Long Time Love Chapter 12: Epilogue, a harry potter fanfic

Well, here I was thinking that this was all done and dusted when Lyny Angell goes and asks for an epilogue. Hope it comes up to scratch. Let me say a final thank you to all those who have reviewed and to all those that may review long after I have forgotten about this. xxx

Long Time Love.

Chapter 12.

Epilogue.

A year had passed. Voldemort had been defeated, for good this time. The aurors, Ron, Hermione and of course Severus, had weakened him enough for Harry to cast the final blow. Harry and Ginny had become engaged and their wedding ceremony was going to take place in a couple of days.

"Are you ready?" Remus asked Kate as they stood inside the closed doors at Hogwarts.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied.

As he reached out his hand to take the door handle Kate stopped him.

"Please," she said. "Let me. If I cant open the door I don't think I will ever find the strength to walk through it."

Remus pulled his hand away, his eyes full of understanding.

"Ok," he said softly.

"Thank you Remus. I love you," she said placing a hand on his cheek. "You have been so patient with me. Lets do this shall we?"

Kate placed her hand on the handle and paused for a moment before slowly turning it. She took a deep breath and pulled the door towards her, her other hand gripping Remus' tightly. The moment the door was open the world began to spin before her eyes and she hastily closed it again.

"I can't do this," she said, her eyes filling with tears.

"Yes you can," he replied. "I know you can. Think about Harry and Ginny, about how much you want to be at the wedding, how much they want you there. They are why you are doing this. Remember?"

"No, I can't do it," she cried desperately.

"I believe you can Miss Parker," came Severus' voice from behind them. "If you give up now after coming this far then you are not the woman I thought you were." He looked around him for a second to make sure that no one else was listening before he continued. "Do you not remember the way the sky looks during a sunrise or sunset? Or the way a bird looks when it is in full flight? What about the way the grass smell after it has been raining? Do you not even remember the way it feels to have the sun on your face? There is beauty all around you Miss Parker. Beauty that will have gone to waste, if you do not open your eyes."

Both Kate and Remus, especially Remus, stood looking at him with their mouths slightly open. She did remember those things, vaguely, in the back of her mind, but they were there none the less. Slowly she turned to the door once again and with a deep breath she flung the door open wide. Fighting back the nausea that threatened to overcome her she looked out into the world that she had been hidden from for so long.

"Beautiful isn't it Miss Parker?" Severus said, gauging her reaction and seeing her to be quite anxious. "It's just a shame you lacked the courage to do this weeks ago. I believe I overestimated you Miss Parker.

"What?" Kate said, unable to believe what she was hearing. "What did you just say?"

"Well it appears you are no more than a weak and humble Hufflepuff after all Miss Parker." He sneered.

"How dare you Severus Snape. I thought we were friends. I should have known. I've been warned about how you used to be, with your prejudices. Oh and another thing, I have told you time and time again my name is Kate."

"It's no good you know," Remus said. "He's been a professor for too long. I've never known him to call anyone by anything other than their Surname."

"Well it's about time he started then. Severus you get back here." She ran down the steps and reached out to grab his arm, turning him to face her. "My name is Kate. Not Parker or Miss Parker. It's Kate, and I'm not letting you go until you say it."

Severus just looked at her and smirked.

"And just what in Merlin's name are you smirking at?" She demanded.

Severus just looked up. Curiosity getting the better of her, Kate followed his gaze. Her eyes went wide as she realised where she was.

"Never underestimate the power of distraction Kate," he whispered pulling himself free. "Well it seems my job here is done, I will see you both at the wedding."

She watched him go feeling lighter than she had felt in a long time. She was finally released from her prison. Everything looked so different, yet strangely familiar. She turned around to face Remus who had a huge grin on his face.

"You knew what he was up to didn't you?" She asked.

"Yes," he replied laughing. "And I'm kicking myself that I didn't think of it first."

The day was perfect. The sky was blue, the air was still and Ron, Remus and Severus were stood next to Harry waiting for Ginny to make her big entrance. After the final battle Severus found himself free to make his own choices once more in regards to friendships. He discovered that the-boy-who-lived-to-be-a-pain-in-his-arse and co really weren't that bad after all, even though at times he was loath to admit it.

"Don't look so nervous Harry," Ron said with a grin. "Everything is going to be fine. In a few minutes Ginny is going to be here and before you know it you are going to be wondering what you were so bloody nervous about."

"What if I forget what I'm supposed to say?" He asked.

"You wont," Ron said. "Hermione has been through it with you a thousand times. There is no way you could forget it after that."

Seeing that he wasn't quite getting through to him he nudged Severus who realised that it was his turn to give last minute words of wisdom.

"It doesn't matter if you get the wording exactly right or not Mr Potter, what matters is that you mean them." And that was as much as they were going to get out of him.

Remus rolled his eyes and decided on a different approach.

"You know something Harry," he said to the young man. "James was the same age as you when he and your mother got married."

"Really?" Harry replied.

"Oh yes. His robes were just a shade darker than the ones you are wearing. Your mother? She looked breath taking, as I'm sure Ginny will be. If they were here today they would be so proud of the man you have become. So very proud."

Harry felt his eyes prickle as he heard those words. He really did wish his parents were there but he had no time to dwell on that right now, he would have plenty of time after the ceremony. Anyway, at least he didn't feel nervous anymore. Suddenly he felt a poking in his side.

"Heads up Harry," he heard Ron say, and he lifted his head to see Ginny walking towards him. She looked radiant in a flowing gown of purest white. Her red hair was loose and trailed down her back in waves. She came to stop in front of him and smiled making him feel a little lightheaded. They both turned to face their old headmaster and waited for him to begin.

Dumbledore "We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Ginevera Weasley and Harry James Potter. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.

"Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Harry and Ginevera have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing.

"Ginevera, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?"

Ginny "Yes, it is true."

Dumbledore "With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you."

Arthur Weasley "She comes with me, her father, and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings."

Dumbledore "Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...

"Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.

"Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for the lord and Lady are with you always.

"Harry, I have not the right to bind thee to Ginevera, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand."

Harry "It is my wish."

Dumbledore "Ginevera, if it be your wish for Harry to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger." She places ring on Harry's left ring finger.

"Ginevera I have not the right to bind thee to Harry only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand."

Ginny "It is my wish."

Dumbledore "Harry, if it be your wish for Ginevera to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger." He places ring on Ginny's left ring finger.

Harry

"I, Harry James Potter, in the name of the spirit of Lord and lady that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Ginevera to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways, as I respect myself."

Ginny

"I Ginevera Weasley, in the name of the spirit of Lord and Lady that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Harry James to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself."

Dumbledore Hands a chalice to Harry saying to both of them. "May you drink your fill from the cup of love."

Harry holds chalice to Ginny's lips while she takes a sip. He then hands it to Ginny who holds it to Harrys lips while he takes a sip. The chalice is then handed back to Dumbledore who sets it on the table. Next Dumbledore takes the plate of bread and gives it to Harry. The same procedure is repeated.

"By the power vested in me by Lord and Lady, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. So mote it be."

As Dumbledore says these last words he winds a cord around their hands binding them as one.

It was a few days after the wedding and Harry and Ginny had gone off on their honeymoon. Remus and Kate were going through the photos that had been taken. Coming to one the looked at each other and smiled.

"I don't believe it," Kate said. "Remus, do you see this?"

"I see it," he replied softly.

It appeared that through the power of the second generation the Marauders had been re-constituted.

Kate pointed to Harry. "That's James," she said." She then moved on to Severus, "And that is Sirius."

"Don't tell Severus that though." Remus said with a laugh.

"You have always been there," Kate continued. She then moved to Ron and froze.

"He's nothing like wormtail love," he said placing a hand over hers.

"No," she agreed. "He's not." She then lifted her chin and said, "But I think he would make an excellent replacement."

"I think so too," Remus said. "He's a true Marauder that one."

"I never thought I would ever see this day, the Marauders back together again," Kate said, her eyes beginning to fill up.

"It's been too long love," he agreed placing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him.

"It most certainly has," came her reply as she laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around his waist.

And so let us leave them, close the door if you will. Allow them to remember past friends and to discover a new future, a future where the Marauders are together once more. For it seems time has a way of re-setting itself, of trying to correct what should never have been.

THE END

And I mean it this time. Lol.