This is it...almost.

Thanks to my beta Pamela RR!

Hermione carefully patted down her forehead where a thin layer of sweat had formed. She had spent the last thirty minutes wrestling a comb through her thick curls to no effect. She was trying to make herself look halfway decent for the volunteer appreciation dinner in the Great Hall. She finally gave up and twisted her chestnut locks into an oversized knot at the top of her head.

"Done!" she said to her reflection in the mirror.

"You look lovely," the charmed mirror's reflection replied.

"Oh, shut it!" Her charmed reflection rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.

"You almost ready, Mione?" asked Harry as he entered her room his trunk following behind him.

"Yes, I'm ready," she huffed. Harry walked up to her and placed his arms around her.

"It's all going to work out. If it was anyone else; I would be worried."

"It's just hard for me not to be nervous. What if we can't find them?" Hermione turned to look at the chipped coffee mug on top of her vanity. Professor McGonagall gave it to her a few hours ago, reminding her that it will activate at six a.m. sharp. A small smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the mug. She was unsure how the Ministry came about a mug that said "Everything's Bigger in Texas". But for some reason, reading the humorous phrase made her feel a bit more...at ease.

"With your research skills and color coded timetables? I seriously doubt it." Hermione smiled up the dark haired wizard, placing a delicate kiss on his lips.

"Thank you, love." Harry's face lit up as a grin stretched across his face. Hermione couldn't help but to widen her grin.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Sorry...I-I've never heard you call me anything other than Harry."

"Really?" Hermione furrowed her brow as she thought about his statement.

"At least to my face, that is. Who knows what you call me behind my back," he replied with a smirk.

"True. Wanker and arsehole sound very familiar," she said in a deadpan voice.

"Alright, smartarse. Let's go," Harry grabbed her hand and lead her out her room. "We can't be late."

"It just turned seven Harry. I don't think we will miss anything. It's just dinner."

"I know, but…" He didn't want to reveal the surprise party in her honor, so he said the first thing that came to mind. "It would be my last dinner in the Great Hall, so a little goodbye is in order." Hermione looked at him and tilted her head in agreement, then moved her arm through his as they continued their walk down the stairs to the Great Hall. Hermione was too busy speaking to Harry, that she didn't realize they had stopped walking and were standing in the Great Hall entrance.

"What's wrong Harry?" she asked before turning her head to the crowd within the hall."

"Happy journey!" the crowd shouted holding up their drinks towards the duo. Hermione's mouth fell open at seeing the group of people standing around a long table that was beautifully decorated with flowers. She turned her head once again and looked at Harry.

"Harry! Did you do this?" she asked, as she felt tears starting to form in her eyes. Harry put his arm around her shoulders and lead her to the table. Familiar faces crowded her vision as she and Harry were pulled into hugs. She was happily overwhelmed by the warmth that was filling the large space.

"Not everything. As you can see I had help." As if right on queue, food appeared on the table and music started to play. She couldn't stop the tears from streaming down her face when a certain redhead wizard started walking towards her.

"Hey Mione, " said Ron as he removed a white napkin from the table and handed it to her. A wet smile appeared on her face as she grabbed the napkin to dry her eyes.

"Hi Ron...I'm so glad you're here."

Hermione moved closer to him, pulling him into a tight hug. He put his arms around her holding her close. "I'm sorry, Mione. I really am." Hermione tilted her head to look at her best friend. The sincerity in his eyes spoke volumes. She raised her hand to the corner of his eye to wipe away a tear before it made an appearance.

"I know Ronald." She shook her head. "Why is this a common occurrence between us?"

"What are friends that don't bunt heads...all the time?" Ron shrugged his shoulders. "Or it could be that I'm a right prick, but I prefer the first option." Hermione laughed and hugged him again.

"I love you Ron. Thank you for coming and thank you for being my best friend."

"Always, Mione," he replied with his crooked smile.

Harry walked towards the pair with his hands in his pockets. Ron released Hermione; pivoting his head towards Harry.

"Thanks Harry, for constantly bombarding me with owls over the last fortnight," he said. Hermione turned to Harry with a raised eyebrow. Harry gave her a smile, then turned back to Ron.

"We belong together," Harry said matter of factly. "I don't think any of us could imagine not having each other in our lives." Hermione and Ron both nodded in agreement. Hermione took note of Harry glancing around the room. "Ginny?" A frown appeared on Ron's face as he spoke to his friend.

"Give her time, mate. She's upset right now, but she'll come around. I'm sure of it."

Hermione knew that Harry would take this information to heart. Regardless of his new plan of "living his own life" he was still Harry. And Harry only ever wanted to do, what was right. Before he could let his emotions get the best of him, she took hold of her wizard's hand; giving it a little squeeze. His bright green eyes turned to face her and she tried to convey with her eyes that "this is what is right." Harry returned the squeeze to her hand.

"I hope one day she does," he said.

Towards the end of the night, Harry made it to his seat while Hermione said her goodbyes and thanks to the people who came to wish her a safe journey. A sense of contentment soothed his soul as he watched some of the party goers still laughing and eating. These were the same people who believed in him. The same people who fought by his side. There was happiness in their eyes instead of fear, and smiles upon their faces instead dirt and blood. He took in his surroundings remembering the piles of rubble that once lined the floor. Now the hall was just as he remembered it when he was eleven years old. He looked up to see the ceiling was enchanted for the evening. The corner of his mouth twitched, recalling a very young girl with brown bushy hair and buck teeth whispering to the first years how the ceiling was bewitched to look like the sky outside. He lowered his head catching the same girl coming towards him. However, she was no longer a girl, but a woman. A woman with a lovely smile and...slightly bushy hair. Next to her, a tall lanky redhead with a freckled face. His two best friends. Perhaps in a weird way, he should thank Voldemort. The trio would have never became friends if it wasn't for that fucking troll. But, then again, fuck that snake faced bastard. Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder tracing his back as she took the seat next to him. Ron stood next to the couple and was about to speak before Luna emerged out of nowhere. The trio flinched, surprised by the blonde witch's arrival.

"Hello," she said in her dreamy voice.

"Hey Luna," the trio responded in unison.

"I wanted to wish you both the best on your travels and good luck finding your parents. I'm sure their heads are filled with Wrackspurts that would need to be removed. I'm not one hundred percent positive, but I believe they like Muggle heads too."

"Umm. Thank you Luna. We appreciate everything you did tonight. The flowers were absolutely beautiful," said Hermione to the young witch.

"Yes, thank you Luna," said Harry.

"You're most welcome. And you…" her focus was now on Ron. "I'll be expecting your owl soon." Ron furrowed his forehead in confusion.

"Er...what owl?" He asked. Luna giggled, then turned on her heel skipping out of the Great Hall. Ron turned to Harry and Hermione. "What bloody owl is she talking about?" Harry snorted as he tried to hold in his laughter.

"Are you planning on asking her out some time?" Ron's eyebrows shot up to his hairline.

"Luna?"

"Why not? She's smart, pretty, and brave," said Hermione.

"Luna?"

"Is that going to be your only response?" asked Hermione.

"Sorry, I never thought...Luna?" The duo laughed as the same determined look Ron used as he played Wizard's Chess could be seen on his face. He quickly composed himself. He turned to his friends giving a hug to both of them. He also reminded them to owl him when they arrive and to provide him with all updates before he walked out of the Great Hall.

Shortly after, Harry and Hermione left the hall leaving behind Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout, as they started to enjoy a fairly large bottle of mead. The couple walked slowly through the school, taking their time as they headed back to Hermione's room.

"Thank you for tonight, love," she said as she climbed into the bed next to Harry.

"It wasn't just me. A lot of people care about you too." He reached over to stroke her cheek.

"I know you had help, but I also know that you planned it. It was wonderful." She moved closer to him, placing her head on his shoulder and an arm around his waist.

"Hermione?"

"Hum?" There was a short pause.

"Will you marry me?" Hermione spontaneously sat up in bed to face the wizard.

"What the fuck Harry!"

"What?" He asked, sitting up straight. She moved to criss-cross her legs. He mirrored her position, sitting so his knees now pressed against hers.

"I love you Harry. I am wholeheartedly in love with you."

"But-"

"We both decided that day in the library that we were ready to live our own lives. A life of our choosing, correct?" Harry gave her a weak nod. "We leave in five hours to Australia. On a journey, that might prove itself unfruitful. If we find my parents, I then have to make sure I'm able to safely restore their memories. Then, I have to pray they forgive me and confess to them about a war their only child fought in. If all that works out. Then, I have to be back here by September first to finish my schooling and take a damn exam that will determine my entire career. An exam that I'm giving myself only three months to study for. Then, if I get the grades I want, I still have to find a job that interests me. And who knows how long that will take?"

"So...you don't want to marry me?"

"Not exactly. It's more of...can you wait and ask me once I complete all these other things?" Harry looked at the witch in front of him. She would never know the happiness she brings him when she looks at him. He was madly in love with her too and he would wait a hundred years if she asked.

"Deal," he said simply, leaning over to kiss her. They both climbed back under the covers, falling asleep wrapped in each other's arms.

The duo stared at the chipped coffee mug. In three minutes they would be in Melbourne to start the search for Hermione's parents, currently known as Wendell and Monica Wilkins. Hermione's trusty beaded bag was securely attached to her hip. It carried not only their necessities but their entire worldly belongings. Hogwarts had been their only home for so long, and now they were leaving it behind. Hermione had plans of returning to complete her N.E.W.T.S., but the future was so uncertain. Harry could see Hermione getting anxious. A light sheen of sweat was on her forehead and her chest was rising quickly up and down. He could understand the feeling; a feeling of the unknown. But now it was his turn to follow and follow he would. Now, to distract her.

"Hey! Granger," he shouted. Hermione snapped out of her head to look at the wizard next to her.

"Love you," he said as he pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her deeply. He made sure both their hands were locked down as the mug started to glow a neon blue. Instantly, the room was silent and empty.

The epilogue will be posted on Friday.