Well, here it is. The very last chapter of Fall Into Me. It feels weird, not thinking about this story anymore. I've been planning it and writing it for a long, long time now—and now it's over.

Of course, it should've been done ages ago, but I had no clue how time consuming university is. For that, I apologize. I know the waits have been a bit too long, but I am doing the best I can.

What else can I say? It's been great, writing this story. Lots of fun, lots of frustration and writer's block, but I think it ended up all right. I hope you think so too!

            So I'd like to take this time to thank my reviewers of chapter 11: weirder, Ramy, blinktravisroks, Rebecca, layneybug, Jen, couch-potato01, rowan j. weasley, babygirl4U, Bachy A and lizzie14. I'm terribly sorry if I've forgotten anyone.

            A huge, massive thank you to everyone who has ever reviewed this story. You're all incredible, and I'm so glad you like this story. I really can't describe how much that means to me—so thank you.

            Now for some shameful plugging! I stayed up late last night, planning in great detail my next story, Home. I'm so excited!! I hope you all read it. I'll be posting the intro in a few days, but the story won't begin for a while—after exams. Luckily, after school's done, Home will be posted pretty quickly, since I won't be so busy. So please please please check that out.

Legal stuff: Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter related, but J.K. Rowling does (I am not her). I don't own the song Absolutely Perfect, Ryan Malcolm does.

Please read and review and enjoy! Thanks a million!

            A few moments of silence passed. Hermione desperately tried to read Harry's eyes, but it was too dark out.

            "What?" she blurted out. She couldn't believe her ears! Had her boyfriend really just proposed to her?

            "Will you marry me?" Harry repeated the question, but his voice was a little unsteady. Hermione knew she should give an answer, but she was still blown away. A minute ago they were talking about being together for almost a year—where did this come from?

            "Harry," she began to say. We're too young. We don't know what we want yet. We have our whole lives to be together, we don't need to rush into anything right now. Then she stopped herself.

            While her mind was telling her no—they were just too young—something else was telling her to reconsider. So they were young—so what? They loved each other, they were together and they were happy. Why no? Why not yes?

            "Oh, Harry," she said, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. "Of course I will. Yes, yes I will!"

            Harry looked ready to pass out with relief. Obviously, it had taken a lot out of him while she debated with herself.

            He reached into his pocket and pulled out the most beautiful ring Hermione had ever seen: white gold, princess cut—perfect! He slipped it onto her left ring finger and smiled.

            "I love you."

            "I love you too," she replied, choking on her words slightly.

            He embraced her gently but intimately. Hermione's head was still reeling. She was engaged! To Harry, nonetheless. Her best friend and soul mate.

            She suddenly felt light headed. She couldn't believe it—after years of pain, sorrow and heartache, she and Harry had finally come to this moment.

            And it was absolutely perfect.

            "Ronald Weasley, you are a chicken!" Lavender exclaimed.

            "I know, I know," he admitted, flashing her his most charming smile. He knew it would soften her up.

            It did. She returned the smile involuntarily. "I hate it when you do that," she said, trying to cover up her smile with a pout.

            "I'll keep doing it, then," Ron said, giving her a small kiss.

            "You're still a chicken."

            "I never said I wasn't. But it's your fault, you know."

            "Oh? And why would this be?"

            "Because I was going to go home and tell Harry and Hermione about us, but you just couldn't sleep by yourself last night, could you?"

            Lavender couldn't help but giggle. "No, I really couldn't. But it's not like you objected to it," she pointed out.

            "Nope." He kissed her again.

            "Get out!" she said, pushing him towards the door. "Go! And don't come back until you've told them!"

            "Yes, m'am!" Ron saluted. Lavender shut the door in his face, but he could hear her laughing from behind the closed door. With a grin, Ron apparated to the hall of his flat.

            He unlocked the door and went in, wondering if he should just tell Harry and Hermione straight up. It would be a lot easier than beating around the bush, and it would explain his overnight absence.

            "Hey guys, I'm home!" he shouted.

            "In the kitchen!" Harry shouted back.

            Just tell them. They'll be happy for you. Tell them straight up. "Hey, guys, I have something to—" he began, coming into the kitchen.

            He was greeted by Harry and Hermione, both wearing ridiculously happy grins on their faces. "What's going on?" he asked, temporarily distracted.

            Harry and Hermione exchanged even wider smiles—if that was possible—then looked back at Ron.

            "A funny thing happened last night…" Harry began.

            "We got engaged!" Hermione shouted out joyously. She extended her left hand, waving a diamond ring in Ron's face.

            "What?" he exclaimed. He grabbed Hermione's hand to get a better look at the ring. "Whoa! Is that a big enough diamond for you, Hermione?"

            "I know!" Hermione exclaimed giddily. "Isn't it fantastic?"

            "Fantastic," Ron repeated. "Congratulations, you guys!" He gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek and a hug. When he got to Harry, they shook hands—then Ron pulled Harry in for a quick hug.

            "Still best friends?" Harry asked.

            "Yeah, that'll never change," Ron said. He smiled at the two; their joy was contagious. "So, when's the big day?"

            "Oh, we haven't thought that far ahead," Hermione said. "But we were thinking of maybe a winter wedding. That's quite different, I expect."

            "I had another thought," Harry said. "Maybe in September, because that's when we first met."

            "Oh, Harry," Hermione said with a slight tremble in her voice. "That's so romantic!"

            Ron rolled his eyes. "Maybe you should get married on the Hogwarts Express," he suggested, trying to keep his tone serious. "After all, that's where you first met."

            Harry met Ron's eyes, and there was a slight twinkle in them. "You know, that sounds like a great idea, Ron." He turned to Hermione. "Can't you just picture it? We could have the ceremony on the last cart, since we always sat there. And I'm sure that witch with the trolley could provide the catering."

            "And there's plenty of seating, you wouldn't have to worry about that!" Ron put in.

            Hermione opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. Obviously, she was at a loss for words.

            The guys couldn't handle it anymore. They both broke up laughing. "We're just kidding, Hermione!" Harry said.

            Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God! I mean, married on the Hogwarts Express…" her voiced faded out, and a thoughtful look came across her face. "Actually, now that you mention it, that doesn't sound like a bad idea."

            Ron and Harry looked at each other, turned to Hermione and said in unison, "You're joking, right?"

            A few nights later, the trio's flat was cleaner than it ever had been. Everything was decorated nicely for Harry and Hermione's engagement party, which was to be held that night. They had invited a large variety of people: Harry's teammates and Hermione's classmates; Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Parvati and Padma Patil and Luna Lovegood, all of whom were friends from Hogwarts; Remus Lupin, Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Flitwick; the wizard family who lived a few flats down the hall, the Grangers and all of the Weasleys—including Fred and Angelina. Hagrid hadn't been able to attend, but he had sent his best wishes to the happy couple.

            Harry was glad to see everyone. Everyone was excited for the couple, and everyone asked about when and where the wedding would be held. Harry told them that while they had joked about getting married on the Hogwarts Express, they were seriously hoping to wed in the Great Hall. (Not in the library, as Ron had suggested. After all, Ron pointed out, it was where Hermione had spent most of her time in while they were at Hogwarts.) As Harry went around talking to his guests, he knew he had never felt happier.

            "Congratulations, Harry!" Angelina exclaimed, giving Harry a big hug. "I'm so happy for you guys."

Thanks, Angelina."

            "Good on you, mate," Fred said, giving Harry a friendly slap on the back. "Have you seen my little brother lately, by any chance?"

            Harry glanced around the flat. "Nope. Ron's not back yet."

            "Where'd he go?"

            "He's brining his new girlfriend. Hermione and I haven't met her yet."

            "Very mysterious," Fred commented. "Well, let me know when he gets back."

            "Will do!" Harry called out as Fred and Angelina began to mingle in the crowd. Harry was wondering whom he should talk to next when someone crept up behind him.

            "There you are." Harry recognized her voice before he turned around. It was Hermione. "Are you having fun?" she asked.

            He put his arm around her. "Of course I am. Are you?"

            "Tons," she replied. "I hope my dad didn't scare you with that little pep talk of his."

            Harry shook his head. "He didn't," he assured her. They smiled at each other, temporarily forgetting about the crowd, until…

            "Harry. Hermione. Congratulations," said a soft, familiar voice. They turned around and saw Lupin standing before them.

            "Thank you, Professor Lupin," Hermione said with a warm smile.

            "You know, you two remind me of your parents, Harry, when they first got engaged. I'd never seen two people more happier and in love." He paused, a mixture of reminiscence and sadness flickered across his face. "Until now, that is."

            Harry nodded, oddly moved by this. "Thank you," he said gruffly. He tried to not let all of his emotions show at that moment. It wasn't just the thought of the parents he'd never met that was haunting him, it was the memory of someone else…someone who had been a father figure to Harry, if only for a few years…the very first person who made Harry feel that he had a family after all…

            "I miss him too, Harry," Lupin said sadly. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of Sirius and your parents."

            "Me too," Harry admitted.

            Lupin's smile was still sad. "All three of them loved you very much. They would be proud of who you've become."

            He gave Harry a quick hug and Hermione a tissue to wipe her eyes with. With a final congratulations, Lupin moved on to talk to Mrs. Weasley.

            "I needed to hear that," Harry revealed. "After all this time…I still needed that."

            Hermione kissed his cheek. "I love you," she said.

            "I know."

            Hermione raised her eyebrow.

            "I mean, I love you too," he said quickly. They laughed, dissolving the sadness in the air. They remained blissful for a long time afterwards, until most of the guests had left already.

            "Where's Ron?" Hermione asked. "He's been gone a long time."

            "I'm right here," he said, his voice coming from behind them.

            They turned around. "Ron! Lavender?" Harry exclaimed, seeing her standing beside Ron. "What are you doing here?"

            Lavender gave him a shaky smile. "She's the girl I've been seeing," Ron told them. "She's my girlfriend now."

            "Congratulations, Harry and Hermione," she said quietly.

            "Uh—wow—I mean, uh, thanks," Harry sputtered, blind sighted.

            "Yes, thank you," Hermione said coolly. She pointedly put her arm around Harry's waist.

            "I know it's a bit of a shock," Ron said, "but I wasn't sure how to tell you. It's kind of weird, because of…yeah. So, now you know."

            Harry still felt a bit dumbfounded by this surprising news, but he tried to pull himself together. "Good on you," Harry said. "To both of you." He tried to smile sincerely, but it felt odd, even to him.

            "Do you mind if we talk in private, Harry?" Lavender asked.

            "Sure." He let go of Hermione, told her he'd be back in a moment, and lead Lavender to the terrace, where it was much quieter.

            "Harry—"

            "Let me go first. I'm really sorry that I hurt you, Lavender. Honestly. I didn't mean to hurt you like that."

            "I know, Harry. It's okay. I wanted to apologize too."

            "What for?"

            "For…well, let's just say I was with you for the wrong reasons. A part of me only wanted to be with you because you're you. The famous Harry Potter."

            "Oh." Harry didn't know what else to say.

            "But the other part of me loved you. Really. Not Harry Potter, just 'Harry'."

            "Oh," Harry said again. "I guess we're even, then."

            "I guess so."

            "Friends?"

            "Of course." Lavender smiled at him, and this time, his smile was sincere. They hugged. "Hermione's a lucky girl," she said.

            "Ron's a lucky guy," he countered.

            "Thanks. Should we go back in, then?"

            "Definitely."

 When they were inside, they smiled at each one last before going their separate ways.  Filled with content, Harry headed for the kitchen, where Hermione was waiting for him.

THE END

That's it. That's all there is. Fall Into Me is done. Again, I honestly hope you enjoyed this story, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the love you've given me—not just on this story, but for the other one, too. Don't forget, look for my new story, Home, coming soon.

And that's all she wrote.