Epilogue

The train rattled on the tracks and Hermione peered carefully into the compartment. Her heart still hurt, but she knew she needed to do this before they reached King's Cross. With a deep breath she pulled open the compartment door and took a step inside. Immediately there was a huff of annoyance and Ginny stalked out the door, banging painfully into Hermione as she did so. Hermione blinked away tears; clearly Ginny hadn't forgiven her for sleeping with Blaise. Although the couple were still together, Hermione had heard that they were on rather rocky ground since all had been revealed.

"How can we help you?" Harry looked up from the newspaper he was reading whereas Ron simply glared. Luna stood up.

"I still need to find my Quibbler; Orla Quirke borrowed it and never returned it." Luna swiftly left the compartment and wander off down the train. Hermione sat down in her seat and sighed heavily.

"Listen I want to apologise, for everything."

"Its okay, Hermione. I under...we understand." Harry said, Ron simply nodded curtly.

"I am so, so sorry, about everything."

"We told you last week that you're forgiven. The cookies helped a lot, though." Harry chuckled and Ron managed a weak smile. "Ron?" Harry prompted.

"We were wondering..." Ron coughed a little, clearing his throat before he began again. "Do you want to come to the burrow for the summer? Bill and Fleur are getting married and I know Mum would love you to be there." Harry kicked him under the table. "And...and so would I."

"Me too." Harry added on the end, grinning.

"I have to go home for a fortnight but I'd love to come after that." Hermione smiled meekly, shifting in her chair.

"Great." Harry said.

"Yeah, great." Ron added.

"Like old times." Harry smiled. "And listen, you'll help us with the whole thing against Voldemort, right? We could do with your researching skills."

"Of course. Actually I've spent some time in the library-"

Ron gave an honest laugh. "That isn't surprising."

"Anyway, I've been doing some more reading and I've found some good books that might be of help. I asked Madam Pince and she allowed me to take them, in light of everything that's happened, so I've shrunk a load of them and they're in my trunk right now." Hermione gave a sad smile.

"Thank you." Harry said. "I know it hasn't been easy for you, what with Malfoy leaving with Snape and all."

Hermione nodded, her head bent and she breathed deeply. She had promised herself that she wouldn't cry over this anymore. Holding back the tears that threatened to spill over, she lifted her head and gave a watery smile. "This can't have been easy for you either." Harry nodded.

"You know if it helps, it looked like Malfoy would never have done it, you know, killed..." Harry sighed. "No matter how long he was up there I don't think he could ever...you know."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you." She was truly grateful for that information; it made her feel a lot better about her choices over the past year. Maybe somewhere along the line she had made some correct ones, or at least they were right at the time.

"Anyone want to play exploding snap?" Ron asked in an effort to lighten the mood.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and grinned. They both knew to some extent what the other was going through, but they had forgotten what it was like to simply relax and enjoy a train journey, just three best friends without a care in the world.

As much as Hermione was still in pain, and desperately pining for a cigarette to calm her nerves, she refrained from moving, keeping a smile plastered on her face. She knew that she couldn't let this hold her back, not when Harry needed her most of all. She had hurt so many people and herself so much this year that it was time to move on.

The train rolled on down the line as it always did, making the usual journey that it made every year, carting hundreds of students on their journey home, back to their families and lives, oblivious to what traumas may be going on inside the head and heart of each student. Oblivious to the deception and the pain that each may hold close to their hearts. Oblivious to the love that some may still be clutching tightly, in hope.

AN: Its all over :( I can't believe I actually finished something this big...well its big for me. I want to say thankyou for all the reviews and favourites and everything, they mean a lot. Also I do have some plans for a sequel so if you liked this, or disliked the way it ended keep a look out for that :)