Three years after the battle there's a memorial service. It's looking as though there will be one every year now, a return to Hogwarts to lay white flowers and candles on the grounds, tears for those who lost loved ones, the tightening of grips on hands for those who didn't. Ana found the first one less difficult, perhaps because she was so worried for her Father that she couldn't truly focus on the losses. The second was painful, the scars still fresh. This time it's awful, her heart feels heavy with sadness to see so many seats empty. People have already begun to forget. She sits with the other Hogwarts teachers, watching Minerva give her heartfelt condolences and thanks as Headmistress of Hogwarts to those who fought; living and dead.

Her Father is next to her. Despite being one handed he is the best Defence teacher Hogwarts has ever had. With Minerva moving into the role of Headmistress Ana had been happy to accept her offer to teach Transfiguration. It felt right, to come back. The repairs had been beautifully done and the school, open for six months now, was like home – despite the terrible things which had happened there. Some, she knew, had been unable to return. Draco had stated that, despite his wish to complete his N.E.W.T's, he couldn't come back to a place where he had caused so much pain. Ana had taught him at home, with her Father's help, and Draco had achieved five Outstanding N.E.W.T's, going into the Minister's Office with very little backlash from the world at large. Being a Malfoy was less taboo now, Draco had seen to that. His parents, currently incarcerated in Azkaban, he seemed to give little thought to. When asked, he told people Ana was as good as his Mother. Harry and Ron had not returned to education either, preferring to accept offers to join the Auror's Training Program immediately. Hermione had returned however, though Ana found herself with very little to teach the talented witch.

Ana's eyes meet Sirius' through the fog of people. He looks as sombre as she and she knows he is thinking of Remus most of all. He had decided to join his Godson and become an Auror. He had explained to Ana that, had his life gone as planned, that's what he and James would have done. She'd smiled and kissed him, telling him she thought it sounded perfect for him. And it did. She arranged with Minerva to have Sirius visit her three times a week, with her staying at Grimmauld Place three more. Minerva objected to arranging a Portkey for Sunday evenings, claiming she should have at least one night a week off. Ana had just smiled and replied that her husband ran incredibly warm, and the stone chambers they called their quarters were incredibly drafty this time of year, weren't they?

The service ended and Ana kissed her Father on the cheek as they rose, offering him a warm smile and a squeeze of the hand. He was softer these days, the pressure of decades of lies no longer weighing so heavily. He was well respected, even beloved, in the Wizarding World – yet he still had a tendency to never suffer fools gladly. He had several times threatened Rita Skeeter with various grotesque human transfigurations and curses. Ana was sure he would follow them through if pushed. Yet to her, his child from another realm, he was kind, if a little gruff. He was different from the man she had known in the future, different still to that who had taught Duelling with her. This was the man who shared tea and conversation with her on Wednesday evenings after lessons, sat next to her at meals and offered advice on teaching materials or practices when she was unsure. He loved her, she knew that, though he had not said it. Perhaps he never would. It wasn't his way. Yet she knew.

Sirius was approaching. She took his hand and watched as the two men nodded to one another. There would never be any love lost there, but there was acceptance. It was all she needed right now. They walked towards the lake, beginning a lazy lap, ignoring the flash of a camera in the bushes on the other side and the hubbub of mourners behind them. She sighed, watching the view pass them as they walked. It was, she thought, a beautiful life people had died to give them.

"You seem lost in thought," he interrupted.

"Thinking about how lucky we are," she answered, shrugging a shoulder, "I suppose it's never going to wear off. Knowing we're alive and have everything whilst…"

"Remus and Tonks are in the ground? Yeah. Not exactly an avoidable thought. But I knew Remus better than anyone. He'd want us to be happy. And I'm not just saying that because that's what people are supposed to say. I mean it."

She smiled.

"I know."

There was another pause, this one longer, before Ana asked,

"Do you think two months of marriage is long enough to start pulling a 'I don't spend enough time with my husband as it is' day off work excuse?"

Sirius laughed,

"I don't think it's ever going to be long enough for that. Minerva doesn't pull her punches."

"No, true," Ana responded. "Perhaps we should go away somewhere for the summer? If you can get the time off…"

"Auroring? Not that much to do right now. Most of the Death Eaters are rounded up. It's all exploding toilets and cursed cushions at the moment. People are behaving, enjoying the peace – for now. We'll soon have dickheads trying to storm Quidditch matches in chicken feathers and transfigure the player's brooms into Firewhiskey. Or something."

Ana chuckled at the specificity, not bothering to ask whether it was a case of prior experience or not which had coloured his description.

"So," she murmured, "You're staying here tonight?"

He nodded,

"Going back now would be mad – there'll be a thousand people trying to leave here between now and tonight. Best take advantage of my wife having a room here, I reckon."

"Oh you do, do you?"

He grinned and stopped, gathering her to him so quickly it took her breath away. Her coat was thick but she could still feel the heat of his body through the wool.

"Yes I do. Now, spouse, lead on. I can't see him but I feel like your Dad is giving me a dirty look for manhandling his daughter in public so I'd like to make this more private."

"Not stop?" she teased, taking him by the hand and leading him off towards the entrance to the West Courtyard.

"Stop?" he asked, incredulous. "Never!"

A/N: I began writing the first in the duology which make up these fanfics in July 2011. Which means that it has taken three years to fully complete the pair. Far longer than I ever dreamed when I began, yet I feel the right amount of time to create something I am proud to share with you all. My love and thanks go to every reader. Your enthusiasm and continued support over all this time have bolstered me. I am eternally grateful. Ana is a creation from my heart and I hope her story will go with you after you read the final words.