A/N: Two updates that should have been so close to each other! It's basically a month later (A LEVEL EXAMS) but this is one major date I couldn't miss out; I already missed the Twins' birthday and I feel terrible (about as terrible as missing a dead fictional character's birthday can get). This is of course the chapter to coincide with the Battle of Hogwarts anniversary. THERE NO SMUT IN THIS CHAPTER. Thought I'd get that in there; personally I think it would be disrespectful, but then again I did let my favourite couple celebrate the resurrection of Christ with some fun… My morals everyone else's. OH and by the way, if this is the first chapter of this little saga that you're reading, I strongly advise going back to the first chapter and reading through; there's pieces of their personalities you should come to understand before reading this chapter. I'm hoping not to get too emotional with this. BUT ANYWAY, please enjoy this and comment and stuff. THANKS!
-x-
"Let us not forget our comrades who fell in the past for us to be able to fly into the future; this is for Remus, Tonks, Fred and everyone else who was taken from us on the fateful night 16 years ago."
And with that, Harry lifted his wand in the air to release a single spark of light into the dark blanket that was the sky surrounding Hogwarts. Soon, every person in the audience followed suit and the sky above the ancient castle was full of magical sparks, a glow faintly attaching itself to the wet faces of the mourners that wept silently on the ground.
Harry's right arm fell to his side and he slowly walked down from the temporary stage specifically erected for the event. The audience clapped and then began to either leave or talk to their friends. No-one was the enemy here.
He walked straight into the open arms of Draco, who was no longer sobbing but had red rings around his eyes that gave away he had been crying. Harry buried his head into the crook of Draco's neck and finally let his grief wash over him.
"It's my fault that those people died."
"No no no no no," Draco reassured him, "they died fighting against pure evil. No-one is to blame but the snakey bastard you killed in this very place."
Harry continued to sob until he felt another hand joining Draco's on his back, a light feminine hand. He sniffed and withdrew from Draco's body and straightened himself up.
"Harry, you were amazing."
Turning around, Harry saw the sad brown eyes of Hermione Granger resting softly upon his face and instantly wanted to cry again.
"I would've been atrocious had you not written me that speech." His laugh made a choking sound.
"Oh Harry."
Hermione shoved Harry into an embrace, so tight it could be comparable to apparating. Draco watched on, his heart full of sadness and grief but also love for his fiancé and his new family.
As Draco turned around as to give Harry and Hermione some space, he saw George standing alone, staring at his feet, while the rest of his family were comforting and being comforted by the Creeveys. Without a second thought, Draco strode over to the desolate twin and faced him. No words left his mouth as he engulfed him in the warmth that a bereaved sibling should be. Unsurprisingly, the smell of firewhisky lingered on George's body but Draco thought that today was hard enough without reminding George that he didn't need to turn to drink to deal with his grief.
George started to cry, huge sobs were muffled by Draco's chest. The red-haired man started to shake but Draco held onto him tightly, whispering that it was okay to cry, as much to himself as it was to George.
When Molly Weasley caught the sight of Draco and George out of the corner of her eye, she politely excused herself from the conversation she was having with Mrs Creevey to tend to her broken son. She tottered over to where the two men were embracing and a few tears escaped her eyes.
On hearing approaching footsteps, George released himself from Draco's grip and stiffened.
"Wasn't cryin'," his sniff and croaky voice betrayed his lie.
Molly just tutted and gave a watery smile towards her son and then towards Draco.
"Thank you," she mouthed and placed her hands either side of the blond man's face and kissed him on the cheek.
Sensing her son's inebriation, she took his hand and led him to where the rest of his family were getting ready to depart.
Draco looked towards the family and felt a hand on his right hip. He instantly recognised the touch and leant into the body that was stood firmly on his left.
As the Weasleys apparated, Hermione turned towards the couple, her hand being held firmly by her husband, the youngest Weasley son.
"Are you sure you don't want to join us?" Her earnest expression was solidified by Ron's look of concern.
"Thank you, but we're going to have to decline your invitation. For the fifth time." Harry chuckled, a sad empty chuckle.
"Okay, but do remember, you're welcome any time."
"Yes Hermione, the offer is mutual to you both also."
Draco's heart swelled again, double the size previously. The fairly new found love he had for this frizzy haired female and her weasel companion, both of which were terms of endearment, both surprised and pleased Draco.
"Thank you Draco. Do make sure to owl us when you're home."
Harry let out a sigh. "We love you both, now go home."
And with that, the couple vanished with a 'pop'.
Draco looked at his fiancé and kissed him on the cheek. "I could really do with going home also. Have you spoken to everyone?"
Harry moved his hand from Draco's hip to his hand. "I have. I'm just so tired."
Because of this, Draco wrapped his arms around his lover and apparated them to their new home.
Draco apparated them to their new bedroom and guided Harry to their marital bed and sat him down. Draco intended to leave Harry there and make his way into the en-suite to take a shower. However, Harry kept hold of his hand and held it close to his chest.
Harry made a grunting noise. "No shower, no changing, just sleep."
Draco turned to face his fiancé. "You want to lie in bed, with your clothes on?"
Harry nodded. Draco huffed and let go of Harry's hand. He walked around to his side of the bed and Harry copied him. They both pulled back the duck down quilt and climbed into bed, fully clothed.
For ten minutes, they laid there in complete silence, staring up at the ceiling side by side.
"Draco."
"Yes?"
"I don't know how to feel."
Draco sat up and looked at Harry. "Whatever do you mean? You're not calling off the engagement are you?" He asked frantically.
"No. You're the only thing I'm completely sure about. No, I mean, I don't know how to feel today, or any day really. Whenever I think about the war, all I can think about is how Teddy will never know his parents, just like I never knew mine. That puts me on the same level as Voldemort. I don't deserve to be happy when so many people are now suffering from the loss caused by a battle that was my fault."
"Harry James Potter, do not ever say that you are the same as that evil dictator again. Sometimes you are too modest with what you achieved at such a young age; this is one of those times. You stopped the wrath of one mad man being law. You stopped witches and wizards born to non-magical parents from feeling like thieves and criminals. Not you alone, but you were made the spearhead for the resistance because of everything you stood for, which included the love you mother gave you which originally vanquished Voldemort." Draco grabbed Harry's hands and touched them to his heart.
"You saved me from a lifetime of following a soulless fiend out of fear. I understand it must be hard to come to terms with every death of a loved one that you have faced, Dumbledore included, but you must realise that there are always going to be deaths in a war and those who died knew that when they decided to stand behind you that day sixteen years ago. So do not berate yourself my love, you saved every scared wizard in the world, and those that unfortunately left us, are looking down on you and their families happy that their loved ones can now live in peace, even if that means they have to live without them. You are a hero and don't ever feel that you can't be happy."
The weight of Draco's words were equal to the weight Harry felt lift off of his shoulders in that moment. The silence was broken with sniffs coming from Harry. Tears fell from the corners of his eyes and onto his pillow.
"Do you really believe that Draco? That I'm a hero?"
"Yes you nump! I wouldn't be marrying you otherwise; it's all about image with me." Draco pushed Harry softly and they both started chuckling light-heartedly. The blond then laid down next to his soon-to-be-spouse and snuggled into his chest.
"Please don't ever feel that you can't talk to me about anything; the war, the wedding, the Weasleys. Oh that reminds me, we're sending them some flowers."
Harry wiped his eyes and coughed. "And why is that?" His voice was croaky.
"Because I love Hermione. Now can we go to sleep? We're meeting potential mothers tomorrow!" Draco said excitedly.
"You scheduled that for the day after the memorial?"
"Yes, because I wanted to keep your mind busy, because I love you."
"I love you so much." Harry realised that his statement got more and more true every time he said it, like Draco gave him more reasons to love him.
"I know you do. Also, if you're thinking about my birthday present, I'm really into that muggle clothing brand Chanel so…"
Draco was cut off by Harry's lips softly resting on them. His hand wound its way from Harry's hip to his face and rested on the stubble that had grown on his jawline. The kiss was sweet: full of love and passion and smiles. The pulled away from each other and went back to their usual sleeping position.
"Well Harry, what a way to say good night."
"Good night Draco."
-x-
A/N 2: I AM SO SORRY IT IS OVER 4 WEEKS LATE. This fic was meant to be uploaded on the 2nd May and it is now the 31st. I really do apologise for the lateness and the short length. Also, I've had writers block and I've been attempting to start my own novella and learning to drive so yh yh yh. The next one due for the 5th June SHOULD BE Draco's birthday but let's see how accurate and on time I get that one lol… Review and favourite and all that good stuff! Follow me on tumblr ( .com) for fandom related stuff, included updates on my own book and films I've seen and such. Thanks again and I love you all!