When it Comes to an End

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Harry Potter's eyes flew open in the wake of his nightmare. Since his first year at Hogwarts, he had been forced to endure the images of his parent's last night. He had been forced to hear his father's commands, and he had been forced to endure his mother's pleas, but never before had he been forced to see the occurrence of what had actually happened that night in its entirety. He sat up in bed and wiped the sweat from his brow. His hair had grown a little longer resembling a Beatle-style hair cut. His ink black hair now fully covered the revolting lightening bolt shaped scar. He reached over and picked up his glasses. Placing them on the bridge of his nose, Harry stood up and walked over to the window in his room. It was still early enough in the morning that all the Dursleys lay sleeping in their beds. Harry looked out at the sky. Soon Dawn's fingers would be spreading across the sky. Realizing that he would never be able to fall back into a blissful slumber, Harry pulled out his desk chair and sat down. There he waited. Supposedly for the dawn, but in his heart, he waited for peace.

McKenzie Taylor stood in front of her junior's English seventh period class. Yawning slightly, she began to discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby. It was one of her all-time favorite novels to read and to teach. Alongside that were Ayn Rand's Anthem, Shakespeare's Othello, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, and for a fun novel to read, The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. McKenzie was often mocked by her coworkers as being bookish middle-aged woman, and although McKenzie took the words in good fun, the fact remained that she was a middle-aged has been who found her romance within textual context.

Not to say that McKenzie was unattractive. Far from it. She stood at 5'6, weighed around one hundred and fifteen pounds, she had long red hair that held blonde highlights, and to top the image off, she had the most beautiful penetrating blue eyes imaginable. True, she hid them behind small framed glasses most of the time, they were gorgeous nonetheless.

The bell finally rang and McKenzie ended with, "Okay class, read chapter eight and nine tonight. Remember, there will be a quiz on it tomorrow, so actually read it." The class laughed at her light but serious command. In groups, the students filed out of the classroom and McKenzie walked over to the white board and began to erase the lesson plan of the day. She then wrote the following plan on the board, using alternative colors of markers of course. "I'm such a loser." She mumbled to herself. Dusting her hands off on her black pants, McKenzie returned to her desk and sat down. Pulling out a pink pen, she began to grade a few quizzes before she was interrupted. Keeping her gaze down on the sheet of paper, she glanced up quickly before returning her gaze to her quiz then to inform him that she acknowledged his prescence, she asked, "What can I do for you?"

The person, presumably a man, laughed. "I have a meeting I wish to deal with that involves you. You look radiant Miss Miller." At the sound of her birth name, McKenzie's head shot up. She looked at the man and finally grinned.

"Hullo Albus."

Sophia and Albus sat in Sophia's living room. Sophia sat on the couch with her feet curled under her while Albus sat in the glider-rocker, obviously enjoying its smooth ride. "Yes...I do believe I'll have to put one of these in my office." Albus declared.

Sophia stifled her giggles with her hand before saying, "Albus, if you placed one in your office, you would never leave."

"True."

"It's so strange."

"What is?"

"My calling you Albus. The last time I saw you was...well over nineteen years ago."

"Have I changed that much?" Albus inquired.

Sophia smiled warmly at him and tilted her head. She shook it side-to-side. "No, you are still the wonderful Dumbledore I knew from school."

"I am pleased to hear so. Miss Miller, er, Miss Taylor. There is a reason for my visit."

"Yes..." Sophia prodded.

"As you know, Voldermort returned two years ago."

Sophia visibly shook at his name, "I had heard."

"The time for the battle is soon upon us. Harry will be graduating this year. It is the opportune moment for Volermort's attack."

"As well as for me to return to the world I left behind so long ago."

"And to protect Harry."

"I do not think he will understand." Sophia stated slowly.

Dumbledore looked down at his hands wearily before whispering, "He has dealt with so much, Sirius's death almost killed him, but to now found out that he has a guardian...I do fear the same."

"Sirius is dead?" Sophia whispered. Dumbledore looked up, and his eyes twinkled.

"Supposedly." "Explain." Sophia begged.

"He fell through the vale at the Ministry in Harry's fourth year."

"How were you able to bring him back?"

"Sirius's time is not over yet." Dumbledore replied simply.

"When will Harry find out?"

"In two nights. The Weasley's are going to pick Harry up and bring him the Order's headquarters. Sirius will greet him there. As will you."

"Me?" Sophia exclaimed. "Woah, woah, woah, back the soul train line up. When was that established?"

"Please Sophia. We need you. Now."

"I won't have a job."

"Oh but you will!" Albus confirmed happily.

"Of course I will." Sophia mumbled dramatically.

"It just so happens that Hogwarts needs a new Defense against the Dark Arts professor."

"Haven't you needed a new one for the past seven years?" Sophia inquired.

"Well...yes."

"I thought so. Very well."

"Praise to the stars. I will return for you Sunday night." Albus said as he stood up from the chair reluctantly.

"Just take it." Sophia told him dismissively. "I'll be waiting."

"Till then?" Albus stated.

"Till then." Sophia affirmed.

Life at The Burrow had grown hectic. What with Hermione staying at the home, and the impending departure to pick Harry up. Ron and Hermione were excited, as best friends should be. Yet Ginny remained neutral. She showed little emotion once the news of the plan of retrieving Harry for the last time was finalized. In fact, she pretended as if nothing were going on. On Sunday afternoon, Arthur, Ron, and Hermione left for the Dursley's while Molly and Ginny left for headquarters.

Ginny was not looking forward to the upcoming year. It all seemed so final, and she was not even graduating! She considered Ron on of her best friends, as strange as that often sounds. To see him go while she remained for another year at Hogwarts seemed damaging. Shaking her head, Ginny tried in vain to dismiss such depressing thoughts. She still had one year with them. When Molly and Ginny walked in they were greeted with a most unexpected surprise. Sirius came from the kitchen calling to the two women.

"Molly! Ginny! You look beautiful!"

Sunday morning was quite tense at the Dursely's. Once again, Dudley, Petunia, and Vernon sat in the parlor. Harry tried to flee the monotony by staying in his room, a feat that seemed to work well enough, until...

"HARRY POTTER!" Harry, who was lying on his back on his bed, groaned and moved his hands over his face. Sitting up, he pushed his legs over the side and stood up.

"Coming Vernon!" Opening the bedroom door, Harry walked out of his room and down to the parlor. Vernon, whom stood at the window, turned immediately at the sound of Harry's steps.

"When are you freakish friends arriving?"

"Supposedly around two-thirty."

"And they are coming..." Vernon began to state.

"By means of knocking on the front door, so don't get your knickers in a twist." Harry interrupted.

"You ungrateful, insolent-"

"...foolish brat. I know exactly what you are going to say to me Vernon, but never fear," he assured Vernon, "this will be the last day you will be forced to see my face."

"One can only pray." Vernon mumbled.

Harry was about to protest when a knock came at the door. "I'll get it."

"See that you do." Vernon spat. Harry rolled his eyes and walked to the front door.

"Ron! Mr. Weasley! You are early."

"I do hope it isn't a problem." Arthur Weasley began.

"No trouble at all. Let me go get my things." Harry then bolted up the stairs and returned a few moments later with a trunk and two suitcases.

"More than usual?" Ron spoke, raising an eyebrow.

"This is everything, I don't plan to return." Harry returned. "Goodbye Petunia! Vernon...Dudley." Harry shouted, when no response came, the three men left the home.

Arthur then turned to Harry. "First, we get your Apparation license!" Harry only smiled at Arthur's humor.

That evening, Albus came as promised to Sophia's door. Everything had been packed, and Sophia opened the door to him graciously. "Good evening Albus. I will be out in a moment." A second later, Sophia closed her front door and locked it.

"Shrink all of it?" Albus asked.

"In my pocket." She replied, pointing to her coat jacket.

"Then off we go!" The two appeared a minute later in front of Sirius's old home, Albus immediately knocked on the door. "They got rid of all the creatures." Albus warned.

"Pity." Sophia stated while pouting. The door immediately opened to the face of Molly Weasley. "MOLLY!" Sophia screamed joyously. The two women embraced immediately, and they both laughed when they broke apart.

Meanwhile in the kitchen: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Sirius, Arthur, Fred and George, Billy, Charlie, and Percy, alongside Minerva, Severus Snape, Mundungus Fletcher, and other members of the Order sat to dinner. When they heard the joyful scream, everyone looked at each other questioningly, while Sirius beamed and shook his head.

Molly and Sophia chatted vivaciously for a few moments until finally Molly pulled her into the house. Molly led her into the kitchen and the first person Sophia saw was Sirius. He stood up and smiled at her.

"Is that you Sirius Black?" Sophia inquired playfully.

"My darling Sophia, it is!" And with that Sophia ran over to him. Sirius immediately picked her up and spun her around. He kissed her forehead and Sophia rubbed at the spot he kissed as if it had offended her.

"Yuck." She giggled. Sirius pouted but Sophia only stuck out her tongue.

"Real mature Miller." Sirius declared. Sophia only winked in return. She finally glanced around the table.

"Minerva? My stars, I haven't seen you since my fifth year! You look exquisite! Now who are these fine children? All of them yours Molly?"

"Not all, just most. You remember Arthur don't you?" Molly paused and Sophia nodded, she did. "Then I'll start from the beginning. That is Bill, our oldest, Charlie, he's a dragon tamer, Percy, Fred and George, the 'pranksters,' Ron, and Ginny, the only girl." Sophia smiled warmly at them.

"Hullo." She said.

"And that is Hermione Granger. And that is-" Molly said, pointing at Harry.

"Harry Potter." Sophia ended, "What? You didn't think that seventeen years in California had totally disturbed my mind did you?" She smiled warmly at Harry. "How are you?" Harry looked at her curiously, but responded all the same, as not to be rude.

"I am well. I guess that's all that one can ask for these days." Sophia frowned at his odd response. She then finished looking around the table, and her gaze settled on Severus. She took an involuntary step away from him, and Sirius, seeing her obvious discomfort, grabbed her hand. She looked up at Sirius, who was gazing down at her, searching her frightened eyes. He squeezed her hand in reassurance. Albus cleared his throat, indicating something to Severus. Severus looked at Albus, then at Sophia. Pushing his chair back he walked over to Sophia.

"We have much to discuss, but before we take any step, this must be said. I apologize for our past, I know it is not a good one. Understand though, I am on the same side you are on now, so do not let whatever anger or hatred you have for me interrupt the current situations." Typical Snape fashion, apologize, but only for a price.

Sophia lifted her chin. "We do have a lot to discuss," she spat, "and that is a conversation I will be sure you're involved fully in. However, we are mature adults, so I will not let what happened in the past interfere with future business arrangements." She said in a voice devoid of any emotion, something that she did not feel. She hated Severus, and she found little comfort that he had switched sides. Severus however looked at Sophia in surprise, and Sophia returned his gaze with determination. A minute later though, her resolve broke. Her walls were blown into, and she clinched her fists. A minute later she heard his voice.

"Sorry I'm late. I was caught up with some business at..." The voice began. Sophia closed her eyes and bit her lip before finally taking a deep breath and turning around to face the man whom she had loved since her seventh year.

A/N: Okay first chapter to my sequel of "When They Were Seventh Years", I would suggest reading that because some things that were left unanswered there will be answered here. Review please, I just got home from a MISERABLE competition.