This is where I hit my big writing streak. In the end, I always get way more inspiration. So, the quicker & more reviews I get the faster you'll see an update.

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Chapter Eleven

Ron sat behind the register letting everything mull over. Harry and Hermione... Was that the reason she really came back? Or had it developed? His two best friends, oh they just couldn't be... could they? He mentally hit himself for not noticing earlier. For once, Harry seemed in high spirits and he didn't shy away from Hermione as Ron had seen him shy away from other women. He had never been quite sure why, maybe apprehension that they would only take him as the Boy Who Lived.

He let his head rest in the palm of his hand and let out a sigh. Ron forced himself to think of the previous night, with Evan's cousin. Ironically, her name wasn't Opal or any other rock as Ron had figured. It was Jewel. She was very pretty and he could feel himself falling for her. She was shy and somewhat uncomfortable, but so was he. Who wouldn't be on a blind date?

But then they both started warming up to each other after a few drinks and funny stories. She told him she'd love to see him again and that the date was much better than she expected. They made plans for the next week.

Jewel was unlike anything Ron had seen. She was beautiful, not in the exotic tranquil state Fleur was, but in a classic sense. She had long, blonde hair that fell a few inches down her shoulders. Jewel had bright blue eyes that seemed to compare to a summer sky.

Soon enough his thoughts drifted to Hermione and Harry. Ron felt a desperate need to know what happened between them. Harry seemed happier, more carefree than he had in the past two years. Ron believed it had something to do with the final battle, the conclusiveness of it all. Harry had defeated the Dark Lord and completed the prophecy. However, their last day at Hogwarts had been such a day that Ron could remember as golden. Absolutely perfect.


Hermione leaned her head back and let out a laugh as the new summer sun washed over her face. Everything seemed brighter, lovelier than it had ever before. Harry stood on the rocks by the lake and watched as they threw food into the lake. Even the giant squid appeared to be celebrating as it often raised itself above water only to splash back down.

Harry smiled and jumped down. He sat under the shade of the tree with his two best friends. Hermione raised an arm over her face, and waved her hand. Ron leaned against the trunk of the tree with Hermione.

"How does it feel?" Hermione asked with her head tilted to the side.

Harry focused on ripping off a piece of his nail. "How does what feel?"

"Defeating him," she grinned as he looked up. "It's like you're free, Harry. You don't have to worry about any of that stuff anymore."

Harry looked back at the castle, how did he feel? He couldn't put it into words.

"It's weird," he said softly as he pulled at the grass. Ron straightened up. "I feel happy, that, you know, everyone is safe. But at the same time I'm upset."

"Maybe just because we're leaving," Ron said hoarsely. "You know, it's not like it's final or anything."

Hermione smiled at him, flashing her white smile. "I know that feeling."

"You do, do you?" Harry said sullenly. "Then how come it seems I'm the only one that shows it?"

"Because everyone has different ways of showing it, Harry," Hermione told him softly. "I know that feeling."

"That you're growing up too fast?" Harry grumbled.

Hermione waved her hand. "Oh please, Harry. I am the one getting married next week."

"I forgot about that," Ron muttered. "I can't believe we can't come. To our own best friend's wedding!"

Hermione gave him a face. "It's a tradition Viktor's family has done. It's just our parents. It's not like you're being excluded or anything."

"You're lucky, Hermione," Harry said softly as he still pulled at the grass.

She smiled at him. "I know."

"You get your life right when you step away from Hogwarts," he whispered. "We have to go through more torture."

Hermione let out a laugh once more. Ron smiled as well.

"I was actually speaking in the sense that I have the most remarkable best friends ever," Hermione said watching him intently. He refused to look up. "It's not the end, Harry. Just a different beginning."

Ron reached over to the blanket and pulled out the fire whiskey his brothers had sent to him. Hermione groaned but Ron poured the glasses anyway.

"Let's make a toast," he said giving them their drinks. "It may sound cliché and whatnot, but I think we need it."

Hermione finally could not resist a smile and took her drink. She raised it. "To best friends till the end of time."

"To leaving this hell," Ron grinned raising his glass.

They waited for Harry, until a curvilinear shape took over his mouth. "To growing up."

And they drank.


What had happened to those times, Ron wondered. What had happened to best friends till the end of time? To leaving hell? To growing up? But it hit him harder than a Bludger.

To falling in love.