Disclaimer-I do not own Harry Potter. In other words, Harry Potter is not in my posession; I have no part in the ownership of Harry Potter.

Feel free to review, and yes, I do accept flames and C&C (comments and critisism).

A/N- Im so sorry for the long update time..but life has been a bit...difficult lately. So yeah. Anyways...this is gonna be my first chapter written in nearly seven months. Again - SORRY! Enjoy the last chapter of TEARS!

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Chapter Eleven - What Lies Ahead

Cheerful chatter filled the dining room as the group ate. Lonst and Juni told stories of their journey during the Great Wizard Migration; Talia told of her discoveries in America; and Harry, Hermione, and Ron told Hermione's parents of their adventures at Hogwarts.

"Amazing!" Lonst exclaimed as he counted their feats off on his long fingers. "You three discovered the Sorcerer's Stone, found the Chamber of Secrets, were friends with Sirius Black, fought Boggarts, met a werewolf, went through the Triwizard's Tournament, AND faced He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself!"

"Yeah," Hermione replied.

"Amazing!" Lonst repeated. "Think, Juni-not only does Hermione know Harry Potter-but she faced all of this with him as well!" Juni grinned.

"It's not that big of a deal," Hermione blushed. "It was mostly Harry anyways."

"Yeah," Ron sighed. "it was mostly Harry's accomplishments. We just helped out here and there."

"Nevertheless," Juni said to Ron and Harry. "you are truly brave wizards, and you," she turned to Hermione. "are truly the brightest witch of your age." Hermione blushed as Harry and Ron continued to describe their adventures to her parents. Then she began to wonder. What was next for her? True, she'd finish her last two terms at Hogwarts..but what then? Would she be able to live a normal life? Or would she have to run like her parents? She had to ask.

"Um..Mum? Dad?" Hermione timidly asked. Ron and Harry fell silent, and her parents turned towards her.

"Yes, Hermione?" Lonst asked.

"Well..I don't mean to dampen the mood..." Hermione cautiously told them. "but..what's next for me? What am I going to do after Hogwarts?" Her parents looked at her curiously. "I mean...since I just met you..I don't know what is expected of me." she finished, teary eyed. Silence fell over them after that. No one moved; no one breathed.

"Hermione," Juni broke the silence, "you are more than we ever expected or wanted! You are a brave, brilliant young witch that is so much more than we ever wanted.." she got up and kneeled next to her daughter, wiping the tears from her eyes. "You are so much more than we ever wanted..." she repeated.

Lonst got up and kneeled next to his daughter as well. "All we want is for you to be happy, Hermione," he told her. Hermione looked up at Lonst and Juni...her parents. She looked around her, at her best friends, her sister..her boyfriend...her support..and she smiled. She saw how much she had now. Loving parents, a sister that loved her, a loving boyfriend, and a supportive friend. This was all she needed. She just had to do what came to her..and it would all be alright.

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Sorry for the rushed ending; epilogue going up right after this!