CW: death, endings and beginnings
Everest's death was a bittersweet affair. The Gaunt family grieved, but knew that Everest would have wanted them to be happy and continue on with their lives. Especially when they found the necklaces - one on each of their beds. They had the mountain range carved on one side, with Everest's handwriting on the back.
It was an honor being part of your family - I love you
"Do you reckon he meant that last part?" Merope said, tracing the words with her fingertip. "I thought he could not feel love."
"I'm not sure." Marvolo replied. "But the fact that he said it is what matters. Even if he couldn't feel it - he wanted us all to know that, if he could feel love, he would feel it for us."
Merope nodded, brushing away her tears and smiling at her father. A few months after Everest's death, she would marry William Little and move to a small flat in London. It was a difficult decision, but one that was made easier by Nagini and the townsfolk.
When they heard that Everest had passed, several members of the village came to pay their respects. Luke personally assured Merope that he would help take care of Marvolo if she ever wanted to leave and start her life somewhere else. Nagini made the same promise, ensuring that she would care for Morfin as well. The three of them would live peacefully in the countryside, content to visit the village and welcome Merope and William whenever they could spare the time.
The texts were finally published, both the history of Salazar Slytherin and the magical snake texts in Newt Scamander's book on magical beasts. He credited an anonymous source, thanking them for their research and care for these extraordinary creatures. The public naturally argued back and forth about the texts, but that didn't matter so much. The message was out there, changing at least some people and how they saw the world.
All that mattered for the Gaunt and Little families, a few years later, was the approaching birth of a little girl they hoped to name Everest.
Notes:
Well, here is the end of our story. Please feel free to join me on the sequel - the timeline is destroyed so characters will be all over the place, but it should be fun anyway.
Happy Reading!