A/N: Well, that's it! This is the end! Some of you are relieved... some of you are saddened... but guess what? Those who are sad don't have to be cause there's a follow up story to this one! Flash back to the late 80s in Sandy Roads (look for it through my user ID ) and find out about that special year that Bill and Bella had 'met' and the secrets behind it! As for those who are relieved... well, XP. Byebye!
Disclaimer: You should know this by now. So since this is the last Chapter I'll let you figure it out for yourself.
Chapter 12
"Goodbyes"
The next morning Bill had woken up early to head for breakfast. He was starved after using so much energy last night. When he entered the Hall, the Hufflepuffs were all there, with the exception of Acacia and Christopher, talking cheerfully. The moment his food appeared before him at the lonely Gryffindor table, a scruffy looking eagle owl began to scratch at the closed windows. The widows then magically opened and shut after the owl passed through. It headed straight for Bill as it dropped two letters on his lap. The owl was from Gringotts and Bill was quite used to it being very prompt and efficient so there was no doubt in his mind what it was doing at Hogwarts today. It had delivered him short reports from the bank before but this time he expected the note to be more than a report. He took the first letter and opened it. It was exactly what he thought. He was being relieved of his post after successfully completing his job with the Nightshades and was expected back at work on January 5th. Bill sighed sadly. He'd be leaving soon; he'd be leaving Bella. He then looked at the other letter and noticed that it was from Michael. He tore open the envelope and read:
Hello Bill,
I've finally figured out where I had heard of Belladona Nightshade! I was reading the Daily Prophet when it hit me! She's not a real Dart Arts teacher! She a sort of Aurore or investigator of some sort working for the ministry! I know it doesn't make much of a difference now that you'll be leaving but I just thought you should know for curiosity's sake. I remember talking to your brother Percy at one point, with business about the ministry's bonds, when he told me that he had to leave afterwards to meet with his old friend Belladona Nightshade who just moved to RCMC department at the ministry. I remembered that meeting after seeing an article on the division in the papers!
Well, see you soon mate!
Bonds Keeper and most amazing guy in the world, Michael Scranton
"Sure... NOW you tell me! A bit late Mick!" said Bill to himself all the while sighing.
Once Bill finished, he stood up grumpily and began to leave the hall. "Percy's old friend? That rat!" he thought. No wonder Percy told Bill that getting to her would be difficult! As he grunted, he noticed Belladona heading up a flight of stairs. This made his mood lighten as he jogged to catch up with her, giving her a bright smile. She smiled in return and urged him to follow her. She was going to meet with Lupin and Harry to discharge them at Dumbledore's office. They walked up to the office as Bella whispered the password to the gargoyle. The door opened and they entered the room. When Bill walked in he saw that not only Harry was there but Hermione and Ron as well.
"What are you two doing here, isn't this meeting-" he began.
"Well. After yesterday, we don't plan on leaving Harry alone for a second!" said Ron.
"Right! It's bad enough that You-know-Who is still at large but now Harry decides to put himself in MORE unnecessary risks! We can't let him get himself into more trouble!" fussed Hermione as Harry gave a little laugh.
Bill's eyes moved around the room. He saw the headmaster sitting comfortably at his desk and a stranger whose hair was flaked with grey. Bill could only imagine that this was Remus Lupin in his human form. The man had a very kind face yet seemed to look utterly exhausted. Bill walked up to him and greeted him with a hardy handshake. Bella came closer as well and surprisingly, hugged him. Bill sort of stepped back looking rather jealous.
"I didn't get a chance to thank you last night," she said smiling. "I really thought that collar would remove most of the boy's natural instincts, but I guess it was still afraid of silver either way,"
"Well, it was still lucky that he wore it. Because of it your sister was unharmed by him,"
"After reading that last note left by my great uncle in the key box, I was sure that everything was falling into place but I never expected them to already have taken the collar,"
"I can't believe he wanted to bring her to that area though. I felt horrible," he said as Bella took her place back next to Bill.
"Why? What was so special about that area?" questioned Bill, still a bit unsettled.
"Well... that was where I met him for the first time. The moment we entered I knew that that area familiar has a familiar smell. The madness clouded my mind about who the child was when it all happened for the first time, but it came back to me when once I returned. You see; I'm the one who infected the boy," said Lupin with a look of regret in his face.
"Oh... sorry." said Bill as Bella put her hand on his shoulder.
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other remorsefully. They remembered that night very well, the night when Lupin was the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts and when he had forgotten to take his potion. He had come back from that dreadful night telling them that he didn't eaten anything... but he didn't seem to remember the small bite he managed near sunrise that night.
"I really didn't want to bring you into this, but everyone was a bit touchy about the werewolf capture unit working here. I did what I thought was right..."
"Now everyone, let's not think of such worrisome times. We have found out about Christopher and everyone's safe. There should be smiles upon our faces this day," said Dumbledore twinkling.
"He's right. Mr. Lupin, Mr. Potter; you are both relieved from the ministry positions as of today and may continue on normally. I have a letter for each of you for your services," said Bella in a very professional tone.
Harry and Lupin smiled widely. Their grins were very cheerful indeed and made everyone else smile...well, not exactly everyone. From amidst the shadows of the Headmaster's office crept out Professor Snape as nearly everyone jumped. He didn't say a word but extended his hand to Belladona with a grim expression. She took it and then Snape, revolted, extended it towards Lupin and Harry. They both shook it and then Snape excused himself from the headmaster's office. Everyone else left as well and took their separate roads in the halls. The infamous trio left with Lupin as Bill and Bella began to walk away. Bill was about to speak when they met someone in the halls; it was Professor Trelawney. She looked at Bella with that same sense of loathing that she had always shown for her as she passed by. Once she was a couple of steps behind them, they could hear her mutter: "Your kind will not be able stay here for long! Hogwarts has a way of expelling EVIL from its midst!" Bill turned his head to see the Divinations teacher turn the corner and vanish. He looked at Bella who seemed annoyed.
"Mind my asking but..." started Bill.
"She – She is a MORON! Honestly! I can't believe anyone could be so childish! It's not like it's my fault!!!" she said through gritted teeth.
"So -" said Bill.
"Ever since first year! I mean, you'd think a grown woman couldn't be jealous of a student! Sure I was a bit smug but I was just a child I –"
"Bella PLEASE! I'm sick of mysteries!" said Bill waiting for a straight answer.
"Sorry!" she said as she began to calm down. "Well, you know about my power right?; The future charm that I did yesterday?"
"Yes, your whole family can do it right? A friend of mine told me so,"
"That's right but we didn't always have that power. It only came to us 5 generations ago when one of my great-grandfathers married... a Vanessa Trelawney," she said with sarcasm in her voice.
Bill then exploded with laughter. Bella was not happy about this re-action and started to playfully pummel him... as gently as one could pummel anyone. She began to laugh after Bill couldn't take the hits and started to whine about how they hurt. They continued to walk and headed outside to the castle grounds.
Meanwhile the Gryffindors had made their way to one of the towers that overlooked the grounds. As they began to talk, and stared outside, they could hear quick footsteps. To their amazement Acacia and Christopher came running up to them. Christopher had a little scratch on his cheek and looked just as fatigued as Lupin.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on your way to get registered at the ministry?" asked Harry to Christopher.
"They'll be coming for me soon. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I just didn't want anyone to know about me. I thought it would be easier for everyone, including my parents, if I worked this out alone,"
Lupin gave a caring smile and kneeled down to the lad who looked away grimly. Christopher looked up and stared into the man's eyes.
"I did that didn't I?" he said looking at the scratch. "I'm sorry. I remember what happened when I found out for the first time too. I didn't want to tell anyone but I had to eventually and trust me, things will be better now that others know. They'll be able to take care of you, and you shouldn't try to push them away," he said in a soft voice.
Christopher nodded agreeing and then looked at Acacia. She grinned happily and then went up to the Hermione and Ron. They had both questioned her on her leg and she said that a night at the matron's, Madame Pomfry, was all she needed. As Harry stared outside through the window they could see Bill and Bella walking calmly.
There was a cool breeze blowing against them as it lifted Belladona's hair elegantly. Bill couldn't help but smile with adoration. However, the heavy weight of the letter of Gringotts lingered in the pit of his stomach. The sad feeling that he'd been carrying since he had received it did not pass for it was a reality that he had to face. He had to tell her the news.
"I – I'm going to have to leave soon," he said as Bella looked at him.
"Oh... When?" she asked.
"Very soon. But I'll see what I can do about staying here for Christmas. What about you? You're done your work here, will you be leaving too?"
"Probably. I should be getting a letter anytime now. They're always keeping me busy. Besides, it would be far simpler for Dumbledore to get a replacement for me before the holidays are over. Where will you be going after you return?"
"I don't know. It could be anywhere. They might just send me back to Egypt. There's always something left for me to do there. I never know what I'll be doing next or where I'll be heading until they tell me at the bank. I could also go to Australia or America..." he said as he turned to look at the girl.
Her expression was dim and her eyes were reduced to tiny slits. Bella stared at the snow as they walked. Bill knew she felt the same way he did: unable to bare the thought them being separated. He thought for a moment as he looked at some birds fly by. But then suddenly he felt a pair of arms grasp his body tightly. Belladona laid her head on his chest as she whispered through a sorrowful voice:
"It's not fair,"
"I know... but I won't be gone forever... Although, I never know how long I'll be gone. But I know where you are... and I know that I... that I could never care for anyone the way I do for you... I... I love you and I'll find my way to you no matter what," said Bill shutting his eyes tightly finally saying the words he felt in his heart the moment he saw Bella.
She looked up and stared at him tear stricken. These words, these simple words that slipped from Bill's lips were something that she only imagined in her mind; something that she had fantasized long ago. These fantasies belonged to a young and naïve girl caught in illusions of dream and admiration during teenaged years. She had grown up, she had moved on. She thought that the love she had was just another part of life she had to go through: a stain she had to wash off. How wonderful that dreams come true!
"I... I love you too. I always have," she murmured.
Bill's face was overcome with a soft stare. He lifted her face and gazed within those same pale-blue eyes. Glinting and wet, his eyes shone against the sunlight. He leaned over and kissed her with the same passion and desire he had the first time that he knew that he was hers. Bella gripped with one hand the medallion that hung around her neck with a sense of longing. She'd at least be bringing some part of him with her, along with his heart. Bella let the other hand loosely hang on her side as it began to glow a deep purple. Bill took no notice in the light as his lips stayed firmly against hers and his eyes closed. As the light glowed and dimmed, Bella suddenly felt something drop into her hand. She then opened her eyes after the embrace and lifted the item into view. It was a belladonna flower. She wasn't sure why she produced it but her best guess was that she wanted to give him a part of herself too, so he could remember her. With a smile and rosy cheeks over her fair skin she offered it to Bill who took it without a second thought.
From the window, everyone looked at the couple happily. Ron and Hermione were hugging as Ron kissed her on the forehead. Harry smiled at Christopher and Lupin but Acacia was frowning sadly. Lupin had noticed and asked the girl what was wrong.
"Well... She'll be leaving won't she? And so will Bill... None of them have anymore reasons to stay," she said.
"Hmmm... You're right. They'll both be gone and we'll be getting a new Dark Arts teacher," said Harry as he reflected upon the situation.
"But that means that Bill will go somewhere else! They'll never see each other again! Well, not for a very long time," said Hermione as she turned around to look at Harry.
Acacia's little eyes were sorrowed. This couldn't end this way. Everything can have a happy ending! She then looked outside again and looked at them. They were a lovely couple. She then lifted her head enlightened; a smile spread across her face as she stepped away from the group and put her fingertips on her temples.
"Acerbus Divinatio -Acerbus Divinatio -Acerbus Divinatio - Acerbus Divinatio..." she muttered.
There was a flash of light as Acacia's body became stiff. She sifted through images of fog and white to see her sister and Bill's faces. When she surfaced from the deep trance she grinned. The others looked at her questioningly. Acacia wasn't nearly half as worn out as Bella was during her visions. The girl just stood there and said:
"We haven't seen the last of the two,"
THE END
