Moon City Of Seven Fountains

Disclaimer: You know ,the usual. I don't own this that or the other thing!

A/N: My last sequel, Harry & Merida are married. Though the Dark Lord is gone, tragedy still strikes & Remus tries to help, ending up lost in another realm.

(1)The Loss

It was two days after Voldomort was gone for good. But the Dark Lord had taken quite a few good people with him. Harry sighed, stretched & got off the couch in Grimmauld. He mentally tallied off those close to him that he had lost.

Frederick Weasley
George Weasley
Neville Longbottom

Harry sighed again. Those weren't the only ones he had known. There was also Draco Malfoy & Percy Weasley who had killed each other in cross-fire. The weird news? Draco had done the unexpected & willingly died for someone he didn't even like! The worse news? Percy had been a Death Eater & was trying to kill Ronald Weasley & recuite his sister Ginny, to the dark side. Harry stood by the fireplace, put his hands on the mantle & leaned in so his forehead touched. How often had Sirius used this to commune with him at Hogwarts? Harry groaned. Mustn't think of that now!

He felt something cool moving by his left hand. Trevor! He had promised Neville to look after the toad. Harry picked him up & strode over to the aquarium. Every time, he puts the toad in. Every time, the toad escapes! But if Merida handled it, Trevor would behave! Ah, Merida! Harry's fiancee! Harry sighed again, remebering that the Order also, lost someone. Kingsley Shacklbolt for one.

And Severus Snape, Merida's father! It was odd how he died; getting caught in crossfire & falling from the castle. And who had done it? Remus Lupin. Harry thought back to the old Prophecy he & Merida had found at the begining of the year & played over in his mind what had transpired between those two since last Christmas Eve! Dumbledore had explained to him everything after it had happened.

Harry put on his black satin jacket over the rest of his black satin suit. Over the next three days, Harry, Merida & several others had 5 funerals to go to, actually more but the Weasleys would be done together as one. The first two were in an hour. He stepped into the fireplace & beamed over to the Snape Manor.

What was left of the Order were already there. There were several of Harry's school friends as well for the castle was half destroyed & this term ended quite abruptly. It didn't matter. Almost everyone had enough points to complete their OWLs or NEWTS, depending if they were year 6 or 7. Ron, Merida, Harry & others who had suffered a loss would be granted full credits on condition that they go to counselling over the summer. Ron had the worst of it! The others could finish off by correspondence. Hogwarts Castle would be repaired & ready for the next term.

Harry straightened up, brushed the soot off his face------which actually made it worse!-------& stepped into the large parlour.

"Harry?" some redheaded boy waved. "Harry, over here!"

"Hey Ron!" Harry marched over to him, accepting the hankerchief Ron held out to clean his face properly! "Where's Merida?"

"In her room with Ginny & Luna, getting dressed." Ron said. A moment of silence passed. "You know? I'm gonna miss his always-picking-on-Gryfindor attitude!"

"100 points from Gryfindor for that, Weasley!" Harry did a pretty good impression of the infamous Potions Master! In spite of the solem mode, Ron suffered a fit of giggles & Harry couldn't help but join in!

"I do not have attitude & Merida gets hers from her mother!" Ron added, doing his own impression.

"That would be something he'd say!" Harry smiled. "Not wanting to admit she got it from him!"

"A-HEM!!!" Merida snarled from behind & both Ron & Harry went red. "Hello boys!" She put her hands on her hips. She also, was in black satin, a dress that hugged her figure firmly & was strappless. She had high heel sandles & her hair was allowed to fall around her shoulders.

"Mmm, see what I mean?" Ron whispered in Harry's ears.

"Drop it while we both have a chance at life!" Harry warned.

"Mhm!" Merida groaned & pulled Harry into a kiss. "So---Weasley---shall I give you detention?" Ron laughed nervously. Merida shook her head & sighed. "Come on you two!" Merida linked arms with Harry on her left & Ron on her right & headed outside to where everyone had gathered. "& I do get "attitude" from my mother! The kind that gets girls pregnant?" Merida teased. Harry blushed profusely!

The Snape grounds were an extensive acreage of green pastures, crossed once or twice by a white fence. In one of the fields was a black unicorn. Buckbeak was also here somewhere, for Merida had said she would keep him safe. She always hated seeing him locked up in a room. Buckbeak, however, was at the time in the barn, recovering from a broken wing. It was better if he didn't share the same field with the unicorn again!

Harry glanced over to the barn & then gave a meaningful look to Merida. "He's fine, Harry!" Merida said for what was like the gazillionth time in the past few days! "Why do you like him so anyway?"

"He---er---saved my Godfather!" Harry shrugged it off & sat down beside Merida. Lately, he just couldn't stop thinking of him.

"Your Godfather?" Merida asked.

"Uh---yeah!" Harry sighed. "& me & Hermione from Remus during a full moon!" He tried changing the subject.

"I bet Buckbeak gave Remus a hard time," Merida said. "He has sharp talons!" She turned her attention to Dumbledore as everyone went silent.

"It has been a long hard war," Dumbledore began. "But we were victorious in the end. However, some among us still feel a certain loss." Dumbledore paused a moment before going on. "We are here today to honor two of our Order: Kingsley Shacklbolt & Severus Snape! Both served well. Both were good friends of mine! Both will be greatly missed." Dumbledore went on for another five minutes, mentioning a few things Shacklbolt & Snape had done. Then others, also said their piece.

Merida also stood up. "Mr. Shacklbolt was always there for us in time of need. He risked everything to help the Order. He stayed by us until the end. My father also, was his friend. Now, I'm sure the lot of you young ones are glad to be rid of him," There were a few chuckles at that! Merida herself, laughed softly. "he was an arrogant, stubborn, Slythering-favoring Professor"! More smothered laughs & Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling & getting misty!

"I'd rather have a werwolf for a teacher!" Ginny teased. "They're a lot nicer!"

Remus blushed up to his ears! What is it with the girls? Am I Gilderoy incarnate or something?!

"Ah, but he was a werwolf!" Merida laughed softly, glancing at Remus, letting him know she didn't mind. "Since Christmas!"

"He was?!" Ginny stared.

"Mhm!" Merida sighed & went on. "But he had his soft moments too. He was my father! I will miss him. 100 points from Gryfindor!" Merida winked at Harry as she stepped down while more giggles could be heard.

The day drifted slowly into the evening. It was a warm evening, the sun blazing over the mountains as the night birds began chirping. Both Kingsley Shacklebolt & Severus Snape were gone forever now; neither one became a ghost for neither one had feared death.

Merida curled up beside Harry in bed. She had asked him to stay until it was over. "Well, I guess that's it then!" Merida sighed.

"We still have the next two days to get through!" Harry said. "Then it'll be over. Are you sure you want to go tomorrow?"

"I'll go as an animal," Merida sighed. "I don't know if Lucious still wants to murder me or not but I'd like to see Draco one last time. It's the least I can do for him saving Ron & Ginny!"

"The Weasleys will be there," Harry said. "As will the rest of the Order!"

"They don't think he'll try anything," said Merida. "He's taking Draco's loss pretty hard but still, a large gathering of Malfoys & Lestranges is something to keep an eye on. Plus, Mr.'s Weasley & Malfoy seem to share a mutual bond right now considering what happened!"

"I can't blame them," Harry slid further under the covers & drifted off to sleep.

Harry woke up the next morning to a black panther hissing at him! "AHHHHHHHHHHH..................!!"

"Get up, lazy bones!" Merida changed back to herself. "We're going to be late!"

"Don't do that again, Meri!" Harry grumbled & yawned. "Or we'll have another funeral to go to & I'll be the one in the casket from dying of cardiac arrest!"

"Come on, silly!" Merida became a budgie & flitted around annoyingly like those parrots do!

"ALRIGHT! Alright!" Harry moaned & groaned & pulled himself out of bed & began to get dressed as Mystique flew out into the halls & headed for the stairs to go to the kitchen.

After Harry was ready for the second day, he headed out of the bedroom & then realised he was lost! This was the first time he was in the Snape Manor & it was huge. Typical pureblood style, with golden doorhandles, brass posts on stairways, chrystal chandeliers everywhere! It had 5 bedrooms so there was no worries when the baby came. Merida had inherited it all. Harry wandered through the upper halls aimlessly. How did Merida get downstairs? Merida, of course, had a whole summer to get used to the place; Harry, however, didn't have a clue! Well he'd better get used to it & there was no time like the present!

After 10 minutes, Harry finally found the main stairs & went down. These stairs spread out like a scallop at the bottom & led into the parlour.

"Mistress is waiting in the kitchen for you," came a familiar house-elf voice. "Would the young master like me to show him the way?"

"Winky!" Harry stared "What are you doing here?"

Winky smiled shyly. "Mistress found me in Hogwarts when it was broken. Mistress took me home. Here!"

"Uh--of course!" Harry stammered. So like Merida! Adopting everyone & everything that she took pity on----which was everything & everyone! "I'm completely lost! Where is Merida?"

"Ah, follow me!" Winky bowed & scurried along, Harry following close behind.

"There you are!" Merida handed Harry some breakfest. "Figured you'd be lost so I sent Winky after you!"

"Thanks!" Harry laughed. "This place is huge! By the way, where's Dobby?"

"Oh, he's fine!" said Merida. "They all are, but you know Dobby! He likes to be free!"

"I know him!" Harry sighed. "All to well!" Harry didn't mind house-elves at all, just found "some" of them annoying!

"I found Winky trapped under some rubble," Merida went on. "I took her home so I'll have someone to help me when the baby arrives. I don't want you to give up your Auror training just for me! It's what you've always wanted & most of Voldomort's Death Eaters are still out there!"

"Merida, I-----!"

"Now Harry!" Merida said in a warning voice. "I know it's what you've always wanted. It's all you ever talk about! Being like your parents & stuff like that! I'm not going to let you give up your life-long dream just for me!"

Harry could see there was no arguing with her. After all, she was right! He wanted to be just like his parents & be an Auror & then he & Remus could do what they pleased as Marauders. That's the way it was supposed to be; the way it was going to be, before Peter messed it up! But Harry didn't mention anything about becoming a full-time Marauder! Well almost full-time. He hadn't learned animagic. Harry sat there, finishing his breakfast, looking innocent! "Thanks Meri!" He gave up.

"Are you "up to something"?" Merida quoted one of her father's favorite lines, the others being "detention" & "so-many-points from Gryfindor"! Harry shook his head & smiled pleasently.

"Hmm," Merida sighed. Let's go! She became a crow, something black, & flew out the door.

It was a warm spring day, summer could be felt. Most of the people at Draco's ceromony were from Slytherin but there were some from the other houses as well. Of course, the whole Slytherin Quidditch Team were decked out in Quidditch attire, carrying the newest yet-to-be-used brooms, the Firebolt Golden Edition. The Crabbe & Goyle families had arrived & Dumbledore was there & so were the Weasley's. Well, what was left of the Weasley's. Harry stayed close to them & watched as Mr.'s Weasley & Malfoy talked quietly on the side. Narcissa was standing by Lucios. Mystique landed in a tree close by & cawed a few times. Harry waved swiftly towards her & then focused all his attention on Lucious Malfoy---just in case!

Lucious Malfoy was striding right towards Harry. They eyed each other for what seemed an eternity before Lucious spoke. "I'm glad you could come, Potter! In spite of everything!"

"Draco was a good Quidditch adversay, Harry smiled pleasently. "& he did save two of my friends with out a second thought for himself. He was a good man in the end!"

Yes he was, Lucious agreed. "& how is Merida doing?"

"She's fine!" Harry's smile became a little more stiff. "She can't be here; considering your presence here, of course, but she sends her condolences!" Harry's gazed shifted a millimeter to check on the crow in the tree.

"It was war then," said Lucious. "I was only doing what I was ordered. She's safe from me now & I'm glad Severus had the chance to know her! We WERE friends once, after all!"

"Yes, I know," Harry said, wondering just how much he could believe. Lucious had lied before.

Dumbledore stood up again & everyone went quiet. "We gather yet again to honor another who has fallen. It is a shame to lose one so young. Draco Malfoy was an excellent student & a valued Quidditch player." Mystique flew in closer & hopped along a fence as Dumbledore went on to mention a few more things. Only Dumbledore, it seemed, favored all Houses equally! Or perhaps it was just his duty as Headmaster to make a speech for a fallen student!

It was odd to be so close to Lucious without worrying what he'd do. Mystique preened a feather off her wing when he glanced her way, pretending to at least look like the local wildlife! Knew I should have taken Drama class!! Must! Caw! NOW! She let out a soft squauk! Harry pretended not to notice but his face was getting sore from trying not to smile.

Several others stood up after Dumbledore. The Slytherin Team, other Malfoys, Draco's friends. Friends?! Actually, he had quite a few, especially in his last year! Mostly Slytherin. But others as well. Zabini, Davies, even Lee Jordan the Quidditch commentator.

After the service, Harry & Mystique headed for home. Tomorrow would be the worst day!

The next morning found Harry & Merida at the Longbottom house along with the Weasley's, Dumbledore & just about everyone from Gryfindor, Hufflepuff & Ravenclaw as well as the Order & quite a number of Slytherins.

Neville's Grandma was talking to Allastor Moody. Remus & Merida noticed her & glanced at each other & smiled, trying not to think of a certain boggart! "The dress suits her just fine!" Merida said.

Remus snorted. "So why can't I get Snivellus out of my head?"

"I think Neville scarred us for life with his boggart!" Merida snickered. Remus doubled over for a moment, trying not to make a sound! "You alright?"

"Mhmmm!" Remus giggled, sounding like a pup, still doubled over.

"We have to see her, you know!"

"Mmm!" Remus puppy-whimpered again & straightened up.

"I wish father could see us now!" laughed Merida. "Think you can put together a few words?"

"Mmmmhmmm! Mmm!"

You're really getting a kick out of this, aren't you?" Merida asked.

"Mmmmm! Mmm!" Remus fled! "Be right back!"

"At least he can talk now!" Merida muttered, marching over to Harry as Dumbledore got up.

"Where's Remus? Harry asked. "I thought he would come?"

"He's here!" The corners of Merida's mouth twitched slightly.

"What?"

"Neville's boggart shape!"

"Oh, I see!" Harry laughed softly. "Great! Now I can't think straight!"

"This is going to be a really wierd service!" Merida tried to keep her face straight & solemn.

Remus reappeared just as Dumbledore began to speak. It looked like he had been crying but Merida doubted it was from grief! Merida moved sideways until she was standing beside him. Keeping her eyes on Dumbledore, she leaned sideways slightly. "You alright now?" she whispered hoarsly.

"Yes!" Remus hissed, gulping down a laugh.

"Oh for pity's sake!" Merida snarled quietly, eyes fixed on Dumbledore. "Pull yourself together!"

"Working on it!" Remus's lip curled slightly & showed a fang as he tried to keep from smiling.

Merida smacked herself in the head. "Why do I even bother?" she asked no one in particular.

After Dumbledore & others had said something, everyone greeted Mrs. Longbottom. Remus even managed a civilised conversation with her! How he kept his face straight, Merida would never know! Or not! Both Remus & Mrs. Longbottom suddenly burst out laughing. Apparantly, Merida found out later, he had finally broke down & told her about Neville's boggart.

"I've met Severus once or twice," said Mrs. Longbottom. "I can just imagine him! Oh, Neville was always complaining about him!"

Then, a miracle! Remus FINALLY went somber! Wow! There was a God after all!

"I've been meaning to say this for a while," Remus began. "I'm really sorry for infecting him last year!"

"Oh don't you bother yourself with it!" Mrs. Longbottom ordered. "Neville was a good pup & you took care of him!"

"Moony would have killed him," Remus went on. "if Ron wasn't there-----!"

"Now that's enough!" Mrs. Longbottom said with a tone of finallity. "Neville never once complained about it & if you must know, he never got around to attacking anyone either! So, you named your lupine self?"

"No, some of my friends did!" Remus said.

"Your Mauradering pack, I suppose?" Mrs. Longbottom went on.

"Yeah," Remus sighed.

Later that afternoon, Fred, George & Percy were laid to rest. The Weasley family had the worst of it. Losing three of their children in the same week was not an easy task.

Afterward, Ginny sat quietly in a corner of the living room at The Burrow, dipping a tea bag in & out of her swiftly cooling tea. Dumbledore & Mr. Weasly were chatting quietly. Bill & Charlie were looking through an old school album & commentating on the twins Quidditch acheivments. Merida was helping Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen. Ginny sighed & dropped the bag into her cup one last time.

"Told you to stay away from Percy!"

"Wha---Oh! Hi, Ron!" Ginny shrugged & stared into her tea.

Ron sat beside her. "I knew something was wrong the moment he left us!" He looked staight at Ginny. "He left us for Voldomort!"

"He's still our brother!" Ginny fumed.

"Ginny," Ron sighed exasperated. "He tried to kill us! I'm glad he's gone!" Ginny slammed her teacup into Ron's lap, got up & stormed off! "GINNY!!!"

"Mom?" Ginny entered the kitchen. "Next time someone leaves us like what Percy did, could you tell me? I'm not a baby anymore!"

"Oh I know that sweety," Mrs. Weasley sighed. "You were younger then but growing up so fast now!"

"Mom," Ginny went on. "Ron's glad he's gone!"

"He doesn't mean it!" said Mrs. Weasley. "He's just very angry & hurt! Give him time OK?"

"OK!" Ginny sighed. "But he'd better smarten up!"

It was late into the night when Harry & Merida returned to the Snape Manor. Finally, it was over! Now, everyone turned their attention to happeir times & a future wedding!