Here's the last chapter. Thanks for all of the reviews. I hope you like this chapter, and would
review it too.
It was the day of Dumbledore's funeral. Nobody said much, mostly they were in their own
worlds, thinking about how life as they knew it was now changed, and how they would miss
Albus Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall was seen shedding some tears, ones she didn't even
attempt to hide. Not one single person really cared what anyone else thought of them on this
day. It just didn't seem to matter anymore. Something like letting another person see you cry,
didn't make you weak on this day, it only made you human.
Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione, had spent most of their time together this day for many
reasons, but probably the most important reason of all, was familiarity, and comfort. Being
together didn't really take away the pain, but it did ease it a little.
During the actual funeral, with the excpetion of the man in the black suit, not much was said by
anyone. Everyone was ruled by grief. At one point, Harry pulled Ginny aside, deciding this
funeral was too much to bear, leaving Ron with Hermione.
Hermione's tears rolled freely down her face, as Ron held her and stroked her hair. "Somehow,
things are going to be okay," he whispered.
Hermione didn't answer, she didn't know what to say. How could things get better?
"Mione," Ron said.
"Yes?"
"Never mind. It's not the right time," he said quickly.
Hermione pulled away from him, wiped her eyes, and looked directly into his. She was pretty
sureabout what he was going to say, and goodness knew, it was about time that one of them
brought it up.
She stood up, pulling Ron with her, walking into a corner without people. "If now isn't the right
time, when will it be?" she asked him quietly.
"When things are safe. When everything is calm again," he told her.
"Things are not going to be safe, Ron. It only gets worse fom here, and you know it. There's a
war coming now, an all out war, that we'll be in. Harry's in, that means we are too. And there's
nowhere else I'd be. Where Harry goes we go. What Harry fights, we fight. We're a Trio,
and we stick together... We could die tomorrow! Do you realize that? And here you are telling
me that the right time is when everything is safe and calm. We could be dead by then! I'm not
afraid to die for you and Harry, Ron. But I'm not leaving this world without you telling me what
I've been waiting to hear; what you've been waiting to say to say to me," Hermione cried.
"You already know what I want to say to you, 'Mione. Sometimes I'm an ass, but deep down,
you've known for awhile just what it is I want to say to you. It's the same thing you want to say
to me."
"Sometimes I think I know, but right now, I'm not sure. Why can't you just say the damn
words? Don't make me do all the work," she said, sounding tired.
"It's hard to say the words because I'm damn scared," he admitted.
"Scared of what?" she said, more gently, this time.
"Scared that if I say it, I'll jinx it. Scared that if I say it, one of us is going to die, and then leave
the other feeling like they missed out big time. I'm scared to lose you, okay? I'm scared to lose
this friendship. I want to be more than your friend 'Mione, but I really couldn't stand it if
something happened and we would lose this friendship. Do you understand? Do you understand
what you mean to me, how I need you in my life? You're the girl I want to be with, and you're a
friend I couldn't bear to lose."
"Ron, I'm scared too. But what's even scarier, is going on like everything is normal between us,
never saying those words, never giving us a chance to be great. And that's what we would be:
great. I'm not going anywhere right now, and right now is all we've got. We're heading off with
Harry soon, so it's now or never. Just tell me you love me," she said.
"You know I do," he whispered.
"Say the words. Stop playing games with my heart," she demanded.
"I love you, okay? So much that it hurts sometimes. I love you. I love you. A million
times I love you," he said, taking her in his arms again, stroking her hair.
"Good, because I love you, too. More than you know," she cried.
"This is good," he said.
"Yeah, it is," she said, laughing a little bit. That was when Ron leaned down to kiss her.
"That was nice," Hermione said outloud, not intending to.
"I've wanted to do that for a really long time," he smirked.
"Could've fooled me for most of this year," she grinned.
"You're never going to let me forget about this whole Lavender thing are you?" he asked guiltily.
"Sorry, I guess that was kind of a lowblow," she laughed softly. "I won't mention her anymore.
Just tell me one thing, of all people, why did you pick Lavender to be with?"
"Well honestly, she kind of just threw herself at me. Plus, I was trying to make you jealous I
guess."
Hermione just shook her head. "Boys are strange," Hermione said. "I asked you to go to
Slughorn's party with me. What need was there to be jealous after that?"
"It's a stupid guy thing," Ron answered.
"Apparently, there's many of those," she grinned.
"Okay then, you answer something for me. Why'd you go with McLaggen to the party?"
"I knew you didn't like him. I thought you'd get mad. Part of me wanted you to feel the pain I
was feeling when I saw you with the bimbo," she admitted.
"Fair enough," Ron laughed.
"Hey Ron?"
"Yeah 'Mione?"
"We're going to be fine. This thing is going to work out. We're going to work out. It's not going
to be easy, it's going to be a battle everyday. But I'm willing to go through that because what I
want is you. What I want is to be happy, and when all the arguments are over, ultimately, that's
what you make me: happy," she smiled.
"Same here," Ron said.
At this point everyone started to get out of their seats, so there was no more privacy for Ron
and Hermione.
Hermione took Ron's hand. "Let's go find Harry. You know he's already making a plan. Going
to try and be brave and do this whole thing alone. But we're not going to let him. We're going to
fight with him and for him," she said.
"And for us," Ron added.
"And for us," she nodded, hugging him one more time.
THE END!!!