***DISCLAIMER*** I do not own Harry Potter nor anything affiliated with the series. JK Rowling and Warner Bros. do. I am not attempting to make a profit, just have fun writing.

A/N Here is the final chapter! Thank you to all who read and reviewed along the way.

Kang ~ Well, didn't take too long with this one, now, did I? Glad that you have realized that I'm not so predictable after all. ; - )

Lolipop ~ Alright, baby girl, thanks for your edits. ; - ) GO READ PETEY THE GREAT! Better for you to just get it done!

Girlknight ~ Well, you're going to know the end pretty soon! Read some of my other fanfics! They are a lot like this one ; - )

Felicia8 ~ Well, it was a good title! And you're right! Ron doesn't normally do well improvising . . . hmm . . . we shall see ; - ) Thank you SO MUCH for beta-ing!

Windswept ~ Too bad Kara wasn't there to read it as well! Hehe Addie and Dan . . . Daniel does have pretty good ideas once in a while, doesn't he? Well, glad you liked the story! And we *have* to get the Marauders together! Soon, soon, soon!!!

'Mione Weasley ~ Thanks! Well, I don't want to be pelted with olives, so here is an update!

Phredtheflyingmonkey ~ Thanks! I have continued!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Chase After Me

Chapter 5 ~ A Secret Revealed

By AmericanAngel

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Hermione had regained her strength by Christmas evening; however her parents did not feel comfortable eating with the rest of the staff and students at the school. Dumbledore arranged for the Weasleys, the Grangers, and Harry to eat in the private apartment, which the students had never before noticed, adjoining the Great Hall and normally reserved for guests, but, as Hermione stated, there were many secret rooms hiding in the corridors of Hogwarts castle. The room had a large table on which food appeared in the same fashion as in the Great Hall and a cozy living area with couches and a fireplace. Cups of hot chocolate appeared on a table in the middle of all these couches and the families enjoyed the warmth of togetherness after their meal.

Dumbledore joined them following the grand feast and sat at a large cozy armchair by the fire.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I am pleased to report that your house was spared along with the majority of your possessions. The Ministry sent Aurors as soon as I alerted them of your presence here and they managed to apprehend a few of the retreating Death Eaters. Do you feel comfortable returning to your home?" Dumbledore told the anxious couple sitting with their daughter.

They exchanged a glance after which Mr. Granger replied, "We would like to return to our home to gather our possessions, but my wife is afraid to return there to live."

Dumbledore sighed before continuing, "You do realize, Mrs. Granger, that no matter where you go you will not be out of Voldemort's clutches. I can assure you that we will do as much as we can to keep you safe in your own home, if the only reason you want to leave is that you do not feel safe."

Mrs. Granger's expression fell, "You mean, there is no where out of this evil man's reach?"

Dumbledore shook his head in sadness, "There is no where you will be safe in the entire world. He is starting with England first, yes, but that does not mean that he does not have allies. The best we can do is to continue our lives as normally as we can and resist him when he comes. The time will come, sooner than later I am afraid, when all will have to be ready to fight against him, most likely including these young witches and wizards sitting before us."

Mrs. Weasley looked anxiously at her children, then at Harry and Hermione, "Dumbledore, you can't be serious. They are much too young to be drawn into this mess. Surely there is another way."

Harry could see that Dumbledore was struggling to maintain his composure among the eight present as he again shook his head and replied, "Molly, I am doing my best to prevent it. But it may come to pass. In the mean time, we must stand together and show each other love, for we know not what might happen."

Ginny stole a glance at her brother and he nodded at her so slightly that no one else in the room noticed his movement. She knew that he would proceed as planned.

* * *

The Grangers returned to their old home to gather their possessions and moved to a house nearby, in the same general area. They moved into their new home after the New Year and Hermione and the boys settled back into their normal routine of classes, homework, and Quidditch. No other Death Eater attacks were attempted over the holidays, and for that Dumbledore was grateful.

Hermione had gone to the library one Wednesday afternoon to study for an Arithmancy exam the next day, leaving Harry and Ron to their own devices in the Common Room. Ron, however, was nowhere to be found. Finally, Harry discovered him coming into the boys' dormitory with a bundle.

"Ron, what's all this?" he asked, puzzled.

Ron was covered in snow from head to toe and was clutching the package to himself, "They're flowers, roses, for Hermione. I'm going to do it tomorrow."

Harry's eyes widened, "Where did you get these? I assumed you would order them like a sensible person."

Ron shrugged, "When was I ever a sensible person? I went into Hogsmeade. Here," he took out a bottle of butterbeer, "Have a drink."

Harry shook his head, but took it all the same, "How did you not get caught?"

Ron grinned, "Easy, mate," and tossed him his invisibility cloak.

Harry glared in mock anger, "You stole something not rightfully yours."

Ron shook his head, "I prefer borrow or acquire. Anyway, you can have it back now. I'm all done with it."

Harry rolled his eyes and returned the cloak to the trunk at the foot of his four-poster, then watched as Ron took the flowers out of the bundle and placed them by his bed. They were the most beautiful roses Harry had ever seen; all twelve were a deep red, perfectly bloomed, and the thorns had been removed from the stems.

"Wow, mate, those are some nice roses," he said to Ron and Ron flashed him a grin back.

"You think so? I hope it all works out."

Harry agreed, "Yeah, me too."

* * *

Hermione stayed up late into the night studying for the test, which was easily the hardest she had ever had to take in the class. She ended up falling asleep on top of her books and only awoke when Lavender softly rubbed her shoulder in the morning.

"Hermione, wake up. It's morning now," Hermione heard Lavender's soft words as she blearily opened her eyes to the morning light. She looked up and saw Lavender's worried expression; the two had become closer through the stress of the war, although not as close as Hermione and Ginny.

"Thank you, Lavender. Oh, I'm exhausted," Hermione said, voice crackly.

Parvati looked over as well, "Hermione, you sound ill."

She laughed, "No, I'm alright. I only sound like that in the morning. Well, time to face the day." She swung her legs out of bed and rummaged through her trunk until she found her winter uniform, complete with a sweater. Yawning as she looked at herself in the mirror, Hermione pulled her bushy hair into a ponytail and gathered her school things before following the pair down to breakfast.

She found Harry and Ginny sitting opposite one another at the Gryffindor table, but Ron was nowhere to be seen.

"Morning, Harry, Ginny," she said as she took a seat next to Ginny and reached for the toast and butter dish, "Where's Ron?"

Harry shrugged, "I think he woke up late, as you did yourself."

Hermione nodded, "Yes, I suppose so. He really should come down to breakfast; it's the most important meal of the day."

Ginny nodded, "So, what's going on for you today, Hermione? You look terrible."

It was true; Hermione's eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and her voice was still cracking when she spoke.

She sighed before replying, "I just have an enormous test today in Arithmancy. And the stress from everything is catching up to me, I guess. Well, I have to go. I'll talk with you later."

She got up from the table, leaving her half eaten toast and two friends.

Ginny whistled, "I hope my brother knows what he's doing."

Harry nodded, "He does."

* * *

Ron, to his credit, awoke early that morning to compose the letter which he set in the middle of the roses. He showered and dressed with care, making sure nothing was out of place. School things gathered, he went down to breakfast earlier than usual and ate as quickly as possible, meeting Harry and Ginny as they walked into the hall together.

"Ready, mate?" Harry asked him.

Ron nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Ginny beamed at her brother, "Do it quickly, Ron. She's almost never late to breakfast."

He agreed, "Yeah, I know. Alright, I'll see you lot later."

The pair continued to the table and Ron stole off down the hallway, thanking Merlin that he had not been spotted by Hermione. He had made it all the way to the Arithmancy room before he realized that he had no idea where Hermione sat. Just as he was pondering what to do, Padma Patil walked into the room.

"Padma! Could I ask you something?" he said in desperation.

She gave him an odd expression and glanced at the roses, "If it has anything to do with me, and then forget it."

Ron shook his head, "No, no, these are for Hermione. Only, I don't know where she sits."

Padma smiled, "Oh, that's so adorable! She sits just there, towards the front."

Ron laughed, "I might have known. Of course she would sit up there. Thank you."

She smiled at him again, "You're very welcome, Ron. Good luck."

He shuddered, "Thanks, I may need it."

He darted out of the classroom and down the hallway towards Divination, narrowly missing discovery by Hermione. He crept inside a nook by a tapestry as she passed by quickly, and then walked into the classroom. He sighed, but continued on his way.

Ron reached the Divination classroom just as Firenze, who was sharing the post along with Professor Trelawney, began to speak.

* * *

Hermione, by some fortune, completely missed Ron's presence in the hallway. She ran into the room, her seat the only one empty, although Professor Vector was absent from the room as well.

Hermione walked up to her seat at the front of the room, where she shared a desk with Padma. Looking down, however, she saw a beautiful bouquet of twelve scarlet roses. She gasped, and then looked up at Padma.

"Are, are these for me?" she asked, stumbling over the words.

Padma smiled and nodded gently, "Yes, open the letter. I'm sure your admirer will be revealed."

Hands shaking, Hermione reached for the letter and carefully tore the envelope. . .

* * *

Harry looked at his watch after Hermione left the Great Hall, "Gin, we only have about five minutes till class starts. Where are you going?"

She stood, "Oh, Charms. I better get going. I'll see you soon, Harry. Thanks for eating with me."

He stood as well, "Wait a second, want me to walk you there?"

She looked at him in surprise, "Um, alright. Sure, why not."

Harry grinned and they walked through the Great Hall doors to Charms. As they approached the classroom, he said, "Well, my lady, it appears we have reached our journey's end and you are as safe as when we began. I'll talk to you later."

She blushed slightly and replied, "Thank you again, Harry. I'll see you later," before stepping into the classroom.

* * *

Harry walked into Divination just after Ron and sat next to him on the mossy floor, "Good morning, Ron. Did you do it?"

Ron looked at him in surprise, "Yeah, I did. Where have you been?"

Harry shrugged, "Oh, nowhere. I just had to drop something in the tower before coming down here. Has he started yet?"

Firenze walked over to the pair, "Harry Potter and Mr. Weasley, are you ready for class to begin?"

The pair nodded, "Yes, professor."

* * *

Hermione's hands continued to shake as she pulled the letter from the white pocket. Carefully, she unfolded it and set about to read its contents.

Dear Hermione,

I've wanted to tell you this for a while, but I haven't been able to get the courage to do so. I like you, I really truly like you, and I bought you these roses so that I can ask you a simple question, but I'm afraid to ask you in person. I'm almost too scared to hear your answer, so I'm not going to tell you who I am just yet, but I promise that by the end of today you will know who I am.

Only yours,

Your secret admirer and knight

Hermione showed the letter to Padma, "Did you see him come in? Who is it? Tell me, Padma, please?"

Padma shook her head, "It's not my secret to tell. I'm sure he'll reveal himself in due time."

Hermione sighed and was about to protest when Professor Vector entered the room and began to pass out the tests. Hoping that she had studied enough, Hermione took out her quill and wrote her name.

* * *

Hermione dashed out of Arithmancy and ran to Charms to get there before Ginny left, and before her own class began.

"Ginny!" she called to her friend leaving the classroom.

Ginny turned and grinned, thinking, *I wonder if she got the message.*

"Hey, Hermione! You seem happier than you were this morning," Ginny told her with a smile.

Hermione returned it, "That's because of this. Look."

As Ginny read the note she became more and more puzzled, "Wow, I wonder who could have sent this. Do you have any idea?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, I was hoping you would. Well, he says he'll make himself known today. Maybe sooner than I think. Well, I'll see you at lunch!"

Ginny smiled, "Yup, I'll see you at lunch."

Hermione disappeared into Charms just as Ginny caught sight of Ron and Harry walking together towards the classroom. She walked up to meet them.

"Ronald Christopher Weasley!" she said in a hushed whisper, "Why did you not identify yourself in the note?!"

Ron stuttered over his words, "Uh, well, uh, you see, hmm. . ."

Harry gave him a look, "You didn't identify yourself in the letter?! Are you mad?"

Ron rolled his eyes, "Calm down, you two. I have a plan."

This time they both gave him horrified expressions.

Ginny spoke first, "Um, Ron, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but, you aren't the best weaver of plans."

Ron glared at his younger sister, "Virginia, I am perfectly capable of planning and executing a good plan. And it is a good plan. Just you wait."

Ron and Harry entered the Charms classroom and Ron sat next to Hermione.

"Hey, Hermione, how are you?" he said, flashing a Weasley grin.

She blushed, "Great, Ron. And yourself?"

He smiled even more, "I'm great as well, hey, where did you get the roses?"

She smelled them deeply and giggled, "Read this note!"

Ron took it and smiled, happy to see that she was happy, "Well, Hermione, that's something. Look, Harry."

Harry read the note, exchanged an I-hope-you-know-what-you're-doing look with Ron, and then turned to Hermione, "Wow, this bloke seems to really like you."

She sighed, "Yeah, he does. Well, we shall see, now, won't we? I mean, he said he was going to reveal himself today."

Harry nodded, "That he did, that he did."

Professor Flitwick walked into the room and called attention to the class, "Good morning, everyone. Today we are going to be discussing basic healing charms. Not all of you will become Healers; however, it is essential to know the basics just in case. Turn to page 643 in your book and let's get started."

The class took notes the entire period and was told at the end to write two feet on charms for basic colds and fevers. Hermione turned for a moment to ask Parvati a question; in that time, Ron slipped a note inside her bag and then proceeded to pack his own. Hermione did not notice the slip of paper and packed her things before standing and walking with the boys to lunch.

* * *

The afternoon was met with Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. Hermione went to the library in the time before dinner and as she was rummaging yet again through her bag, she found Ron's note.

Hermione,

I know I didn't tell you who I am in the flowers, but I will tonight, if you will let me. Come to the Owlery at seven o'clock, just after dinner. I'll be waiting.

Your secret admirer

Hermione smiled and began to write her essay so that she could take her bag to the tower before dinner and so be able to meet her admirer at the appointed time.

* * *

Ron left dinner early, telling his friends that he had to run up to the tower before heading down to the library to study. He walked to the Owlery and reached its doors at 6:45, waiting patiently for Hermione.

He heard her footsteps lightly on the ground and smiled, *Here's my chance*

She opened the door, he held his breath. . .

* * *

"Ron?" Hermione said in confusion as she saw a flash of his red hair upon entering the Owlery.

"Hermione, it was me," he said, unable to stop himself.

She smiled curiously, "You were the one who sent the roses and the two notes?"

He nodded.

"You're the one who likes me?"

Yet again, he nodded.

After what seemed like ages, her mouth cracked into a wide grin and she wrapped her arms around him, "Oh, Ron. I was hoping it was you."

Stunned, Ron was at a loss for words. When he finally found his tongue, he said, "You were?! Like, you really hoped it was me? You like me too?"

She grinned and nodded, "Yes, I really do. I more than like you. I mean, at first I denied my feelings and I didn't think it could work because we're best friends, but a few people talked some sense into me and I realized that the fact that we're best friends only makes it better. I can't deny my feelings anymore. I like you."

"Wow. . ." was all Ron could say.

She blushed, "How long have you liked me?"

He shrugged, "I don't know, a long time. I guess, maybe since second year."

Her eyes widened, "Second year?! That's a long time."

He grinned, "Yeah it is, but it's true. I didn't really realize what it was until recently though. How about you?"

She smiled, "I realized it fourth year, when Viktor asked me to the Yule Ball."

He stared at her, "And you still went with the git?!"

She laughed, "Well, you didn't ask."

He nodded, "And I'm not going to make the same mistake again. Hermione, will you be my girlfriend?"

Hermione studied him for a moment, just long enough to make him worry, then broke out into another grin, "Yes, I will."

He smiled and kissed her cheek, "Brilliant. Just brilliant. Thank you."

The pair walked hand in hand back to Gryffindor Tower, passing Professor Dumbledore on the way. He watched them with a twinkle in his eye, happy that what he had thought would happen had finally occurred.

Ginny saw them walk in together and ran over, "You finally did it Ron! Congratulations!"

Hermione gave her a look, "Did you tell him after I specifically told you not to, Virginia Weasley?"

She shook her head, "Nope, I told Harry. You didn't tell me I couldn't tell him!"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Ugh, whatever. I'm happy that you did."

Harry came up to them as well, "Hey, congratulations! Good job, there, Ron. I knew you could do it."

Ron grinned, "Thanks for your confidence and support, mate. Now, if you lot don't mind, I think I'm going to do some studying with my girlfriend."

Ginny laughed, "Some things never change."

Hermione smiled and squeezed Ron's hand, "But some change for the better."

He grinned and the pair walked over to a table and set about with their work.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Review! I'd love to read what you think of the finished product. ; - ) It's official. I'm changing my name to American Wings sometime in the near future, probably after I post the first few chapters of "All the Days." Sometime in September after school starts and I get back into the swing of things.

Thank you so much for reading!!! I've enjoyed getting your criticism and encouragement along the way! Keep reading, whether my stories or another's, and keep writing!!!

~AmericanAngel