Author's note: Finally, I'm done! This short-fic was just a little longer than I wanted it, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. Thank you to those who reviewed!

Chapter 4: Farewell

If someone said three years from now

You'd be long gone

I'd stand up and punch them out

Coz they're all wrong and

That last kiss I'll cherish

Until we meet again

That rest of the year was pretty hard for me. I passed all my N.E.W.T.s with flying colors. I was able to spend a lot of time with Ron and Harry. I managed without him well enough. It was difficult, yes, but I survived. I wasn't happy, but I made it.

I'll never forget that last kiss. It was sort of an odd moment, really. I was about to step on to the Hogwart's express when I felt a hand press against the small of my back. My head whipped around; I lost my balance. But he caught me. I guess I can't really give him all the credit. Part of it was due to his super-fast seeker reflexes. His muscular arms cradled me to his chest, where he looked down at me with the sweetest of expressions.

"Just came to say goodbye," he whispered smoothly, causing my heart to stop. I could never figure out how he did that.

"Um, why?" I replied back, with just a smidge of confusion. After all, we had been broken up for a while.

In the midst of a swarm of Hogwarts students, he continued to hold me. "I've always regretted letting you go." He flashed me one of his brilliant smiles. I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling back.

"Well, thanks for telling me just a tad bit too late." I shifted in his embrace, causing him to let me down. The position had wrinkled my skirt, and I took a moment to flatten it out.

"Well, I tried to but-

I cut him off. "I think its time to get on with our lives. Agreed?" Not waiting for a response, I turned and walked back toward the train.

I was stepping on when I felt his hand on my shoulder. Twirling around, I was intent on yelling at him. Instead, I found his mouth clamped on mine.

We stayed like that for the longest time, until he pulled away. Rubbing his forefinger lightly over my bottom lip, he bade me farewell and disappeared into another car of the train. I was stunned, unable to move, until a whistle began to blow. The signal for our departure. With a last fleeting glance toward the castle, I slid into my car just as the doors shut.

And time makes it harder

I wish I could remember

But I keep your memory

You visit me in my sleep

My darlin' who knew

I shot up in bed, sweating from a near nightmare. Once again, he had entered my dreams. I wiped a hand across my forehead, eyes shut. I tried to remember what I had seen, but couldn't. As quickly as it came, it was gone.

I lay back into my pillows, rolling over on my side. A snoring Ron was beside me, oblivious to my pain. I ran a finger through his soft hair, smiling to myself. Just a few short years ago, it was him who was beside me in bed.

Ron stirred, but didn't wake. Leaning over, I planted a kiss on his right cheek and wrapped my arm around his waist. Who knew that just a few short years ago I would settle down with Ron? That I would fall in love with him instead? I closed my eyes. To this day, I never told Ron about that last kiss. But I cherished it. It was the one thing I had left to hold on to. But who knew that I would find someone better than him? That I would find someone who could love me better?

I pulled the comforter over my head and sighed. I felt a movement beside me, then an arm around my own waist. I snuggled closer to him, resting my forehead against his bare chest.

"How'd you know?" I whispered into his hardened torso, lips brushing against sensitive skin.

There was a moment of silence. Then, slowly, he answered, "I don't really know how. I guess I just did."

I sighed one last time. "I'm glad you did."

My darlin' my darlin' who knew

My darlin' I miss you

My darlin' who knew

Who knew