Silence stretched across the hall, the shock of the moment hanging heavily over everyone; and then the silence broke as screams and cheers rose up everywhere. I was running forward, moving as fast as I could, oblivious to all the injuries I had suffered this long night, thinking only of reaching Harry. Ron and I were the first two to reach him, and we wrapped our arms around him, holding onto him securely as everyone else in the hall surged forward behind us. Unspeakable joy had filled me, not only was my best friend alive, but he had done it, he'd killed Voldemort. We were free, it was over. It was finished, finished! I wanted to jump, to dance and scream at the top of my lungs in joy, I felt as though I could fly!

Others were pressing in on us from all sides, all trying to grab hold of Harry, to touch the one who had finished him off, the one who had finally killed him. The sun rose behind us, blinding us all with its searing light, bathing everything in the Great Hall with its light, with life. Ron and I were pushed back, away from Harry, but the joy off the moment still filled us, we just turned to each other and held on in a hug, jumping up and down on the spot. Harry was led away, taken to the fallen, shaking the hands of everyone who had fought. We followed him at first, but the fact that Harry was tired and needed food seemed to occur to no one, and it was clear that we wouldn't get to see him for a long time yet.

There was someone else whose company I was craving as well, but I couldn't find him. Ron was the only red-head I could find, and he craved Luna's company as much as I wanted George's. We spotted her first, she was sitting over in a corner of the hall, drinking something. He ran to her, grabbing her in a tight embrace, tears falling down his blue eyes. I stepped away, feeling as though I was intruding. Tears were starting to fill my own eyes, but for a different reason.

Where was he? Had something happened? I'd lost track of him when we all ran outside.

I sat down at the Ravenclaw table, not caring that it wasn't my house table, just wanting to sit down. A hand lay on my shoulder and I almost screamed. I whipped my head around and was shocked to see Terry Boot sitting beside me.

"What's wrong?" He asked, his voice genuinely caring.

"I can't find George," I answered, deciding honesty would be the best policy. "I lost track of him during the battle." My voice broke and I had to fight down a sob.

"I saw him right after Harry killed You-Kno-Voldemort." He said, rubbing my arm consolingly. "I'm sure he's fine. Would you like some help finding him?"

I stared at him in shock, he wasn't flirting with me. He was even trying to help me find George.

"What happened to you?" I asked carefully, trying not to sound suspicious. "Why aren't you flirting with me, you're not even putting George down."

He smiled, a wry grin. "I saw the way he looked at you while you were on that table unconscious. I've never seen someone look at someone else with so much love. He may not be the smartest, but there's no doubt he loves you. I won't harm that, not anymore." He sighed and looked off towards the entrance.

"Is that him over there? Or is it Fred?" I looked at where he was pointing and let out a joyous cry, it was George! I hopped up from the table and took an excited step forward. I paused, and turned back.

"Thanks Terry, for everything."

I turned back and ran forward, reaching George moments later. He didn't see me coming, so when I flew into him, he nearly fell over at the force of my hug. I gripped him tight in my arms, tears falling heavily down my eyes as I held onto him. He gripped me back, a cry of joy leaving his lips as he spun me around.

"George!" I exclaimed, laughing with excitement and happiness.

"You're okay!" He said, setting me back down and leaning back to look at me. "I can't believe it, it's over! He did it, Harry really did it!"

"I know!" I responded, unable to think of anything else to describe the feeling.

"What were you thinking going after Bella?" He asked suddenly, pulling me close to his chest again.

"That I owed her." I said, laughing a slight bit. "I saw Ginny and Luna fighting her and I thought I would try and help."

"I've never seen you fight so intensely." He said, his voice lower than it had been. "It was incredibly hot."

"Really?" I said, laughing a bit and leaning back.

"Yes."

"Do we need to fine that broom closet?"

"Sadly, I don't think there are any left."

"Bummer!"

"I'm sure we could find another place."

I licked my lips and leaned up on my tip toes, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I've no doubt." I replied before planting a firm kiss on his lips.

{}o{}o{}

Weeks passed before things returned to some semblance of normal. Fred, Remus, and Tonks all made full recoveries. Kingsley was made minister of magic for the time being, though I doubted anyone would replace him for a while. McGonagall was made Headmaster, and Harry had Snape's portrait hung in the Headmasters office beside Dumbledore, officially restoring his status and making the full story of his loyalty known. All across the country people who had been imperiused were coming back to themselves. All the Death Eaters were being rounded up and imprisoned.

We were having dinner at the Burrow, the whole lot of us, Harry, Ron, George, Fred, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Angelina, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Ted, Andromeda, Percy, Kingsley and Luna. Mrs. Weasley had been baking all day and I'd been helping her until Fleur came inside and saw the state of my clothes.

"You are comeeng weez me." She said, staring at my clothes with distaste. I laughed and nodded my head, following her upstairs to my bedroom. I'd moved back to the Burrow in all the chaos. My own home was empty, I still needed to get my parents, but I had all the time in the world now thanks to Harry.

"So why exactly do I need to get dressed up?" I asked, grabbing the dark red robes Fleur handed me and putting them on. She smiled, her eyes lighting up in obvious delight.

"We are expecting special guest tonight, 'Ermione." I rolled my eyes and put on the robe.

"'Ere, let me 'elp wiz your 'air."

"Thanks."

She brushed it out gently before charming it to hang in loose, neat ringlets, completely ridding it of its normal frizz.

"How did you do that?" I asked, my mouth hanging open in shock. She smiled and brushed a strand behind my ear.

"I am part veela, we 'ave ways of makeeng 'air look pretty."

"I need to install you in my bathroom." I said, picking my locket up off the dresser and clasping it around my neck. The flower still sparkled as brightly as it had the night George had given it to me so long ago.

"'Ave you and George set a date for ze weddeeng yet?"

"Yes, we're thinking of getting married July 15th." I said, turning towards her and smiling. "Would you be my Maid of Honor?"

"Are you serious? Of course I weell be your Maid of 'Onor!"

"Great! It's going to be a double wedding. Fred and Angelina will be going with us." I smiled at her surprised look. "Ange and I don't mind at all, I'm really excited actually. I just hope they don't do anything too crazy."

"I will 'ex zem for you eef zey do." She said, nodding her head determinedly. I laughed at that, squeezing her hand good naturedly before heading out of the room. The others had arrived by now, and I greeted them enthusiastically, grabbing Bill in a hug before moving onto Percy and Sirius. Charlie was escorting a very pretty witch. She was tall with long blonde hair and pale blue eyes.

"Let me introduce you to Afina," He said when I neared. I shook the pretty witches hand, noticing that she had a few burn marks on her arms. Apparently she worked with Charlie at the Romanian dragon reserve, the two had become quite good 'friends.'

Everyone one was here but one person. I couldn't find George. No one else seemed to notice his absence, not even Fred. Where could he be? Had something happened to him? I finally cornered Fred and Harry.

"Where is he, don't tell me you don't know either." I warned, holding them both by their arms.

"Well, I think we've been caught Harry." Fred said, winking at Harry. Harry grinned, looking excited about something.

"Okay, I guess we have kept her in the dark long enough."

"What are you talking about?"

"Follow us." Fred said, grabbing my left arm while Harry took my right arm. They turned around and led me outside into the dark night. They were headed towards my favorite tree, the oak that stood at the edge of the garden. Three figures were standing under it, but I couldn't quite make them out in the twilight.

"George found some people for you." Fred said, stopping a few meters from the tree.

"What?"

"Well, why don't you just go see?" Fred said, Harry gave me a small push forward. I stared at them for a moment before I took a timid step forward. I stepped under the tree, letting its shadow engulf me as I walked up to the three figures. They turned around at the same time and a cry of delight left my lips at the sight of them.

It was my mum and dad. George was standing behind them, a huge grin on his face. They stepped forward and grabbed me in a tight hug, holding me close. They knew who I was, they had their memories back.

"We're so proud of you." My dad whispered, holding me tight and stroking my hair.

"I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you." My mum said, squeezing my arm and crying. I was crying as well, from joy, and relief. I had been so scared they would be mad, so scared they'd hate me for what I had done.

We spoke for a while, I filled them in on everything while George told me what he had done. Not only had he fetched my parents, he'd gone back to my neighborhood and modified everyone's memories there to make them think that my mum and dad had been on a year long vacation. Dinner was a ball, I had never thought I would have both my families together, my biological family and my wizarding family, under one roof and happy.

Fred took them back to their home at the end of the night, after I promised to visit them later. Mum had admired my ring and told me that she thought I had found a good man and not to lose him.

"Hermione, I've been wanting to ask you something, but I want you to know that you don't have to say yes, I'll understand if you want to wait."

"What is it?"

"I was wondering if you would like to stay at the flat with Fred, Ange and me?" George asked me as we finished cleaning the night's dishes.

"Hmm?" I asked, I wanted to make sure I had heard him right before I got my hopes up to much.

"Would you like to stay at our flat?" He asked, turning towards me and leaning against the counter. I didn't even hesitate with my response.

"Yes, I'd love too." Honestly, I'd been having trouble sleeping since the battle. I had yet to sleep through an entire night. I'd been having terrible nightmares every night. I missed sleeping near George. I'd grown use to his presences on the hunt, and then at Shell Cottage.

"Great!" He said, looking extremely relieved, as if I would have rejected him. "Go on upstairs and get whatever you need, meet me back down here when you're ready."

"Okay." I said softly, giving him a tight hug before running up the stairs.

I gathered my clothes, my books, and all my other possessions, shoving them into my beaded bag. I'd carried this thing everywhere over the last year, and I honestly felt as though I was missing something without it. I paused for a moment in front of the mirror and examined my robe. I took it off and changed into a new negligee that Fleur had gotten me before putting the robe back on over it. I ran back downstairs holding only the bag and a big grin.

"Ready?" George questioned, smiling when he saw the bag.

"Yes, Love." I replied, wrapping my arm around his waist. He smiled his special smile, the large toothy one that always left me warm and weak kneed before twisting and apparating us away.

We reappeared in Fred and George's flat. I smiled at him and headed for his bedroom, I could feel him watching me walk. I stopped before I reached the door and turned back towards him.

"Anyone else here?" I asked, keeping my voice innocent and curious. He shook his head, a smirk lifting his kissable lips.

"Nope, just us."

"Really?" I asked, a smirk lifting my own lips. I moved my hand to the fastenings on my robe and slowly undid them. "Good." I said before I let go of the robe and let it fall from my shoulders. George's eyes grew wide and darkened as he stared at me. He crossed the room in a second, and before I could even register the fact that he had moved, he was on me. He kept walking backwards, his lips on mine, kissing me roughly as he pushed me back against the wall. I kissed him back just as roughly, thrilled at the feel of his body against mine.

I hadn't been able to touch George like this since the Shell Cottage. I'd hardly had the chance to talk to him, let alone kiss him. His warm hands filled me with thrill, causing my core to fill with warmth. His left hand found its way to my hair, burying itself within my locks while his right hand gripped my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck, forcing his face closer to mine, dragging my fingers through his hair. He pulled back after a moment, breathing heavily before moving to claim my lips again. The hand on my waist dropped lower, tracing my thigh before he tugged my leg up. I wrapped them around his waist, pulling myself closer to him as he moaned at the feel.

My hands moved from his neck to his chest, quickly undoing the buttons before pushing the fabric back. He leaned away from me, pushing me up against the wall so I wouldn't fall while he tossed the shirt behind himself. He pulled me back against his chest and I moaned at the feel of his bare chest against my lace clad stomach. He reclaimed my lips in a heated kiss, his lips moving feverishly against mine. He stepped back from the wall, holding me up with his hands as he stepped towards the bedroom door, he kicked it open with one foot, never breaking the kiss or dropping me. He shut the door behind him, grabbing his wand out of his back pocket and casting a silencing charm at the door before he crossed the room and placed me on the bed.

"Merlin, I love you." He gasped as my hands moved to his waist. I took a deep breath before speaking, my voice was airy and emotional.

"I love you too, George."

I slept the whole night without any nightmares, safe in George's arms.