Author's Note- To answer some reviews, no, Ron did not kill Malfoy, he just injured him severely. I would have warned you ahead of time if I was gonna do a character death. The name for chapter 10 is the title of one of my favorite Lifehouse songs. I am sneaking a songfic in here. If you are not expecting tons of fluff in this, the last chapter of the story, then there is something seriously wrong with you. The lyrics will be presented though out the chapter in italics.
Find me here
She remembered gaining her consciousness back gradually. First, she became aware that she was being carried. Her body lay slack and comfortable in someone's arms. Then the pain came back. The recollection of tonight's events. She made a noise of panic.
Speak to me"Shush, Hermione. We're nearly there."
"Ron? Where are we going?" She said groggily. Odd how it felt good to say his name, to hear his voice, to know he was there.
"The hospital wing, of course."
"What happened to Malfoy?"
His jaw clenched noticeably. "Sent Harry to go get him. Had him owl ahead to Dumbledore. The Ministry Law Enforcement will be waiting for them. But don't worry about that. Just relax, you've got some bump on your head."
I want to feel you
I need to here you
She placed her arms around his neck and rested her face against the side of his neck, closing her eyes. Deliverance washed over her despite the pain. One more question persisted. "How did you know where to find me?"
You are the light that's leading me
"I'll tell you later." He said gruffly, turning his back to the doors to the hospital to push them open. Madam Pomfrey bustled over to them and instructed Ron to set her down so she could look her over, tut-tutting anxiously all the while.
To the place where I find peace again
The nurse drew the curtain around her bed and had Hermione disrobe. As she preformed spells to heal her burned flesh, Ron couldn't help his inability to take his eyes off her silhouette. Every time he thought about what might have happened in the shrieking shack if he hadn't shown up, he felt like retching violently. Now, how could he take his eyes off her?
You are the strength that keeps me walking
Following Madam Pomfrey's ministrations, the pain had left Hermione's body, and her skin returned to normal. Luckily, Malfoys' spell had not done permanent damage. As there was no reason for her to stay, she reluctantly let them leave. Ron put his arm around her and they headed home, to Gryffindor tower. Harry had surrendered Malfoy to the authorities, and persuaded Dumbledore and McGonagall to let Hermione rest for now. They could question her tomorrow. Secretly, he knew he was giving his friends precious time.
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
Ron led Hermione upstairs, to the boy's dormitory, to his room. They sat down on his bed. She couldn't look him in the eye. He didn't want to be hers, and he had saved her from Malfoy. She couldn't remember feeling more damaged, even though she had just left the hospital wing. Now she was confused about why she had even followed him here. Wordlessly rising to leave, he stopped her.
"Wait, Hermione, please. I have to explain something to you." He swallowed hard, summoning courage. "The necklace I gave you for Christmas, it's not just a necklace. It's a spell." She stopped moving completely, waiting for the rest.
"It's a Protamour Charm." He grimaced, awaiting her shrieks of disapproval. They did not come. Hermione, who naturally had read about them, stood utterly stunned halfway between his bed and the door.
A Protamour Charm? It couldn't be. She'd studied this charm ages ago after Mrs. Weasley told her and Ginny about love potions. It was in the same book. Ron couldn't have made her a Protamour Charm. That would mean that he loved her.
You are the life to my soul
You are my purpose You're everything
She remained standing perfectly still, facing the door, her arms held slightly out. Rigidity seemed to have set her body so that she scarcely felt able to breathe. Then, as if unpaused, she wheeled around.
"Don't be absurd, Ronald. You made your feelings quite clear back in Hogsmeade. There's no way you'd have been able to make a Protamour Charm. To be capable of doing that, you'd have to care about something more than quidditch and candy!"
"Hermione, I do care." His voice was strangled, but firm.
"About what?" she huffed.
"About you."
"Rubbish!" she shouted. "Absolute rubbish! You couldn't..."
She had to stop there because Ron had closed the distance between them in two long strides, abruptly seized her around the middle, bent her slightly backwards and kissed her.
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Words, words, words. He could only tell her so much with words, that was more her domain. He found it easier to tell her how he felt this way.
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this
She let out anoise of surprise, but quickly returned the kiss.
Things had been a mess between them. Confusion, anger, and some serious lapses in communication. All of that was obliterated. All of that was gone, lost in the sweetness and simplicity of their first kiss. Her arms flew up around his neck.
You calm the storms You give me rest
To Ron, it was the quickest way to sort things out, and to explain to her at last his stance. To Hermione, it was a life preserver, thrown out to her before she drowned in her own misery.
It all came pouring out. Every pent up emotion they had retained, that had been dwelling captive inside was released, and their kiss deepened. Their embrace tightened, their eyes closed, they knew nothing of the world except each other.
You hold me in your hand You won't let me fall
If Hermione had not been rendered incapable of thought, she probably would have wondered why she had never come across this sensation in any book, as Ron's lips moved seamlessly over hers, sealing her in bliss.
You still my heart And you take my breath away
Finally he pulled himself away, leaving her limp in his arms.
Would you take me in Take me deeper now
"Goddamn it, Hermione. I love you. You'd think a girl so smart would have figured it out by now."
"Oh, Ron! I love you, too," she sighed, and allowed him to reclaim her lips.
Cause you're all I want You are all I need You are everything
Everything
FINAuthor's Note- You all know it, say it with me, kids. "And they all lived happily ever after." Until they remember Voldemort was still at large. For the love of God, post a review.