(Well, here it is. The last chapter. I want you all to know it has been wonderful experience to write this story for you. I couldn't be happier with your response to it. I hope I don't disappoint with this last chapter. I'm both happy and sad to see it end. Thank you all for your continued interest, and I'm sorry it has taken so long to finish. Enjoy! I normally don't reply to any of the reviews I get from ff.net readers because it takes up too much time and room on my actual story since they don't have the nifty 'reply' option on their review page like portkey does, but I received a review from someone suggesting that I have stolen ideas from someone else and I should give them credit for my work. I had not even read the story that I am being accused of stealing, nor had I ever read a story based on the 'Bachelor' or 'Bachelorette' shows prior to receiving that review. I have read the story that was supposed to be like mine, and, although it is very good, it is also nothing like mine. I apologize to the author of the story that is supposedly so like mine if there are similarities, and I assure you if I had wanted to intentionally do it I would have asked permission and given the due credit I would expect under the same circumstances. That being said, please enjoy your last chapter.)
Harry Potter sat on a plane for only the second time in his life on his way to meet the parents of the woman he loved and he wasn't nervous at all. Lots of things made him nervous. In the past he had faced too many intimidating things to not have felt nervousness, and he felt this was one of those things that should have made him nervous. Strangely, he felt nothing of the sort. He was confident enough in his feelings for Hermione to know that things were going to go very well. If her parents were half as wonderful as she was, he wouldn't have any problems at all.
Before he knew it, the plane was safely landing in London, and he instantly felt at home. It felt like he had been gone forever. Boy, was it good to be back.
******(Lunch at the Grangers earlier that day)*******
"So what did you think of Draco?" Hermione asked her parents, glad that they were free of cameras for the afternoon. She had the opportunity to talk to her parents without all of the people around.
"He was nice, dear, but a little too formal. I understand he just wanted to make a good impression, but he just doesn't seem like the kind of man you would normally be interested in," her mother answered back.
"I know," Hermione agreed. "I actually went to the same school with him and he was never the kind of person I would have been friends with, but meeting him now, it's obvious he's a different person."
"You went to school with him?" her father asked, confused. "Isn't this show a non-magical show in America?"
"Well, yes, but, as it turns out, both Draco and Harry are wizards and went to Hogwarts with me," Hermione told them. "I've already told Draco I'm a witch, but I haven't told Harry yet. I plan to tell him later today if we get a free minute together without the cameras."
"If Harry is half as nice as you've said he is, I'm sure we'll be impressed with him," her mother told her confidently.
********************
A few hours later, Hermione was in the car on the way to the airport to pick up Harry. She was so excited to see him, and hoped he felt the same. She had begun to feel so strongly for him, she thought the only way she wouldn't pick him is if he came today as a completely different person. All too soon, they were arriving at the airport, only minutes before his flight was due to arrive.
They practically ran to the gate his plane was supposed to come into, and waited eagerly for the passengers to be let off the plane. People began to stream out of the the doors and she immediately spotted Harry. He was conservatively and comfortably dressed in khaki slacks and a blue button-up shirt. His hair was messy as ever, but it only added to his charm. As soon as he spotted her, his face lit up and he strode purposefully toward her. He gathered her into his arms and kissed her in one of the most impressive public displays of affection she had ever been a part of, or seen, for that matter.
Once they pulled apart, she couldn't help but smile at him. "Oh, Harry, it seems like it's been forever since I've seen you."
"I know," Harry agreed. "I've missed you terribly." He smiled back at her and led her out to the waiting limo. Hermione had pulled some strings and had convinced the camera crew to led them to be alone on the ride to her parents' house. This way, she had a minute to tell him about being a witch. They climbed into the car and settled in for the half-hour ride to Hermione's parents' house.
"Harry, I need to tell you something." She looked at Harry nervously, hoping he wouldn't be angry that she hadn't told him yet. When she saw she had his full attention, she continued. "I have to tell you something, and I don't want you to get angry. I wanted to tell you before, I just didn't have a good chance. I'm a witch. I went to Hogwarts, and I was actually in the same class as you." Once she had told him, she waited for him to get angry. She was surprised when he just smiled.
"Hermione, it's okay that you didn't tell me before. I already knew. I remember you, too."
"You do? How is that? We had completely different friends, and never talked..." she was confused. How on earth could he have known who she was?
"I always admired how well you did in school, and I wanted to meet you. Not just because of how well you did in school, but you were so cute back then, always knowing everything. A lot of my friends thought you were annoying, especially Ron, but I don't think there's anything wrong with being smart." Harry smiled at her. He knew she would be surprised.
Hermione couldn't help but smile back. He took this alot better than she thought he would. And to think he actually knew who she was back then!
"Well, now that that's all settled, we're here," Hermione announced as they pulled up to the curb. "Let's go." They walked up to the door, and before Hermione could open it, it opened on its own, and Hermione's parents stood on the other side.
Hermione's mother immediately held out her hand to Harry. "Harry, how wonderful to meet you!" Harry took her hand and smiled at her.
"It's wonderful to meet you as well, Mrs. Granger." He then turned to Mr. Granger. "Mr. Granger, it's good to meet you."
Mr. Granger accepted Harry's hand and pulled him into the house. "Come in, come in, I'm glad to meet you Harry." Mr. Granger led them into the sitting room and gestured toward a couch. "Please, have a seat. Jane will be out in a moment with some tea."
Once Mrs. Granger came out with the tea and had them all settled, they sat in silence for a moment before Mr. Granger spoke.
"So, Harry. What is it that you do?" Mr. Granger asked with interest.
"I'm an investor of sorts. I help companies to get on their feet when they are trying to get started."
"That sounds admirable. I'm sure they value your help," Mrs. Granger complimented.
"Yes, I'd like to think they value the help," Harry said with a smile.
"Harry, we want to get an idea of what you want out of life. Do you really want to get married? Do you want children some day?" Mrs. Granger asked, obviously interested in prospective grandchildren.
Harry just smiled. "I definitely want to get married and have children. I was an only child, so I'd like to have more than one. A big family has always been something I've wanted."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger shared a pleased look before turning their attention back to Harry and Hermione. It was their job to give Hermione the second opinion she might need in order to make her difficult decision. They needed to compare the two remaining men and tell her what they thought. Looking at Harry and Hermione, it was obvious they had a connection. Their body language was much more intimate that what they had observed with Draco.
With Draco, it seemed like more of a physical attraction, and they got along well, but with Harry it was different. They radiated affection for one another.
At that moment, they heard a bell ring from the kitchen.
"Ahh," said Mrs. Granger with a smile as she rose from her seat. "That will be the roast. Everything else is ready, so if you want to go ahead and have a seat in the dining room, I'll be right there." As she made her way into the kitchen to put the finishing touches on their dinner, Harry, Hermione, and Mr. Granger went to the dining room and sat. Mr. Granger took his place at the head with Harry on his left and Hermione on his right, leaving the other end of the table for Mrs. Granger.
Not a second later, Mrs. Granger came from the kitchen holding the roast. She set it toward the middle of the table in front of Mr. Granger and took her seat.
"Harry, where did you say you lived?" Mr. Granger asked conversationally as he passed Harry the potatoes.
"I hadn't yet, but I have a house in a small village called Godric's Hollow. My parents lived on the same land when I was little before they were killed. The house was destroyed, but I rebuilt on the same land. It helps me feel closer to them," Harry answered, growing quieter as he mentioned his deceased parents.
Mrs. Granger nodded in understanding. "It must have been difficult for you to lose your parents at such a young age."
"It was, and living with my Aunt and Uncle was no picnic, but I wouldn't be the person I am today without those experiences," Harry explained.
"Harry, I think it's very man of you to think of it that way. Not many people would be able to do that," Mr. Granger told Harry with a smile.
"I have to think of it that way or I'll go insane," Harry said with a laugh. "That is the best dinner I've had in awhile, Mrs. Granger. It was excellent."
"It was nothing," said Mrs. Granger with a wave of her hand as she stood to begin clearing plates. "Dessert, anyone?" Everyone nodded in the affirmative so she shuffled off to gather the cheesecake she had prepared.
When Mrs. Granger returned, Mr. Granger was in deep conversation with Harry, so she served up slices and let them continue.
"So by now you must know that Hermione is a rather independent woman, and you know that she likes her work, so would you mind if she kept that up? Would you allow her to undergo any venture she chooses?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, sir. I think it's important to have a sense of self even though you're a couple. It's important for couples to do things together, but they each need to have individual interests as well."
"Well, Harry. I have to say I'm very impressed. You seem like a very respectable young man. I have to tell you, even if it doesn't work out with my Hermione, any young woman would be lucky to have you," Mr. Granger told Harry as he rose from the table. Harry rose after him and shook his hand.
"Thank you very much, sir. That means alot coming from you."
"It's really no problem, Harry. Well, I hope you don't mind, but it's getting quite late and I'm sure you have a flight in the morning."
"That I do, Mr. Granger. Mrs. Granger, thank you very much for the lovely dinner. I hope to see you again." Harry reached forward and gave Mrs. Granger a small hug and a kiss on the cheek. He then turned to Mr. Granger and shook his hand.
"It's been wonderful to meet both of you. Thank you for having me tonight," Harry said genuinely as he turned to the door. Right before walking out, he turned. "Hermione? Would you like to walk me out?" She nodded in agreement and followed Harry out the door. Once they reached the car, they turned to face each other.
"Hermione, thank you so much for allowing me to meet your parents. They are wonderful people and it's easy to see where you get all of your good traits," Harry told her honestly. "I'll see you soon," he said before giving her a quick kiss and climbing into the car.
Once the car pulled away, Hermione smiled to herself as she went back into the house to talk to her parents before going to bed early to ready herself for her flight back in the morning.
She found her parents on the couch in the living room. She sat down next to her mother and looked at them questioningly.
"So, Mum. What did you think?" she asked hopefully.
Her mother only smiled. "Honey, he was the sweetest thing. I mean, we liked Draco quite a bit, but Harry is something else. I don't think you would meet another like him in a million years."
"I'm so glad you said that, Mum!"
**********
Two days later, Hermione found herself back in L.A. getting ready for the final rose ceremony. It seemed like just yesterday for her that the whole thing had started. She hated to let Draco down, but she knew there was nobody but Harry for her.
All too soon someone came in to let her know it was time. She took a deep breath before exiting her room and making her way downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs were Harry and Draco. She smiled at both of them and led them into what had come to be known as the "Ceremony Room". They shared comfortable conversation over a drink before Chris the Host came to tell Hermione it was time to go into the "Deliberation Room". It didn't take her long to make her decision since she knew before she came in. Seconds later, she emerged and told Chris the Host she was ready.
She would be seeing them individually this time on the back patio, so she went out and stood in her spot by a stand holding a single red rose. Before she knew it, Draco was walking toward her in the confidently cocky way she had come to know wearing one of the biggest smiles she had ever seen. She returned the smile, and when he was standing in front of her, she took his hands in hers.
She took a deep breath before speaking. "Draco. These past few weeks have been the best of my life. I've truly enjoyed spending time with you and getting to know you. I feel that we've come to be great friends, and I value that. However," when she said this, she saw Draco's smile falter. "I don't think that's enough. I think you are a wonderful person, and I'm sure you'll meet your special someone someday, but I don't think that person is me."
Draco nodded in understanding and gave Hermione a small hug. "I wish you both the best in everything."
Hermione nodded and Draco turned to leave. He took one last look back before walking through the doors into the house.
*******(earlier that day, shopping with Harry)*******
Harry sighed. He had been in five jewelry shops already that day with no luck. He planned to ask Hermione to marry him, and he needed the perfect ring. He normally didn't jump into things this quickly, but he knew that there would be nobody else but Hermione for the rest of his life. Just as he had all but given up, he looked up and spotted a store that looked like it may have potential.
He entered and viewed the rings, necklaces and bracelets displayed in the glass cases. Stopping in front of the ring case, he all but keeled over when he spotted it. It would be absolutely perfect for Hermione! He flagged down a saleslady and had her wrap it up. Looking at his watch, he realized that he would have to book it in order to make it back in time.
*******
Hermione smiled when she saw Harry enter the doorway. He walked down the path of candles that ended at his destination. He took Hermione's hands in his and smiled lovingly at her. She returned the smile and took a deep breath before speaking.
"Harry, I've had the most wonderful time the past few weeks getting to know you. You've turned out to be everything I had hoped for when I started out this whole process. I love you with all my heart. Harry, will you accept this rose?" She held the rose out with a questioning look in her eyes.
Harry merely smiled as he dropped to one knee. "Hermione, I'll do more than accept that rose." He pulled the small black box out of his pocket and held it out to her. He opened it before asking, "Hermione, will you marry me?"
She couldn't breathe. After what seemed like forever, she regained her ability to think and looked at the ring he had presented. It was a fairly large princess-cut diamond flanked by two emerald-cut emeralds.
Smiling through tears she hadn't realized had fallen, she merely nodded her head. Realizing that may not be clear enough, she managed a faint, "Yes."
With the biggest smile she had ever seen, Harry returned to full height and pulled the ring out of the box. Taking her hand in his, he slipped the ring on her finger and held her tight.
As they pulled away, Harry gently kissed her and wiped her tears. "Hermione, you have just made me the happiest man in the world, and I'm going to spend forever thanking you for it."
(Thank you everyone. I hope this ending was satisfying enough for you. They ended up together, just as I said they
would! :) Thanks for reading, and as always, PLEASE REVIEW!)