A/N: well, I have to say that I really hadn't anticipated on making this story so complicated in terms of how Harry and Hermione acted towards each other. I guess that's just my style. Anyway I know that some of you were frustrated by hoe either Harry or Hermione or maybe both, handled the situation. To put it clearly, they are just not good in that department. However, I hope the ending will suit everyone and it will be what you hoped it would be. I really do appreciate all the feedback and I hope you will tune in to my other story. Also, just for your information, if you liked this story or "Dancing" which I am extremely proud of, I also have many more stories to come. Just know that I never make it easy for Harry and Hermione. I just cant seem to write fluffy storied. Anyway, enough rambling and on to Chapter 9, the final chapter…

Stopping the Question

The Weasley-Lovegood wedding had finally arrived. The Weasely's, The Lovegood's, the wedding participants and the guests had all arrived in the Delacour's beautiful chateau in Paris. The place was frantic with decorations and chairs floating around magically. Garlands were stowing themselves neatly on top of pillars. It was May, not entirely summer, yet not completely spring. Paris was alive and colorful, sunny and vibrant. Flowers bloomed all around the chateau.

Hermione was in the bride's preparation room, helping Luna get ready.

"Are you nervous?" Hermione asked Luna as one of Mrs. Delacour's hired magic stylist charmed her hair into silky and long frizz-free waves.

"I am. Very much so." said Luna honestly.

"I know this is mean, but are you sure you want to marry my brother?" Ginny asked Luna jokingly. "You could do so much better."

"Ginny!" Hermione said.

"I am a hundred percent certain that I made the right choice." said Luna proudly. "He may have his faults, my Ronald, but they're adorable. Just like he is."

"Awww" said Hermione. She laughed at Ginny who was pretending to gag.

"I cant believe you're talking about my prat of a brother." said Ginny.

"So Hermione, did you end up inviting Barnaby to the wedding?" Luna asked.

"Yes, he should be here around the ceremony's starting time." Hermione answered. "He just said he had to apparate to Australia for a quick errand."

"Australia?" Ginny asked interestedly. "did he explain what sort of errand he was going for?"

"No," Hermione replied. " and I know that tone Ginny, what are you implying?"

"Nothing." said Ginny innocently. "Only that Luna's wedding has been infecting a lot of people in our inner circle. Maybe even Barnaby."

Hermione shook her head.

"No we're nowhere near that stage yet. There's no way he could be thinking of marriage" said Hermione.

"You sure Barnaby would agree with that?" Ginny asked.

"Since when is my love life the hot topic around here?" Hermione asked laughing. "This is Luna's day."

"Sorry Hermione, but I quite agree with Ginny. Your recent events have been very enthralling." Luna said. "What would you do if you're the next one to walk down the aisle?"

"That's not going to happen anytime soon." said Hermione roughly.

"All right, all right we'll get off your case…just for today." said Ginny laughing at Hermione's discomfort.

The wedding was set for the evening. It was four in the afternoon and the sky had an amber tint to it. The entire chateau was beautifully decorated and ready too be celebrated in. Hermione was in her yellow Maid of honor dress. It was a beautiful light yellow strapless dress with a long and full tulle skirt. Her hair was down in natural, frizz-free waves and she wore light make-up. She was walking around looking in awe at the place. She and Ginny had left Luna alone with her dad as they talked about the wedding.

Ginny had gone off to look for Ron, leaving Hermione to walk around in painful heels, with nothing to do and nobody to talk to. She walked to the refreshment table and opted for a glass of water instead of the blood red wine. She usually wasn't one to care how she looked, but it was different today. She would finally see Harry for longer than five minutes. He had no choice but to stay for the entire wedding being the best man and all. That was enough time to tell Harry how sorry she was that she didn't do anything when he told her he loved her. That she had been beating herself up over it ever since.

A throat cleared itself behind her. Hermione turned around and was pleased to see it was Harry.

"Hey." he said tentatively.

"Hey"

"You look very beautiful." Harry said genuinely.

"And you look very handsome" said Hermione honestly.

Harry was dressed in a handsome black tuxedo with a green dress shirt within which brought out his piercing green eyes.

"How's Ron?" Hermione asked curiously.

"A nervous wreck. It's worse than he got before a Quidditch match." said Harry jokingly.

Hermione laughed.

Harry smiled. it was a sound he hadn't heard for a while. A sound he missed.

"How's Luna?" he asked.

"Same way." Hermione said simply.

They stood looking at the floor. Both painfully aware of the awkward silence.

"Hermione, I wanted to---"

"Harry, there you are!" interrupted a loud voice that belonged to George Weasley. "Ron is asking for you."

"You look very lovely Hermione." George added to Hermione.

Hermione blushed.

"Thank you George." Hermione replied. "Well, I'm going to go check up on Luna. See you both later."

Hermione stalled a little hoping that Harry was going repeat what he had attempted to say before George had appeared. She was pretty sure he was about to say something about what had been going on between them for the last few weeks. Harry however, went off to find Ron. Defeated, Hermione walked back towards the bride's room.

The wedding was about to begin. Harry stood next to a anxious Ron, trying to calm him down.

"Ron, stop worrying. Nothing bad is going to happen." Harry whispered reassuringly.

"Easy for you to say." Ron said. "You're not the one everyone else is going to be laughing at if she comes to her senses and doesn't come." Ron whispered back anxiously.

"Luna's going to come. Don't worry." Harry comfortingly.

They both faced the guests. Half-smiling to the waves from familiar faces. Harry glanced sideways and saw Ron wringing his hands anxiously.

"Ron!" Harry whispered frantically.

Ron dropped his hands.

A very fluorescently dressed woman was waving at Harry, beckoning for him to come to the back where the bridesmaid, groomsmen, maid of honor, and bride were waiting. Harry, knowing it was the planner and wondering why she was calling him, turned over to Ron.

"I've got to go back there mate." Harry said. "Relax. In a few minutes you wont even remember what you were so nervous about."

Harry gave Ron one last pat on the back before he made his way towards the back.

The music started playing not soon after Harry made it into the small room. Bill was the only groomsman and Ginny was the only bridesmaid. The eclectically dressed wedding planner positioned all of them. Bill and Ginny stood in front of Harry and Hermione, who were linked by the arms. Luna was behind them, her face covered by a beautiful veil and the tiara Fleur had on for her wedding. The planner pushed Bill and Ginny forward. Harry and Hermione stood linked and awkwardly silent. They hadn't been this close in a while.

"Smiles! happy smiles." said the eclectically dressed witch as she pulled on the sides of her mouth in demonstration. "Annnnd go." she pushed them firmly forward, making Hermione stumble a little bit.

Harry braced her arm tightly to stop her from falling forward.

"Thanks" she whispered softly.

"No problem" Harry said glancing sideways.

They walked slowly down the aisle. Smiling to people on the way. Harry wished it could've gone on forever. This was the only walk down the aisle he would ever get with Hermione. Being together was impossible now that Barnaby was in the picture. If things continued they way they were going, pretty soon he would not even be friends with Hermione. The absences were long, and the pain was big. He did not know how much more he could take.

They both made it to the front of the aisle and smiled genuinely at Ron, who was oblivious to them. He was much more interested at the cause of the change of the music. Luna was now making her way to them, and Harry and Hermione parted ways. Harry went to stand next to a shaking an awe-stricken Ron and Hermione went to the bride's side to await Luna.

Luna disengaged herself from her father and went up to Ron. They held hands and stood side by side, facing the vicar. The ceremony went on smoothly and beautifully. Ron and Luna were pronounced man and wife and the festivities were in full swing. Hermione watched as Ron and Luna did their first dance as husband and wife, smiling proudly, happy that they had found something that most people take years to find. Love, real love. Hermione looked around, expecting to see Harry sitting alone in a table, giving her the chance to make a beeline for him. Harry, however, seemed to have vanished after the speeches. She spotted Ginny and walked towards her, in hope of some information on Harry.

"Hey Ginny, have you seen Harry?" she asked curiously.

"He left." said Ginny simply

"He left?" Hermione asked stunned.

"Yes, he said Nigel owled him about a meeting." said Ginny.

"Oh," said Hermione disappointed. "All right, thanks Ginny."

'Meeting my arse.' Hermione thought bitterly. He's blatantly avoiding me.

It was soon time for the throwing of the bouquet. All the single girls were grouped up noisily around Luna. Hermione was too angry to be aware of her surroundings. She hadn't even really noticed that Barnaby had yet not shown up to the wedding. Not that she really cared anyway. She knew it was mean not to notice his absence, but she was a little too preoccupied with the absence of who she really cared about.

Hermione watched as the single girls of the party trampled over themselves in hopes of reaching for the bouquet Luna was about to throw. She was drinking a glass of merlot when she watched the bouquet come her way. She only had enough time to put her glass down before the bouquet landed neatly on her lap, which was followed by a loud disappointed groans from the girls who had failed to catch it. Hermione looked at Luna, who winked at her and signaled her to look inside the bouquet. Hermione gave a small smile, got up, grabbed the bouquet and walked discreetly away from the crowd. Once she found a small deserted corner in the chateau she retrieved a small piece of paper that was sticking out.

Meet me at the Eiffel Tower at 10:00

- someone that loves you

Someone that loves you? The Eiffel Tower at 10:00? What is this? Hermione wondered. She felt nervous, with good reason. She had been scheduled to meet an anonymous person at the Eiffel tower. Someone who loved her. She pondered for a while, and then realization hit her. It's Barnaby! Hermione thought frantically. Oh Merlin its true! He's going to propose. She had to find away to avoid it. Most importantly she had to find out if she was wrong. What if it was Harry who had asked her there? No, it can't be Harry, he gave up when he found out I was staying with Barnaby she argued with herself. Just go, what have you got to lose?

Hermione walked back to the party which was in full swing. She scanned the place for any sign of Barnaby but found nothing. Nor did it seem like he had arrived at all. If neither of the men who she suspected had sent her that note were around, how was she supposed to know who had sent it? She spotted Luna who was dancing with Ron. Hermione tapped her on the shoulder.

"Sorry Ron, can I talk to Luna for a second?" said Hermione asked.

Ron nodded.

Hermione pulled Luna into an empty corner.

"Who put that note in the bouquet?" Hermione demanded.

"What note?" Luna asked.

"Don't act like you don't know Luna, you told me to look in the bouquet!." Said Hermione.

"No I didn't, I was s just showing you that you got it." Luna explained. "You seemed so out of it so I didn't know if you had realized you had caught the flowers."

"So…you don't know who gave me this then?" Hermione asked showing Luna the small note.

"No idea Hermione. But you should definitely go." said Luna enthusiastically. "A meeting with a stranger…how exhilarating!"

"I don't know…" said Hermione pensively. Taking back the note.

"Just go, I'm pretty sure you wont regret it."

Hermione watched as Luna went back to her husband. She had a strange feeling Luna knew more than she was letting on.

*******

Hermione paced back and forth in front of the Eiffel tower. It was five to ten and she was starting to get anxious. She kept looking down at the note and around to see if she saw Barnaby or Harry. Though, she knew better than to hope for Harry to show up. She knew he was pretty hurt that she had not reacted at all to when he told her he loved her. It was wishful thinking to think he'd possibly still want to pursue her.

"Hey" said a familiar voice.

Hermione turned around and was startled to see Harry.

"It was you!" Hermione said.

Harry looked at her with a bemused expression on his face.

"What was me?"

"The note in the bouquet telling me to meet you here at 10:00" Hermione explained.

"Hermione I have no idea what you're talking about." Harry said confusedly.

"It wasn't you?" Hermione asked disappointedly.

Harry shook his head.

"What exactly did the note say?" Harry asked curiously.

"It said 'meet me at the Eiffel tower at 10:00 - someone who loves you' I assumed by that signature that it was you." said Hermione blushing at the last part of her sentence.

Harry crossed his arms across his chest.

"It could've been your darling Barnaby." Harry said tauntingly. "Did that ever your cross your mind?"

Hermione sighed.

"Yes it has." Hermione said truthfully. "And I've been actually hoping that it wasn't."

"How come?" Harry asked smugly. " Don't fancy your boyfriend anymore?"

"Harry cut the attitude all right?" Hermione said waspishly. "You were right, you all were. I've been acting stupid."

Harry remained silent, wanting her to continue.

"I've done something I'm not proud of. I was leading Barnaby on and I feel awful." Hermione confessed. "But when you told me how you felt about me, I was confused. I was angry that it had taken you so long to realize it."

"And you had to punish me for taking so long?" Harry said angrily.

"It was not my intention to punish you." Hermione said defensively.

"Yeah?" Harry asked irritably. "You think it was easy for me seeing you and Barnaby all over the Daily Prophet ? Hearing nothing but praises about him? Watching as everyday there was less and less time for me in your life?"

"It wasn't any easier seeing you with Sarah or any of the beautiful girls you've dated." Hermione debated.

"Okay stop, we've got to stop. Our friendship has been strained ever since we crossed the line. Something we should've obviously never done." said Harry.

"I think it's the smartest thing I could've ever done." Hermione said bravely. "Kissing you was not a mistake, I haven't regretted it even if it is to blame for this" she said signaling between them

"We can't do this anymore Hermione. We can't do complicated. Things had never been complicated with us until now." Harry said earnestly "We've been walking on egg shells ever since. I hate rowing with you and it's something that has been happening too much for my taste."

"So that's Its then? We're just going to pretend all this never happened?" Hermione asked shrilly. "The moment it starts getting complicated, you don't even want to try?"

"Because I don't want to lose what we've had for years." Harry said. "Hermione, you have yet to end things with a guy on good terms…except for Ron of course. I don't want that happening to us."

"You haven't exactly ended things nicely with your exes either" Hermione replied.

"Yeah and what does say about us?" Harry asked. "Look, Hermione I would rather risk not having you romantically then not having you at all."

"But it's worth the risk, I know it is." Hermione said tearfully.

Her eyes were swimming in tears.

"You know that I'm never wrong and I'm not wrong about us." said Hermione thickly. "Maybe we can't do easy. Maybe that's just not us. We're complicated. We're both stubborn and wont admit when we're acting stupid, but I'm not about to let you give up on us without even giving us a try."

Harry pensively stared down at his shiny, black, dress shoes.

"This really isn't a time to be on your high horse Harry." said Hermione frustratingly when he remained unresponsive. " I know I hurt you and I hate that I did. But all I can do is work on mending our relationship. But its up to you. I understand that you might still resent me for being with Barnaby despite what you told me that day. I'm just hoping you'll look past your hurt ego and see our potential."

Harry continued looking at his reflection from his shoes.

"Well, I guess that alone says everything I needed to know" said Hermione desolately.

Hermione whipped around, unable to look at him. She was hurt, and infuriated. Just as she was going to speed off into the night, a hand pulled her arm firmly around. Without even having time to speak, her lips were pressed against Harry's own. She was shocked at first, she had really believe that her chance was lost. Yet there she was being kissed passionately by Harry. It didn't take long to recuperate from the shock and Hermione was kissing Harry back just as enthusiastically. She hugged him firmly

The wind was blowing fiercely around them. The Eiffel tower was illuminated brightly behind them, standing out like an exclamation point above them as if it were screaming at them: 'This is it! This is how its supposed to be!'. Hermione's hair was engulfing them but it dint matter. It couldn't break them apart. It was indescribable. Harry had never experienced something like it. He felt weightless, like if the world was under a violet haze and the only thing he could see, hear, or feel was Hermione and himself. They eventually had stop and get some air.

"You prat!' said Hermione hitting Harry in the chest.

Harry was confused.

"What?" he asked baffled.

"You had me worried to death thinking that you really didn't want us to be together." said Hermione concernedly.

Harry smirked at her.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to torture you a little bit." said Harry. "But you're right, it's the worth the risk. I hate that it took another bloke's appearance to make me realize that my feelings for you had been repressed for to long."

"So what are we going to do?' Hermione asked.

"Well for a start. No more playing games. Agreed?" Harry sand.

"So agreed." said Hermione smiling.

Harry wrapped and arm around Hermione's waist as they both looked back at the stunning beauty of the Eiffel tower.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded.

"Why don't we go up?" he asked looking down at her.

"I don't know…" Hermione said nervously.

"We wont go up so high I promise." said Harry reassuringly.

"All right." Hermione replied.

Harry and Hermione climbed the steps up to the middle of the tower. They looked out and could see all of Paris illuminated beautifully in the night. The city of lights, it really was beautiful. It was late a night so the tourists were no longer there, and they had the tower all to themselves. They stood next to each other in silence that was no longer awkward. They looked down and could make out a tiny little speck below. A speck that was pacing back and forth.

"Harry, are you sure you were not the one who sent me that note?" Hermione asked nervously.

"I am." Harry said. "Why?"

"Because I think that the person who did is standing right below us, walking back and forth." said Hermione squinting down. She couldn't make out the person, they were to far away.

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked.

"I'm going to talk to him. It's only fair." said Hermione

Harry nodded.

"I'll come with you." he said.

"All right but don't be visible when I say it. I don't want to rub it in his face."

Hermione reached the bottom of the tower and could now see that it had been Barnaby who had been pacing back and forth.

"Barnaby?" Hermione asked tentatively.

Barnaby turned around and hugged her firmly.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I knew you'd come." he whispered into her ear.

Hermione pushed him away gently.

"These are for you." said Barnaby holding out a bouquet of daffodils to her.

Hermione took them politely.

"Barnaby, we need to talk. About us." said Hermione softly.

" I know we do, that's why I arranged for us to meet here. I know that your friend's wedding has been all you've been talking about." said Barnaby.

"Yes…" said Hermione slowly.

"And I know your tired of waiting for your day. It all got me thinking that you are the one for me." said Barnaby retrieving a small box from his inside pocket. "I'm done looking."

Hermione stood stunned, knowing what Barnaby was about to do, yet unable to stop it. She watched in a mixed of emotions as he knelt down before her.

"Will you marry me?" he asked.

"Barnaby, you cant honestly think this right." said Hermione.

"What do you mean?" Barnaby asked puzzled.

"We haven't been together any where near long enough to think about marriage." said Hermione honestly.

"The time doesn't matter." Barnaby smiled.

"No the time doesn't matter. But the feelings do." said Hermione. "I don't love you and I don't see how you do when I have not been a part of the relationship."

"It's understandable your not that active in our relationship. How can you when your supposed best friend always tries to ruin things?" Barnaby.

"This is not entirely his fault. I'm to blame too." said Hermione. "Barnaby I've got to be honest, you're a really wonderful guy, honestly but, you're not for me. My heart had to fall for the most complicated person in the world."

"You're picking Harry aren't you?" Barnaby asked sadly.

Hermione nodded.

"I'm sorry you got tangled up in our mess. And I'm sorry I lead you on." said Hermione sincerely. "but as you can see, I can't marry you."

Barnaby stood up and put the ring box back in his pocket.

"I can't be mad at you. I kept trying to ignore all the signs that you weren't into me." said Barnaby gravely. "It's my own fault . Though I will say, don't leave any more unresolved feeling unattended it tends to cause problems such as these."

Hermione smiled.

"I know." said Hermione.

"Well I actually came here because there was another thing I needed to tell you." said Barnaby.

"What?' Hermione asked.

"Well, the case is over and I got owled and they need me back in Australia." said Barnaby. "I'm leaving."

"Oh"

"I just wanted to see if there was a reason for me to stay." said Barnaby. "but there isn't so I'm going to go back."

"Will you write?" Hermione asked.

"If you want me to." Barnaby answered.

"I'd like that." said Hermione smiling warmly.

"Goodbye Hermione." said Barnaby kissing her on the cheek.

"Goodbye."

Hermione watched sadly as Barnaby vanished on the spot. He really had been the sweetest guy she had ever met. After Harry of course. She knew she would've regretted it staying with Barnaby out of pity than to risk it all for Harry, who was worth it all.

"Do you regret your decision?" said Harry's voice.

Hermione turned around and smiled of him.

"I couldn't be more sure that I made the right choice."

Harry came up to her and hugged her tightly.

"I've got a confession to make." said Harry mischievously.

"What?"

"Luna tipped me off that Barnaby had sent you the note."

"So you lied." said Hermione.

"A small white lie." said Harry. "But I had nothing to lose. I had to take a chance."

"But it all worked out in you favour in the end." said Hermione turning around to face him.

"It did." said Harry.

Harry and Hermione walked around aimlessly, enjoying each other's company. They kissed here, and hugged there, happy to finally find something they had both longed for so long. Things my go rocky from time to time, but they know they will always have each other. They know they might irreversibly change their bonds, but they knew that what loomed ahead, they'd always be able to face it. Love was worth it all, worth the risk. And they knew that what they had was so real and powerful that even time hadn't managed to get in the way.

A/N: well there you have it. I'm happy with most of the chapter except maybe the ending, I think I could've done something better. If you agree, I might be able to edit to your liking, like somewhat of an alternate ending. I really had a hard time with this chapter because I wanted everyone to like it and I also wanted it to be very long. This will be the last time I write something that isn't planned out. This was a story I started out of nothing and continued, never knowing where I was going. Nevertheless I'm happy it was well received and I hope you'll all be on the look out for my next story.