Chapter 29
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end, but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." –Winston Churchill
The details of the battle are unimportant. Voldemort was dead, and everything would be better in the days ahead. She could feel it in her bones. But what did matter was the freshness in the air, the lightness and the warmth that affected everything around her, even in the somber state everyone was is.
She sat beside Scabior with her head on his shoulder and her eyes closed. He had his arms wrapped around her, holding her close to him. They sat in the corner of the Great Hall, in complete silence, just glad to have each other. Just glad that they had made it through this war.
"Sira," Kingsley's voice said, causing her to look up at him, "can you please come with me?" She nodded as she stood up.
"Can Scabior come with us," she asked as she felt his gaze on her back. Kingsley gave her a little smile.
"Of course." He led both of them into Dumbledore's office and they all sat down in chairs across from each other. "I am the new Minister of Magic, for now," Kingsley stated after he got situated, "and I wanted to discuss the crimes you have committed." She bit her lip, somehow knowing that this would have happened sooner or later.
"Kingsley, all I ask is that I don't go to Azkaban until after my son is old enough to not be entirely dependent on me." Her blue eyes looked pleadingly at him, hoping he would spare her for a while longer, at least until Anthony was born. His face was stoic, completely emotionless. She felt that all was lost.
"I'm afraid I cannot allow that, Sira," he said. "Especially since you're pardoned for all crimes."
"What?" she whispered, stunned. Her breath caught in her chest, not believing what he had just said.
"You will not be going back to Azkaban since you helped us during battle. We decided that you, as well as the Malfoy's, deserve that at the very least. Even though you were injured early on, you helped us dearly the time you did fight and we thank you for that. We're also inviting you to take a job at the Ministry as an auror, if you'd like it since you've completed the training for it but never had the opportunity to take the position," he explained with a smile.
She shook her head in disbelief with a smile on her face. "This is all so unreal. Thank you, Kingsley, for this wonderful offer." She took one of Scabior's hands and held it in hers, her eyes glittering with joy and thankfulness, "and for the kindness you have shown towards both of us. I'll gladly take the position after the birth of my son. I need to stay with him for a while. I hope you understand."
"Of course," he affirmed with a nod. "Just contact me when you're ready for the position." She took a deep breath as the smile softened on her lips. She rose from her as she looked at Scabior, before returning her gaze to Kingsley.
"I don't feel that I deserve the kindness you have shown me," she said warmly. "Not after everything I've done wrong."
The smile on Kingsley's face was genuine and true. "And for that reason, you deserve this more than anyone." Scabior stood beside her, holding her hand firmly. "I'll see you soon, hopefully."
She gave him one last smile and nodded. "Goodbye." They left the office and Scabior pulled her close in a tight hug. Through his touch, she could tell that he was relieved just as she was. She closed her eyes as the tears welled up in them and put her face in the crook of his neck, sharing his joy. His hand slid tenderly up and down her back as they just held each other. There wasn't anything that needed to be said or done. They were together and they would always be that way.
The fighting, the struggles, and the war were over and their lives would finally achieve some peace for the first time in a long time. They wouldn't have much to worry about compared to what they had gone through and life would be much better. They could feel it.
Scabior pulled away slightly and looked into her blue eyes with his blue-grey ones. There was love in them. "Now that everything 'as settled down," he said softly as a smile formed on his lips, "when would you like our wedding to be?"
She laughed and rolled her eyes. "I think it's a bit too early for that," she whispered as she looked up at him. "Can we please wait until after Anthony is born? Maybe then I'll be ready to take on the task of planning a wedding."
"Please don't be a bridezilla like Cal was."
"But I want there to be six chairs at every table!" she exclaimed in a whiny voice and he looked utterly concerned. She just had to laugh. "Just joking," Scabior," she said as they walked back to the Great Hall. "I could care less about how many chairs there are at each table because there always seem to be empty chairs at empty tables these days."
"I know what you mean."
"It's a bit unfair, isn't it? All the fighting and the stress over simple matters that shouldn't really matter?"
"Sira, I think the war has gone to your head," he stated with a chuckle.
"Good, maybe then I'll finally be a better person. I seem to be a bit wiser and a bit less reckless. Too bad I didn't find this out earlier."
"It's not your fault."
"I know, but can you see how easy it is to blame yourself for everything?"
He nodded and they entered the Great Hall. Her eyes studied the room, scanning the pained faces of the ones who lost much in the battle. She knew their pain but she couldn't help but feel hopeful to, that a brighter day was just around the corner, about to break. There was still something in this world worth living for.
She looked down at her left forearm and studied it, seeing that her Dark Mark was only a scar now. The sight caused her to smile, then to look at her fiancé. "I need to go speak with the Order Members." He nodded and released her hand before heading off to the corner they had sat in.
Drawing in a deep breath, she walked over to the Weasley's, who sat at one of the House tables. As she reached them, they looked up at her with somber faces. Bill, Fleur, Percy, George, Ginny, Arthur and Molly all gazed at her. She felt the tears sting her eyes. "I just wanted to thank you for the forgiveness you have shown me and to say that Fred was a wonderful person, and we'll all miss him." Their expressions didn't change as she lost the words she wanted to say. Molly, though, stood up and hugged her, bringing tears to her eyes.
"Thank you," Mrs. Weasley whispered.
"I am deeply sorry for your loss." Mrs. Weasley nodded and released her from the hung, tears shining in her eyes. The rest of the family gave her hugs and thanks as well. She felt awkward though, since she still didn't really know what to stay to this grieving family.
"Won't you sit with us for a while, Sira?" Mr. Weasley asked after they finished giving her thanks. She gave them a small smile and sat down with them, next to Bill and Fleur.
She stayed and talked with them for a long while before paying her teary-eyed, final respects to Remus and Tonks. She then spoke with Professor McGonagall before returning to Scabior, who was sleeping in the corner. She sat down beside him, and nudged him in the side, waking him up gently. He took in a deep breath and smiled at her. "'ello, beautiful," he said before he kissed her on the cheek. "'ave you done everything you wanted?" She nodded and leaned on him, closing her eyes gently.
"What would you like to do now?"
"I'd like to go home," she whispered, feeling warm against his chest," and get some rest. My mind and my body are weary, just like everyone else." She sighed, relaxing more as her exhaustion grew stronger. "I'm ready to be able to rest without fearing what will happen in my waking life. And I'm ready to live life without fearing what will happen in my rest."
