Disclaimer: Everything but the fluffy, sweet plot belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Author's Notes: Sorry it took me so long to get the last chapter up. I had major writer's block, and I just couldn't get myself to work on IWLE. But I managed to and it was quite fun. And as you might have guessed, this is the last chapter of this story! So enjoy this chapter and please R/R. No flames!!
Ginny couldn't stop the flow of words that poured out of her mouth as soon as she and Harry had stopped walking. They just spilled out.
"I like you a lot, Harry. And it's not a little crush either, it is real." She paused but not long enough for Harry to speak. "I think I am in love with you."
Harry, looking taken aback, stuttered, "Er…uh…I."
Ginny, certain that Harry was speechless with repulsion, felt a lump rise in her throat and tears sting her eyes. She shouldn't have told him.
"I'm sorry. I-I shouldn't have told you," Sniffled Ginny. "I should go now. Just forget what I said."
Ginny turned away quickly and was going to run back to Hogwarts when Harry reached out for her arm.
"I'm glad you told me…er….how you feel."
To anyone else that might sound unromantic, even awkward, but to Ginny that was the most wonderful thing she'd ever heard.
"You are?" She asked incredulously.
Harry nodded slowly. "I guess I like you too."
This was too much for Ginny. She was shocked, could she have heard right? Did Harry really just say he liked her?
"Oh, wow." Breathed Ginny.
Harry smiled self-consciously at her. "I guess I've liked you for a long time."
Ginny started to relax a bit. She laughed, "I have been pining over you for years and we could have been together all this time."
Harry laughed too. "Yeah, I guess so."
Ginny couldn't believe how relaxed she was. Normally she was tongue-tied and clumsy around Harry, never treating him like a normal person but like a god. Now that they were having an ordinary conversation, Ginny found she liked Harry even more.
"Do you want to go inside and play chess or something?" Harry asked.
Ginny smiled softly and nodded. "I guess.
Harry slipped his hand into Ginny's and they started back to the castle.
They walked back in silence, both lost in their own thoughts, until they reached the doors leading into Hogwarts.
A light, fluffy snow had begun to fall and their breath came out in little puffs of air. It was freezing out but Ginny felt warm and cozy.
Harry, still holding Ginny's hand, turned to her. "Ginny, I think I love you too." He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. Ginny's heart soared.
"Should we go inside?" Harry asked.
"Let's, " Agreed Ginny.
Then the two walked into Hogwarts, hand in hand.
* * *
The end!! I know that was fluffy but I also thought it was lovely. What did you guys think? Please review and tell me. I also want to give a few quick thanks. Because this story wouldn't have ever been completed if it weren't for:
Hannah- She wouldn't leave me alone until IWLE was finished and on ff.net.
She was also there to help me through out the story.
The word 'guess'- If you hadn't noticed, this chapter just wouldn't have been the same without it.
Thesaurus- Honestly, it was a life saver!!! This story wouldn't have such a great vocabulary without it!
