A/N: This is the last chapter, everyone! Enjoy!

Harry POV

As Harry walked up to the apartment building where Hermione lived, a light rain sprinkled the top of his head. Why was it always raining whenever he wanted to talk to Hermione? He rushed to get into the building, and with a small bit of persuasion—and magic—what, he could break the rules once in a while, couldn't he?—he made it up to the third floor, stopping in front of flat 318.

He knocked... no answer.

He knocked again... still, no answer.

Beginning to despair, he knocked a third time, louder, but resisted the urge to call out her name. When he was greeted once more with silence, he sighed, and turned around to leave.

By the time he got outside, it was pouring. He was soaked within minutes. Shaking his head in dismay, he pulled the collar of his coat up, and started down the street.

He stopped, however, when he spotted a figure, clad in a light blue coat, dancing in the rain. His breath caught; was it her? It had to be her. No one else he knew would go out in this horrible weather. Heart pounding, Harry altered his course, making a beeline for the dancing girl.

Once he was within a few feet, he was absolutely certain it was Hermione. Even wet, her chestnut hair was unmistakable, as was her smile. Warmth pulsed through him as he watched her, twirling and skipping through the puddles, without a care in the world. It was a very different sight from how she'd been when he saw her last. And he welcomed the change, happy to see her in such good spirits.

"You're happy," he commented, announcing his presence.

She stopped, barely managing to keep er balance as she faced him. Her smile faded, and he wondered what he'd done. But she didn't look angry, simply stunned. She was quiet for a moment, before she cleared her throat, and looked at her feet.

"Er, yeah," she mumbled.

Harry slowly walked toward her. "What's the occasion?"

She looked up at me. "Well... I got a promotion at work. I'm officially a reporter for the Daily Prophet now."

"Congratulations," he smiled.

"Thanks." Her eyes wandered for a few moments, before landing on him again. "So... what brings you here?"

He swallowed thickly. "I, um... just wanted to make sure you were okay. You know, after what happened on Christmas."

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm good."

"So I see," he smiled. "Well... good, then."

Her eyes narrowed. "Is that... all you came to say?" she asked. "I mean... there's nothing else?"

Oh, yes. There was so much he wished to say, but he didn't dare. So he shook his head, keeping an impassive expression. She was quiet, looking at her feet again.

"I, er..." she began, "I want to thank you for what you did. You know, for Ginny and myself. It was... well... thanks."

"It was nothing."

At this, she lifted her eyes to his. "No," she said quietly, taking a step forward. They were barely a foot apart now, and she was forced to look up to meet his gaze. "No, it wasn't nothing," she went on. "It was... more than I would have done in your shoes. After the way I've... well, I haven't exactly been kind to you..."

"Hermione, stop," he interrupted her, and she did. "You were completely justified in your treatment of me."

"No, I wasn't," she insisted, and Harry sensed a tangent coming on. She didn't disappoint. "It was stupid and prideful, and I was being exactly what you'd thought me to be at the time. And then you wrote me that letter, and I should have at least acknowledged it after I read it, but I was just so confused, and I didn't know what to believe! And then, all of a sudden, at the cemetery, I'm baring my soul to you, and I wanted to console you, and yesterday, I found out I'm in love with you and—"

"Wait, what?" Harry interrupted.

She looked up at him, confused for a moment, but then her eyes became wide as saucers as she realized what she said. "Oh..." she mumbled.

He leaned closer, his eyes searching. "Say it again." She tried to move away, but he grabbed her shoulders, holding her in place. Gently, he placed a hand beneath her chin, turning her face toward his. Emerald met chocolate, and the world seemed to be holding its breath with him. "Say it again," he repeated, almost pleading. "Or did I imagine it?"

For a moment, she seemed torn, a battle waging between her mind and heart, but eventually, she whispered, "I love you."

Harry was speechless. Never, even in his wildest dreams, would he have believed he would hear her say those words to him. Even now, he wasn't sure if it was just his mind playing tricks on him, or if she was really saying it.

"I love you," she said again, "and I'm sorry for how I've treated you. I'll understand if you don't want anything to do with me anymore."

Where the hell did she get an idea like that?

"Anyway," she turned to leave, "I'll just... go now."

Oh, no you don't!

Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her back towards him. She inhaled sharply as he bent towards her. "I'm not letting you get away that easy, Miss Granger," he said in a husky whisper, then he impulsively pressed his lips to hers.

Hermione POV

It wasn't Hermione's first kiss—it wasn't even her first kiss with him—but it was a first in so many ways. She had never once felt like she was missing something, like she was simply one half of a whole. Now, however, she felt as if that missing puzzle piece had slid into place. She was complete.

When the kiss ended, Harry's forehead rested against hers. "I love you, Hermione Granger," he murmured. "And I'm sure that I will love you for a very long time."

She smiled. "Really?"

"If you'll let me," he said.

"It's a demand at this point," she teased, and they shared another kiss. They barely noticed the rain begin to ease, and the sun breaking through.

One year later...

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Mr. and Mrs. Potter!"

Cheers and loud whistling erupted in the small church in Godric's Hollow. Harry and Hermione made their way back up the aisle, toward the doors. As they exited the church, they were pelted with rice and flower petals.

Later that night, they stood in a line, with Sirius and the Weasleys, greeting friends and family at their reception. The ballroom at the Potter Mansion was decorated with an understated elegance that suited both the bride and groom perfectly. Even Ginny, who had become Mrs. Malfoy a few months prior, had to admit that their wedding had upstaged her own.

After the reception, the newlyweds changed into more sensible attire, and gathered their belongings, ready to go on their honeymoon.

"We should make one stop before we go," Harry said.

Hermione frowned. "Where?"

He merely smiled, took her hand, and they disapparated. A moment later, they were in a very familiar cemetery. Hermione's stomach clenched, and she looked up at her husband, question in her eyes. He smiled again, and led the way. As they walked, a light rain began to fall, just a few drops here and there. Hermione felt comforted by the welcome precipitation, as usual, and she itched to go run and dance, taking Harry with her. But he obviously had something to show her first, so she refrained.

Finally, they stopped, and she followed his gaze the tombstone. Her heart throbbed with bittersweet enlightenment as she read:

James and Lily Potter

Died Dec. 25, 1996

"Oh, Harry," she whispered, squeezing his hand.

He squeezed back, smiling at her, then at the tombstone. "I just thought you should meet them," he said. "Even though we lived in Derbyshire, they spent a lot of time in London, so I had them buried here."

Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder, crying a few sympathetic tears. After a few minutes, the rain started to increase, and she smiled, remembering her earlier thought. She lifted her head, pulling on his hand. "Come with me," she said.

She led him into the street, just outside the cemetery. The wet pavement sparkled in the moonlight, giving the place a magical feel—even though they were in a Muggle neighborhood. Hermione released Harry's hand, taking a moment to marvel at the beauty of this place. Then she turned to him again, offering her hand. He took it, and she began to sway. "I usually dance alone in the rain," she said, "but now I want to share it with you."

Harry smiled, and twirled her under his arm. They danced and laughed for a long time, and the subtle rain turned into a downpour. The couple was soaked within just a few minutes, but they didn't care. They were happy and in love.

When they started getting tired, they stood in each other's arms. Harry brushed a stray lock of wet hair from Hermione's forehead, and leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back with all the fervor and adoration she possessed, hoping to convey just how deliriously happy she was.

And from then on, their favorite kind of kiss was a kiss in the rain.

A/N: Yay for a sappy ending! That last line is for nomadicsoul5, who issued this wonderful challenge. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed! Loves! 3