Disclaimer: HARRY POTTER, characters, names, and related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros. Copyright 2001. (a.k.a. I don't own them so you can't sue me!!!)

A/N: Please read this… unlike my other stories, this one will be updated… (I'll update the others soon, I promise!)
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The Final Battle: Will Love Conquer All?
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Chapter 1
"Happy Christmas, Hermione!" Lavender said, gently shaking her awake.
"Wha-? Oh! Happy Christmas Lavender," Hermione said, looking at the pile of gifts on her bedside table. She opened the first one, from her parents. It was a journal with a lock. She got one every year. Then she opened one from Harry. It was a locket with a picture of the three of them, her, Ron, and Harry. She put it on, pleased. She then picked up a small velvet box and a card. She opened the card and read a letter in Ron's scrawl aloud to Lavender and Parvati.

"Dear Mione,
This is the hardest letter I've ever written. I love you. I told you that on your birthday. But what I didn't tell you was that I want to love you for the rest of our lives.

"Oh! Oh dear!"
"Read it Hermione, go on!"
"Alright.
"This ring is not an engagement ring. Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't want to marry you, at least not yet. I'm not ready. We're not ready. We're only 17. I promise you, that when the time is right, there will be another, more beautiful ring to put on your finger. This ring is a promise ring. It is a symbol of our love and a promise for our future. If you wear it on your left ring finger, I will be greatly honored. This letter may sound stupid, but I hope you'll understand what I'm trying to say.
Love,
Ron"
"Well, that was weird."
"It was beautiful," Hermione said, wiping away a tear.
"Well, let's see it! Open the box!"
Hermione slowly opened the box to reveal a gold ring, with six pieces braided together and emeralds at every interval of six (braids).
"It's beautiful! Oh dear! 'Mione, you know what this means, right?" Lavender said, as Hermione slipped the ring on.
"Of course Lavender," she said. "I'll go across to see the boys…" She walked out of the room.