Smells like teen spirit chapter 18, The End.

Draco had almost finished the whole bottle of firewhiskey by the time Hermione came back downstairs. She barely even glanced at him, setting about gathering her clothes from his room. He pulled her into a hug as she came out of his room.

"It'll be alright Angel." He whispered, holding her against him. She pulled away, surprising him with her strength. There were tears in her eyes.

"No, it won't." She angrily swiped at the tears that were now running freely down her cheeks. "It will never be alright. Because of you my best friends will hate me forever." Draco pulled what CJ called his 'Alpha mask' on over his face as he tried not to hide how much Hermione's word hurt him.

"I know that it doesn't seem like that now, but give them time, they'll come round." Hermione had turned away to pick up her shredded underwear, but now she rounded on him.

"Don't act like you can predict the future Malfoy," The sudden use of his surname hurt Draco more than her words. "you can't. But either way, I'm going to lose something that I love." She hissed. He took a step towards her.

"Angel…" She cut him off, shrugging his arm away as he tried to hug her again.

"You just don't get it do you? This is all your fault!" She snarled, turning away and going back up to her dorm. She didn't see the tears that were forming in Draco's eyes as she walked away.

After that fight, Hermione said nothing to Draco for over a week, distancing herself from everyone around her as she tried to figure out what to do. Harry and Ron hadn't approached her once, upsetting her further. She'd held onto the vague hope that if she pushed Draco away, she could somehow win them back. It seemed that even that hope was being snatched away from her. She missed his company in the evenings as she studied, the way that his laugh seemed to make even the dullest History of Magic essay interesting. She sighed and put her quill down. She just couldn't concentrate recently, her grades were slowly starting to drop and that worried her. The portrait swung open and Draco entered, looking as distracted as she felt. She instantly began to gather her stuff, not wanting to be in the same room as him. A gently touch on her shoulder stopped her. She glanced up to see those gorgeous ice blue eyes staring into hers.

"Angel…" She bit her lip and took a step back. She could see the sadness in those emotive eyes and it scared her. Draco closed his eyes and sighed. "I can't do this anymore Hermione. I can't take not being with you." She took another step back, holding up a hand.

"Don't, please Draco, just don't." Her voice was shaky with emotion.

"What have I got to do to get you back Hermione?"

"I'm not coming back. We're over Draco. Accept it, move on." She picked up her bag and essay, turning to head upstairs when Draco's words stopped her.

"I can't. You're my soul mate Hermione." It was the first time that he'd spoken the words out loud and he was shocked that he'd finally admitted it. Hermione began to shake. She dropped her essay. Her bag slid off her shoulder.

"No." She whispered. "No!" She suddenly turned and all but ran from the room, tears flowing down her cheeks as she realised the truth.

Two weeks later, Hermione stared at herself in the mirror. She was a mess. Her hair was frizzing out all over the place, her skin was pale, she had dark, puffy bags under her eyes, her eyes themselves looked hollow and sunken. The truth was killing her slowly. Harry and Ron might be beginning to accept her again, but being without Draco was torture. Every time she saw him, in the corridor, in class, it was like her heart began to break all over again. She just couldn't take it. The pain. The agony. It just wasn't worth it. Slowly she began to tame her hair, using the spell that CJ had taught her so long ago. Once her hair was straight and glossy once more, she started on her make-up. Gradually applying concealer under her eyes and blending foundation over that. Brushing powder and blush over that. She took her time, ensuring that her eyeliner and eye shadow were perfect. Eventually she set her mascara tube down, and looked at her reflection. She looked like her old reflection, before all of the angst and heartbreak had begun. She straightened her green and silver tie and headed down to breakfast. She entered the Great Hall quietly, among other students, managing to blend into the background. Until she saw him. His icy eyes met hers as she crossed the distance between them. He got to his feet, ignoring the strange looks that his friends gave him. All his attention was for her. The whole Hall fell silent as they met at the end of the Slytherin table. Slowly, hesitantly, she smiled at him, biting her lip nervously. His reaction was to pull her into his arms. Her arms wrapped around his neck. His around her waist. They didn't care that whispering was starting to circulate around them, rumours spreading like wildfire. He held her tightly in his arms as if she would disappear if he let go.

"I love you Draco." Her words were muffled by his shoulder, but he heard them anyway.

"I love you too Angel." Was his reply, as he slowly let her go. "And whatever happens, whatever the world throws at us, we'll tackle it head on. Together." She smiled and nodded.

"Forever."