Chapter Forty Nine
Disclaimer: I do own the OCs and the Guardian Program and the other things that being a Guardian entails.
Summary: After the Second Wizarding War, a Guardian was given to each child of the main families that helped in the war. They were all tasked with a simple job, protect their allocated person with their life. Somehow, Freya screwed it up in the biggest way. She fell in love.
I can't believe it's the final chapter! I am sorry for the delay, life has been very hectic and uncertain at the moment and this story was put on the backburner for the moment so I want to thank all the people who have been understanding and patient. That being said, I do not appreciate when people demand that I upload because you don't know what is happening in people's lives and I think it's rude.
Enjoy!
HARRY POTTER
One month later
James sat in the Room of Requirement as he meditated. He had been keeping up with his Occlumency lessons and they had been going very well. Freya had commented how strong his mental walls were but she could still bypass them, though he suspected it may be down to their bond. James was determined for no one to be able to mess with his mind and so it was his goal to make his mind as impenetrable as possible. As he released a breath, James heard a small whimper that broke his heart because it came from a sleeping Freya. He looked over to Freya, who was asleep in the bed the Room had conjured for them. Since Lance had received the Dementor's Kiss, things had finally calmed down. There was no more Guardians and no more Lance Johnson. But, one week later, Freya began to have nightmares. James watched the distress crawl onto Freya's face as she battled her nightmares. The very sight caused him to feel distraught because there was nothing he could physically do to stop it – and it didn't help that Freya refused to talk about them. However, he knew what they were about without even asking. They were about Lance, Katrina and her parents. James had spoken to his father and he said that Freya was more than likely suffering from PTSD. Albus and Fred had shared that both Rebecca and Cordelia were suffering from the same thing and they refused to say anything either so they were just as stuck as he was.
Standing up, James walked over to Freya and got back into the bed. He wrapped his arms around Freya as he whispered comforting words in her ear. Freya's whimper was lower and soon it disappeared and her face relaxed once more. James softly caressed her hair, hoping this would help. He had been awoken in the past by her screaming so he knew that this was a good day for her but it still hurt him to see her go through this. Seeing the person he adored the most go through so much pain was excruciating and he wished there was something he could do. If Lance wasn't dead already then he would have punched the man as well as her parents – and don't even get him started on Katrina. He viewed what Katrina did to be worse because that betrayal broke something inside Freya, something that would take a long time to heal.
As he stroked her hair comfortingly, James thought about all the stuff that had happened within the last month – and it had been a lot. Ever since Kingsley had stepped down as Minister of Magic, someone had to take his place and it ended up being his Aunt and God Mother, Hermione. There had been only one competitor against her but he never stood a chance and he ended up backing out of the race himself. No one had questioned Hermione coming to the office and she had taken everything in stride as if she had been made for the role. James felt very confident that his Aunt was the perfect person as Minister of Magic and he was self-assured she would thrive in that role as she already was. One of Hermione's first decrees was to ensure something like the Guardians never happened again and created stricter rules for creating a department. Furthermore, to put forward an application for a department it needed to be viewed by a panel of ten people and it needed the approval of all ten people. Draco was the one leading that panel to ensure that it was fair. A week after Lance death, Vivienne and Rupert Williams had been sentenced to a similar fate as Lance, only it wasn't a Dementor but the Killing Curse. Freya had snorted at the irony of the sentence and commented on how many people they had killed with the Unforgivable Curse. Freya had watched as they were executed and claimed she had felt nothing but James was positive she had felt something but refused to acknowledge it, which was fine with him because he would always be there for when she was ready to talk. Lastly, McGonagall had even made him Head Boy for next year and it only sweetened the deal when he found out that Freya was Head Girl.
James was snapped out of thoughts when he felt Freya stir next to him. "Hey, sleepyhead," He whispered softly as he kissed her forehead.
Freya scowled, "It's too early for this," She hid her face away in James' chest, breathing in deeply to inhale his scent. There was something about his scent that relaxed her and made her feel safe.
A fond smile rolled onto James' face. "It's never too early," He said as he kissed the top of her head. Ever since the collapse of the Guardian Program, Freya had been catching up on all the lost sleep she had missed. There was one day she didn't get up at all and spent up to twenty-one hours in bed. She had missed so much and so James would never begrudge her getting some extra sleep, especially when she spent most of the night having nightmares. In fact, it was his mission to ensure that Freya was caught up on everything she had missed.
"It's a Saturday, right?" Freya mumbled in his chest. It was very faint, but James was able to make out what she said.
"And what if I said it was a Monday?" James asked teasingly.
Freya tiredly smacked him on the arm, "Don't be a prick,"
James laughed and rolled over, causing Freya to groan as she was disturbed, but she stopped when she realised she liked this new position. James was now on his back with Freya's upper body lying on top of him. Saying nothing, Freya snuggled into James and sighed contently. James rested his face on the top of Freya's head, a soft smile on his face. These were the mornings he adored and looked forward to. When things had settled down, James had found he couldn't sleep at night and Freya had the same issue. As a result, they decided to just camp out in the Room of Requirement at night and sleep there instead. Sometimes, they were joined by other couples, like Cordelia and Fred, but they were mostly left alone. Ever since then, he and Freya had slept fine – except for Freya's nightmares.
"How bad was it?" James asked quietly. He knew he needed to be sensitive when it came to Freya's nightmares. Some days, she would tell him to piss off and other times she would confide in him. It usually depended on how bad the nightmares were.
Freya sighed deeply, "They weren't so bad tonight. I just wish they would go away," Freya traced patterns with her finger on James' arm, something she did when she was in deep thought.
"Maybe seeing someone might help?" James suggested slowly.
For a moment, Freya stilled, "What do you mean?"
James swallowed nervously, "I mean, speak to a professional who can help you. Maybe they can teach you some things on how to deal with the nightmares," When he had mentioned the nightmares to his dad, he had passed on a name and number for a Witch Therapist. Apparently, this Witch had helped his dad and his mom when they were dealing with PTSD.
"I don't need help," Freya snapped back, her fists clenched and her eyes hardened.
"I know," James answered back calmly, used to her mood swings, "You're the strongest person I know. But I do worry about you," If she wasn't ready for support then James wasn't going to force it. But he thought it would be fair if she knew how he felt. Whatever decision she made, he would stay by her.
Freya exhaled softly, "I know, and I am sorry. I am not exactly the easiest person to be around." She had noticed her moods had completely shifted and deep down she knew she needed support, but she wasn't ready yet. Things were still too raw and she hadn't fully processed everything yet. Even in death, Lance still had a hold on her and it was something she needed to deal with in her own time.
James chuckled, "Trust me, I am used to it,"
"Ass," Playfully, Freya smacked his arm again.
James pretended to wince in pain but really he was smiling. "I love you,"
Freya looked, her stormy grey eyes alight, "I know. I love you too," She leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.
James groaned, "You're killing me here woman!"
"Then come get some," Freya rolled her eyes at his behaviour.
A devilish grin crawled onto James' face. He flipped their position so now Freya was on her back and he was hovering above her. Freya watched him with an arched brow and he returned her look with a wink. Rolling her eyes, Freya wrapped her arms around James' neck and brought their lips together for the proper kiss James had been after all morning.
HARRY POTTER
Later that same day
Freya walked through the halls as she headed towards McGonagall's office. She had sent a magical note and Freya had freaked out when she saw one in the hallway. A magical note had caused her to nearly have a meltdown because it reminded her too much of Lance and how often he had sent them. If Lance sent a magical note, it often meant nothing good and then people ended up dead, so no, she didn't look at magical notes fondly and swore she would never use them unless she had to. Freya cursed herself mentally as she walked the hallways at her own incompetence, nearly having a panic attack over some paper was ridiculous and it made her reconsider James' words from earlier that morning. Maybe she did need help and have someone to talk to who wasn't a part of the situation. James was doing his best but Freya could tell it wasn't easy for him and it made her feel guilty for how she treated him so snappishly but she couldn't help it. Her nerves were shot as she expected Lance to walk around a corner and kill her with a wave of his wand – and then the nightmares didn't help because of how relentless they were. Every night she would have nightmares and they never seemed to go away no what matter what she did. The only thing that helped her was James and she couldn't rely on him for everything. Even she could see how tired he was and it made her feel guilty.
Her nightmares were always the same four scenarios every night. The first one was about Lance. He would come for her in the middle of the night, kill James in front of her as a form of revenge and then torture her. In this nightmares, all the past Guardians surrounded her and blamed her for their death, their screams getting louder and louder until she woke up screaming. The second nightmare was of Katrina and this is the one that stung the most. In her mind, she would replay the different ways Katrina has betrayed her, her imagination going wild since she wasn't aware of what had transpired between Lance and Katrina that night. The one person Freya had always assumed would never deceive her was Katrina and she had done it in the most horrible way. The third nightmare consisted of her parents with Lydia. Her mind would replay the night Lydia was murdered by Vivienne, but in the nightmare, her mother found her and killed her too. However, it was the last nightmare that was the worst of all. In the last scenario, everything that had happened was a dream and she was still trapped in the Guardian Program. The Guardian Mark was back and she was still considered to be Lance's Pet. The thought of going back terrified her more than anything and this was the one that left her tears. Freya would often wake up with James reassuring her but occasionally she managed to not wake him up. Sometimes, Freya would just need to listen to James' heartbeat to remind her that he was alive and so was she. She would repeat the same mantra every time she woke up: she was alive, she survived and she would not be beaten.
Freya snapped out of her thoughts when arrived at McGonagall's office. As she stepped inside, Freya took notice of the two extra people in the room: Draco and Harry. McGonagall was sat at her desk and motioned for Freya to come in. "Thank you for coming, Miss Williams,"
Nodding her head, Freya walked further into the room slightly nervous, something she hid with ease. "I got your note,"
"That was down to me," Harry admitted with a small smile, "We needed to speak with you about something important,"
Sensing she would be in the room for a little while, Freya sat down on one the seats available. Now, she was facing Harry and Draco, who was stood beside McGonagall.
"We have come to talk about Rupert and Vivienne's estate. As you are the only living Williams, it is yours to claim," Draco started, his voice firm. This was something Freya appreciated because he was one of the only people who didn't hesitate around her and treat her like porcelain. Ever since her nightmares had become public knowledge, adults had been wary of her to the point they sometimes speak in a low and soft voice and it grated on Freya immensely.
"Of course," Freya said as she crossed one leg over the other. "I want the estate burned to the ground."
A ghost of a smile appeared on McGonagall's face, amused by what Freya had said. However, Harry frowned, uncertain about this decision, "Are you sure?"
Freya's unwavering eyes looked at Harry, "Deadly. I plan to retrieve a few things from the mansion and I want all the House Elf relocated somewhere nice and safe. However, after that, I do not care about what happens to that building. It was never home and is filled with too many memories I would rather live without," If anything, this was a decision Freya felt fully confident about. As the sole heir, Freya could anything she pleased with the estate and all its assets and accounts.
For a moment, Harry was speechless, but Draco took this stride. "And the accounts?"
"Move it to my vault. I don't like them, but their money can be used," Freya responded with ease. This was a conversation she had been waiting to happen for the past month. She had given this plenty of thought and was confident in her decision. Her parents were very wealthy and she was aware of how vastly rich they were. Parents of the Guardians had to pay a fee that wasn't cheap to Lance and her family had never struggled to pay the high toll whereas others did. By Muggle standards, the Williams' family would be classed as millionaires.
Draco nodded his head in understanding. If he hadn't of held such an emotional attachment to the Malfoy Manor, he would have torn it down himself.
"Anything else?" Freya asked.
McGonagall looked at her previous students with an expecting glance.
Harry nodded his head, "As you're aware, it is nearly summertime and you are without a legal guar- caretaker," He had to correct himself but it was too late as Freya had heard most of the word. Freya could not stand the word guardian anymore because it brought back too many memories. As such, the people around her tried to avoid that word but it wasn't easy.
Freya nodded her head. Ever since her parents had been killed, her fate for the summer had been a little uncertain. She had offers from Cordelia and Rebecca for her to stay at theirs over the summer and she had yet to give them an answer. Freya wasn't of age yet, but she would be in August, but that was still two months away.
"So, it has been decided that you will be placed in the care of your nearest relative," Harry explained.
For a moment, Freya fell silent. Due to being a Pureblood, Freya had many relatives as most Purebloods were related to one another somewhere down the line. However, Vivienne had refused to see most of their relatives because she had always viewed them as inferior. "And they are?" She asked.
"Me," Draco answered.
Freya turned to face him, silent surprise in her eyes. Of all the people to step forward, she had expected Draco Malfoy. "Why?" She demanded, not holding back.
Draco returned her glance without hesitation, "Because I am probably one of the only people who will understand you. We are family, albeit distant, but we are still family,"
Falling silent, Freya considered his words. She didn't know how to feel about what he said but she wasn't completely repulsed by his words. "Can I have time to think about this?" She asked, wondering how much time she needed to make a decision.
"Of course." Draco nodded his head, "We will need to know before you leave Hogwarts. That gives you two weeks to make a decision,"
Satisfied with the answer, Freya smiled slightly, though it looked awkward. She had been working on how to act like a normal person with some help from James. She had her moments where she could relax but other moments she struggled to socially interact with others. Her training was too deeply embedded to ever turn around fully but Freya hoped in the future that would change.
"Will that be all gentlemen?" McGonagall asked with an arched brow, "I would like my office back,"
Both Harry and Draco smiled slightly. "Of course, thank you for lending us your office," Harry turned to look to Freya, "If you need us for anything, just send an owl," With that, he and Draco disappeared through the Floo Network in green fire.
When they were gone, McGonagall rolled her eyes, "Finally. I swear my office has been used more than the Main Hall this year," She had never had this many people in her office before in just one year. If it had been anyone else, McGonagall would have refused access to her office but she had a soft spot when it came to Freya and even Harry.
A small smile spread across her face, "Afraid they'll see you slacking off?" Usually, she wouldn't have said anything, but this time she could help it.
McGonagall sent her a pointed look, "You've been around Mr Potter too much."
This caused Freya to laugh slightly, "Well you're not wrong," Her and James had spent a lot of time together but she knew McGonagall never begrudged this. McGonagall was happy that Freya was finally coming out from behind her mask.
"I also have some news," McGonagall said and this caught Freya's attention. "I plan to retire soon,"
Freya's eyes widened a fraction, "You are? When exactly?"
"In about a years' time. I need to train up my replacement," McGonagall answered with a slight grin on her face. She hadn't informed anyone of this news just yet – even to her planned replacement. She planned to do so as she wanted to prepare them and she believed a years' time was good enough. However, she would stay long enough to see Freya and James graduate from Hogwarts.
Freya frowned, "Why now?" McGonagall could have retired at any time as she had earned her rest. McGonagall was a woman who had fought through two wars and had helped in dealing with Lance Johnson. If anyone had earned their rest, it was McGonagall.
McGonagall leaned forward in her chair, "Miss Williams, when I became aware of the Guardian Program, I was shocked and appalled. I made a vow that I would help dismantle it and I refused to leave my post until it was done. The Program no longer exists and I have nothing to worry about,"
Pride filled Freya as she stared at her Headmistress. McGonagall had shared on more than one occasions how she hated the Guardian Program but she wasn't aware of this vow. "Who do you plan to replace you?"
"I think Professor Longbottom may be a good fit," McGonagall answered, her eyes lit up in amusement. If anyone had asked her years ago if she thought Neville Longbottom could become the Headmaster of Hogwarts, she would have rolled her eyes at the stupidity. But, the man has flourished over the years and he was no longer the nervous boy he used to be. She had watched Neville carefully and saw how much he cared for his students and how the other professors respected him. Now, McGonagall would say he was the perfect candidate.
"Well, of course, no one can replace you," Freya said but she did not disagree with her. She agreed that Professor Longbottom would make an excellent Headmaster. However, she wouldn't lie and say that Hogwarts would be the same without the Scottish woman.
"Naturally," McGonagall agreed with a small grin, "But I have to make sure Mr Potter does his job as Head Boy next year. But I am sure you with there, he should be fine,"
Freya smirked and said nothing.
HARRY POTTER
Nine months later
Freya walked alongside a path in a graveyard. It was March time – March 4th to be exact and the day Lydia had been killed by Vivienne. Usually, Freya would have been in Hogwarts but McGonagall had granted her special permission to leave the castle. James had wanted to come with her but Freya wanted to do this on her own, she needed to do this on her own. Freya looked around and pulled her coat closer to her body. Spring was fast approaching but there was still a harsh chill in the air where winter refused to let go. There was still some leftover snow that clung to the ground but Freya paid this no mind. She had one destination in mind and she soon reached it.
In front of her stood a gravestone, one that read Lydia Adele Williams.
Freya kneeled down, not caring that her jeans got wet from the soaked grass and dirt. "Hi, Lydia." Slowly, Freya placed two sunflowers on her grave. Sunflowers were her sister's favourite flower, one was from her and the other from James. Ever since Lance had been killed and Hermione became Minister of Magic, things had been good. Hermione had made all the relevant documentation for the ex-Guardians – all alive and dead ex-Guardians so that they would exist in the magical and muggle realm. No one could deny their existence any longer and it brought Freya some relief. It was a simple thing, but it mattered because they had been denied such things until their liberation. It still amazed Freya to this day how such little things could have a big impact.
"I-I've been good." Freya started nervously, not used to this. Draco had been the one who suggested to speak to Lydia's grave and she could hardly deny him after everything he had done for her. "Things haven't been easy. My therapist says I am doing great and how much of a fighter I am." She had taken James' advice – and Draco's – and attended therapy. Freya had been very reluctant at first because she didn't see the appeal in speaking to a stranger but oddly it had helped. She was getting treated for PTSD because that was all she would allow the therapist to treat her for. Freya wasn't ready to deal with all her issues yet but it was a start.
"Can you believe it, I am living with the Malfoys. It was weird at first because I didn't know what to expect. Do you know they actually talk when they eat dinner?" Freya's laugh was cold and detached, a void gleam in her eyes. Freya had taken Draco's offer and stayed with him, allowing him to take custody of her. She had only planned to stay there for two months before moving out to get her own place but when the time came, she found she didn't want to leave. Astoria had been so loving towards her and it was something Freya wasn't used to. Astoria was so motherly and understanding of Freya and her needs. What had really blown Freya away though was on her birthday when they threw her a birthday party, something she had never had before. After that, Freya didn't have the heart to leave. Freya chuckled as she thought back, "And their child, Scorpius, is weird. When we first met, he hid away but soon he started following me around. I always wondered what it would be like to have a younger sibling. I wonder if this is what you felt about me," Both Astoria and Draco had commented that Scorpius followed her around like a little duckling and found it adorable. Freya had not found it cute but annoying but he slowly grew on her. There were some days that he would walk into her room and stay there for hours just sitting there and occasionally talking to her – only to walk away and leave the door open.
Lydia's grave sat there, not answering back but Freya didn't mind. Once she had started, she found herself not wanting to stop.
"I became Head Girl and James Head Boy." Freya continued on, "We make a really good team. He hasn't caused too much mischief but he has his moments," Her stormy grey eyes softened as she thought of her partner. She and James had completed their bond and now she felt complete. Calling him her boyfriend just didn't seem to fit and it still embarrassed her to call James her husband – yet.
As she looked around, Freya noted all the other graves. This was a private graveyard that was protected by the Ministry and very few people had access to it. After everything had been said and done, every dead Guardian had been given a grave. There was nothing to bury as the bodies had been destroyed but at least the families had been able to hold a service for their dead children and allowed closure. Now, their families could visit the graves and pay their respects, something Freya noticed because of all the fresh flowers by nearly every grave.
Freya was about to stand and leave, but there was one more thing she wanted to add. "Lydia, I understand why you did it. You found someone who made you happy and you fought for it. It may not have turned out as you hoped but you were right. It did plant a seed. People heard what you did and followed you. Without your notes, I don't think I could have ever left," Freya touched the back of her neck where her scar was. This was her final reminder of the Guardian Mark that used to be there. Healers had offered to remove the scar but Freya had refused as she didn't wanted it healed. She needed it as a reminder of how she had survived. This scar brought her pride and she was not ashamed of it, just like all her other scars. "I am sorry for hating you. In the beginning, I thought your decision to be selfish but now I see the truth. I love you Lydia and I am sorry it took me this long to get to this point," Freya felt the unfamiliar sting behind her eyes as the tears rolled down her face. The moment she said this, Freya felt as though a weight had lifted from her chest. She no longer resented her sister for her decision, in fact, she admired it.
Satisfied, Freya stood up, "It began with you, Lydia and it ended with me," With nothing left to say, Freya left the graveyard feeling the lightest she had in years. She had a future to look forward to and she was looking forward to what the future would bring her.
HARRY POTTER
I want to thank EVERYONE who has read, favourited, followed and reviewed this story. It was so lovely getting all your reviews and PMs and sometimes they really go be through some tough times. This was my first original story and I am so proud of what it has become. It has given me the confidence to go on and write another original story.
Every single one of you have made this story worth it and I am so proud of how far this story come. When I first started to plan the story, I had no idea it would end up at forty nine chapters. I had planned around forty but it grew and it needed that space to progress the way it has. I want to thank you all for being so patient especially when I didn't upload for a period of time. I want to thank everyone for not jumping ship when it did become quite depressing and it payed off. I know people wanted Lance gone sooner but I wanted it to really pay off when he got his comeuppance and thank you to all the people that suggested the Dementor's Kiss.
Let me know what your favourite moment was in the Guardians!
If you liked what I did here, you might like my other story. It for Twilight and it's centred on the Volturi, particularly Alec. If you like the sound of that, come check out my new story, The Odd One Out!
