I just realized it's nearly been a year since I even started with the idea for Only Hope yet kept putting it off...
Anyways, I'm updating (and I wrote out a list for PMing so far, you're all on it ). It's short tho...
Pre-written message now:

I’ve never been a fan of writings trips to Hogsmeade actually... dunno why. That’s why it took me practically two weeks to finish this chapter alone! And that’s why it’s rather short for that matter (stupid Hogsmeade!)...
In fact, I commonly just skip around it. I’m bad with that, I know... so basically I titled a short summary of a trip!
Enjoy! The next chapter is the couple’s dance, and trust me, that’ll be... fun
And sorry this is so short... I got stuck and I had a big plan for the dance and it wouldn’t go away as I wrote this, so I got writer’s block... for twoish weeks...
~Sarah

Chapter 21
Hogsmeade

“Wait... did you just say Dean? Dean Thomas?” Hermione clarified as she met Ginny at the top of the girls’ dormitory stairwell on the morning of Valentines Day.

“Yeah,” Ginny responded, blushing as she walked down the stairs behind Hermione.

“I thought you two broke up halfway through last year... twice, right? What made you...?”

“He asked me to go with him, Hermione,” Ginny cut in simply. “So I’m assuming you’re not going?”

“Didn’t I tell you...?” Hermione asked slowly, thinking.

“Tell me what?” Ginny asked curiously, spinning around on the flat floor at the bottom of the stairs, nearly being tipped over by Hermione in the process.

“So I didn’t... Wow the week has gone by fast...”

Ginny gapped. She then looked around the common room, scanning faces quickly. “You finally made it with Malfoy?” she whispered as to not draw attention.

“A week ago, yes...”

“And you didn’t tell me?” she exclaimed.

“Must’ve slipped my mind...” Hermione said airily as she pushed by Ginny to get into the common room. She stopped suddenly and turned on her hell to look at Ginny. “Well I’m going to go. I’ll see you later I suppose.”

“Ok,” Ginny responded with a smile.

“Have fun,” Hermione said.

She turned around and walked out of the Tower and down the many flights of stairs. When she saw the front courtyard of the grounds, she saw a thin group of people leaving to Hogsmeade. Hermione scanned the area for any sign of Draco. After a few minutes, she found a bench off to the side and sat down, waiting.

“Hey, beautiful.”

Hermione jumped out of her seat in surprise. Turning around, she saw Draco smirking.

“Nice of you to finally drop by,” Hermione responded, smirking back. “Are you finally ready to go?”

“There’s one thing I forgot, actually.”

“And what would that be?” Hermione asked curiously.

Draco pulled her closer to him and kissed her.

“That,” he whispered.

“Now are you ready to go?” Hermione whispered back, smirking.

Draco rolled his eyes and pulled away. They joined the students leaving the grounds, hand in hand, and made their way to Hogsmeade. They wandered through the streets for hours, walking in and out of the stores, often with at least one bag in tow. They went to Madam Pudifoot’s in the end, despite Draco’s complaints of ‘it overdoes Valentines’, ‘it’s too sappy in there –all that pink and that general girly look’, and ‘The Three Broomsticks is just as good’. In Madam Pudifoot’s, though, Draco took a small box out of one of the bags and gave it to Hermione. When she opened the box, which revealed earrings and a ring that matched the necklace she received at Christmas, Draco handed her a single rose and all he said was, “Happy Valentines Day, love.”