"’I need you to know that I choose you,’’ he finally confessed. "’Now that I’ve had you in my life, I want you in it for a long time. And if you’re not ready for that, please let me know now. And perhaps let me have you one last time.’’ He kept his gaze locked on hers but Hermione knew that it was taking every ounce of vulnerability that he had to do so. The calmness and confidence with which he was expressing herself let her know that he was telling her the truth, and that he had thought this through. 