Chapter 14: A New Beginning

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It all belongs to JK. Rowling. I own nothing but the plot.

A/N: takes a deep breath Well, this is it. I would like to dedicate my last chapter to all of my loyal reviewers. Seriously, with out all of you, I never would have been able to finish this fic! All of your amazing reviews have inspired me to continue writing! Thank you all so much! You have no idea how great you've all made me feel with all of your support! x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0'z! I would also like to dedicate this chapter to a very special person in my life who has also inspired me in so many ways! Anyway, before I start to cry... here we go---

Ron's POV

"Professor Dumbledore!" breathed Ron who was suddenly overcome with great relief.

Draco started lying to their Headmaster right away, "Professor! Sir, look—Potter and Weasley are trying to kill me! They lured me here to try and hurt me sir!"

"Mr. Malfoy, please be silent! I know exactly why you are all here and I also know what went on today. I suggest that you come with me quietly." Professor Dumbledore said in an icy tone that Ron had never heard Dumbledore use before.

Draco dropped to his knees and muttered insanely, "Oh Father I'm so sorry! Dumbledork and the dream team have won again! But, I won't go down with out a fight! I will avenge you, Father!"

Just as Draco got up to lunge at Dumbledore, Dumbledore stunned him at once! "Yes Mr. Malfoy, I think that you may be joining your father very soon." Dumbledore said quietly glaring at Malfoy with a lot of dislike in his eyes.

Ron had to suppress a laugh after he heard that.

Hermione gasped again and Ron looked back at her to see that she was trying to shield her eyes by looking down. Ron immediately ran by her side. She was shaking uncontrollably.

Ron tried to get her out of the invisible ropes but it was no use. "Professor, could you please help me with this?"

Dumbledore who was looking at Draco seemed to snap out of his thoughts and said, "Oh, yes Mr. Weasley. One moment." He walked around Draco's frozen body up to Hermione, said an incantation that Ron had never heard of before and Hermione was free.

As soon as she was free, Ron instantly pulled her into a warm hug and she started to cry on his shoulder.

"Don't worry Hermione! It's over. I'm here now. Every thing is going to be alright." Ron said trying to comfort her and hugging her tightly. He never wanted to let her go.

"Oh Ron! I was so afraid for you and Harry! I thought that he took you guys! That's why I came here!" Hermione said shakily through tears.

"I know. Crookshanks gave us the note. I was so afraid for you as well, just wondering what Malfoy could have done to you." said Ron, still holding her in his arms.

Then Ron heard Dumbledore clear his throat and reluctantly broke apart from Hermione. "Mr. Weasley, I hate to interrupt but I think that we need to get back up to the castle and to the Hospital Wing. Do you need any help bringing Miss Granger?" Dumbledore cut in.

Ron turned back to Hermione. "Do you think that you can walk Hermione?"

"Umm I think so. I'll try." she said, starting to take a few steps.

"Take all the time you need Miss Granger." said Dumbledore, "Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter, why don't you let her lean on you both to help her go along a bit quicker. It's not safe in these woods. Meet me in the Hospital Wing; I'll take care of Mr. Malfoy right now."

Ron and Harry nodded and Harry came up to Hermione and hugged her also. Then he put one of her arms around his shoulder and Ron did the same with her other arm and the three friends walked out of the forest and back up to the castle after surviving yet another dangerous experience.

When they got to the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey fussed over them as usual. She cleaned and mended their cuts and bruises and gave Hermione a potion to help with the lasting pain from the Cruticus curse. The potion made her feel a lot better.

After about 20 minutes Dumbledore joined them in the hospital wing and Harry, Ron and Hermione explained everything that went on that day that Dumbledore didn't know about.

After a 15 minute long explanation, Harry turned to Dumbledore and said, "Professor, there's one thing that I don't understand. How did you know that we were in trouble and needed you in the forest?"

Dumbledore looked at Harry wisely for a moment and then replied, "Harry do you remember what I told you back in your second year?"

"Ummm that I belong in Gryffindor and not Slytherin?" Harry said dumbly.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Well yes you do but that's not what I meant. I cannot give you a straight out answer but listen you three; as long as you remain loyal to me, you will never truly be alone. You just have to have faith." He paused for a moment and smiled at the three young faces looking back at him in awe.

"You know, it is my belief that the real reason why you three got through this ordeal is because in the end you united together and were loyal to each other even though you had an argument earlier. It just shows the importance of getting along at this time. Very soon you will need to pull together once again as the second war is just beginning. There will be a great deal more ordeals and adventures that you will have to face. But I have great confidence that together you three will do many great things. Please just remember what I said at the leaving feast of your fourth year: We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."

Ron couldn't bring himself to say anything and by the looks of it neither could Hermione and Harry. The three of them just nodded sincerely to show that they understood what he said. Dumbledore smiled at them again.

"I know that you three will be strong together. It is quite obvious that you love each other very much."

After he said this, both Ron and Hermione looked at each other at the same time and then quickly turned away blushing like mad.

It seemed that Dumbledore had noticed this because he cast a knowing glance at the pair and then said, "Harry, why don't you come take a walk with me. I have some things that may interest you in my office."

Harry grinned, catching on and after a quick good bye to Ron and Hermione walked out of the room. Dumbledore followed but before he left, he smiled at Ron and Hermione again and Ron could have sworn that he saw the smallest wink from the old man's face.

Ron and Hermione were left alone in the room sitting on the hospital bed beside each other. Ron suddenly felt very warm.

Hermione seemed to be blushing a bit too but he didn't get a good look because she suddenly stood up. Ron did the same, not knowing what to say. He knew that he'd better say something to end the awkward silence.

"Well...this has been an interesting day." he said lamely.

"Yes it has." Hermione agreed. She then looked up at him. "Ron, look. I'm so sorry about the argument over Seamus! I should have listened to you! If I did, then none of this would have happened."

"No Hermione, I'm the one that should be sorry! If I hadn't eaten that stupid candy then I would have been there to protect you! Can you ever forgive me?"

Hermione hugged him again and said, "Of course."

Ron felt such a large urge to kiss her right then and there. If only he would just get up the courage. "Come on Ron! You can do it! Look at all you've been through! Just tell her!" he told himself in his mind. He knew that had to do it.

Hermione broke apart from him and smiled. "Well I guess we should be getting back to the common room." Then she started to walk towards the door.

"Say something you git!!!" his brain screamed at him.

"Uh Hermione wait!" Ron said grabbing her lightly by the arm.

She stopped and looked at him quizzically.

Ron took a deep breath. "Hermione, there's something that I need to tell you, and if I back out now I know that I'm going to regret it for the rest of my life!"

"Yes Ron? What is it?" Hermione said looking hopeful.

"I-I... uh...umm..." Ron started. He needed to tell her; he knew he had to! SPIT IT OUT!!!

"Yes?" Hermione said again looking up into his sparkling blue eyes.

"Umm...well... I...uh... Oh to hell with it! I LOVE YOU HERMIONE GRANGER!!!"

Hermione's jaw dropped. "You what?" she whispered.

"I-love-you! I think I always have. I love everything about you Hermione! I love the way you roll your eyes at me but are unable to fight back a smile when I make a silly remark. I love the way your eyes light up when ever you think of an answer to a question. I love how you're so caring of everyone's feelings, especially mine and Harry's. I love your gorgeous brown eyes and beautiful bushy hair, I think it's what makes you, you. That's why I got so jealous when I heard you talk about Viktor and when Seamus asked you out. It was because I love you so much and it hurts like hell to see you with any other guy! You are the most amazing, brilliant, kind and beautiful person I've ever met! And I know that you could never feel the same way about me but I---

He was cut off by Hermione who gave him a sweet kiss on the lips.

Ron stared at her in awe. She looked back up at him and said, "Oh Ron! You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that!" She now had tears of joy streaming down her face.

Ron was astonished! "Y-you mean that you...you actually feel the same way?"

"Ron, I've loved you since the moment I've met you!" Hermione said happily.

"Really?" This was way too good to be true! "So Hermione...do you think that maybe...you would possibly consider...being my girl friend?"

Hermione giggled. "Yes, you prat!"

Ron laughed and then brushed some hair out of her face and gently kissed her on her soft lips. She kissed him back meaningfully and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ron placed his hands on her waste.

After a few minutes Ron broke out of the kiss and then started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Hermione asked smiling at him.

"I was just thinking—I can't believe that Hermione Granger, the cleverest witch in her year actually is in love with an average guy like me."

"Trust me Ronald Weasley—nothing about you is average! You have no idea how great you are! You are so special! I love everything about you as well! I love your cute red hair and your beautiful blue eyes. I love the way you wrinkle your nose when you're trying to figure out something. And when you know you're being a git and apologize to me even when you may not know what you're apologizing for." They both laughed at this and then she continued. "But most of all I love that you're the sweetest and most caring guy that I've ever known! I just can't believe that this is actually happening! I've waited so long, it's like a dream come true! I love you so much!" said Hermione with a huge smile on her face.

Hearing this made Ron's heart soar! He felt more happy than he had ever felt in his entire life! He could just burst with joy! It was like he was floating on a cloud with an angel, HIS angel. His 'Mione.

Ron kissed her again softly and then said, "I love you too Hermione! You're the girl of my dreams!"

Fin

A/N: OMG IT'S OVER!!! Ahhhhh! I'm so sad now! But I'm excited at the same time!! I can't believe that my first ever fan fic is actually over!! I hope that you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thanks so much again for all your support! It means the world to me!!!