Disclaimer: The usual...
Epilogue: Rewind
Remus Lupin finished his story and glanced around at his audience: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Harry was biting his lip, Hermione was sniffling, and Ron's eyes were wide.
"Whoa," the red-haired boy said.
"That's such a beautiful love story," Hermione whispered.
"So...what happened to Elsa and Phoebe?' Ron asked.
A spasm of pain crossed Remus's face. "A few months after that and a while after Lily and James were married, Voldemort rose. Elsa and Phoebe were killed. That was one of the major reasons why we joined the Order. We wanted to avenge them." Fresh tears welled up in his eyes as he recalled the sight of Phoebe's cold, still body after he, Sirius, and James had arrived at the ruins of her home.
"So you were never married?" Hermione asked.
"When she was killed, it was exactly a week before the wedding."
"So...no wonder Sirius likes Harry so much," Ron mused. "He used to be in love with Harry's mother."
"Well, yeah, that's one of the reasons." Remus smiled at Harry. "You know, the only thing people are always mentioning is that you got your mother's eyes. But that's not the only thing you got from Lily. You also have a lot of her personality. Her determination...her loyalty...Sirius saw so much of that in you."
Harry remained silent, but emotions churned in his green eyes. Wonder, sadness... and love.
Remus sat in front of the fireplace. It was two in the morning, and the others were asleep. But he had not been able to rest. His mind was awhirl with memories he'd long suppressed. As he'd been telling the story, he'd actually been amazed that all that had happened to him. It felt like he had lived another life since then. From within the folds of his torn robes, he withdrew an old gold ring. The shiny metal glinted in the firelight. Remus bit his lip as he remembered. Phoebe had given it to him the day they got engaged. The ring was a little thick, with curlicue carvings in the sides. Meeting in the center were two stars. He'd always kept it where she'd always stayed even until now--close to his heart. He turned it over in his hands for another second before slipping it onto his finger.
"Professor?"
Remus jumped. "Yiii!"
He relaxed when he realized it was Harry. "Oh, it's you. You're still awake?"
Harry sat down beside him. "Yeah."
"So, anything you wanna talk about?" Remus asked.
"I'm still kind of trying to take it all in," Harry replied. "It's so hard to believe that you were all like that back then. You seem so...serious now."
"The years really have changed us, huh?"
Harry stared into the fire. "Well, at least it was nice to know that my parents really did love each other."
"Still thinking about what you saw in Snape's Pensieve?"
"With all the insults my mum was hurling at my dad, I just couldn't believe she would actually like him. She really looked like she hated him."
"Well, your dad was a bit of a jerk then. We all knew it. But he grew up."
They sat in silence. Then Remus remembered something.
"I almost forgot. There was something your father wanted you to have." He dug inside his torn briefcase. "Sirius gave it to me for safekeeping a year ago." He withdrew a gold ring on a thin chain. Amazingly, after sixteen years of being hidden away, it was still as beautiful as ever.
"This was Elsa's gift to James. A lucky ring. When he and Lily got married, he always said he was going to give it to his future kid, to give him luck too."
Harry took the necklace with trembling hands.
"Treasure it, Harry," Remus said. "It's James's legacy to you."
Harry closed his fist around it. "I will. I always will."
The End
AN: So here it is--the final chapter in my little love story. It began in the second week of November last year, and ends in the first week of June this year. I am deeply grateful to all of you who have read and reviewed all 30 chapters--I love you all! You guys have sustained me all these months with your encouraging words, compliments, and really helped me to become a better writer with your constructive criticism. (I now know how to do the dialogue so it's not confusing anymore. Yay!)
Anyway, I want to acknowledge all those who have helped me to do this story. First of all, I want to thank God for giving me this talent of writing and for creating all those I will be thanking:
Special Mention to:
Captain Oblivious- You've been around from the very first chapter to the very last. Thanks for being such a consistent reviewer. Every time I read your reviews, they make me smile. Your enthusiasm is really refreshing, and it really keeps me on the go! Thank you! :) And thanks for pointing out that error. I totally forgot about that. Anyway, I've changed it. Thanks for noticing and notifying me. :)
Stardrops- Thanks for always being so encouraging. I was really amazed and touched that my measly story would get someone so excited. You are a terrific writer yourself--I really enjoy reading your stuff. (I've been unable to review 'cause there's something wrong with my computer and the Submit Review page won't load) You continue to keep it up! Thank you! :)
Lily Skylo- Thanks for being very consistent and encouraging. I really appreciate your comments a lot. Thanks for the support you give! And yes, Sirius is the best. :)
My next story is a Draco/Hermione fic. Hope you guys will continue to review that story. I'll be looking for all of you! :) It should be up in a day or two.
I love you all! :)
blue3ski