welcome.