Disclaimer: Yes the plot is mine, and yes Harry Potter related characters and places are not.
A month went by and a lot has happened during that time. Each and every student of Hogwarts was caught up with their end-of-year exams; the seventh years literally had the Library to themselves. Draco and Hermione rarely see each other anymore even if they were still sharing the same common room.
Entering the common room, Draco ran a hand over his face in hope to wipe the sleepiness that was clouding him. His black robe was shoved untidily into his back pack that it was hanging out and his shirt was tucked out haphazardly.
Guessing that it was probably around two, Draco looked around the room. Due to the persistent amount of studying, parchments were scattered across the table. --The elves should have cleaned the mess up by now-- There was no sign that Hermione had returned and Draco probably knew the reason why.
Yawning widely and running a hand though his hair, he made his way up to his room. As soon as he threw his back pack into a corner, Draco Malfoy flopped on the bed and fell asleep in an instant.
----
Gryffindor and Slytherin broke away from the embrace.
"I'm also sorry that I had to place you in an uncomfortable situation these last few weeks." Hermione said, biting her lips as she looked away.
"Actually, if you hadn't" began Draco, as he tried hard to put the next sentence into words. "I wouldn't have realized that something was there the whole time."
The brunette looked back at him inquiringly "Which was what?" she asked.
"You" he said.
Draco and Hermione were once again under the dancing lights of the sky.
"You were there in front of me the whole time." He said uncertainly. --Merlin this is hard!-- taking a breath Draco tried to continue "You knew what had to be done and you did it. You helped us figure out this mess."
"That is where you are wrong." She replied. Draco gazed confusedly at her. "I wouldn't have figured out this mess if you hadn't told me about it. Come to think of it, you practically shouted it at me." She said coolly. Draco on the other hand noticed the small trace of laughter that lingered in her voice.
"Because of you, now we know. And I have you to thank for that. I wasn't sure if I could go on knowing that there is this huge blank space of memories in my head." She said smiling to herself.
Looking at the small water fountain in the middle of the courtyard, Draco couldn't help but smile to himself also.
Faint tinkling sounds could be heard and the Northern Lights were still playing silently in the sky.
As Draco looked back at Hermione, he was suddenly captivated by the beauty that was right in front of him. Hermione's complexion was so radiant, she seemed to be glowing under the sky light. Her hazel eyes were shining in happiness as she seemed to be thinking a happy memory. A small smile played across her lips. She didn't seem to notice that he was looking at her in a different way.
It was then that his eyes had slowly started roaming her body that she looked back at him. If Hermione was smiling a second before it was gone the next, Draco had apparently leaned in so close to her that his face was a mere inch away from hers.
Before she could inquire his behavior, Draco's lips came down on hers. It wasn't as harsh as he did the other day, but apparently more gentle than he imagined. In an instant, Hermione tensed up. Before he could deepen the kiss, she pushed him away.
Draco gazed at her. Unfortunately, she didn't return his gaze. "I'm sorry." She breathed. Before Draco could say anything, Hermione quickly got up and ran back to the castle.
----
It was already a month after reliving their forgotten past and yet Draco has been having the same dream every night.
He woke up only to find himself in last night's robes. Scowling in disgust, he took his clothes off and wrapped his waist with a towel. He then went down in the common room. As he made to open the bathroom door he found it locked.
Pressing an ear on the door he heard water running from the shower and soft humming coming from within. Draco waited patiently for 10 minutes when the bathroom door opened and Hermione came out.
Wrapped only in a towel that covered her body, Draco noticed that it was long enough to cover her legs. Apparently, Hermione didn't notice the Head Boy sitting in an armchair and walked back to her common room, humming the same soft tune.
Observing the smooth creamy-white legs walking back to their room, the Slytherin nearly forgot what he came down for in the first place.
Snapped out of his reverie as he heard her door click to a close, he got up and walked to the bathroom.
----
Today, the Great Hall seemed to buzz with so much electric anxiety; that several seventh years had to go to the Hospital Wing once every two hours.
Draco watched as his fellow classmates walked around the house tables to confirm and ask other seventh year students if their theory was correct. The other years had just finished their exams and were now probably getting on the train home.
Draco was slightly amused as he watched some of the Slytherins crack under the pressure. Pansy came hurtling towards him and asking frantically if she needed to study other various chapters from History of Magic.
"Pansy, knowing you," he said as she said down in front of him ruffling the many papers that she brought along with her. "You would never study History of Magic." In an instant, her nostrils flared at him, unperturbed, he smiled at her "You didn't even take that class for the whole year!"
Pansy widened her eyes in surprised and gave a small shriek. "So I've been studying that bloody lesson for almost two hours for no apparent reason?" Draco helped himself to some eggs "I'm afraid so, Pansy." He replied bluntly. Leaving him with another shriek, she went to join a study group at the far side of the Slytherin table.
Blaise then took a seat next to him and helped himself to four pieces of pancakes, two strips of bacon, bits of shortbread cookies, a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee. "Stressed out, mate?" the blonde asked. "Believe me," said the dark haired boy "if I wasn't I wouldn't be eating this much."
Draco smirked in reply and returned eating his eggs. "How come you're not as anxious as those bloody Ravenclaws or even going hysterical like Pansy?" Blaise asked as the two friends watched Pansy snapping at people to teach her the appropriate way to wave a wand.
"I am." The blonde replied.
Blaise looked away in wonder "Hmm, perhaps you have difficulty expressing your emotions, I presume." He said.
Draco looked incredulously at his friend "I just don't want to act out like everyone else here." He said. Blaise took a sip of his coffee "I'm not talking about your anxiety on the exams, mate." Blaise replied.
Before Draco could ask what he meant, Dumbledore got up from his seat "May I have your attention, seventh years?" Dumbledore asked loudly through the noise. Slowly, the Hall quieted down.
"Now I know all of you are probably ready for your NEWTs," Said Dumbledore. A small murmur of disagreement went around the Hall, Dumbledore's eyes seem to continue twinkling in their mischievous ways. "But, incase you feel the need to over prepare," Draco casually glanced at a certain Gryffindor Head Girl, who was looking with the utmost attention at the Headmaster. "Please feel free to use the Library or the school grounds before the exam commences."
Sitting back down in his seat, Dumbledore returned to his breakfast. Slowly, the seventh years exited the Great Hall and went to study in the appropriate places.
Draco however, made his way up to the Heads common room.
Sitting down on the armchair, Draco summoned his charms book out of his bag and began reading the important notes. No sooner had he started reading the next chapter, the portrait door opened.
Hermione Granger came through the entrance, and Draco realized that there were more than one footstep following her. Looking up from his book, Draco saw Harry and Ron standing there, and following Hermione to the couch at the far opposite side of the Slytherin.
Scowling, Draco returned to his book. Between one hour, Draco sat there trying to concentrate while Harry, Ron and Hermione were whispering to each other about Transfiguration.
When it was time to head down to the Great Hall, Draco purposely stayed back so he could wish the Head Girl good luck.
As Draco slowly took out the quills and ink bottle from his bag, he then noticed that the two Gryffindor boys had no intention of leaving their friend behind. Silently cursing to himself, Draco walked towards the pile of empty parchments and managed to get as close to Hermione.
Draco managed to growl "Good luck, Head Girl" to Hermione before being shoved away by Harry and Ron.
----
For one week, the seventh years had their examinations and it was now time to get their results including graduating from Hogwarts.
As Draco sat in the Great hall, he watched as each and every seventh year waited eagerly for their family to arrive at Hogwarts.
Just as some of the families had started entering the Great Hall, Draco noticed the familiar fluttering of wings above him. Looking up, the Slytherin saw hundreds of owls flying around the Hall to find their respected owners.
Looking back down, the blonde went and greeted the Zabini family. "Ah, Draco Malfoy, how good to see you!" greeted Mr. Aloysius as he came to shake Draco's hand. "Mr. Zabini." The blonde greeted back.
After Draco had went and greeted Pansy's family, he looked up and noticed his owl coming though the window. The large black eagle owl then landed on the Slytherin table with two letters in his mouth.
Petting the owl in gratitude, Draco took the two letters from the bird's beak. Draco then noticed that one of letter was from the Ministry; containing his results for his NEWTs, while the other was from his parents.
As he decided which one he should open first, the black eagle owl flew away and flew out of the window. Opening the letter from his parents his eyes quickly scanned through its contents.
'Dear Draco,'
'It has come to our notice that today is the day you are receiving the results for your NEWTs. Unfortunately your father and I aren't able to make it, due to some urgent meeting in Belgium. We will however, be waiting to hear the news from you soon.'
'With love,'
Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy.'
Draco Malfoy scoffed under his breath and looked up at the Great Hall. He noticed that the Head Girl's owl was just flying above her with a letter tied to his leg and that the Weasley family came walking up to the trio.
Draco quickly opened the next letter.
'To Mr. Draco Lucian Malfoy,'
-Ancient Runes - Outstanding
-Arithmancy - Outstanding
-Astronomy - Acceptable
-Charms - Exceeds Expectations
-Advanced Defense Against
The Dark Arts - Outstanding
-Herbology - Exceeds Expectations
-History of Magic - Exceeds Expectations
-Advanced Potion Making - Outstanding
-Advanced Transfiguration - Outstanding
'Congratulations on your results.'
'Cornelius Fudge.'
"I'd say that's enough 'Outstanding' to be an Auror." Said a voice beside him, Draco looked up and saw that it was only Professor Dumbledore.
Draco slowly folded the letter "I'm not sure if that would be my choice carreer, Professor." He replied. "Well, I'm sure there is a lot of opportunities for you with results like that and a wise mind like yours." the professor said as he looked around the Great Hall.
"Do you now know why I chose not to let you play Quidditch, Draco?" Dumbledore asked. The Slytherin gave a small sigh and nodded. He watched as more parents came through the door.
"Tell me," said Dumbledore 'How did it come to your attention to relive the past once more in order to remember what you have forgotten?" Draco gave a small smile and looked around the Great Hall.
"It did not come to my attention, Professor Dumbledore, but to the Head Girl." Draco answered. "Without her vast knowledge, I would have never known about it in the first place." Draco watched as Hermione talked to Harry and Ron.
Dumbledore too turned his gaze to Hermione. "Ah yes, Hermione Granger." he replied slowly. "Brilliant witch of her age, if I may say so myself."
Draco kept his gaze on her as he mumbled a soft agreement. Draco watched as the girl's eyes brighten with excitement as she caught a glimpse of someone near the entrance. Curiously following her gaze, Draco saw none other than the Bulgarian seeker himself, Viktor Krum.
As Viktor's eyes immediately met a familiar face, Krum quickly strolled up to Hermione, smiling. --Funny, I've never seen him smile before-- As Viktor embraced Hermione in a big hug, Ron could only be interested at the wood of the table.
"Where are your parents, Draco?" asked the Professor. Draco hastily looked away and turned his attention to his folded letter from his parents. "They are currently outstation, unfortunately there were unable to make it back here." the blonde answered.
"Send my regards to them, if you could." Dumbledore said before walking away.
----
For the remainder of the day, Draco found out that he was the only seventh year there without a parent or a guardian.
"And now," said Dumbledore as he stood from the teacher's table. "Could the seventh years please come in front?" Slowly Draco got up from his seat and made his way to the front.
McGonagall gave each of them a certificate of achievement and a small book. Before he could flip the pages through, he heard McGonagall telling the students to arrange themselves.
Draco made his way to stand beside Blaise. A small man with a camera came striding up the hall and positioned the camera in front of him. SNAP! A bright flash came and small wisps of smoke came around them.
Soon, the Transfiguration teacher was assembling the seventh years according to their houses. Slytherin was the last in line and soon, McGonagall called all Heads and Prefects to arrange themselves neatly.
As Draco was about to walk back to his seat, McGonagall asked "Would the Head Boy and Head Girl please remain where you are?"
Rooted to the spot, Draco folded his arms. The cameraman named Affin was now looking up from his camera. 'Come on, now. What is this?" He asked. "Could both of you please stand next to each other for the photo?"
Draco saw he was a bit distant from the Head Girl. Slowly taking his time to walk towards her, the cameraman pressed on "Hurry up, I don't have all day!"
Draco scowled at the cameraman as he stood beside Hermione. Just as Affin was about to press the button on his camera, he looked up once more. "No, no, no" he said frowning "this won't do. You there." Affin pointed to Draco "Stand behind her, could you?"
Draco noiselessly stood behind the Head Girl. Affin was now looking at both of them, slightly frowning as he mumbled under his breath. The cameraman's face then brightened up. "Professor Dumbledore," he addressed "do you mind if I brought this two outside next to the lake?"
If Dumbledore's eyes could shine any brighter, it did just that as he smiled. "Of course not, Affin." He answered.
Affin then led them outside and told them to stand next to the lake at an angle. Due to the slight breeze outside, Draco caught a whiff of Hermione's perfume. It did its effect as his brain was temporary intoxicated by it.
SNAP! There was a bright flash once more and the same wisp of smoke blew around them. "Perfect," Affin muttered. He then ushered them back into the Great Hall.
"Well, Dumbledore," said Affin as he shook the Headmaster's hand. Draco and Hermione went their separate ways as they sat at their House table. "Everything's done. They'll be appearing anytime soon."
The Headmaster and the cameraman said their goodbyes, and Affin went on his way.
As the huge doors of the Great Hall closed behind the cameraman, Dumbledore spoke. "Well, I'm sure each and every one you enjoyed your time here at Hogwarts. You've made many friends, and you've gotten to know them one way or another. But now, each of you will go your separate ways, and I hope all of you will make the right decisions when the time comes." Dumbledore brought his hands together. "For now, Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus."
----
Draco walked back to the heads common room to retrieve his trunk. As he brought his trunk down from his bedroom, he saw Hermione just entering the common room.
Slightly ignoring her presence, he continued carrying his luggage out the common room.
----
Entering the Hogwarts Express, he chose an empty compartment and all through the ride he was quite glad he had to share it with no one.
Taking the small book that was given to him this morning out of the trunk; he opened the book and leaned back into his chair. Draco could then hear Hermione's familiar laugh somewhere in the compartment ahead of his.
Ignoring it, he turned the pages slowly, and saw that it was his years at Hogwarts. From him being placed into Slytherin the first year to the time the Hippogriff named Buckbeak had attacked him because he had insulted it.
Turning to his seventh year section, he saw bits of information how he had followed school rules and occasionally have small talk with the Headmaster. As he was about to close the book, something caught his eye.
Opening the page so he could see it clearly, Draco saw a picture of him standing behind Hermione outside on the school grounds. The lake was glistening behind them and Draco noticed that Affin had captured the angle so perfectly that he saw the Quidditch pitch in the distance behind the lake.
Hermione's image smiled up at him and Draco's image could only look at Hermione.
Suddenly the blonde noticed that the sky in the image had a funny color to it. Looking closely, Draco realized that it was the Aurora Borealis entwined inside each other and playing in the sky behind them.
A small print was below the image. 'Both Head Boy and Head Girl had suffered a small accident causing them to forget bits of their past. Hermione's accident happened in the lake, while Draco's one happened in the Quidditch pitch. Only through each other, did they realize that they could find out about their misfortune and with each others help, they did just that.'
THE END! I hope you enjoyed reading it, and I thank each and every one of you who read it and I thank you so much more for reviewing it and motivating me to continue writing this story. Forgive me if there were grammatical errors through the chapters. God bless ye and Merry Christmas!
--FlexibleFish--