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Endings and Beginnings by Eternal Fire
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Endings and Beginnings

Eternal Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Harry Potter. They are the property of J. K. Rowling.

Everyone at Hogwarts slept in the following morning as they'd all been up so late celebrating anyway. Today was their last day at school; it was time to return home for the summer.

Harry and Ron were busy packing their things, when something fell out of one of Harry's pants pocket.

"Hey, what's this?" Ron asked as he picked up a small, square, velvet case.

"Don't!" Harry gasped and made a grab for it.

"Oh, no you don't!"

Ron danced away from him and popped open the lid. His mouth dropped open when he saw a gorgeous ring inside. It was solid gold, and it had what appeared to a firebird carved into it. Two small diamonds provided its eyes, and Harry grabbed the box out of his best friend's hand.

"What is that?"

"Nothing!"

"Yeah right. Come on, Harry, that looks like an engagement ring to me." That was when it clicked.

"No way! Are you gonna to ask Herm to marry you?"

"Shut-up Ron!" Harry growled and closed the box.

"You are…aren't you?" Ron asked with a very annoying smile. "Come on, you know that I'll nag you until you answer me anyway."

"All right…all right…yes, it is an engagement ring. But don't you dare tell Hermione about this. I'm going to her house this summer, and I'll meet her parents so I don't you blabbing about this on the train ride home."

"Fine Harry, but when are you gonna ask her?" Ron asked with excitement in his voice.

"None of your business! Look, I want to make a good impression on her parents and actually talk to them about Herm and I. Yes, I want to marry her, but I think that it'd be best if we finished school first. There's no reason for us to rush anyway."

"Ah, but Harry, then you won't be able to see her 'au natural'," Ron laughed, but he froze when he saw his best friend trying not to grin.

"Bloody hell! Don't me that you two…that you…no way!"

"Yes way!" Harry answered with a sly smile.

"Well, I'll be a two-headed gnome! So that's why you both disappeared last night. You skipped the ball in favor of doing the horizontal polka."

"Maybe…maybe not." Harry loved this; he actually had Ron on edge for once.

"So, come on, spill it. What's she like?"

"Don't even think about it, Weasley. I'm not telling you anything! Hermione's my big secret, and that's the way it stays!"

"Ah, so she is good," Ron laughed evilly.

"Let me put it this way. Your wildest imagination doesn't even come close to reality so don't try to use it." That left the young Weasley gawking at his best friend.

"You're cruel, Potter, that was low."

"Oh, come on, don't start with me. I know for a fact that you're not a virgin so don't start sulking."

"Yeah, but I've never been in a relationship as perfect as yours and Hermione's is."

"Ron, you'll find your girl, and when you do, it'll be incredible. I promise you that. Who knows…maybe it'll be you and Lavender."

"I actually hope you're right, Harry. I love being with her. She's fun; she makes me laugh; and she's incredibly sweet. And damn, can she kiss!" Harry started laughing, and Ron joined in.

"We better finish up, or we'll miss the train!"

To emphasize how short on time they were, Hedwig arrived at the window, and Harry quickly put her into her cage.

"Bloody hell, I didn't realize how late it was!" Ron groaned as he threw his stuff into his trunk. "We gotta hurry."

Despite Ron's hysterical behavior, he and Harry made to the Hogwarts Express with time to spare. Hagrid was there to say goodbye, and they both shook his hand saying that they'll see him in a few months.

The two found Hermione waiting for them on board, and she crossed her arms when they joined her in the cabin.

"And where have you two been? Honestly, the least you could do is be on time."

Harry sat down next to her and slid his arms around her. Hermione melted under the warm gaze of his green eyes, and he advanced on her.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I overslept. You wore me out last night," he teased.

"Harry!" she gasped and blushed, noting that Ron was looking at them quite intently.

"Care to elaborate, my friend." Harry turned towards him, and Hermione turned ghostly white.

"I told you, Ron, I don't love and tell." He turned back to his girlfriend. "Do I, Hermione?"

"No, you don't," she sighed and nuzzled his neck. Just then, Lavender popped her head into the compartment.

"Well…I see you two got comfortable," she teased, indicating Hermione wrapped in Harry's arms.

"Man, I'm glad to see you," Ron sighed as she sat down next to him.

"Are you now?" she cooed and smiled warmly. "Did you miss me?"

"Hell yes, with those two around, I feel like I'm living in a mushy romance novel."

"Oh really, and that's why we spend half our time together snogging?"

"Lavender!" Ron gawked at her boldness, and Harry and Hermione started laughing.

"What? So what if they know? I don't care." She snuggled against him, and Ron blushed but put his arm around her shoulders.

The train lurched, and they slowly began moving.

The two couples dropped the topics of their 'personal' lives and talked about their times at Hogwarts and what they'd be doing over the summer. Harry had kept Hermione in his lap, and Ron kept Lavender in his embrace. They didn't mind acting like this with their friends, considering that they both knew how serious their relationships actually were.

The trip to London never flew by so fast, and the four of them exited their compartment. They stepped down onto Platform 9 ¾ and headed for the barrier. Wheeling their belongings ahead of them, they each went one at a time through the entryway and emerged into King's Cross Station.

"Well guys, I guess I'll see you in few months," Harry said sadly.

"Hey, it ain't that long!" Ron laughed as he hugged his best friend goodbye. Hermione hugged him goodbye as well.

"Ron…" Lavender sighed as tears appeared in her eyes, "…I'm gonna miss you, sweetie." He took her in his arms.

"I'll miss you too, beautiful." He planted a soft kiss on her lips and squeezed her tightly.

Reluctantly withdrawing from his arms, Lavender smiled at him one last time.

"Send me an owl, okay?"

"Count on it!" Ron answered as she headed off to find her parents. He then turned to his two best friends.

"Well, I see my mom heading up this way so I better go. See ya in few months!" He headed up the corridor where Mrs. Weasley was waiting for him.

Now, it was just Harry and Hermione. She stepped into his arms and held on tight.

"Hopefully, I'll see you in a few days."

"That'll be too long," she pouted.

"I know, but we'll make it." Bending down, he kissed her long and deep. Hermione didn't want to let him go, but she knew that she had to.

"I love you," she whispered into his ear.

"And I love you," he whispered into hers.

Stepping back from him, Hermione gave him one last peck on the lips and smiled lovingly at him.

"My parents and I will come get you in a few days, okay?"

"I'll be waiting. Trust me."

"Bye for now." Their fingers slowly separated, and Hermione gathered her things together. Giving him one last smile, she headed down the platform to find her parents.

Although Harry was sad to see her go, he knew that it was only temporary. Hedwig screeched in her cage, breaking Harry out of his reverie. Taking a deep breath, he pushed his trolley ahead, keeping an eye out for his Uncle Vernon.

Author's Notes: And so the adventure ends. The characters in this story are the exclusive property of J.K. Rollin. Make sure that you watch for the sequel called 'Meet The Parents'.