The final chapter is here!

I wan to say thank you; to those who have reviewed, favorited, and followed this story, thank you! Even if you haven't commented but still made it to the end, thank you. I really do hope you have enjoyed the story. Feel free to let me know what you think if you would wish!

I absolutely love the Harry Potter series. I first started reading it when I was about 10 (I'm 28 now haha) so it's been a big part of my life. Ron and Hermione will always be very special to me; I was a hardcore fan of this throughout the entire series.

Anyway, thank you again. I would love to write more about my favorite couple soon, so keep and eye out!

...

"Ron!"

Ginny flew into his arms, nearly tackling him to the ground. Ron hugged his sister tightly. After a moment she pulled away, a sad smile on her face, and went to greet their parents. Harry came up next, and Ron had never been more grateful to see him in his life. Harry hugged Ron as well, and Ron felt the tears he'd been fighting threatening him again.

"I'm so sorry," Harry said as they pulled away. "I'm so sorry that I wasn't here."

"It's alright," Ron replied tiredly. "There's no way we could have known this was going to happen."

"How is she?" Harry asked, looking scared.

"You can come in and see her," Ron said, leading him into his house. The house was packed, or least it felt so. Dumbledore was still there, though Snape had left the moment it was apparent that Hermione was going to live. His parents were of course still there, looking tired but relieved. Fred and George were around, trying their best to lift everyone's spirits. Remus and Tonks had showed up to check up on them once they heard what was going on. McGonagall had been the one to bring Ginny and Harry straight from Hogwarts, but had left once they were there to return to the school.

They still had Hermione camped out on the couch, where they could keep a close eye on her. Molly and Tonks had cleaned her up, changing her out of the bloodied dress and into something more comfortable. But she was still unconscious. However, the color had returned to her face and her body had warmed, giving Ron comfort that she was going to be okay. Molly had covered her in their nicest blankets, and Hermione looked comfortable and peaceful next to the fire.

"She hasn't woken up yet," Ron said as Harry and Ginny nervously went to her side. "But she might not for a while. Things were…they were pretty bad."

Ginny put her arm around him as Ron took a deep breath, trying to keep it together. "She'll be alright, dear," Molly said kindly, patting him on the back. Harry picked up Hermione's hand and held it in both of his, his eyes sad. "Come on, dears," Molly said. "Let her rest. Why don't we all have some tea."

Ron let his mother steer him to the kitchen table, where Arthur, Remus, Tonks and Dumbledore were sitting. Tonks gave Harry and Ginny both a big hug, and Remus stood up.

"We'll be going then," he announced. "You all have had quite the day and could use some rest. Feel free to send for us, if you need anything at all," he added, his eyes falling on Harry and Ron with a kind smile.

They said their goodbyes to Remus and Tonks as Molly sat steaming mugs in front of Ron, Harry and Ginny. She topped off Dumbledore's cup as well, and then asked Arthur if he would come with her to check on Hermione. Arthur, taking the hint, stood up, leaving them alone at the table, with Albus Dumbledore's blue stare.

"I too, shall be leaving," Dumbledore said. "But I thought you three would like an explanation on what happened to your friend." His eyes fell on Ron. Ron did indeed want to understand what had happened, though at the same time, he was exhausted, and wasn't sure if he was ready for the answer.

"When Miss Granger was held captive by the Dark Lord and his followers," Dumbledore started, "she was tortured. This was after watching her parents die senselessly."

"We know this," Ron said loudly.

Dumbledore looked at him a moment, and then continued. "And you also know, that while she was in that cellar, she was stabbed with a very powerful, dark, magical object."

"The dagger," Harry said, and Dumbledore nodded.

"Curses act in terrible ways," Dumbledore said solemnly. "Sometimes, were are unable to stop them, or understand them. Unfortunately, that is what happened with Miss Granger. Not only were we unable to understand the injury and heal it, but we were almost too late." Ron's throat tightened. "The wound on Miss Granger's stomach was indeed a cursed wound. And it was not just a physical curse, but a mental one as well. You see, her mental state and the wound were tied. This is why we could not heal the wound. The pain of losing her parents, as well as the terrible things that happened to her following, left Hermione with a great deal of mental anguish. And, from what I can understand, a lot of guilt over her parents' deaths.

"Unfortunately, even on her better days, the fear and guilt and pain remained in her mind. When she became too overwhelmed, the wound would cause her great pain, if I recall correctly. But unfortunately, mental pain is a lot harder to heal than physical pain. Sometimes, many times, it is never healed at all. Miss Granger was doing her best to go about her day to day life and get back to the way she used to be, but her sorrow, and her guilt never left her. On top of that, she began to feel guilty that she was becoming a bother to those around her."

"Us," Ron said, feeling miserable.

"Yes," Dumbledore said with a nod. "Madam Pomfrey came to me recently and said that she feared the wound was getting worse and not better."

"She never even complained," Ginny said.

"Does that surprise you?" Dumbledore asked. "Especially with her ever growing guilt?"

They shook their heads.

"Today when you went to the home Miss Granger grew up in," Dumbledore said, turning to Ron," you were met by the Death Eaters, who had been waiting for her to return. Perhaps they were hoping she would bring Harry there. Perhaps they just want to finish what they started. Whatever the reason, they came, and Hermione came face to face with-"

"Dolohov," Ron answered.

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "The very man who killed her parents. From what Severus and I found, it seems that upon seeing him, Miss Granger believed that he would bring harm to Arthur, and to you." He looked and Ron without blinking. "And her fear and guilt overcame her."

"What did he see?" Ron asked. "Snape? When he was in her head? Did you see it too?"

Dumbledore was quiet a moment. "Somewhat," he admitted. "It was more bits and flashes, as by that point her mind was in a chaotic state. She was seeing the people she loved die. All while telling herself it was her fault."

Ron felt sick. He couldn't imagine how painful it must have been for her.

"How did she come out of it?" Ginny asked. "Because of Snape?"

"Yes, and no," Dumbledore replied. "Severus was able to somewhat wake her up. But from what I understood, it was you." He looked at Ron again, his eyes bright.

"Me?" Ron said weakly.

"Yes," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "She heard you calling to her. She heard you, and she was able to remember that she had something worth living for."

Dumbledore stood up suddenly, making them jump. "I must be going," he said. "I have to return to the school, and I know Miss Granger is in good hands here."

"Why did Snape help?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore looked surprised. "It isn't as if this is the first time he's helped her. It was Severus, after all, who found out where the Death Eaters were holding her, leading the Order to her rescue."

They all just stared at him. Dumbledore smiled and bowed to them, sweeping out of the room without another word.

….

"Are you going to come up to bed?" Harry asked, the fire burning low, the flame reflecting in Ron's tired eyes.

"I'm alright down here," Ron replied, his back against the couch where Hermione was asleep.

Harry sighed and sat down next to him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Ron was quiet for a full minute. "She…she died, Harry," Ron finally answered. "Snape was yelling...and she sounded awful, Harry. So awful, like she couldn't breathe. There was blood everywhere, and then she just…she stopped. She stopped breathing. She was cold, and pale, and I…." Ron shook his head, his eyes shining with tears. "And then she came back. She came back, apparently because I asked her too." Ron hid his face in his hands. "I never thought things could get worse than when she was missing. I thought that was the scariest thing I could imagine. But this was worse, Harry. At least when she was missing I had hope left. But…." Ron just shook his head, unable to continue.

Harry felt his own throat burn and put his hand on Ron's shoulder. "I can't…I can't even imagine how painful it must have been," Harry told him. "But you saved her life, Ron."

"No," Ron said, shaking his head. "It was her. She saved herself. And she saved me, too. Because I don't know if I would have come back from that, Harry."

Just the idea terrified Harry. If Hermione had died and Ron had lost it…Harry wasn't sure if he would have been able to come back, either.

"She's Hermione," Harry said. "She holds us together. We wouldn't be us without her."

Ron looked at him with his watery eyes, and nodded in agreement. "I love her, Harry."

"I know," Harry replied, offering a smile.

Ron sniffed. "I need to stay here with her," he said. "I need to make sure she's still here. Hearing her breaths, it helps. Feeling her hand in mine helps. And I don't know if she knows Im here or not, but I don't want her to ever feel alone. Especially after everything she's been through."

"Okay," Harry replied. "Ill go get us some pillows and blankets then. We'll camp out here."

"You don't have to-" Ron started, but Harry held up his hand.

"Yes, I do."

…..

The first thing Hermione realized was that she was very warm and comfortable. She knew she'd been asleep, and it had been a very deep and dreamless sleep. And no wonder, given how comfortable she was. She also heard some noises, but nothing that was particular. And there was a smell in the air, of some kind of food. It smelled good. It reminded her of her mother.

Her mother. And father.

Maybe she had been dreaming, after all. She suddenly remembered a terrible dream, full of pain and death and loss. But then she had seen her parents, and they had been happy, and safe. And they had loved her.

She wanted to open her eyes, but they felt so heavy. She tried to move, but her body felt heavy, as well.

"Hermione?" An excited squeak from a familiar voice. "Oh my- Ron! Harry! I think she's waking up!"

Moments later, rushed footsteps, and then she heard his voice. "Hermione? Can you hear me? I'm here. I'm here."

His hands, always so warm, found hers, rubbing circles on top.

"Please, Hermione."

She finally opened her eyes. Everything was a blur, but slowly, things started to take shape. There was one thing she was able to make out, and that was the bright orange hair that belonged to the one she loved.

"Ron," she said, her voice sounding awful and rough.

"I'll get mum!" the excited voice said again. It must be Ginny.

"Yes," Ron said, and he sounded awful too. Like maybe he was crying. "Don't try to talk too much."

She blinked again, and his face became a little clearer. She saw another face too, one with glasses.

"Harry," she said.

"Hey," he replied, and he seemed to smile.

"My goodness!" Mrs. Weasley's voice joined them. "Thank heavens, she's finally awake!" Finally? "Here dear, have her drink this, you'll need to help her-"

"Hermione," Ron said, "We're going to sit you up a bit and give you a drink. It will help."

She felt his hand behind her head and a cup coming to her mouth. She did as she was told and drank it. It did help. With a warming sensation she was suddenly able to see much more clearly, and her throat didn't feel so rough. Her fingers and toes started to move again as well, though she still felt extremely drained.

Ron was closest to her; he really did have tears in his eyes. Harry and Mrs. Weasley were behind him, and Ginny stood in the back. She tried to smile at them, and they all returned it, Ron pulling her into a hug, practically dissolving into tears.

"Ron," she said, surprised.

"I'm sorry," he said, wiping his eyes. "You have no idea how happy I am right now."

She lifted her hand to his face, despite the effort it took. He took her hand in his and kissed it.

"How long was I asleep?" she asked.

"Almost a week," Mrs. Weasley replied.

"A week?" Hermione repeated, startled. "What? What happened? Was it the Death Eaters? I remember them showing up, but…everything is confusing after that…"

Harry and Ron looked at one another. "It doesn't matter right now," Ron said, looking back at her. "We''ll talk about it later. All that matters is that your safe, and you're going to be okay. And I love you, Hermione Granger."

She couldn't help but feel an embarrassed pleasure. They'd never said those words out loud, at least, not that she remembered.

"I love you too," she replied, and she meant it. Ron grinned, as did Harry and Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley dabbed her eyes with her apron. Ron put his head down, holding her hand tightly, as Hermione tried to understand what had caused him to be so overcome with emotion.

…..

Hermione looked out across the Hogwarts grounds, the summer air warm. She was in one of the tallest towers in the castle. She came up here often, as she found herself able to think, away from the crowds of students. Her sixth year at Hogwarts was ending, and what a year it had been. Hermione Granger had barely escaped her death twice, and had also found the love of her life. Well, she didn't really find him as much as come to the realization that he was the love of her life. She had known it in her heart all along. Sometimes, it just took nearly dying to realize it.

Her things were packed and ready to go home for the summer. Home, meaning the Burrow, of course.

A lot had happened that year. She's lost her parents. She'd nearly lost herself. Coming back from that had been difficult, and not just on her. But things had gotten better. At the very least, she had realized that what happened to her parents wasn't her fault. She knew they'd always be with her, no matter what. She would always love them, and she'd always work to make them proud. She wouldn't let their deaths be in vain.

"Hey." Ron came up from behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss into her neck. "You okay?"

"Mm-Hm," she replied, closing her eyes. And she was okay. Her head was clear. She was able to sleep better at night. And the mark on her stomach had become a scar, one that would never leave her, unfortunately. It would always remain, a reminder of what she had lived through. But it no longer pained her.

"What are you thinking about?" Ron asked.

"Everything," Hermione said with a sigh. She was worried. Harry was going with Dumbledore to find a Horcrux tonight, and they weren't sure what was going to happen.

"Hey," he said, turning her around to look at him. "It's going to be okay."

"How do you know?" she asked him, her voice a whisper.

"Because I have you," he replied, putting his forehead against hers. "And as long as I have you, I know I can make it through whatever happens."

She smiled and kissed him, forgetting her worries and her doubts for just a few moments. She kissed the boy she loved, and she knew he was right. After all, they had already been to hell and back together, and yet there they stood, ready to take on whatever fight they were faced with next.

Because Hermione Granger loved Ronald Weasley, and sometimes, just sometimes, love was enough to pull you through even the darkest of times.