A/N: So this is the last chapter! I hope you like the way I brought all the loose ends together! Again, thank you all for your patience!

Chapter 21: Full Circle

Why was she so cold, thought Hermione. The weather had been warm and pleasant at the cottage all weekend. But it seemed like a chill had seeped into the core of her body and she didn't know how it was possible. She also didn't understand why her head hurt so much. Then she opened her eyes.

It was dark. Too dark. Hermione tried to sit up only to realize that her feet were tied together at the ankles and her hands bound at the wrists. As her eyes became adjusted to the dark, Hermione took in her surroundings. It appeared that she was in a cupboard that held cleaning supplies given the fact that there were brooms and mops and such next to her. The walls and floor were smooth stone with wooden shelves that held a variety of cleaning products. The real question was where was the cupboard located.

Before she could think any further on that fact, the door opened. Bright light flooded the cupboard temporarily blinding Hermione. "Well," came a deep voice, "it looks like our guest is finally awake."

"Lovely," replied a female voice. "Now the fun will really begin."

A flash of light burst into the room and Hermione was once again cast into darkness.

"Well, it was to be expected, right?"

Harry and Neville turned to look at Ron. They had left Neville and Hannah's flat to go immediately to the Ministry. They needed to locate the updated schematics to Hogwarts. As Neville had said earlier, many changes had been made to the school in the aftermath of the battle. The Ministry had kept the new building plans on file but the three young men had pulled open the filing cabinet to find that the plans weren't there.

"Really?" said Ron. "I'm the one who figured this out?" Not waiting for the other two to reply, he continued. "Strauss obviously stole them for Zabini. He probably did it before we found him out. No one would be looking for those plans. Well, that is until now."

They walked out of the file room and into one of the nearby conference rooms where they all sank down into chairs. Ron tried to fight the rising sense of panic within him. Sitting was the last thing he needed to do. They needed to come up with some type of plan but he couldn't get his mind to focus. He kept thinking about Hermione and about what they could possibly be doing to her. It was as if his mind was stuck on some sort of sick movie that kept repeating itself. He was about to jump out of his chair when Harry beat him to it.

"The Marauders Map!" he shouted. "I can't believe we forgot about it!"

"Of course," said Ron starting to feel hopeful for the first time. "What do you think Neville? Do you think the changes made to the castle will be reflected on the map?"

"I'm not sure," said Neville. "Remember how the Room of Requirement wasn't there? From what Fred and George had said, and what we learned from Lupin about the map, only places that were known to the Marauders would actually show up."

Ron refused to let anything diminish the feeling of purpose he felt. "There's only one way to find out."

Harry nodded. "Right. The map is back at my flat. I won't be able to summon it here; I'll have to go back. I'm connected to the Floo Network so it should only take ten minutes tops." Without another word, he turned and dashed out of the office leaving Ron and Neville staring after him.

Neville glanced over to Ron. He could feel the tension rolling off of his friend like waves off the ocean. "Don't worry mate. If this doesn't work, we'll just have to figure something else out."

Ron nodded. He had a sneaking suspicion that Neville was right about the map. Of course it would be too easy to just waltz in and rescue Hermione from Zabini. Before he had anymore time for reflection, Harry ran back into the office waving the map.

It only took them a few seconds, though, to realize that Neville had been right. The map looked the same to Ron and Harry but Neville shook his head saying, "No, no. It's not right. See here? There is now an additional corridor off of the great hall that contains five new classrooms. Also, under the balcony of the Great Hall are two large storage cupboards. It's not on this map."

"Why would they add storage cupboards to the Great Hall instead of keeping them in the corridor with the classrooms?" asked Harry, his brow scrunching up in puzzlement.

Neville blanched slightly and looked uncomfortable. "Well, remember how immediately after the battle we couldn't find several people? It turned out that there were several bodies stacked in a storage cupboard. They were pulled out of the way during one of the lulls in the battle and I guess the people who put them there were killed themselves."

Ron swallowed hard and glanced over at Harry. After the battle had ended, they had left the next day from Hogwarts. The Weasley's had to prepare for Fred's funeral and Harry was needed immediately at the Ministry. They had never thought much about what it was like in the school the days following the battle and Ron felt guilty that Neville had been left to face the aftermath.

Before either Ron or Harry could comment, Neville said, "Professor McGonogall didn't want the Great Hall to be changed but felt that the surrounding corridors should be which was why there was a renovation. If Zabini is planning something in the Great Hall, chances are he's holding Hermione in one of those storage cupboards."

Ron nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right Neville. Now what is the best way to get in without being detected?"

"Through the Room of Requirement of course," replied Harry. "It's the closest to the Great Hall. It worked for us when we had to sneak into Hogwarts."

"But that was only because there were people in it, right?" said Ron. "Neville and everyone else were already in the room. Will we be able to make the room appear from the tunnel leading from the Hogs Head?"

Harry shrugged and said, "I don't see why not. If we can't, then we'll just have to go in through one of the other passageways. Either way, we need to start out at Hogsmeade. Let me send an owl to my team and—"

"Absolutely not," interrupted Ron. "I'm not waiting. I'm going now Harry. Send word and let them know where we'll be but I'm not going to sit on my hands while Zabini does God knows what with her."

Harry stopped and looked up to see the steely look of determination on Ron's face. "Alright mate. I understand." He looked over to Neville and said, "What do you say Neville? Up for a little more Auror work? I know we'd both like you on the scene with us in case something changes once we get there."

Neville smiled broadly. "Sounds good. I hope I'm able to help."

"Let's go," said Ron. Without another word, he turned on his heel and Disapparated.

"He really loves her, doesn't he?" asked Neville staring at the spot that Ron had just been standing.

Harry nodded, "He does. I can't imagine how he is feeling right now. I only hope that we're not going to be too late."

After exchanging a grim look, Harry and Neville Diasapparated as well, leaving the empty conference room behind.

"I'm not saying that you shouldn't kill her. Kill her and kill her now and let's go. We're going to have a whole load of Aurors descending on this place soon," said Goyle. He, Knox, Zabini, and Alexandra, Blaise's sister, were standing in the Great Hall. The girl was still tied up in the cupboard.

"I told you Goyle," said Zabinie calmly, "that there is a plan in place that we can't deviate from. The girl will die, yes, but she will not die until Weasley is here to see it."

Goyle sighed and shook his head. This was not what he had signed up for. He had no problem killing the Mudblood but he did have a problem with getting caught red-handed in the act. He had made a lot of money in this deal with Zabini and he wanted to live to enjoy it.

"Maybe Goyle has had a change of heart," said Alexandra. She was a beautiful girl with dark skin and long wavy hair. Her eyes were light brown and cat-shaped which is what she reminded Goyle of. She had only just graduated from Hogwarts two months earlier but she had a maturity about her that most girls her age lacked. Goyle eyed her cautiously as she walked toward him but became entranced as he watched the seductive sway of her hips.

Alexandra approached Goyle, circling around him as she let her hands drift up and down his arms. She stopped in front of him and said, "I think Goyle might have a soft spot for our young Mudblood friend."

Goyle scowled at her. "Not a chance. I just have a soft spot for my own life, that's all." He looked away from her and over to where Blaise was standing with a bored expression on his face which only further enraged Goyle. The slimy git would probably get away at the last moment leaving him behind to fight off the Aurors, thought Goyle.

"You know what," began Goyle. "I think its time we parted ways. I've done what you needed me to do. You don't need me here for anything else. Good luck." He started to walk away until he heard Blaises's voice. The silky smooth coldness and menacing tone stopped Goyle dead in his tracks.

"Poor Goyle," said Blaise. "I had almost forgotten that you aren't too bright. You have a way of latching on to those, like Malfoy, who can lead you along."

Goyle's face flushed in anger. "You haven't 'led' me anywhere Zabini—you sought me out."

Blaise took a step closer to Goyle. "That's right. You served a purpose but now, you don't."

Before Goyle had time to react, Zabini took out his wand and said, "Avada Kedavra!"

Alexandra laughed as Goyle fell to the floor in a heap, his eyes still open and unstaring. Zabini looked over at Knox who had remained quiet throughout the exchange. "I trust you don't feel the same way as our cowardous friend?"

Knox looked over at Zabini. "Not at all sir. Just tell me what our next move is."

Zabini nodded. "Well, your next move is to take this," he said, kicking Goyle's lifeless body, "to one of the classrooms down the corridor. Then, get the girl and bring her up onto the balcony. We're going to arrange quite a surprise for Weasley when he gets here."

"Yes sir," said Knox. He pointed his wand at Goyle's body and muttered a charm to levitate it and then followed it down the hallway.

Zabini extended his arm to Alexandra saying, "Care for a stroll dear sister? I want to take a look outside to see if our Auror friends have arrived. They do have a knack for making their presence known."

Alexandra's eyes glittered with excitement as she linked her arm through her brother's. "It's all coming together isn't it?"

Blaise smiled down at her. "That it is. That it is."

Hermione tried to control her breathing. Shouting had roused her out of her sleep and she listened carefully to the altercation outside of the door. She gasped as she heard the killing curse uttered and then suppressed a shout as her hands and feet became unbound. She looked down at them in wonder and then realized what had happened. Whoever had just been killed must've been the same person who put the charm on her. Now that he was dead, the charm had been lifted.

Hermione reached into the waistband of her jeans and withdrew her wand. When that vile young man had appeared in the garden she hadn't had time to react. She had been hanging wash on the line and turned to see him standing there with his wand pointed at her. The next thing she remembered was waking up on the cupboard.

She stood up, stretching her sleeping limbs awake. Whoever was moving the body was coming back for her and she needed to be ready. Hermione could hear the footsteps returning and she moved further back into the cupboard so that when he opened the door she wouldn't be visible. The element of surprise was one of the only things she had on her side. That and the fact that she still had her wand.

Hermione's heart was beating so fast she was sure that Knox could hear it as he opened the door. Although she couldn't see his face, she could see that he was momentarily taken aback by the fact that her body was no longer on the floor. Using his confusion to her advantage, Hermione stepped forward and pointed her wand shouting, "Stupefy!"

She watched as Knox shot back and followed his body out of the cupboard. He hit the stone wall and his body crumbled in a heap on the floor. Hermione's spell, however, had not been strong enough and she watched in horror as he began to try to stand up. She turned and made her way toward the stairs, taking two at a time until she reached the balcony. She looked down and saw Knox now standing and rubbing the back of his head. At that same moment, a young man and woman walked in—the Zabini's thought Hermione.

Blaise looked in confusion at Knox and then glanced up to the balcony to see Hermione. "You idiot! Why does she still have her wand?"

Alexandra pointed her own wand up at Hermione and muttered a spell but Hermione was able to duck in time. She took off down the hallway only to find a series of stairs that seemed to lead to nowhere but up. As she continued up she gasped as she felt the staircase start to shift under her feet. Hermione kept climbing but every time she got to the end of one set of stairs it would move and connect to another. She turned to look down and saw Alexandra making her way up. She tried to swallow her fear and kept climbing, praying the stairs would lead to a door. Finally they swung into place and Hermione ran onto a landing stopping in front of a painting that contained an enormously fat woman.

"Can I help you dear?" the woman asked as Hermione ducked out of the way of a spell. She looked down again to see that Alexandra had made headway in reaching her. Hermione quickly cast a Shielding charm around herself but knew that it would only hold for a few minutes. She turned her attention back toward the woman in the painting.

"Yes," said Hermione slightly breathless. "Can you tell me how to get away from this staircase?"

The woman laughed a hearty laugh and replied, "All you need to do is tell me the password to gain entrance!"

Hermione's brow furrowed and then her eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Why of course! You are the Fat Lady, the guard of the Gryffindor Common Room!"

The Fat Lady's eyes narrowed in displeasure as she said, "I prefer plump, thank you very much! Now what is the password."

At that moment, a spell hit the shield around Hermione. It rebounded but also caused the shield to disappear. "Please! I don't know the password! I'm in great danger; can you just let me in?"

The Fat Lady crossed her arms over her chest and said, "No, I can't 'just let you in'! There is a protocol to follow young woman! I am the guard of the greatest house of Hogwarts!"

Hermione ducked again as a spell rebounded off of a gargoyle on the staircase next to her. "Now I now how Harry felt when he first got here," she muttered.

The Fat Lady straightened up. "Did you say Harry, as in Harry Potter?"

Hermione blew a curl out of her eyes as she stood up. "Yes! I know Harry Potter!"

"Well that changes things dramatically!," said the Fat Lady. "Welcome!"

The portrait swung open and Hermione shouted a quick thanks as she dashed in. She quickly closed the door behind her and leaned back trying to catch her breath. She looked around the common room and felt an instant pang of regret. Would she have spent her nights and days in this room if she had responded to that owl all of those years ago?

Shouting from the other side of the door snapped Hermione back to reality. She was sure she wouldn't be safe here for long. Alexandra and Blaise would blast their way into the room, Fat Lady be damned. Hermione saw two sets of stairs on the other side of the room. She made her way up one which opened up into a dormitory. There were seven beds made up a circle with a grouping of chairs dominating the middle. The decidedly masculine decor indicated that she was in the boys dormitory. She wondered what bed was Ron's but then shook her head trying to focus on the task at hand.

Hermione ran to one of the windows and threw it open. Peeking out she saw that there was a very narrow ledge but under the ledge was a balcony, not a sheer drop. It appeared that the balcony led across the building, connecting Gryffindor Tower to what she supposed was the Astronomy Tower. She sighed. Hermione never really did well with heights but it didn't look like she would be in any danger of plummeting to her death. She would just have to hang from the ledge and drop down to the balcony. The only real danger would be as she got out of the window. If her footing slipped, she could possibly fall and miss the balcony all together. Great, she thought. She looked out at the school grounds; was Ron here? Did he realize she had been kidnapped or was he still meeting with Harry? She was confident that he would come for her but would she be able to survive until he got here? Taking a deep breath and hoisting herself onto the window ledge she prayed that she would be.

"I still can't believe it worked," said Harry.

Ron looked over at him and nodded. They had arrived at the Hogs Head where Aberforth had led them to the room containing the portrait passageway. Harry was able to make the Room of Requirement appear within a matter of seconds. And just like it had years ago, when it appeared it contained what they needed—a sort of headquarters similar to what they had at the Ministry as well as a triage unit in the corner. Ron could only hope that they would have no need for it.

They had only been in the room for a few minutes when they heard the shouting coming from the Great Hall. Without saying a word, Ron ran out of the room, wand drawn. Although it had been years since he had actually been inside the school, Ron had no problem remembering his way to the Great Hall. He could hear Harry and Neville running behind them and all three emerged out of the corridor to find themselves utterly alone.

Ron quickly looked around and saw one of the cupboards that Neville had described. He ran in and saw that it was empty save a lone flip flop. He felt his heart constrict—he had left its mate back in the garden at Shell Cottage.

"They had her in here," he said. "Where was that shouting coming from?"

"It sounded like it was coming from the Great Staircase," replied Harry.

Not waiting for the other two, Ron headed off in that direction and emerged onto a landing to see Alexandra unmercifully shoving aside the Fat Lady to get into the Gryffindor common room. He glanced around thinking that Blaise mustn't be too far away and was about to go charging up the stairs after Alexandra when he heard Harry shouting from behind him.

"Ron! You have to come outside right now!"

Ron dashed out into the courtyard and stopped where Harry and Neville were standing.

"Up there," said Neville, pointing towards the Gryffindor Common room tower.

Ron looked and then felt his stomach plummet to the ground—Hermione was making her way out of one of the window's of Gryffindor Tower. He was afraid to shout to her—any sudden move on her part might result in her dropping and missing the ledge all together. Ron watched as she turned and lowered herself onto the ledge before dropping onto the walkway below. He sighed in relief as he realized what she was doing—the walkway connected to the Astronomy Tower.

"HERMIONE!", Ron shouted.

Hermione looked over the balustrade to see Ron, Harry, and Neville below her in the courtyard. Oh thank God, she thought.

"Stay right there," Ron yelled. "We'll come up to you."

"There's three Ron," she shouted. "I don't know where they've gone to!"

Ron nodded and turned to Harry and Neville saying, "We don't see them but I'm sure they see us. Zabini's sister was making her way into the Gryffindor common room but I came down here instead of following her in. I'm sure they figured out the direction Hermione was taking. We need to get her down now."

"Well there's only one quick way to get her," said Harry.

Ron nodded, "Right. Accio brooms!"

Within seconds, three brooms came flying out of the doors and into the hands of the three young men. Ron jumped on his and kicked off, hovering above Ron and Neville. "I don't like the idea of all three of us being up in the air but maybe you two can do a quick recon to see if you can spot our 'friends' anywhere."

Harry and Neville nodded and kicked off as well so they were all level with one another. "We'll go wide, down to the Black Lake and back."

Ron nodded and turned, flying straight up to where Hermione was still standing on the balustrade. He jumped off the broom, letting it clatter to the stone floor as he took her in his arms and pulled her tight into a crushing hug.

"I'm so sorry," he said, his voice muffled by her hair. "It was a setup. I realized it when I got to the pub and when I got back to the cottage it was too late."

Hermione pulled away from him so she could see his face. She felt her heartstrings pull as she saw the look of misery and guilt in Ron's eyes. "There was nothing you could've done to prevent it," she replied. "You're here now and that is all that matters."

Ron smiled and pushed the curls off of her forehead. He took a deep breath and then pulled her down so they were hidden by the walls of the walkway. "I'm going to do everything in my power to keep you safe but I'm also going to need your help. I sent Harry and Neville to look for the Zabini's and Knox. I have a feeling they're probably doubling back to the castle right now." He paused for a moment and then reached down into a knapsack he had been wearing on his back. Hermione watched as he pulled out a large cloak and handed it to her.

"This is an Invisibility Cloak," he said. "I want you to put it on right now. We're going to go down the Astronomy Tower together and make our way back to the Great Hall."

"Shouldn't we just wait for Harry and Neville to come back?" asked Hermione.

Ron shook his head. "This has been about me since the beginning-targeting the Muggles then targeting you. It's a sick game of revenge that Blaise has played and we still have on more round to go. Whatever he is planning will take place where his mother was killed, I'm sure of it."

Hermione swallowed her fear and nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

Ron watched as she swept the cloak over herself and then stood. It fit perfectly—he couldn't even see her feet. He stood as well and glanced around quickly. If Blaise and Knox had come back, they weren't making their presence known.

Almost as if she had read his mind, Hermione asked, "Where do you think they went to? Why did they leave so suddenly?"

"They probably were surprised by lack of force we showed up with," replied Ron. "They might be checking the perimeter of the school to make sure that we are the only ones here from the Ministry."

They crossed to the Astronomy Tower quickly and descended the floors until they found themselves back in the Great Hall. It was eerily quiet. Ron felt a moment of panic—he still had no idea where Harry and Neville had gone to. He was hoping that they were able to send word to the Ministry and that reinforcements were on the way.

"What should I do?" asked Hermione but before Ron could answer, both Blaise and his sister returned through the massive doors into the Great Hall.

"Did you lose her Weasley?" drawled Blaise. "Did you send her back to the Ministry or is she hiding here somewhere?"

"It's over Zabini," replied Ron. "Others from the Ministry are on their way."

Zabini seemed to mull what Ron said over. "You may be telling the truth he said, or you may be lying." He paused for a moment. "I think you're lying."

"What's your end game here Blaise?" asked Ron, trying to change tactics. He was sure that by now Harry and Neville had gotten word back to the Ministry. He just needed to buy himself a little more time. "If you decide to come in quietly I'm sure a deal could be made."

Blaise chuckled. "Not likely Weasley but I admire your attempt. No, I think I'd rather go out with a bang."

"And your sister?" asked Ron. "What about her Zabini? She's young, her whole life still before her. Isn't it unfair to drag her into your sick and twisted plan?"

Zabini stalked over to where Ron was standing, his wand drawn, pointing it in Ron's face. "What's unfair Weasley is the life you took six years ago. My beloved mother would still be here today if it hadn't been for you!"

Ron shook his head and laughed. "Your 'beloved mother' would be here today if she hadn't thrown her lot in with Voldemort and the other Death Eaters. Her blood isn't on my hands—its on theirs."

Hermione, who had been trying her best to remain absolutely still despite the fact that she was totally invisible, wiped away tears that had fallen from her eyes. She knew that it had taken a lot for Ron to admit that he wasn't responsible for the woman's death. Hermione took a deep breath and circled around to where Knox and Alexandra were standing with their wands trained on Ron.

"Shut up Weasley," snarled Blaise. "My mother was a pureblood through and through not a blood traitor like you. I wish I could've been there to see the look on your face when you saw all of those dead Mudbloods. It really bothered you, didn't it?"

"It bothers me anytime someone is innocently killed," replied Ron. "Magical or Muggle, pureblood, half-blood. It doesn't matter. What matters is bringing the killers to justice which is what I'm going to do now."

Blaise gave a maniacal laugh. "Is that what you think is going to happen?"

Ron raised his wand and leveled it at Blaise, his eyes glittering and said, "That's what I know is going to happen."

Blaise had the good grace to blanche slightly but then regained some of his bravado. "Tough talk from an Auror who is outnumbered."

Ron smirked and said, "Not anymore."

Blaise turned to see Hermione standing over Knox and Alexandra, who were both bound on the floor. His mouth dropped open and he began to sputter unintelligibly. Hermione moved past the two on the floor, her wand pointed at Blaise as well.

"It's never good to underestimate your enemy," she said, "but even worse to underestimate his girlfriend."

Before Blaise could respond, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Harry and Neville came through with Ron's team behind them.

"Damn," said Neville, "I thought I'd get to see some more action."

Harry laughed and nodded approvingly at Ron, "Well done! I assume you had part in this Hermione!"

"She was under the Invisibility Cloak and had the other two Disarmed and bound before Blaise even knew what was going on," replied Ron, puffing up with pride.

Hermione blushed. "Ron makes my skill level seem a lot higher then what it is," she said. "He did all of the work by distracting Blaise."

"Well, you two make quite a team that's for sure," replied Harry. "Ron, there's a triage unit set up in the infirmary. Why don't you take Hermione there to be checked out, eh?"

Ron nodded as he gathered Hermione close to him. "Good idea." He gave her a squeeze as they started to make their way out of the Great Hall.

As they walked by Blaise and Alexandra, Ron paused and looked down at where they were on the floor. "Take some time to think Blaise," said Ron. "Showing some true remorse might go a long way when you appear before the Wizengamot."

Blaise huffed and looked at Ron with scorn. "I feel no remorse Weasley. Just regret. Regret that my plans were not carried out."

Ron squatted down so he was eye-level with him and said quietly, "Then think about your sister Blaise. She has her whole life in front of her and right now that life means nothing if she is going to spend it locked up because of your plan for vengeance."

Blaise looked at him coldly and said, "Whoever said that it was my plan Weasley?"

Hermione gasped and Ron teetered back on his heels as if he had been slapped. He looked over at Alexandra and for the first time since Harry defeated Voldemort he saw what pure evil looked like—a beautiful young girl staring haughtily down her nose at him.

"C'mon Hermione," Ron said as he stood grasping her hand, "there's nothing more we can do for these two."

They walked out of the Great Hall and continued down the corridor to Madame Pomfrey's.

Hermione leaned into Ron as they walked and he moved his arm around her shoulders taking comfort in her presence. She sighed softly and he felt her head touch his shoulder.

"What?" he asked as he dropped a kiss on her curls.

"It's just so sad to see a young life wasted like that," said Hermione. She looked up at him and smiled. "I'm so very proud of you Ron. What you said to Blaise back there, acknowledging what happened wasn't your fault—it was so brave."

Ron felt himself blush at the admiration he saw in her eyes. "I can't take credit for all of it. I'm not sure if I would've been able to without you." He stopped walking and turned her so he could look her in the eye. "Being with you has made me a better man Hermione. Our relationship has made me acknowledge things that I might never have. You've made me whole again."

Hermione felt tears spring to her eyes as she stood before him. Before she could reply, he continued. "I know this relationship has meant a lot to you too. Even being here in these circumstances I can see the awe in your eyes as we walk through this place. I know what you're thinking: what would your life would've had been like if you had been permitted to live it like you were supposed to. You're just as guilty as living in the past as I've been. You need to let it go Hermione. Forget what could've been and just appreciate what is now."

The tears were now flowing freely down Hermione's cheeks as she stepped into Ron's arms and buried her face against his chest. She knew he was right. If she was going to move forward she would need to let go of the past, let go of the disappointment she had felt and truly forgive her parents.

Hermione stepped back from Ron so she could look up at him, a watery smile on her face. "Are you sure you weren't first in your class here? You're awfully smart!"

Ron chuckled, "I think its just you rubbing off on me really."

Hermione laughed as well and then reached up to caress his cheek. "I love you Ron."

He leant down and kissed her lightly before replying, "I love you too. Now let's go see Madame Pomfrey so we can get back to my flat. I don't think you fully comprehend how much I love you and I really feel the need to show you!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and jabbed her elbow into his side. "So typically male sometimes its frightening!"

Instead of responding, Ron drew her in close as they made their way down the corridor again. As they walked on, each step he took was lighter and lighter as the ghosts of years past dropped from his shoulders. With every step he took he was a step closer to a future, a future that he knew would include the beautiful girl by his side.