Disclaimer: I do not own any other these characters! They belong to the wonderful mind who created them and I just wanted to continue their story.
All thoughts of war and Voldemort rushed out of Harry's mind in huge relief. Then, one and only one thought could be found, Ginny.
"Ron, where was your sister last you saw her?" asked Harry dreamily.
"Great Hall, I think," replied Ron, "Why?"
"Well it's quite obvious why, Ron," Hermione said sweetly with a tad of annoyance, "The war is over, Riddle is dead, what else in the world could there be for Harry to care about besides Ginny?"
"You're not off to snog her, are you?" Ron inquired, his elder brother protective instincts beginning to show.
"So what if I am?" Harry laughed, "Of course you great prat!" he joked, "Great Hall, right. See you later then."
Harry was trying to hold in his excitement to see Ginny and keep himself from running out the door of the Headmaster's office. I can't believe it, he thought, we're alive. We can be together, we can... "Harry, wait!"
"What now, Ron?" Harry asked in exasperation.
"I just wanted to say, if I had to give my little sister to anyone, it would be you." Ron blushed slightly as he smiled.
"Thanks mate."
"You're welcome." The two of them shared a very brotherly hug. "Now off with you," Ron waved his hand at Harry, "before she finds another Chosen One to snog with!" He walked over to Hermione and put his arm around her shoulders. They smiled and laughed as they watched their friend run through the door, down the marble staircase and out of earshot.
Harry had no intention of stopping. He could have cared less about the portraits thanking him or the students cheering as he passed them. He ran as if he was flying, effortlessly, letting his instincts take control of his movements. The passing corridors were blurred until he came upon the Entrance Hall. There he stopped. He could see everything in clear detail, the crumbling walls the house point counter gems scattered about the floor, the red-headed girl coming through the doors of the Great Hall.
"Harry?" Ginny seemed to ask the entire hall. She searched for him from the doorway until their eyes met. Her battle scars enhanced the beauty of her face, her hair tangled and awry. He could not think of anyone more beautiful than she.
"Ginny," he ran toward her, and she to him. There was no stopping to talk, she ran right into his arms. Her sobs were muffled against his chest. He kissed her forehead.
"Ginevera Molly Weasley?"
"Yes, Harry James Potter?" he was relieved that she had caught on. He loosened his grip on her, she pulled away slightly to look him in the eyes. He stroked the side of her tear-stained face with his hand.
"I love you," she put her hand on his.
"I love you."
Their lips met. Harry pulled her closer in his arms, moving his hands to her back and her hair while she wrapped hers around his neck. The kiss deepened and deepened. Neither cared that their kiss could be view by anyone who bothered to enter the Entrance Hall or that later they might be chastised by Mrs. Weasley. All that mattered was that they were together. Together at last.
Meanwhile, in Dumbledore's office…
Ron and Hermione, still giggling from Harry's exit, placed themselves in the seats in front of the headmaster's desk.
"I can't believe it. It's over," Ron said in amazement.
"I know," Hermione replied, "The past couple of years, there had been nothing but Voldemort in sight. It was hard t imagine life past this. But here we are." She smiled at Ron. "It's like a whole new beginning. And so far, I like where it is going."
"What do you mean by so far?" inquired Ron.
She grabbed his hand. "I mean us."
They both smiled and sat looking in each other's eyes for a time. Ron then stood up, helping Hermione to her feet and pulled her in to his embrace. Happily, they stood in silence in the comfort of each other's arms. He pulled away, leaving her a little hurt, but then he spoke.
"I had meant to say thins earlier, so I will say it now," he lifted her chin from her chest to look him in the eyes, "Hermione, I love you."
"I love you too," she responded, her eyes brimming with happy tears. She blinked and one slid slowly down her cheek. Ron lightly brushed his thumb across her cheek and the tear was gone. Their eyes locked and their lips just inches apart before they realized they were in full view of Dumbledore's portrait.
Sheepishly, Ron said, "Sorry Professor. We will just, um…"
"Don't let me be the one to ruin a perfectly good kiss," he smiled and laughed, his piercing blue eyes sparkling, "Please, continue. I have other business to attend to about the castle."
"Thank you, Professor," Ron smiled back at his old headmaster.
"No, thank you, Ron," Dumbledore beamed, "You are very luck, Hermione. Make sure he behaves himself."
She laughed, "I promise I will, Professor," and Dumbledore was gone.
"Now, where were we?" Ron asked sarcastically. She stuck her tongue out at him, which seemed to spark his memory. "Ah, now I remember," he pulled he close once more and stroked her cheek. "I love you."
"I love you."
This, thought Hermione, is so much better than the first time.
And they snogged to their heart's content.