A/N: Here it is, the final chapter. :) Thank you so much for all of your support during the writing of both Escaping Darkness and Achieving Light. Reviews are always very much appreciated. And now, enjoy!

Voices filtered in through the hazy mist of semi-consciousness.

"How long do you think it will be?"

"I cannot say…it has been long enough already, and they should have awoken long before now…I suspect their minds are healing from the trauma. It was a very odd sequence of events that they went through, and I'm sure there is more to it than what we know."

Blackness, then some time later, more voices.

"Will they survive?"

"Perhaps…though I am more concerned about Harry's welfare…he was the more gravely injured…"

Harry…

"Draco, wake up…you've got to wake up and take care of Lily…"

Lily…

He could not wake.

•••

He was floating in a cloud of dulled pain. Though it was tolerable, he could sense it lapping at the edges of his mind, waiting for the moment it could strike. All around him was white. No color, no sound, just white.

Harry…

A whisper seemed to ring in his ears, the first sound he'd heard in awhile. He looked around.

Harry…

Again, the whisper. He tried to answer, but he couldn't.

Your Inima needs you, Harry…

Draco! He must be so worried…

Arise, Harry…awaken…your daughter needs you as well…

And Lily! Who was looking after her?

Your friends are caring for her…as they care for you and your Inima. But they need you, Harry…

He simply could not wake.

•••

"It's been far too long, Severus," Minerva McGonagall said sadly, staring down at the lifeless bodies stretched out on the beds. "Poppy says that if they remain comatose like this for much longer, permanent damage may occur."

Severus Snape sighed. His dark eyes took in the cold, still figures of his godson and the Savior of the Wizarding World. "There's not much we can do but wait," he murmured. Rare emotion glittered in his gaze, as he gazed sorrowfully at the two. "We must trust Fate will intervene, and bring the two back to the world of the living."

"But they're so cold…if it weren't for the heartbeat and the shallow breaths, they may well be dead!"

The Potions Master shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose between his forefinger. "And that, I'm sure, relates to the otherworldly struggle they face. You and I both know and remember what Albus told us. 'I suspect that Harry and Draco will yet encounter Death's grasp before this is over', he said. I believe that is what we are looking at now. Death's unwillingness to let his prize escape him. It is only because of luck, or perhaps some other being, that they even remain alive."

Minerva dropped Harry's hand, which she had been cradling in her own. "Return to us, Harry," she whispered. "You as well, Draco. The world is a darker place without the light of your love to shine in it." She stood, and began to slowly make her way from the room, following her coworker. Behind her, the two Inimae continued to lie peacefully, as they had for two weeks.

•••

Cold fingers gripped his soul. Draco could feel it. He knew he must wake, but he couldn't, not with the icy tendrils lodged in his mind. Again, he tried to force the imposing presence from his soul, but to no avail. He needed more strength than what was available to him.

Draco…

He gave up struggling in favor of searching for the voice. It was the same voice he'd heard many times before, but hadn't yet found the source. This time, however, he could sense another, more benevolent presence reaching into his mind. Suddenly, he recognized the figure, as its features became clearer.

Sirena.

The wraithlike woman seemed to smile, though she was not tangible within his mind.

Draco…stretch out your hand…find your Inima. The time has come for you both to wake.

He tried to move, but couldn't.

Use your most powerful gift – your love for your husband, your love for your daughter, and your love for your friends. Love can and will overcome all boundaries.

Draco gathered his will, seeking out the warmth that accompanied his thoughts of Harry and Lily, seeking to harness that love that could flow through him, and lend him the necessary strength.

He broke through the fog that surrounded his mind, tearing himself to the limits of his mind, though the icy fingers tried to hold him back.

Draco?

He knew he'd found what he was looking for. Harry? It's me…It's Draco…

I love you, Draco.

As I love you. Try to latch on to my mind, Harry…we've got to throw off Death's grip. Otherwise, he'll win us both!

I can't…

You've got to! For Lily…for your friends…for me.

He could sense Harry's struggles to reach his own mind. Then with a flood of emotions and passion and overwhelming love, their minds connected, sending brilliant sparks racing through Draco's mind. With barely any effort, he lifted Harry's mind into his own, where the two minds melded in some ethereal and intimate embrace. He sensed the fingers dig in even deeper within his soul.

As if she were resting a hand on his shoulder, Draco felt Sirena join Harry and him. Now…prove to Death that love conquers all, she whispered, before fading away.

Determination flowed through him, as he and Harry's minds melded even further. You cannot have us, Draco screamed with his mind. You cannot have us…we are Inimae, and not even Death shall break us apart. Release us!

In a blast of power, his and Harry's combined, Draco launched an attack at the offending presence. He heard an enraged hiss, and felt the deathly grasp begin to slip. Again, and again, he released power, and slowly, Death's fingers came loose from his soul. Finally free, Draco relinquished his hold on Harry's mind, tearing his soul loose and willing himself to awake. There was a flash of white light, a roar of defeat echoing in his ears, and then, sight, smell, and sound came rushing to him.

His eyes blinked open.

•••

As Draco's eyes opened, so did Harry's. Harry sat up, feeling dizzy and pained from the numerous wounds that were yet healing, but otherwise recovered. Beside him, Draco mimicked his movements, gazing around him in wonder. Bandages covered the both of them, with Harry even more covered, but they were both alive. Green eyes locked with grey, and for a long moment, neither moved, save to breathe. Then, slowly, their mouths spread into grins, and finally, Harry began to laugh. He laughed at the absurdity of it all; he laughed in relief at it finally being over; he laughed for joy at being alive with his Inima to enjoy it all; and he laughed simply because he could.

After a moment, Draco joined him, and the two laughed together, before Draco shakily stood up from his bed and moved to slip into Harry's. The two snuggled close, Draco spooned around Harry, as their laughter faded. Harry rolled over to bury his face into the crook of Draco's neck, content to inhale the scent of his Inima. Draco's hand was warm and gentle where it rested on his hip, lightly tracing patterns with his thumb. "We're alive," Draco whispered. "It's all over. We're free."

Harry smiled, looking up and capturing his husband's lips with his own. "It's over," he agreed softly, his breath ghosting over the other's mouth. "We can live our life, the life we dreamed about living."

"Harry? Draco?" Harry rolled over again, and both boys looked up to see Petunia standing there, having just entered the room. Her face paled with relief, and she raised her voice. "Poppy! Come quick! They're awake! Oh sweet heavens, they're awake!"

At the sound of her cry, Madame Pomfrey came running, her eyebrows raised in concern. When she saw the two boys very much awake and very much alive, she breathed in relief, rushing over with wand raised. She cast the necessary spells to read their vitals, her eyes lightening with joy. "Go get the others," she breathed to Petunia, who nodded and raced off with uncharacteristic speed.

To a bemused Harry and Draco, she beamed. "You had us worried sick, you two. When you didn't wake…we thought you…well…" Her eyes filled with happy tears. "Bless you, you're awake!"

"How long have we been out?" Draco asked. Harry's hand found his, tightening. "And where's Lily?"

"She's right here. Oh, Harry, Draco, I'm so glad you're alive!" Hermione's familiar voice reached their ears, as the girl hurried towards them. A squirming bundle was cradled in her arms. She quickly handed the baby over to Harry, who clutched his daughter to his chest. Draco propped himself up on one elbow so he could gaze in relief at his daughter. "You two have been out for two and a half weeks! Even Snape was concerned about you two, and you know how he is…"

"I would appreciate such things being left unsaid, Ms. Granger," Snape sniffed, coming up behind her. Behind him trailed Blaise, Pansy, and the entire group of Marauders, all of whom had some sort of relief or joyful tears written on their faces.

"What happened? How did you find us?" asked Harry.

"Well, Draco managed to alert us with the coin," Hermione said, reaching out and grabbing onto Harry's hand. "And Blaise knew about your home in France, so he helped us with Apparition. When we got there, we found Lily safe in her basket, and you lying unconscious on that horrid altar thing with Draco draped over you. We all thought you were dead, but once we felt your heartbeats, we rushed you all to St. Mungo's. They treated you for a week, but then were forced to send you here, since there was a Death Eater attack later. We captured the rest of the Death Eaters, Harry! They're all in Azkaban, dead, or completely reformed." Hermione grinned happily.

"What I want to know," Snape interrupted. "Is why Draco was so gravely injured. Isn't the ring you wear supposed to protect you from any harm?"

"Intentional harm," Draco corrected. "I…um…I leaped in front of Dolohov when Bellatrix cast a spell at him," he muttered. "Everything was accidental."

"And he complains when I act like a bloody hero," Harry teased. "But it was good that he protected Dolohov…in fact, Dolohov's the only reason I'm still alive." Everyone expressed surprise. "I'm sure all of you know how Death had staked his claim on me, and how he vowed to return in one year?" Nods from most of the group. "He said if I found a willing sacrifice, our souls could be exchanged. And…well…Dolohov volunteered, believe it or not." He explained the happenings in the dungeon, starting from where Draco had entered, to where Death had accepted the sacrifice, with some help from Draco.

At the end of their story, everyone was silent. "I'm surprised he did that," Hermione said quietly. "But all the more grateful to him, for giving you a second chance at life. He may have been a coward for the most part…but that was brave of him."

Harry nodded. "It was." He looked down at Lily who, upon having been reunited with her parents, had been happily burbling throughout the conversation. "We did it," he said softly. "We managed to escape the darkness of our past, and we achieved the light of the future."

"So what now?" Draco asked softly. Harry smiled over his shoulder at him.

"We live our lives. Raise a family, rebuild what has been lost, and hold dear the memories of those lost. We enjoy the life that has been given us. We cherish these days."

Chapter End Notes: And there ya have it folks. *sniff* It's been a long journey, but I am glad to have written a story that some of you can enjoy. Don't know if I'll write any others, but if I do, I look forward to being able to write for you all again. Feel free to message me at any time, with requests or suggestions. No guarantees, but I will at least read and respond to any questions or requests. :) Ciao!