Disclaimer: The only thing I own is the story; all characters, locations, etc. are property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Oh. There's a clip of a song in the end, it's from Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida.

Author's Note: Well, we've made it to the end. I was looking over it, and it's been a long time since I started this story, and I just wanted to say thank you to all those that have read it all the way through and reviewed. Also to apologize for the weird formatting thing from the last chapter that no matter what I did to it I couldn't seem to fix, hopefully this chapter won't have that problem. You guys are the best, so I hope that you like this last chapter and have enjoyed reading this story as much as I've liked writing it. Before I just let you read, I should have a new story coming out soon, a Hermione/Draco story that's as of yet untitled. A little teaser of sorts. For those of you who like Malfoy but not the way I've written him, you get to see a completely different one. That was my little plug. Okay. Now you can read, I swear.

Review Responses:

Amber L. Potter : Yay! Glad you liked it.

Vanessa-Black and Zabini : Thank you! And hey, a short review is still a review, so I'm not complaining, haha. Here's chapter 17!

Anamika29: Augh! You have no idea how long I spent trying to fix that stupid thing, but it wouldn't go away. So sorry about that, I'm sure it made it annoying to read. Nonetheless I'm so glad you liked it, and thanks for the review!

The Iviest: Thanks! Hope you read the rest and like that as well. Here's the last chapter!

Ayse: I've been busy! Even though I er, said this would be a fast chapter. Again, sorry I couldn't come to your show but I'm sure it was AWESOME and yes. Um, in that case come see 42nd Street. Haha. Shameless self-promotion. But yes, I'm sure you were great, and here's the chapter and now you can stop pestering me! At least for a while, haha. Love ya babe.

Soaking wet, ecstatic, and slightly nervous, I made my way back to Gryffindor tower at Harry's side. Remarkably, it seemed almost as if no time had passed. Our conversation flowed easily, the same teasing but deeply caring banter we'd always had had come rushing back. It wasn't entirely concealed that we'd had a... how shall I put it, relationship hiccup, however. Any topic concerning the past several months of our non-relationship, Slytherin, Malfoy, or even the library caused an awkward pause, but it was all I could to do to ignore it and hope that eventually the issue would resolve itself. We made it inside the castle almost before I realized it, and were halfway to the Gryffindor portrait hole before something abruptly pulled me out of my reverie. Almost as if he'd known we were coming, Malfoy was perched "coincidentally" on a stone bench at the end of the hallway. Harry stiffened beside me and his pace slowed. It was this kind of a moment I'd been dreading in my head, but hadn't actually thought anything like it would actually happen.

A moment of inaction passed quickly, punctuated only by two extremely obnoxious fourth years running past Harry, Malfoy and I and giggling obnoxiously. I knew exactly what the provocation of their laughter had been, and moreover I knew full well what they were about to go tell their little friends. Since when, I wondered angrily, had my life been the stuff of public discussion? But in that moment, the idea hit me. I couldn't expect Harry to rescue me from this situation, it wouldn't be fair of me to and in any case I knew I didn't exactly deserve it. There'd be nothing heart-wrenchingly awkward about this moment in the first place if it weren't for me. Standing on my tiptoes, I whispered, "follow me" in the most confident way I knew how in Harry's ear. Grabbing his hand, I started to walk playfully but purposefully in Malfoy's direction, casting flirty glances over my shoulder at Harry. We'd just passed him when predictably the blonde-haired Slytherin flashed his trademark smirk and opened his mouth to make a comment.

"Well, if it isn't Gryffindor's wondercouple reunited. How sweet. Do yourself and him a favor, Red, don't compare him too much to me," he drawled, turning to go.

"What did you say?" I called, business-like.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Ginny?" Hissed Harry, clearly growing very angry. My stomach gave a lurch at the thought of my spur-of-the-moment plan failing, but it was too late to go back.

"Don't compare him to me too much, darling," replied Malfoy with a devilish smile.

"Malfoy, I'm only going to make one comparison. As good as you are at ruining people, spreading misery wherever you go, and being a complete and utter prick asshole, that's how incredibly gifted Harry is at being not only the best boyfriend I've ever had, but also one of the best people I've ever known." Malfoy appeared not to have a response to that at the ready, so I used the time to say something else as some more unsaid feelings bubbled to the surface in a surge of equal parts hatred and courage.

"I made a mistake, a huge one. But you did too. Yours, however, was to believe for one second that I could fall for your bullshit, that I would believe one word you said, that that you honestly had the power to destroy me. Trust me, you picked the wrong girl for that. So you can rot in hell, honestly, for all I care." It took an exorbitant amount of energy not to start shaking from adrenaline; I've never been shy, but that was one of the boldest things I'd said in my life. There was one thing left for me to do. I pulled Harry to me, kissing him lightly. For a second it was a bit like trying to kiss a statue, but fortunately he softened, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me back in a way I'd sorely missed since our breakup.

I've never been weak in the knees before. It was a sensation I'd heard about, but didn't altogether understand. But when my legs seemed unable to keep me up and Harry's arms tightened around my back, I understood the feeling and liked it. A lot. When we finally pulled away, Malfoy was walking away, shaking his head in disgust. And there seemed nothing I could do but laugh. Everything I'd bottled up for months without saying had come out; five hundred pounds of weight had been lifted off my shoulders in one afternoon.

"What was that for?" Asked Harry, sounding amused by with a serious look in his eyes. Seeing him that way sobered me.

"Two things. The second little speech was for my own personal satisfaction. But largely? I couldn't stand the idea of his shadow always hanging over our relationship, of doubt always being in the back of your mind, of Malfoy being able to think that he's gotten to us. And more than anything, I couldn't stand the thought of you doubting for one second that I love you. It's impossible for me to ever say how sorry I am, but it's even more impossible for me to say how glad I am that we… that you…" my words were failing me, and I was dangerously close to my third waterworks moment of the evening.

"I know. You're quite a girl, miss Ginny Weasley. You know, a few months ago, if someone had told me that I'd fall this much in love with one of my closest friends, I would've laughed in their face. It's a little unbelievable. But I like it."

"Maybe it is. And you're not so bad yourself, Harry James Potter." I hugged him tightly, closing my eyes and relaxing entirely. And with that, we walked back to Gryffindor tower, ready at last to put this behind us.

Things weren't back to normal. They wouldn't ever be. But there could be a new sort of normal. Things certainly wouldn't ever be perfect. But who really wants perfect anyway? I certainly didn't. Just to be us, and to be us together, was good enough for me.

We all lead such elaborate lives

Wild ambitions in our sights

How an affair of the heart survives

Days apart and hurried nights

Seems quite unbelievable to me

I don't want to live like that

Seems quite unbelievable to me

I don't want to love like that

I just want our time to be

Slower and gentler, wiser, free