I Promise

Chapter Eighteen: "You're Beautiful"

A/N: And here is the FINAL chapter of I Promise. Wow, I can't believe this story is over. I had an amazing time writing it & I love all of you guys !! Seriously. Everyone who has continuously been reviewing… I really appreciate every single one of you. Thank you so much.

Wow. Still not believing it.

Here's the chapter. Read the important author's note at the bottom for some random things & info on the sequel.

Harry stood up, and put his arm around Cho. "Cho… Cho what's wrong?" Harry pulled her close and hugged her tightly. Had he done something wrong? Why was Cho crying?

Cho sniffed loudly, and allowed herself to be hugged by Harry. She stopped sobbing aloud. Tears continued to fall, but Cho made no noise.

"Cho…" Harry muttered softly, as Cho buried her head in his embrace.

"I…I just wanted us to be perfect," Cho croaked, "But I know it can't happen, Harry. You love Hermione and she loves you. I wish it didn't hurt like this, but it does."

Harry felt guilt overwhelm him. He couldn't stand to see Cho like this. The worst part was that he couldn't even deny it. He would give anything to be with Hermione, but he knew he couldn't.

"Cho, I'm sorry," Harry whispered, his eyes filling up with tears, "I'm sorry we couldn't be a family."

"You know I can't marry you…" Cho trailed off, drying her eyes, "I can't force you into a relationship you don't want to be apart of. I know the way you look at her, Harry. You look at her in a way you've never looked at me."

"I love her," Harry admitted, on the verge of tears. He couldn't believe this was happening. "But… how did you find out?"

"To you, I'm pretty but she is beautiful," Cho answered sadly. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Harry stared at her, not quite understanding what Cho was talking about. But anyhow, even if he wasn't getting married to Cho, what were they going to do about the baby?

"But Cho, what about Capella?" Harry asked, a sinking feeling in his stomach, "You're due in a few weeks, and she's still my child. I can't just abandon her. That's just… cruel."

Cho swallowed. "I lied, Harry." She hung her head, and stared down at her feet. Harry's jaw dropped, and his eyes widened.

"What do you mean?" Anger was rising within him.

"I don't know whose child Capella is," Cho confessed, "I just… I just didn't want to lose you. I really did, well, do love you."

Harry's mind was spinning, and he couldn't even comprehend what Cho was saying. "But… but can you raise your daughter by yourself?"

"I can raise her on my own," Cho answered, "But I'll still need you to remain in Capella's life. As in, you'll have to visit her, and take her in sometimes… And above all, I need you to forgive me"

"I hope I can forgive you, too… but with time."

Cho nodded, hanging her head. "That's acceptable."

Harry felt numb all over, and he was still in shock. He wasn't getting married to Cho after all. He couldn't believe it. Everything with him and Hermione wasn't lost…

"Harry, what are you waiting for?" Cho demanded. "Go get the girl you've been pining for. I didn't break up with you for nothing."

Harry smiled, relieved. He kissed Cho on the cheek. "Thanks, Cho… for everything. You're going to be a great mother. Capella's really lucky." He was so relieved that Capella wasn't his child that part of him didn't even care that Cho had lied about it. All he wanted was to get over to Hermione's flat.

"She'll be lucky to have the three of us... you, me, and Hermione."

*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*

Ginny dialed Draco's number over and over again. He was still refusing to pick up. Ginny sighed, remembering the last time she had seen him. She had told them it was okay if he didn't want to commit, and then he had gotten very angry. Could it be possible? Was Draco willing to commit to her?

That moment, the doorbell rang. Ginny ran over towards the door, hoping it was Draco. She opened the door, and there, sure enough, stood Draco.

"Draco, thank God," Ginny breathed, "I've been trying to call you. Why wouldn't you pick up?"

Draco didn't answer. Ginny studied his face. He seemed almost… nervous about something. What could it be?

"Draco?" Ginny asked uncertainly. She kissed him lightly on the lips, and then pulled away. Draco was still staring at her in a weird way.

"Ginny, do you love me?" he asked softly, finally speaking. Ginny was taken aback by the question. Of course she loved him!

"Draco, what kind of a question is that? Of course I love you. You know that… Come on, tell me what's going on."

Ginny was beginning to feel a bit frightened by Draco's behavior. He was acting so weird. Why wouldn't he just tell her what was going on?

Draco lowered himself onto one knee, and then Ginny knew what was going on. She gasped, as Draco pulled out a velvet box and opened it. There sat a beautiful ring.

"Ginny, you mean so much to you and I never want to lose you. Will you marry me?"

Ginny pulled Draco towards her and kissed him. "Yes, I'll marry you. Draco, I love you so much…"

Draco silenced her as he kissed her over and over again. Ginny was going to become Ginny Malfoy. She and Draco were getting married…

Everything was going to work out. They both knew it.

*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*

Harry had apparated, and he landed a few feet before Hermione's apartment. He started to run, not believing what was happening. He was free to date Hermione. The two of them could be together…

Harry ran right into Hermione's door and started pounding on it, ignoring the side of his head that was hurting from the impact. Oh, Hermione had to be in the house… she had to.

A few minutes later, Hermione opened the door. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she nearly jumped at the sight of Harry. It was obvious that she wasn't expecting him to come over ever again.

Harry didn't have time to explain. He just crushed his lips against Hermione's, the passion growing between the two of them. He was never going to let her go…

He broke apart from her and whispered, "I'm not getting married to Cho." Hermione's face broke into a smile, and the two of them hugged for what seemed like forever.

"I thought I'd never be with you again," Hermione muttered, closing the gap between her and Harry's lips.

"You thought wrong," Harry answered. He promised himself that he'd never leave Hermione again. They were going to have a fresh start.

"I love you." Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, kissing him zealously, "I never want to leave you."

They were so involved with each other that they barely heard the doorbell. Hermione sprung away from Harry, an odd, confused look on her face.

"Who could it be?" Hermione wondered, "I wasn't expecting anyone today."

Harry shrugged, and Hermione opened the door. There stood Ron, looking down and very uncomfortable. Harry felt something surge through him, but soon realized that it wasn't anger or jealousy, it was… loneliness. Regret. Harry had to admit to himself that he had missed Ron. Although Hermione was a great friend, there were some things that only a guy would understand.

"What are you doing here?" Harry finally asked flatly, avoiding Ron's glance. He couldn't give Ron the satisfaction of knowing that Harry had missed him.

"I…I'm sorry," Ron mumbled, finally looking up at the two of them, "Sorry I got so jealous, mate. I just can't lose both my best friends over a fight."

"Oh, Ron…" Hermione was on the verge of tears. She nearly suffocated him as she pulled him into a hug. "I've missed you, too. We both have."

Harry nodded. He stepped up towards Ron as Hermione moved away from Ron. Harry cleared his throat. "Uh, it'll be nice having you around again, Ron," Harry finally said, giving Ron a small smile. Ron smiled, and Harry could tell things were okay between the two of them.

"By the way," Ron added, still looking slightly uncomfortable, "I'm going out with Luna now. She's really changed."

"Loony Lovegood?" Harry asked in disbelief. "You're dating Loony?"

"Don't call her that," Ron responded defensively. Harry and Hermione just looked at each other and laughed.

"I'm glad this worked out," Hermione told them softly, smiling. Harry nodded in agreement.

"So, er did things work out between the two of you?" It was obvious Ron was making an effort to ask this question. Harry realized that Ron probably wasn't totally over his breakup yet. It would take him a little more time.

"I don't know, has it?" Harry asked, grinning at Hermione. Hermione lifted her lips to meet Harry's, and Ron smirked.

"I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow," he told them, "Call me, okay?"

He didn't wait for their response. Instead, he turned around and left. Harry noticed that a certain blonde was waiting for him outside that looked remarkably like Luna Lovegood. Harry smiled slightly. They were going to work it out.

"So, where were we?" Hermione asked playfully.

Hermione moved closer to Harry, but hit something that was in his pocket. She moved away by instinct, and then stuck her hand in his pocket. She pulled out the box that held the ring.

Harry took it from her hand and opened it, his heart thumping. He slid the ring on her finger and kissed Hermione. Hermione held up her hand and examined the ring in the light.

"You're beautiful," Harry breathed, "Will you spend your life with me?"

Hermione's delicate lips broke out into a smile. She hugged Harry, her pulse racing. "Yes, Harry…"

They kissed some more, and then Harry breathed, "Is everything going to work out this time?"

Hermione nodded. She pulled Harry into a hug, and Harry wrapped his arms around her waist. "It's going to work out for real this time. I promise."

As they sealed it with a kiss, Harry knew that was one promise Hermione was going to be able to keep.

A/N: … and it's over. ): But don't cry too much, because there will be a sequel… since who Capella's father is isn't totally resolved.

Sequel Title: Sun-Kissed Daisies

So the sequel takes place 20 years from this story. All of the couples are married and their children are around 16-17. When Ron gets promoted to Minister of Magic, he takes all of the families to Palm Springs for vacation. Will love blossom for the next generation of 'Harry Potter?'

Yeah, I am writing a better summary -_____-

But please, please read it. It's not going to be as much angst it'll be more romance/drama/humor. I think you guys will love it.

Just a few questions you guys can answer (if you want) in a review:

• What was your favorite part of the story?

• What did you think of this story?

• What do you think of the sequel idea?

Thank you for reading this story and pleasee stick around for the sequel. It'll be up in about 2 weeks. Thanks SO much and PLEASE REVIEW.

Leave me one last review for this story <3

& read my other stories.

Love you guys

-- H/Hr Love

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