Dear Readers,

            Although I'm sure the 7th year adventures of this versatile group would be well enjoyed and well worth writing, we feel that this story has become ungainly in its rapid growth. Basically, what we're trying to say is, it's time to tie up our loose ends, and start to weave the 4 or 5 chapter ending of this monumentous story. It's 1 year and 10 months old today. And, as much as we regret to end this story, it must be done. We knew it would come, and yet we put it off admirably. So, we jump ahead.

Harry Potter's class has been out of Hogwarts for almost six years now. Fred and Angelina Weasley have had two children, a boy and a girl, who have every bit their mother's brains and their father's sense of humor… a dangerous combination. Percy Weasley finally married his elusive Penelope, and their resulting son is promising to be everything his parents were. Sephie Lupin went off to Africa to take pictures, as she told Oliver she would, and took Jean Claude Defarge (who is gay, ladies and gentlemen, as a side note) as her assistant. During her last visit home she took her sister Luna, who is currently 7, back to Africa with her. She is never back in England long enough for anyone to inform George Weasley of her whereabouts. Harry Potter and Mariah Jordan are still dating, despite many trials… and despite the pushing of almost everyone to get them married. Lexi and Draco Malfoy are happily settled in Malfoy Manor… it now belongs to them, and massive rehaul of the inside of the estate had made it much nicer and much more receiving. They gave Draco's father a wing to himself, and Lucius gave Narcessa a divorce the night after Draco's 18th birthday. Narcessa has not been heard from or seen since the beating of Janelle Snape. Jeremy and Ginny are happily engaged, and construction on their house is underway. Jeremy, Draco, Harry, Mariah, and Ron are Aurors, and successful ones at that. Hermione, on the other hand, controls the Ministry's library and archives, and couldn't be happier.

Ah, yes. Ron and Hermione. At this point, we will reenter the flow of normal time… right after the point when Ron has finally gathered the courage to propose to his girlfriend of 8 years. Plans for the wedding are in full swing, and with it comes the pulling together of those who haven't seen each other in years. People are pulled from the corners of the earth to this event… including two people who were determined never to see each other again…     

"Mail, Seph!" cried Jean Claude, catching the letter deftly and paying the owl.

"Coming!" she said absently, focusing her camera lens upon an odd shape in the distance. She picked up her wand and performed a Deafening Charm upon herself. She followed the shape and watched as it gradually became clear that this was what she was searching for. "A Fwooper," she breathed, unable to hear her own voice. She snapped pictures of it in flight, and then took her wand and performed a Silencing Charm upon the bird itself. It landed on top of her camera as she removed her Deafening Charm, opening its mouth in a silent screech.

"Gotcha, babe," Sephie said to it fondly, before her little sister plucked one of its tail feathers. Its entire body jerked backwards, and it took flight.

"Good one, Luna," JC said to her as he approached, bearing the blue envelope that was Hermione's trademark. Luna twirled the orange feather between her fingers and shrugged.

"I needed a new quill to write to Momma with… mine broke," she said in explanation.

"Ah… zat makes sense," JC nodded. After 5 years with Sephie and Luna, his French accent was practically nonexistent, but it still popped up in certain words or phrases… like when he tried to say "th's." "By ze way, Sephie, I have zose pictures of ze Erumpent you got… and zere's been a Nundu sighting in a small village 15 miles from here."  

"Excellent… but let's see what Hermione has to say, shall we?" Sephie ripped open the letter.

"Dear Sephie and Luna,           

            Ron finally broke down and asked me to marry him. The wedding is in the spring, but we need you two back here for Halloween, and need you to stay in England for the time between then and the wedding. Since you are both in the wedding, we'll need you for fittings, practices, and so on… but most of all Ron and I want to see you. JC is invited to come to the wedding, of course… and Sephie, any ideas of a leather bridesmaid dress are to be promptly forgotten.

            Love,

                        Hermione and Ron." 

Sephie began to laugh. "That coward! I was wondering when he'd get around to it."

"Around to what?" JC asked, scooping up Luna as easily as if she were still a toddler and taking the note from Sephie. Then he, too, smiled. "Ah, so Ron has asked Hermione at last."

"At last is right, JC… we HAVE to go! Pack up the Jeep… it's a long drive to the nearest Floo station, and I'll need you two to go ahead to Ron's while I tie up some loose ends."  

~*~

Hermione ran her hands through her bushy hair, only succeeding in making it bushier. Ron watched her from the doorway unnoticed, a small amused smile on his face. He came up behind her.

"You need to learn to relax," he whispered, making her jump.

"Well, maybe I could relax if you HELPED me with some of these preparations!!!"

Ron smiled. "You exiled me from this two months ago, remember?"

"Oh. Right." Suddenly there was a thud, and then the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Ron said, moving for the door.

"Nice to know you're good for something," she said, tongue stuck out.

"I love you, too, dear," he laughed, exiting the room. Inexplicably cheerful, Hermione went back to planning the reception.  

Ron got to the door and opened it. Then he looked down to see Luna Lupin in a tank top and leather pants lugging a HUGE duffle bag. She looked up and grinned, her four front teeth missing. "Hi, Ron!" the little girl shrieked, jumping at him.

Ron managed to catch her… then stare in astonishment at her blue streaked hair. "Oh, your sister's gonna LOVE this," he muttered, placing the girl on her feet.

"Ron? Who's there?" Hermione called. Ron swallowed and went to answer, but Luna was skipping merrily towards the doorway. Ron covered his ears and waited for the explosion.