Title: Let's Not and Pretend We Did
Summary: Seven times Harry and Hermione almost kissed. Epilogue; finally.
Disclaimer: Pffft.
A/N So here it is my darlings. The final installment of Let's not and Pretend We Did. It's rushed and the end sucks but I had so much fun with this story. Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, favourited and/or alerted this story. My original plan was to write two epilogues. One Harmony and one canon. But then I realised a canon ending wouldn't really fit in with the rest of the story. So read on for pure Harmony fluff.

FINALLY

Harry sat under an old oak tree next to the lake trying desperately not to let his mind wander to the bodies in the makeshift morgue in the Hogwarts dungeon, Fred, Tonks, Remus, Colin and so many others were all dead-because of him.

'It wasn't your fault.' said a soft voice from behind him. Startled, Harry twisted around and raised his newly repaired wand at the intruder. His half formed curse died on his lips as he saw Hermione, her arms raised in surrender.

'Sorry, I should not have snuck up on you.' She apologised. Harry lowered his wand and turned back towards the lake. She took his silence as an invitation and lowered herself down next to him.

'What isn't my fault' Harry asked, knowing full well what she meant. Hermione linked her arms with his and rested her head on his shoulder. The smell of old books and soap overwhelmed him and even full of self-loathing and guilt, Harry allowed himself a moment to enjoy the feeling that came with being in Hermione's presence. That feeling he equated with returning to Hogwarts after the summer holidays. The feeling of coming home.

'We talked about this. At Shell Cottage. Not every death is your fault, in fact none of the deaths are your fault.' Harry snorted.

'What about Riddle?' Hermione shrugged, rather awkwardly as she was still cuddled up to Harry.

'You gave him a chance. It was more than any of our friends got.' She spat bitterly. If that snake faced git wasn't already dead then she would gladly feed him to a Dementor.

'My logical side knows it wasn't my fault. But the rest of me will need a while to catch up.' Hermione nodded in agreement and they fell into silence once more.

'Harry…' Hermione said tentatively.

'Yes Hermione?'

'Are you with Ginny?'

'No.' Hermione waited a minute before asking why. Harry sighed and ran his fingers through his already messy hair.

'I don't know. It's like…what we had was great but it would have never lasted.'

'Passion,' Hermione said, nodding sagely. 'Burns bright but fast'

'Yeah.' Harry glanced at his one constant in life, who was staring out at the lake without really seeing it.

'You and Ron?' She looked up at him and gave a small, sad smile.

'Not happening. He missed his chance and I did give him a fair few. Plus he's more like an irritating but lovable brother than a potential boyfriend.'

'Oh.'

'Yep.' And in a move that would soon become as natural to him as breathing, Harry kissed his best friend of seven years.

As kisses go, this one wasn't anything to base a sonnet on. The earth didn't tremble and neither participant saw fireworks or heard the Halleluiah chorus. It was close lipped and chaste and all around uninspired. Harry and Hermione would both rate it as the best kiss of their lives.

'That kiss was seven years in the making.' Hermione said when they finally came up for air. Harry grinned cheekily at her and it made Hermione's heart leap to see him smile. After the horrors of last night she'd been sure she would need to spend weeks trying to coax a smile from him.

'Then we have a lot of lost time to make up for.'