Author's Note: I do not own anything.
This is the last chapter, then an epilogue. One more chapter to go with this story.
Harry stood in shock as he looked at Ron, who was standing there shifting from foot to foot.
"Hi, mate. Can I come in?"
"Of course," Harry said, stepping aside to let him in. He closed the door behind him and looked up at Hermione, who had just entered the living room.
"Hi, Ron."
"Hey, Hermione."
"Can we get you anything?"
"No, I'm good. Thanks."
Ron and Harry sat on the couch, while Hermione took to the chair near them. There was silence for a few moments before Ron ran his hands through his hair and began to talk.
"First of all, I want the two of you to know that I'm not mad. I'm upset, but I'm not mad. I did like you, Hermione-I still do, actually. But you didn't like me back. We could have tried to keep the relationship going, but, in all honesty, I don't know how long it would have lasted.
"It was always rumored that you two would get together eventually. Hell, there were several times I thought you would. Then you guys played it off so much, I didn't think there was anything between you. When you admitted you had feelings for Harry, I was upset, but I wasn't as upset as I thought I'd be. Somehow, I just knew that this would happen eventually."
"I never meant to hurt you, Ron," Hermione said, reaching over to take his hand. "I really thought I liked you, but when I found out that I didn't, I knew that I couldn't stay with you. It wouldn't be right."
"I know, Hermione. You did what was best. I was happy with you, but you wouldn't have been happy with me, knowing that you like Harry. And, knowing that you weren't happy wouldn't make me happy either. I don't think we would have lasted long."
She nodded, tightening the grip on his hand as she did so.
"This whole thing shouldn't be a reason for all of us to stop being friends," Ron said, looking between Harry and Hermione. "It will probably be awkward, especially since I do have feelings for Hermione, but all of this shouldn't be the reason we all stop being friends."
"I agree, mate. There's just one thing you should know, though."
"What is that?"
Harry looked at Hermione, who nodded in response. "Hermione and I are dating, Ron. We got together this morning."
Ron looked between the two of them and sighed, dropping his head to the floor. Harry and Hermione instantly felt guilty.
Then, all of a sudden, Ron looked up and smiled at them.
"I'm happy for you two. I really am."
Harry and Hermione looked at him in complete shock, which caused him to bust out laughing.
"What? I am happy for you two."
"You're not mad what-so-ever that Hermione and I are together?"
"No," Ron said, shaking his head. "If you two are happy, then I'm happy."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, shock written over both of their faces.
"What the hell happened to Ron?"
"I don't know," Hermione said, poking a finger into Ron's arm. He brushed her hand away.
"What?"
"What have you done with Ron?"
"Nothing. I guess I've changed, ok? Even Hermione admitted that I've grown up a lot, and I know that that had to be tough for her."
"You have grown up," Hermione said, smiling at Ron as she did so, "and I know that you'll meet a nice girl that will make you very happy. We've hurt you, and we want to make it up to you, Ron."
"We do, mate."
Ron nodded, grinning. "Anything I want?"
"Whatever you want."
"I'll have to take you two up on that soon."
Hermione went up and hugged Ron, saying "I'm glad you're back, Ron. And again, I'm sorry."
"Forget it," Ron said, breaking the hug and putting his hands on her arms. "Let's move on, ok?"
She nodded. "Agreed. Harry and I were just about to have lunch. Would you like to join us?"
"I would love to."
Hermione nodded and walked back into the kitchen. Harry walked up to Ron.
"Are you sure you're ok with all of this?"
"I'm not the best with it," Ron replied, "but if you and Hermione are happy, then I'm happy. It's going to take some time to get over her, but she's with you, so I know she'll be happy. She's always happy around you. Just, promise me one thing, mate."
"Anything."
"Take good care of her, mate."
"You know I will, Ron." He looked at Ron for a moment, debating whether or not he should ask this question. "How's Ginny doing?"
"In all honesty, I haven't seen her much. I can't tell you."
Harry nodded, cranking his head to look in the kitchen. "Hermione's about done with lunch. I need to get cleaned up. Be back in a bit."
"Lunch was great. Thanks for the invite," Ron said, turning towards the fireplace.
"Anytime you want, Ron. Our doors always open," Harry said, walking up next to him.
"Well, thank you. I really do like this apartment. Maybe after I get some money from training, I'll think about renting one. My own bachelor pad! I can see it now!"
Harry laughed, and Hermione shook her head. "Whatever makes you happy, I suppose."
"Damn straight," Ron grinned. Just as quickly as it came, it left, and his face turned somber again. "I better go. I told George I would go help him with the store."
"Do you want us to go with you?" Hermione asked.
"No," he replied back. "Thank you, but we need to do this alone."
They nodded, and watched as he stepped into the fireplace.
"Ron," Harry said, stopping him before he left, "You're not alone, mate. We're here for you if you need us. You told me that, remember?"
Ron smiled, and said, "I remember. Thank you, both of you. I'm still here for you as well."
Harry nodded and stepped away from the fireplace. Ron grabbed a handful of floo powder from Hermione before saying, "I'll catch you two later."
With that, he disappeared in the green flames.
"He's forgiven us, Harry," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"And we should be very thankful, because I thought he would be mad at us for a lot longer than what we were."
"Think he's really as ok with us as he says he is?"
"No," Harry said, giving Hermione a sad look, "He'll be hung up on you for a while, if not forever. It's not going to be easy for him to see us, and it could cause more complications along the way. It's going to be hard for him to get past this."
"You're right," she sighed. "I just hope that he does find someone, and gets his mind off of me."
His hand came up and fiddled with a piece of her hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. "You know, things may have happened to us these last seven years, but I really am glad that you and Ron stuck by my side, no matter how many times I hoped you wouldn't. Without you two, I know I would be dead by now. You, especially, have saved Ron and I's asses I don't even know how many times. So, thank you. Thank you for everything."
"It's time to move on, Harry. The war is over. You can finally live your life the way you're meant to live it. You've already accomplished so much and the war was over a week ago. You got an apartment, you're helping raise Teddy, we're going to Hogwarts to help rebuild, and you're starting the job that you have been wanting in a couple of weeks."
"And, I have the best roommate, who also happens to be my girlfriend."
"That too," she smiled at him. He grinned back.
"I can't believe how destroyed this place is," Harry said, picking up a piece of stone before dropping it.
"It's going to take a while to get Hogwarts completely fixed," Ron said, looking around at all the destruction.
"Well, boys," Hermione said, walking up to them, "McGonagall wants us to start with Ravenclaw Tower and the surrounding area. She said we should be allowed in. She's instructed all the portraits to allow anyone assisting with cleanup in."
"Ravenclaw Tower? That must be a first."
"Yeah. Why isn't she sending people from Ravenclaw up there?"
"Luna, Neville and Ginny are coming with us," Hermione said, shooting a look at Harry.
"Oh," Ron said, turning away. "That could be a problem."
"I don't think it will be," Harry said, looking between Ron and Hermione. "Ginny will probably be very silent about the whole situation."
"If I know my sister, and I do," Ron started, "she won't be quiet about it."
"You all ready?" Neville said, walking up to them with Luna and Ginny at his side. Hermione caught Ginny's eyes and she quickly looked away at the look Ginny was giving her.
"Yeah. Let's go," Harry said, making sure he stood between Ginny and Hermione.
Ron walked next to Hermione and whispered to her, "Try not to cross paths, Hermione. But I do think that you two need to talk."
Hermione nodded and remained silent, finding comfort when Harry slipped his hand in hers.
So far, they have been able to keep their relationship a secret. Much done to the fact that they have been hidden out in the apartment the whole time, but also that they haven't gone public on it.
Because they knew the moment they did, everyone would know within the hour.
"Luna, can you lead us up there?" Harry said, turning around to face her. She nodded and walked in front of them, leading them up to Ravenclaw Tower on the fifth floor.
"How have you guys been?" Neville asked. "I haven't seen any of you since..you know."
"We've been doing well, Neville," Hermione said, seeing the looks from everyone surrounding her. She was hoping Neville would drop it.
Neville nodded, and everyone remained silent until they reached the floor.
"We're here," Luna said, stopping in front of the portrait frame. "So, should some of us stay on the floor and everyone else head inside?"
"That's a good idea, Luna."
"How about you, Ron and I stay out here and Harry, Hermione and Ginny can head inside."
"Oh, that's not a good idea," Ron said. "Let me go in there with Harry and Hermione. Please."
"Well, ok. Whatever works."
Ginny rolled her eyes and walked down to the end of the corridor, starting to rebuild broken pieces. Hermione sighed as she turned and walked into the common room.
"What's that about?" Neville asked, looking between the girls.
"Look, don't tell anyone, but Hermione and I are dating."
"Well, it's about time!" Neville said, patting Harry on the shoulder.
Harry nodded, looking back in the common room for Hermione. "If you guys would excuse me."
They nodded and watched as he disappeared behind the portrait. Neville and Luna turned back to Ron.
"So, is that why Ginny's mad at Hermione?" Luna asked.
"She hasn't told you anything?"
"No. I haven't heard from her in quite a while."
"The problem is, Hermione was dating me and Harry was dating Ginny. When Hermione came out with her feelings for Harry, they decided to break up with us. While I have partially gotten over it, Ginny hasn't even begun. I think she blames Hermione for everything."
"No wonder Ginny's been so quiet today," Neville said, turning his head to look back at her.
Harry walked through the common room until he found Hermione sitting on one of the couches.
"Hey."
"Hi," she replied back, looking up to see him. He sat down beside her.
"We probably should have cleared things up with Ginny before we came here."
"Yeah," she said, watching as she wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She leaned in and put her head on his chest. "She's my best friend, Harry. I have to fix this."
Harry nodded, kissing the top of her forehead. "Let's let her cool off for now. Let's start the cleanup, and maybe later we can try and talk to her."
"Thank you," she said, leaning over to peck his lips lightly. He stood up and held his hand out, watching as she accepted it. Within a few moments they had the majority of the common room repaired.
"Thank you for all your help today," Professor McGonagall said, looking at the various students, facilitators, and volunteers who surrounded her in the Great Hall. "We have made tremendous progress in rebuilding Hogwarts. It will take a long time to rebuild, but with as much help as we have received today, we should have it rebuilt very soon. That will conclude today, same time tomorrow. Have a good evening."
Ginny was about to go find her family when Ron stopped her.
"What are you doing? I'm ready to go home."
"Ginny, come with me."
"Why?"
"Just come on."
"Fine," she said, following her brother to an abandoned classroom on the first floor. She entered the classroom and saw Harry and Hermione standing there, both staring at her. She turned around to Ron, who remained by the closed door.
"I don't want to talk to them."
"Ginny, you need to move past this. What's done is done. They're happy together, and they want to remain your friends. I felt the same way you did before Bill talked to me, Ginny. I talked to them and I sorted everything out. Yes, I'm still upset about what happened, but it's not something to lose my two best friends over. Talk to them. I'll take you home afterwards, ok?"
She remained silent, and Ron took that as a yes. Nodding to Harry and Hermione, he opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him.
"Ginny," Hermione said, walking up to her, "I am so sorry that I hurt you. That we hurt you. It's not fair to you what we did."
"We really are sorry, Ginny. We didn't want to hurt you."
"You knew I liked Harry," she started, inching closer to Hermione. "I've told you several times how much I liked him. Then you convince to date other people to get my mind off of him. Then Harry and I start dating, and you announce that you like him too? And you can't figure out why I'm mad at you?"
"I know it looks bad, Ginny. It's not what you think it is. I told you I didn't like Harry until the battle. And I'm sorry that it ended like that. But I promise you that I never meant to steal Harry from you."
"Ginny," Harry said, getting off of the desk he was sitting on, "she's not the one who ended the relationship. I did. We've changed, Ginny. The relationship changed. And it's not because of Hermione, so don't even try to blame her. I didn't feel the same way about as I did before. If you really thought about it, you would feel the same."
"I love you, Harry. You can't tell me how I feel about you."
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I really am. That's all I can say."
"I'm sorry, too, Ginny."
She looked between them and sighed, knowing that this is a losing battle.
"You guys look really cute together. You really do. Everyone's known for quite some time. I haven't forgiven you two, but Ron's right. And if he can get past this, then I guess I can too."
Hermione went up and hugged her, glad that Ginny was, at least, willing to talk to her again. She knew that it would take time to rebuild their relationship, but, as long as they were talking, she was happy.
"Are you OK?"
They had returned to the apartment a little while ago. They had eaten dinner shortly after returning. Now, just as they were about to turn in, Hermione noticed Harry's hand slip to the area between his neck and shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm just a little sore."
"Want me to massage that for you?"
"Really? That might be interesting."
He started to pull his shirt up, when Hermione said, "Whoa, what are you doing?"
"Taking my shirt off so it'd be easier for you."
"Right," Hermione said, watching as he tossed the shirt to the floor. She stood frozen as she stared at his chest, unaware of the grin that was growing on his face.
"OK, um, let me get behind you here, and I'll see if I can make you feel better."
She moved behind him on the bed, raising her hands to his shoulders. Gently, she began to give him a massage.
"Is this OK?" she asked, moving her mouth close to his ear. She watched him shiver, and nod.
"It's perfect. You're making me feel better already."
She continued on for another ten minutes, occasionally running her hands down his lower back. When her hands returned to his shoulders, he gently put his hand on top of it to stop her.
"I feel much better now. So, how can I repay you?"
He turned around, and she got a glimpse of the front of him again. She couldn't find her voice, and he said, "Would you like one?"
"Yes," Hermione said, having no idea what she may have agreed to. He turned her around and gently moved her tank straps, starting what he had done for him. "That feels good, Harry."
"Does it?" he said, continuing to massage her.
She let out a moan, and Harry replaced his hands with his lips. She let out a gasp.
"Harry," she moaned out as his hands played with her tank straps. "Harry, please."
His lips traveled back up to her ear, and he whispered huskily, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," she replied, turning around and kissing him. She felt his hands grip the bottom of her tank, and slowly, but gently, pull it up and over her head. With her tank fully off of her, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again, pulling him down on top of her.
They rolled around in his bed, kissing, touching, enjoying the comfort of each other.
"That was amazing, Harry," she said, hovering over him as she broke their kiss.
"I would absolutely agree with you," he said, grinning up at her in response.
She moved down to his chest and rested her head on it, knowing that she was getting tired, and knowing that they had to get up early again tomorrow.
She felt Harry softly stroke her hair, and her eyes began to close. She quickly thought back to everything that has transpired after the battle-from her discovering her feelings for Harry, to announcing them, to Harry telling her his feelings back.
And the more she thought about it, the happier she was with her decision to tell him how she felt.
Because she has never felt happier in her life.
With that, she fell asleep, safe in the arms of her boyfriend, and the happiest she has ever felt.