CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

Ron looked behind him, standing in the middle of the Weasleys were Fred and George, holding hands and grinning madly.

"Hi everyone." Fred said.

"I can't believe it's you." Ron said, "What's going on?"

"It's a gift. And it's complicated." George grinned, "We're only going to be here for a few minutes so we need to be quick."

Fred ran his fingers through his hair, "I wanted you to know how proud I am of all of you. You've done so well. I wish we could have met little ones, I could have taught you so many tricks and mischief but I think at the end of the day you'll work out a fair bit yourself."

"I'm sorry for leaving you. I want and need you to know that I didn't do it because I didn't love you. You were always amazing and I miss you. I have to say as well I'm sad we never got to meet you lot. But always know we're watching over you. Watching over you all."

Hermione felt her eyes well up with tears at the sight of Lavender, she was smiling, her face untouched, "I'm sorry I was so mean to you. I was only young." She smiled.

"You were so brave." Hermione said, "I always wanted to tell you that, that you were so brave."

"I think I was too scared to think." Lavender laughed, "But I'm glad you remember me fondly. I don't really have anyone else."

"Thank you for saving us." Hermione said, "You saved so many."

Lavender smiled, "You're going to be a brilliant mum, you both are."

Hermione instinctively put her hand over her stomach, "We haven't told anyone yet, I never for a second thought it would be me who got pregnant. We just thought the potion had failed when Sarah got her period."

Lavender laid her hand over Hermione's, "She's going to be beautiful just like her mothers and so very wise."

"It's a girl?" Hermione whispered

Lavender nodded, "With brown hair and blue eyes. It's not going to be easy Hermione but I promise you will get through the bad times. Just hold on."

Andromeda took several deep breaths as her late husband appeared behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, "You have done so well my love. You've stayed so strong no matter what and Teddy is amazing. I've never been so proud of you."

She lent against him, feeling her knees buckle slightly.

"Teddy, Teddy look how much you've grown!" Tonks said, kneeling down before her son, "You are so much more than I ever could have dreamed. I love you, I love you so much."

Lupin wrapped his son in a hug before kneeling next to Tonks, "Your mother is right, we are so proud. No that we've missed you, missed your hugs and your kisses."

"But we've watched you, everyday. We've always been looking over you. And we are so proud."

They wrapped their arms around their son. Tonks looked up and whispered, "Thank you." To her mother who blew her a kiss with eyes full of tears.

"You look after each other." Tonks said, "All of you." She looked over to Narcissa and Lucius warmly.

Bellatrix looked younger, her face less worn, "I'm sorry." Was all she said, she put her fingers to her mouth and blew a kiss to Narcissa and Andromeda before fading away, long before anyone else around them.

Harry held his parents hand tightly, "I've missed you." Was all he could say. All the words stuck in his throat.

"We're very proud of you." Lily said stroking his face.

"I'm sorry I left Harry." Sirius said, "I was foolish, showing off. I should have put you first more."

Harry shook his head, "No, no you did everything you could" Harry said. Sirius just smiled at him.

"Mum, Dad this is Louise and Aria." Harry said handing Lily her granddaughter.

"She's beautiful. We're all so proud of you." James smiled.

Severus stepped forward, Dobby crouching by his feet.

"Master Harry saved me."

"No I couldn't save you." Harry said beginning to cry.

"You did save me. Master Harry set me free! I was proud to die for Master Harry and friends." Dobby said proudly, drawing himself up as tall as he could. Aria reached down, to play with his ears.

"I'm sorry I wasn't kinder to you Harry." Severus said stepping forward, "I always saw your mother in you and I missed her so very much but it doesn't excuse the way I acted."

"We've all made our peace now." Sirius said slinging his arm around Severus, "We're always looking out for you all."

"I know." Louise said, "I can feel it." She smiled and Harry hugged her close.

"Harry, you need to take Aria." Lily said

"What why?" Harry said beginning to panic.

"It's time for us to go." She said, pointing to where the candles were beginning to settle in there places and other figures were beginning to fade.

"No. No. Will I see you again?" Harry asked desperately.

Lily handed Aria to Louise and smiled, putting her hands on Harry's shoulders, "One day you will. But not for a very very long time." She wiped her eyes and wrapped Harry in a hug, he could feel the others join in, "I love you; we all love you so much." She whispered as she faded away.

Bill felt a wave of dizziness wash over him and the room spun. Lilly held tightly to his hand until he was stable on his feet again. He looked around and saw Jesse and Susan equally as unstable.

"What the hell just happened?" Jesse asked looking around.

"Blood magic." Bill said, he looked over to Lilly, "Thank you."

"You are more than welcome." She said. She was looking pale and tired but he couldn't see any blood, cuts or bruises. Where she'd gotten the power from to breech the gap between this world and the next he didn't know but he was so very glad she had.

Seeing Fred and George again, even from a distance had lifted a huge weight, they were happy and that was all he needed to know.

Narcissa wiped her eyes and made her way back up to the stage, followed by Ron, Harry and Hermione.

Hermione stepped forward and took a deep breath, "I would be lying to say that the wars hadn't effected us all. I think I would be lying to say that our children wouldn't suffer as well but one day, not to long in the future the war will be nothing but a story. Our children's children's children will only know it as a legend, a story of people who faced their demons and won. And I think that's worth fighting for."

Everyone burst into applause and cheered as they quietened down Narcissa stepped forward.

"It's been a long evening and I think we all could do with a rest. But before we go to our beds I think we should sing the school song. So everyone pick their favourite tune." She flicked her wand and a long silvery ribbon shot from the end, twisting into the words of the school song. Harry, Ron and Hermione held hands and smiled as the room around them burst into song, as a hundred generations of students had done before them; and now would after they were long gone.