A/N: So this is it. The last chapter. The only thing I own even relating to Harry Potter is an averse opinion about waving around a stick and a couple books, though I may possibly own the protagonists of this story, depending on your opinion. This one is for ShatteredHeart-BlueSapphire 'cause she's the only one who really stuck by me through this whole thing. She rocks my socks! Enjoy!

She stood in the common room at exactly 8:25, turning to glance at the clock every ten seconds. Tonight she's traded her robes for dark denims and a navy jumper. Her coat is draped over her arm and her bag hangs from her shoulder, now holding only a muggle notebook and pen, a blanket, and a thermos of warm cider. She rocks on her heels and turns back to the clock.

"You look like you're waiting for something."

She spun, a smile breaking out. "Now why would I ever have to wait?"

"You shouldn't," he laughed and looked her over. "Quite the change?"

"Warmth and comfort. Two very important things." She shrugged and he motioned to the door.

"Shall we?"

She nodded and they left the common room. He turned toward the stairs to the astronomy tower and stopped when he realized she wasn't following.

"Coming?"

"Umm…no… Do you know how many people are gonna be up there?"

"Oh. I guess that's… So where are we going?"

She smiled. "Follow me." She took his hand and started leading him in the opposite direction. He stared at their joined hands and stumbled along behind her. Only when she stopped did he look up.

They stood before a portrait of the mountains and the night sky. The only one in the castle without a person. She dropped his hand and pulled out her wand.

"Apertis oculis." The picture swung away to reveal a narrow spiral staircase.

"Apertis oculis?"

"Open eyes. Come on."

She ran off up the stairs and he followed close behind. She kept glancing back as if she needed to be able to see him. He never noticed, too enthralled with the way her hair bounced as she ran.

At the top of the stairs were a set of glass doors, stained in a mosaic of all colors, lit by the moon beyond them.

"Where are we?"

"Well… I don't really know. But think about it. There are like a million towers on the school and there's no way there could be classrooms in all of them."

She opened the doors to reveal a large balcony. To the left lay the lake, the right the forest, and the mountains in the distance.

"Wow."

"That's what I said the first time I came up here." She took out the blanket and spread it across the floor.

"How'd you find it?"

"My mother told me about it. She used to come out here all the time when she was in school."

He nodded as she sat down on the blanket. She balled her coat behind her and laid back, staring up at the clear sky. He sat tentatively beside her and looked down at her. He saw the way the slight breeze ruffled her hair and the glow in her eyes as she traced the patterns in the stars.

She lie there searching the sky for any signs of the impending shower. Then her eyes drifted to him as he looked down at her. Her face flushed as she looked away.

"Umm… The sky's that way…?" she mumbled, waving her hand in the general direction in front of them.

Her skin prickled with goose pimples and she chanced a glance back over. He was still watching. He had heard her, but chose not to say anything for the fear of sounding like a fool. She sat up suddenly and reached for her bag.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"What do you have?"

"Just warm cider, but if you'd like I can just…"

"Cider's perfect."

She kept her face turned away as she poured two cups and handed him one. She then returned her gaze to the sky, pulling her knees to her chest and sipping slowly. He took one small sip and set the cup aside, instantly forgetting it.

"You like the stars."

It wasn't a question, but she answered.

"Yes. There's such an infinite number. There's no way of knowing what's out there beyond what we see. And you can't even see everything visible at once. It makes you realize that you're so small, just one tiny piece of the enormous universe. It makes you rethink what's important."

"What is important?"

"Family. Friendship. Even smaller things that you wouldn't think to miss until

they weren't there like the sound of the wind through the trees or the light happy feeling you get when you learn something new or…"

"Love?"

"…yes… Love is important." She turned toward him, but then immediately away when she met his intense gaze. She laid back again and he copied her, but then turned to his side to watch her.

"But it also teaches you not to worry about the little things like saying the wrong thing or spilling a bit of pumpkin juice on yourself at breakfast. You see the big picture and realize that some things that are now, may not be in the… Look! The first one. Make a wish." She lowered her hand from where she was pointing and closed her eyes.

A moment later she opened them and looked at him. He was still turned toward her, but now staring out at the sky.

"What did you wish for?"

He turned back to her and smiled. "I can't tell you or it won't come true."

She turned to her side to face him fully, laughing quietly. "That's just a myth. It's the belief behind the wish that you make that lets it come true through your actions. Not some cosmic power."

"Oh really?"

"Yes really. That's why you're supposed to wish all the time and with all your heart."

"Okay then. Well I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

"I guess that's fair."

"So what'd you wish for?"

She pulled her hand up and began to nibble on a fingernail. "Courage."

"Why would you need courage?" he laughed.

"You'd be surprised…" she mumbled around her finger. "Now tell me yours."

He leaned closer to her and she could feel his breath hot on her face and sweet smelling from the cider. "Do you really wanna know?"

Her eyes widened slightly at his change of tone and she swallowed nervously. "Yes."

He gave her a small smile. "I wished for courage, too."

Her brow furrowed. "Why do you need courage?"

"Well I'd hope for the same reason you do, but I can't be sure," he whispered, moving even closed to her.

She shook her head. "You can't possibly need it for the same reason I do." She unconsciously leaned closer to him.

"You sure about that?" Closer.

Closer. "Ye-…"

She was cut off by him pressing his lips to hers. She inhaled sharply through her nose and pressed forward to kiss him back. He reached out and pulled her to him. He pulled them both upright as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

It was minutes before they pulled away, both breathless. They both stared down, fearing what the other thought of them.

Finally, slowly, they both looked up. Eye contact.

"I love you…" they both whispered.