This is the last chapter with an epilogue to come in Crescent Moon. I hope you enjoyed it!
-----------
Check, Mate
It was in the Common Room that night that Ginny shared the news of who could be the newest Potions Teacher. She was met with complete silence by Harry and Hermione who looked at her, looked at each other and began laughing to the point Ginny was starting to take offense.
"Guys, it's not THAT funny! He would be a great teacher!" Ginny stomped her foot, hands on hips as she glared down at them.
"Nooooo, we aren't laughing…," Hermione hugged her stomach and took deep breaths, "we aren't laughing because we think he would be awful…," Hermione began giggling again and held onto Harry.
Harry wiped his eyes on the back of his sleeves, holding his glasses in his hands.
"No, it's just…Malfoy would be a good teacher…it's just that I talked to Dumbledore, and…," Harry began laughing silently again as Hermione struggled to maintain her composure.
"What we are TRYING to say it Harry was offered the DADA job for next year."
Ginny let her hands drop from her hips and stared at him.
"Merlin, then if you took it, you would be my DADA teacher?" Ginny started smiling, trying to envision Harry calling her Miss Weasley with a straight face.
"Shit. I can't win here can I?" Ginny threw herself down on the carpet and stared at her friends' feet.
"Are you going to take it?" Ginny looked up, still trying to see Harry as a teacher. She saw her two friends look at one another and Harry shrugged.
"We still need to talk about it, but I have to admit it would be perfect," Harry set his glasses back on his face.
"I heard you wouldn't be able to see each other for like a month," Ginny's voice took on an odd quality and Hermione looked at her friend thoughtfully.
"Pretty much from the end of school until our wedding, then after the honeymoon until the end of August. So, I guess the same goes for Malfoy too then?"
Ginny nodded, the thought of Draco and Harry in the castle basically alone; that would fun if you could be a fly on the wall to see what happened that summer.
They chatted a bit longer until Ginny excused herself. She had the urgent need to draw and get out some of her emotions that were all tangled up inside her. Ron and Samantha were at The Burrow but she was sure her brother would find this whole situation utterly hilarious.
March came and almost went, when the deciding Quidditch Match descended upon Hogwarts.
Harry had briefly seen his Aunt and cousin as he waited by the gate early that morning with a few other students. He
directed them to the Great Hall and had to excuse himself to go get his team ready, but he had managed to slip his aunt
a piece of paper that Hermione had written the date, time and place for the wedding, with instructions on how to get to
the castle and where they could stay if they chose too.
Harry hurried along the path, walking quickly through the crowd descending towards the Quidditch Pitch. He just thought of a new play they could use against Ravenclaw; they had to win this game to make it to the cup vs. Slytherin which Ginny admitted was a bit nerve-wracking to think about. Harry walked into the changing room, running right into Ginny who was handing out guards to the Chasers.
"Sorry, Ginny," Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side. "Can I run this play by you I just thought of?"
She nodded and set the guards down, secretly pleased that the captain of the team wanted to ask her advice about
something. He guided her to a corner and sat next to her, explaining the thoughts going through his head. He could hear
the crowd noise steadily getting louder as he finished talking with Ginny; he gathered everyone around, aware the Ron
ran in at the last possible minute and glared at him for being late.
Harry assembled his team, gave a quick pep talk and the filed out onto the field, hearing the usual cheers and boos. Harry's trained eye scanned the stadium for his aunt and was amazed to see her and Dudley sitting near Professor Snape. He nudged Ron and nodded up to the stands to where they were sitting. Ron raised his eyebrows but they were interrupted by Madam Hooch blowing her whistle to get the teams together. Ginny trotted over to Ron and said what Harry was sure followed the line of telling him to stay put at his position and not try to protect her. Ron playfully shoved her away and everyone got into their positions.
The game was one of the cleaner ones Gryffindor played and one of the easiest ones. For some reason, Ravenclaw just couldn't pull it together and after two hours, Harry managed to find the snitch, sealing a win and the chance to win the Cup in May. Ginny flew great, Ron made some awesome saves and everyone else performed like they had at practice and Harry couldn't have been prouder. He told his team how he felt as they assembled on the pitch below as the crowd thinned out. Harry looked up as Ginny gave him a quick hug and saw Draco walking across the pitch with Professor Snape, his aunt, his cousin and Hermione with Samantha trailing behind, heads close in conversation. Harry released Ginny and she turned around, obviously surprised to see this group walking towards them. Ron moved in behind them, holding out his hand to Samantha as she walked around Harry, squeezing his arm and then hugging Ron.
"Well, Potter, one more game for you, Weasley and Malfoy here then, isn't it?" Professor Snape asked lightly.
"Looks that way," Harry said just as lightly, receiving a death glare from Snape, "SIR," he added with emphasis, not in the mood for Snape to ruin a perfectly great day.
"Your aunt asked to see you so I thought I would bring her down here; she also asked to meet your….friends," Snape added, his voice sounding angry when saying "friends."
"No problem," Harry said, feeling Hermione come to stand next to him. "Thank you for showing them down here."
Professor Snape inclined his head slightly towards Harry, gave Draco his typical, "Malfoy," in the way of greeting and turned and walked quickly off the pitch.
Ron stared after him.
"I don't think he has ever volunteered to bring anyone anywhere," he said quietly so Harry could hear him. Harry nodded slightly, and then turned his attention to his aunt and cousin. He noticed that Dudley was staring up at the rings, obviously trying to see how tall they were, then turned around to get a view of the stands. His Aunt looked thinner, if possible than the last time he saw her and she gazed at him thoughtfully.
"I hear now you will play for the cup?" Aunt Petunia asked taking a few steps to stand in front of Harry, who nodded.
"We are playing Slytherin; his team," Harry nodded towards Draco who was standing there coolly a few feet away from Ginny. "That's Draco Malfoy," Harry said by way of introduction. "You know Hermione," Harry put an arm around her and saw Petunia give her a slight smile. He could feel Hermione grip the back of his robes with her hand. "Ron Weasley is behind me with Samantha…she's Hermione's cousin and Ron's new fiancée; and this is Ginny, Ron's younger sister…she is a year behind us." Harry laid a friendly hand on Ginny's shoulder and saw Draco look at him strangely. Ignoring him, Harry saw her gaze swing to Ginny and study her for a moment.
"Nice to meet you all," she said softly, nudging Dudley in the ribs who wasn't paying attention to anything. He grunted at them and averted his gaze from Draco, whom Harry could see unnerved him for some reason. Ron and Samantha turned and headed towards the castle, holding hands and swinging them back and forth. Harry suggested that they follow them and have some lunch, so he, Hermione, Dudley and Petunia headed off down the path, Draco and Ginny lagging behind.
Harry and Hermione's day sailed by uneventfully. He spent a few hours showing Dudley and Petunia his dorm, the class he might be teaching next year and Hermione actually discussed a bit of the wedding with Petunia. Before dinner they walked Harry's aunt and cousin down to the gates to catch a carriage back to the train with some other parents and relatives. They had run into Professor Snape once more during the day as he was walking down the hall with Draco, probably talking about a potential teaching job.
Much to Harry's surprise, his Aunt had given him a quick hug, Dudley just his usual wave and they headed off down the walk to the carriages, leaving Harry and Hermione to talk about how she seemed to be changing and trying to come up with reasons why.
As they were walking, Harry steered Hermione towards the lake and they began a walk around the edge of the mostly
frozen lake, talking about their day and occasionally falling into comfortable silence.
"Did you hear from St. Mungo's about your training position?"
"Not yet; they said by mid April I should hear something." Hermione stopped, turned and placed her arms around Harry's waist. "Did you make a decision about teaching?"
Harry sighed, laid his hands on her shoulders and gazed out of the lake, not answering her quickly enough.
"I think you should do it, it'd be the perfect job for you; and we know you would last more than a year."
"Yea, that's true. But, teaching alongside Malfoy? How odd would that be…," Harry let his thoughts trail off, lightly massaging her shoulders.
"Not so much for you as Ginny; if they are serious they'll have to try and put it on hold or be very, very discreet about it. At least, people will know we're married." She felt his hands start a familiar path down her back and she leaned her head against his chest; he was still dressed in his Quidditch robes never bothering to change.
"I think I'll probably take it, but it means packing up Grimmauld and moving to Hogsmeade."
Hermione nodded against his chest, actually happy that they could find their own place. "What will you do with Grimmauld?"
"Don't know. I don't want to sell it or anything. I suppose we will be able to use it for something. Maybe let one of the Weasley's live there; Fred and or George would have fun in there." Harry softly ran his hands down her lower back and back up again, not aware of the effect he was having on her. "I bet they would have the best parties and that house is great for that," Harry continued lost in his thoughts.
Hermione reached her arms up and placed them around his neck, pressing against him, which got his attention.
"That would be a great idea; if they ever get married I don't think their flat above the store will fit four of them." Hermione rubbed his neck and smiled as Harry brushed her forehead with his lips.
"Anything planned for this evening?"
"No; Ginny is visiting the babies at her brother's; Ron and Samantha are at his parents; I think Luna is trying to convince Neville about something that her father supposedly found is true and we are out here…alone." Hermione shuddered when his lips brushed hers, and one of his hands found its way inside her robes.
"You're nice and warm," Harry breathed against her, feeling her hand run through his hair.
"Mmm, your hand is cold. What did I tell you about that?" Hermione let out a squeak as his cold fingers brushed the skin on her arm.
"I just like to hear you squeak," his lips moved against her neck and she grabbed a handful of his robes as she tilted her head back.
"I think we should go back; it's wet and cold," Hermione's other hand grabbed the back of his robes as she felt her knees give a shake as his hand somehow found it's way down her pants. Forgetting about the cold, she moved against his hand, taking in the smell of the crisp air, the slightly musky wax smell mixed with leather from his uniform and totally gave herself to him, felling him capture her lips muffling her cries as she fell against him, breathing hard and still holding fistfuls of his robe. She heard Harry give a quiet, almost sexy chuckle.
"Should we go in?" he whispered and she nodded slightly, still to dazed to speak.
---------------------------------------
Early May and the promise of Spring was among them and with it the decision had been made to hire Harry Potter for the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teaching Position and Draco Malfoy for the Potions Teaching Position.
A quiet time had been established as NEWTs and OWLs drew closer for the 5th and 7th years and they often found themselves studying in small groups spread throughout the castle. Hermione had taken advantage of the Room of Requirement and made it into a comfortable study room with bookshelves along each wall. It was open to anyone who wanted to seriously study, on their own and those that were interested were told how to enter (thinking about studying and walking back and forth in front of the blank wall three times, then the door should appear). It was open to only 7th years and to any house; Hermione was not about to discriminate.
It was here that Hermione was studying along with two girls from Hufflepuff and a boy from Ravenclaw; all spread out throughout the room, absorbed in their studying. A charm had been placed on the door so it wouldn't disrupt the students with the squeaking sound of opening and closing. Hermione made notes in the margin of her Arithmancy book, studying the formulas over and over when she felt someone slide into the chair next to her. Looking up she was surprised to see Draco sitting two feet away from her. She really hadn't talked to him since that moment in the hospital earlier and was wary of what he wanted now. Looking up she silently asked 'What' a bit bothered he had interrupted her studying.
"I have a question and seeing as you are Ginny's best friend I thought you might be able to shed the light on the subject."
Hermione stayed quiet, hearing the word "Ginny" fall off his lips, like he didn't even have to think twice about it now. She was still waiting for him to say her first name like Ginny said he had, or was almost forced too, at lunch in January. For some reason, Draco calling ALL of them, at least the girls, but their first names would prove to her that he was viewing himself as equal or at least on a friendly basis with them.
"I want to buy her a gift, not your usual Art supplies or article of clothing, but I am coming up blank."
Hermione looked at him thoughtfully.
"I don't think you need to buy her anything; she isn't the type of girl who needs to be taken care of."
Draco nodded in agreement, and then rested both arms on the table, still turned towards her. "I know that; I just want to give her something for the end of the year, to…," he closed his eyes for a moment and Hermione knew what he was going to say. She touched his arm and he looked at her.
"Don't buy her anything; not yet. Think of something else, something that can't be wrapped up in pretty paper; something that she knows comes from here," she surprised him by jabbing his chest, "not your wallet."
Draco appraised her for a moment and nodded again. Glancing down at his books he looked back at her.
"Do you mind if I study here? Astronomy exam."
"Feel free. No falling asleep and snoring loudly though." Hermione turned back towards her notes and they were soon absorbed in their respective textbooks only partly aware that at this time last year, neither of them would have been caught dead sitting next to one another.
As a break from all the studying and stress, a decision was made by Harry to continue the Friday Night Chess Match where bets had been made, but not voiced to anyone. Ron hadn't even told Harry what his idea was for Draco and Draco wouldn't tell Ginny anything.
If Harry had to guess, he would say the whole school had turned out for this Chess Match. The teachers didn't even leave the head table as dinner magically disappeared and Knights Wizarding Chess was set up in the middle of the room. Ron and Draco actually shook hands before sitting down and setting up their pieces.
Ginny sat next to Draco, trying to learn the game from him and Ron thinking maybe one day she would be talented enough to play a good game with her brother. Every so often she would feel Draco's hand on her knee as he watched Ron plan and make is move and she would cover his hand with hers, relishing in any physical contact she could get from him knowing that the summer was going to be long- as was next year and also realizing that with all the studying and classes she hasn't spent any time with him or really any of her 7th year friends at all.
Harry and Hermione sat next to each other, their sides pressed against each other watching the game as intently as everyone else and the Great Hall was in silence as people jostled for position or left and came back. Professor Snape and McGonagall had made their rounds quietly appraising the board every so often.
As Harry sat there, well into the second hour he could see an opening for Ron and he knew Ron saw it too…he felt Ron
jiggling his leg under the table and without thinking he reached over and clamped his hand down on his knee. Ron looked
up, raised an eyebrow at him and Harry removed his hand, but the message had been sent. They both saw a possible way to
beat Draco, if he didn't see it first. Hermione laid a hand on Harry's back knowing something was up but
didn't ask. She felt the tension drain out of Harry as Draco covered the move both he and Ron saw and they settled
back down to watch.
Ron was watching Draco carefully, knowing that something was off and he couldn't place his finger on it. Ron glanced up after Draco made his move and saw Draco looking at Ginny who was actually turned around talking quietly to Parvati behind her. Draco turned and without thinking slid a piece over causing Ron to look down and he heard Harry breathe in deeply.
"Checkmate," Ron said quietly not believing what was about to happen. Draco let his gaze roam across the board and without a second thought, knocked his King down a split second before the Gryffindor side erupted into cheers. Ron sat there staring at Draco, then felt Harry clap him on the shoulder. Over Harry's head Ron saw Hermione looking at him strangely; then his attention was diverted when Ginny asked Ron what his part of the bet was. Ron turned towards Draco, who was still sitting.
"I have to go tell Dumbledore because I need his help. Hold on," Ron said and with another odd look that only Hermione caught, he made his way through the crowd up to the head table.
Draco leaned in to Ginny and whispered something in her ear, causing her to laugh as Hermione looked at them. Her curiosity was peaked at the strange look Ron had given Draco; he hadn't even seemed excited about the win. Ron, along with Harry, made their way back to the table.
"So, what embarrassing idea have you concocted for me?" Draco asked, standing up, when suddenly he heard an excited murmur run through the crowd.
"Oh, I think you know…," Ron said, watching him walk around with Ginny to where he was standing. The students parted leaving a pathway towards the front of the room where the heads of houses were staring down at something while Dumbledore stood quietly to the side. Hermione let out an involuntary gasp when she saw a black, grand piano in the corner, conjured up by Dumbledore. Even Draco paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the instrument. Ginny grabbed his arm.
"Good luck," she said over the noise of the crowd gathered around them. Draco squeezed her hand and made his way to the bench, very calmly, back into his controlled self. By now, the Professors had come down to watch, surprise on their face, even on Professor Snape's which Harry had to admit was amusing to see. Harry stood next to Hermione to the side and on the other side of him was Ginny, looking almost terrified for Draco. Ron stood next to her followed by Luna and Neville. They made up the first row of students who formed a curved line around them, encircling the piano.
Draco turned around and his eyes sought out Hermione's and rested there for a second before moving past Harry to Ginny and he said so softly, "For Ginny," that the row behind Harry started nudging him asking him what Draco had said. Harry felt Ginny start next to him as she grabbed her brother's arm; Draco turned back around and from the first keys his fingers touched, had the entire school watching him in utter silence.
Hermione had never heard Draco play and now realized what Ginny was talking about. As the notes slowly built and found their way around the room they caused many people's eyes to widen, tears to appear in Professor McGonagall's eyes and Hermione saw Ginny under her brother's arm, her head leaning against Ron as she watched Draco intently. Hermione reached for Harry's hand and felt the music enter her heart and she looked up at Harry who was shell shocked as Draco's fingers pounded out the keys, then in one swift movement sent soft notes flying around them. Harry turned towards Hermione and met her gaze…she smiled at him and he hugged her, seeing Professor Snape sitting down in a chair his head bent towards Professor McGonagall.
Neville was holding Luna who for once was speechless and was staring straight at Draco's hands moving up and down the key's, the notes getting louder as he put his whole body into the song that many people had never heard, save Hermione.
Suddenly, the tempo changed and became slow, thoughtful and soft again, then the final chord was struck, soft and resonating in the silence of the great hall. Hermione swore she heard sniffs behind her and saw Ginny staring in disbelief as Ron practically held her up. Turning from his seat, the crowd erupted into applause, followed by whistles and shouts.
Professor McGonagall had a tissue up to her eyes; Professor Dumbledore looked very proud and was smiling widely. Draco got up, went straight over to Ginny, pulled her to him and kissed her right there in front of her brother, in front of the entire school. Feeling tears at the back of her eyes, Hermione laid her head on Harry's shoulder as he leaned down and asked her what song that was.
"Pachelbel's Canon in D," Hermione told him feeling the crowd push her towards the piano. Draco had pulled away from a crying Ginny but still had his arm around her shoulders, shaking people's hands and even got a hug from a few girls, which seemed to totally throw him. Hermione took Harry's hand and led him away from the crowd. He was still speechless and didn't say anything as Hermione sat them down on a bench against the wall.
"I am guessing you liked the song?" Hermione leaned over and waved a hand in front of Harry's face.
"Yea, I did actually. I am just amazed Malfoy can do something…something so…,"
"Beautiful?"
"Yea, I guess that would be the word."
"He played it for Ginny," Hermione said and Harry nodded.
"I don't think she knew what hit her." Harry turned towards her, the notes still reverberating in his head. "You were talking about wedding songs earlier?"
Hermione smiled, "Think we found one?"
"I think we did," Harry leaned over and lovingly kissed her. They were interrupted by someone clearing their throat and found Draco standing there without Ginny.
"Where's Ginny?" Hermione asked, blushing slightly having forgotten they were kissing with the whole school watching.
"Visiting Moaning Myrtle at the moment," Draco had his hands in his pockets and his gaze settled on Harry.
"That was amazing," Harry said not caring that it was Malfoy, a Slytherin he was talking to. "If you had done that last year I would have to make fun of you, but this year...I have to give you credit."
"Thanks, I think," Draco nodded at him and turned to Hermione. "Thanks for the idea Hermione, I think it went over well," and with that he continued down the path between the two tables, still receiving kudos from students of all houses.
"He just called you 'Hermione'," Harry stared in the direction that Draco had been walking.
"Yes, he sure did."
"It was your idea? I don't understand." Harry asked turning to look at Hermione, but she was staring at the piano. Hermione knew now that Draco lost on purpose. This was his gift to Ginny, and Hermione understood that Ron also knew Draco lost on purpose. She hoped that Ron wouldn't say anything; this would make a great story to surprise Ginny with one day, when the time was right.
"I'll explain it to you later. Right now, I think we should head upstairs and DISCUSS some more plans for the wedding," Hermione said in a low voice and Harry understanding that tone, grabbed her hand and pulled her out and up the stairs.
He kicked the door shut behind them and wrapped his arms around his fiancée, mouth seeking hers, hands tangled in her hair.
"Harry," Hermione whispered, "You have no idea what you do to me, do you?"
Harry stopped kissing her neck and looked at her, his glasses having been discarded from the moment he walked in. She felt her heart flip at the burning she saw in his green eyes.
"If it's the same as what you do to me, then yes, I do know."
Hermione smiled and ran a hand through his hair, feeling the thickness flow through her fingers.
"Do you think we will always feel like this?"
"I hope so." Harry smiled and kissed her softly, then felt her pull away- her emotions an open book on her face.
"Thanks to you defeating Voldemort, we can all live happily ever after."
Her hands settled on the buttons of his shirt and began undoing them slowly.
"There is a "we" in there; I didn't do it all by myself."
His hands slowly un-tucked her shirt from her skirt and ran them lightly around her waist. He saw her open her mouth to say something but he cut her off.
"WE did it, Hermione, not just me," Harry repeated and felt her lips brush his as her hands ran under his shirt and up his back.
"Regardless, it's happily ever after from here, for us, is it not?" Hermione planted a kiss on his chest and Harry closed his eyes, his hands pressing into her back.
"Oui," he whispered - a word he picked up from Samantha. Hermione giggled and flicked her tongue along his neck.
"I love it when you speak French!" Hermione laughed and smiled as she met Harry's mouth with her own, realizing that she would have waited another six years just to be held and loved just like this, by her Harry.
----
A/N: I will post the Epilogue in the next day or too. Thanks for reading!