Epilogue
As the baby floated down the river, her head just breaking the surface, her wails echoed strangely. The baby fuzz on the top of her head was a dark red, and her eyes, which were currently screwed tight, were a deep blue-green. Her cries were weak, sickly. It was probably a kindness that she died young. Had she lived, she would have been too weak to truly enjoy life.
As she neared the First Gate, there was a disturbance in the River. The water began to churn, shifting and rising in strange shapes. Suddenly, it burst up, the water taking on the form of a giant snake. The baby's cries increased, she knew that she was in danger. The water-snake reared up, preparing to strike. It was going to devour the infant, dragging her down to the depths, keeping her trapped in Death forever.
As it struck, though, a figure dressed in armor and a black surcoat leaped between the water-snake and the baby. A gleaming sword was in the figure's hand, their face hidden by the hood of a cloak. The sword went into the water-snake's mouth and out the back of its head. While this would have killed any ordinary snake, this creature was merely trapped. Golden sparks flew from the blade, hissing and sending up steam as it hit the water-snake.
The figure held the sword with one hand, drawing a bell from the bandolier across their chest with the other and ringing it in one smooth motion. The water-snake shrieked and thrashed, but it couldn't escape. Slowly, it melted, returning to its original form as just another part of the River. Soon, it was completely gone.
Sheathing both bell and sword, the figure turned around. The baby was in the mouth of the Disreputable Dog, gripped by the edge of the blanket it was wrapped in. Throwing back her hood, Kira gently took the baby from the Dog. "Hello, little one," she said softly. In the months since her return from Hogwarts, Kira had searched for a man worthy of planting the seed of a heir within her. She had become filled with a longing for a child of her own, and this showed in her eyes, which softened at the sight of the little human nestled in her arms. The baby had stopped crying, now staring up at her rescuer with big, curious eyes. Kira could feel her heart melting.
"Mistress," the Dog said, her tone cautionary. "You have to let the babe go."
Kira sighed. "I know, Dog. But…I feel a connection with this child. I can't explain it…" Then, as she stared into the infant's eyes, it hit her. "This is Harry's child!" The Abhorsen turned, looking back at where the snake had disappeared. "That's why the snake wanted her. The Dark Lord has regained his power!"
The Dog growled softly, her eyes glinting with anger as she remembered the Dark Lord. "Then we must take this child past the Ninth Gate ourselves, to ensure her safety."
"No." Kira had made a decision. "I can sense Dark Magic on this baby. She didn't just die, she was murdered. Someone killed this baby!" Looking back at life, Kira made another decision. "I'm taking her with me."
"What?!" the Dog cried. "Mistress, this goes against every precedent-"
"Screw precedence. I can care for her, nurse her back to health, then return her to Harry and Ginny."
"She has no body!"
"Then I'll use the magic it takes to give her one before we cross into Life." Kira was determined. "I have to do this, Dog."
The Dog sighed. "Very well then. I will help you."
After giving her friend a quick hug, Kira looked back down at the baby. "Hear that, young one? Soon, you'll be going home." A name came to her suddenly, and Kira knew it was what the baby's parents had chosen for her. "Arianna Potter."
Together, Abhorsen, Dog, and infant turned towards Life, preparing the spells required for the child. They didn't notice, however, the black dog watching them from just before the First Gate…
The End
Well, that's that. I'll try to get to work on the sequel ASAP. I hope you've enjoyed.