A/N: Okay, so I know I've been horrible, and I've made everyone wait like three months for this chapter, but I have had literally no time to write, and I didn't want to write something crappy just to get a chapter in. So, this is it. This is the end of this story, and I have to say, for a story that was originally a one-shot, I'm really going to miss it. I hope I did the ending well, reviews, of course, are always welcome. The song belongs to Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, or whoever owns it, which is not me. Well, as far as a sequel goes, I'm not sure. Tell me if you think a sequel would be good, or just an epilogue, or if you think it's good how it is. I'm always open to suggestions. Please, please read and review. I try and reply to all of the reviews I get, I love them. Well, here it is, the final chapter of TSSR.
Hermione got ready with butterflies in her stomach. She hadn't been out for six years; she hadn't enjoyed something for herself in six years, her fragile heart wouldn't allow it.
Ginny arrived promptly at eight o'clock, much to Hermione's dismay, who was rather nervous about leaving Adah to go out for the night. Ginny noticed Hermione's fidgeting right away, and laughed as her friend played with the napkin in front of her.
"Hermione, don't be nervous," she said as she sat at the table, giving Adah a small kiss on the forehead, "Ron and Harry will be find with Adah. Adah's an amazing kid, she's so low-maintenance. And you deserve to go out for yourself, you've sacrificed enough."
Hermione smiled at her friend, taking in the outfit Ginny had on; it was rather hard to miss. She was clad in a sequin top, cutting in a deep V that was rather revealing. She had on a white mini skirt with black strappy sandals. Her hair was done up in a loose up-do that really accentuated Ginny's amazing facial features; some light make-up was brushed on Ginny's face.
"Harry let you go out of the house dressed like that without him," Hermione questioned as she gathered Adah's things together.
"What Harry doesn't know won't hurt him, and plus I don't get to dress like this much anymore, no time in between work and spending time with Harry."
The three girls walked to the fireplace in the tavern and used the Floo system to get to the Potter house. Ginny yelled into the house, trying to find her husband. Harry replied back saying he'd be down in a minute. Hermione kissed Adah on the head and gave her a big hug.
"Have a great time with Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron," she said as she knelt down to be eye level with the six-year old, "and you be a good girl, okay. Please, go easy on them, they're new at this. And no pranks! I mean it, Adah Joelle, no pranks."
Adah gave her mom a small smile that was reminiscent of a particular red-head who had trouble listening to the rules. Hermione waved bye as her and Ginny disapparated away from the Potter house and to the outside of the club.
Hermione noticed all the young people hanging around outside, waiting to get in. They all looked so carefree, not worrying about anything, just enjoying life; Hermione wished she could be that happy again.
And with that thought Hermione walked into the club, and with a wave of music, she lost herself to the intoxicating aura of the club.
All her worries gone.
--
Hermione was on the dance floor ten minutes after arriving at the club. A drink in hand, she made her way with Ginny to the center, right in the middle of everything. She forgot how much she loved to dance. Everything disappeared on the dance floor; nothing mattered except for the music, the beat, and anyone she was dancing with.
Dancing was therapeutic; dancing let her escape, even if only for a moment.
Fred watched Hermione from the end of the bar. He saw her moving her hips to the beat of the music; she was an amazing dancer, he remembered that about her.
"Fred, I'm kind of nervous about going to a club, what if I look like an idiot," Hermione said with a worried look on her face, "I'm going to look stupid."
Fred smiled as he watched a nervous Hermione twitch in the line to the doorway. "Hermione," he said, "When have I ever steered you wrong."
Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but Fred cut her off, "Don't answer that." They both laughed.
Hermione's brown eyes glistened as the music got louder; she couldn't deny the infectious quality music had with her. Fred knew it and Fred exploited it.
They made their way inside, grabbing a drink at the bar. The next minute Fred had Hermione on the dance floor, getting lost in the music. They danced together, not saying anything, just moving together to the beat of the song.
Fred watched her.
She closed her eyes and swayed to the music, completely lost in the song. She moved gracefully, never missing the beat, and looking radiant. She had a content smile on her face, her face glistening with sweat as she moved faster. She was dancing so close to him that he could smell her shampoo; he liked being this close to her.
He loved her.
Hermione opened her eyes to see Fred staring at her, "What are you looking at?"
"The most perfect witch in the whole world."
She blushed.
"And you said you were nervous about dancing, you seem to be enjoying yourself."
Hermione smiled sheepishly, "I've always loved to dance, but I'm a little self-conscious."
"No need to be, you're the most beautiful witch here, no contest."
A slow song came on, and Hermione put her arms around Fred's neck, her head resting on his shoulder. Fred put his hands on her hips, pulling her closer. The song started and Hermione began to sing along to the words. They danced together in perfect harmony, never breaking their embrace. The song ended, and Hermione pulled back smiling.
"I love this song," she said, "It's one of my favorites."
"What's it called," Fred asked.
"Picture."
Fred smiled as he continued to watch Hermione dance. Finally he gathered up enough nerve to finally put his plan into motion. He got up from his place at the bar, and made his way toward the DJ's table. He quietly talked to the DJ for a few minutes, and then made his way back down towards the middle of the dance floor. He found her, surrounded by people, just dancing like nobody's watching.
He tapped her on the shoulder as a slower song began, "Can I have this dance?"
Hermione turned around, surprised to hear such a familiar voice. She hesitated for a moment; maybe letting everything go wasn't such a good idea. She decided to succumb to her gut, and she placed her arms around Fred Weasley's neck. Hermione was taking a risk; she was falling, and she hoped against hope that he would be there to catch her this time.
They danced silently, not needing to say anything. They still moved together perfectly; they had always fit. Hermione's head was leaned against Fred's shoulder, and his head was buried in her hair. He was taking in a scent he had missed for six years. In the middle of the song Fred began to speak into Hermione's ear.
"Do you recognize the song?"
Hermione listened closely for a moment, recognizing the song in a heartbeat.
"It's our song," he replied.
And now, more than ever, the words of Hermione's favorite song were truer than ever.
Livin' my life in a slow hell
Different girl every night at the hotel
I ain't seen the sun shine in 3 damn days
Been fuelin' up on cocaine and whisky
Wish I had a good girl to miss me
Lord I wonder if I'll ever change my ways
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried today
I can't look at you while I'm lyin' next to her
I put your picture away, sat down and cried today
I can't look at you, while I'm lyin next to her
I called you last night in the hotel
Everyone knows but they wont tell
But their half hearted smiles tell me
Somethin' just ain't right
I been waitin' on you for a long time
Fuelin' up on heartaches and cheap wine
I ain't heard from you in 3 damn nights
I put your picture away
I wonder where you been
I can't look at you while I'm lyin' next to him
I put your picture away
I wonder where you been
I can't look at you while I'm lyin' next to him
I saw ya yesterday with an old friend
It was the same ole same "how have you been"
Since you been gone my worlds been dark & grey
You reminded me of brighter days I hoped you were comin' home to stay
I was headed to church
I was off to drink you away
I thought about you for a long time
Can't seem to get you off my mind
I can't understand why we're living life this way
I found your picture today
I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home
I found your picture today
I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home
I just called to say, I love you come back home
Hermione smiled, he had remembered. The song ended with Hermione feeling more confused and more vulnerable, but excited and amazing.
"I believe in that song more than ever now," Fred said, "I messed up, Hermione, please let me fix it."
Hermione didn't answer, she didn't want to leave the dance floor because once she did, life would come flooding back again, and every hurtful thing Fred had done would come back. She couldn't handle being hurt again by the memories.
Fred grabbed Hermione's hand, "Come with me."
He pulled her outside the club, and brought her to a quiet corner. He presented her with a bouquet of roses, all different colors. They were beautiful.
"These are for you," Fred said as he handed them to her, "One for each year I should have come after you." Hermione glanced at them, but found something wrong.
"There are only five roses, I've been gone for six years."
Fred smiled and produced on last flower, which he didn't hand to her. "Each flower is a different color, symbolizing something different. The red rose means love, beauty, and courage. Hermione, I love you, you mean the world to me. Every day I live without you I die a little more. You're beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful, the way you bite your lip when you're concentrating, or the way you twirl your hair. Even your cute little snort is beautiful. And, you are the most courageous woman I know. No one I know can a raise a child on their own the way you have; I'm so lucky to be able to say that Adah is my daughter. The white rose means heavenly. You are my angel here on earth. You've fallen from the sky to rescue me; you are my heaven in a single star. The pink rose means appreciation and 'please believe me.' I appreciate everything you have done with raising Adah and bringing her back to me and allowing me to be a father. Please believe me that I love you more than anything, and that I will never hurt you again. I know it's going to take so long to convince you that I can be there for you, but I want you to give me the chance. The coral rose means desire. Hermione, my desire for you is second to none. I've waited every minute since you left to have you again; I want to make you happy, you deserve that more than anything. The lavender rose means love at first sight. I have that one because, well, I loved you at first sight. You may have been that curly-headed, bookworm Gryffindor, but I knew that you were something special. I may not have known it was love then, but now I do. You are my everything. And last, this rose, the yellow rose. The yellow rose means friendship. We were friends before we were a couple, and without our friendship, I don't think our relationship would be as strong as it is. Your friendship means the world to me; you understand me better than anyone, even George. The yellow rose also means the promise of a new beginning. This is me promising you a new beginning; I'm going to be there for you because I can't see anywhere else I'd rather be."
Hermione had been silently crying the entire speech. Here was Fred Weasley opening his heart to her, and she knew he was sincere. He was there to catch her as she fell, and finally, she was ready to be caught.
"I will stop loving you when the last rose dies," Fred said as he wiped away a tear that had stained Hermione's face. She looked at the bouquet.
"The yellow one's a fake."
"Yea, that's because my love for you, and our friendship, will never die."
Hermione couldn't control herself any longer. She lunged at Fred, kissing him with all the built up passion of six years. She held onto him like she would never let go, she didn't want to.
"You finally get your happy ending."
"This isn't my happy ending," Hermione said with a smile, "This is just the beginning."