Chapter: #13—I Love You
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, any of the characters in the book, or anything else related to the book.
A/N: Sorry it took so long. I'm at a lack of ideas for this story…at least I was until this chapter came along. I hope you enjoy this. It's the last one.
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"Okay, Harry. Give me a moment to straighten up."
"Hermione, we're already here. It doesn't matter what you look like anymore."
"Thanks. I feel loved," she snorted before raising her hand to knock on the door, but it opened before it could make contact.
"Hermione?" Ron shrieked. He was boxer-clad and red in the face.
"Are you in there with someone?" she inquired.
"Is it any of your business?"
"I—I," she stammered slightly before glancing back at Harry. "I just came to discuss things, but since you're busy I guess I'll come back later. Just send an owl to my—Harry's place. I'll send back, okay?"
He nodded slightly before closing the door. That was mildly pointless. Hermione concluded that it would be hard getting through to Ron. She half expected him to be in denial or come back extremely angry. She was happy that he was with someone—who she assumed was Luna—because it let her feel less guilty for being such a horrible person. She was aware that what she did was horrendous and immoral, but what could she do now but try and help Ron explain? He obviously didn't want to hear it, though.
Hermione and Harry made their way back to Harry's and now Hermione's home to get ready for work.
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"Ginny? You had me worried." Mrs.Weasely sighed.
"Sorry Mum. I just had a lot on my mind. You know?"
"No, I'm sorry, but I don't" she retorted, pursing her lips and furrowing her brows. "Please talk to me."
"I think it's best that I keep it to myself for now—I have to talk to Draco about it first. Yes. It concerns him. But when I went over there Pansy was on her way. I suppose I might not be telling him—ever. It'll relive a whole lot of bloody stress."
Mrs. Weasely smiled, "Oh dear, did you hear about Hermione and Ronald? Divorced at last!" she added enthusiastically. "I know I shouldn't be this happy. But even I could recognize it wasn't right. I was going back and forth as to whether I thought it was best. Ah, but alas—"
A dark owl flew in through the window and perched itself upon the table carrying a note addressed to Ginny Potter. She carefully unfolded it and felt that familiar burn in her heart when digesting the words.
"What's it say, dear?"
"It's from Draco. He wants me to meet him later tonight."
"Oh." Was her quiet reply, and to change the subject she reached over behind her and presented Ginny with the Daily Prophet. "Look who made the cover," She extended a long, word finger across the front page and landed upon a certain raven-haired man grasping little Jack in his arms and walking next to a smiling Hermione, "seems like the press is at it again."
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"Look at this!" Hermione exclaimed, she had just returned from work. She threw the paper down on her kitchen table. "This is unfair, this is totally—argh!"
"Calm down, Love. It'll be fine. I mean," He glanced down at the cover, "'Boy-Who-Lived Steals Baby, Wife and Home from Friend' isn't as bad as it seems."
"Sure it isn't Harry! It's just totally incorrect and horribly inaccurate. So now what? We can't even walk down the street without being published."
"Hermione, it is fine. They'll give up on us when we get boring. Plus, even I'll admit the title isn't all that incorrect. Though, the article is pretty horrifying." He snorted before beckoning to Hermione. He pulled her into a tight embrace and stroked her hair. She leant back slightly and looked upwards, locking eyes with Harry.
"Harry, I love you."
"I love you too." He replied and kissed her gently.
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She knocked again on his door hoping he would be prepared this time.
"Oh, hello."
"Hi."
"Come in," he offered, she entered.
"I know we haven't been talking for a while," Ginny sighed, "But I-I'm really missing you lately" that wasn't exactly what she had expected to come out, but she went along with it.
His face turned rather bitter at the mention of their previous relationship. "What's really going on Ginny?"
"Nothing. Never mind me. Forget I came. Are you with Pansy, now? I'm sure you two will be happy." She suggested before her eyes began to well up.
"Ginny!" Draco exclaimed before drawing her in to an embrace, "How long?"
"Two months," she managed between sniffles. "How'd you know?"
"Well, you never were this emotional."
She snorted before looking up at him, "I love you, Draco."
"I love you, too."
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"Ronald, we need to talk!" Hermione yelled.
"I don't want to! I already know what happened."
"No you don't! Please let me tell you,"
"Fine!" He cried. She sat across from him in his living room.
"Because you aren't one for paying attention I'll give you the short version. I switched the toothbrushes—do not interrupt me Ronald—and I thought that by doing that it would be best for Jack. He would have the same father he'd had for all his life. But in the process I was robbing Harry of his own child. I know I did it wrong—do not interrupt me—but now that it's over I think we're better off. The details will come in due time. Now you can speak,"
"Hermione. I know I shouldn't forgive you. I should hate you. I should be livid. But, man, life is just too short. I'll always love you." He whispered before hugging her gently. They talked for a little bit longer, but Hermione remembered that Harry wanted her to meet him down at the ministry. She bid her farewells to Ron and headed over there. Harry stood out front, Jack at his side and the sun was setting behind him. She walked over to him and greeted him with a kiss and ruffled Jack's hair.
"Hey," Harry smiled, "I was thinking. You got so stressed over the press and he papers that I had a brilliant idea."
She cocked her eyebrows before glancing about at the busy people around, "And what was that?"
He shuffled in his pockets before finding what he was looking for. And when it was secured in his hand, down he bent onto one knee, grasping her hand in his. He opened the small container in his hand to reveal a diamond ring.
"Hermione Jane Granger, will you be my wife?"
She beamed down at Harry, glanced over at Jack and then back at Harry. "Yes."
Harry swiftly placed the ring on her finger before standing up to face Hermione. And there, with several cameras flashing, Harry Potter kissed her with all his heart, letting every inch of him melt into every part of her.
END