The remaining days of the school term following the Final Task were as expected as mundane as life at Hogwarts ever was. The Champions were constantly hounded by students either to congratulate them or to ask questions about what they were thinking whilst they were competing. Whilst the Pensive Pendants showed what they Champions could see; much to their disappointment the spectators had rightly been unable to hear what the Champions had been thinking and this was something that everyone seemed to want to know. They wanted to get insight to their thought processes.
The main comment Emma received, aside from congratulations for winning the entire thing, was how impressed everyone was by her dive to save Regina and her thought to summon her own broom to make them go faster. There was an additional round of comments admiring Emma's broomstick, which she was used to receiving due the high quality of it, and the fact that it could catch up to Elsa as quickly as it had even with an additional passenger astride it on her back.
On top of all the questions about the Task, Emma and Regina were asked further questions about their relationship. Naturally, the entire school now knew. Although, given that they'd kissed in front of the entire student body, staff and half of the parents, it couldn't be denied, not that they would. Fortunately, they never once received any backlash from it. Even Robin's thugs had stayed away, not wanting to have reason to be linked with the monster who had since been taken out of isolation and thrown into Azkaban with his father. Unfortunately, unlike Blanchard or his father, Robin would be out on parole in a mere two years.
It was also no surprise that the entire Wizarding World now knew everything to do with the Blanchards and the Locksleys and news had spread like wildfire around the school as was usual with Hogwarts. It had been on the front page of The Daily Prophet the day after the Final Task with a two-page spread in the centre of the paper. Everything to do with the murders, the contracts and the fraud had been there in black and white for the everyone to peruse. It couldn't be ignored and it was so detailed it was ridiculous. The new writer almost had a hint or Rita Skeeter in their writing, but as she was banned from writing, everyone could rest assured that the beetle wasn't behind the story.
There had also been a hefty report on the Interhouse Tournament, something that had surprised Emma, but then again, it had been such a large-scale event, it really shouldn't have come as a shock. Her face was plastered on the second page of the Prophet with it detailing how she had been triumphant from starting the competition in joint second (after being classed at the underdog as she was the youngest competitor), to being the victor of the Tournament. Alongside that, Elsa and Regina were also mentioned but there was only one line regarding Hufflepuff that stated: "The Hufflepuff Champion, Mary Margaret Blanchard, was found cheating in the Final Task and was disqualified."
A week before term ended and a week after the Final Task, the usual crowd wasn't actually to be found in the lounge. The sun had finally reached the chill of Scotland, so they were making the most of soaking up its rays by sitting underneath the oak tree near the Lake.
They were all sat in their pairs with Ruby leaning against Billy but both Victoire and Regina had their heads on their partner's laps. Emma was absentmindedly stroking her fingers through the chocolate brown locks. They had no fear in showing their relationship and almost went out of their way to show how in love they were. It felt so natural and Emma adored it.
The only one who wasn't sitting in a pair was Minnie. However, she'd gotten over seventh wheeling now and if she made a comment, Emma would remind her of the fact she outed her to her parents and she'd shut up quickly. When Regina had heard of the situation, she had been aghast and threatened to jinx Minnie if she did anything similar again. However, Minnie wasn't scared of her and challenged the Slytherin back with saying, if she hurt Emma again, she'd hex her back. The two had shared a hot moment before stepping back and laughing off the idea. Despite that, the threat was very real because the two cared that fiercely about Emma.
However, Emma had spoken to Minnie about it all and told her that she knew it was an accident and that she wasn't mad at her (although it was going to be held over Minnie's head probably for the rest of her life). Although, that conversation may have ended differently to the two laughing it off if Emma's parents hadn't reacted how they had. Then again, she should have known that they would have been fine with it. Her parents were so laid back they were practically horizontal.
"Oh, I'm so glad it's all over," Emma sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I never want to compete like that ever again."
"Not even for the Quidditch Cup next year?" Ruby asked, incredulously.
Emma rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean, idiot."
Ruby snickered. "Oh, I know. I was just making a point. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by."
"Big years always do," Teddy said. "My OWL year flew by quicker than any other year until this year. There's just so much pressure I think."
"Just wait until next year," Regina added. "You'll have even more when you join the Auror Office."
Teddy grinned. "I like your confidence, Mills."
Emma beamed at their interaction. Regina had joined their group so easily; it was like she was always destined to join them.
Regina flashed the Metamorphmagus a smile and winked. "I'll be joining you within a year."
"Hey, you could end up being partners!" Victoire said and Emma could hear the joy in her voice at the idea that both her and her best friend's partners could be teamed up.
"What do you say, Mills?" Teddy asked with a teasing grin. "Can you put up with another Hufflepuff?"
Regina rolled her eyes and she sat up from Emma's lap. The blonde missed the pressure of her head resting on her, but she accepted that she wanted to sit up. "Better you than the other option."
Victoire bit her lip. "Do you think they'll let her out of St Mungo's to complete her final year?"
After the Final Task, once Mary Margaret had woken up from passing out at the revelation of what had happened to her mother, something seemed to split from her sanity. She was so grief-stricken, which when combined with her anger and confusion had led to her becoming a mere shell of herself. She was no longer charged with the attack against Regina and had been booked into St Mungo's for the foreseeable future to see if she could get better. The current story was that she hadn't said a word since arriving, but the Healers were hoping she'd regain something.
"I don't think so," Regina said. "My mum receives a weekly report as she still technically her stepmother. The last one was that she still hasn't spoken so it doesn't look likely. Actually, Mother thinks the reports will stop when the divorce is finalised next week."
"That's good!" Minnie commented. "I'd hate to think that she was still stuck with that monster."
"No, she can get a quick divorce because of his crimes," Regina revealed. "But I think my godfather pulled some strings with a contact he knew to get it done even quicker due to the fact the monster was the reason she needed to remarry in the first place."
Emma saw as Regina's eyes clouded over with the anger and grief she felt whenever she thought about Leopold killing her father. Instinctively, Emma reached out and took hold of her girlfriend's hand and felt Regina squeeze it tightly. It had become their quiet thing they did whenever Regina felt emotional. She rarely spoke about it, but by Emma giving her her hand to squeeze, she was silently telling her girlfriend that she was there for her.
"What an odd year," Minnie muttered as she laid back, resting her head on her hands.
"Yours will only get worse next year when you have your OWLs to sit," Victoire pointed out and Minnie groaned.
"Don't mention those until September, please," she said as she sat up. "Well apart from the three of you getting your results, that I want to know about."
"I know what you mean," Regina added. "I have just had a year from hell and now I have to sit my NEWTs next year."
"Sucks to be you then, doesn't it," Emma teased, nudging her girlfriend to show she was joking. "And you'll have to figure it all out while trying your best to come second in the Quidditch Cup."
Regina raised her eyebrow and Emma felt her mouth go dry. It was a move Regina always pulled out when she was teasing but she knew how much it affected Emma.
"Second, Swan?"
Emma swallowed, trying not to show to the others that she was affected by Regina's move. "Yep. Gryffindor to take home the Cup for the fifth year in a row after I find a new Beater and Keeper."
"If Mulan can cope with not having lover boy with her," Minnie added and the group turned to see where LJ and Mulan were sitting under a nearby tree together.
"They're happy," Emma said with a smile. "Don't be bitter."
Minnie scoffed. "I am not bitter. I'm happy being young and free. I don't need a partner to define me. I'm Dominique Molly Weasley. Bite me."
The group burst out laughing in response and Minnie joined in with her own giggle, swinging her silvery blonde hair over her shoulder. She rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean," she muttered when her own laughter died down.
"You may have the right idea there, Minnie, do what's right for you," Regina said. "I mean, my mum's so excited to have time on her own again and not have a man to take care of because he was a pig. She's also in the middle of sorting out somewhere to live. She's currently still staying at Gold Manor until she finds somewhere with Zelena in her London flat."
"Oh, where's she thinking of moving?" Ruby asked.
"I don't know yet," Regina admitted. "I'll probably find out when I get off the train next week."
oOoOo
A couple of days before the school year was over and everyone piled onto the Hogwarts Express to go home, Emma called a meeting with her nearest and dearest. She called them all to the room where the Champions had had the Final Task explained to them. It was only fitting, Emma believed, for what she was going to tell them.
Emma was sitting on the desk, her feet swinging beneath her as she pondered over whether what she was doing was the right thing. However, typically, once she'd had the idea a few days ago, she couldn't shake it and knew she would have to go through with it. It was what was right.
"Em, what's going on?" Victoire asked as she, her sister and boyfriend walked in, just ahead of Ruby.
"You'll see," Emma replied cryptically. "We're still waiting on two people. Just sit down please."
Victoire just looked even more confused but she heeded Emma's request and sat at a desk, incidentally the one Emma and Professor Longbottom had sat at before the Task, with Teddy sitting beside her. Ruby and Minnie took another desk, the one Elsa had been sitting at, even though they had no idea of that. The group then kept swapping their glances from confusion at Emma and curiosity at the door to who else would arrive.
However, five minutes later, there should have been no surprise when Elsa and Regina walked through the door.
"What's going on, Em?" Elsa asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Emma nodded towards another desk. "Sit down, please and I'll reveal all."
Regina raised her eyebrow, but like Victoire, she heeded her request and didn't question it before sitting down at the desk she had sat at with Elsa taking the chair beside her.
With all six pairs of eyes on her, Emma took a deep breath and pulled out a drawer from the desk that held bundles of coins. All the eyes on her widened, each of them more than intelligent enough to know what the money was and to understand what was going on. Emma ignored them as she waved her wand so that the small golden sacks flew to their rightful new owners.
"Emma, what are you playing at?" Elsa demanded as her own sack landed in front of her, her tone heavy with the authority of the older cousin which she only put on, on the rarest of occasions. "That's yours and yours alone. You earnt it."
Emma scoffed. "I would not have this if it wasn't for every single one of you in here. I'm fine to keep some of it, but each one of you helped me through. Elsie, you even gave me the answer to the one of the creatures in the Second Task and Regina, you know you gave me so much help it's ridiculous. Teddy, you helped in more ways than you know by sitting with me and keeping me calm when I was doing research and homework. Minnie, you didn't have to be my date to the Ball, but you did and Vicki and Rubes, you two have absolutely no idea what I would have done without either of you. You all deserve part of this."
Regina rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot." Her tone was affectionate to show she wasn't being insulting.
"I don't care," Emma said with a shrug. "It's my winnings to do with what I wish. I have assigned everyone the same amount so there's no fighting and I point blank refuse to take any of it back and if you do, I will hex you into next week. So, any comments?"
She leant back, her legs started swinging again, waiting for someone to say something, but as expected, they never did.
After a few moments, Minnie glanced around and looked outside to see the glorious weather they were still experiencing.
"Umm, are we done?" She asked. "I was going to go to the Lake with the girls."
Emma chuckled. "Yeah." She slipped off the desk. "Let's go."
The group started piling out of the room until Ruby pulled Emma back into the room. Ruby shuffled nervously.
"Thank you," she muttered quietly. "This is going to make Granny's year after what happened last year."
Emma offered her a warm smile. "I couldn't not and you deserve it for all the help. I don't need all that money, it's a stupid amount."
"Yeah, it is," Ruby agreed, she hesitated for another moment, twisting her silver bracelet on her wrist. "Anyway, let's go join the others."
"Sure."
They two made their way outside the classroom where the others were waiting, all except Elsa and Minnie who'd already gone. Even Regina had stayed behind.
She passed by Ruby and took hold of Emma's hand as the group started walking downstairs and toward their spot underneath the oak tree. Gently, Regina pulled on Emma's back to slow her down.
"You gave me more," she whispered.
Emma kept her face neutral and shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Regina rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot. You can't have given everyone a hundred galleons because you only won five."
"It's like I said, I want you to have it," Emma said honestly. "I don't need all that money. Merlin, my trust fund set up by my grandpa is already far too much. I don't need more adding to it. I also intend to work for a living."
"And you know that my father's money has been returned to us," Regina replied.
As part of the aftermath, Aurors looked into Leopold's finances and located the lump sum that was taken from Henry Mills' money and had been rightfully returned to Cora and her daughters. Both Regina and Zelena's trust funds had been set back up, but Emma knew that the money was nowhere near the same amount as hers.
"You can't give it back," Emma said, "spend it on me if you really want, but I don't want it. Okay?"
Regina still looked reluctant before she nodded. She swooped in and stole a soft kiss from the blonde. "Then I suppose I should say thank you. I love you."
Emma beamed as she always did when she heard Regina say those three words and captured the brunette's lips once again.
"I love you too," she replied.
oOoOo
The end of term feast was bonkers. Unsurprisingly, after winning the Quidditch Cup and Emma winning the Interhouse Tournament, Gryffindor walked away with the House Cup for the fourth year in a row. Slytherin followed with Ravenclaw next and Hufflepuff fell short and came in fourth. However, despite that, everyone was in such good cheer that the school year was finally over that everyone was celebrating.
Emma was also on a high as she was announced as the Student of the Year, a title that had never been handed out before. Then again, never before in the history of Hogwarts had a single student earned so many House Points that Professor McGonagall had created the title especially. Although, Emma had an inkling that it may be been something to do with the fact that she and Professor Longbottom had put Emma's name down for the Tournament without telling her and wanted to make it up to her.
By the time everyone was climbing onto the Hogwarts Express the next morning, the atmosphere had changed. Everyone longed to go home to be away from schoolwork and rules, but for most, it meant they were going away from where they could use their magic and away from their friends.
Emma piled onto the train and found her favourite compartment with Minnie and Ruby following her.
"I wonder how long their Prefect duties will be," Minnie murmured as she placed her trunk on the top shelf and out of the way.
"Not long," Emma replied as she flopped onto her seat. "The further we get away from school, the less effect they can really have on everyone. No one will care. It's not like they can hand out detentions for September. They don't have that much power."
"Don't we?" Tease a very familiar voice from the door.
Emma turned and saw Regina leaning against the door. "What are you doing here?"
Regina chuckled as she sat down beside her girlfriend. "Elsa and August let us all go," she revealed as Teddy and Victoire entered the compartment too and sat beside Minnie. "They said not to bother as it's the end of term."
"Yeah, I was surprised," Teddy added. "We usually keep up the pretence for the first half an hour at least."
"They probably want to compartment to themselves," Emma snickered. "August lives up north so it's the last time they'll be able to spend this much time together before they start working."
"That's true," Ruby said, somewhat sadly, as she pulled her legs up around her.
"Rubes, what's wrong?" Emma asked, sensing that something was amiss. It was heightened by the fact that Billy hadn't joined them when the other Prefects had returned.
Ruby sighed as her legs dropped. "I broke up with Billy. Yesterday."
"What? Why?" Victoire gasped. Just like Emma, she was none the wiser that Ruby had broken up with her boyfriend. Her mood hadn't changed despite it. The two were actually feeling guilty that they had been so wrapped up in their own relationships that they hadn't noticed.
"He's going travelling around the world," Ruby revealed. "He leaves in two weeks so what's the point? I'm going to be at school for another two years, so it was the right thing to do. He was sweet, but for me, it was never going to be a permanent thing. I'm not like you two." She nodded to where both Emma and Victoire were sat with their partners.
Victoire was leaning against Teddy who had his arm wrapped around her while Emma had her arm around Regina.
"But I'm okay," Ruby said. "Honestly. I'm still really happy about everything and it was very amicable, we can always try to pick it up once I'm out of Hogwarts if we're meant to be. I'm ready for a great summer with everyone here." She grinned as she looked around, including as she looked at Regina.
Regina smiled back and nodded. "You know, I really do agree with you there, Ruby."
The train continued travelling south as they headed towards London. Halfway through, the Trolley arrived and Emma introduced Regina to her usual torture of buying a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
After three rounds where everyone had found at least one disgusting flavour, Minnie had been unfortunate to have all three as disgusting, Emma was still grinning at her decisions.
"How do you do it?" Regina asked, baffled.
"That's for me to know," Emma replied.
"Don't bother, Regina," Teddy laughed when Regina went to question her further. "She's been like this forever. I've known her all her life and I don't think I've ever seen her have a bad one and she won't tell anyone her trick. I don't even think she'll tell you."
Regina raised her eyebrow and turned to Emma. "You won't tell me? Really?"
Emma swallowed at the tone. She knew what Regina was trying to do as her voice was subtly dripping with seduction in the way she knew would mess with Emma, in the best way.
However, the blonde would not let it affect her in front of her friends. "Nope," she said confidently.
Regina's eyebrow stayed raised. "We'll see," she whispered as she squeezed Emma's thigh briefly so that the others wouldn't catch on to what she was doing.
"Anyway, what's everyone's plans for summer?" Emma asked to change the subject, but she couldn't ignore the fact that Regina's hand was still resting on her thigh.
The conversation turned away from Emma's luck with the Beans to discussing their summers. For most of them, it would be homework for the next year and awaiting results for their exams. However, for Teddy, it would be preparing for his first year in the Auror department. He hadn't received his results yet, but with his predicted grades, it was pretty obvious that he would be successful and follow in his mother and godfather's footsteps.
Before long, the train was pulling up in Kings Cross Station and everyone was rushing around to gather all of their belongings so that they had everything before leaving the train. They all shot off the train to meet their parents and unsurprisingly, Emma's parents were standing beside Bill and Fleur Weasley. Louis was standing between his parents beaming that his sisters were finally coming home. Next to them was Ruby's Granny, as had been the norm since the group had started going to Hogwarts together five years previously. However, this year, there was the addition of Andromeda Tonks, Teddy's grandmother, and Cora Mills (she had already changed her surname back after the divorce).
"Emma!" Her parents cried with excitement as they always did when she jumped off the train. They rushed over and hugged her before her father took her trunk and broomstick from her and her mother took Hook's cage out of her hand.
"It's the Student of the Year," Bill teased, clearly Victoire had written home about it as Minnie was too busy laughing at Emma's embarrassment whenever it was mentioned.
"Oh shush," Emma replied but it was too late, her pale face was flushed Gryffindor red.
"I think it's great," Regina said. "Your efforts were recognised. It's not a bad thing."
"And something to be celebrated," Cora added. "In fact, it can be another reason to have the party this evening."
Regina turned to her mother, confused. "What party?"
"The housewarming party we're having," Cora revealed. "I've found a small cottage that will be perfect for the two of us and for whenever Zelena comes to stay. It's not far from someone else's." She raised her eyebrow and nodded towards where the Swans were standing.
"We're moving to Cornwall?" Regina asked, a smile growing rapidly on her lips at the idea that she was moving close to where her girlfriend lived and miles away from where she had been living for the past ten years.
Cora nodded. "Just down the road. I thought the fresh sea air would do us some good and I thought the neighbours would be to your taste."
Regina grinned. "That's actually amazing." She reached out and hugged her mother tightly.
"It's all over now, Reggie," Cora said and Emma saw how her girlfriend blushed. So, she had an embarrassing nickname that she hadn't wanted Emma to hear but it was too late now. "We can just be us and party."
"Yeah, Reggie," Emma added, nudging Regina softly. "Let's party."
oOoOo
With Regina living down the road, Emma's summer was even better than she could have ever have imagined. Victoire and Minnie had always lived down the road but spending even more time with everyone she loved was amazing. Ruby was often seen on the coast with them as well. She really was okay with the fact that she and Billy were no longer together as she just spent most of her time with Minnie who was thrilled to no longer be seventh wheeling.
By the time their OWL results arrived, Emma had forgotten they were due until she came downstairs to see her mother and father standing excitedly in the kitchen.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Your OWLs results have arrived," her mother announced as she passed Emma the letter.
"Oh Merlin!" Emma gasped as she took the letter from her mother. "I'd completely forgotten."
"Too busy making out with your girlfriend, I bet," David joked. He only laughed louder when his daughter glared at him. He turned to his wife. "Am I not right?"
"Is now really the time, dear?" She asked rolling her eyes. She turned back to her daughter. "Open it, Em."
Emma nodded and slowly opened up the letter, her hands shaking with nerves. She had worked so hard the last year, making sure every single class test and homework piece was perfect. It still bothered her a little bit that she hadn't been able to take the exams how she wanted to, but she had to let that go. She had realised that if she hadn't competed in the Tournament, the chances of a relationship with Regina would be slim.
Pulling the parchment out of the envelope, she saw her grades and her heart leapt.
"Oh my!" She gasped before throwing her letter at her parents.
The Ordinary Wizarding Level results for Miss Emma Swan:
Ancient Runes- E
Arithmancy- O
Astronomy- E
Charms- O
Care of Magical Creatures - E
Defence Against the Dark Arts- O
Herbology- E
History of Magic- E
Potions- O
Transfiguration- O
"How did you manage an E in History of Magic?" David asked. "I barely scrapped an A from falling asleep."
Emma laughed. "Victoire has a shockingly strong will power to stay awake and her notes are perfection. I'm so happy. I'm on course for all the classes I want to take next year!"
"We're so happy for you, Em," her mother cried as she threw her arms around her daughter. "I can't wait to tell your grandparents."
In honour of Emma's results, her grandpa threw her a party, inviting all her friends and family. Elsa was also in attendance and she had received the top grades in her NEWT exams just as Teddy had and the two had been accepted to the Auror programme together. They were the only applicants to be accepted that year, something they were both extremely proud of.
Ruby and Victoire had also received brilliant results and could continue with the subjects they wanted to in the upcoming year.
On Emma's sixteen birthday, the eleventh August (a date coincidentally shared with Ginny Potter), along with all the presents she had received from her family, they also received their Hogwarts letters. Unsurprisingly, Minnie had not been successful in following her sister's footsteps and had not been made Prefect, something she was very happy about, but to Regina's utter surprise, there was a small badge in her envelope.
"You got Head Girl?" Emma asked, as she saw the badge, trying not to giggle loudly. Regina had come over and they were hanging out in Emma's bedroom and didn't want her parents interrupting them any time soon.
"Yeah," Regina replied. "I'm baffled. After everything that's happened, this is the last thing I expected."
"Regina, you have the highest grades in your year and you were chosen as the Champion," Emma reminded her. "I would have been more confused if you hadn't made Head Girl. I'm so proud of you."
Regina grinned as she pulled Emma in for a kiss. "Thank you and there's no doubt you'll follow in my footsteps next year."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Fat chance."
"I'm serious," Regina said. "I'll make sure of it too. Anyway, today isn't about school, is it? Happy birthday, my love."
With a wave of her wand, Regina produced a necklace that had three small gems that made up 'E&R' and Emma was taken away at its beauty. It was simple but perfect and it summed them up pretty well.
"It's beautiful," Emma breathed before she pulled Regina close. As soon as their lips touched, their kissing heated up and they flopped backwards onto the blonde's bed as Regina settled on top of her.
Emma pulled back and giggled.
"What?" Regina asked. A giggle was the last thing she expected while in this position.
"Does that mean I can break the rules next year as I'm sleeping with the Head Girl?" She teased and Regina rolled her eyes.
"Shut up and kiss me," Regina husked, pulling Emma's lips back to hers.
"Yes, Head Girl," Emma breathed back as Regina took over every aspect of her body and soul.
It had been a year and a summer that Emma had never expected but yet she had learnt and experienced so much. She had the girl of her dreams as her girlfriend and her entirely family were happy for her and hadn't disowned her for her sexuality.
Alongside all of that, she had won the Interhouse Tournament and the Quidditch Cup once more, it was crazy, but she was so proud of herself. Then she had received the best OWL results that she could have expected and she was on course to join the Unspeakables, something that she had always dreamt of.
She couldn't wait to tell her kids about her Fifth Year of Hogwarts and she knew exactly how it would start:
Once upon a time at Hogwarts, there were two enemies who first became rivals and then lovers. Perhaps she wouldn't use the last word, but it was true. There had been twists and turns but that was what all stories were. It was a perfect fairy tale, although the ending was still to be determined.
Then again, happily ever after was just the beginning and Emma Swan wouldn't have it any other way.
A/N: And another story ends. It has been a pleasure writing this and exploring a different world with our leading ladies.
Thanks as always to WriteupmyAlly for help with ideas. I couldn't have done it without you!
Thank you also to everyone who has read, reviewed, favourited and followed this story. I appreciate and love all of you!
Love, Emss xx