Thanks for the reviews!! Last chapter!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Hermione spent the last week doing nothing. It was bizarre for her. She went to the Burrow to see Nathan every night and she loved it.

"Why again am I helping you pack all this rubbish? It's not like you'll need your Transfiguration book anymore," Ron said from the floor.

Hermione put down a pair of jeans she was folding and gave him a look. "Of course I'll need it. I'm sure being a curse breaker requires knowledge on the subject."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Hermione, you already know everything in the bloody world. I'm sure you have the book memorized just like everything else."

Hermione threw a pair of socks at him. "I don't need your cheek. It's our last night here. Tomorrow we're leaving and I just want to make sure I have everything." Ron got up from the floor and lay on her bed. He rubbed his face and closed his eyes. Hermione frowned at him. He had finished his packing two days prior. That was only because he threw most of his stuff away and the rest he stuffed into his truck.

"You know, you don't have to stare. If you want me, just take me," Ron breathed with a smirk. Hermione hit his arm and Ron grabbed it. He pulled her to him.

She put her head on his chest. "You're such a prat…and I wasn't staring. I was frowning at your laziness."

"I'm not lazy. I finished before you," Ron defended.

Hermione rolled her eyes and looked up at him. She touched the bridge of his nose. Four faint freckles formed a line across it. "You know, a year ago we weren't talking."

Ron opened his blue eyes. They were a bit darker than normal. Hermione noticed they got like that when he had too much on his mind. "I know. A year ago, I was trying to figure out how I was going to make it a whole summer without you."

Hermione bit her lip. When she reminisced about the past it made her sick. She couldn't believe how far she had come. She hated what she had done and hoped she never would do anything so stupid again. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Ron put a hand against her cheek. "I know. I love you so much Hermione."

"Thank you for giving me another chance," Hermione breathed. She couldn't believe one statement could make her feel so terrified and yet so relieved at the same time.

Ron chuckled, "Well, it's not like I can find another woman who can put up with me."

He sighed when he saw the look in her eyes. He pulled her face toward his and lightly kissed her. When he pulled away, he was smiling again. Hermione couldn't help but smile back. His eyes and smile were too beautiful to make her do anything else. "But seriously, don't thank me. No matter what I'll always come back to you. You have me completely Hermione. You pretty much own me."

Hermione licked her lips at the statement. "Is that right?"

Ron smirked, "Yes, it is."

Hermione slowly licked his mouth and bit on his bottom lip making him whimper softly. "Well, will you do something for me?" she asked as seductively as she could.

Ron's eyes lit up. "Anything you want me to do."

Hermione pulled on his hair and kissed his ear. "Well, in that case, help me finish packing!" she ordered.

"Oh, bollocks," Ron groaned. He lightly pushed her off him. Hermione laughed loudly and went back to her jean folding.

Ron returned to the floor and placed books into bags once more. He frowned at her. "You're so evil. You have no idea what you do to me."

Hermione shrugged innocently and continued to laugh.

The next day, everyone was in an uproar. All her classmates were hugging and telling each other goodbye. Of course, Hermione had no one to say goodbye to. She watched Ron talk to Susan Bones in the Great Hall. She tried not to look too upset.

"She's really not that bad," a voice said.

Hermione turned around. Dean was standing on the other side of her. She smiled a bit. "I know, she just makes me uneasy."

Dean nodded, "Well, I thought I should say bye now."

"Oh, of course. You're actually my friend," Hermione said getting up. She held out her arms and Dean hugged her back. She took in his usual warm scent and smiled. "I hope we keep talking. It would be a shame not to see you anymore."

"I know, as soon as you two get settled in your flat write me. I really like you and Ron. I've had fun," Dean told.

"What are your plans?" Hermione asked feeling better.

Dean shrugged. "I dunno. Seamus wants to travel a bit. I'm not sure where my future lies yet."

"Well, keep in touch, okay?" Hermione asked. Dean nodded. He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the cheek. He gave her one more smile and walked away. Hermione grinned as she watched him leave.

"Do I need to take care of him?" Ron asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Right after you let me deal with Susan."

Everyone began to board the Hogwarts Express. Hermione looked around. She couldn't believe it was all over. She didn't see how she made it. The sight before her told it all. Harry and Ron were laughing with Hagrid. Hermione loved the pair more than her life and she felt blessed everyday that they were in her life.

"Hermione," someone said from behind her.

She turned to see Susan Bones. A bit of irritation washed over her. "Yes," she said.

Susan glanced at the floor for a moment. When she looked up her face was different from what she had seen the entire year. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I acted and for how Hannah treated you."

Hermione shrugged, "I got over it."

Susan rolled her eyes. "I mean it. I know Ron means a lot to you and I know he loves you. I'm sorry okay? I don't want to end on bad feelings. That's not how I am and you know it."

Hermione couldn't help but believe her. Susan had never been horrible. She was just…honest. "I do know that. I don't want to be mad anymore either. I'm sorry."

Susan nodded and smiled a bit. "Is it okay if I stay in touch?"

Hermione returned her smile. "Yes, it's okay. I know you're a really good of Ron's." Susan's smile grew. She nodded again and walked away.

Hermione sighed and looked at Ron and then back to Susan. She hoped that in the future her decision would stay a good one.

Hermione boarded the train with Harry and Ron. They sat at their usual compartment with Neville and Luna. Luna's head was on Neville's shoulder and he ran his fingers through her hair. Hermione chuckled at how adorable they were.

She sat down and Ron put his head in her lap. Her fingers instantly ran through his silky, long hair. "Thank you for giving people room to sit," Ginny said while sitting next to Luna. Ron stretched his long, lanky legs across the seat even more.

"I think the bloke has a right to take up room. He's not in school anymore," Harry said sitting next to Ginny. He had a smile on his face that Hermione had not seen in some time.

"Harry, have I told you lately that you're my best mate?" Ron said while giving him a high five.

"Speak for yourselves. No all of us are free to go," Luna said.

"Oh, the time will fly by," Neville reassured.

Hermione could see Ron wanting to laugh. She pulled on his hair a bit to keep him from doing so.

"What I want to know is, what are you going to do this summer?" Harry asked.

"Well, I talked to Professor Sprout. She's going to help me find a job. I really want to do something in Herbology," Neville said.

"You should teach. You would be amazing," Luna said wisely. Neville blushed a bit and shrugged.

"Well, I'm spending every day with Ginny until camp," Harry breathed before kissing her.

"When does it start?" Hermione asked.

"Sometime in August," Harry told.

"The internship starts in July. I need to get a job before then," Hermione said.

"Where do you want to work?" Ron asked.

Hermione looked down at him and bit her lip. "I don't know really. I was thinking a book store or something. I'd quite like that."

"It seems everyone has a plan but you, Ron," Ginny teased.

Ron took one of the hands Hermione had in his hair. He played with her fingers and examined each one. Hermione knew he felt guilty. "Well, I mean Kingsley said it wouldn't be until mid summer before he had everything together. It's not like I'll be taking a holiday. Someone has to take care of Nathan."

Hermione watched him. She tried not to feel a bit irritated at the arrangement that they had made. The rest of ride the group talked about school, memories and the future. Hermione was in a daze the entire time. She couldn't believe she was enjoying her train ride. Just a year before people were harassing her and Ron didn't want anything to do with her. Now, Ron wouldn't stop nibbling on her fingers and she was laughing with her friends.

They finally made it to Kings Cross. She hugged Luna. "Thank you so much for all you've done this year. You've helped me out so much Luna."

"Oh, no problem. You're my friend. You always have been. Just take care of that baby. I'll come by sometime okay?" Luna said hugging her back.

Hermione nodded. Neville hugged her next. "Write me whenever you want some more teas and whatever else for Nathan. I'll send it to you," he said.

Hermione grinned at him. Neville had grown up so much since she first met him seven years ago. "That would be lovely."

She watched Neville and Luna walk away together. "This is it," Harry breathed in her ear.

"I know, last time I have to be here. For a while at least," Hermione said while thinking about Nathan.

She pulled her trunk and found Mrs. Weasley waiting for them. "All ready?" she asked.

Being at the Burrow with everyone felt like home. She, Ron, Harry, and Ginny played with Nathan all day.

"Hermione, you're parents sent a letter. They want you to stop by. They want Ron to come by too," Mrs. Weasley said. Hermione looked to Ron. He had a rattle in his hand and was shaking it at Nathan. His eyes met hers. She knew what he was thinking. After his last visit with them, he never wanted to return again.

She got up and so did Ron. They walked over to the window. "No," Ron said.

"Oh, Ron," Hermione whined.

"Mione, we just got here. I'm in a really good mood," he said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I doubt my parents will be able to take away the joy you feel about being out of school. Look, the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can come back."

Ron opened his mouth but knew she was right. He sighed and shrugged. "Fine, let's just go now and get this over with."

After ten minutes of complaining, Hermione finally got Ron to apparate to her house. His face was just as sulky as when she last saw it before leaving the house. Hermione took his hand and the two walked up her stairs.

She knocked on the door and a few minutes later, her mother answered. "Hermione, Ron, I'm so glad you two came."

Hermione smiled and hugged her mother. Ron nodded and walked in. His poor expression changed when he saw the living room. A large cake was sitting on the table. Congratulation balloons were floating in the air.

"Wow, mum, this is great," Hermione said walking in and sitting down.

"Well, it was terrible that me and Sam couldn't be there and we just had to do something," her mother said.

"Why?" Ron asked. His tone wasn't harsh. It was more surprised than anything.

Her mother looked at him with a serious expression. "Well, I know we haven't been there and I personally have not supported either of you, but the fact that you two made it through school and are still together is incredible. It's even more fantastic that you two have a beauty, healthy, and happy son."

Hermione felt tears in her eyes. She looked at Ron. He too had a smile on his face. "Thank you," he breathed.

"Patty, I found the camera," her father said. "Hey, you two. I thought I'd film this. I don't have much of you on camera Hermione. Not since you were eleven and Ron I don't have anything of you."

Ron's mouth was open. He stared at the camcorder her father held. Hermione chuckled a bit. Sometimes she forgot Ron was a pureblood and had almost no knowledge of muggle gadgets.

"Oh, um…dad is going to take videos of us. They're like pictures…kind of…only it records what we do and then we can play it back….like with a pensive," Hermione tried with difficulty. Ron's face looked even more confused. "Oh, let me show you. Dad, record something." Her father nodded and pressed the red button. "Hi, my name is Hermione and this is Ron. We just graduated from Hogwarts," Hermione said while standing up and pointing at Ron.

Her father stopped recording and walked over. He rewound and played it back for Ron. Ron's eyes grew when he saw himself standing there like a zombie and Hermione talking. "Incredible. This is brilliant. Dad would go mad over this."

Hermione and her parents laughed. Ron shrugged and sat down on the floor. She knew he was ready for cake. "This is so lovely," Hermione breathed once more as she joined him.

"It was nothing sweetheart. We're just so proud of you. We're proud of the both of you," her father said while recording them.

"I'm sorry," Ron whispered out of nowhere.

Her father put the camera down. "No, son. I won't let you do that. You only did what you thought was best. You were protecting my baby girl. I have nothing but respect for you."

Ron rubbed his neck. "I'm still not okay with everything."

"I don't think you should be. I'm not okay with everything either. All we can do is adjust to it in the best way we can," her mother said.

"I agree," Hermione added while taking Ron's hand. He looked at her and smiled a bit.

Hermione and Ron didn't get back until late that night. Nathan was already asleep in their room. Hermione made tea and she and Ron sat on the couch. "I'm glad you came around."

"It was for you, not them. I must admit though, that cake was delicious," Ron mumbled before taking another sip.

"Well, I thank you for that. I want things to get better," Hermione said. "We have so much to do."

"I know. We have to get stuff for the flat. Bill said we're meeting with Mr. Morgan next week to go over the lease," Ron said.

Hermione stared at him. He seemed so spaced out and preoccupied. "We'll be fine," Hermione reassured.

"You promise," Ron said.

Hermione rubbed his knee. "I wouldn't lie to you."

Ron bit his lip and stared back at her. He looked so much older than eighteen. There was a maturity to his face that his boyish freckles no longer covered. "I believe that."

Hermione grinned. "Good. There's nothing more important to me in this whole world than your trust."

Ron put his mug down. "Well, you have. You have it all…again."

Hermione sat her mug down as well. She got closer to him. "I will never hurt you again. I can't ever hurt you again. I know we wouldn't survive. I love you so much with my entire heart. I am yours and only yours. You are the only man I want. It's mad how badly I need you. I think I can confidently call it an addiction."

Ron laughed at this and Hermione smiled. She adored his smile and loved making him laugh. "There are my babies," Mrs. Weasley breathed. She and Mr. Weasley came into the room. They sat on the couch in front of them.

"We were just talking about the flat," Hermione said.

"Yeah, the time has really come. I can't believe Nathan will be leaving," Mr. Weasley said sadly.

"Oh, he's such a joy. The house is going to be so quiet," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Not true at all. Harry and Ginny will be here. I reckon they'll make lots of noise," Ron joked. Hermione gasped and hit his arm.

Mr. Weasley laughed but Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, Harry will definitely be staying in Percy's old room while he's here. We need to furniture shop," she added trying to change the subject.

"I want to start sooner than later. I saw some secondhand stores that I'd like visit," Hermione said. She could see Ron frown a bit at the word secondhand.

"Can I not be there for that?" Ron said.

"Yes, because I'm taking you to get a haircut," Mr. Weasley said. Ron cringed and grabbed at his hair.

The next few days were busy for Hermione. She spent a lot of time shopping with Mrs. Weasley. She took all the money she had saved along with some her parents gave her and Ron's little money to shop for things for the flat. She was frustrated and quickly learned that shopping secondhand was a lot worse than she thought. She didn't see how Mrs. Weasley did it and finally understood a bit to what Ron and Ginny talked about. Most of the stuff she found was old, damaged in some way, and didn't have a match.

However, she had managed to get bathroom supplies and dishes and such for the kitchen. She also picked up a few tables and dressers and a small couch and chair. By the end of the week, Hermione was both broke and tired.

She returned to the Burrow one afternoon after a long day of shopping with Mrs. Weasley in a foul mood. All she wanted was a shower and nap. Her mood instantly changed when she saw Ron on the couch with Nathan.

She wasn't in shook because he wore shorts that displayed his long, freckly legs or a tight fitting Cannon's shirt that outlined his lean, and somewhat fit body perfectly. No, she was in shock because his hair was cut. It was a bit longer than how it was when their seventh year started. It was completely off his neck and was just below his ears. His once long bangs were a lot shorter. She could see his eyes perfectly without moving hair and it was spiked just a bit. He looked a tad bit like Charlie and Hermione was in love with the cut already.

"You like it?" Ron asked apprehensive.

Hermione nodded and walked over to him. She sat next to him on the couch. His eyes looked so much bigger without hair in his face. Hermione ran a hand through the short locks. "You look gorgeous Ron. You're so bloody sexy."

Ron's bright blue eyes grew bigger. "Wow, a swear word. It must be good." Hermione chuckled and kissed him. "How was shopping?"

Hermione shrugged. "We're going to be poor for a long time."

Ron nodded, "That I'm used to."

The day had finally come. Harry, Ginny, and the twins helped Hermione and Ron move in. She felt a bit embarrassed at the furniture she had picked out. She watched Ginny put the cushions into her couch. The couch was a forest green color. It didn't match the dark brown chair or wooden coffee table she bought but at least it looked okay with the black area rug.

"Why do you have so many rugs?" Fred asked.

"Every inch of this place is wooden. I don't Nathan hurting himself too badly," Hermione answered as she put knives and forks away.

"Well, I feel we're going to get hurt in the bathroom. The ceiling looks a bit dodgy," Ron said coming out.

"Mr. Morgan said he'd look into that. Besides, I know a spell to fix it temporarily," Hermione reassured.

"Well, I'm more concerned about Nathan's room. It's so small," Harry said. He was holding Nathan while sitting in the ugly brown chair.

"It will have to do. Trust me, there's always a way to make do, right Weasley's?" George asked. Fred, Ron, and Ginny nodded and mumbled incoherently.

"He'll be fine. He'll be just as cramped as us. Our room is not that much better," Ron said. Hermione didn't even want to look in their bedroom. Her parent's let them have the bed from the guest room and it took up a lot of their space. They had to store a lot in the closets and dressers.

"As long as you three will survive, it will be okay. This isn't forever," Ginny reassured.

For the next two hours, the lot worked on putting things away and finding places to store (on in Ron's case shove) odd bits and ends. By evening Fred and George left. Fred had a date with Angelina and George wanted to inventory the shop. Harry and Ginny left as well. Hermione knew they didn't have anywhere to be but just wanted to spend the evening doing things that were really beginning to worry Mrs. Wesley.

Ron came from Nathan's bedroom. He had a curious look on his face. "What is it?" Hermione asked.

Ron plopped on the ugly, forest green couch. "I dunno know. Nate didn't want to go to sleep. It was like he was scared."

"Well, I would be too. His room is not as nice to look at like as the old one," Hermione said sadly. She looked around at their flat and already hated it.

"Hey, you did a good job. You did way better than I ever would have," Ron said. Hermione didn't say anything. Ron wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Oh, this is fine. It's no worse than what I've grown up with. I think it's great. Besides, the most important thing is that we're all here together. I'm right here, love."

Hermione turned to him and swallowed the lump in her throat. Ron was even more gorgeous with shorter hair. It helped bring out his features. "Gods, you make me so happy. I love you so much."

Ron smiled and kissed her. Hermione instantly moaned and kissed him back. She absorbed every bit of his taste and it made her feel good. In fact, it made her feel very hot and very charged. "I want you," she breathed against his mouth.

She felt Ron smiled against her lips. "I'm yours. I'm yours forever." He pulled away and put his forehead to hers. His blue eyes gazed into hers. "I'm so happy we're here."

"Me, too. We have to make it," Hermione pressed.

Ron nodded and got up. He took her by the hand. "And we will, but first, join me in our bedroom. My goal tonight is to shag you senseless and no Harry, Ginny, or mother of mine is going to stop me."

Hermione laughed and followed him. Before they could even get all the way in to their new room, Nathan gave a shriek that would surely wake the neighbors.

"Oh Merlin's sweet bollocks," Ron groaned. He and Hermione went into Nathan's tiny room. Ron picked him up and rocked him gently. Nathan's crying became a bit quieter but he still shrieked. Hermione winced and prayed no one would complain. She looked at Ron. He looked the way she felt.

Something always seemed to happen but they always pulled through. The past year had been the hardest test Hermione ever had to take but she was more than sure she was ready for the next one to come.

At least she hoped she was ready.

THAT'S IT!! I know it may not seem like the best ending but I am too excited about the sequel to care too much, lol. I just wanted to get it all in here and not have another chapter in this story. I want to thank all of you for reviewing and reading. It's been tough but we made it through together! So, if you're on the edge of your seat and you want to know happens to your favorite characters, I suggest you read "Exhausted Knots". It's the sequel to this and will be up in the next few days. I love you all and this story line so much that I didn't see a point it waiting too long. So, thank you all once again. Review and starting reading the sequel "Exhausted Knots" it's amazing and it's rated M *sighs in relief* so I can finally let the dogs out! Love you all and thanks a million!!

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