Chapter 1

-0-

-0-

-0-

Hogwarts grounds...

Harry staggered across the field alone, clothes torn and bloody. The ashes of Tom Riddle were blowing as dust in the wind behind him. He fell to his knees when he came upon Colin Creevey's prone body.

"Oh Colin," he whispered. "You were suppose to stay in the castle as part of the last line of defense."

"HE came because he thought you were a HERO!!" Tonks yelled as she came running up to him. Her own clothes torn and bloody. "None of this had to happen. Look at everyone! DEAD!"

Harry bowed his head. Ron, Hermione, Remus, and everyone else. He saw Albus fall when a Deatheater tried to curse him from behind. Severus and Lucius had been fighting back to back trying to cover for him as he made his path towards Voldemort. He'd lost sight of them when the Dark Lord threw the first curse at him.

"You can't feel them anymore because they all died for you! The stone is useless now. Ginny is DEAD!"

Ginny, Tonk's lover, had been the Keeper of Harry's Heartstone. The Heartstone that linked Harry with all of those he called family. A stone, no one knew, Tonks had taken great pleasure in destroying only minutes before leaving the castle.

Molly would hate him now when she found out Gin was dead, and maybe her brothers too . It would be all his fault. He hadn't had the knowledge to fight off Voldemort until now. The search for the Horcruxes had taken too long--much longer than they had hoped.

"No! Gin! I'm s-sor--"

"Shut your gob! I know you don't really feel sorry!" Tonks grabbed Harry by the hair and pulled his face closer, her face contorted in a evil sneer. "Why don't you just LEAVE! No one wants to see an abused Hero. No wonder it took so long for you to get up the courage to defeat the bastard! You couldn't fight off a lowly Muggle! You! Are! So! Pathetic!"

Harry closed his eyes. He knew that Tonks was still grieving for her own parents, having been attacked two weeks ago, as they tried to get a group of magical orphans away to safety. They had shielded the children, as they made their getaway and ended up loosing their own lives. And now, Ginny. But she's never been cruel like this, to anyone, before, not even when her parents died. He was stunned.

"Stop Tonks!"

"Stop what? Making you face the truth? The great Dumbledore is no longer here to protect his Golden Boy! They should lock you up! Probably thinking of being the next Dark Lord!!"

Harry's shock turned to horror at her words. "NO! Never! I could never be like him! Tonks, please!"

Snarling, "Oh Please!! The Golden Trio, probably had it all figured out, taking over the Ministry with Albus' help. Did you make them all swear an oath? What about your little Death Eater pets? Where are they now? OH wait, probably cursed and killed like they dogs they were!"

"What's gotten into you?! You sound like your Aunt Bella!" Harry tightened his grip and began to slowly back up, as he kept his eyes on the madwoman who he'd once called friend.

"I saw the light, Potter! Everyone is dead. What's else is there to live for? NOTHING! You don't belong here anymore! You never did!"

Childhood insecurities warred with brewing anger at such ill treatment, after all he'd been through in his life, for everyone else. Tears welled in his eyes as he glared at her. "I didn't want to be here. But it was my bloody destiny wasn't it!? Well now I've done what you all needed me for, so I guess I'm nothing now! So why don't you just go bugger yourself then!"

"JUST LEAVE!"

Harry stood up, Colin's camera still in his hands. "So Mote It Be," he whispered, tears running down his face. The wind began swirling around him, bringing him some comfort in his time of need as storm clouds began forming on the horizon and thunder boomed in the distance. "Let the rain from the Goddesses cleanse this field of death, and my soul from darkness. So Mote It Be."

With a crack of lightening, The Boy Who Lived and Defeated was gone.

Tonks screamed in frustration. Damn-it, she wasn't finished. She was just beginning to vent.

"Harry!"

Tonks turned as two figures, limping, hanging on to one another, appeared through the smoke. Remus Lupin and Albus Dumbledore. Damn the Wolf and the old man!

"Harry!" they called again.

Tonks turned towards the body of Colin Creevey and whispered Incendio! She fell to the ground and started wailing.

"Tonks! What's happened? Who is it?" Remus asked as they came to a stop next to her.

Tonks, tears conveniently coursing down her cheeks, turned, "It was awful. Harry had just defeated the Dark Lord and was looking for survivors when a Death Eater cursed him and then Incendio'd his body. I wasn't fast enough. Harry was dead before he hit the ground."

Remus dropped to the ground and howled out his grief. His cub was gone. The last of his pack, dead. Albus just held the other man in his arms as he sobbed out his grief.

'They would get through this', he thought, as tears rolled down his own aged face to disappear in the now singed and sooty beard. Neither man noticed the conniving look that crossed Tonks' hidden face.

Elsewhere ... weeks later, on a coast overlooking the ocean...

He'd gone from the battlefield directly to Gringott's. The Goblins, understanding beings that they were when it mattered, arranged his finances, found and purchased a home for him in New Zealand, and even managed to acquire a new wand for him. One that happened to be untraceable, thanks to several Goblin charms. By the time Harry walked out of the Bank, he had a new identity and a new life to head out to. He looked around one final time, as he felt his throat tighten and his chest ache. There was nothing left for him here. Nothing at all.

Harry stood on the beach, staring out into the ocean. The sun was rising in the east and a new day was beginning. He hadn't slept in almost two days. Had it only been two days since the final battle? It seemed like an age. So much had happened between the time he'd killed Voldemort and now, as he stood here, alone.

Colin's camera hung over his shoulder still. It had been with him since he'd grabbed it from Colin's body. Poor Colin. He almost felt bad now for all the times he'd hidden from that camera. As he looked at the rainbow the sunrise painted in the sky above the bluest water he'd ever seen, he decided the best way he could honor Colin's loyalty, and make a new life for himself, was to do what Colin loved. He would learn how to be a photographer, and record all the beauty he could find in the world. Enough beauty to hopefully wash away all the ugliness that had tormented Harry's life--and everyone in the Wizarding and Muggle World's, for too long.

But there was more than beauty in the world. Wars and famine. Things the Human population ignored. Colin said that a picture made people see what they normally didn't, or wouldn't, see. He had a new path. He would record their emotions--both good and bad. Maybe he could help people--do something positive finally.

Strolling back down the beach, he took his time ascending the rise where his bungalow sat, amidst the trees. Closing the door behind him, he stood in the center of the lounge and looked around. It wasn't large by most standards, but the little bungalow was a palace to him. Far larger than his bedroom in Surrey or his dorm room at Hogwarts, and it was his. It was secure, safe, and private, and under a Fidelius Charm, thanks to the Goblins. Here, he didn't need to be constantly looking over his shoulder. Maybe he could even experience what it was like to be a regular wizard; just a face in the crowd.

He had a small box of things he'd brought with him from Gringott's. It contained some shrunken furniture and several paintings and heirloom items he'd chosen from the family vaults. Things to remind him of his parents, Sirius, and Remus, and give his new place a homey feeling. Of course he would put Minerva's training to good use to furnish the rest, since the place was practically empty. The larder and coolbox were already stocked, thankfully. At least he wouldn't have to worry about that, not that he had much of an appetite... As he tried to decide where to begin, he subconsciously spun the silver ring on his left hand. A deep gouging pain of loss bloomed in his chest, but he pushed it back down. He couldn't let himself think about that now; there were things to do.

Hogwarts... during the following weeks...

Poppy was making her rounds of the private ward she had established. Albus was lying in one of the beds, suffering from magical exhaustion and grief. The man hadn't stopped crying, tears always on his pale cheeks, since he and Remus had come upon the burning body of Harry Potter. Not even his wand, or glasses had survived the flames.

But, of all Poppy's patients, it was this ward that was hit hardest. Everyone here was a friend or someone Harry counted as family. Those he saw with a caring or giving nature; be they Slytherin or Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. He loved them all. Now they were mourning his loss. Harry's death would leave a gaping hole in many lives. There would be no way they could ever honor his memory sufficiently.

Severus was lying curled up in a bed with Lucius sitting nearby. Both had come out of the battle with minor cuts and abrasions. Severus was suffering some abdominal pain that Poppy had yet to diagnose. Draco was in a magical coma, in the bed next to Severus', as Neville hovered nearby, holding the blonde's hand.

Hermione and Ron were huddled together on a bed across the room, their eyes red and puffy. Various Weasley's were scattered about the room as well. They had suffered losses as well.

Ginny had left her place at the castle when she saw Bella take up a position behind Neville; her wand raised for the Killing Curse. Hagrid had just stormed onto the scene as Bella cast a Cutting Hex at Ginny, catching her across the abdomen. It took one swipe of Hagrid's arm to end the insane Lestrange woman's life. An angry and weeping Rubeus, after Incendio'ing the Death Eater's body, then gently carried the young girl's body back to the Great Hall. He gave Kingsley Bella's wand as proof of her death. Priori Incantatum would prove she had killed Ginny Weasley.

Percy had been found in the Ministry of Magic by Kingsley. The former Minister of Magic killed the young man when he'd tried to warn Hogwarts of the coming attack. Unjust payment for all his years of devoted service to the Ministry and the Minister, himself. The prim bookish Weasley had died with a look of shocked betrayal on his face.

Kingsley had Cornelius Fudge in a cell, as well as Umbridge. They'd been Death Eaters all along, despite not bearing the Dark Mark. He was looking forward to seeing these two face all the same pain they had caused.

Thankfully, Molly had already been sedated after Hagrid had brought Ginny to the castle. Hearing about Percy also, at that point would've killed the poor woman. As it was, Poppy gently pressed Arthur into taking a Calming Draught himself, as the loss of two children coupled with the grief he couldn't shoulder for his bonded, nearly did the gentle man in, as well.

Kingsley had been appointed temporary Minster, until an official election could be arranged. At the moment, it was evident that task would take awhile to accomplish, and he was the best man for the job in the interim. The Daily Prophet was writing the praises of Harry Potter; The-Man-Who-Died-Bringing-Freedom-to-All. Such a shame that they waited until after his death to finally report the truth. Poppy watched as Kingsley took a seat by Minerva, next to Albus' bed.

"Albus, the clean up is going slowly, but very well. There is one concern though. I have no idea what to do with the Death Eater's bodies."

Albus closed his eyes. "Harry would want to do what was right. He understood from some he'd spoken with that many were good wizards and witches, who only joined Tom out of fear, when he threatened their families."

"One graveyard?"

"Yes. One. Hogwarts will make a place for you to lay them all to rest. Unless they already have a family plot. Those bodies, can be sent back to the families for internment."

"And--H-Harry?"

Another tear slipped down the old Headmaster's face at the mention of Harry's name. "He will be buried at Godric's Hollow... with his parents. Only friends and family will be present for the ceremony. I will set the wards to make sure his last resting place remains untouched and undefiled."

"I agree. Harry wouldn't want a big fanfare. I will gather those willing and trustworthy to assist you in setting those wards."

Minerva sniffed, dabbing at her eyes with a tatting edged handkerchief. "Tha poor laddie didna hav' peace en this lif', but, tha Goddess willin', he wi' en tha next."

Severus sobbed silently as he listened. He felt Lucius lean in and grasp his shoulder in a gesture of comfort. How was he going to go on now? Without Harry at his side? Why couldn't he have died too? Then they would be together in the Summerlands. He groaned and curled in on himself as sharp pain crawled through his abdomen followed by another bout of nausea.

He'd finally found happiness, only to have it ripped cruelly away. Bloody Hell, it wasn't fair! Harry was the only one besides Lucius that he had ever trusted enough to bare his soul to. He and Harry had made promises to each other. Now they were null, void--nothing.

Harry was gone. But he had promised!

Flashback...

Harry and Severus were in the Forbidden Forest. Severus was gathering ingredients for a potion from one of Slytherin's journals. Harry was gathering cuttings to give Neville for the Greenhouses.

This was their time away from the world and the war, at least for a little while. They had spent the night together in a Wizarding tent, only leaving to gather what they needed. The rest of the time was spent in the large comfortable bed, making love, or lazing about forgetting about the outside world.

Harry spoke of a future. He wanted them to work together on a life, a relationship to see where it would lead them. That last night together, Harry had pulled a small box from his rucksack. "Severus?"

"Yes?"

"If we both make it through this... this war. Are you willing to see that we are meant to be? Together as lovers and friends? Or maybe something more?"

Severus set aside the journal he had been jotting notes in, "Harry, I have in all my years never felt like I do when I am with you. My soul feels free and whole. The missing part of me has finally come home to rest."

"Promise me?" Harry held out his hand, two promise rings lay side by side in the center of his palm, as he waited for Severus' reply.

Severus sat up on the bed, kneeling in front of Harry, he reached out with a shaking hand to pick up one of the matching bands. Of Goblin Silver, both rings were a moderate width, with a finely detailed tooling of intricate Celtic bonding knots around the entire circumference. They were quite beautiful and tastefully masculine. Taking a deep breath, and without any hesitation, he spoke the ceremonial words, "I, Severus Rowan Sebastian Snape, promise with my heart and soul that I will love you, Harry James Black-Potter, until my death and into the Summerlands. So Mote It Be."

He slipped the ring on his finger, feeling the magic size it perfectly, before picking up the second ring and holding it out to Harry. Harry took it carefully, his own hand trembling, as he looked into his lover's eyes.

"I, Harry James Black-Potter, promise with my heart and soul that I will love you, Severus Rowan Sebastian Snape, until my death and into the Summerlands. So Mote It Be." He slipped the ring on his finger and smiled at Severus.

Severus reached out and pulled Harry towards him and sealed their promise with a kiss. "I will make my promise again in front of our family and friends. I will declare to the world that I love you, Harry Potter--my Harry! The bane of my existence has become the light in the darkness I once called my life."

"When this war is over, what are we going to do? See the world? Have a family? Be happy?"

"We'll bond in Lucius' rose garden, under a rose-covered trellis. Spend a year seeing the world once denied us both and then start a family. A little girl and boys to carry on our family names of Black-Potter."

"What about Snape?"

"I am the last and I will take your name, Harry. The Snape family name no longer has anything proper and respectable to carry on. Only my mother's family was worth continuing. We can name our first daughter, Eileen, to honor her."

Harry nodded in agreement, and held out his hand to Severus. "Then make vows with me, Severus. We have our promises. Now let's make vows under the full moon. Let the Goddess bless us and bring us good fortune on this night, and throughout our lives together."

With a smile, Severus took Harry's hand and followed his lover out of the tent. The moonlight glistened around them. Harry's upper body was glowing without his shirt. His scars were badges of honor. As were his own. He had come through his young life alive and well. And now he stood before his lover. His future and forever Bondmate.

Standing barefooted and shirtless, both men held each other hands, "Goddess Hecate, we ask your blessing on this night and witness our love, as we make vows."

They'd stood in a small clearing not far from their tent, as the light of the Goddess' moon shone down on them, and spoke their vows to each other. With only the inhabitants of the Forest and the Goddess as witnesses, their magic swirled around them. Once their vows were completed, as they kissed, they found themselves nude and lying on a soft bed of moss, where they consummated their bonding.

End Flashback

"No..." He whispered, as a different pain, one of intense grief, seemed to crush his chest. Tears streamed down his face, as he bit his lip and his body shook with silent sobs.

Tbc...