Author's Note - The end has finally come :( I just wanted to thank everyone who review this story. There are so many of you who reviewed every chapter. It meant so much to me. This was my first story and i'm so proud of it. It's really special. I'm glad with this ending. It brought a smile to my face. I hope you all like it as well. Again. Thank you all So very very much.


Chapter 26

Hermione knelt down and placed the bundle of roses down on the tomb stone. Tears ran freely down her cheeks. She straightened back up and took hold of Ron's hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

She looked down on the two tomb stone, sadness filling her entirely.

Arthur Finnius Weasley

Beloved Husband, Father and Friend

Molly Dianna Weasley

Beloved Mother, Wife and Friend

Nearly one month had passed since the Dark Lord had been eliminated. The Weasley's and their friends had finally been able to gather and have a proper funeral for Arthur and Molly.

The wind blew gently through Hermione's hair. Closing her eyes she remembered everything that had happened.

She, Ron and Harry had spent two days up in the house. Finally, Fred arrived with help. The ministry had been under an attack and all forces had been in lock down. Fred and everyone else had been stranded inside, not able to bring help to 4 Privet Drive.

When they were finally released Fred had feared the worst, seeing the destruction the dark wizards had caused. He had been overjoyed to find Harry, Hermione and his younger brother alive.

The panic set in again though when they all realized that no one knew what had happened to George and Ginny. Hermione remembered racing down Privet Drive after Ron searching for them, even though she was weak and tired. They found them, both unconscious right where Hermione had left them.

An hour later each one of them, excluding Fred who was unharmed, lay in a hospital bed recovering from one thing or another. Ron had been hit with a curse that no one had ever heard of before. No one was quite sure how Ron had even survived. Harry had suffered two broken legs, a fractured wrist and a head injury. He had taken the longest to recover and had gotten out of the hospital only two days prior to the funeral. George and Ginny suffered minor injuries and concussions and Hermione had suffered a severe concussion.

Lupin, Tonks, Bill and Charlie were able to come out of hiding and stayed with Hermione and the others night and day. After Ginny was released from the hospital she never once left Harry's side.

Hermione remembered after she got out of the hospital. Harry was the only one left and the others had no where to go. The ministry provided them with a house in London, close to the hospital so they could visit easily. All of them had lost parents. They were all orphans. Tonks, Bill and Charlie moved in as well, so they could look after the others.

Hermione would wake up constantly with nightmares, Ron at her side, holding her and comforting her. Occasionally she would be the one holding him.

And then there was today. The day she had been dreading. The whole wizarding world was still celebrating the great defeat of the Dark Lord but for the Weasley's, Harry, Hermione and a few others, there was no celebrating. There was no laughter from them. They all stood in front of those two gravestones, tear streaked faces. One by one they all slowly headed back to where they were living. They couldn't bring themselves to call it home yet.

"Well see you later," Fred said bending down and hugging his sister and shaking Ron's hand. His face held no light. His eyes held no mischief. Hermione noticed how sad he looked, his black suit changing him even more.

"See you soon," George bent down and kissed Hermione's cheek. He patted Ron and Harry on the back and kissed Ginny's forehead. George was different too. He had become so serious.

They apparated with a pop and Hermione sighed. There were no words warning them to be careful or not to stay out late. There was no more danger. Life was safe.

Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Harry all stood in a row. All were silent, not sure what to say. Then Ginny knelt down onto the crash, buried her face into her hands and cried quietly. Harry carefully bent down beside her and wrapped her in his arms.

"I'm sorry," Ginny cried.

"What are you sorry for?" Ron asked concerned. "You have no reason to be sorry."

Harry stroked her hair lightly. "It's ok. I'm here. Everything is going to be ok."

Hermione leaned into Ron, resting her head onto his shoulder. "I love you," she whispered, blinking back tears.

Ron wrapped his arms around her. "Hermione," he spoke quietly. "Can I ask you something?"

Hermione nodded. "Hmmmmm?"

Ron spoke a bit louder this time. Loud enough to make Harry and Ginny look up at him. "I'm not sure if this is the right time or place to ask this but I have to do it."

Ginny wiped her eyes and stood up, Harry at her side. They both watched Ron curiously.

"What's going on mate?" Harry questioned.

Ron smiled a small smile. Hermione pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. "Love?" she asked.

Ron took hold on her hands and got down onto one knee. Ginny gasped and Harry smiled widely. "Hermione, marry me?"

Hermione stood stunned. "Ron, I…"

"Say yes," Ron kissed one of her hands.

"Ron, I'm 15, you're 16. We're too young to get married," Hermione shook her head.

Ron stood up. "I don't care. All I care about it being with you, always and forever. I love you."

Ginny held onto Harry's hand tightly. Her heart beat with excitement.

Hermione looked deeply into Ron's eyes. This was Ron. Her Ron. Her best friend. The man she loved with all her heart. Slowly she started to nod her head.

"Yes," she smiled.

Ron's face lit up. He threw his arms around her waist and lifter her up into the air, spinning her around. Sunlight peaked out from behind the clouds. Hermione could feel her parents and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiling down on her and Ron. She threw her head back and laughed. Ron placed her down on the ground and pressed his lips to hers. Ginny giggled and Harry grinned.

Spinning her around Harry kissed Ginny as well. "I love you."

"I love you too," Ginny whispered as they pulled apart.

Hermione smiled at her friends, Ron's arms latched around her waist, her head on his shoulder. Standing there, Hermione knew they had finally found peace