H/Hr POV

When they broke apart Harry was the first to speak. She had to know that their kiss was not a mistake before she said anything.

"I wanted to," he said and Hermione gave him a look of understanding. Her question was not needed. She wanted to kiss him too and so she leaned in again.

Kissing Harry felt so natural, like they were meant to be together. There was no place for thoughts about anyone other than the both of them in that moment. She let go of any feelings for anyone other than Harry and just relished in the new and wonderful feeling she felt being in his arms.

Neither wanted to part as they both knew that when they did, they would have lots to discuss. When they finally let go, they sat by the fire and talked.

"Hermione," he started but didn't know how to continue. What was he supposed to say? Should he tell her that their journey had made him forget any other feelings and develop feelings for her? They had been through so much, not only these past few months; they had always been there for each other. So then his feelings were not really new, he had always felt something special towards her but never said anything because he could see that her heart lay elsewhere. And he had always thought that his feelings were nothing more than a deep friendship. Spending time alone had let him see that he felt more for her than he thought.

"Maybe you should let me go first. I have been giving my feelings a lot of thought because spending time alone with you has made me realize a few things. I thought I was in love with..." she trailed off not wishing to say Ron's name. "But I'm not. When I think about all that you and I have been though, that reassures me that my feelings for you are stronger than anything else I've ever felt for anyone else."

"I feel the same way," he interrupts her finally knowing what to say. Hearing her words have strengthened his resolve to make a move. Hearing her say that she has feelings for him gives him the courage to confess his feelings for her. "The only one I feel I could truly fall in love with is you."

They spend the rest of the evening in each other's arms talking about their heart's desires. Their mission can wait for now. They put thoughts of wands and horcruxes aside and focused on themselves.

Later as they went to bed, Harry noticed the Marauder's map lying beside his bed. He had not checked it the past few weeks. He need not look at it anymore. The person he wanted to look out for was there with him willing to follow him until the end.

R/P POV

"Pansy I'm..." Ron was about to apologize for the kiss but Pansy interjected.

"Don't apologize. Please. Just let me believe that this is real, if only for moment." She turned away before he could respond and sat by the fire. She didn't want to face the fact that he might have only kissed her on accident.

Ron had seen the hurt in her eyes and he would do anything to make it go away. He knew that she thought he was apologizing because he didn't really feel anything for her. But this was not the case.

"Pansy, I was going to apologize," he heard her sniffle as if she was about to cry. "Oh, no, no, no, Pans don't cry. Just let me finish, alright? Please look at me." He bent down to his knees and tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned to look at him with sad, watery eyes. He wiped away her unshed tears with his thumb and gently cupped her face.

"Hear me out before you do or say anything." She nodded and he continued. "I was going to apologize for kissing you the way I did."

Pansy interrupted again, "You don't have to say anything else. I understand..."

"No, you don't understand," Ron said getting a little exasperated, "you think it was a mistake that I kissed you but the truth is that I wanted to do it. I have these last few weeks but first we were with the Snatchers and that wasn't the best time. But now..."

"You saw your chance and you took it?" Pansy suggested, a small smile growing on her lips.

"Yes, exactly!"

"But why?" she questioned. How could he ever look at her after all she had done in the past?

"Because over the past weeks that I have been here on this horrifying journey, I have gotten to know you; you have shown me the real you. And I kind of like the real you. The brave, cunning girl who risked her life time and again to save people she previously thought were beneath her. I kind of fell in love with that girl," he said with a smirk.

"Well I kind of fell in love with an adorable red head with a penchant for trouble. One who is loyal and cares too much for his family and friends, even when one of his new friends was so horrible to him during school. Will you forgive me?"

"I already did. You know, it's true that people can redeem themselves. I think you did. And I like that about you. A lot!"

"I like you a lot too."

Ron bent down to capture her lips again but Pansy stopped him. "What about your friends? What will they say about you being with a Slytherin? And Granger?"

"Let's worry about that later. For now let me just kiss you. So then we can go back to the wireless and figure out where we can find them."

She smiled at his half formed plan but let him kiss her.

A while later they were huddled by the wireless occasionally glancing at the other while they tried a myriad of Order related words in hopes that one would allow them to reach the correct frequency. They still thought about all of the obstacles they would face so they could be together, but tonight they would just enjoy their new found feelings and each other's company.

Super sorry for the long wait and the shortish chapter. I had lots of trouble with writing the aftermath of the kisses and I still think this may not be the best way for it to have happened but I wanted to move the story along