A/N: Here we go – the final part. Although, in my eyes it doesn't really qualify as a chapter of its own, it's more like an epilogue of sorts, just a little tying-it-all-up kind of thing. Anyway, I hope you like it!

DISCLAIMER: See previous instalments.

Part 5

~Silence~

The whole world was spinning. Everything around her was a blur of beautiful colours and fuzzy shapes, and she knew that she would soon pay for this vision with severe dizziness, but she felt it was worth it, seeing as this was the freest she'd felt in ages. Her heart was soaring and her mind was in such a state of elation that she didn't know if she'd ever be able to bring it back to reality.

When she stopped, dizziness did indeed overcome her, and to avoid losing her balance she sat down right on the ice, breathing heavily and smiling to herself as her mind gradually stopped spinning.

She'd almost shrieked with happiness when she'd stepped out of the castle today and seen that they'd left the ice where it was. Ignoring Professor McGonagall's "Now, Miss Granger, I really do think you ought to stay inside today", she'd quickly run to fetch her skates and dress warmly, before running back out towards the lake. She'd been pleased to see that there hadn't been any other students there at the time, as they'd all skated during the morning and early afternoon, and she hadn't been allowed to leave the hospital wing 'til three o'clock.

Hagrid had come out to check on her a number of times, most likely on the orders of Professor McGonagall. Hermione knew that the teachers all considered it rather foolish of her to rush back out to the skating rink after what had happened yesterday, and maybe it was foolish, but she just couldn't resist. For this feeling, she would risk anything.

She breathed in the crisp winter air, closing her eyes. This was a perfect moment. Absolutely perfect. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this calm, this peaceful, and she didn't want it to end. But she knew it had to.

"Hey, Hermione!"

Hermione sighed, realising that her moment to herself was over. She turned her gaze to the shore, where Harry was waving at her, grinning. Her heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of Ron, standing next to Harry. He had his hands in his pockets and his shoulders drawn up as he stood there, completely silent for once. But he was wearing a barely-there smile and eyeing her in a way that was eloquent enough to make her spine tingle and her stomach flutter.

"You're not stuck, are you?" Harry said, grinning even wider. "'Cause dinner's ready, and I wouldn't want to put it off today too, just because you've had another ice-related incident."

Hermione made a face at him before getting up as gracefully as she possibly could. She didn't dare look at Ron, but was absolutely certain he was watching her as she slowly made her way towards the shore. She'd barely talked to him today, but still it felt as if quite a lot had been said, although not in words. Like when his hand had brushed against hers when they left the hospital wing, and something very much like an electrical current had shot up her arm. And when he'd glanced at her while telling Harry of their "highly uneventful" night, offering her a barely perceptible smile. And right now, when – even without looking at him – she could tell he was studying her intently, making her knees feel like they weren't really up to carrying her.

She reached the shore, grateful that she'd managed to avoid tripping this time. Looking up, she found that Harry and Ron had moved to the edge of the ice. One of Ron's hands was still in his pocket, but the other was extended towards her, pale and gloveless. Swallowing hard, she grabbed it with her own mitten-clad hand and felt his fingers enclose it with a firm grip. Her heart hammered as he guided her over to the bench, where she sat down before releasing his hand, mumbling a barely audible "Thank you". She proceeded with untying her skates, not daring to look at Harry. Had he noticed anything? When she finally mustered up the courage to glance at him, he seemed to be working hard to suppress a smirk as he looked at Ron. Hermione felt her face go hot. It felt rather odd, not being able to share this with Harry, not being able to tell him. Granted, he already seemed to have some sort of notion of what was going on, but they hadn't actually told him anything. And when they finally did, which they were bound to do sometime, it was going to be rather difficult.

When her skates were off and her boots were on, she stood up.

"Done," she stated.

"About bloody time," Ron muttered into his scarf, feigning annoyance, and the sound of his voice made Hermione shiver pleasantly. He looked at her, then held her gaze for a moment or two before looking down. Hermione was sure she saw his ears turn slightly redder, and she couldn't help but smile to herself.

The silence was broken by an incoherent grunt, and Hermione turned to look at Harry, who was looking from her to Ron with unmistakable amusement. This time there was no doubt about the fact that he had picked something up.

"Let's just go already," he said, sounding as if he was working hard not to laugh. "I'm starving."

And with that they started making their way up towards the castle entrance, Hermione walking between the two boys, her heart hammering and her head singing. It didn't matter if it was going to be difficult, it didn't matter how many people she would have to be embarrassed in front of; this was something she wanted, and when it was now finally happening, she wouldn't give it up for anything.

They walked in silence, but again it was a silence filled with unspoken words and expressive actions, like when Ron drew his hand out of his pocket to scratch his cheek, and just happened to touch her shoulder in the process, or when she turned to look at Hagrid's hut and stole a glance at Ron's mouth when turning back, blushing at the mere thought of what had actually happened last night.

Upon entering the castle, they were greeted by Fred, George and Lee, who were very eager to show a new, food-related addition to the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and Ron and Harry were pulled away towards the Great Hall for a demonstration. But before they disappeared, Ron looked over at Hermione, and when his blue eyes locked with hers, conveying more than he ever could have done with words, it was all she could do not to grab his arm and drag him off to a private place where they could have even more wordless conversations.

She blushed to herself at this thought, but couldn't help smiling as the boys disappeared into the Great Hall. As new and confusing and positively terrifying as all this was, it was also incredibly, astoundingly wonderful, enough so to make her heart weak with emotion.

But most importantly it was real. It wasn't a dream, it wasn't one of her silly, frustrating fantasies; it was perfectly true, nothing more and nothing less than real life.

And that notion was something she wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

~The End~

A/N: Wow! I can't believe I'm actually finished! This story has been hanging over my head for more than a year, nagging at me and saying "Finish me! Finish me!" and now I actually have. Unbelievable. Anyway, those who've made it this far, thanks for reading, I hope you've enjoyed it. Please leave a review and let me know what you thought of this; criticism – positive as well as negative – is what drives me to write more.