It was all over. The running, the hiding, the war, everything that had caused Ron mental, emotional, and physical pain was over. Voldemort was dead, and Harry was safe. More important than anything, Ron and his friends were alive and everyone had survived…well, most everyone, anyway.

Ron sighed. He was in his room in the Burrow, and the war had ended three days previously. There was going to be a funeral taking place at Hogwarts for all the people who had died the next day. Out of all the places in the world, Hogwarts was the last place Ron wanted to be. The memories of the war that flooded his mind made him want to stay away from the school forever.

Fred, Tonks, and Lupin were all going to be part of the funeral. Ron felt the tears well up in his eyes at the thought of them, especially Fred. Everything was going to be different now. No more worries about Harry, no more war, no more Voldemort…and he could finally get going with Hermione in the way he always wanted…

Ron smiled to himself. The thought of a perfect world with Hermione was pure bliss.

A knock on the door tore Ron out of his thoughts. He sat up and saw Hermione poke her head in. "Hi."

He grinned at her. "Hey. Come on in." Hermione nodded and did as he asked, shutting the door behind her.

She sat down on his bed next to him and sighed. "It's all over, isn't it?"

He grinned his lopsided grin. "Yeah, it is. And we're alive, too." His thoughts lingered on Fred, but he didn't want to bring him up in front of her for fear he would start crying hysterically.

She smiled. Then without warning, for reasons unknown to Ron, she started laughing. "Oh, but have you actually – thought - of what we've done - for the past seven years?" she asked in between giggles. Ron frowned and started to laugh along with her when his thoughts landed on how he had vomited slugs in second year. Their laughter grew hysterical, which is what they both needed after the war.

"D'you remember – that stupid fight we had about your rat and Crookshanks?" Hermione said breathlessly, unable to stop laughing. "I mean – it was so stupid!"

Ron was dying; now that he thought about it, every little squabble he had gotten into with Hermione now seemed so pointless and stupid.

"And that – fight we had about Victor Krum –" Ron was able to get out. Hermione's laughter subsided slightly and she didn't respond.

When they were able to regain themselves, Ron sat up from where he had fallen on his bed due to the laughter. Hermione hadn't spoken for a while, and Ron had a suspicion he had said something wrong. "You know…er…I was really jealous that night you came to the Ball with Victor."

"No!" Hermione said sarcastically. Ron rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well…I was really out of line and I'm sorry."

Hermione's eyebrows rose. "Well, that's a first."

Ron nodded. "Yeah it is. And about leaving you –"

"What?" Hermione snapped. Ron decided it was still a touchy subject with her. "Well, I just –"

"You just what?" Hermione pressed on. She had jumped up from the bed and was sending Ron daggers through her eyes, which he was used to. "You just wanted to bring it up again and try to apologize again? I've forgiven you Ron, it's over!"

However, Ron knew it wasn't over; on the contrary, Hermione was still upset about the situation.

"Hermione you know I still don't feel right about it –"

"Really?" Hermione asked, her voice getting higher by each sentence. "Because I feel just marvelous about it! Spectacular in fact, that you had enough courage to even come back!"

Ron's blood was starting to boil. She was accusing him when he was trying to apologize? "Hermione, I'm trying to apologize, what - ?"

"Ron, I told you, I've already forgiven you, it's done –"

"God, can't you understand?" Ron finally overpowered her voice. "I'm trying to tell you something – I –"

"Then get it out, Ron!" Hermione yelled back impatiently.

"I – I bloody love you!" Ron screamed finally. Hermione shut her mouth and looked as if she had been slapped in the face.

"I love everything about you, your eyes, your hair, your smile, everything! I love that you're bloody brilliant and that you know everything about everything, I love that you can drive me absolutely mad and make me laugh at the same time. I love the fights we get in, but I love it more when you forgive me for being a git. I can't stand it when you cry, and I love it when you laugh or smile. You drive me mad, Hermione, but I'm – I'm in love with you."

Ron caught his breath and finally faced Hermione. She was staring at him with a mixture of awe and admiration with her mouth slightly open. "Ron –"

Before she could much farther than that, Ron took the few strides he needed to and kissed her with a force that made them both slightly dizzy. Hermione didn't back off, on the contrary, she eagerly responded with just as much force. He pulled her in closer by her waist, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel both their hearts beating together as one and the relief that he had after finally admitting to Hermione how he felt…

A knock on the door made them jump apart. Ron opened the door and was met by Harry. "Oh, bravo mate." He gave a smirk that told Ron that he had heard everything that Ron had said. Ron's eyes widened and Harry laughed. "Don't worry, mate. I'm not going to say anything. Just be glad Fr – George didn't hear." Harry blushed, and Ron knew he almost said "Fred and George" on mistake. Ron pretended he didn't hear.

"Anyway, what d'you want?" Ron asked. Harry pushed past him and shot Hermione an I-know-what-you-were-doing look.

"Oh, just wanted to know where you two ran off to," Harry smirked. "And now I do, don't I?"

Hermione spoke up. "Harry, we were just –"

"Please, spare me the details," Harry said, looking revolted. "I'm going to try to find Ginny – be good, you two." Harry winked at the two of them and left.

Ron peeked out the door to make sure Harry had really left, and then closed it.

"Ron, I need you to know something," Hermione said, approaching him again. "I don't want Victor Krum, or Harry, or any other famous bloke. I want you. I always have. Ron, you're the only person I'll ever want to be with."

Ron grinned. "Really?"

Hermione smiled and nodded. She rose on her toes so she could talk into his ear: "I love you too. I have for three years. You have the amazing ability to make me smile and drive me mad at the same time and I love that. You're brave and protective, and I'll always feel safe around you."

There was nothing in the world Ron loved more than hearing those words. He was in love with an amazing witch, and what was more amazing, she loved him back.