So, I did a tally. (Only included if you explicitly said epilogue. Or no. cause some I wasn't sure of)
Epilogue-8
No epilogue-5
As a result, I present you with the EPILOGUE. It's not long at all.
BUT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEAVE IT AT THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, by all means. It's like…a tragic end. In some ways, you could call it….peaceful. I wouldn't call it happy though, cause happy for me would outline James and Lily living on forever. But of course, we can't have that.
Anyways, here it is. (Btw, the plot summary for my next planned story is at the bottom.)
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Epilogue
"Of us four, only two are left. The Marauders—friends forever. If only that could be, James, you would still be here."
Remus fingered the flowers in his hand. Five in total.
He squinted as the blazing sun pierced his eyes, at the same time, holding back a threatening tear.
"I'm sorry."
The breeze caressed him, as if his best friend was there leaning against him. It made it hurt even more. How could he be alive, when his friends were dead?
"I promised you. I promised you and Lily to protect Harry, and I couldn't. I f-failed Prongs. I've been failing all of you for so long, and I'll never forgive myself for it."
"I failed you and Lily. I should have noticed the change in Peter. I should have stopped him! Every night, I dream of what could be. What would have happened if I had stopped Peter. You would be alive James! And Lily! Harry would have a family. And I? I would have my best friends back."
"I failed Harry too. He's so young and brave. Every day, he reminds me of you and Lily. He truly is your son—you would have been proud. But he's faced so much, I don't know how to help him anymore. He's lost so much…" Remus trailed off, glancing at the grave on the other side of James'.
"Sirius," he acknowledged. "I failed you too."
"He can't come back, Harry. He can't com back, because he's d—"
The memory shook Remus. "Dead," he finished his sentence. "I told Harry. I had to tell the boy that his beloved godfather—his only remaining family—was dead. Dead! I had to say those words, when I didn't want to believe them myself."
"Sirius…why did you go? How could you leave us behind?! Selfish bastard!" raged Remus all of a sudden. "He needs you. Harry needs you!"
"I need you, my friend," he whispered, his anger dying as quickly as it came.
"But you're where you want to be now aren't you?"
Remus choked out a laugh. "Always was the selfish bastard. Enjoying it up there with Beth aren't you?" Remus shook his head sadly. "You never told anybody, Padfoot, but I knew. I always knew."
"If it hadn't been for Harry, you would have left with her during the first war."
"She wouldn't have wanted that though, you know. But I'm sure she's happy nonetheless."
"I promise you, Beth, Sirius, Lily, James, I'll protect them—all of them—even if it costs me my life."
A tear slipped down his rugged cheek, scarred from the previous night's battle as he regarded the very last stone. It had been a year since he had last visited this place. But in his mind, the memories of them all were fresh.
"I regret so much in my life. But the only thing I don't regret, is leaving you Jodie," he addressed.
"You were my first love. And I'll always love you. But, it couldn't have been."
He stepped forward, and traced his fingers along the engraved words. Jodie Williams. He carefully brushed away the fallen leaves, and tore apart the moss growing on the gravestone. She would have liked it clean, for the world to see.
Died in battle.
"You waited. But I'm not sorry to have kept you waiting. Because you had been happy. That was the one thing that I could give to you."
He looked away, gulping down a sob. "And I did."
Overwhelmed, Remus stumbled backward on the soft grass, looking around the lines and lines of the dead men and women.
He would avenge their deaths. His friend's deaths. He would atone his failures. He wouldn't rest until he did.
Around him, the crickets sung their songs, and the wind howled in pity, bringing soft whistles in his ear. Had he been imagining it, or did it sound like laughter? The mixed laughter of Sirius, James, Lily, Beth, and Jodie.
And if it was laughter, when would he join in?
Carefully, he took one stem of flower, and placed it in front of each grave.
"As per tradition," he murmured. "White tulips. Your favourite Lily."
But one red rose stood out out of the five.
"And your favourite, Jodie."
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8 Years Later
Harry pushed open the kissing gate at the entrance of the graveyard, ignoring its squeaking protest and walked along the path.
Finally, he stopped in front of a row of graves, two in particular.
"Dad." He spoke quietly. "Was it scary becoming a father?" He asked, his voice resembling a frightened child's. "Because—I-I don't know how to say this, but you're going to be a grandfather dad."
He smiled, despite his fears. "Mom, do you think it's horrid to name the boy James? I'm afraid my father's ego will inflate another notch. That would drive you insane wouldn't it?"
"I suppose you're happy up there though. James Potter. How does that sound?"
Harry imagined his father and mother's glowing faces.
"Oh and Remus, Tonks…and you too Jodie, don't you worry about Teddy. He's a great boy. Top marks at school just like his father..." He trailed off, lost in the moment.
He walked along the tombstones, counting each one as his hand skimmed the top of each.
Eight now.
He paused at the last one, giving the person a small nod of acknowledgement.
It read: Peter Pettigrew.
Harry could never forgive the man—but he would not be alive had it been not for this man.
And with that, Harry retraced his steps down the path, and out the gate. And as he looked back one last time, he smiled.
Eight graves.
Eight men and women.
Eight white tulips.
After nearly twenty four years of separations, they were together as a group once again. Friends forever. Friends until the end.
The winds roared and the crickets sung, full of life and happiness, signing songs of laughter and love.
The VERY end. For sure.
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I tried to make it happier. It wasn't that sad really. I imagined it longer. But I thought it was okay as it was
-NEW STORY-
Brief Description:
This will be a DRAMIONE(Draco/Hermione) story, because I want to try different characters. I know that some people do now like this couple, so I'm sorry to disappoint.
Anyways, yes, a Draco/Hermione story that is slightly AU. I will NOT change JK Rowling's books much, although I will disregard the epilogue. I may or may not have them start off as acquaintances though, and not enemies. The only AU thing for sure at this moment will be Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
IT IS LOOSELY BASED ON THE MOVIE I ONCE WATCHED THE BEGINNING OF. Can't remember the name. But I'll find it later to give it credit I guess. If you know the name of the movie, I would be forever grateful.
This will be under romance/drama/humor/general type.
PLOT SUMMARY:
Basically, the two of them are out of school now. Young adults if you may. Draco has a girlfriend(name yet undertermined) that he cannot take to his parents, and so he hires Hermione (who is in need of money, for a good reason which I have yet to determine as well. LOL). Hermione's job, for 10 000 galleons, is to be his temporary girlfriend for a month, but she will only get the money if she can make his dad so mad he will say "you can marry anybody but her".
I'm not 100 sure whether to go for this story. I'm like..80. So, do you guys think this will be good. Even if you're not so much of a Dramione shipper, you can still check out the plot yeah?
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If this story passes through, I will upload the plot summary (this thing) as a preview, along with the first chapter, during march break. Please check it out if it happens. It would mean a lot to me. I hope to continue to improve my writing. As you could probably tell, I think there is a great difference from the beginning of this story to the end. As one reviewer kindly pointed out, this story at the beginning was a little shaky, and I totally agree. I hope I was able to improve on that.
And all you that put me/this story on favourites or alerts? It's an honour.
Thanks again to all the reviewers. It's been a great time doing this. I can hardly believe I started this FOUR MONTHS AGO. Time flies when it's fun.
I must sound boring, ranting like this. But thank you all! I would list EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, but knowing me, I'd probably leave someone out, and then I'd die feeling horrible.
LOL ok, so that's it that's it. I'm done!
Until next time then!(: You've made me a really happy girl.
