A/N: It's the end! Finally! I'm already working on another story, that is, I'll do it if you want me to, so let me know. It will be a while, but stay posted! And for those who read this one, be sure to read the next one as well. Anyway, what do I have to say? Well...I have never written such an angst laden, poetic ending to a story. I actually rather like it, more then most of the stuff I write. It's short, but it's fitting.

Read the Author's note at the end, please!

She bolted upright in bed, her hands clenching the quilt and sheets. Hermione let out a low gasp and thrust the covers to the floor, her hands running over her face. She was covered in sweat, dirt and her nightgown was splattered with blood. She retched, leaping up. Something fell from her lap. The book. Closed for once.

She let out a groan of disgust and kicked it across the room.

"Hermione? Is that you?" said a soft voice from across the room, "What are you doing up at this hour?"

"You noticed I was missing?" said Hermione hoarsely.

"Missing? You were here but a minute ago..." came Lavender's voice.

Hermione shook her head, hurrying from her dorm into the boys' room.

"Harry?" Hermione gasped out, screeching to halt.

"What the hell just happened?" said Harry numbly, his breath rapid as well.

Hermione clenched her hands, "I can't talk to you now!" she muttered, sprinting away and flinging open the door. She glanced about to see Ron sitting up in bed staring blankly at the wall. He turned and looked at her. Steadily, Hermione walked over. She perched at the side of his bed.

"What have you dreamed about tonight?"

"I had a nightmare," Ron said tiredly. "Tell me you had one also."

Hermione didn't say anything, her mouth set in a solemn grimace.

"Damn it, Hermione, tell me!" Ron burst out savagely, "Or I'll reckon I've just gone mad!"

"I don't think I had any dream..." Hermione whispered tearfully, "Or nightmare. Everything was real, Ron. As real as it is now. Only I was asleep."

Ron lowered his head and awkwardly wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist. "Is Malfoy really...?" he said gently.

"Yes," whispered Hermione hoarsely, "He's gone."

"God..." murmured Ron, squeezing her tightly, "I'm so sorry, Herm."

Hermione pulled away, "So am I. C'mon."

Ron got up, absently brushing a hand through his hair. "I must look as bad as you do," he groaned, "All bloody."

Hermione nodded, pulling herself to her feet. She scarcely noticed that Harry was leaning against the wall listening to them. He shook his head and crept back into bed. Where was it he'd been? That silvery field with a black sky?

Even years later, he'd remember it as if it was only yesterday. Sometimes, he'd remember it so strongly that his scar would sear with pain and remembrance. But he'd never know where he'd been. And he'd never know it was just a dream in the night.

Hermione kicked the door. "I DON'T KNOW THE DAMN PASSWORD!" she screamed recklessly. "Let me inside, you filthy..."

There was cold laughter from within. She hated Slytherins. Hated them with every bit of hate she could feel. "Don't you understand? This isn't about our rivalry! I'm not playing some great trick on you and I need to get inside now!"

"Why don't you tell them about Malfoy?" said Ron under his breath.

"Because I want to be there first," said Hermione flatly. She drew a sharp breath, "I need to talk to Draco."

Silence behind the door. Finally, Pansy Parkinson peered out and murmured, "What for?" Doing a double take at Hermione she smirked, "What the hell happened to you, Granger?"

"I can't say," growled Hermione irritably.

"Then you can't come in," snapped Pansy.

Hermione set her face into a slight scowl, and then shoved past Pansy. The Slytherins clustered about her, blocking her path.

Hermione began determinedly, "I need to see him. If I don't, then I know you will. And if you insist on that..." Hermione drew a steadying breath, "You'll regret it forever. You'll be scarred as I have. Some scars don't heal. Now let me through."

"You don't need to make a big deal out of anything, Granger. What'd you want with me?"

Hermione looked up, her eyes wide. "Draco..." she whispered throatily.

He glared at her, wearing the same clothes she'd last seen him in, but no blood, no dirt... "Where do you get the clout to call me that?"

"You don't...remember...forget..." Hermione gasped out.

"What the hell are you talking about, mudblood?"

"Damn it, Draco! It's Voldemort, he made you forget! Look at me and tell me you don't remember! This is worse then death, this isn't you! Look at me and tell me you don't remember me...tell me you can still dream, Draco..."

Draco regarded her coolly and then sneered, "I don't remember anything. Now will you and Weasley get the fuck out of here, please?"

Hermione locked eyes with him as she walked out, Ron pushing her along. She blinked, not sure if she saw herself or not. They looked clouded and damp. Like he'd been crying.

"Come on, Hermione. I have a strange feeling we both won't be getting any sleep for a while," said Ron, ushering her back inside and muttering the password. They sat down in front of the hearth, listening in complete silence to the crackling of the flames. Hermione felt the heat wash over her like water, making her shiver. She wondered if anyone would see their reflection in her eyes should they look now...And she doubted it.

Ron looked just as blank as she felt. But he just couldn't feel that bad, Hermione thought furiously, because he hadn't ever gotten to know Draco. Not the way she had in those last hours. Remember, she thought to herself, remember next to time you feel hatred or spite. Remember that even those who seem to have nothing but evil inside of them have some good. It just takes time to bring it out. And don't ever again let yourself feel hate. Hermione shook her head, vowing silently never to forget that.

"Ron," she said hoarsely.

Ron looked up at her, his eyes shimmery.

"D'you think I'll ever be able to forget this?"

"No. And even if you could, deep down I know you wouldn't want to. You'd remember Malfoy as I've always known him, and you wouldn't want that, would you?"

Hermione shook her head defiantly, "Never." She suddenly walked from the room. Moments later, she returned, the book clutched in her hand. Shakily, she tore off the cover and thrust it into the fire. The flames consumed it into a blackened ash. Hermione paused, "Ever feel like some nice reading at night?" she said acidly, before thrusting the rest of into the fire. She let out a gasp.

The room went cool and quiet. Flashes of silver danced across her eyelids, and she felt a calm wind whistle past her ears. She shook her head and again felt the soothing crackle of flames beside her.

"Hermione..." said Ron unsteadily, "Do you...did you...love him?"

"Did I?" she said aloud. Her mind twirled in circles. One part of her said yes, the other said no. "Yes. I still do," she said stiffly, "And I know that's not what you want to hear. I love Draco, because I'll never again see the true him. But when I glanced it, I saw something that I did love..."

Ron grabbed her arm sharply, his cold touch sending shivers down her back.

"Do you love me?"

Hermione regarded him coolly, "I think I do. Why else would you have been in my dream?" she murmured, "I'm really not in the mood to discuss this now either."

Ron tugged her closer to him, "Hermione..." he said pleadingly.

"I have to get out of here," Hermione said, trying to pull away.

Ron looked up at her, "Hermione," he said again, his voice short and yet...Hermione narrowed her eyes...he sounded almost...seductive...She felt intense heat building in her chest and stomach.

"No, Ron. Not now," she said sharply, pulling out of his grip. She stormed out the portrait hole and down the corridor, not turning back once. She felt fatigue and the biting pains in her back slowly setting in. And then she heard a soft tapping and glanced out the window.

The panes were speckled with drops of rain, running down in rivulets and pooling on the wooden sills. Outside, she could see stars stretching over the sky, looking misty and blurred because of the rain that poured over them and fogged her vision. Hermione blinked a bit, suddenly feeling how very cold the floor was, and how very light her nightgown was. She shivered and then opened the window, letting the cool, fierce wind ruffle her hair and dry her skin of blood.

Hermione took a deep breath, taking in the cold night air and the scent of water and grass. She bounded down the steps, taking them two at a time, and flung open the door.

Rain pounded down, making a curtain of water before her. Timidly, she stepped outside, feeling it washing over her body and matting her clothes to her skin. Her feet sank into the damp earth, creating prints in the wet dirt. She twirled around and around, getting more and more soaked through, more and more dizzy, until all she could feel was the clinging sensation of water and cloth. As if she could drown in the rain.

She felt herself breathing steadily and she felt tears streaming down her face. And as the rain poured from the sky, carpeting the ground and dripping from the tip of her nose, Hermione smiled softly.

In time, everything melts away. Nothing could ever be as it was, but the imprints would soften and fade. Opening her mouth, she squinted back the rain in her eyes, tasting the icy, bitter sweet flavor of the water on her tongue. And she realized something.

She could grow without rain.

It's over *blinks* I can't believe it. Now I have to do thanks. I would respond to everyone personally, but that would take a long time.... Sanna, and magical*little*me, I was originally going to do complete R/H when I started this, but you guys convinced me about how cool Draco really is. Thanks for all your feedback! Alright, thanks to my email buddies, Hannah, Leah (Cassidy...heh...erm...), Ron Weasley's Girlfriend, Manu, and Marin (who's reviewed every story I've written I think!) You guys rock! Snitch, Haruka Mouse and Galadriel Antoinette, and Aurelia Darcy, R/H peeps, thanks! Isolemnlysweariamup2nogood, wow, thanks so much, your reviews were just lovely! Also thanks to Portia, me, Weasley Twins fan, Franimal, *Jo O*Meara* (are the stars right?), Hermione L. Granger, Hedwig, dragon tamer, Bandit and Emma, and if I forgot anyone I really apologize. Tell me and I'll add a note in my next story.

I hope you enjoyed reading this, tell me if you want another fic soon and please review it, it'll totally make my day! I've done a bit of my next story, but it doesn't connect to this one at all. It should be posted in a few weeks time, so be sure to keep an eye out! And let me know what type of story you want, because I want to write stuff everyone will like! Oh, and could someone please put me on their fav authors if you like my stuff. *sigh* Please? I'm getting low self esteem here and I feel quite sad...