A/N - All characters belong to the wonderful JK Rowling. I just borrowed them for a bit to play with them. I promise to put them back soon!
Here it is! The final chapter in this story. An epilogue will follow soon. Hope you enjoy!
LET THE WORLD KNOW
The next morning, Harry woke up alone and immediately missed her warmth. He smiled as he stretched and noticed some muscles were protesting a bit the activity of the previous night. And what a remarkable night it had been. They had made love once more in the middle of the night, and Hermione had made sure he paid for torturing her so much.
He could smell breakfast cooking and his stomach grumbled in response. He went into the bathroom and found a new toothbrush sitting by the sink. Leave it to Hermione to always be prepared. After a quick shower, he felt a bit better and went to find her, wearing only a t-shirt and his boxers.
She smiled when he came into the kitchen. He went up to her and kissed her senseless. When they came up for air, he left his arms wrapped loosely around her waist.
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning, Harry! Did you sleep well?"
"Like a baby! And breakfast smells delicious! I'm starved."
"I can only imagine," she joked and stepped away from him. "Sit and I'll have your breakfast served in no time."
He did as she said, all the while admiring her body. She was wearing a tiny tank top and matching bikini panties. His reaction would be hard to hide. The woman was going to be the death of him. Who would have ever thought she would have such a delightful derriere under her robes!
She put a plate full of food in front of him and he wasted no time digging into it once she was seated in front of him.
"I could get used to this, you know!" he told her after he swallowed.
"Used to what, babe?" she asked curiously as she sipped her tea.
"To us sharing our lives everyday like we used to, but now it's better because we are lovers as well."
"Do you want us to live together again?" she asked surprised.
"Sure. Maybe not so soon, but it's something I want you to think about."
"Okay," she said smiling. Her life had definitely taken a turn for the better!
"Listen, I have to go into town today, but I'll be back soon. I'd like to spend the weekend here with you if that's okay."
"I'd love for you to do that! You're not the only one that can get used to this!"
They finished their breakfast and then he kissed her one more time before he left.
Two weeks later Harry was as happy as he had ever been. He spent almost every night at Hermione's place and their relationship was growing stronger everyday. The papers had found out that they were going out right away and their picture had made the front page once more. Speculation was running high, since they both refused to talk to the press.
Hermione was in speaking terms with all of their friends once again, but she still had not talked to Ron or mentioned him again. From what little Harry knew Luna still refused to accept his apologies as well. Ron was paying dearly for his mistake and Harry had to admit her felt a bit bad for him. However, Hermione had endured a whole year of the silent treatment, so it was only fair that Ron suffered some of it as well.
Harry finished getting ready in his room and then he walked downstairs were he found Ron moping around in the kitchen. He was seated at the table and he looked awful. Harry noticed the dark circles under his eyes and it also looked as if he had lost some weight.
"Good morning," Harry said.
"Morning," Ron mumbled back.
Harry quickly packed his lunch and grabbed an apple to eat on his way to work. He didn't really want to sit down with Ron and have a chat. As he was walking out of the kitchen, Ron called his name.
"Yes?" Harry said turning around.
"Do you think she'll ever forgive me?" he asked miserably.
"Who are you talking about, Hermione or Luna?" Harry asked pointedly.
Ron sighed deeply. "Both I guess. My brothers are right, Harry, I'm the biggest git in this world!"
"Be that as it may, you got yourself into this fine mess, so I'm sure you'll find a way to get out of it."
"I know what I did was wrong, and I am truly sorry it happened, Harry. Time went by so fast. I don't know what came over me that one time, I never cheated on her before. You have to believe me Harry," he finished looking pleadingly at Harry.
"We all make mistakes Ron. I've made plenty and endangered both of your lives in more than one occasion. Somehow, I always managed to rectify my mistakes. Maybe you should try to do the same."
"I won't be easy."
"I know. It never is, but you have to try if you want things to be better."
"And it's not just the mess with Hermione, Harry. I really love Luna. I want to be with her the rest of my life, but I have no idea how to make her believe me. How can she trust me after all I've done?"
"If you really love her, you'll find a way to win her back. Listen, I have to go or I'll be late for work. I'll see you later."
"Thanks for listening, even thought you don't like me much anymore either."
"It's not that Ron, and you know it. I'm not happy with you, but you're still my mate. Time heals all wounds, Ron, and it might do you some good to remember that."
Ron nodded his thanks and Harry left.
A few afternoons later, there was a knock on her door and Hermione went to answer it smiling. However, her smile froze on her face when she saw who her visitor was.
Ron looked at her and then down at his feet, not sure anymore this was such a good idea.
Hermione was debating whether to close the door on his face or not when he looked up again. "Could I talk to you for just a minute?"
Hermione leaned against the door, not letting him in, but waiting for him to continue. Her arms were crossed against her chest and her chin jutted out. Ron swallowed hard.
"I wanted to apologize for causing you so much pain and heartache. Nothing I say or do can make it better, or make the past disappear, but I am truly sorry, Hermione. Please believe that," he finished truthfully.
Hermione stepped back from the door and waved him inside. She did not want any photographers lurking around to take their picture and start the circus once again.
She sat down on the sofa and Ron sat across from her. "I don't know how to fix this, Hermione. I was wrong and my actions have hurt many people, especially you. And now Luna hates me as well."
"Have you cheated on her?"
"No! I would never do that again. If it makes you feel any better, I'm paying dearly for my mistake."
"I don't enjoy anyone's pain, Ron."
"I know. I'm a mess right now. And I'm not saying that to make you feel sorry for me either."
"I don't. No one felt sorry for me for a year, Ron. Don't expect sympathy in return."
Ron sighed heavily. This was harder than he had thought. Hermione wasn't in a forgiving mood and he had been a fool to approach her so soon. When he was about to get up to leave, she spoke again.
"Why did you do it, Ron?"
"I don't really have an answer for that, Hermione. I was stupid. I acted all macho when she approached me. I wanted to be with you but you didn't want me. My pride as a man was hurt because of that. I was having a lot of doubts about our relationship and I acted on impulse."
"Didn't you think I would find out?"
"It had just happened and I wasn't thinking too far ahead."
"And it didn't occur to you that I might show up at some point to surprise you?"
"No. You seemed happy to just stay home with Harry all the time."
His answer surprised the hell out of her. "What do you mean?"
"It was obvious you preferred his company, Mione. You guys didn't fight all the time like we did. You had more in common work wise and all I wanted was to play quiddish. You went to him about everything and forgot I existed sometimes."
"Why didn't you say anything?" she asked him, willing her heart to stop beating so fast. Just how long had she been in love with Harry without realizing it?
"What good would it have done? We would have argued about that too."
"I didn't realize I was spending that much time with Harry, Ron. I guess I got used to being around him since you weren't home much."
"There didn't seem to be a reason for me to be there."
"Why didn't you break up with me then?"
"I guess I kept hoping that one day you would find me more charming or interesting than Harry," he said and looked away.
"Oh, Ron…" her words trailed off and she did not know what else to say. She waved her wand at the table and summoned a serving of tea and biscuits. The afternoon was far from over. She poured a cup of steaming tea and gave it to Ron. She made one for herself and leaned back against the couch.
"It's okay. I know now we were not meant to be. I was meant to be with Luna, and now, because of my lies, I might have lost her as well."
"Not necessarily. What have you done so far to win her back?"
An hour later, there was another knock on the door and Hermione went to answered it. This time it was Harry. He did not notice her visitor and swept her into his arms for a heated kiss. When they finally pulled back, he saw the anxious smile on her face and frowned.
"What's wrong, love?" he asked worriedly.
"Nothing, babe, it's just that we have a visitor," she said pointing at Ron.
Harry was surprised to see him there. From the look of things, he had been there for a while, since there was a service of tea on the table.
"Ron," Harry said nodding at him and taking off his robes.
"Hey, Harry," Ron said standing up.
"Ron came to apologize," Hermione said as a way of explanation.
"I see," Harry said looking between them. "Should I go?"
"Of course not! Why would you do that?" she asked surprised that he would even suggest such a thing.
"I was just getting ready to leave myself." Ron walked over to the door and turned to look at Hermione. "Thanks for your time." He nodded at both of them and then left, closing the door quietly behind him.
The tension in the room was palpable and Hermione could see the muscles working on Harry face. She went up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He still would not look at her.
"Babe? Is something wrong?" Harry said nothing. "Are you mad at me?" she asked surprised.
"No."
"Then why won't you look at me?"
He finally looked down at her and lost himself in the depths of her eyes. He lowered his head and kissed her passionately. His kisses were a bit rough, but she did not mind. He turned them around and pushed her against the door. His hands went to her jeans and he undid the button and lowered her zipper. He did the same to his. When he had managed to rid them both of half their clothes, he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her, pushing into her and making her gasp as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He never once stopped kissing her.
Their loving was fast, hard, and she loved every minute of it. He managed to rip she shirt and bra opened and sucked her nipples until she begged him for mercy. He was pounding into her fast and she finally cried out as she came, her breathing ragged and her heart beating wildly in her chest. He let go as well and came with such force that he cried out her name. Since his knees were not going to hold him up much longer, he managed to walk over to the couch, still inside of her, and sat down. She took off her ruined shirt and bra and smiled at him.
"What came over you?"
"You are mine, Hermione, and I wanted you to remember that!"
And suddenly it dawned on her. Harry was jealous of Ron! Since he was still inside of her, she compressed her inner muscled and he sucked in his breath.
"Oh, God, I love it when you do that, baby" he said hugging her hard against him.
So she did it again, and noticed when he started getting hard again. "Harry, look at me, babe," she said as she grabbed his face in her hands and lifted his head from her chest. She waited for him to look at her before continuing.
"I am yours, just as you are mine, you silly man! There is no one else for me and there never will be. I love you and you alone. So if having Ron here upset you so much that you had to act all macho, then I won't let him come by anymore. But there is no reason to be jealous of him or anyone else for that matter."
Harry felt ashamed and he finally realized that he had acted like a Neanderthal. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?" he asked anxiously.
"No! I'm perfectly fine and anytime you feel like ravishing me like that be my guest! But you don't have to prove anything to me!"
"I acted like an idiot! I saw him here and saw red, but you're right, of course."
"Glad we settled that! And one more thing, I would like for you to move in with me," she told him.
"You do?" he asked clearly surprised.
"Of course, Harry. You spend most of your time here anyways and when you aren't here I miss you too much."
"You don't think it's too soon?"
"Harry, we have lived under the same roof for years. The only difference now is that we share a bed. But if you don't want to, that's okay," she said and tried to get up from his lap.
He would not let her. He grabbed her by the waist and kept her there. "I would love to move here with you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it as well!"
"Mr. Sneaky, you're going to pay for tricking me!"
She lowered her head and started kissing him again. She started moving her hips against him, feeling him harden even more against her. She moaned into his mouth and started moving faster. It was a while before they came back down to earth.
Two months later, Harry took Hermione to a very romantic restaurant in the village. After their delicious dinner, Hermione excused herself to go to the ladies room. When she came back, Harry seemed a little nervous.
"Is everything okay, babe?" she asked sitting down. He nodded.
Their server came back and placed a small tray in front of Hermione and one in front of Harry. A silver cover sheltered the contents of the trays.
A violinist that had been playing romantically around the tables suddenly came to stand behind her. She turned to smile at him and he winked at her. When she turned back to face Harry, he had placed a white rose by her tray.
"Harry, it's lovely!"
"Not as lovely as you are, my love!"
They leaned across the table and kissed softly. After, Hermione leaned back smiling. She took off the cover on the tray and gasped. Sitting in the middle was a diamond ring nestled inside a velvet box.
"Oh, Harry!" she whispered as her eyes filled up with unshed tears.
Harry got up and grabbed the ring from the box. He knelt in front of her and smiled. "Hermione Jane Granger, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes, Harry, I will marry you!"
Harry's smiled grew bigger and he placed the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. She admired the ring and then grabbed his face between her hands and kissed him.
The other diners started applauding and whistling in congratulations. Flashes of cameras went off. The violinist kept on playing and the music surrounded them with love.
Hermione finally pulled back and Harry stood up. He looked all around him and smiled. "She said yes! I'm getting married to the most wonderful woman in the world and I love her with all of my heart!" he shouted and everyone laughed at his happiness.
He grabbed Hermione by the waist and spun her around as she laughed merrily. He stopped and kissed her again, showing his love freely and unafraid of what the papers would print in the morning. Hermione was his! He wanted the entire world to know that after many years of pain and unhappiness, the boy who lived had finally found his home and love filled his heart!
The End
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