THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Unlike all my other author's notes. I noticed that there was something wrong about the letter from Ron to Hermione in the first chapter. Hermione smiles because Ron crossed out the 'ald B Weasley' part of his name, leaving only 'Ron'. Sorry about that; I thought the cross-out had stayed.

Anyway, this is the absolutely final piece of Only Hope. I've had this floating around in my head for a bit and decided to get it down and I figure I might as well post it, right? Right.

It'll be an extremely long chapter, for it's pretty much what happens to them. 'Cause I'm cool. So stick that in your juicebox and suck it (credit for this saying goes to Kimmie. How lame am I, huh? Using someone else's phrase. Pfft).

This is dedicated to my friend, Emma, who has bugged me about this chapter and helped me to write it a bit, even if I waited too long to remember what it was she suggested. I'm sure something in here belongs to her and not me. Love you, hun!

And be sure to read the A/N at the end of this. For I have a few extra words and I can't put them here, or I'll wreck this chapter. Especially you, Emma. Don't forget to read the ending note. You won't regret it, trust me.

'Are you OK, Kit?' Hermione asked, peering at her son.

Kit looked up, his slightly longer hair falling into his eyes.

'Yeah. Yeah, I'm good,' he replied, flashing his mother a smile.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, but nodded.

'All right,' she said.

Kit stood and walked up the stairs to his room. Hermione heard the jangling of keys and the front door opened and closed, announcing Ron's presence. She stood and walked to the front hall, where she met up with Ron, who kissed her.

'Hello,' he said.

'Hey,' said Hermione. 'How was work?'

'Same as always,' he replied.

Hermione smiled and the two walked into the kitchen.

'How about you?' Ron asked, flicking his wand at the coffee maker and pulling a mug down from the cupboard.

'Something's wrong with Kit, but he's not telling me what it is,' said Hermione.

Ron raised an eyebrow as he set the mug beside the coffee pot.

'No ideas? Maybe he's upset that he's finished his final year of school,' said Ron.

Hermione shook her head.

'I don't think that's what it is,' she said. 'It seems more...emotional, I think.'

'Do you want me to talk to him?' Ron asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

'I don't know. If you want to, I think it would be best. He needs to know that he can talk to you if he thinks that he can't come to me,' said Hermione.

'All right,' said Ron. 'I'll finish this cup here and then head up and see what I can't squeeze out of the boy.'

Hermione smiled.

----------------------

'Kit? It's Ron, can I come in?' Ron asked, knocking on Kit's door. The door swung open and Ron stepped in and closed the door behind him.

'Hey Ron,' said Kit. Ron lent against the door.

'Hey,' Ron replied. 'You missed dinner. What's up?'

Kit marked the page in his book and tossed it beside him on the bed; he obviously opened the door with his wand, which lay beside him. He sat up and looked at Ron.

'Did Mum send you up here or something?'

'Nope. Came up here on my own terms. Wanna talk?'

'What about?'

'You seem kind of down lately. What's wrong?'

'Nothing I can't deal with,' Kit replied, laying back down on his bed.

Ron sighed.

'All right,' he said to Kit. 'But you ever want to talk, I'm here for you.'

Ron stood straight and turned, his hand on the doorhandle.

'It's Kayla,' Kit burst out. Ron froze.

'What about her?' Ron asked, slowly turning back around.

'She wants more from our relationship. Stuff I'm not ready for,' mumbled Kit. Ron sat on the edge of Kit's bed.

'Stuff like what, Kit?' Ron asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

'She wants me to have sex with her, but I don't want to...you know...do that yet,' said Kit, blushing a bit. 'I want to wait a couple more years, like you suggested. There's a lot of girls who had to drop out of Hogwarts before they graduated because they were pregnant. I know we'd both be responsible and cast the contraceptive charm and everything, but what if the charm goes all faulty? And I know we're out of school, but I'm scared, Ron. If she were to get pregnant...I'm not ready for something like that.'

Ron nodded and shifted on the bed so he was facing Kit.

'You know, you should talk to Kayla about this,' said Ron gently.

'Yeah, I know that, but I'm scared that I'll lose her if I tell her that I want to wait a bit,' said Kit.

'If she trusts and respects you, she'll take your decision into account. And if she chucks you because you don't want to have sex yet, better now than later,' said Ron.

'I don't want her to chuck me, but she doesn't want to wait forever, you know?'

'Tell her your views and listen to what she has to say,' said Ron. 'Then come up with a decision together.'

Kit pondered this before smiling.

'Thanks, Ron,' he said.

Ron grinned at him.

'It's what I'm here for,' he said, standing to leave.

'Ron,' Kit called when Ron reached the door. Ron turned. 'Can you not tell Mum about this?'

Ron nodded.

'Sure,' he said. 'But if I think she needs to know something, I'll tell her, OK? That goes for everything we talk about that you don't want her to know about.'

'OK,' mumbled Kit.

Ron walked out the door and closed it behind him. He made it to the living room and sat down beside Hermione, kissing her. She pulled back and smiled at him.

'You're unusually cheerful,' she said. 'What happened?'

'He confided in me,' said Ron, grinning.

Hermione's mouth dropped.

'He did?' she asked, astounded.

Ron nodded.

'Well, what did he say? What's bugging him?' demanded Hermione.

'Sorry, love,' said Ron. 'He asked me not to tell you.'

Hermione sighed.

'All right, fine. A clue, that's all,' she said.

Ron laughed.

'It's boy problems,' he said. 'That's all it is.'

'Boy problems? Not girl problems?'

'No, boy problems as in problems only boys can talk to other boys about,' said Ron, kissing Hermione's nose.

Hermione sighed.

'You would tell me if he were in danger, right?' she asked.

'Of course,' he said at once.

'OK,' said Hermione, smiling.

Ron smiled back and Hermione went back to her book. Ron swallowed and his hand slid into his pocket, fingering a small box that had practically been burning a hole in his pocket from the moment he had bought it two weeks ago. His hand snapped out of his pocket when Hermione shifted. He stood.

'I'm going to head to bed. I'm exhausted,' he said.

Hermione looked up from her book.

'Oh,' she said. 'OK, then. I should be up shortly.'

Ron bent down and kissed her deeply, tangling his fingers in her wild hair. They pulled back and Hermione looked stunned.

'See you soon,' whispered Ron.

He took his hand from her hair and walked towards Hermione's bedroom. He closed the door and looked around, sighing. He drew his wand and waved it, tidying the room.

--------------------------

Hermione finished her chapter, marked her page and closed her book, placing it on the table in front of her and yawning. She stood up and stretched before walking to her room, waving her wand to extinguish the lights in the house, and opening the door, yawning so widely her eyes closed. She closed the door and opened her eyes.

'Hi,' said Ron nervously.

Hermione's jaw dropped. A dozen candles stood thoughout the room, lit, and a dozen more floated in mid-air, again, lit. Ron was sitting on the side of the bed, still dressed.

'Do you like it?' he asked, standing and pushing his hands in his pant pockets.

'It's wonderful, Ron,' whispered Hermione. 'But what's the occasion?'

Ron shifted a bit and swallowed before walking forward and taking Hermione's hands.

'Here, sit down for a minute,' he said gently, sitting her on the bed.

Hermione sat and Ron released one of her hands and dug around in his pocket. Hermione felt a jolt of excitement shoot through her.

'Ron -'

But Ron cut her off.

'No, it's here, hang on,' he said frantically. 'I know it's here, I held it an hour ago.'

Hermione placed her free hand on his cheek and moved his head to face hers. He stopped digging in his pocket and looked at her.

'Take a breath,' she whispered, 'and take as long as you need to. I'm not going anywhere.'

Ron nodded.

'Right. OK, sorry,' he mumbled.

'Don't be,' she whispered.

She kissed him and he responded.

'Right,' he repeated.

Ron let Hermione's other hand go and he searched his pockets again.

'HA!' he cried.

Hermione placed a finger on his lips.

'Shh,' she said, giggling. 'Kit might be asleep.'

'Right,' Ron said for the third time.

'Did you find what you were looking for?' Hermione asked, getting an idea of what Ron was doing.

'Yeah,' said Ron gently.

He knelt on both knees so he was face to face with Hermione.

'Good,' she whispered.

'I had a whole speech and everything,' said Ron, 'but nothing's coming right now, so -'

He opened a box and held it out to Hermione.

'Marry me?' he whispered.

Hermione almost burst into tears.

'Yes,' she breathed.

'Seriously?' he asked, obviously relieved.

'Seriously,' said Hermione, laughing.

He kissed her, grabbing for her left hand. Still kissing her, he pried the ring from the box and slid it onto Hermione's finger. It stopped at her knuckle and they pulled apart.

'Shit,' he spat, his hands shaking.

Hermione laughed.

'Wrong finger,' she whispered, removing it from her middle finger and giving it back to Ron. 'Care to try that again?'

'Hell yes,' he muttered, taking the ring from her again and placing it on the correct finger. Hermione watched as it sparkled in the candlelight. 'It's not much,' said Ron, his ears tinged with pink.

Hermione looked up from her ring and smiled at Ron tenderly.

'I love it,' she whispered, sliding from the bed and kneeling in front of Ron and hugging him.

'I was so afraid you'd say no,' said Ron, hugging Hermione back.

'Really?' she asked, her face buried in Ron's shoulder.

'Yeah. Hermione, I don't think there's a bloke alive who proposes to a girl and doesn't have 'you prat, she'll never marry you!' ringing in his head,' said Ron.

Hermione laughed and pulled back, cupping Ron's face in her hands.

'You know what?' she whispered.

'What?'

Hermione smiled.

'We're engaged,' she said, her smile widening.

'Yeah,' said Ron, looking amazed.

Hermione kissed him.

'I love you,' she breathed.

'I love you too,' said Ron, kissing Hermione's neck.

She pulled his head away.

'I need to talk to Kit,' she whispered.

'Why?' he mumbled, trying to kiss her again.

'I need to make sure he's okay with this,' said Hermione.

Ron nodded and stood, pulling Hermione to her feet. She kissed him again and left, heading up to Kit's room. She knocked softly and the door flew open.

'Ron, I don't know how to tell Kayla --! Oh,' said Kit, stopping dead in the middle of his room. He was obviously pacing back and forth. 'Hi, Mum.'

'Hi,' said Hermione. 'Mind if I come in?'

'No,' said Kit. 'I don't mind.'

Hermione stepped into her son's room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it.

'You don't know how to tell Kayla what?' she asked.

'Nothing,' said Kit quickly. 'What's wrong? It's late, shouldn't you be in bed?'

'I actually was headed to bed, but I need to talk to you about something. Sit?' said Hermione, pointing to Kit's bed with her right hand. Kit sat and Hermione stayed at the door. 'How comfortable are you around Ron?'

'He's like a dad,' said Kit. 'Why?'

'What if he stayed with us?'

'He already does, Mum. And don't think I don't hear you when you go at it. I have to cast my own silencing charm to get some sleep,' said Kit, smirking.

Hermione blushed a bit but rolled her eyes.

'I mean, what if he stayed with us forever?' she whispered, not able to look at her son.

'Mum...are you saying what I think you're saying?' Kit asked her.

She bit her lip.

'Are you comfortable with the idea that Ron could stay here with us until you move out and he and I pass on?' Hermione asked, finally tearing her gaze from the floor and looking at her son.

'Well, yeah,' said Kit. 'He's a great guy and you're obviously in love with him, and he treats you the way you deserve to be treated. And he seems to think I'm a good kid, but that's just an impression I get.'

Hermione smiled at her son and sat beside him. She gave small sigh before holding out her left hand.

'Good,' she whispered. ''Cause that's the plan.'

Kit stared at the ring, jaw hanging open.

'YOU GOT ENGAGED?' he bellowed, jumping off his bed.

Hermione stood as well.

'Yes, and I thought you were fine with it!' said Hermione defensively.

Kit jumped on her, giving her a huge hug.

'When did this happen!'

'Not fifteen minutes ago. I had to make sure you were OK with it,' said Hermione, hugging her son.

'Why?'

''Cause if you're not comfortable with Ron, we'd have to find a way around it.'

'Mum, if I weren't comfortable with Ron, I would've told you two years ago when I met him,' said Kit, pulling away from Hermione.

'I thought so,' she replied, smiling. 'But I had to make sure.'

'Go make it official,' said Kit. 'But please - please - cast a silencing charm or a soundproofing charm or whatever it is you use so I can get some sleep.'

Hermione blushed a bit but laughed anyway.

'It's a soundproofing charm,' she muttered.

'Know-it-all,' said Kit, grinning.

Hermione smirked.

'Ron told you all about our time together, huh?'

'Yup. You left out a lot of details,' said Kit.

Hermione laughed.

'Good night, Kit,' she said, walking towards the door.

'Mum?'

Hermione had reached the door, but turned.

'Yes?'

'I just have one last question,' said Kit.

'What?'

Kit hesitated for a second.

'Can I call him Dad?' he asked.

'You don't have to -'

'No. You misunderstand me, Mum. Can I call him Dad?'

Hermione almost cried.

'I'm sure Ron would like that,' she whispered. 'He was even thinking of adopting you.'

'Bit late, isn't it? I'm too old?' Kit asked.

Hermione sighed.

'I told him that. He doesn't care,' she said.

Kit beamed.

'So I can call him Dad?'

'Yeah,' said Hermione.

'Cool,' said Kit. 'Night, Mum.'

'Good night, hun,' she whispered.

She left and raced back down to her bedroom, wrenched the door open, ran in and slammed it closed. Ron was pacing back and forth and stopped as soon as she looked at him.

'And?' he asked.

Hermione threw herself at Ron, kissing him.

'He wanted to know if he could call you 'dad',' she whispered, resting her forehead against Ron's.

'Seriously?' Ron asked.

Hermione beamed and nodded.

'Yeah, seriously,' she said.

'And?'

'So I told him he didn't have to, but if he wanted to, I'm sure you'd like it.'

'You're damn right I'd like it,' said Ron.

Hermione kissed him again and they fell onto her bed, Hermione casting a soundproofing charm for Kit's sake.

------------------------------

'May I dance with the beautiful bride?'

Hermione looked up and saw Mr Weasley standing in front of her, his hand outstretched. She jumped up and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him.

'Of course,' she said, stepping back.

Arthur Weasley grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor.

'Kit is a very polite young man,' said Arthur. 'You did a fantastic job with him.'

Hermione blushed, but smiled.

'Thank you,' she said.

Arthur smiled at her.

'You're welcome,' he said softly.

'I missed you and Mrs Weasley,' said Hermione. 'I would have been over more, but Ginny moved out and I wasn't talking to Ron and everyone else wasn't contacting me, so I thought I would be intruding.'

'Hermione, even before today you were considered a part of the Weasley clan,' said Arthur.

Hermione laughed and gave a little sigh.

'I always loved being around your family,' she said.

'We always loved having you around,' he replied.

'Excuse me, Dad, but I'm wondering if I could cut in and dance with my wife?'

Hermione and Arthur stopped dancing and smiled at Ron, who waited until Arthur had stepped to the side before he placed his right hand on Hermione's waist and gently grasped her right hand in his left one, pulling her so close that a wisp of air would have difficulty moving between them. Hermione rested her cheek on his shoulder and he buried his nose in her hair.

'Finally,' Hermione whispered.

'Finally,' said Ron, agreeing.

'Think Kit's having fun?' she asked softly.

'He just told me he's having a blast,' said Ron. 'Although, that could be because Kayla's here.'

Hermione smiled and moved her head up so she was looking at Ron. He smiled back at her and kissed her gently.

'Two years,' she whispered. 'We were engaged for two years.'

'Yeah,' said Ron, still smiling. 'Amazing, really.'

Hermione giggled.

'Not for us. How long did we wait to get together?'

'True,' said Ron. 'True.'

Hermione closed her eyes and swayed with Ron.

'Excuse me, Dad. Could I possibly dance with my Mum?'

Hermione opened her eyes and lifted her head to see Kit grinning at Ron. Ron chuckled and stepped away from Hermione. Kit held out his arms and Hermione smiled at him, stepping forward to dance with her son.

'Where's Kayla?' she asked as they danced.

She saw Molly rush over to Ron and dance with him.

'Taking a break,' said Kit, grinning. 'I'm wearing her out.'

Hermione smiled and sighed.

'You're so grown up,' she whispered.

Kit gave a sad smile.

'Yeah,' he said. 'I hate it.'

Hermione let out a breath of a laugh.

'Don't hate it, Kit,' she said quietly. 'Enjoy it. Especially your time with Kayla. How are things between you two, anyway?'

Kit blushed a bit.

'I...erm...well...I...'

'Kit?'

Kit sighed.

'I want to marry her,' he softly. Hermione nodded, and he continued. 'I don't know when I should do it, or whether she wants to as well.'

Hermione sighed.

'You're only twenty years old, Kit,' she whispered. 'Maybe you should wait a few more years.'

'You and Ron both said that,' he mumbled. 'You said it about having sex too.'

'Well, have you two had sex yet?' Hermione asked, not really wanting to know the answer, but needing to regardless.

'I'm not going to answer that question, Mum,' said Kit, but his cheeks flushed a bit, and Hermione gave a small smile.

'Well, if you did wait and it worked out, maybe Ron and I can be right a second time?' she asked jokingly.

Kit shrugged.

'Probably. You've been right about more than this,' he said. 'How long?'

'A few more years, Kit,' said Hermione, smiling. 'Take it slow.'

The song ended and Kit kissed Hermione on the cheek.

'Thanks, Mum,' he mumbled.

Hermione cupped his face in her hands.

'So grown up,' she whispered.

Kit smiled and Hermione kissed his forehead before he walked over to Kayla. Hermione went to sit as well, but was pulled backwards.

'And why would I let my sister sit down before she danced with me?' came Harry's voice.

Hermione laughed and turned around.

'Because you love your sister enough to let her have a rest,' she said.

Harry scrunched up his eyebrows.

'You know...I don't. Now, c'mon, let's dance,' he said.

Hermione laughed again before sighing and dancing with Harry.

'Where's Ginny?'

'Washroom,' said Harry, twirling Hermione.

'And are you two having fun?'

'Of course! It's about time you and Ron got married. How long were you engaged? Ten years?'

'Shut up, it was only two!' said Hermione, laughing.

'Kayla's quite a girl,' said Harry.

Hermione smiled.

'Kit wants to marry her,' she said.

'Really now!' said Harry. 'And what did you say to that? 'Cause knowing you like I do, you want him to wait until he's settled down a bit more, yeah?'

'Dead on as usual, Mr Potter,' said Hermione, grinning. The song ended. 'Oh, look at that. Now I get to sit down.'

Harry kissed her forehead.

'Congratulations,' he said.

Hermione smiled.

'Thanks, Harry,' she whispered.

Harry grinned and walked over to Molly, attempting to save Ron. Hermione found an empty chair and sat down with a sigh.

'Hi Ms Granger,' came a voice. 'Or should I call you Mrs Weasley now?'

Hermione turned her head and saw Kayla sitting at the table. She smiled.

'Hermione is fine,' said Hermione. 'Ms Granger is a thing of the past, and although Mrs Weasley fills me with happiness, it still makes me feel awfully old.'

Kayla giggled and Hermione smiled again.

'Congratulations,' said Kayla.

'Thank you,' said Hermione, her smile still on her face.

The music stopped abruptly and Hermione looked over at the band. Ron was standing in front of them, whispering. The band leader nodded and handed Ron the mike before starting up the song. Ron stood with the mike on the platform.

'Okay, let's see just how well those singing lessons paid off,' he joked. 'Love, I'm sorry if I mess this up. At least I tried.'

Hermione watched him and he swallowed noticibly before he started to sing.

'See the stone set in your eyes, see the thorn twist in your side. I'll wait for you. Slight of hand and twist of fate. On a bed of nails, she makes me wait. And I'll wait without you. With or without you. With or without you. Through the storm we reach the shore. You gave it all, but I want more. And I'm waiting for you. with or without you. With or without you, aah. I can't live with or without you.'

Hermione gaped at him; it was the first Muggle song she had made him listen to, and he had complained that it was too slow for his liking. She had made a comment that it was one of her favourite songs.

'And you give yourself away, and you give yourself away. And you give, and you give, and you give yourself away. My hands are tied. The body breeze she guides me with. Nothing wins and nothing left to lose. And you give yourself away. And you give yourself away. And you give, and you give, and you give yourself away. with or without you, with or without you, ooh. I can't live with or without you. Ooooooooh. Oooooh. Oooooooh. With or without you. With or without you, aah. I can't live with or without you. With or without you.'

The band was still playing as Hermione stood from her seat. She walked over to the platform and climbed up, looking at Ron. She sighed and threw herself at him, kissing him. The band kept playing the end of the song as Ron dropped the mike and wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist, picking her up and spinning her around.

'I love you,' she whispered.

'I love you, too,' he said.

He kissed her again.

-------------------------------------

A/N: Okay, so I HAD to add With or Without You, because I kept seeing the scene here in my head whenever I listened to the damned song.

Absolute final chapter of this damn story. I had a blast and this was just for fun. I almost threw in a scene that included a metallic blue vibrator for Emma, but decided against it.

Hope you liked this chapter, and please let me know what you thought of it. I dunno whether I should be proud of it or not. Oh well. You decide :)