Disclaimer: Well here it is. The last chapter. I was going to post it on the same date I started it... But ff.net wouldn't let me log in yesterday. Well here you go. The last chapter. Please please please review!

Chapter 17

"Lying beside you, here in the dark, feeling your heartbeat in mine.

Softy you whisper, you're so sincere. How could our love be so blind?

We sailed on together, we drifted apart. And here you are by my side.

So, now I come to you with open arms, nothing to hide, believe what I say.

So, here I am with open arms, hoping you'll see what your love means to me;

Open arms."

            Open Arms by Journey

Ron pulled on a light blue jumper and looked at himself in the mirror. He felt almost like he could fit in with the crowd. His clothes were no longer tattered or too small. No longer could the average person tell he was poor. Of course a nagging in the back of his mind reminded him that it was Hermione who bought the khakis and pullover for him.

The expression on his face must have been a frown because the mirror spoke up, "You look charming, dear. I'm sure your girlfriend will be pleased."

Ron sighed then nodded, "Thank you… Speaking of Hermione, did you see her today?"

"Yes, she did her hair so nicely then went out the door. Said something about robes."

"Okay, thank you."

Ron picked up his robes not bothering to fasten the buttons, "Come now, you looked so nice, don't be sloppy!" The mirror admonished.

Ron smirked, "I have to keep some things the same."

He turned and exited the room closing the door behind him and galloping down the stairs. The smell of bacon reached his nose when he arrived at the ground floor, he breathed in the scent before he willed himself out the door into the busy street. It was eight o'clock and they had to be at the train at eleven. Meaning they would have to leave at ten.

The best place to get robes is Madam Malkin's, Ron thought to himself, "Why does she need new robes anyway?" He wondered out loud, as he entered the shop. Racks of robes lined the store in order of color, fabric and occasion. A small desk sat near the back next to several footstools where the customers were fitted.

On one of the stools stood a girl with brown hair and a bright smile, "Hullo, Ron!" Hermione said, not moving as a witch pinned the bottom of dust-blue colored robes, "I wanted an everyday cloak to wear," she explained, "So I don't have to wear my Hogwarts ones when I'm in the wizarding world. What do you think?"

Ron smiled, "It's a nice color."

Hermione smiled, "It was between this and plumb. But Madam Malkin convinced me that blue is a color that's always in season. Much like the robes you're wearing now. Navy never goes out of style I presume. How did you find me?"

"The mirror," Ron said simply, sitting down on a stool next to her.

"That mirror," Hermione huffed exasperatedly, "wouldn't let me leave the room until I did something with my hair. Insisted on me wearing make up and tying back my hair. I said it wouldn't make a difference because it would fall out of the ponytail. I don't like these wisps, I keep brushing them out of my eyes. Anyway I was finally able to go when I did as was requested. I'm sure my hair looks dreadful and I'll just take it down when I get on the train-"

"Take a breath, child," the witch who was pinning Hermione's robes said, "You're finished, pay at the counter."

Hermione hopped down and smiled at Ron again, "So?" She asked twirling around.

"I like it," he said, wishing he could take her in his arms and kiss her. She looked beautiful in blue.

Hermione placed the money on the counter and turned to Ron, "Aren't you excited about school starting? I am. I can't wait to see who they've gotten to be the Defense Again Dark Arts teacher this year. The books they made us buy are very interesting. I started reading them last night and could hardly put them down."

"I remember," Ron said as he ushered her out of the shop, "It was late and you still had that bloody lamp on."

"Then when I turned it off you fell asleep. Then I turned it on again and finished two of them."

"Hermione! There are only three books! How late were you up?"

"Three or four o'clock I think. Woke up again at six thirty. I needed to get out of the room and have breakfast so I could get my robes. I didn't want there to be a line."

"You're mad," Ron said shaking his head, "You'll sleep well tonight."

"I hope to. I want to be rested up so I'm ready to start classes," Hermione said putting her hand near Ron's so they touched as they were walking.

"How are we going to get to Kings Cross today?" Ron asked.

"I can call for a taxi," Hermione suggested.

"Alright. That sounds great."

The two walked in silence down the busy street. The shops were bustling with last minute school shopping and the restaurants and pubs were full with breakfast crowds and early morning drinkers eager to talk about Quidditch. Hermione leaned against Ron, wrapping her arms around his waist, "I like your robes, they're soft."

Ron smiled, "It's because they're worn," he said rubbing her shoulders.

"I like them, they smell like you."

Ron's eyebrows shot up startled that she would say something like that, "That's a good thing?" He asked looking down at her.

She looked up, her cheeks slightly pink, "They smell like the shampoo you use and your cologne. I like the mixture."

"It's nothing great," he admitted, "Just the cheap stuff."

"Doesn't matter the price of it, it's you."

Ron couldn't hold back any longer, he pulled out of her embrace and kissed her quickly on her lips. Hermione fluttered her eyelashes in surprise.

"I'm sorry," Ron apologized, "I know I'm not allowed to do that in public but you look beautiful and you're just so damn brilliant… I'm sorry."

Hermione looked dumbfounded, "I… Ron it's o-"

"Can't believe you just did that Weasley," a voice sneered, "It's wizards like you that tarnish our good name. Can't believe you're a pure blood. Snogging an ugly mudblood in a public area where everyone can see. It's disgusting."

Ron narrowed his eyes and gazed at a figure leaning against a lamppost. Malfoy sniggered, "What is it? Cat got your tongue?" Ron grabbed Hermione's hand fiercely and marched past his Malfoy back to The Leaky Cauldron.

Hermione looked at him seriously when they reached their room, Ron was still fuming, but he had released Hermione's hand from his death grip, "I'm proud of you."

Ron frowned, "Why? Because I ran away from a fight? Or because I let him get away with insulting you?"

"Because you didn't show him that he bothers you," she stated as she took off her cloak revealing a cream-colored turtleneck. She lied down across the bed on her stomach, reaching for something in her trunk. Ron heard a faint squeak and Hermione flipped over and pulled her robes back on.

"He doesn't bother you?" Ron asked, sitting next to her.

"No, he's just an idiot," Hermione said, laying her head on her pillow and playing with a loose thread on the comforter, "I don't care what names he calls me because I know I'll always be attractive in your eyes."

Ron smiled as he noticed a blush creep across her cheeks. Then he bit his lip, "I'm sorry, if I hadn't kissed you he wouldn't have-"

"Shush… he'd say it anyway. And about that. Don't be sorry. Sometimes there are right times to do that. And that time was okay because it was only a peck. When I made that rule I didn't mean quick kisses like that. But not all the time," she warned quickly, "On occasion."

"What about now?"

Hermione frowned, "We're not in public now. It doesn't matter when we're alone. I'm talking-oh!"

Ron laughed, "For someone so smart you can be awfully thick," he said propping himself on his elbow next to her, looking at her closely.

Hermione blushed, "Don't do that…"

"Do what?"

"Stare like that. It's making me self conscious."

"Don't be, you have nothing to be self conscious about."

Her cheeks turned a deeper red, "Yes, I do…"

Ron reached out to Hermione's cheek and brushed away a stray lock of hair from her face. He lied down and pulled her body close to his, Hermione buried her face in his shoulder and sighed softly.

Her hair smelled wonderful, like sunflowers… and something else he recognized, "What is that?" Ron mumbled into Hermione's neck, kissing it softly.

Hermione shivered, "What?"

"That perfume you're wearing… I like it… It's familiar." He pulled away and looked at her, "Is that the one from the department store? Midnight-"

"- in the Lagoon," Hermione finished with him, "Yes."

"When did you get that?"

"That day we were out. I bought it when you were side-tracked… you said you liked it."

"I do."

She smiled and kissed him quickly on his nose, "I'm glad."

Ron knew he must have had a dopey look on his face but he was beyond caring. He was watching Hermione, her cheeks had flushed when she kissed him and she looked stunning. He put his arm around her back and leaned down capturing her mouth with his.

A loud slam of the door opening violently broke the two apart. Their heads snapped up to see Harry and Ginny looking furious.

"I don't see why he goes out of his way to act like a-"

Ginny tapped Harry on his shoulder and gestured to Ron and Hermione. Harry stopped talking and frowned, "Ron, I think the rule is that you're supposed to put something on the door when you do this kind of thing."

Ron sat up, "Sod off, Harry."

Ginny giggled at something behind Ron's back, Ron turned to see Hermione doing a pantomime of buttoning up her shirt. She blushed as his jaw dropped, "I can't believe you just-what-"

"I think you're a bad influence, Weasley," Harry said sitting down at a small table in the room and sighing.

"What's going on, Harry?" Hermione wondered, quickly wiping a trace of lipstick off Ron's mouth.

Ron grimaced, "Geroff, 'Mione, you're acting like my Mum."

Harry rolled his eyes and answered, "Malfoy."

Ginny sat down on Harry's lap and brushed some stray hairs out of his eyes, "He's being his usual self," she said.

"'Settling for a low class girlfriend, Potter?'" Harry quoted, "I'd like to say a thing or two to him about Pansy. Look at her. 'High class' but revolting."

Hermione nestled into her pillow, looking thoughtful, "I don't see why boys insult each others girlfriends, why not insult each other."

"Because nothing bothers us more than hearing someone say something about someone we love whether it's family members or significant others," Harry said.

Ron nodded, "Well put, mate."

Ginny smiled at Hermione, "I like your robes."

"Thank you, I just bought them. I remembered yours and I thought I would get some as well," Hermione gestured to Ginny's pinkish-purple robes.

"These are old," Ginny said.

"But it's a nice color on you. I'd rather have older things, that way they're already comfortable."

Ginny nodded, "That's true. I made Harry buy these green ones yesterday. They match his eyes."

Ron groaned and fell back onto the bed, "I think I might have to throw up. Harry, you let her tell you what to wear?"

Harry raised an eyebrow at his friend, "I know you didn't just say that. I heard from Seamus and about your little shopping spree. Tell me, with a straight face, Hermione didn't pick that outfit for you."

Ron felt his ears redden, "It's different. She didn't tell me what color to buy."

Harry didn't look convinced, "Okay, whatever you say."

Hermione laughed, "I kind of did, Ron. Remember? You tricked me into telling you what color would look good on you."

"But you didn't make me."

"I didn't have to. You would have done anything I said cause you wanted me."

Ron frowned and sat up, "Excuse me? You think you have control over me?"

"I don't think, I know."

Ron opened his mouth to retaliate but found he had nothing to say, "Okay, Harry," he said giving in, "I guess you're right."

"Nothing new to me," Harry said, shifting his legs so Ginny would be more comfortable, "How are we getting to Kings Cross."

"Hermione said she'd call a cab," Ron looked down at Hermione and smiled, her eyes were drooping, "Hermione, why don't you take a nap, love? So you're refreshed for school."

Hermione shook her head, "No then I won't sleep well tonight."

"So then we have an hour or two to do nothing," Harry grumbled.

Ginny shook her head, "We can go for a walk. Maybe we can go to Quality Quidditch Supplies and have a look around."

Harry perked up, "Okay, just don't let me buy anything."

"Easy. Let's go."

Hermione gave a small wave as they left, "Ron, don't you dare let me fall asleep."

Ron rested his back against the headboard of the bed and trailed his finger down her face to her arm, "I don't think you're going to last the whole day. Just take a quick nap. I won't bother you."

"You think I'll be able to sleep tonight?"

"Knowing you? Probably not, just because you're at school."

She slapped him lightly, Ron caught her hand and smiled, "If you fall asleep on the train it's worse because it's later in the day, it's best to get your rest in the morning rather than the afternoon."

"Alright, alright… just make sure I only sleep for an hour."

"Deal."

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"We're going to miss the train!" Hermione squealed, running through Kings Cross with Ron, Harry, and Ginny in tow, "Hurry up!"

Ron groaned, "We have ten minutes, it'll be fine."

Hermione turned on him, "You didn't wake me up!"

"I fell asleep! I'm sorry!"

"You were supposed to stay awake!"

Ron looked at Harry, "And where were you?" He demanded.

Harry held up his hands in innocence then quickly placed them back on his cart, "Don't dump this on me. I was sidetracked in Quality Quidditch Supplies. Lost track of time. I'm not your babysitter."

"Would you three stop? You all messed up, let it go."

Three sets of eyes turned to Ginny. Ron raised his eyebrows, "We messed up?"

"Hey, the only thing I was told to do was make sure Harry didn't buy anything. I did my job, be angry with yourselves. I did everything right."

"There it is!" Hermione broke the argument, "Platform Nine and Three-Quarters! Let's go!"

"I know I should be used to this by now…" Ron said rolling his eyes, "But I still can't believe you want to go to school."

"She's not the only one," Harry piped in.

"With you it's different, Harry, you want to get away from the Dursleys. Hermione wants to take tests. It's logic verses lunacy."

 "Well this lunitic happens to very angry with you right now so you better shut up," Hermione grumbled as she disappeared through the barrier.

Ron gulped, "She's mad."

"What gave you the first clue, Sherlock?" Harry rolled his eyes and turned to Ginny, "Let's go."

Ginny and Harry quickly ran to the platform with Ron at their heals. Hermione had just finished loading her trunk before she boarded the train herself. Ron sighed and followed her into her compartment, "Are you still mad at me?"

Hermione sighed and sat down, "I was never really mad I was just in a hurry. I didn't want to miss the train."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Being a prefect and all."

Hermione frowned, "No. Being myself. My duties as a prefect don't begin until I'm on Hogwarts grounds."

Ron raised his eyebrows in surprise. He couldn't help but be impressed at how she was holding herself. He sat down next to Hermione, near the window, she leaned against him. He jumped, startled, "Don't you want to read that book you didn't finish last night?"

Hermione shook her head and closed her eyes, "I'm too tired."

"Whoa! Wait a minute, did I hear you correctly? You don't want to read a book for school? I must be in an alternate universe."

Hermione punched him playfully, "Shut up you git."

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Ron tied the knot on his tie and sighed, "I really am glad we're going back, but I really hate this damn tie…"

Hermione cleared her throat, "Don't swear."

He brushed himself off and took Hermione's hand, leading her off the train. She picked a piece of lint off her cloak and looked at the castle and smiled, "I wonder what's new this year."

Ron grunted, "I don't want to even know."

Hermione smiled, "I don't think I do either."

Out of the corner of his eye, Ron saw Professor McGonagal watching them. He pulled his hand away from Hermione's nervously. Hermione laughed and turned him to face her, "She doesn't care if we hold hands, Ron."

Ron shook his head, "It's just strange. She looks like she wants to turn me into a bug."

Hermione laughed and grabbed Ron by the tie of his Hogwarts uniform and pulled him down so his lips came in contact with hers.

Ron grinned goofily when Hermione released him and fixed his tie, "What was that for?"

"Well, Ron, I'm a prefect so I can't sneak around the grounds to snog. So that was the last kiss this year."

Ron's smile dropped, "Oh."

As they walked into Hogwarts Hermione leaned up and whispered, "That was just because McGonagal was listening... I don't think she cares if we hold hands but I think snogging on Hogwarts grounds would upset her. There will be plenty of time for us this year. I do have a few privileges that we may be able to use."

"Hermione," Ron said, impressed, "I never thought you had it in you."

"Not all the time, Ron. We still have to watch out for Harry."

Ron laughed, "I love you."

Hermione smiled at him, "It'll be a good year, right?"

Ron sighed, no... the year would probably be horrid but as long as Hermione was with him he'd be fine, "Of course. It'll be great."

Hermione took his hand and they walked to the castle for their sixth year at their beloved school.

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This chapter really didn't turn out the way I wanted it to but if I kept it going the way I planned it I would probably never finish. So the ending is weak and I apologize. I hope you all review anyway and I really hope you liked my fic. Thank you all who reviewed! You know who you are. You really made me want to write more. See you all later.

~*~Lenny~*~

PS- PLEASE REVIEW THIS CHAPTER! PLEEEEEEEAAAASE?