BELLA'S POV

"Bella?" I heard a familiar voice say.

I stirred, trying to open my eyes.

When I did, I saw that I was on a bed. A hospital bed. Edward was sitting on a chair beside me, holding my hand.

"W-where am I? W-what just happened?" I said, still spaced out.

I tried hard to remember what happened last night and why I was here.

But when my eyes lingered to the cuts and bruises on my arms and legs I remembered.

"What happened to Voldemort? And Harry?!" I exclaimed, before Edward could even answer my first question.

"Ssh. It's okay, Bella. Voldemort is dead. The black smoke last night suffocated him. He, apparently, has small lungs. Everyone's injured though, but not badly. Well, everyone except you though. Surprisingly, you've been hurt more than Harry was. It's good that you're doing okay." He said, giving my hand a squeeze.

I suddenly remembered the key points to remember last night.

"Edward…I…I can't do this." I murmured, abruptly taking my hand away from his.

"Do what?" he said, seeming confused.

"This! The holding of hands, the kissing on the forehead, the flirting! No! I-I can't get hurt all over again. Look, Edward. I'm not over you, okay? I…I never was. I've always loved you. Always have, always will. I just don't want to get hurt again. I accept that you don't want me anymore, but please, stop feeling sorry for me." I said, tears starting to fall from my eyes.

"Bella…I…." He said, probably thinking of the right words to say.

"Edward. Look, we have to end this…now. So whatever you're gonna say, let me have it. I'm sure I'll survive." I said, wiping the tears away.

"Bella. I never stopped loving you. I lied, Bella. I did it to prevent myself from hurting you. I love you, Bella and I'm really, really sorry." He said, sounding sincere.

"W-what?" I said, not being able to register what he just said.

"I love you." He said once more.

I thought for a second about all the times we spent together after…the incident. I thought about how he would hold my hand…how he would kiss my forehead every time he got the chance…how he would listen every time I needed to talk.

"Edward I....." I said, searching my brain for more memories. Suddenly, I came across a memory that I was thinking about for a while now. It was the night when we had the ball, when I got drunk. I remembered Alice and Edward's weird expressions whenever I asked about what happened when I was drunk.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" I said, noticing his silence.

"Anything."

"Okay. What happened that night, when you took me up to the common room? When I got drunk during the ball?"

He seemed to hesitate a little before talking.

"Well?" I said, anticipating his response.

"You…you told me you loved me. And we kind of made out."

"What? I…I…I'm sorry. I was drunk. I…"

"Er…did you mean it?" he said, hesitating a little.

"…Yes. I did mean it." I said, sighing.

"Oh, Bella. I love you." He said, standing up and kissing me.

Surprisingly, I kissed him back, tears still streaming down my face. I didn't know why I was crying, though.

He kissed me passionately, holding my face in between his hands and letting me bury my hands in his hair. He pulled back then kissed me on the forehead then kissed me softly once more.

"Bella." He whispered.

"I love you." I said, kissing him once more.

Before he was about to respond, the door swung open.

"Oh. Am I interrupting something, Isabella? Mr. Edward?" Dumbledore said, stepping in.

I giggled, then pulled away.

"Sorry professor. What's up?" I said, smiling widely.

"Well, I take it that Edward already told you what happened to Voldemort?" he said, giving me a wink.

"Yeah, he did." I said, taking Edward's hand and squeezing it.

"Well, I just wanted to see how you were. I'm glad that you're doing well, Bella. You and Harry were very brave last night. Same for you, Edward. And everyone else." He said, smiling at us.

"Thanks, sir." I said, giving him the biggest smile I had.

"Oh, you and Harry have a congratulatory lunch at the Great Hall in a few minutes. You better get ready." Dumbledore said, leaving the room.

"So…shall we go to the common room and get you some clothes?" Edward said, smiling at me.

I looked at what I was wearing. Jeans and a white tent dress. Good enough. I didn't remember wearing this the night before, though. I guess Alice dressed me up.

"No, I'm good. Come, let's go to the hall before we get late." I said, getting up and walking towards the door.

Edward was at my side in a second.

"You're barefoot, love." He said, pointing at my toes.

"I'll manage. How do you think Luna walks around barefoot when Malfoy steals her shoes?" I said, taking his hand and walking out of the room.

As Edward and I silently walked to the Great Hall, I remembered someone telling me that I'll always be happy in the end, because if you're not happy, it's not the end yet. Well, whoever that person was, he or she was wrong. I may not have been happy before, but I am now. And it's certainly not the end yet. This is simply a new beginning.

THE END.

Thank you, thank you so much for keeping up with the story, guys. Thank you for reviewing it and bearing with me and my suckish writing. I love you guys :) thanks again!