Hey... half of my projects are over, so I had some time to write... thank you Annabeth Volturi for wishing me well with them... some of the phrases and possibly scenes from the first ending will be repeated again in this ending and the next but it will be with a twist... I can't say not many of you enjoyed the last chapter because not many reviewed... but so far, I've gotten a thumbs-down... I hope this one is alright... I won't exactly call it my favourite but I'll pick this ending over the last one any day... enjoy...
I would like to thank dan8, MarquasNoir97, Annabeth Volturi and aliengirlguy for their reviews.
Warning: this chapter contain letters, threats, crying, watering, trains, Paris and a supernatural appearance.
ENDING 2: LET GO
A lone figure looked down at the ring in his palm; it's wide platinum band gleamed brightly in the setting sun and the tiny emerald in the middle looked like a verdant eye. The last time he was at Godric's Hollow was when he was searching for the Horcruxes; that day had been a horrible day for him... just like today.
Harry Potter knelt in front of his daughter's tombstone and sighed. "I know I let you down, Lily... I don't think a billion sorrys can make it up to you... you didn't deserve any of this..." Harry said and then looked down at the tombstone. "I don't know what to do, honey."
He ran his fingers down the side of the expensive marble and then gently touched the golden plaque that read,
Here lies
Lily Helena Potter-Malfoy
So beautiful, so young
"I was careless... I didn't think of the consequences... I was stupid and... and I..." Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes in disappointment. "I don't even know what to say to you... how can I talk to Lucius... or even Draco!"
A frustrated tear escaped his eyes and he wiped it off with unnecessary force. "I'm so sorry, baby... I'm just confused; I mean, I may not have loved Luc the way he loved me but I didn't want to hurt him this way... then there's Draco; I don't know what to think about Draco... it would be kind of cliché if we ever got together- school rivals turned lovers... classic love story." He finished with a laugh.
Harry twirled the ring in his fingers. "Lucius obviously still has feeling for me but I'm afraid of hurting him again... because I love... because I love..." He stopped again and sighed. "Because I don't love your papa... not like this... I can't do it..."
He held the ring tightly in his palm and wept. "I can't be with him... I can't face him again... or Draco..." He dug a small hole at the bottom of the tombstone and placed the ring in. "I'm sorry, honey... I know I'm being a coward but... I was happier not knowing..." he covered up the hole and patted it. "I love you Lily... even if I can't be around for you... I will always love you... never doubt that." He placed a small kiss on the plaque and got up but his trembling body made his knees buckle and he cried on his daughter's grave.
000
Three Days Later...
Lucius Malfoy waited nervously in his study; he was wondering what Harry could be thinking about him. He must see me as a monster... how do I start... where do I start from... I wish Harry had remembered that first morning so I wouldn't have to be this damn anxious... Oh Severus...
Lucius had been thinking of Severus since the day they kissed; he still wanted a life with the man but hell would freeze over before he would let Harry suffer again but he highly doubt that Harry would want him.
As if on cue, the fireplace roared and glowed green; Lucius had expected said brunet to walk through but instead Luna Lovegood sauntered out gracefully from the embers. She had a bright pink jacket over an orange blouse and green cotton trousers; besides her colourful attire, she looked grim and her eyes were rimmed red.
She's been crying, Lucius deducted. "Miss Lovegood." He said, surprised.
"Mister Malfoy." She greeted in return with a small voice.
"Please, call me Lucius." The Malfoy patriarch said.
Luna smiled a little. "Only if you call me Luna." She said.
"Very well." Lucius said with a nod. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
Luna's smile faded and then she produced a parchment from her jacket. "Harry said I should give this to you."
Lucius took the letter immediately from her outstretched hand and unfolded it.
Lucius,
I am not sure what to say... I don't blame you for leaving me; I deserve everything that you did to me and all I can say is I'm sorry.
I saw the tombstone you put up for our daughter; it was beautiful... so was the ring... but I'm afraid, I don't love you that way. I know it took such a long time to realise that but I can't live like this anymore.
I'm leaving... I sent letters to Sirius, Draco and Hermione so don't worry about them not knowing... I asked Luna to deliver it to you in person because I know you'll ask questions.
I'm so sorry... about everything.
Farewell,
Harry.
Lucius looked up. "Where is he?" he asked.
Luna wiped a tear from her cheek. "In the States." She answered truthfully.
"Take me to him." He demanded.
"I can't." Luna said, looking down.
"What do you mean, you can't!" Lucius all but yelled. "He could hurt himself!"
"He won't." Luna snapped, looking back up.
"How do you know!" Lucius yelled this time.
Luna sighed. "Because as far as he's concerned, he has no idea who you are or what you're talking about." At Lucius' confused look, she said, "He asked me to Obliviate him." Lucius gasped in shock and sat down by his desk to allow the information to sink in. "He was hurting." Luna continued. "I didn't want to but he begged me; he was going mad with guilt... I had no choice, Lucius."
At the mention of his name, Lucius looked up. "Undo it." He said with trembling lips. "Please... I'll do anything... just bring him back."
"I can't." Luna said. "Harry thought of that... We made an Unbreakable Vow: he made me promise not to break the spell, no matter what... he wanted to start over... I wish I could but I can't... I'm sorry, Lucius... "
Lucius buried his face in his palms and sobbed. "Oh, God... Harry, I'm so sorry." My fault... everything is my fault...
"He gave me another message." Luna said and waited for Lucius' sobs to slow before she continued. "He said, you should move on... that's all he wants from you... he said you deserve someone better... he also said you should not look for him... I told Draco, Ron and Sirius as well but I have a feeling they won't listen... Hermione and Remus could probably keep Ron and Sirius in check but Draco... I'm worried about him... please promise me not to let him look..."
Lucius just nodded and they wallowed in uncomfortable silence; Lucius looked pointedly at the carpet, while Luna shifted nervously.
"Well, goodnight, Lucius." Luna finally said and turned to leave but then, after a moment's hesitation, she backtracked and hugged the Malfoy patriarch tightly. "Take care." She said as she rubbed his cheeks affectionately and then she disappeared into the fireplace.
000
Luna POV
That was the most horrible thing I have ever done; the look on all their faces when I told them Harry was gone... it shattered me. Hermione wept and Ron threatened to hex me if I didn't take him to Harry but lucky for me, Neville and Hermione stopped him. However, Neville has not spoken to me in a week.
Sirius and Remus were very hurt; they were like fathers to Harry...I think they felt betrayed because Harry didn't confide in them. Sirius had kept quiet for a long time before he broke into tears while Remus just frowned, silently rubbing circles on Sirius' back. And when I gave them Harry's wand- as he had requested- that only made Sirius cry harder. They didn't ask me to take them to Harry though, for which I am glad... Sirius can be as scary as hell when it comes to Harry's wellbeing and I think they understood that Harry needed this.
Draco was the worst; he looked devastated... he begged me to take him to Harry and undo the spell and when I said no, his wild magic shattered every breakable item in his study. He looked very terrifying when he jabbed his wand into my neck and promised to rain curses on me but then suddenly, he was crying... all I could do was hold him and cry too.
I sigh as I water some of the plants that Neville had planted in my garden; I'm angry at myself as well... Harry came to me because he knew the others wouldn't let him go, they would have tried to get him help... but what I did was helpful, wasn't it?
*FLASHBACK*
"Harry, I don't think I can." I said to him.
Harry looked really tired, like he hasn't slept in days; Sirius had been worried about him since he didn't come back after he left Grimmuald Place two days ago. "Please." Harry begged. "I can't take it anymore... I need to forget-"
"But this isn't the way, Harry." I interrupted, angry. "This is cowardly... you should at least talk to Lucius."
"And then what, I live a life and pain and guilt? Everything goes back to normal?" Harry shook his head. "I have nothing to say to him." He sat on my sofa and ran his fingers through his hair. "Please Luna... please... I don't want this anymore... please, I can't bear it..." His voice broke at the last word and he started to sob. "H-help me."
I could help Harry... I could make him forget... he may be a bit confused but he'll have the life he always wanted... if I guide him.
"Fine." I said lowly and Harry looked up. "But I will be keeping an eye on you." Harry nodded. "And you have to write to the others... it's only fair." Harry nodded again. "Where are you going to stay?"
"While I was away, I purchased a house in the states... I cleared out my account at Gringotts, so I have all that I need... I'll give you the address if you don't tell the others where I live... I don't want them to look for me... especially Sirius... tell Lucius and Draco to forget about me and move on... tell everyone that I'm sorry... especially to you Luna; I know you don't want to do this... but I need it; you may break the spell only if it is a matter of life and death... and there is no other way... otherwise, don't. "
I was a bit angry that he would even leave his father out of this but I kept quiet and nodded; I could say no now but that would mean he would suffer and he's been through enough.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Harry." I said, I could not help but tear up a little.
Harry smiled back at me and got up. "It's better this way." He wiped the tear that gathered at the corner of my eye. He made to pull away but I hugged him; we weren't that close in Hogwarts but Harry always acted like my brother... this situation only made me realise how distant we were. Harry pulled back, he was crying as well. "Now, I need a quill and some parchment." He said shakily and tried to smile.
*END FLASHBACK*
"Luna." I jumped at the voice and turned, effectively spraying Neville with water.
"Oh my God, Nev I'm so sorry." I gushed and turned off the tap. "You startled me."
"Sorry about that." Neville blushed and cast a drying spell on his clothes. "Why don't you use magic?" he gestured towards the hose in my hand.
I shrugged. "This way I can think." I said lowly.
We were both silent as I turned the tap back on and continued my work.
"I'm still angry about what you did." He said after a while and I paused at the bed of roses. "But now, I understand... you were trying to help him..."
I turned back to him and nodded. "Yes... I admit it was not the best path but he really wanted it."
Neville nodded. "For that, I thank you; I have a feeling things will work out great this time." He said. "Though, I would steer clear of Ron... he's not very happy with you."
I nodded too with a sigh. "I know." I said and turned to face him. "But what made you forgive me?"
Neville blinked rapidly. "I... um... well... I... um... um..." He sputtered and blushed while I waited.
Neville suddenly walked up to me and wrapped his arm around my waist; He leaned in and kissed me slowly and I started, surprised but then I melted into the kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck. This means the hose I was holding was spraying water down on us like a makeshift rain and I loved it.
We pulled apart, wet and panting. "What took you so long?" I asked with a sly grin.
Neville blushed even more and smiled warmly at me. "I have no idea." He said and then looked up. "We're soaking wet."
"Hm-mm." I hummed and leaned closer. "Do you have a problem with it?"
Neville's smile increased and he tucked a wet lock of hair behind my ear. "With you here... never."
We kissed again.
000
EPILOGUE
000
Two Years Later...
Rodney Holt stepped off the train and smiled; he was finally in Paris. The brunet could not believe he was finally here, he had been saving for this for a long time.
Rodney took in a deep breath, savouring the fresh air and then turned to look for his co-travellers.
"Harry?" Someone tapped him on the shoulder. "Harry, is that you?" Rodney turned and found himself face to face with a beautiful blonde.
"I... I'm sorry." Rodney said, a bit smittened. "You must have mistaken me for somebody else."
The blonde shook his head. "It's me... Draco."
Rodney looked at him understandingly. "I don't remember you; I had an accident about two years ago so I don't remember much." He said. "We may have met but my name is Rodney, not Harry." The brunet tried his best to smile.
"No, it's you." Draco said and took a step closer. "I'd recognise you from anywhere."
Rodney took a step back, a bit frightened. "Like I said, we may know each other but-"
Draco suddenly grabbed his arm. "You're here." He whispered and squeezed the arm a bit. "You're really here."
"Look, I don't want any trouble." Rodney said and tugged on the grip that held him but it would not budge. "Let me go." He tugged harder, desperate.
"No." The blonde said. "Not this time... Luna is going to fix you and then-"
"Let go of him this instant." A voice growled dangerously behind Draco, causing him to stiffen and a moment later, turn around.
Two men stood behind him; one was a bit muscular, with dark hair and a barely seen shadow around his jaw, the other was not very muscular but was as tall as a building, towering over Draco and glaring daggers at him, his long hair was darker than the other's and gave him a sort of youthful look.
"Dean, Sam!" Rodney cried out in relief.
"Let him go or you'll regret taking this train." Sam, snarled.
Draco stared at them for a while before he let go of Rodney and looked on as the brunet walked quickly into Sam's arms and allowed himself to be held.
"Did he hurt you?" Dean asked, still glaring at Draco who glared back.
"No." Rodney shook his head as Sam looked him over. "It was just a misunderstanding." He said.
"Perhaps he should be going." Sam snapped at Draco and put a protective arm around Rodney.
Breaking eye contact with Dean, Draco nodded. "Perhaps I should." He said curtly and then looked down at Rodney. "I'm sorry I startled you... you just look like someone that went missing a few years back." He finished softly.
Rodney nodded and gave a small smile. "It's alright." He said lowly.
With a stiff nod to Dean and Sam, Draco slowly walked away, his gaze lingering on the brunet in the giant's arms.
The trio kept watching the blonde and when he was far enough, Dean growled. "Fucking psycho."
Sam sighed and hugged Rodney again. "I'm not leaving you alone again."
Rodney sighed. "I'm fine." He said; The Winchester brothers always babied him, he did not mind it but he wished they would let him fend for himself once in a while.
"We were gone for like two minutes and we came back to some dick holding you in a death grip." Dean said matter-of-factly. "Who knows what he would have done to you if we didn't get here when we did."
"I can take care of myself." Rodney said. "I was just caught off guard... he looks... he looks very familiar." He said in a distant voice and Sam rubbed his arm in sympathy.
"And by familiar, I'm sure you mean supermodel familiar." Dean said, looking in the blonde's direction with a stupid smile. "Sweet Jesus, I'd go gay for that any day." Sam glared at his brother, who in turn cleared his throat. "But the point is, we need a way to keep you safe." He amended quickly.
Sam nodded and looked down at Rodney. "Perhaps we should let the others know you are off limits." He said in a sultry voice and then leaned in to kiss the smaller man, who groaned and wrapped his arms around Sam's neck as he was lifted up a bit from the ground.
Dean made a face. "We could have just taught him how to use a gun, you know." He grumbled. "Alright love birds, break it up... this is the only holiday I've got and I'm not gonna let you ruin it by dry humping in public." Dean said.
Sam placed his boyfriend down and Rodney blushed brightly, "OW! What did I say!" but then he laughed when Sam cuffed his brother's head.
000
Draco POV
It was father and Severus' wedding anniversary and as a good son, I have to attend; my arse ached in the uncomfortable train seat, I'll sue the station for every penny they've got- that'll teach them to mess up my booking.
The train finally stops and I almost burst into singing 'Amazing Grace'; I get off the train and spot one of father's assistant who has come to welcome me and take me home. I give him the description of my luggage and wait under a shade.
I wonder what Harry is doing now, I hope he's okay; but I should probably stop thinking about him, father moved on, why can't I?
"We'll go get the suitcases." I hear what was definitely an American accent shout at someone and I scoff. Why can't they just stay in their country?
I looked up to see who the banshees are and then my heart most likely skipped a beat; across the platform, stepping out of the train was Harry bloody Potter. I don't know what possessed me but suddenly, my feet were taking me towards the brunet; I had to make sure I was not going mad, it must be Harry, he must be here.
"Harry?" I tapped him on the shoulder when I was close enough. "Harry, is that you?" He turned around and I found myself staring at those beautiful green eyes.
"I... I'm sorry." Harry said with a shake of his head. "You must have mistaken me for somebody else."
I shook my head in disbelief. "It's me... Draco." I said, trying to jug some memory- Luna could not have completely Obliviated him.
Harry looked me with... was that sympathy? "I don't remember you; I had an accident about two years ago so I don't remember much." He said. "We may have met but my name is Rodney, not Harry." The brunet tried his best to smile.
"No, it's you." I said and took a step closer. "I'd recognise you from anywhere." Every movement and expression screamed Harry- I should know, I spied on him.
Harry frowned and took a step back, he looked frightened. "Like I said, we may know each other but-"
Scared that he would run, I suddenly grabbed his arm. "You're here." Saying those words made my heart flutter and I had to squeeze his arm a bit to make sure this wasn't a dream. "You're really here."
"Look, I don't want any trouble." Harry said and tugged on the grip that held him. "Let me go." He tugged harder, desperate- that was understandable: not many strangers can hold me the way I'm holding Harry without losing a few teeth.
"No." I said- I was not going to lose him again. "Not this time... Luna is going to fix you and then-"
"Let go of him this instant." A voice growled dangerously behind me, interrupting my conversation; I felt the hair at the back of my neck rise and a moment later, I turned around.
Two men stood behind me; one was a bit muscular, with dark hair and a barely seen shadow around his jaw, the other was not very muscular but was as tall as a building, towering over us and glaring daggers at me, his long hair was darker than the other's and gave him a sort of youthful look.
"Dean, Sam!" Harry cried out in relief; the newcomer's eyes flickered to Harry for a second when their name was called.
"Let him go or you'll regret taking this train." The tall one, Sam, snarled.
I could practically taste the rage coming off them, especially Sam- these men would not think twice about smashing me to a pulp; I let go of Harry and looked on as the brunet walked quickly into Sam's arms and allowed himself to be held.
"Did he hurt you?" The first one, Dean, asked, still glaring at me, I glared back; how dare they think I would hurt him!
"No." Harry shook his head as Sam looked him over; envy nipped at my heart when, from the corner of my eye, I saw Sam cup Harry's cheek to look at him well. "It was just a misunderstanding." Harry said.
"Perhaps he should be going." Sam snapped at me and put a protective arm around Harry.
Breaking eye contact with Dean, I nodded. "Perhaps I should." I said curtly and then looked down at Harry. "I'm sorry I startled you... you just look like someone that went missing a few years back." I finished softly- what else could I say after practically assaulting someone.
Harry nodded and gave me a smile, it was the shy smile he'd give when I made inappropriate innuendos. "It's alright." He said lowly.
With a stiff nod to Sam and Dean, and one last look at Harry, I slowly walked away; it felt wrong walking away but Harry looked happy and that was the point of him leaving, right?
My father's assistants were waiting for me under the shade and I dismissed them; I can find my way to the villa and besides, I need to think and cool off before I snap at a Weasley. I was angry the day father and Severus announced their engagement; yes, I was happy for Severus but I could not believe that father would just forget Harry after just one year of his absence... then my angry cooled down- it was Harry's wish for him to be happy... besides, who am I to come in between love?
"Malfoy?" A stunned voice made me sigh- I'm not ready to face another journalist. "The Draco Malfoy!" They are in France too! These annoying reporters have been pestering me about Harry's disappearance.
"Look, I'm not in the mood to answer questions." I stated firmly but not rudely.
"Questions?" The voice sounded confused, I really don't have time to waste on amateur reporters; I turned to tell off the idiot but paused when I saw another dark haired Gryffindor.
"Oh, Wood." I said. "It's nice to see you again."
Oliver Wood smile brightly at me; I don't remember much about Wood, I know he was once captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team in Hogwarts but that's it. "Merlin, Draco... you've grown." He said.
I couldn't help but blush as the older man ran his eyes over my body. "Well, that's what people tend to do." I said, my nose high.
"And I think you're a testament to that." He said heavily and I blushed again.
"May I help you with something?" I asked, trying to forget about my reddened face.
Oliver chuckled a bit. "No, nothing really." He said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Just saw you and wanted to say hi; I'm here for a match... maybe after the game, we can catch up over lunch tomorrow."
I blinked and cocked my head bemused- did he just ask me out?
Oliver, however, seemed oblivious to my shock. "Unless you prefer Quidditch instead." He continued.
"I don't think that's a good idea..." I started to say.
"Come on, it's one Quidditch game." Oliver said. "But if Potter has traumatised you with all the butt-kicking he's given you, then we can do lunch."
"Hey!" I protested; why would he bring up Harry when I am trying to forget him and to add insult to injury, he's bashing my Quidditch skills. "I'm just a good as Harry." I said with a dramatic fold of my arms and a glare.
"Then, it's settled." Oliver said and clapped his hand once. "I'll see you on the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch tomorrow at two."
"You bet your galleons I'll be there." I said with sly smile but then it faded- I haven't smiled like that in a while... too busy thinking about Harry.
Oliver's voice pulls me out of my reverie. "Try not to be late, gorgeous." He gave me a wink and walked away, leaving me standing in the middle of the train station with a look on my face that screamed "What the fuck!"
Oliver was obviously trying- and by my reactions, succeeding- to flirt with me; I haven't given anyone else much thought since Harry but I guess I can try. I mean Oliver is good-looking, talented and brave- just like Har- I shook my head, I have to stop thinking about him, I should at least give Oliver a chance.
If Harry and father could move on, then I guess I can too. Perhaps I can learn to let go.
A/N: you like? You don't like?... tell me...I'll post the next one as soon as I can... I still have some more projects to submit before the semester is over... review!