Disclaimer: Yeah, I wish I had the brilliance to create this stuff…

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The Final Quest

Chapter Five: Endings and Beginnings

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Despite all he did to stop them, Harry still had to listen to the Weasleys and Hermione sing to him on his birthday while he sat at the table in the kitchen that evening.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Harry, happy birthday to you!"

"You look like a dung bomb, and you smell like one too!" Fred and George chorused, making everyone laugh as they finished their own song.

Mrs. Weasley handed Harry a knife, and he began cutting the enormous chocolate cake that she had made for him and his friends. The bright purple icing on the cake read, "Happy birthday, Harry! Good luck, Ron and Hermione!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been forced by Mrs. Weasley to take the first pieces, so they retired to a smaller table in the corner of the room. Harry was trying to keep as much space between himself and Ginny as possible.

When they sat down, Harry noticed that Ron's face was incredibly pale, and he was prodding his cake with his fork. For Ron, not wolfing down food that was given to him was a sure sign that something was wrong.

"You okay, mate?" Harry asked.

Ron simply nodded. Hermione glanced at him worriedly. If Ron kept looking like he did, someone was bound to try and convince them to stay.

Someone like Harry, even.

"You don't have to come, you know-"

"Harry, we're coming, and you know it," Ron said forcefully.

"Yes, we are. But Ron, it's okay to be scared," Hermione remarked in a quiet tone.

Ron glared at her. "I'm not scared."

Hermione cautiously reached over the table and placed her hand gently on top of Ron's. His face seemed to change from white to red instantly.

"That's more like it," said Harry. He got up and clapped his friend on the back. "I'm going to go upstairs and make sure we've packed everything."

Hermione, of course, had gotten her things ready the night before. But Harry and Ron were a few steps behind, as usual.

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"Clothes, wands, books, owls…"

Harry was in Ron's bedroom, mentally checking off their belongings when he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," Harry called, his head inside of his trunk.

He glanced up. Ginny was standing in the doorway, her fiery red hair pulled into two long, loose braids. She was holding something behind her back.

"Hi, Harry."

Harry closed his trunk and sat on top of it. "Hi."

Ginny took a deep breath and walked over to Harry's trunk. She sat down next to him, putting her clasped hands into her lap, still concealing what she had brought with her. For several moments, she looked down, as though she was thinking about what to say.

Finally, she spoke. "Harry…I want to give you your birthday present."

"Ginny, you didn't have to-"

"But I wanted to…"

She took his hand and placed a small vial into it. Harry stared at its contents. The bottle was no bigger than his palm, but it contained a frothy golden liquid.

"Felix Felicis," Harry breathed.

Ginny nodded. A few tears escaped from her glassy eyes.

"Good luck, Harry."

She put her hand on the back of his neck, making him shiver. She placed a tender kiss on his lips, not expecting him to respond. However, Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny and gently kissed her back. He was content just to sit with her and be a part of something completely innocent.

Ginny pulled away from him, and turned to bury her head in his shoulder. Harry could feel the wetness of her tears through his shirt, but she refrained from sobbing.

"It's okay," Harry said, while rubbing her back softly. "Everything's going to be okay."

Neither of them believed Harry's words, but even falsehood offers comfort in dark times.

Suddenly, Harry said, "I have something for you."

Ginny sat up and discretely wiped her eyes. "What to you mean?" she asked.

Harry reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a locket, which was hanging on a gold chain. He put the vial of Felix Felicis in its place, so that there would be something weighing down his pocket. Harry constantly carried the locket with him, for it reminded him of Albus Dumbledore.

"Turn around," he said.

Ginny covered her mouth with her hand and gasped. "Harry, no, you can't give me that," she persisted.

"Yes, I can, and I want to."

Ginny continued to stare at him in disbelief.

"Turn around," Harry repeated.

This time, she did. Harry lowered the chain around her neck and clasped it. Ginny faced him once again. The necklace looked beautiful on her.

Harry touched the locket. "Keep it safe for me, okay?"

"Of course," Ginny said, nodding. "Harry…please tell me that you're coming back."

He immediately averted his gaze.

"Look at me."

Reluctantly, Harry turned back towards her. He wanted to tell her that he would be back. He wanted to tell her that they were going to have fun again. He wanted to tell her that he loved her. He could say none of these.

"I can't. I'm sorry."

Ginny sighed sadly, and wrapped her arms around him. Harry embraced her again.

Just then, Ron and Hermione walked into the room. Ginny jumped up. "Er," she said. "Looks like you're all packed. Good luck, guys. I'm going to miss you." She stood on her tiptoes to give Ron a kiss on the cheek, and then hugged Hermione. Without looking back, she left the room, walked down the stairs to her own, and slammed the door.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other awkwardly.

Ron broke the silence. "Mum's crying downstairs."

Harry sighed. He knew from the beginning that none of this would be easy.

They used their wands to levitate their trunks, and entered the kitchen five minutes later. Mrs. Weasley was surrounded by most of her sons, and her husband was patting her on the back comfortingly.

"Now, now, Molly," Mr. Weasley said, noticing Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "The kids are here."

Mrs. Weasley dried her eyes on her apron. She walked over and embraced Harry and Hermione at the same time. She pulled away, holding them at an arm's length, and beamed at the both of them. "I'm so proud of you two. I know that you're not my children, but you'll always be welcome here…as family."

Harry and Hermione smiled back.

"And you, Ron…" She grabbed her son and planted dozens of kisses on his face.

Harry and Hermione took turns shaking the hands of the other Weasleys, one by one. Then they walked into the living room, and out the front door, leaving Ron to have some time alone with his family.

Hermione dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a finger. "You've got to love them, right?" She asked, and gave a half-hearted laugh.

"Yeah," Harry answered, staring out at the horizon as the sun disappeared. It was the end of the day, as well as the end of their childhood. Tomorrow, they would all be adults. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and even Ginny. They had grown and matured a great deal, though not without flaws. Hermione was still too smart for her own good, Ron still needed to learn what to say and when to say it, Ginny was still a powerful young witch, and Harry was still reckless. Tomorrow, they would all be stepping into the world with their heads held high, knowing that what they are doing is right. They are on the right side, fighting against evil.

"Ready?" Ron asked, pulling the front door shut. His face was the distinct color of a plum.

Harry and Hermione nodded, and they all walked to the road.

There was a resounding CRACK! and the violet-colored Knight Bus appeared.

"Damn these trunks," Ron muttered, his face turning green at the first glance of this particular form of magical transportation.

They walked onto the bus silently, merely nodding at Ernie, the driver, as they made their way to three vacant seats in the back.

The trio looked at each other and smiled. They then glanced out the window to get one last peek at the Burrow. There was another CRACK! and the bus began traveling down another, incredibly bumpy, road.

One phrase was going through each of their minds, allowing them to feel confident. Tomorrow was a new day, and a new beginning.

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A/N: Whew! It's been a long day. Please review!

Jeefus: Harry is an incredibly determined young man. And thank you! I tried to make the wedding different.

Ginnypotterfan: Honestly, I'm not sure what Ginny's eye color is! I just put turquoise because Ron's eyes are blue, so I figured hers might be the same. And thanks!

griffindor-girl12: Thanks so much! Haha, I should have known.

HermioneJaneKoriand'rTarberllaRiewer: Wow, what a long pen name! Thank you for your review. It was so nice! I'm glad you liked the wedding!

Rosie5: Hey! Thanks for the review! I put a little bit more Harry/Ginny in this chapter, but it's all totally innocent. I like it like that. Haha, I liked the he/she/it's comment. That made my day!

llaura: Yup, I'm updating! I update weekly/biweekly. It depends on school and other things that are happening, but I try! Thanks for reading!

In conclusion, thank you, everyone!

By: SammyLynn