A/n: Ahhh! I can't believe this is the last chapter!!! This chap might be longer than all the others so yeah. Anyways, I think something's wrong with fanfiction…coz it says some of the reviews don't show. That's weird…I got the alert for them though. But oh well, who cares!? Thank you guys sooooo much for reviewing! I don't think I would've finished this fic without you guys. *tear* lol. Oh yeah, just finished OoTP, man…I still can't get over the shock and frustration…

Note: this chapter is pretty damn long! Brace yourself lol

*This chapter contains a teeny tiny spoiler. Just warning you.*

Chapter twenty seven

            The NEWTs were actually a lot easier than Hermione thought they would be. As for Ron and Harry, let's just say they tried their best.

            "Finally we can relax." Ron smiled.  Him, Harry and Hermione were on their way to the Quidditch Pitch. "How'd you think you did?"

            "I'm not sure…I have a feeling I have at least one or two mistakes overall." Hermione answered, looking tense. "I knew I should've reread my History of Magic notes an extra 5th time."

            Ron rolled his eyes, and then looked at Harry. "What about you?"
            "I don't know." Harry answered. "Hopefully good enough to pass." Then they saw a cloud of scarlet and gold colors walking towards them. "Ron, we have to go to Quidditch practice. See you later Herm."

            Hermione nodded. Ron gave her a quick kiss and followed Harry. Hermione sighed and watched them practice. She looked around and saw two figures standing in the sidelines under a tree, away from the rest of them. One of the figures was wearing the Gryffindor Quidditch team uniform, the other was wearing robes. Hermione moved closer to them and saw a girl laugh and flip her red-brown hair back. Ginny? She thought. And who on earth is that boy with her?

            "Oh Michael, you're so funny!" She heard Ginny giggle. Michael said something that made Ginny laugh even more. She was about to go to Ginny to find out what's going on but she decided to wait. After about two more minutes, she heard Ginny say good bye to Michael. Then she hugged him tightly and she ran to the other Gryffindors. Michael on the other hand, left in a flash.

            Interesting, Hermione though to herself.

*          ~          *          ~          *

            That evening, Professor Dumbledore made an announcement during dinner. He stood up and said, "The school year is almost at an end, and since this is our 7th years' last year, we decided to give them a little treat. On the second last day, there will be a farewell ball for 7th years, unless you are asked by a 7th year, you may not attend." There was a loud cheer in the hall. "Dress robes shall be worn. That is all."

            Excited, eager voices filled the Great Hall. Everyone couldn't wait until the ball. But until then, everyone still had to go on with their daily routine. However, the week passed by quicker than usual and before they knew it, it was the day of the ball. Hermione noticed that she was seeing less and less of Ginny and Harry didn't look to happy either.

            "I wonder what's the matter with them." Hermione wondered as her and Ron walked around the grounds.

            "I'm guessing they're in a fight or something like that." Ron guessed. "I'll meet you at the bottom of the stairs alright?"
            "Ok." Hermione agreed. "Eight o'clock sharp."
            During dinnertime, Dumbledore announced the House and Quidditch cup winner, who turned out to be Gryffindor again.

            Harry turned to Ron and asked, "Have you seen Ginny?"

            "That's what I was gonna ask." Ron said as he chewed on his steak. "You're going to the ball with her right? Maybe she's with Hermione somewhere."

            Harry nodded and took off to search for Ginny. As he climbed up the stairs, she saw her come out of the Gryffindor Room.

            "Where have you been?" Harry asked. He led her back in the common room.

            Ginny began to blush. Sweat started forming on her face. "I – well I was just t-tired, that's all. I decided to stay in my room and rest."

            "Oh. So I'm guessing you can't go to the ball with me tonight then." Harry smiled, but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Are you feeling any better?"
            "No – uh – yes – n – no." Ginny stammered. "Oh Harry! I can't do this anymore!"

            "What's the matter?" Harry asked. He took a step closer to Ginny who sat on a nearby chair.

            "I – I - " Ginny's eyes began to water.

            "Don't cry. Don't worry, I'm here. It'll be ok." Harry soothed her. He reached for her. He reached for her hand but she quickly pulled away. Harry looked at her intensely.

            "Harry, I – I'm sorry!" Ginny sobbed. "I – I think w-we should s-stop seeing e-each o-other." She burst into tears.

Harry had a confused look on his face. "Why? I – Is it coz of me? What did I do?"

            Ginny cried even harder. "No! It's not you at all! It's me! And I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

            "But why Gin?" Harry asked again.

            "R-remember M – Michael C-Corner?" Ginny asked quietly.

            Then it struck Harry. Ginny fancied another man. With a solemn look on his face, he said, "I think I should go to my room now."
            "Oh Harry, I'm so sorry! It's entirely my fault!" Ginny quickly got up and grabbed Harry's arm. "I –I don't know i-if you'll e-ever forgive me, I know I don't d-deserve to be, b-but I'm so sorry!"

            Harry looked at her and kissed her wet cheek. "See you soon, Gin." Then, Hermione went inside.

            "I knew I forgot something in here." She muttered. She walked to a couch and picked up the ring Ron had given her. She saw Ginny bawling and Harry merely standing there.

            "I'm sorry!" Ginny cried again and she rushed out of the room.

            "Harry, I - " Hermione began.

            "We broke up." Harry said flatly. "Can you tell Ron that I can't make it tonight?" And with that, he left Hermione feeling terrible.

~          *          ~          *          ~

            "Bloody hell." Ron said when Hermione told him about Michael and Ginny. "Michael Corner? That queer guy? Why on earth did Ginny choose him over Harry? If I were Harry, I would've blown up Ginny into bits!"

            Hermione couldn't help but laugh, even if it wasn't a laughing matter. Then she turned serious and said, "Those are the questions that we'll never know the answers to." She thought tonight was supposed to be a happy, festive night, where they would all reminisce the good times they had. She turned out to be very wrong.

            "This isn't as fun without Harry and Ginny." Ron said. "Why'd my stupid sister have to mess it up?"

            "Come on Ron. I know what she did sounds incredibly stupid right now - " Hermione replied.

            "You've got that right." Ron muttered.

            " – But maybe she couldn't help it. You can't stop how you feel for someone. It's better like this than letting Harry think she loved him when deep inside she didn't really." Hermione continued. "Look, let's stick around for awhile. Then we'll leave when we get really bored."

            Ron nodded and they decided to hang out with the other Gryffindors. They danced a bit and after an hour, they decided to head back.

            "I'm sorry today didn't turn out the way we hoped." Hermione said.

            "Don't apologize for anything." Ron told her. They walked together hand in hand to the Gryffindor tower. "How's the kid?"

            "She – or he – is doing great." Hermione smiled. She hadn't told Ron about what happened with Draco. "I can't wait to see her – or him – in September."

            "Neither can I." Ron grinned. He leaned closer to Hermione and kissed her softly. "See you tomorrow."

            "Bye. Good night." Hermione smiled. They kissed again and they headed to their rooms.

~          *          ~          *          ~

            Finally, it was the last day of school. Everyone dragged their belongings to the train. Ginny avoided contact with Ron, Harry and Hermione. Harry still remained quiet but forced a smile every now and then.

            On the ride home, Ron, Harry, Hermione and Neville shared a compartment. When they reached the train station, they slowly got off feeling happy and sad at the same time.

            As Harry carried his trunk, he was approached by Ginny, who looked extremely shy and guilty.

            "Look, Harry, I - " Ginny began but Harry stopped her.

            "Ginny, you don't need to explain." Harry said. "I understand."
            "I honestly tried not to love him, Harry. Especially after what he did during our 4th year, well your 5th year, but I couldn't." She told him. "I really thought that you and me belonged together. Don't get me wrong, you were really strong. It's just that - "

            Harry merely smiled and held her hand. "A part of me will never forget you."

            Ginny looked like she was going to cry. She dropped her trunk and hugged Harry tightly. "You can still live with us at the Burrow you know."
            "I'll think about it." Harry said as Ginny let go of her embrace. "Bye for now." He walked over to Ron and Hermione who were also hugging nearby.

            "I'll owl you everyday." Hermione was saying.

            "So will I." Ron nodded. "I'll try to use a fellphone."

            "Telephone, Ron." Hermione laughed. "It's been 7 years and you still don't know the word for it."

            "Quiet you." Ron replied.

            "I'll visit as soon as I tell Mum and Dad." Hermione told him.

            "You better!" Ron teased. Him and Hermione shared a quick kiss and saw Harry.

            "I'll think about staying with you first." Harry told Ron.

            "What's there to think a - " Ron began but Hermione elbowed him on the ribs.

            "We can go there together." She smiled. Harry smiled back but his eyes were still full of sadness.

            "Well, see you guys until then." Harry said.

            "Bye." Hermione and Ron said together.

            "I have to go too." Hermione told Ron when she saw her parents wave at her. "I love you."
            "I love you too, Hermione." Ron grinned and they shared a sweet good bye kiss.

A/n: Told you that was pretty long! Well there you have it, my fic's finally finished! Thank you so much for reviewing and reading my fic! I appreciate it! I don't think I ever would've finished it without you guys. Thank you soooooo much!