Here it goes again and this is the final chapter. I don't want the story to be too long because people will lose interest in it. So this is the last one, enjoy:

An End And A Beginning

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" He asked and she nodded.

They were making out on the couch. Ron had never thought about what he would do if he got Hermione this far. They shyly slid their hands up and down the others body and they both felt wonderful. It was less embarrassing than both of them had feared. There was just one more thing that Ron was afraid of: Telling Hermione that he loved her.

He did not know when he was supposed to do it. Should it be especially romantic? Or could he just do it right now on the couch? Should he wait? Should he not?

He decided to ask Harry how he had done it with Ginny. It was embarrassing but he had already embarrassed himself so often in front of Harry that this time did not matter anymore.

When he and Hermione finally let go of one another, Ron went upstairs into his bedroom where he found Harry and Ginny, luckily not snogging but looking at some photos.

"Hey Ron." Ginny greeted him. Harry smiled.

"Hey." Ron greeted back.

"Where's Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"In your room. She's very tired."

"Yes, I am as well. Goodnight, I'll join her."

She kissed Harry goodnight and left the room.

"What are you looking at?" Ron asked curiously and peeked over Harry's shoulder.

"My parents…" Harry said and smiled.

"They are very handsome." Ron joked and Harry laughed.

"They are proud of you." Ron added more seriously.

"Thanks, mate." Harry said.

Ron sat down on his own bed opposite from Harry.

"You look happy." Harry noticed, closed the photo album and sat in the tailor's seat on his bed.

"I am. Very." Ron said grinning. "But there is something…"

"Yeah?"

"…I want to ask you."

"Shoot."

"How did you do it?"

"Did what?"

"Tell - tell Ginny that you love her."

"I did it down by the lake. At sunset. It was beautiful."

"Oh… sounds good."

"Why do you ask?"

"What do you think?" Ron shook his head.

"Oh, yeah, right. You love Hermione."

"Right."

"Then tell her."

"How?"

"Somehow."

"You are not much of a help, you know?"

"I know."

"Any other suggestions?"

"No."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

With that they both lay down on their beds and Ron switched the lights off.

Smiling, Harry said: "Just do what your heart tells you."

Ron sighed. Then they fell asleep.

.-.-.-.

The next morning told them it was going to be a hot day. Ron was sure there was going to be thunderstorm in the night. Harry and him had been sent to the garden by Mrs Weasley to degnome it and Hermione and Ginny watched them work in the burning sun while they enjoyed a girl's talk.

"Ron has grown a nice body over the years, don't you think?" Hermione said tilting her head to one side and eyeing Ron.

"Well, besides that he is my brother and I do not think of him this way, yeah… Quidditch has done him good." Ginny replied laughing.

"How did Harry tell you he loved you?" Hermione asked looking over at Ginny.

"Well, I did it first, it was easy for him to just say it back." Ginny grinned.

"Oh. Maybe I should say it first as well… I don't think Ron will build up the courage too soon… But I want him to."

"Oh, Mione, it really doesn't matter who does it first. Don't make a drama out of it."

"But this is really special to me."

"Yes, I know it's special. Just don't worry about it, it will happen eventually. Sooner than you think, I think." Ginny added and smirked at Ron who had been staring at them for a while.

"Okay, I won't bother you anymore with the topic."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Um, Hermione, I was wondering…" she supressed her laughter.

"What?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

"… wondering if Ron was any good at making out?"

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed in shock and laughed as well.

"I mean… I just can't imagine him being good at it. He is so clumsy and all…"

"Oh trust me." Hermione grinned slyly. "You have no idea."

The girls laughed and talked for a few more hours until it was time for lunch.

.-.-.-.

In the evening Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry headed for the lake again. Just like before, Harry and Ginny made their way into the nearby trees and left Ron and Hermione alone. Ron held her hand firmly in his and stroked his thumb over the back of it.

The sun was setting. It would have been beautiful if it had not been for the dark clouds hanging in the sky that sheltered the sun from their view.

"This is supposed to look better." Ron complained over the weather.

"It doesn't matter, Ron."

"Yes, it does."

"Why?"

"I wanted to tell you something and it should be more romantic."

He blushed. Hermione became nervous. Was this the moment? Was he going to tell her he loved her? Finally? Butterflies raced through her body like always when she was with Ron.

"Just tell me. I don't care about the circumstances." She tried to sound calm but her voice was high-pitched.

Just then the first droplet of water reached the ground.

"Oh no." Ron said. "It's starting to rain… Let's better go back."

He sarted moving but Hermione stayed where she was.

"No." she said simply. "I won't move until you have told me what you wanted to tell me."

Now it was Ron's turn to be nervous. The rain was falling steadily and heavy drops hit their hair.

"Hermione, come on, it's pouring!"

She did not speak or move.

Flashes of light covered the sky and a loud roll of thunder made Hermione wince. Ron saw the panic in her eyes.

"Hermione…" Ron said softly and walked over to her. He closed his arms around her and she buried her soaked head in his chest. "You are scared of thunderstorms?"

She nodded and tightened her grip around him when another roll could be heard. Ron smiled.

"I love you Hermione."

The moment was there. It had been easy. He had not even thought about what he was saying but he had done it. Maybe that was listening to your heart. His timing had never been better.

She looked up at him and the scared expression changed. She was beaming brightly. Ron smiled down at her and stroked her cheek.

"You don't know how long I have been waiting to hear that."

"Well, I have an idea, I think…"

"I love you too."

"Yeah?"

"Of course."

"Sounds good."

"Sounds really good."

Ron bent down and kissed her lips. Her tiny figure felt so right in his arms. Her hands were in his hair.

The rain kept pouring down on them but they did not care. Finally - after all these years of bickering, being friends, confusion, jealousy and whatever had been there - they had found love.

It was the end of a drama that had been lasting far too long and it was the beginning of something new, something completely different than any of them had ever experienced. It was the beginning of a life together.

They had always been meant to be. Now they were.

.-.-.-.

OMG. If this is not the fluffiest stuff I've ever written… Thank you all SO much for reading my story. I hope you liked it. I enjoyed writing it. I'm really honored by the many nice reviews I've gotten and I'm so happy that some of you have added my story to their favourite stories list. I'm also happy that you did not complain about my English skills. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

The loveliest wishes and kisses from

saule-pleureur