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Lacy here. Wow, we're finally on the final book. I can't believe it. I'm sure some of you can't either. But we made it and we're now starting Heidi's journey into the Deathly Hallows. As we know, Heidi isn't seventeen yet, actually hasn't turned sixteen yet, technically, but because of that she still has the Trace on her. Which means she can't help move Harry from their home to a safe house. So she'll be waiting with Ginny and Molly. It won't be easy on her, to leave or to wait, but she has no choice. Read on, kids.

Disclaimer: I own only Heidi.

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~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Looking around her bedroom, Heidi tried to take in every surface and object. There wasn't much, as they hadn't been living there long, but it was still home. And now they were being forced to leave because Snape had betrayed them. It had barely been a month since Dumbledore's death and funeral and Heidi still had trouble wrapping her head around the events of that night.

Distracting herself from those thoughts, Heidi looked around to ensure she hadn't forgotten anything she really wanted to take with her. The necklace her mother left her was secure around her neck, as was her howlite moon. Ayana was already in her cage in the sitting room, Hedwig as well. All her artwork was tucked in a muggle portfolio that Remus had picked up. That and her drawing supplies were in her rucksack, along with her wand and potion ingredients for the Wolfsbane potion. Most were already at the Burrow, where Remus would pick them up before they went to their safe house, but he wanted Heidi to have some, just in case.

"You ready, Ladybug?" Remus walked in with a gentle knock on the door frame.

"No." Heidi answered honestly. "But I doubt I ever will be." Fixing her blue sheer tunic over her pale teal camisole, Heidi grabbed her rucksack and hitched it over her shoulder. "How long do I have?"

"About ten minutes." Remus checked his watch. "The portkey will take you right to the Weasleys' backyard. Molly and Ginny will be waiting for you."

Heidi looked around rapidly, her breathing faster. "I just-" she looked at Remus. "How did this get so messed up so fast?" she dropped her bag, running her hands through her hair. "Dumbledore and Snape. Having to move to safe houses? Barely two months ago I was studying for my O.W.L.s and now I may never even see Hogwarts, again."

"Heidi," Remus grabbed his niece by the arms, guiding her to the side of her bed and sitting her down. He knelt in front of her, brushing her hair back. "Breathe, Ladybug." he waited for her breathing to even out. "I wish I could explain all this in a way that made it easier to deal with, or even take it all away so you'd never have to deal with it to start. But it's our reality and it was only a matter of time until things sped up. There was always going to be a tipping point that kicked everything off, and unfortunately, it was Dumbledore's death and Snape's betrayal."

"I'm scared." Heidi admitted. "Scared that we'll never see this house again, scared that I'll never see my friends or Hogwarts again. Terrified I'm going to lose more people before this damn war is over."

"There's nothing wrong with being afraid." Remus assured her. "During times like this, it's perfectly normal. We were all just as terrified, of the same things, during the first war. For your parents, Padfoot, Aunt Dora and I, all we could think of was, here were these two tiny children for whom we would do absolutely anything to protect. We were ready to give our lives for you and Harry." he exhaled. "And your parents did. I don't want to even think about losing anyone else to Voldemort and his followers, but,"

"But there are no promises in war." Heidi finished. "And to try and promise anything would be lying. And we don't lie to each other."

Remus nodded, a small smile flashing across his face. "Exactly." he leaned up, kissing Heidi's forehead. "You're strong, Heidi Lily Potter. Stronger than you know." he pulled back. "No matter what happens, you will survive."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Dropping to her knees as she landed in the Weasley yard, Heidi flung away the silver spoon that had been her portkey. Unable to stand right away, she gripped the grass and focused on her breathing.

"Heidi?"

The younger Potter looked up, seeing Ginny kneeling before her. "Hey Gin," Sitting back on her shins, she reached over to let Ayana loose from her cage. The black owl nipped Heidi's ear before taking off into the clouds. "She's been locked up all day, waiting."

"She and Hedwig and room with Pig tonight." Ginny offered, moving to help Heidi stand. "Mom's got a list of things for us to do. I think she's hoping to keep us distracted until it's all over."

Heidi laughed humorlessly. "Good luck. I haven't stopped thinking about this since Uncle Moony announced we'd have to move."

"Yeah, same." Ginny agreed. "I know this is all to keep Harry safe and make sure Voldemort can't get him, but it's all my brothers, except Charlie. And my dad."

"I know." Heidi whispered. She ignored Ginny excluding Percy. "I just want it all to be over and everyone to be back here, alive."

"Heidi," Molly bustled over to hug the girl as the two walked into the kitchen. "It's good to see you, sweetheart."

Heidi gave the best smile she could. "You too, Mrs. Weasley." Sprig, who'd been living with Crookshanks at the Burrow since school ended, came running to Heidi. "Hey there, girl." she picked the cat up, accepting her little licks. The tiny black cat had barely grown bigger than a three month old kitten, but Heidi loved her. "You been behaving?"

Molly smiled. "She's been an angel. She and Crookshanks have been dealing with the garden gnomes for me. They're much better at it than my boys. Quicker as well."

Heidi and Ginny laughed while Sprig took off, presumably to find the other cat. With orders from Molly to fold all the clean linens and make up the bedrooms for anyone staying the night, Heidi and Ginny set about working.

"Why would Snape apologize?" Ginny asked after an hour or so of silence.

Heidi swallowed. "It wasn't the first time. Snape had a habit of apologizing for his actions if he knew they'd upset me or made me angry. Usually after I'd yelled at him. I guess, after losing Mum the way he did, with a simple thoughtless word, he wasn't willing to do the same with me." she gave a wet laugh. "Turns out, he didn't need words this time."

"I'm sorry, Heidi." Ginny squeezed her friend's hand. "I know Snape was your friend before he was your teacher."

"He was." Heidi nodded. "But I understand why Mum ended up weary of him."

"HEIDI! GINNY!"

Molly's voice echoing through the house had the girls breaking into a run as they rushed to find her. She was standing in the backyard, looking down at the grass. Joining her, they stepped on either side and took in what drew her attention.

A rusty oil can laid on the ground.

"Who-" Heidi swallowed. "Who was supposed to come back with that?"

"Ron and Tonks." Ginny answered. "Dad and Fred should be next."

The three didn't move until an ancient sneaker appeared not far from the can. Only then did Molly head back into the house, where her fussing and cleaning could be heard.

"Who's next?" Heidi asked.

"Harry and Hagrid." Ginny said. "Followed by Moony and George."

"Then Hermione and Kingsley." Heidi started remembering the order. "Bill and Fleur and then Mad-Eye and Dung last." she crossed her arms. "And-"

Before she could continue, another bright light filled the yard and Harry and Hagrid suddenly came into view. Both fell to their knees upon landing, but their arrival prompted Molly to return outside.

"Harry!" she called out. "You are the real Harry? What happened? Where are the others?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, panting from the portkey trip. "Isn't anyone else back?"

He looked between the three women, but Molly was unnaturally pale, Ginny's eyes flicked between Harry and the sky and Heidi was holding the old sneaker that should have returned Arthur and Fred, eyes swimming with tears, distorting where they were looking. Their faces told Harry and Hagrid what they needed to know.

It was just them. No one else had come back, yet.

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Oh the emotion. I walked away from my computer several times writing this chapter. I get the feeling that'll be a common theme with this book. And I know this ends halfway through one of the chapters, but I'm looking at sixteen chapters for the final book, and I only got that many by splitting some of the longer ones into two. Maybe, as I go on, I'll create more chapters. I'm thinking the wedding should be one to itself, but I haven't decided. Alright, let me know what you think, as always the flame policy is at the bottom of my profile and continues to stand and thank you so much for joining Heidi on her final journey.

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