Alright… so here it is. The final chapter. 
I’m very sad to announce that my first ever fan fiction, What the Girls Think, is coming to an end. I just wanted to say a special thank you to all of my fans who have been with me from the beginning. And also, just a general thank you to those who have taken the time to read this fic. I know that through the times, I’ve not posted in time, or I’ve posted short chapters… but you’ve all stuck by me. And I appreciate that.
This last chapter took me a bit of time to write. It may not seem like much… but I’m very happy with it. And I hope you enjoy it as well. Thank you all for reading this fic. It means a lot to me. And please tell me what you think.
Signing off,
<3 Cai
--------- Ginny
Hermione and I weren’t in the Hospital Wing much longer. But by the time we got out, the school term was almost over. We both completed our exams with exceptional marks, and had the last few days to relax with our boyfriends. Of course, that was easier said than done.
Every day, people had come up to us, and all for different things. They would go up to Harry for congratulations and thank yous. After all, he did defeat Lord Voldemort. The whole Wizarding World was thankful for him. They would come up to me to ask me questions about what it was like being kidnapped, and if I was hurt or anything. It was somewhat ridiculous, actually. And they would go up to Hermione and Ron, asking them how they helped Harry in the battle.
But after a while… it just got annoying.
Now, we’re packed up and ready to go home. All of our luggage was already on the train, and we had a good half an hour before the train would leave. I looked around for any sign of my friends, and smiled as I saw Harry sitting underneath an ordinary oak tree by the lake.
I walked over to him and sat beside him. He didn’t speak to my arrival, but just wrapped his arm around me and held me close. I rested my head against his shoulder, and we sat in silence for a long while.
“I’m going to miss it here,” Harry said after a few moments.
I looked up at him with a sad smile. “You could visit anytime you’d like. I’m sure McGonagall wouldn’t mind.”
Harry just shook his head. “No… it’s not the same. It’d be too hard to come back here after everything that has happened.”
I could tell that he had thought about this for a long time, and I let out a sigh. “Harry, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to force you to come, but I know I was the reason behind it. I shouldn’t have made you do something I knew you didn’t want to do.” I felt that I had to tell him that. After all, he had made it perfectly clear that he didn’t want to come back.
He smiled down to me and kissed my forehead. How sweet!
“No, Gin. Thank you. If it wasn’t for you bringing me here, who knows what would have happened. I needed to be here. You were right all along.”
It didn’t take long for me to kiss him straight on the lips. I mean, come on, his words were so sweet and charming. I couldn’t help myself!
Soon, however, we were interrupted by Hermione and Ron…
Hermione
Unfortunately, Ron and I both groaned as we heard the whistle for the train. Of course, we were happy to be going home, but not at this particular moment. It was too perfect to stop.
“We should get going,” I whispered towards Ron, giving him an apologetic smile.
He sighed and shook his head. “Five more minutes won’t hurt anyone,” he whispered to me, giving me another kiss on the lips.
I smirked a bit and grabbed onto his hand. “Ron, I’m the Head Girl still. I need to actually do my duties, unlike
some of us,” I told him, but then threw a wink in his direction.
He rolled his eyes at me, and then opened the broom closet door. We both walked out, holding onto each other’s hands and lazily headed down the corridor.
Now, now, now… you can’t possibly be thinking me as a bad influence to anyone. Ron and I had had a bad relationship term, and this was our makeup for it. But I have to admit… it was wonderful!
Being with Ron again made me wonder what was going on through my mind. At first, I was in denial about liking him, but then we had some great moments together. Then I was stupid and distant… and after a long time, we’re together again. Nothing could ruin this.
“We should go find Harry and Ginny,” he said casually as he pulled me down the staircase.
I nodded casually and followed. Finding Harry and Ginny would be good. And I must say, I’m quite happy that they’ve gotten back together. I felt so terrible for Harry when they broke up, for he was devastated.
But now the world is set right. Voldemort is gone and dead. Harry is finally happy once more. And Malfoy has turned to his true side…
“Hey Ron; Hermione.”
Ron stiffened as Draco Malfoy addressed us so casually. He still wasn’t convinced that he was good. And, he was still protective over me.
“Malfoy,” he said curtly.
Malfoy just waved off this tone, and turned to look at the both of us. “Listen… I just wanted to… apologize… for everything.”
I stared at him with wide eyes. Malfoy? Apologizing?
“These past years… I’ve been following the orders of my father. Now I realize that he was a pathetic man who couldn’t defend himself. He could have turned back when he had the chance, but he didn’t. I don’t want to be like him.”
“Is it because good always triumphs over evil?” Ron asked silkily.
Malfoy just smirked casually. “I guess. But the world has changed now. And so have we.”
I nodded at his words, for he had a point.
“I also wanted to say thank you… for giving me a chance to live.”
“There was no point in killing you.”
I squeezed Ron’s hand, for this bit of news I did not know.
Malfoy nodded at Ron’s words, and then held out his hand for a shake. “Well… I guess this is a goodbye. From here on end, I doubt we’ll be seeing each other.”
Ron hesitated. He stared Malfoy in the eye, as if wondering whether or not this was a trick. But then shrugged. “Yeah.” He held out his hand and grasped Malfoy’s in a friendly handshake. “Good luck to you.”
“You too.” He turned to me. “And to you, Hermione. Always the brightest around.”
“That won’t be changing,” I said with a slight smile. I shook his hand as well, and he left down the corridor.
Once he was out of sight, Ron looked at me. “That was strange.”
I giggled at him, and pulled him out of the castle towards Harry and Ginny. “Come on.”
It didn’t take long before Hermione and Ron sat down next to us underneath the big oak tree. They were silent as well, and we all sat, staring at the glassy lake. I felt Harry’s lips in the back of my head for a brief moment, and smiled. Everything seemed too perfect now. Everyone was safe. Harry loved me again. Hermione and Ron were happy. Voldemort was gone. I just wish it didn’t have to end.
After a few moments, though, Ron finally spoke.
“Ran into Malfoy just now,” he said simply over to Harry.
Harry looked over, seeming interested. “What did he want?”
“To apologize,” Hermione whispered. “For everything that he had done. But Harry… I didn’t know that you granted him his life.”
Harry shrugged. “I felt that there was no point in killing him. He had done nothing but act on orders, and I didn’t want to be like Voldemort.”
I looked up at Harry with a confused expression. “You’ve spoken to Malfoy?”
He nodded casually to me. “He came up to me this morning. I think he’s a changed man now.”
I smirked and rolled my eyes. Malfoy may be on our side now… but he will never change.
Harry chuckled a bit at my reaction, and we all jumped slightly when we heard the whistle for the train. Ron and Hermione stood up, and so did Harry. I got up as well and looked at the three of them.
They were my best friends. Together, they had conquered so many things. They were the team to beat. The brain of Hermione. The determination of Ron. And the courage of Harry. They all defeated the greatest Dark Wizard of all time. I couldn’t have been more proud. Soon, though, we were all headed up to the platform. It felt weird to be doing this for the last time. Of course, Ginny still had one more year. But it was our last. I looked up at the castle, and I could feel tears burning in my eyes.
So many things have happened here. Friendships were created and destroyed. Evil was fought, and the good was victorious. People have died, and others reborn. It was sad to see it all end.
“You alright?” I turned around to see Ron looking worried. I smiled up at him and nodded.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I whispered, wiping away my tears. “Just… remembering what’s happened.”
He walked up and wrapped his arms tightly around me. I did the same and buried my face into his shoulder. He held me for a long time before he finally pulled away to look me in the eyes.
“Listen to me, Hermione. This isn’t the end. It’s a whole new beginning. This is where we start our lives. Our new lives.”
I smiled a watery smile to him and leaned in to kiss his lips briefly. He was right. It wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.
But I have to say this… there is one thing that I will always remember from this place. One lesson that I’ve learned… And that is… you can do anything you set your mind to, but it’s pointless to even try without your friends. Friendship is the key and the source of life. Without it, you have nothing and no one.
I believe that’s how Voldemort died. He had followers… but he didn’t have friends. He didn’t have people who had worked their whole lives on a building bond… … And that was self-foiling. Everyone needs their friends. It’s what keeps them alive. And it’s one of the only things that’s worth fighting for. That is what I learned here at Hogwarts. That without my friends… I wouldn’t have survived anything.
Oh… and I learned something else too… Sometimes… I think way too much!