Lizzie Heart and the Years after Hogwarts

Chapter Ten: The End to a New Beginning.

Lizzie smoothed down the front of her skirt, the butterflies were flying not just in her stomach but in her throat and chest too. She had never felt so nervous in her life, even before her very first international Quidditch game against Chili when she was fourteen she wasn't this nervous, she played Quidditch every day and telling some one you love them wasn't something she did everyday.

Lizzie looked down at her outfit, she took the chance to change and compose herself before she actually went to see Harry. She chose a simple green corduroy skirt and a plain black blouse. She also put in the gorgeous bracelet that Harry had given her for her birthday. She let her jet-black sweeping hair down and it fell carelessly down her back.

Hesitantly, she knocked on the door of number twelve, Grimmauld Place and took a step backwards, waiting for the door to open. She looked at the gold Griffin knocker, and it reminded her of Hogwarts, the happy times of her life which went by so fast with Harry. Her throat constricted leaving her breathing hard to get enough oxygen into her lungs. Lizzie closed her eyes, wishing all will go well, and then slowly the door opened.

Harry stood there in run down jeans and a t-shirt that looked thrown on. His unruly black hair was wet and dripping water down his top, his glasses askew. It looked as if he had just hopped out of the shower. They stood, frozen in time, gazing at one another. After what seemed to be eternity, Harry spoke.

"Hi,"

"Hi," Lizzie managed to say. She had lost all reason as to why she was doing this, why she was here of all places. She wanted the ground to open and swallow her up.

"Come in," Harry invited, opening the door widely so Lizzie could enter. Lizzie stepped inside and walked down the hallway with Harry following, she walked inside the kitchen and turned to face Harry.

"Harry, I'm sorry about earlier in Diagon Alley-," Lizzie blustered, but was cut off by Harry wavering her off.

"Would you like a drink?" He offered. Lizzie furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, why was Harry offering her a drink?

"Er … yeah, alright." Lizzie replied, still utterly confused.

"Tea?"

"Yeah, whatever." Lizzie said, it wasn't important, what was important was the thing she wanted to say now. "Harry, I'm sorry – Harry," Lizzie said frustrated at the fact that Harry was busy making two cups of tea and not listening, "Harry!"

"Milk and sugar?" He asked.

"I don't care, Harry listen to me, please." Asked Lizzie, who was getting more infuriated with him.

Harry set down the milk bottle on the worktop, his back to Lizzie and sighed. He spoke to the wall, "I know what you're going to say Lizzie, and at this moment I don't think I could deal with that."

Lizzie eyes watered at the wounding words Harry just said. She felt as if stomach tied a knot inside herself. Pain right to the foundations of her heart.

Harry turned to look at her, guilt was written all over his face, he felt immensely sorry for seeing those ultra marine eyes look so despairingly at him at tears ran softly down her cheeks.

"Lizzie," He began softly, "Don't cry. I hate seeing you like this." Harry reached out and wiped away Lizzie's tears, her skin was soft against the hardness of his finger and her delicate fragrance was stimulating.

"Then don't make me hurt like this," Lizzie choked out, the warmth of Harry so close meddling with her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, it's just…no, you wouldn't understand" Harry said quickly.

"Tell me, if I knew the reason. This might stop." Lizzie pleaded. Harry looked into her eyes and averted them hastily. With his hand he swept back his hair and sighed.

"I guess I don't want to get hurt again."

Lizzie laughed through her tears, "You sound like a girl," Harry smiled.

"Maybe I do, but it's true," Harry said honestly looking into Lizzie's eyes. There was a moment as if they understood each other completely as emerald met ultra marine.

"I'm really sorry about that. I didn't mean for-," Lizzie began, but once again was cut off.

"I know," Harry said comfortingly. With his hand he tucked Lizzie's hair behind her ear, "I know you're sorry, and I am too."

"What for?"

"For being rude, for being a jerk and a git and a bastard to you," Harry said, putting his hands on Lizzie's waist, "for not forgiving you, for not getting over you."

Lizzie looked up and saw Harry smiling; all her hope had been restored.

"I still love you Lizzie, I never stopped loving you." Harry said, pulling Lizzie close and carefully pressed his lips onto hers, claiming them as his own.

Lizzie's spine tingled in the embrace and the nervous butterflies now had a new meaning to be fluttering. Harry's lips softly parted with her own.

"I love you Lizzie Heart."

"I love you too, Harry Potter."

And their lips found each other again.

--

A couple of weeks later, the six whom the newspapers call The-Powerful-Ones went out for dinner at the most expensive restaurant in Diagon Alley, Salamanders. As they entered the Maitre D rushed past the two parties he was currently attending to meet the six famous witches and wizards to walk through the grand oak doors.

"Mr. Potter, how nice it is to see you once again," He greeted politely with an outstretched hand, which Harry shook kindly.

"A table for six please Lloyd, preferably somewhere quiet," Harry asked.

"Certainly sir, please follow me."

They walked through the restaurant to a room at the back with a large table set out lavishly for the six of them. It was decorated richly in ruby reds and golden yellows, each of the six sat down and a menu magically appeared before them.

"I shall come back when you are ready to order," Lloyd said, inclining his head, "Sirs, Madams." And he left with a faint pop.

"Now that's something I can get used to." Ron stated, "All this attention and being in the limelight."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Honestly Ron,"

"You know you love it too," He said, and leaned over and kissed Hermione on the cheek.

Lizzie looked admirably at the two of them. Ron and Hermione settled their differences and were now back together, they will always have the arguments that they do, as it was Ron and Hermione, but they were suited for each other, everyone could see that.

Lizzie looked round at her sister, she was reading the menu with one hand whilst holding Remus' with the other. Something caught Lizzie's eye as Alex moved her hand in the light and her finger sparkled.

"Alex, what's that?" Lizzie asked pointing her finger at Alex's hand, knowing full well what it was.

Both Remus and Alex smiled.

"Oh, you mean this ring, Lizzie? Remus gave it to me."

Four heads turned round in amazement.

"That's right kids," Remus said, "Were engaged."

Four pairs of eyes widened.

"That's great!"

"Congratulations,"

"When's the wedding?"

"How did you propose?"

Remus smiled broadly, "All will be answered later but right know," Remus clicked his fingers and a waiter appeared out of think air, "A bottle of your finest champagne please, we're celebrating."

The waiter inclined his head and left with a faint pop. Within a few seconds, a bottle of champagne with six glasses appeared in the middle of the table.

Four hours later, everyone left Salamanders with the bellies full of excellent cuisine and fine wine. Everyone said goodbye, Hermione and Ron apparated away and Remus and Alex went home by Floo. Harry and Lizzie walked, with Harry living so close, there was no reason not too, and as a bonus it walked off their dinner.

Harry snaked an arm around Lizzie's waist and they strolled comfortably with one another.

"We should do that more often." Lizzie suggested.

"Do what more often?" Harry asked confused.

"Go out, all of us."

"Yes, we must. So what do you think of Remus and your sister finally tying the knot?" Harry asked.

"I'm genuinely happy. It had to happen sometime. They are what – forty? And got together at sixteen, that's a relationship made to last." Lizzie replied.

"True," said Harry simply.

They walked together in silence for a while, completely comfortable, no awkwardness between them. It was peaceful.

"I hope it doesn't take us twenty four years." Harry said. Lizzie looked up and they stopped walking. She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Twenty four years to do what?" She questioned, perplexed.

Harry sighed, "Get married you idiot."

"You want us to get married?" Lizzie asked, unbelievingly.

"Well eventually…yeah."

Lizzie breath got considerably shorter. Marriage? She knew her and Harry was going to last, but marriage? That's something she hadn't thought about and wasn't planning on thinking about in the near future. But, truthfully, she wouldn't exactly mind being married to Harry; he was after all the love of her life. She smiled inwardly.

"Ask me again when I'm twenty five and all grown up. Maybe then I'll say yes." She said cheekily.

Harry bent down and kissed her passionately, a kiss that Lizzie fiercely returned. They were together, no problems and no resentment. They loved each other, and at the moment, that was all that mattered.

Author's Note: Eww, I was hating myself while writing the first bit, so fluffy and sickening. But other then that…I think this chapter is all right. Not brilliant but all right.

Nic