Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot belongs to me. No matter what the plot ferrets whisper to me in my sleep. Cheeky little buggers they are.

Reflections and quiet moments:

Harry walked slowly into the Great Hall with his fiance, Ginevra Weasley, on his arm. Of course, with the exceptions of her mum, Harry, and possibly professor Dumbledore, nobody would think to call her Ginevra. To most, she was simply Ginny. Harry only called her that when he was feeling exceptionally amorous, or trying to get a rise out of her. Each was extremely proud to be with the other. Harry still felt a bit of a prat at times, when he thought about how blind he'd been for most of the time he'd known her. He was also surprised and gratified that, aside from a bit of occasional teasing, she didn't seem to hold it against him.

The couple looked around the hall as they entered. The enchanted ceiling overhead showed a clear sky, the moon just past full, and all of the stars showing clearly. Thanks to all of the late night classes they had in astronomy, they were able to pick out all the constellations. Both paused a moment, as they found Sirius. It seemed somehow fitting to Harry that the Dog Star would be the brightest in the night sky.

Dobby and the rest of the house elves, as well as Hagrid, had outdone themselves with the decorations this year. The were pumpkins the size of carriages along the walls, floating just above the floor. The face of each was carved in the likeness of great wizards or witches. They pointed them out to each other as they passed, recognizing such notables as Merlin, each of the four founders of Hogwarts, Dumbledore, and Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle. However, when Ginny saw the largest one, behind the head table, she didn't just giggle, she let out a full-bodied laugh that had everybody looking. Harry looked to see what had her in such hopeless mirth, and his face broke into a blush worthy of all of the members of the Weasley clan put together. For at the very front of the room was a pumpkin easily twice the size of the rest, in an all too accurate likeness of Harry Potter, himself.

Harry mumbled, "Dammit, Dobby." and reached for his wand to do something about this.

Ginny put her hand over his, preventing him from bringing out his wand. "Leave it alone, dear. I kind of like it. It's the first thing I've seen that does you justice, in it's way." She grinned at him impishly. "Pity Remus couldn't see this. I may have to borrow a camera from somebody. Save it for posterity, you know." At the look on his face, she couldn't help herself, and started giggling.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Fine. I won't blast it. Yet." Shaking his head as he slid his arm back through hers, he said, "You do realize of course, that you are possibly the only one who could get me to leave that thing alone."

They made their way up to the head table and took their seats, nodding to the others already seated. A moment later, Dumbledore rose from his seat and waited for the hall to quiet. It didn't take long, and he briefly addressed those assembled.

"It seems a strange thing to address all of you without the threat of death and violence hanging over our heads. I could quite get used to this feeling, I think." He glanced over at Harry, a twinkle in his blue eyes, then back at the assembled students. "I rather think we all could. And now, before we all expire from starvation, I'll just say two more words. Tuck in."

The tables groaned from the weight of all of the food that appeared. Harry could almost see Ron, himself, Seamus, and all the rest, enthusiastically loading up their plates. It was good to think of the Hallowe'en feasts enjoyed here, though a little said to remember those who wouldn't have the chance to savor them anymore. Ginny noticed his pensive look and laid a hand on his arm.

"A galleon for your thoughts?"

"A Galleon? Really? Last I heard it was a knut."

"Inflation, you know. What's wrong, love?"

"Nothing's really wrong, exactly. Just a little reminiscing is all."

She nodded, knowing what preyed on his mind. "Harry, I miss them, too. We all do. Hell, I even miss Percy, the prat." Ginny squeezed her fiance's hand comfortingly, and went on. "Think of it this way. Do you really think Sirius, Cedric, Dean, all the rest of them would want us to spend all out times mourning them, when we could be going on with our lives?" She chuckled a bit now. "Okay, maybe Percy would."

Harry had to laugh a little at this. "You're right. He probably is the only one who would. Thanks, love." He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently.

"Of course I am. I'm always right. Now, let's eat. I'm famished, and this looks delicious."

The most powerful wizard currently living rolled his eyes a bit, and said simply, "Yes, dear." as he piled food onto his own plate, and tucked in.

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Remus and Tonks were settled together on a couch in his quarters, watching the fire, and listening to an all-music station on the Wizarding Wireless. He was stretched out on the couch, his head in her lap. He was still very tired, though the transformations now took much less out of him, due to the reduced stress level he was under these days. The only other real stress in his life now was that brought on by his job, his impending marriage, and everyday life in general. Now, when he was in the throes of his lunar cycle, all he had to worry about was keeping himself together and making it to the next day.

Nymphadora Tonks was gazing down upon the face of her beloved, more happy than she could ever remember being. The peace she saw reflected there was all she needed right now. She was also thrilled to see the happiness in his eyes. He'd had so much on his plate for so long, that though he was only in his mid-thirties, he had already picked up more grey hairs than somebody his age would normally have. She teased him about it occasionally, but actually found it quite attractive. It made him look a bit more distinguished, not that he needed the help. She ran her fingers through his hair, smoothing it back.

He looked up at her now, and said, "Dora, I need to ask you something."

"What's that, Remus?"

"Why me? Why do you love me? You could have anyone you want."

"You have got to be kidding me. How could I not love you?"

"Huh?" was the response from the baffled werewolf.

"Remus, you are the most caring, loving man I've ever known. You're gorgeous, handsome, and sexy. You also know how to treat a girl, no matter how plain she might be."

"Dora, you're not plain at all. I think you're rather lovely, as I think I've mentioned a few times."

"That's the other thing, love. You actually prefer me, my own natural self, rather than asking me to look like someone else. Do you have any idea how many men would ask me to look like somebody else, one of those muggle singers or actresses, or somebody else for that matter?" She leaned down to kiss him, savoring the taste of him. "Rather refreshing, that is."

Remus looked her straight in the eye and asked, "Why would I want you to look like somebody else, when it's you I love?"

She kissed him again and said, "See? That's why I love you."

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In a small flat in Diagon Alley, a table was set with candles and fine china. A bottle of Dom Perignon was off to the side, chilling. In the background, the Wizarding Wireless was playing softly. In the kitchen, the scene was a bit less tranquil. Ron was keeping watch over the pots and pans bubbling there, wanting to make sure nothing boiled over or burned. He had spent a good part of his free time over the past week at the Burrow, with Molly teaching him cooking charms. He wanted this night to be a special one. This would be the first time that Hermione and he had a meal that wasn't at a resturaunt, cooked by one of their mothers, or some sort of take-away. With his training with the team, and her starting classes to become a teacher, they hadn't had a lot of time alone, lately. There was also the fact that tonight was an anniversary of sorts.

He had just finished getting everything on the table, with warming spells set on the plates, when he heard a knock at the door. He answered the door, and it was Hermione. He greeted her with a kiss, and took her cloak, to hang it up in the closet. Ron asked, "So how was class today?"

"A bit brutal, if interesting. The study schedule they have us on is incredible. I just don't know how I'm going to get through it all." She told him about her day, the things she was learning, and some of the people in class with her. One surprise was that she was in class with both Neville and Luna. It seemed fairly obvious that Neville would one day be teaching herbology, but all bets were off when it came to trying to figure Luna out.

He excused himself for a moment to go change, and came back wearing a pair of black jeans, and a blue jumper. "Sorry about that, Mione. I'd just finished getting dinner ready, and hadn't had a chance to change when you got here."

The bushy-haired witch looked him up and down hungrily. "Actually, Ron, I am hungry, but not for food, at the moment."

He took her meaning instantly, and said, "Well, there are warming spells on the plates, so we could go have a quick appetizer." He waggled his eyebrows at her, and led her to the bedroom.

A while later, sated in one way, but with appetites for food now at full strength, they made their way back to the dining room. Ron held Hermione's chair for her, sliding it in as she sat. He gave her a kiss before sitting across from her. They went to work on dinner now with a vengeance. He smirked a bit, as he saw that her appetite for the simple pasta dish he had prepared was almost at the same level as his.

"You know, love, there is more in the kitchen, if you'd like. Just don't eat the plate. You'll need it to get more." He loved seeing the spark in her eyes that told him she was about to tell him off. This was why he did it. Except for the bedroom, the only time she let go of herself was when they argued.

Just as Hermione was opening her mouth with a quick retort, she saw the crinkles at the corners of his deep blue eyes. Her mouth snapped shut and she folded her arms across her chest, as her expression became one of realization. "Oh, honestly. I can't believe I let you do this to me." She pouted now. "How is it you know exactly what buttons to push?"

Ron came around to her side of the table now, pulling her off her chair and into a hug. Holding her close, he replied, "Only because you've shown them to me, time and again, love." They separated now, and he took her hand, leading her into the sitting room. "I have a surprise for you."

Her eyes perked up at this. "Oh? What is it?" She wasn't expecting the nice dinner he had made, much less any other surprises. She felt vaguely guilty, as she hadn't done anything so nice for him, lately. Her curiosity was definitely piqued.

"Well, I was thinking the other day, and..." He saw the teasing lift of the eyebrows she gave him, with a barely supressed grin. "Alright, now. No need to be like that. I do think every now and then." At her giggle, he gathered what dignity he had left and continued. "At any rate, I was thinking about how Hallowe'en is kind of our anniversary. Back in our first year, that was when Harry and I took care of that mountain troll, and you became our other best friend. That's when all this started, you know. I think that was when I started to know that you had to be a part of my life. Aside from Ginny, you were the first person I'd ever found myself wanting to protect." He waved his hand at a spot on the coffee table, murmuring, "Disillusio", and a small box, red with a gold ribbon and bow, appeared in the center of the table. He picked it up, and offered it to her. "I just wanted you to have something to remind you that, well, I'll always be here for you. No matter what."

She took the box, removing the ribbon and letting it fall to her lap. She opened it, and inside was a charm bracelet, with four charms. The first was of a mountain troll, with it's arms raised over it's head. Next was a club, almost exactly like the one the troll had carried. There was a wand, shooting tiny sparks, and finally, was a heart, with the initials 'R & H' inside it. She felt her eyes tearing, and set the box down on the table before wrapping her arms around him, holding him tight.

She whispered into his ear, "You don't know how much this means to me, Ron. I can't even imagine what my life would be like, if I'd never met you." She pulled back a moment, then smiled wryly at him. "Of course, if it weren't for you saying awful things about me, I never would have spent that entire day sobbing in the girl's loo, so..."

Even Ron couldn't argue with this. He cringed a bit now, remembering how mean he had been. "I was a right little prat, wasn't I?"

"Yes you were, Ronald Weasley. You said I was a nightmare. So, do I still give you bad dreams?"

He pulled her back into his embrace. "Not at all, Mione, my love. Now, it's just good dreams, all around."

The two of them stayed wrapped in each other's arms the rest of the night, each enjoying just being with the one they loved.

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Molly Weasley sat on the bench in the back yard at the Burrow, looking up at the stars. They were especially bright tonight, as the sky was a cloudless one. Ottery St Catchpole, not being exceptionally close to any major city, didn't have to worry about the glow of city lights obscuring the night-time sky. Thus, even on a night when the moon was just past full, and very bright, a watcher could still make out almost every constellation in the heavens. This Hallowe'en night, the matriarch of the Weasley family had searched out the brightest star, and was carrying on a quiet, if slightly one-sided, conversation.

"Sirius, you wouldn't believe how well your godson turned out. He did it, he really did. It's still hard to believe it's all over, and it's been months, now. I'm so glad he gave up the idea of becoming an auror. I think we all spent entirely too long worrying about who was going to live and who would die. Now, all he has to worry about is unruly students. He and Ginny have been engaged for a couple of months now, and to look at them, you'd think they'd been together since time began. They seem to know what the other is thinking, and finish each other's sentences almost as much as the Twins. Arthur asked me a few days ago why I've been encouraging the two of them so much, 'pushing them' to get a place together, in his words." She shook her head at this. "I pointed out to him that, until she joined him on that trip, I was scared that we would never have the Ginny we knew back. After she almost died in that Chamber, she changed. She had been the most carefree, curious, free child I had ever seen. After that happened, she was so withdrawn, so depressed. She thought we didn't hear the nightmares, but a mother knows. I knew, always. She'd started getting better after Voldemort's fall, but nowhere near what I'd hoped. When Harry asked her to come to America to join him, and I saw the hope in her eyes, I saw there was a chance for her to finally heal. I think she has now, finally. She and Harry will be together forever, now." She pulled a tissue from her pocket, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eye. "I wish you, James and Lily could have seen that proposal at the ball. By the time he'd finished, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, so I guess my getting a bit emotional wasn't entirely out of place.

"Please tell Lily and James how very proud we all are to know their son. Arthur and I have done the very best we could, to make sure he knows he's loved, and has a family. I knew Lily from school, and later on the Order, but never as well as I'd wished. We're very proud that he feels that he can call our family his own. I hope she doesn't mind that he calls me Mum, but I have to say that it warms my heart. It means as much to me as when my own sons say it. As far as they're concerned, he's been a brother since day one." She grinned now, shaking her head. "He's still the only one Fred and George won't ever prank. They know he'll get them back, in spades. Especially after what they all did to the Dursleys. I still don't know all the details, and I'm not sure I want to. All I know is that I heard him, Ginny, and the Twins laughing in her room one night, and she said something about making a cat a secret-keeper. That's when I decided I didn't want any details. Though, mind you, I wouldn't mind seeing pictures of the results."

She heard her husband calling from the house now. He must have just gotten home from the Ministry. "Well Sirius, if I don't get inside there now, Arthur's liable to come looking, and wonder what his batty old wife is doing out here, sitting in the dark, talking to herself. Say hi to James and Lily for us." With that, Molly got up from the bench and dusted herself off, heading into the house to greet her husband. She thought to herself that she'd really have to talk to the Twins tomorrow about seeing those pictures.

A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out. Parts of it were almost as hard to write as the last one, and this one was less than half the length. Go figure. That's what happens when your muse goes on vacation, and the temp agency refuses to send another one. Apparently, I made the last one cry. Not sure how I did that, but oh well. On the up side, I think that I now know what direction I want to take my other continuing story. Hopefully (fingers crossed) I'll have the next chapter for that one in a day or two. I'm also collaborating with my wife on her first fanfic. Once it's posted, I'll put a link to it in my profile. That may even be later on tonight, for the first chapter. Now, just a couple quick replies to my generous reviewers.

Lady of Masbolle: Thanks again, for the kind words.

GiGiFanFic: Thank you, my dear. That was a tough chapter to write. I had a lot of stuff to cover, while trying not to make it sound that way. A slight dichotomy there, you might say. Thankfully, it seems to have worked.

Sibling Creature: I know what you mean about the whole professor/headmaster/timetable thing. A few authors have managed to make the prospect of Harry as headmaster fairly plausible, but not many. At least that I've seen.

Silver Warrior: I'm glad you're enjoying my stories. I've been a fan of Piers Anthony's Xanth series for what seems forever. They're a wonderful romp through fantasy, and great fun to read. I believe his original 'trilogy' is up to something like 21 books, now. Spider Robinson's world is also awesome. The books to find out more about that particular house of very good repute would be 'Lady Slings the Booze' and 'Callahan's Lady'.