So it's short, it's sweet, and it's the end =) Hope you like it XD HBP was even better the fourth time around (yes, yes, obsessed) and I only got told to shut up twice this time. A new record. Hope you've enjoyed this little mini-story and if you have, please review! If you haven't...well, please crawl into a hole and die. OK – that was a complete joke :D

'I do not need a bloody bandage on my leg!'

Hermione had to smile as she heard the familiar voice coming from the furthest bed in the Hospital Wing. She couldn't believe it was actually over. Completely over – and all because of her best friend.

Speaking of which – she had no idea where Harry was. They had come down from Dumbledore's Office and bumped into Ginny at the entrance to the Common Room – and Hermione had had to drag Ron off to the Great Hall, where Mrs Weasley had pointed out a deep cut on Ron's leg that she said had become infected and practically dragged him up to the Hospital Wing, leaving Hermione with a distraught George, Percy and Bill – and a shocked beyond words Mr Weasley.

After talking to Luna about the Nargles part in the war (apparently they may have affected and/or contributed towards some of the many Death Eater deaths) Hermione had deemed it safe to go up to see Ron.

Who was currently arguing with Madam Pomfrey.

'Mr Weasley, I must –'

It was like being back at school again, Hermione thought with a wry smile. She had forgotten just how much she had missed Hogwarts. She loved it – every inch of it – even if death had been to every nook and cranny of the castle in hers, Harry's and Ron's belated absence.

Ron opened his mouth but closed it again when he saw Hermione. Madam Pomfrey took that silence as a good thing and quickly put the bandage around his leg before moving to the next bed, calling over her shoulder to Ron.

'You can leave now, Weasley!'

Hermione had only just realised. Every bed was full. She had never seen that happen before. And people were stood about beds – looking at the patients in confused, shocked and – in some places – totally distraught – ways.

'Er, hi.'

'Hi.'

It was awkward. That was obvious to anybody within earshot. After kissing him so suddenly...Hermione couldn't decide whether he was going to pretend as though nothing had happened or just...well, there was no other option. He was Ron Weasley for crying out loud – the pig that ate constantly.

And yet it was with him who she had somehow managed to fall madly in love with.

They stared at each other for a moment before Hermione somehow rediscovered the knowledge of how to speak.

'I'm sorry about Fred.'

That was the wrong thing to say. Ron's face fell.

'Yeah – er...'

'Sorry,' Hermione said quickly as Ron stood up. 'I, er, shouldn't have said that.'

'No, no, it's fine,' Ron replied in a rushed voice. Hermione nodded and Ron grinned sheepishly, obviously trying to numb the sharp silence between them.

'Look, er, sorry about kissing you,' Hermione said. Ron's face fell again and Hermione's stomach gave a jolt. She hadn't wanted that reaction.

'No, erm, I mean...no, don't be sorry. It's not that I didn't like it or anything...'

Ron trailed of sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, and Hermione took a deep breath as quietly as she could.

Hermione couldn't think of what to say. Well, she knew what to say, but not how to say it or when to say it or even if she wanted to say it or...why did boys have to be so confusing?!

'Er...' Hermione and Ron started at the same time, and they both laughed at each other weakly just as Madam Pomfrey swept past them.

'Weasley, Granger out!'

Ron nodded and he started forwards, but Hermione's subconscious seemed to take over from there.

And the very clever subconscious made her kiss him again. She kissed him hard, throwing her arms around his neck, and Ron didn't exactly seem to mind it. In fact, he kissed her back just as eagerly. Everything went quiet as they kissed very passionately and publicly in the middle of the Hospital Wing.

Somebody actually whooped and clapped.

As they pulled away – both looking embarrassed – there were a few wolf whistles and slowly and gradually the conversation restarted in the Hospital Wing. There were two laughs behind them and Hermione span around to see Harry and Ginny stood there, grinning at both of them.

Harry looked exhausted – and dreadful – but still, Hermione swore that she had never seen him looking happier when he glanced at a laughing Ginny besides him.

'So it's true,' Ginny said delightedly.

Harry grinned weakly. 'You owe me five Galleons, Weasley.'

Ginny rolled her eyes. 'Whatever, Potter,' she teased back. She smiled at Hermione and put an arm around her, and another arm around her brother.

'I'm going to enjoy having you as a sister-in-law, Hermione.'

Hermione and Ron both blushed scarlet and Harry and Ginny grinned at them both.