A/N- Thanks so much for all the positive feedback guys. I am getting SOOO excited about OoTP that my head's about to explode, so here's my last fanfic contribution before it comes out. Oh, and the lyrics at the end are from Crowded House's "Something So Strong." Enjoy!

Something So Strong

The Conclusion

**

"I'm not apologizing to you for anything! I haven't done anything wrong! Why are you acting like this?" Hermione cried.



"Because I'm in love with you!" Ron shouted back.



Hermione's eyes went wide with shock. It seemed suddenly that the Great Hall was very quiet. Everyone looked up at the pair of them with shock. Harry felt Ginny grab his hand tightly under the table in anticipation.



"W-What did you say?" Hermione finally spoke.



"I said I'm in love with you. I don't care if anybody knows. I'm sick of hiding this from everyone." Ron said, speaking so softly that everyone but Hermione had to strain to hear.



Everyone who was listening (which was quite a large percentage of the Hogwarts population) watched Hermione expectantly for a reaction. She took a deep breath, never looking away from Ron.



"I'm sorry for what I said, Ron. I hate fighting with you almost as much as I hate hiding the truth about us. I love you too, Ron Weasley, and I don't care who knows." She kissed him soundly then, to wild applause from most, hoots and hollers from Fred and George, and a grimace of disgust from Draco and most of the Slytherins.



When they broke apart, Ron and Hermione were grinning madly at each other. They sat back down at the table, looking at Harry somewhat nervously. Harry smiled at them reassuringly.



"You aren't angry?" Ron asked.



"I've known for ages. I've just been waiting for you two to get over yourselves and admit it." Harry laughed.



"So you don't mind?" Hermione smiled, lacing her fingers through Ron's.



"Of course I don't mind. Just keep the public displays of affection to a minimum, and I'll be fine." Harry smiled back.



"Deal." Ron shook his hand with his free hand.



"Congratulations on finally confessing. I've always said you two would be good together." Ginny commented from the other side of the table.



"You knew, Gin?" Ron looked surprised.



"MOST of us knew, Ron. You don't just go snogging in the common room and expect no witnesses." Fred rolled his eyes.



"Witnesses?" Hermione looked appalled.



Harry and Ginny sheepishly raised their hands.



"Why didn't you say something?" Ron's ears were turning red again.



"You two looked a little busy at the moment. Besides, who cares? Now practically the whole school's seen the two of you together. Including Snape and Malfoy." Ginny wrinkled her nose in disgust.



"Let them look." Ron shrugged, throwing his arm over Hermione's shoulders. She smiled, kissing his cheek.



"Awww." Parvati smiled, looking at Lavender somewhat triumphantly.



Harry couldn't help but smile as he returned to his dinner. Something just fit about his two best friends. He was happy for them. He looked over at the Teacher's Table, and smiled to see that Hagrid was wiping his eyes with a handkerchief. Snape looked as if he had just witnessed some horrible train accident, and was thoroughly disgusted. Dumbledore caught Harry's eye, and winked merrily. Harry smiled back, and he finished his dinner in a thoughtful silence, listening to the conversation around him.



"Mum is going to be so shocked. She always thought you and Harry would be the "sweetest couple." Ron said, laughing.



"And Ron would get mutinous every time she'd say so." Ginny giggled.



"Well, now you know why." Ron pointed out.



"Come on, Ron, I'm a girl. I KNEW why."



"No, you didn't." Ron argued.



"I so did!"



"You never mentioned it to me." Hermione sided with Ron.



"I knew you'd just deny it." Ginny shrugged.



"She's probably right." Hermione looked apologetically at her boyfriend, and shivered with happiness when she realized that now she could call him that.



Ron smiled at her happily.



"All that matters is that we figured it out in the end." He said.



"I guess with some things it's only a matter of time." Hermione said thoughtfully.



"Couldn't resist me for too long, could you?" Ron raised an eyebrow.



Hermione rolled her eyes, going back to her dinner but secretly smiling.



Harry watched them. Maybe things between his two best friends wouldn't change THAT much.

~*~

**Love can make you weep

It can make you run for cover

Roots that spread so deep

Bring life to frozen ground

Something so strong

Could carry us away

Something so strong

Could carry us today

Turning in my sleep

Love can leave you cold

The taste of jealousy

Is like a lust for gold

Something so strong

Could carry us away

Something so strong

Could carry us today**