Hello? Anyone still out there? I'm back!

So. The break was nice, but I missed writing. I over did it on one essay, and made my teacher mad in a happy way. (She never had one student write eight pages on a two page story. But I made a 100 so that was alright.) So here you go!

This chapter turned randomly gooey halfway through the beginning. Sorry 'bout that. You'll see... I finally address the horcrux issue. And I used a suggestion from a lovely reviewer, Christian Cadet. This one is for you. :) I give you this chapter, and the event that happens in it.

Poll went to... Sad. It doesn't really apply, but I just wanted to see if my writing was getting to predictable.

Enjoy, then review, go to my profile, vote, then read my new story, The Language of Flowers.

Harry started visibly, then nodded. "You're right. We should have done this earlier."

Hermione was relieved to see that he was taking it so well, and smiled gently. "We probably should have. But we didn't, and that is what we need to talk about."

Harry gave a vague gesture with his hand. "Go ahead. You say your piece, I'll say mine."

Hermione took his hand in her own, and started. "So far, we know that the ring, the cup, and the diary are done. We definitely know that the snake and -well- you are not done yet. The locket and the diadem are uncertain. It may already be done, and is just not at the lake. We don't know whose death made that one."

"Wait," Harry said, a small frown on his face. "The diadem is already made. It is here at Hogwarts, remember? Tom dropped it off after trying to get the teaching position."

Hermione smiled brightly, a smile that slowly turned bitter. "So it is right here in this very room."

Harry nodded solemnly. "It is."

Hermione ran a hand through her curls, grimacing when it snagged in the mass of ringlets. "So that is one we don't have to leave to take care of. The diary is with Malfoy, and the cup is with Bellatrix." Hermione could not stop a slight shudder at the fear that ran through her just saying her tormenter's name.

Harry noticed, and his frown turned more pronounced. "I will kill the animal for what she did to you," he proclaimed, drawing his arm around her to pull her closer. "I can't lose you again. Never."

Hermione patted him on the back, murmuring soothing nonsense. Ever since he read her journal, he had been clingy, getting as close to her as possible.

"Are you okay, Harry?" she asked, still rubbing his back. She felt him nod into her shirt, kissing his nose when he raised his face from the fabric.

"Yeah. I'm more than okay. Hermione, you gave me your soul with that journal. I know- I know so much more know. You made it that much easier for me to figure you out."

Hermione smiled sadly at him. "You know I never intended for you to read it."

Confused, Harry looked back at her. "But you gave it to me."

"Before that."

Still confused, Harry thought for a moment. "You wrote it as a letter for me."

Hermione nodded, "Excellent observation, Potter."

Realization hit him. "You wrote to me for months, baring your soul because you thought I would never read it." The real implications of this bowled Harry over. "You love me. You've loved me."

"And I will love you. Forever." This quiet declaration of faith moved Harry, almost to tears.

"And I you. You are my past, my present, and my future Hermione." Harry sent a searching hand into his robes, grasping the small box that had lived their for an inordinate amount of time. He slid off the couch, keeping Hermione's hand in his. "I will love you forever and a day, until the earth stands still, and I will love you even after that. I know I am a danger magnet, and will probably be a press magnet when we get home. You've been with me since the troll, since we encountered Fluffy the first time and the last. You were the one who saved me more time than I can count. You have always helped me, and never betrayed me. Even now, you rarely put your own happiness before my own. Every time I picture my future, you are in it. I love you, Hermione Jane Granger. Will you do my the honor of becoming Hermione Jane Potter?"

He popped open the box, allowing Hermione to see the ring in the box. She gasped, emotion coursing through her body.

Hermione could not speak for a moment, then came to her senses suddenly. "Yes. I would like nothing better than to become Hermione Potter."

Harry slid the beautiful ring on to her finger, rising when she did. Instead of admiring her ring like he had half expected her to, she pulled his head down and kissed him. Or rather, snogged him senseless.

"I love you, Harry. I love you so much," said Hermione, between kisses.

It was at least a half hour before they calmed down, and began talking about the Horcruxes again, with Hermione stating the plan they would be using.

"So I thought we could head after the ring first, then go for the cup. However, it might be easier to find the diadem first. What do you think?"

Harry pecked his fiancee on the lips quickly, smiling when he thought about the witch who would soon be his wife. "I think we should do the diadem first. The cup and the diary will be bloody hard, too." Then a though struck him. "Blood hell! There is a seventy foot basilisk under the girl's bathroom!"

Hermione blanched a bit at that thought. "What should we do?"

A nervous hand made its way though Harry's unmanageable locks. "I don't fancy going up against it again. Do you think it is awake?"

Hermione thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No. I remember doing research on basilisks in second year. They go through cycles of wakefulness, every fifty or so years. They have a growth spurt, and require nourishment. I suspect before Tom Riddle opened the Chamber of Secrets, the basilisk fed on rats and other critters."

Harry also looked thoughtful. "So it is definitely sleeping right now?" he questioned Hermione.

"I'm 98% sure. Are you thinking of putting it down?" she asked.

Harry nodded. "It would be the humane thing to do, considering the amount of people it could hurt, or kill. Think the Sorting Hat will give the sword again?"

Hermione nodded. "It gave it to you once. It must look into your soul and see that you are pure of heart and will use the sword to kill a menace to the school. I'm confident that it will give you the sword."

"Well, that is one obstacle taken care of. Do you have a sneaking suspicion that we will need to get close to Bellatrix soon?" Harry grimaced at the thought.

Hermione started to nod, then stopped. "She is a Black right now."

"And?" Harry could see the little cogs and wheels of Hermione's magnificent brain working, and started to feel a little worried. "Hermione?"

"Harry, do you remember when Walburga and Cyrus died? Padfoot's mum and dad?"

Harry thought for a moment, mentally going back to the Black Family Tapestry. "Some time soon, I think. Around Easter. They make Reggie the Head of the Family, but Sirius' Uncle Alfie protested. Sirius got to be the Head, because of some obscure old law. Sirius was not fully disowned when he ran off to James and his family, as his mother thought they could make him 'see the light' or some bullshit like that."

Hermione clapped for joy, throwing her arms around Harry. "After Sirius or Reggie are the Head of the Black Family, if Bellatrix dies, then everything in her vault in Gringotts is left to her Head of Household. Or Sirius could disinherit her, and claim what remains in her vaults as possessions of a Black."

Harry grinned. "So I can kill the crazy bitch?" He desperatly wanted his revenge on the woman who had caused Hermione's screams.

"Yes. You can kill the crazy bitch." The two kissed again, then separated.

"And the diary?" Hermione thought for a moment.

"Sirius can allow her marriage to Malfoy. Then if Lucius Malfoy dies, his vaults are left to his widow. Then Sirius can disinherit her, or if she dies then the vaults become his. Hopefully the diary would be in them. Either way, the house would become Narcissa's property, and Sirius could command her to let him search the house." Hermione was not sure her solution was watertight, but it would suffice for now.

"That's good." The couple bounced around ideas for a few more minutes, before Hermione's curiosity became too much for her again.

"Did you have something you wanted to ask me, Harry?" she asked bluntly.

Harry nodded, a strange light entering his eyes. "Yeah. You saw that the Elder Wand healed my old wand. Do you think it would be able to help you?"

"I hadn't thought of that." It was true. Hermione had not been really concerned for her own health, as she knew she could not get horribly worse before returning to her dimension. But maybe the fabled power of the Deathstick would allow her to go for longer without the dreaded side effects.

"Can we try now?" Harry asked. He felt full of hope, hope that the wand of men who had made his life miserable might be able to make his life brighter.

Hermione considered the notion, the shook her head "No. You will most likely need be at peak magical power, so during the half moon would be best. That is less than a week from now, I think."

"Oh. Okay." True, Harry was a bit disappointed that he could not do anything right then and there. But Hermione would allow him to try.

"Last question," Harry asked. "Do we have to do anything special to go back to our own dimension?"

Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "Nope. We just have to stand exactly where we landed. Then we get sucked back to a Voldemort free world."

"Good. I can't wait." He stood, reaching out a hand to pull her up with him. They kissed again, then got back under the Invisablilty Cloak to go back to their Common Room.

As Harry readied himself for bed in the bathroom, Hermione collapsed on the large bed, overwhelmed with emotion. She lifted her finger to stare at her engagement ring.

Her engagement ring. She was awed by the beautiful piece of workmanship, and new enough runes to be surprised by the amount of power and skill went into the ones on her ring. The diamond was large and flawless, while still being modest and not tawdry, or overly gaudy. The emeralds around the diamond were a shade that almost exactly matched Harry's eyes, and were her favorite shade of green. The band was gold, and finely wrought.

Even so soon, she was loath to take the ring off. However, curiousity won again, as Hermione really wanted to take a closer look at those runes.

Love, happiness, forgiveness, wait- Hermione tilted the ring just right, and she could see tiny words inscribed on the inside of the band.

"I will love you all the days of my life," Hermione read aloud. "Oh, Harry," she whispered.

"Yes, my lovely wife-to-be?" A large arm snaked around her waist and pulled her closer to his wonderfully muscled body. Hermione shivered, and arched her neck, giving her fiancee access to her neck.

"I love you." He chuckled from behind her.

"I love you, too. Do you like the ring?"

Hermione started to nod, but instead turned herself around so that she was facing him. "I liked it very much, Mr. Potter."

"And I like you very much, Miss Granger." He kissed her full on the lips this time, making her head spin.

"Wait- Harry- Please-" She said in between kisses. "I think we need to talk about this."

Harry stopped immediately. "Yes? Was I going to fast?"

Hermione just wrapped her arms around him. "Not really. But we do need to talk about it."

They sat down on the bed, and Hermione reflected on how lucky she was to have this loving and intelligent man in her life. The handsome face and muscles were just a plus, she decided. She had still liked him back when he was a scrawny eleven year old, after all.

"Do you want to wait?" Harry asked. It would not bother him. He had waited this long to just see her face again, so he could wait until they were married.

Hermione thought for a moment, then nodded. "I was raised Catholic. I realize waiting for marriage is not exactly popular, and-"

Harry interrupted, lying down on the bed and pulling her to him. "If that is what you want, then it is fine with me."

Hermione smiled. "You didn't let me finish, Harry."

He blushed a bit, then smiled back. "Go ahead then."

"And that is not really practical in these times. For example, if it was the night before the Final Battle, I would have no regrets about shagging you, engaged, married or not, as long as I knew you cared for me. I just don't want it to be meaningless."

Harry was more than a little confused at this. "But I do care for you. I love you. You know that, right?"

Hermione nodded, bring her face so close to his that their noses touched. "I know. But if we can I would at least want to wait until we are married. But now that we are engaged, we can do- well, other things." The blush on her face at those words betrayed her true meaning, the one that Harry correctly interpreted and obeyed.

That night, there were no 'other things.' One, because of the wards Dumbledore had erected. And two, because neither of them were really ready yet. Just two teenagers in love, with the good sense to keep control over their emotions and hormones.

The next morning, no one was surprised when Harry and Hermione came out of their rooms holding hands. What did surprise them was the glittering ring on Hermione's finger.

Lily was the first one to notice. She has gotten up from her seat on James' lap, and walked over to give Hermione a hug. "Where were the two of you last night," she asked. "Remus and I were looking for you and-"

A high pitched squeal echoed through the Common Room. Those curious to the source of the noise saw to girls jumping up and down happily, laughing and almost crying. When people began to filter what was being said, they watched astounded.

Finally they calmed down, and Lily pulled Hermione over to their group of chairs.

"Harry proposed!" she announced, grabbing Hermione's left hand. "Don't you just love the ring!" As the word spread through the Common Room, two girls ran back to their dorms, holding back tears, while others sniffed and pretended they did not care.

All the seventh year girls and most of the sixth year's oohed and aahed over Hermione's hand, exclaiming over the size and clarity of the diamonds and emeralds. However, the high point in Hermione's morning was when Amanda Skeeter walked over, hands on hips to, "See what all the fuss was about."

Hermione just looked away, disinterestedly, while Lily smirked at the younger girl. "Isn't Hermione's ring just gorgeous? Didn't you hear? Harry proposed!"

Amanda's eyes widened. "He did not!" she screeched, outraged. "He is mine!"

The girls around Hermione gasped. Murmurs of "She's bloody crazy!" could be heard around the Common Room. Harry left his place with the Marauders and walked over to the scene, putting an arm around Hermione, who withdrew her hand.

"I am not, and will never be yours, or anyone elses. The only person I belong to is Hermione. Who is going to be my wife. I believe I have already told you this?" Harry, instead of looking amused as he had the last time he had taken the time to deliver the message to Amanda, looked annoyed. Annoyed, and bloodthirsty.

"But-but- we are perfect for each other! You and I would make the perfect Gryffindor couple!" She stamped her foot, arms in fists by her side. "We were meant to be!"

Hermione laughed. "Like I said before, you have nothing to offer in either looks or wit. Or power from what I've heard from some of the people I tutor. You have nothing that would make Harry even look at you twice if you didn't keep coming to annoy us like this."

Amanda was furious. "Like you do! I bet the only reason he's with you is so he can have you on your back with your feet in the air!" The growing crowd gasped.

Harry whipped out his wand, eyes cold and body rigid with anger. "We will duel! You will not insult the bride to be of a Potter!"

James appeared behind Harry, and at the ready. All the other Marauders were behind him as well. "He's right," James drawled. "Anyone who insults a member an Ancient and Noble House can either surrender his or her wand, or agree to a duel." Didn't this girl know anything about wizarding society?

Amanda was now a shade of orange much paler than the usual 'too many self tanning spells.' The sight of Harry holding out a wand, along with the famed Marauders, was enough to stop the girl's brain.

"Harry! You will stop now!" Hermione put her hands on his arm, pulling them down so that his wand was no long pointed at Amanda. "She is not worth it. She insulted me, because she is upset that you are no longer on the market. We can call Professor McGonagall and get her to take care of her."

"You're right, as always, Hermione." Harry sheathed his wand. "She isn't worth it."

The rest of the Marauders put their own wands away. Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione, at the same James did to Lily. "You will stay away from us. You might have to go to the Hospital Wing to get checked out by Madam Pomfrey. You don't seem quite right in the head." When Hermione tilted her face up to look at him, he shrugged. "Well, she does seem to have an unhealthy obsession with us, darling."

They walked away from the Common Room as the crowed dispersed, joking and laughing on their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Of course, Lily wanted every detail of the proposal.

"So? Tell me exactly what happened," she demanded. "I want to know everything."

Hermione smiled happily, leaning in toward Harry. "We were having a very serious discussion. Harry finally did what I told him to do and read the Christmas present I got him. Then he realized I loved him. He got down on one knee, and told me he would love me forever. I said yes, we snogged. Does that satisfy your curiosity?" Hermione raised one eyebrow, accepting the coffee from Harry, and pouring herself a cup.

Lily sighed. "Harry is so romantic. I want to know every word of his proposal!"

As the two girls laughed and chatted, the four boys gazed at Harry with eyes open wide in shock. "What the bloody hell?" asked Sirius. "You asked her to marry you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "I would think that would be pretty obvious by now, Padfoot."

"Harry!" Sirius threw his arms up in fustration. "Don't you understand what you've done?"

Harry let out a sigh. "No, Sirius, I don't. Explain?"

James took over for his friend. "Now all the girls are going to expect the rest of us to propose. I can sense the brainwaves from Lily right now," he explained in a lowered voice. "All the girls are making goo goo eyes at you, and all the guys are glaring. I mean, look at Jonathan Tery. He hates your guts right now."

Harry turned to look at the Hufflepuff table, and winced when he saw the expression on Tery's face. "Ouch. I think he's trying to bore holes in my back."

Sirius nodded. "You understand now?"

Lily pulled her head out of marriage madness long enough to glare at Sirius. "Language. And you have an unhealthy fear of commitment." Then it was back to the talk of rings and dresses.

"So, Hermione," she started. "What kind of dress do you want? And are you going to do the wedding here," she lowered her voice, "Or where you used to live?"

Hermione shrugged. "I would love to do a quick ceremony here. I know some people back home who will try and rip my eyes out for daring to touch, 'her Harry.' Plus there is the demented Weasley matriarch who thinks that I am meant for her lazy prat of a son and Harry for her obsessive fangirl of a daughter. She will hate us for denying her a big, happy, Weasley, family. And I would love to have you as my Maid of Honor, and Alice, Mary, and Dorcas as my Bridesmaids."

Lily squealed, and hugged Hermione. "Wait," she whispered franticly. "Shouldn't I be the Matron of Honor?"

Hermione laughed. "No way. You are my best girlfriend. Ever."

Lily squealed again, throwing her arms around Hermione. "So what kind of wedding do you want? A beach wedding might be hard in England, a church wedding might be a little hard with the witch aspect, and-"

"Probably a church wedding," Hermione interrupted. "I was baptized Catholic, and went to church every Sunday until I got my Hogwart's letter. I want a church wedding, or an outdoor wedding. Or both. One for Muggle, one for wizarding. Do you think we can do an garden wedding in this place, and a church wedding back home?"

Lily nodded. "That would be best. I doubt there are two many Muggles you know here."

Hermione started to nod, then frowned. "One sec, Lily." She turned so that her lips were under Harry's ear. She pulled him down, and whispered, "Harry? Do you want to have a large part in planning the wedding? Any preferences?"

Harry's forehead crinkled in thought. "I would like to do one here, and one back home. And I would like to have James as my Best Man. And I really hate the color orange."

Hermione giggled, and pretended to wipe sweat from her forehead. "I absolutely detest the color orange. Thank God!"

She turned back to Lily. "Okay. So we can plan the wedding all we want. Harry will ask James to be the Best Man, and no orange flowers."

Lily nodded. "Okay. So where is the garden you were thinking of? And what season?"

Hermione shrugged. "I really have no clue. It will have to be in spring for a garden wedding. But for the actual garden, I am picturing a gazebo and flowers. That is about it."

Lily snapped her fingers. "The Potter mansion. They would love for you to have the wedding there, and that way when you go back home you can live there."

Hermione agreed. "As long as James and his parents agree. Flowers, we can decide later."

"Good. The only other things are who is going to marry you, the cake, and the dress. The first two we can decide later. I want to know what kind of dress you want."

Hermione thought. "I want something with beading or lace. No big, poofy bows or flowers. Something traditional, but sleeveless. White. Elegant."

Remus looked over at the planning girls with a frown. "They do realize they don't have to plan everything now, right?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. But, well, they're scared. Hermione got sick and both have subconsciously realized how mortal they are."

Sirius looked at him wide eyed. "Wow, mate. That was deep."

Harry shrugged, replying, "I know the feeling."

Remus laughed, and checked his watch. "Well, this is all fine and good, but we're gonna be late soon."

The group rose, walking to their first class, which they thankfully had together. The girls continued to discuss the wedding while the boys bickered and joked. When class started, the all calmed down and started paying attention. They were going to have a practical in Charms today, so that meant they were going to listen while Professor Flitwick reviewed with them.

Suddenly, Harry remembered he had never looked at the scroll that Maggie Roberts had given him. However, he shrugged it off. It couldn't be that important, could it?

I feel almost guilty for leaving you with that. Tell me your thoughts.

So... Did I over do the proposal? I didn't think so, but tell me if you did. I'm trying to word the wedding vows, so if you want them gooey or straight forward tell me.

Leave all questions, comments, and praise. (My friends are jealous that I have 40 pages of people telling me that my writing is awesome) I cannot respond PM wise, because of my loving, over protective parents. However, if I think it is a valid question, I will try and answer it in the next chapter. :)

BIG QUESTION: I was listening to an amazing song by Corinne Bailey Rae, Paris Nights, New York Mornings. I got inspired, and wrote the first chapter of a long story about it. Basically, Hermione leaves in the middle of the night, and the Daily Prophet tracks her unintentionally glamourous lifestyle until she comes home, a reluctant celebrity. She is weary, and tired of running from her demons (Canon DH EWE). She spends some time with _-_ and they fall in love. I want your input on who _-_ would be. To get a better feel for the direction the story would go, listen to Paris Nights, New York Mornings. Right now, I am really debating between Harry, Draco, or Remus. I would like to know if you, my readers, would be interested in a story like this. Please tell me!

So review, VOTE, and go check out The Language of Flowers. Please. It is a Sirius and Hermione oneshot, with some H/Hr implied. I was feeling gloomy and...you know...