Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other character. Neither do I own the places. All I own is the plot. The rest belongs to J.K Rowling.
AN: Normally the replies are at the bottom, I know, but because this is the last chapter I changed that. So here goes:
Dark Angels: I can send the chappie again, if you've lost it, no prob :D Glad I'm not getting rid of you so easily :D:D
Raz Taz: Okay, that was very clear. You don't like the story. Everyone's entitled to his or her own opinion. But I'd like to know WHY. Because if you say that this story was 'ABSOLUTLY CRAP' then I'd like to know what was so crappie about it so that I might be able to improve. But just saying that this story was crap without giving me a reason was pretty pointless. So next time you want to flame one of my stories, tell me what is wrong with it instead of just blurting out you didn't like it.
Anneyuan2000: The reason why the chapter was so long was because I had added two really short ones together. :D Draco's a lot nicer than he should be, I know, but I like him that way, well, in this fic at least. I wrote another one in which he is the jerk we all know from the books
Joymouse-8675309: I know, it was really sudden. But I had to get it moving, because I was afraid it might be stretched out to long otherwise.
Exploded toilet bowl: yeah, you bet, Danmark was FAB. :D too bad that this is the last update for this story...
Lucerito-del-alma: ....[blush] i'm no genius...you wrote some very nice fics yourself young lady, don't go forgetting that!!! Ik hoop dat je ook ashes to ashes gaat lezen, maar dat duurt nog wel een tijd voordat ik klaar ben om die te gaan posten. Zou je voor mij PLEASE bring me to life willen lezen? Ik heb m twee dagen geleden gepost en ik wil SUPER graag weten wat je er van vindt :D :D :D
CozzaGirl16: well, what Harry thinks of Ginny eh? You'll find out in this chapter :D
Riddleness: Yeah, the death eater attack was pretty quick...and this chapter is DEFINATELY not one of my best...I totally forgot that I had killed Fred so no one's really grieving over the loss of him...But I'm glad you still liked the chapter.
Right...that's the replies done...now on to the last chapter! Not one of my best, I know. But I'm praying that you still like it.
- Chapter twenty three: A new start -
Soft whispers woke him. He didn't open his eyes right away, he wanted to know who were there.
"He was awake? So he's alright then, right?"
That was Ron.
"Shh Ron, don't talk too loud, you'll wake him."
That was Hermione.
"Yes. He needs his rest, you know."
"Talk about rest, you need some rest too, Gin. You haven't left his side for a moment. Get some sleep."
"No, no I'll be okay. Harry needs to be taken care of right now and I want to do that. It's something that I have to do."
He felt something cold on his forehead. He opened his eyes and once again stared into Ginny's eyes. She looked away and sat down in a chair near the window. Harry coughed.
He motioned Hermione to come closer. She sat down on the side of his bed and continued to wipe his forehead with the damp cloth.
"Hermione..." he siad.
But she didn't look at him. He grabbed her wrist and made her look at him.
"Hermione please."
"I'm still marrying Draco, you know. You can't change that."
"I didn't want to talk about that. I wanted to say...that I'm sorry. For everything."
She took his hand and squeezed it. "I know. Me too."
She hugged him and returned to her chair.
"Ginny, I'll leave you to take care of him. Come on Ron."
She dragged Ron out of the room. Ron closed the door.
"Mione?"
"Yes?"
"When are you going to tell him?"
She hesitated. "I...don't know yet. Soon. When he's a bit better."
"And when he's found someone new?"
She laughed. "He already has. He just has to realise it."
Ron raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
She rolled her eyes and nodded her head in the direction of the room.
Ron rolled his eyes too. "Yes I know Ginny likes him. But does he like her?"
"I think he does. He just has to open his eyes."
"Thanks Ginny. I heard you've been here the entire time. Thank you."
"I- You were ill. You were sweating and twisting and talking to yourself. I couldn't leave you alone."
He stretched out his hand to hers and she took it.
"You've not just been here now...you've been there for me always. Remember in sixth, I was knocked off my broom during practice and you caught me before the others had even seen I was falling. You're always there."
She looked down.
"I've also always liked you, Harry." She whispered.
She clasped her hand to her mouth and ran out the door. Harry's arm fell limply back down on the bed.
"And then...then I said I'd always liked him! Good God why did I do that?"
Her mother patted her on her back. "Calm down dear. It will be alright. Why don't you go up to Draco's room and fetch him and Hermione for dinner."
Ginny nodded and went up the stairs. She knocked on the door.
"You two aren't doing anything disgusting, are you? Because I'm coming in."
In the five seconds before she opened the door she hear giggles and laughter.
Hermione was on the bed, Draco next to her with his arm around her. They were looking through a magazine.
"Picking out new furniture?" Ginny asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yeah, we want to change it a bit, you know. To get the bad memories out and make a new start."
Ginny nodded. "Okay, well, mum sent me up to tell you dinner is ready."
"Okay, we'll be there in a sec." Draco said, giving Hermione a kiss on her cheek.
Ginny rolled her eyes and went downstairs again. Draco smiled and stroked a strand of hair out of her face.
"A fresh start."
"For me and you."
He kissed her. Hermione let out a content sigh.
"I love you." She whispered.
He smiled and gave her one peck on the lips before helpig her up from the bed.
"Come, let's go down to eat. I'm starving."
Downstairs in the kitchen, the table was being set by Ron and George.
"Where's Ginny?"
"She's in Harry's room, checking if he's alright."
"Oh...should've guessed." Hermione said.
George smirked. "Yeah, if Ginny's missing, check Harry's room. How long do you think it will take them?"
Ron laughed. "Long enough...long enough."
Draco laughed too and took the plates out of a cupboard, setting them in place.
Ginny looked at the door nerveously. She should go in. But after last time...
She took a deep breath and walked through the door.
"Hey Harry. Are you okay? Do you need anything? No? Good."
She turned around and wanted to leave, but Harry grabbed her wrist.
"Ginny? Are you okay? Are you angry with me?"
"No...of course not. Why would I be."
He looked at her. "I don't know. But why do you act so hostile?"
She sighed and wrestled her arm free from his grasp. "It's just that...this afternoon...when I said I liked you..."
Harry took her hand again. "I never said I liked you too. That's why you're like this. Of course I like you. We're friends, aren't we?"
Ginny burst into tears. "No! I like you Harry! More, much more than just friends!"
She threw her arms around him and pressed her lips on his. Before he could respond she had released him and had disapeared out the door. Harry wondered what had just happened.
"...wait! Ginny...I like you too..."
Mrs. Weasley had prepaired a nice meal for everyone. On the table stood three pans of food and it smelled delicious. Ginny quickly sat down in an empty seat and stared at her full plate. Conversations were all around her.
"So, have you seen some furniture you like then, loves?" mrs. Weasley asked Draco and Hermione.
They nodded and started to tell mrs. Weasley about their plans. Ginny listened to them. She tugged at Draco's sleeve.
"Draco, when are you going to tell Harry?"
"Tell me what?"
Everyone looked at the door. Ginny stared fixedly at her plate.
"Harry! You're up!"
George poked Ginny with his elbow. "Hey Gin, your patient is up. You'd better go and help him."
She stood up from her chair, took Harry's arm and brought him to the table without looking at him. He sat down next to her and stared around the table. He hesitated, but took Ginny's hand under the table. He could tell she tensed up. Quickly she looked at him, blushed and looked back at her plate. But she held on to his hand.
"Tell me what?" Harry asked again.
Draco looked at Hermione and she at him.
"Well..." she said. "Draco and I...we won't be living here much longer. We have decided to go and live at Malfoy Manor...we're leaving tomorrow."
Harry's grip on Ginny's hand tightened for a moment.
"...Oh? " he said.
Ginny looked at him from the corner of her eye, but he didn't look angry or hurt. Just surprised.
"I guess...that's good. A new start. To get away from all this hassle."
Hermione smiled and relieved and snuggled up a bit closer to Draco, giving him a peck on his cheek.
"Yes. A new start." She said contently.
The hall was filled with packed suitcases and trunks. Everyone had come to say goodbye. Ginny hugged Hermione, then Draco.
"Good luck you two. And invite me to your wedding okay?"
"Of course we will. I'll miss you." Hermione said as she hugged Ginny again.
Ron hugged Hermione next. "You'll stay in contact, won't you?" he asked. "You'll write, right?"
Again she smiled. "I will. I'll have to. Who else can give you information about stuff you don't know anything about. I don't think anyone else here read 'Hogwarts: A History'."
Ron shook Draco's hand. "You be good to her, though I have no doubt you will. Good luck with everything, mate."
Draco smiled. "Thanks. We'll invite you to stay at our place some time. A nice get-together."
Hermione looked around the group. She had said goodbye to everyone...except Harry. He hadn't come. But then, there he was. He came down the stairs.
"Wait! Don't go. I haven't said goodbye yet."
He hastily made his way forward, through the group. He pulled Hermione into a deep hug.
"I'll miss you. Have lots of happiness, okay? I wish you both the best. I hope you'll invite me to the wedding as well."
"Of course we will. Goodbye Harry. I'll see you again some day."
"Goodbye Hermione."
He released her from his hug and looked at Draco. He stepped forward and after heitating less than a second, stuck out his hand. Draco took it with a smile on his face.
"Best of luck, Harry."
"Yes, thank you. You too. And...thank you for saving my life. You were right. There was one fish pretty close by...thank you...Draco."
They released each other's hand. Harry stepped back a little. Hermione looked around, taking in all the faces one lsat time.
"Goodbye everyone, bye!"
Draco threw his wand arm out. With a loud snap the Knight Bus appeared. Stan Shunpike started loading on their luggage and after waving goodbye one last time, Draco and Hermione got on the Bus.
"To Malfoy Manor please."
And with a loud BANG it disapeared.
Harry slowly walked back to the others. He stopped in front of Ginny and took her hand.
"A new start. For all of us." He said.
He leaned in and kissed her. Her eyes widened with shock, but closed when she felt his tongue against her lips. She kissed him back, her hands in his neck, his around her waist. They were completely oblivious of the world around them.
Somewhere in a corner Ron payed George a cauldron cake. Mrs. Weasley was sobbing happily.
A new start had been made.
- The End -
Well, that was it ladies and gentlemen :D The final chapter! I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who reviewd this fic, I'm really grateful for that. I hope you all enjoyed this and maybe you'll read one of my other stories as well. I've written one that still needs to be typed called Ashes to Ashes. But before I can start posting that one I'll be busy on another fioc called Angel. (That one's a ff8 fic, so not all of you might be interested) But I truely hope that I'll see you all when I post Ashes to Ashes. I'm giving each and everyone of you a hug and a chocolate chip cookie because you've been such nice reviewers. Thank you!!!
- raven55