A/N: NOTE: This is the epilogue. I've loaded two chapters within an hour, so if you haven't read the final chapter, I'd like you to. Pretty please? Now, on to the epilogue!
Two years, four months, twelve days, four hours and thirteen minutes after Voldemort was defeated, I watched as Harry proposed.
We were in my favorite restaurant in Hogsmeade, celebrating the end of the school year when Harry left for the lavatory. I waited patiently and when he returned, he bent down on one knee before me, hands shaking and asked me to be his wife.
I did not shriek or jump. I simply smiled. I knew I was crying as I reached forward and hugged him. We were both blushing when the restaurant broke out into light applause as we kissed.
~*~
Looking back, I can't help but smile over the way Harry treated me. I was like a glass slipper; he was afraid to do anything for fear he'd harm me in some way. I smiled to myself at the memory of our first kiss. He just didn't understand, so I had to speed things along.
I sighed happily as I casually glanced at my hand, one of a thousand casual glances throughout the day. I can't help but smile when I remember the way he was blushing when he finally proposed. He still thought he had to take everything slow around me, but as frustrating as that was, it was more than I could have hoped for than from any other man.
I sat up in bed and just watched him. Watching Harry sleep was becoming my new favourite activity. He was so casual and unguarded and sweet when he slept and I knew I wouldn't be able to love another man.
I rested my head back on the pillow and sighed, staring at the ceiling. Thoughts of love and another man made me think of Ron. I don't remember much at all, honestly. Just that, after Voldemort was gone, we couldn't do anything but fight. It was like our barrier, our protection against harming each other was gone, now that we didn't have anything to hide behind. And then about a year later I remember waking up to Harry's green eyes and a few flashes of the past. To find myself married to Ron and in St. Mungo's because of him.
I sighed and automatically reached over to Harry for reassurance. He didn't wake, but pulled me closer. I respected Harry tremendously for how close and good he was to me, and for not rushing me into things. I was so frustrated though; I couldn't remember my relationship with Ron, so my feelings were as they had been before the Final Battle.
I loved Harry. Simply, exhaustively. I couldn't help it. When I found him by my bedside, I couldn't help falling for him again, despite Ron. I waited, hoping for some sign from Harry, when I should have realized all along how much I meant to him.
I sighed again and rolled into Harry's embrace. His arms tightened around me and I smiled.
I closed my yes and resolved to sleep because I knew I'd need the rest. Our wedding was in little over a week and we both needed rest from all the rush. I smiled again and nestled further into Harry's embrace.
When I was almost asleep I felt him lightly kiss my forehead and whisper "I love you".
~*~
A/N: There you have it. Now we know a little of what Hermione was feeling.
I hope you enjoyed this, and a huge thank you to all my reviewers! I really appreciate your support and I'm just in awe at how many I've received!
Thanks again!
~bubblegumlocks