Hey dearies!!! It's taken me a while to post because I wanted these posts to be perfect because... this fic has come to an end *cries* I hope you enjoy it and thanks for reading!! =D

*MiOnE

Ps. Thank you all for voting for me!!! You're the best and the reason this fic has survived. *huggles* *munches on cookie*

Hermione walked outside onto her home’s front porch, Draco Malfoy following close behind her. The young evening was still bright as the sun reluctantly began its descent in the sky. Light gray puffy clouds littered the baby blue sky and sweet honeysuckle and hyacinth scent blew in the warm breeze. Birds were chirping and squawking, bugs were buzzing, and Mrs. Granger’s wind chimes twinkled softly around the small home. “Thank you for visiting Draco. As hard as it is for me to say this it was rather enjoyable.”

Draco chuckled. He walked down two of the front steps then stopped, looking up at Hermione, and said, “My pleasure. Hopefully we will see each other again soon.” He gave Hermione an elegant bow and, turning on the spot, disappeared with a pop.

Hermione sat down on the porch railing looking out on the evening scene. She leaned back against the post and closed her eyes, melancholia filling her heart to the brim. The breeze rustled Hermione’s mass of curly hair and soothed her cheeks, the warmth drying her tears.

Hermione opened her eyes at the feeling of her mother’s fingers on her cheek, “Hermione, dear, don’t cry.” Mrs. Granger tucked Hermione’s hair behind her ear. “You’re always crying these days. Everything will work out in the end so no tears are necessary. I can feel it, I promise.”

Hermione nodded her head and gave her mother a hug, the scent on honeysuckle and rose perfume surrounded her mother. She drank in the comforting scent, burying her face in the mass of Mrs. Granger’s light brown hair. Mrs. Granger began to sing softly in Hermione’s ear, just like she did when she’d been little girl. “Every honey bee fills with jealousy when they see you out with me. I don’t blame them, Goodness knows, Honeysuckle rose. When you’re passin’ by flowers drop and sigh, I know the reason why. You’re much sweeter, Goodness knows, you’re my Honeysuckle rose…”

“I love you mummy.” Hermione hugged her mother closer. “I’m sorry I ran away from you and dad. I’m sorry I was weak enough to be afraid of a few nightmares and afraid of coming back home to see you.”

“And I’m sorry for making you feel like you had to run away. I knew you’d come back to us. There were some things you needed to go on your own. Just remember, you can’t be ruled by your fears, Hermione. The nightmare is over as soon as you wake up.”

“It took me quite a while to finally wake up.” Hermione admitted, listening to her mother hum Honeysuckle Rose. The comfort of her mother’s presence and the feeling of being in her arms drained all the hopelessness away.

Mrs. Granger stepped back from the hug, “Your father and I are going out to dinner tonight would you like to come?”

“No, that’s alright, I feel like staying in tonight. You two go on and have fun. I’m sure I have put a damper on your fun since I came home.” Hermione said with a small smile.

“Nonsense,” Mrs. Granger said briskly, “It finally feels like home again with you back.”

Her mother and father gave her kisses goodbye and drove away in their 1965 Ford Galaxie 500. The sound of the old car’s engine disappeared down on the dirt driveway and the only thing that could be heard once more was the glorious sounds of nature.


----

Honeysuckle Rose, sung by Anita O'Day 1956. Check it out: YouTube - Anita O'Day 1956 - Honeysuckle Rose

The sky was darkening to a light navy blue while the sun still shone in protestation. Birds cooed their goodnights and the green trees fluttered and swayed like a calm ocean wave. For being in the middle of suburbia it was terribly quiet. Neither the sound of cars driving by nor neighborhood children playing could be heard at the Granger house. It seemed to be in the lonely countryside and not thirty minutes away from booming London.

Hermione fingered her wand absentmindedly, her thoughts a million miles away from England. Instead they dwelt on the rustic rolling hills of Ireland and the glamour of southern France and Paris.

And then she felt it.

It was like a change in the air. The very wind felt different and the air no longer tasted the same on her lips. Her senses felt alive and stimulated; Hermione’s wand fell with a clatter from her limp fingers to the porch floor. She watched dumbfounded as her wand rolled away.

Hermione looked up, her breath catching for some unknown reason as she looked at the empty landscape. Everything looked the same as it did before. But, her heart began to thump a pattern against her chest. Hermione tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and leaned back against the post and tried to even out her breathing. She closed her eyes with a shack of her head.

She was acting ridiculous. All she did was drop her wand and look at what kind of reaction she was having. She was going crazy…

Hermione’s eyes popped open of their own accord, she turned her head towards the dirt driveway and surrounding trees that were like a cool green background to the blazing evening sun. And then, as is appearing out of thin air, Hermione saw him walking out from beneath the trees trekking across the driveway.

His hair was like a ripple of fire in the sunshine and his angelic face was gazing at the house without yet seeing Hermione. With his hands in his pockets he continued to walk towards the house.

Hermione’s breath lodged firmly in her throat and she sat away from the pole she was leaning against. She saw Ron look up and finally see her sitting there. He stumbled to a halt and looked at her intensely. Hermione rose from her seat and walked over to the top of the steps and looked out at him trying to convince herself that she didn’t care for him, trying to convince herself that he was here to make up and nothing more. Patch up the wounds but not cure them. He had no interest in mending her heart and never had. She’d been a fool.

And now she’d let him do the talking before she let him break her heart all over again.

The silence stretched on endlessly till he finally spoke. “I was an idiot, Hermione.” Ron said baldly and abruptly. “I’ve let you get away so many times that I’m surprised that you even bothered with me in the first place. I’ve come here to apologize for everything I’ve done--” Hermione’s heart crumbled as Ron faltered on his words. “A-and everything I haven’t done.

“That is—what I’m really trying to tell you is that I am – that I always have been – in l--love with you.” Ron looked Hermione squarely in the eyes, his eyes blazing with an intensity Hermione had never seen before. An intensity she’d often read about and had so many times dreamt about. “If I am too late and have ruined my chances you just have to say so and I won’t ever bring it up again. It’ll be like none of this ever happened. We can go back to the way things use to be.

“But,” he took a step closer towards the house, “but, I don’t want it too. I’ve always been in love with you, Hermione. I’ve just been too scared and too ignorant to realize it. I know I won’t be able to pretend anymore.”

Hermione slowly walked down each step, trying to fight the smile that earned to spread across her face. Her gaze never left Ron’s as she walked towards him. Stopping a few feet away, her senses swirled in a whirlwind of emotions.

Ron spoke again, “I can’t say that it will be easy because it won’t be. Nothing between the two of us is ever easy. But… I think it’s worth it because I can’t imagine my life without you in it, even if that means an argument, no matter how petty, everyday. I have the time of my life arguing with you then I would ever have being a diplomat with anyone else. I want to spend the rest of my life driving you crazy.”

Hermione allowed her lips to relax in a smile and with careful consideration she realized no words were necessary. Taking the last few steps at a run, Hermione jumped on to Ron, securing her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, and gazing into his stormy grey eyes she kissed him with everything she was made of.

Her fingers locked behind his neck and she never intended to let go of Ron, ever. Hermione’s lips molded to his and Ron hands sprawled across her back as he held her to him in a hug. Ron swirled them around in a circle, the world spun around them in the colors of a rained on painting, all blending into one.

“Marry me?” Ron whispered in her ear. His warm breath cascaded against her face like dew soaked sunshine.

Hermione snuggled in against the crook of Ron’s neck and breathed in the knee-weakening scent that was inexplicably him. She pressed her lips to Ron’s ear, “I’m so very much in love with you, dearest friend.” Their eyes met, both shimmering in complete happiness as they finally saw each other clearly for the first time. “Yes, of course yes--” Ron recaptured Hermione’s lips with his own in an ardent kiss.

They were no longer just good friends or even unrequited lovers. They were simply two people in love willing to overcome all obstacles to be together. After much humor, pain, and arguing in the end, what interlaced their love, was only time.

<3


Do you always trust your first initial feeling
Special knowledge holds truth bears believing
I turned around
And the water was closing all around
Like a glove
Like the love that had finally, finally found me
Then I knew
In the crystalline knowledge of you
Drove me thru the mountains
Thru the crystal-like clear water fountain
Drove me like a magnet
To the sea

How the faces of love have changed turning
the pages
And I have changed oh, but you...you remain
ageless
I turned around
And the water was closing all around
Like a glove
Like the love that had finally, finally found me
Then I knew
In the crystalline knowledge of you
Drove me thru the mountains
Thru the crystal-like clear water fountain
Drove me like a magnet
To the sea

I've always thought this song suited Ron and Hermione so well.
Crystal, Stevie Nicks. Check it out: YouTube - Practical Magic

Epilogue

William Shakespeare once penned the phrase, “Journeys end in lovers’ meeting”. It is a wonderful notion that in this instance is so very true. The journey bringing our two lovers together has come to a momentous conclusion. Together, with love in their hearts and courage in their soul, they must face the difficult world and overcome all obstacles. With one journey at an end, hand in hand, the lovers will begin yet another.

Eighteen Months later…

Ron shifted from foot to foot in agitation. He hated being in front of a crowd like this. Nerves attacked his system and he felt close to belching.

“Hey there, mate,” Harry, who was looking dashing in his pristine black dress robes, said coming to Ron’s side. “You look a bit…green.”

“I feel… green.” Ron racked a hand through his red hair. “I now know exactly how you felt, Harry. Exactly. I surprised you didn’t curse me when I laughed at you and told you to calm down.” Ron shook his head, looking as though he faced his execution, and croaked, “I bloody well know now.”

Harry chuckled, ducking away from Ron’s fist that flew in the general direction of his face, “I’ll tell you that same thing you told me when I was in your position almost two years ago.” Harry grabbed on to his best mates shoulder and facing him said, “You’ll be fine, Ron. Once you see her you’ll forget everything else.”

Ron gulped and nodded his head.

“Now,” Harry let go and started to walk away, “It’s time for me to walk my beautiful wife down the aisle. I’ll see you in a few minutes, Ron.” He walked down the carpet between the rows of seats that were occupied by friends and family. Leaving the wedding scene behind, Harry walked into the Burrow.

“How’s he doing out there?” Ginny grabbed his arm. Looking like a vision in a strapless sage dress that was cinched at the top then flowed down from her hips to toes elegantly. The fabric shimmered with every move she made. Her fiery red hair was swept up in an elegant twist with on tendril lying over her shoulder.

Harry had to remember to focus or he would start kissing his wife senselessly and forget the wedding. Actually that was sounding like a brilliant idea… the wedding be d****d…

“Harry…” Ginny punched his arm, “Earth. To. Harry.”

“Huh!” Harry gave his head a little shake. “Sorry brain freeze.”

“Yeah, ahuh, sure.” Ginny gave him a sly smile knowing full well what he was thinking. “Now I have to go get my bouquet and make sure Luna hasn’t wondered off. Can you go check on Hermione? She was still fussing with her dress when I was in there two seconds ago and we really don’t have much time left…” Ginny gave him a peck on the cheek and hurried off in search of her rather crazy friend.

Harry took the steps two at a time and knocked softly on Ginny’s old bedroom door.

“Come in,” Hermione called from the other side.

Harry pushed open the door and saw Hermione for the first time that day. She was staring at her reflection in a full-length mirror her face scrunched in worry, her veil in hand. “Hermione, you look absolutely,” he blew a breath, “beautiful.”

Catering to Hermione’s simple tastes her dress was simply elegant. It suited her perfectly as it clung to every curve of her body. The ivory gown was spaghetti strapped with a baby doll styled top. It had an overlay with sewed on crystal beading and pearls. Below her chest was a band of sequins and crystal beading in a flower and vine design. From this band the dress flowed breathlessly down to the floor and in the back it spread into a train. Her lush brown hair was in this intricate design that fell down her back. Three tiny flower shaped diamonds were nestled in the design of her hair and Ron’s Great Auntie Myrtle’s goblin wrought tiara sat sparkling on the top of her head.

Hermione turned around to look at Harry, “Hello Harry. Thank you…” She turned back around. “I feel like a wreck.”

“It hardly shows.” Harry walked to her side and they both stared at her reflection. “There really is nothing to be worried about.”

“But… but how did you know?” Hermione whispered. “I always thought… that is… I always thought it was Ron, but what if I’m wrong?”

“You’re not.” Harry said simply, they turned to face each other. He was getting pretty good at these pep talks. Well, he supposed it helped when you believed what you were saying. “Now I don’t want to seem too sentimental and unmanly when I say this, but, it’s fate.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Deep down I always knew this was how it was suppose to be. Because you two, you and Ron, are just simply made for each other.”

Hermione turned away from Harry and, looking at her own reflection, took a deep breath. “Fate,”

“Accio flowers!” Harry caught Hermione’s bouquet of daisies and hand them to her. “I’ll see you down there.” Giving her a peck on the cheek he left the room and returned to the wedding scene outside.

Hermione looked at the stranger in the mirror and took another deep breath. “Fate…” she murmured.

It really wasn’t all that difficult to believe that this was her fate. That Ron was her fate. After all, it had always been Ron. From that very first day she saw him on the Hogwarts Express when searching for Neville’s toad Trevor to when he showed up at her parents’ house.

Whether some stronger force than she controlled fate or she made her own the end would always have been Ron. No matter what, she was made to be with him. Through thick and thin, as corny as she knew that sounded even in her own mind, she would be by his side. Even if he annoyed the hell out of her because that was part of the reason she loved him. Their love was like a challenge and she was up for that challenge. And Hermione knew Ron was as well.

“Hermione, dear,” Mrs. Granger entered the room, followed by Mr. Granger, “it’s time to head down. The bridesmaids have just started down the aisle. Are you ready?”

Hermione attached her veil to the old tiara and pulled the blusher over her face. “Yes I’m ready.”

Together the family went down the stairs and out of the door of the Burrow. The scene before Hermione was breath taking. She’d almost forgotten what it looked like.

There were overflowing vases of daisies everywhere and fairies bounced around in crystal globes that were suspended over the guests. The wedding party… and Ron… were waiting at the end of the white carpeted aisle below a vine covered trellis.

A magical harp began to play Ave Maria and the guests all stood and turned to look at Hermione as she walked down the aisle between her mother and father. But, she didn’t see any of that. She had no idea that Lavender Brown was shooting her dirty looks and desperately trying to think of a way to hex her without anyone noticing and that Draco Malfoy was forcing a smile as he watched her pass. She didn’t even hear Hagrid blow his nose obnoxiously in a handkerchief.

All she saw was the red haired angel who had eyes only for her. His smile weakened her knees but strengthened her resolve. This was love. It wasn’t a fairytale, very far from it, but it was her imperfect love which couldn’t have been anymore perfect, for her.

They stopped in front of Ron and Hermione’s father lifted the blusher and gave her a kiss on the cheek and so did her mother. Lowering the veil, Hermione’s father placed her hand in Ron’s. Together, she and Ron, stepped towards the priest for the ceremony.

Harry stood from his seat as Ginny was sitting back down after giving her speech. He cleared his throat and gave the crowd a cordial smile, “Well, now it’s time for my speech. I promise I won’t make it long because I know everyone is eager to enjoy the rest of this party.

“Firstly I would like to congratulate my two best friends. To Ron, for getting one of the best girls out there because Hermione is one of a kind and a true treasure. To Hermione, for marrying the greatest man I have the fortune to call friend… thank you for shouldering the burden and marrying him.” Harry chuckled as the crowd roared with laughter. Ron shoot him a dirty look but was grinning himself.

He continued, “I’ve known Ron and Hermione for more years than I can really say and with each year it became more and more evident that they were made for one another. Even though they were the last ones to realize this.

“I have a gift for you two, my old friends.” Harry ushered for them to stand, “I know that you probably have a first dance arranged, but… I don’t care.” Harry smiled. “I wanted to give you both something special because of everything you’ve done for me in the past. This is as close to a payment I can give you both for being my anchor, my family.

Harry raised his champagne glass towards Ron and Hermione, “I love you both. To Ron and Hermione!” The crowd echoed his salute and glasses clicked together.

Ron and Hermione went to the dance floor and waited for the music to start, they watched Harry expectantly.

“I didn’t even have to think of what song I wanted to choose for you two. I knew this was it.” Harry winked at them and nodded towards the DJ.

The sound of an old time big band blared around the white tent. Ron grabbed a hold of Hermione’s waist and they began to dance, cheek to cheek. The melodious voice of a jazz singer crooned the lyrics,

It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around, and finally found
The somebody who could make me be true
Could make me be blue or even be glad
Just to be sad just thinking of you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss
But they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me the thrill
With all your faults I love you still
It had to be you
It had to be you
It had to be you…

Ron twirled Hermione and then pulled her in again. They swayed to the jazz music and felt as if they were completely alone and not surrounded by at least eighty people.

“Harry chose perfectly. Much better than we did.” Hermione sighed happily.

“He did indeed. Smart guy, Harry.” Ron twirled her around again humming the tune in her ear. “It just had to be you… had to be you.”

Hermione laughed, “I love you, Ron.”

“And I love you,” Ron, smiling, leaned in and kissed Hermione slowly because, after all, they had the rest of their lives ahead of them.

The end.

<3

It Had To Be You, Frank Sinatra<3 Check it out: YouTube - F S - It Had To Be You

Hey dear readers! Want to see pictures of dresses and such in the last few posts? Here are the links...

Ginny and Luna's Bridesmaid dresses. The only difference is that it's a sage green color and not jasmine. =)



Hermione's bridal gown. Took me forever to find something perfect. I just thought it was so... Hermione =)



And lastly Hermione's hair style:



And I just want to say thank you sooo very much. You all are wonderful and I can't thank you enough for putting up with my long delay between posts and for being such amazing readers!!! I hope you enjoyed this fic and were happy with the ending. I've seen the ending in my head for so long now it was weird actually getting it out on paper lol. =) Thanks again


All my love,

MiOnE


Ps. I'm going to be having a new fic soon! So if you're interested keep your eye pealed lol. I'm not sure yet if it'll be SA13+ or SA16+ =) *dances*

OMG END THE *goes To Read*


OMG Mione that was absolut perfection.. *WipesTears*
Beautyfull.. trully beautyfull.. *ThrowsMioneMillionsOfCockies*
ive just such mixed emotions..*CriesHappyTiers*
im sad coz its over .. but im soo happy with the way it ended coz it was just the most amazingly writen piece of fan fiction ever ha ! you know what i mean? ha
aww the dresses were stunning.. and hermione's hair well your couldnt have chosen better duude.. she must have looked stunning.. wish i could have been there on the special day. ha joke

aww i soo wanna read your new fic.. i just love your writeing style you capture the caracters perfectly you really do

aww i really got to remeber about this new fic.. any ideas on names yet dude? could you PM us when you know where the new fic is gonna be posted or w.e ?

aww anyways im just blabbing along now ha.. just wanna say..


CONGRATULATIONS !!
On Finishing such an AMAZING FAN FIC !!

i wish you luck in your future fic but im sure i will be there with you along the way lol.. Well done mione
Speak to you soon

Rachael..x

aww, is over i cant believe it. the dresses are pretty and so is the hair

good choices!!!

i dont think i could have said it any better

it was perfect...it was awesome...i have loved your fic from the start to the end...thank you so much for writing such a wonderful fiction...i like your style of writing especially when you perfectly add in the title to the end of your post

' After much humor, pain, and arguing in the end, what interlaced their love, was only time.'

i loved it...and congratulations for winning the Golden Goblin Award...you were to win it...

Ohhh... Mione!

This FF has been an amazing ride! Besides inspiring me with my own FF, you introduced me and the other readers to amazing songs. Seriously, when I hear Billy Joel's "And So It Goes" & Frank Sinatra's "It Had To Be You", I think of Ron and Hermione.

I loved some of the old-fashioned aspects of the story. It really fit Ron and Hermione. & of course how it began and *tear* ended with a wedding!

& OF COURSE I'LL READ YOUR NEW FAN-FIC!

Goodbye, Only Time ! Hope to read you again soon!

One of Your Faithful Readers, Melissa (Mel) <3

This fanfiction was amazing!!!!!
I loved it sooo much!!!
There is no words to describe it even more..it was that good!!!
Can't wait for your next fanfiction!!!
Jess

Awwww no don't end.
Lol....Loved it.

*Crys* I can't think of anything to say! It was so wonderfull!!! I so enjoyed reading it. And I will definetly read your other fic. By the way. Congrats on the Award you SO earned it!

~Spencer

Well, this is certainly a sad day for me. Only Time was the first fan fiction I started reading here on Snitch Seeker and I've loved it so much. I remeber waiting for the new installments with both glee and anticipation. I have to say Mione, that you are a wonderful writer. You really know how to capture a character without being one dimentional, which is a hard thing to do. I can't wait to read your new fan fiction and I'm sure that it will be just as wonderful as this one, which you so nicely shared will all of us lucky enough to have the pleasure of reading in.
Best of wishes to you,
MissJosephineLove

OMG I loved this story. I read the whole thing but just got an account so now I can tell you what a great job you did!!!!

Waiting for the amazing new FF, now

Can you all be any more awesome? I don't think so Thank you so much for reading and sticking by my through this fanfic. I hope you enjoyed it, I know I loved writing it.

If anyone is interested I am starting a new fic called Same Old Story. I put in the request for the thread so keep your eyes pealed if you wanna read it. I hope to see you over in the new thread! I luff ya all


*MiOnE