O.O.S: Like I said before, this is the LAST chapter. Now I have to think of something else to write about… Or perhaps I will take a break and read all of your stories. Well, whatever I choose, I am sure you will all soon figure out.

Thank you soooooooooo much for reading this story. It was a pleasure to write and a pleasure to share with you all!

XOXOXOXO x 100000000000

B.I.S: This is the last time I get to say I do not own anything created by J.K. Rowling. Sad. :[ *sniffle* Well, at least for this fan fic ;)

Rating: T

Stolen

Chapter 17:

About Time

Hermione's P.O.V:

One day later…

One thing I hate more than anything is repeating myself.

That is why when I found myself watching my clock again that next morning I was very irritated. I hadn't done such a thing for 6 months and now I was plagued with the behavior once again…

Getting out of bed, I forced myself into the shower and then into some clothes. Two more 'repeated' activities. I didn't hesitate at a mirror though, for I was certain I already knew what my 'train wreck' face looked like. Placing myself on my sofa, Crookshanks hopped up into my lap. Beginning to scratch his ears, he purred and closed his eyes in contentment.

At least you are happy… I thought.

Looking across the coffee table I noticed my mobile sitting there. I was certain it had not been touched since I had called Harry the night before. I reached for it and checked the date.

January 1st.

Had a New Year really rung in and I hadn't even noticed?

I suppose I had been consumed in thought… More like consumed with Harry. I wasn't going to let that happen this next year, I couldn't. I planned then to start a new.

Move on.

Get what I deserved.

Although, I knew I could never love anyone as much as I loved Harry Potter, I could only hope that someday I could meet someone that came close. Even though I would live a 2nd best life, at least I wouldn't be living at lie…

2nd best? Really Hermione? Is that what you want? I thought.

"No. No it isn't."

Caught up in a rush of adrenaline, I rose to my feet, causing Crookshanks to slide off my lap and onto the floor. He gave me an aggravated stare as I waked to my hall closet retrieved a coat.

"Sorry Crookshanks. I'll make it up to you I promise." I smiled at my pet before I ran to my door, flung it open and sprinted down the hallway. Reaching the elevator, I jumped up and down in anticipation. Unable to wait, I went for the stairs. Leaping down 4 steps at a time, I was outside in seconds. Looking around myself, I searched through my thoughts, trying to think where he would be.

Think Hermione, think!

Then, it hit me. Turning towards the direction to my destination, I began to run through the crowd of people. I couldn't think of anything other than where I was going. Maneuvering past person after person, on the streets, I felt as if I could not move fast enough.

Please be there. Please be there. Please be there. I thought.

Before I knew it, I was in front of 'Three Magic Beans'. Thrusting the door open, I was welcomed by the warm heated air of the cozy coffee shop. The hot air around me tingled my cold skin as I found myself face to face with Sam, the faithful old owner.

"Happy New Year Hermione. Pleasure to see you today. Harry's at your usual table."

I walked away from Sam hardly giving him much of an acknowledgment. I had already known he was going to be there…

Sure enough, as I rounded the counter, I found him sitting at our table with a cup of coffee, starring out the magically enhanced windows. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and he looked a bit hollow himself. I suspected it was from lack of sleep from the night before with Ginny at some roaring New Years celebration…

But then again, he did not seem very happy. He seemed quite the opposite.

Finally getting the strength to do so, I walked towards him. Hearing my footsteps, Harry lifted his head and made eye contact with me. Rising to his feet, he stepped away from the table and stood before me. Once we were about two feet apart I stopped in my tracks. A whirlwind of emotions filled me as we made eye contact.

Suddenly, Harry moved towards me, as if to kiss me, but I retaliated by slapping him across the face. The sound caused by the slap brought attention to us. Sam and a few other early morning regulars had moved their eyes to us. Widening his eyes, Harry starred at me in confusion, putting a hand to his now reddened cheek.

"Ow." He murmured, slightly to himself for he was definitely too confused to actually be upset.

"You are an idiot Harry James Potter." I scolded, crossing my arms. "What are you trying to do?"

"I thought I was trying to kiss you." he replied, still looking bewildered.

"And what? Continue our little affair only for you to change your mind yet again and crush me to pieces? I don't think…!" he covered my mouth, stopping the words that were tumbling out of it.

"Hermione… It's not like that," he began. "I cut it off with Gin last night. I took some advice from my best friend. She said it wasn't fair to try to love someone when you are in love," he cautiously removed his hand from my mouth. "with someone else."

Letting a smile illuminate his face, he reached for my left hand. Pulling it up between us, he observed my now bare ring finger.

"And I am guessing since you no longer have a ring on your finger…"

"Right after you left I went to his house…" I trailed off as I put the pieces together.

Harry was no longer with Ginny because he… He wanted to be with me.

"But I understand if you don't want to be with me 'Mione… I have already hurt you far too much. You deserve so much better-."

"Harry, stop telling me what I deserve." I ordered. He was caught of guard by my sternness. "I am sick of hearing that. I know what I deserve, and I deserve to get what I want..."

Reaching for his hand, he quickly took mine into his grasp.

"And sadly, the only thing I want in this entire world, is you."

His smile grew into a full grin as he reached his free hand to my face.

"If I try to kiss you now, you're not going to slap me, right?" he joked.

I shook my head, letting a laugh escape my lips.

"Oh shut it." I murmured grabbing the collar of his shirt and pulling him down to kiss me. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he held me close and kissed me back. I heard a few 'awes' from our spectators.

"Well it's about time you two got together!" Sam exclaimed from the counter.

Harry and I laughed, pulling away from our kiss, hardly able to look away from each other.

There were a lot of things that I shouldn't have done.

I shouldn't have stolen Harry Potter's heart and I shouldn't have let him steal mine. But I did, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I'm not completely convinced in fate, but I am convinced in that Harry and I were 'supposed' to be, and it was about time that happened.

Sam was right, it was about time…

THE END

O.O.S: Thank you all soooooooo much again! You have been the best readers ever.

:D