Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other recognizable things from J.K. Rowling's wonderful books. I am just using them for my own amusement, and hopefully the amusement and entertainment of others. That is my pay. I get no money from this.

A/N: Ok, I was rereading my other two chapters and realized that I made a small mistake in that I don't think Harry ever told Lavender about Ron and Hermione. Therefore, I'm just going to say that she's really smart and good at puzzles and loves Ron enough to realize the signs. Sorry about that, and if anybody sees anything else tell me. Thank you and enjoy.

A/A/N: I would like to apologize for it taking SO LONG to update. Over a year. *sigh* I will only say I've rewritten it four times and am still not completely satisfied. Amongst that I've moved numerous times and lost it in the moving. Anyways, this is the last chapter. Hope you enjoy. Please review. I need it to keep going.

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Chapter 3

Harry and Hermione were walking through one of the less populated parks in London. They had just came from the movies and decided to take a walk to stretch their legs before heading their separate ways. Hermione was thinking about Harry's offer yesterday. It would be so easy to move into Harry's apartment and see if anything could become of them. Yet, at the same time, she felt immensely guilty for even thinking such thoughts so soon after breaking things off with Ron. While this was the reason she did such a thing, it did not mean she wanted it to be so obvious.

She looked over to see Harry studying her. "Yes, Harry?"

"I'm just wondering what's going through that head of yours."

"Oh," Hermione looked forward again so he wouldn't see the lie in her eyes. "It's nothing, just enjoying the walk with you."

She heard as much as felt his laughter. "You're still a horrible liar, Hermione. I'm your best friend. You should be able to tell me what's wrong. I promise not to tell anybody." Hermione looked over just in time to see his boyish grin. She looked away just as quickly, thinking how she'd love to wipe that grin off her face, her thoughts making her grin herself. "What's so funny?"

Hermione stopped grinning as soon as he said that. "Oh, nothing." She couldn't help grinning again over her answer.

"Hermione, if you do not tell me there will be consequences."

"Really? Like what?"

"I'm not telling you. But if you don't tell me you'll find out." He sent a sly look her way. "Do you want to face the consequences?"

She was queit for a full minute before answering. "I'll take my chances, Harry. I'm sure you can't do anything too horrible." She was quiet for another minute when all of a sudden she squealed out loud. Harry had dug his fingers into her ribs. "Harry! Stop it!" She couldn't speak much after that for laughing.

"Nope, not going to do it til you tell me," he said delightedly as he tickled her ribs some more. HE followed her as she collapsed to the ground in tears of laughter. "Are you going to tell me?"

She gasped out her answer, "Yes! Yes! I'll tell you!" She gasped in some more air. "Just please stop!" He let up on her ribs but stayed sitting in the grass of the park they'd happened upon. "OK, but you have to promise not to freak out. OK?"

She felt him swipe her hair behind her ear before speaking. "I promise I won't freak out, Hermione, what is it?"

She twiddled her thumbs a second before looking up into his striking green eyes. "Harry, I've been in love with you since fourth year. You're Mr. Mystery."

...

Harry's world stopped. Could what she was saying be true, or was this all some horrible sick joke? No, it couldn't be. Hermione wasn't like that. She broke up with Ron so she wouldn't hurt him by never being able to love him like he deserved, so why would she play a joke like this? Which could only mean one thing: she really loved him. "You love me?" That seemed to be all he could think of now. She loved him.

"Yes, Harry, since fourth year. I never thought you would return my feelings, so I agreed when Ron asked me to be his girlfriend two years ago. I love him, just not in the same way. He'll never be more than a brother, and I realized it's not fair for him." She looked uncertainly at Harry for a minute. "Say something, Harry! This is embarassing enough."

"I love you, Hermione. Since sixth year. It was just assumed you would end up with Ron and me with Ginny so I never pursued it, but it's always been you. Noone can compare, and I would know. I've been searching for anyone to make me not love my best mate's girlfriend." Harry looked at Hermione for a minute before doing something that surprised them both. He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.

It was better than his fantasies had ever been. Her lips were just as soft as they looked and tasted like the strawberry cheesecake she'd had for dessert at the restaurant. He swiped his tongue slowly across her lips asking for entrance, and was surprised to feel her open her lips granting him his request. He lifted his hands and buried them in her hair as his tongue moved in to duel with hers. It was even more than he had thought it would be. There were butterflies flitting around in his stomach and lights behind his eyelids. He kissed her for a few more seconds before slowly pulling away and looking into her dazed eyes.

"Please tell me you enjoyed that as much as I did, Hermione, or I think I might cry right here."

It took her a minute to get her senses together before she replied, "Oh, yes, I enjoyed that. You go the kissing thing quite well, Harry." He saw her look behind her and do a double take before ducking her head.

"What is it?" Harry glanced behind him to see Ron and Lavender doing the same thing he and Hermione had been doing a few monents before. It seemed to be reminiscent of their Hogwarts days. "Somehow, I always knew they were meant for each other." He reached over and lifted Hermiones head with his fingers on her chin. "Are you OK?"

"Yea, I guess I'm just glad he's not suffering and has someone who loves him as much as he deserves. Someone who will be like the woman he needs. I guess in the end I'm just glad that I can be with who I want withough worrying about Ron not finding someone he wants to be with." She stood up and grabbed Harry's hand to pull him up. "I have a question, Harry."

"What?" He looked over to see her twiddling her thumbs again and reached down to grab her hand to stop her.

She smiled at him. "Is that invitation to move in with you still open? I'd really hate to have to move in with the parents again."

He turned his face away so she wouldn't see his grin. After he controlled his face he turned back to her. "Only under on condition."

"What is that?"

He finally grinned at her. "I get to choose the sleeping arrangements."

She laughed and tried to slap at his arm before giving up and laughing. "OK, I can agree to that." She laughed again as Harry picked her up and spin her around in his joy. He couldn't wait to get her things moved into her apartment. He wasn't letting her change her mind or get away from him. She was his now. He smiled as he put her down and led her to their new life together.

...

Ron smiled wistfully as he watched Harry and Hermione walk away hand in hand. He was glad his best mates were happy. He turned to his left where Lavender was watching them as well. "I think everything turned out pretty well. They have each other, and just maybe I've found the one for me as well."

Lavender turned to look at him. "Really? Who would that be?"

Ron stuttered, not having any idea what to say. He was hoping she was joking, but you could never tell. He didn't want to make a fool of himself. He'd been thinking a lot about his and Hermione's relationship and had come to realize that he didn't love Hermione quite the way he had thought. He realized he was just settling because that's what everyone expected. Him and Hermione. Harry and Ginny. Especially his mother, and Ron was nothing if not a devoted son. His time with Lavender today made him recall their relationship back in Hogwarts. How he had loved her back then. She may have had her moments of immaturity back then but they were both older now. He looked at Lavender once again.

"I was hoping it would be you, if you would have me as your boyfriend."

Lavender squealed and umped in his arms. "Of course I'll have you, Ron. I've been waiting for you forever. I still love you, Ron. Please tell me you love me too."

"I love you too, Lavender." Ron leaned in and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "So, I have a half empty apartment now that I might need some help with. Would you move in with me, Lavender?"

Lavender squealed again. "YES! YES YES YES! I'd love to move in with you, Ron!" She jumped down and grabbed his hand, leading him away. She couldn't wait to finally get started on their life together. She only hoped he wasn't this slow in every aspect of his life. She'd love to get married before the age of 30.

...

A/A/A/N: I have to say I hate when people put more than one Author's Note, but in this case it was necessary. I'm going to apologize again for taking so long to update. I hate when people do that also so I apologize. OK, so please review. Let me know what you think. I enjoy reading it. Good and bad, even tho I prefer the good. Thanks for reading, everybody. -Katie