Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot.

This is the last chapter. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! I really appreciate the time you put into reading this story. I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I know the beginning of the story was different. It just goes to show that things change through time. ( Thank you again! And I hope you guys check out my other stories.

Chapter 14

"Mione," Ron said.

Hermione turned to him and smiled. "It's been quite a while since you called me that."

Ron didn't respond to that. He looked ahead. "I never got around to telling you what needs to be said."

"Yeah. It seems that we never have to chance to. We always get interrupted," Hermione said softly.

"Well, I'd like to tell you now," Ron said, facing her. Hermione looked intently at him, her head tilted slightly. "I've never been really good at relationships," Ron began. "You've seen how all my relationships went. Most didn't really work out because I was afraid. Too afraid to risk anything. But now. I realized that that's not any good. Because not risking anything is the greatest risk of all. It would deprive me of things that I could do, but can't because I was afraid." He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't want to not risk anymore. I want to be truly happy."

"You can be truly happy if you want it that much," Hermione said.

"That's just it, Mione. I've never really wanted it that much to really risk everything," Ron said. "I'm willing to do that now. I'm willing to risk everything so that I can be happy."

"How are you going to do that?"

"By making you happy," Ron answered simply.

"Ron."

"Listen, Hermione, I want to make you happy. That is, if you'll let me," Ron said. "Will you let me?"

Hermione hesitated. She couldn't say that what Ron had just told her didn't mean anything to her. It meant something. But not everything. She still didn't know whether Ron really loved her. And that's what she wanted to hear.

"Ron, I--."

Ron saw the hesitation on her face and felt dejected. "I love you, Hermione. I've loved you ever since I saw you that day on the train during our first year." He sighed softly. "And if you don't feel the same way, don't say it. Just walk away. I don't think I could bear knowing that you don't love me back." Ron hung his head sadly.

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. That was all that she wanted to hear. "Ron--."

"I don't want to hear it, Hermione," Ron said. "Please just go away."

Hermione reached out to him and made him look at her. "Look at me." Ron looked back at her through those pale blue eyes, which were so filled with anguish. "I love you, too."

The expression on Ron's face changed. His eyes brightened up and he held both of her hands. "Do you mean it?"

"Would I say it if I didn't? Of course I mean it," Hermione said, smiling at him, tears still evident in her eyes.

Ron wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight, burying his face in her hair. "I love you so much." Tears slid down Hermione's cheeks. She sniffed. Ron held her face. "Why are you crying?"

"I've waited so long to hear you say that," Hermione said. "I was beginning to think that I'd never hear those words from you."

Ron kissed her tears away. "I'm sorry for waiting too long to tell you. I love you. I love you."

Hermione smiled even though tears were streaming down her face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "This is even better than I expected it to be."

Ron looked at her and wiped away her tears. "I think so, too." He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, caressed her cheek gently and moved his face closer to hers.

Hermione closed her eyes as Ron's face descended on hers. When their lips touched, nothing else mattered to Hermione. Ron had told her that he loved her. That meant everything to her. Her world was finally falling into place. She finally belonged. She was finally with her true love.

**

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Parvati squealed.

"They are so cute!" Lavender added.

Ginny turned to Harry, who was looking at her. They smiled at each other. Then Harry pressed his lips to Ginny's.

"Will you two stop that!" Parvati ordered. "It's bad enough that we don't have anyone to share this moment with and now you two go on kissing each other."

"Sorry," Harry muttered. Ginny giggled.

"This is so great. Finally they're okay," Lavender said.

"Yeah. It's good. They'll finally be happy. Both of them," Ginny said.

"No more problems then," Harry said.

"Um, I think there's a problem," Lavender said.

Everyone looked at her.

"They saw us watching them," Lavender said, nudging her head in Hermione and Ron's direction. They all turned to look and, true enough they were both glaring at them.

They all grinned sheepishly and made a quick exit.

**

Ron shook his head, but he was grinning. "They never change."

Hermione laughed a little. "I know. I think they had a hand in everything that's been going on with us."

"You think?"

"Yeah. I mean, we practically bumped into each other all the time. Though, I can't be too sure," Hermione said.

"I think you're right," Ron agreed. "They've been setting us up. But I think it's okay. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have come to my senses."

"Maybe we should thank them then," Hermione said. "After all, they did help us. What do you think?"

Ron looked at her. "Nah." Hermione chuckled. "We didn't ask for help. They did it themselves."

"So. are you happy now?" Hermione asked him as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Depends. Are you happy?" Ron asked.

"Extremely."

"There's your answer."