"Our part is done... All we have to do is prepare our children for what will come in their grandchildren's lifetime." Graham said softly as he wrapped an arm around Colin's shoulder, careful of the recently healed arm on his beloved's other side.
"You mean to say that it's over until our great-grandchildren's lifetimes? That's a relief." Blaise said, pulling Neville onto his lap.
"I will tell you this... Voldemort's evil is gone, and there will never be an evil that strong to walk this world again... But others who think as he did will always try and enslave or murder some group of people. On the other hand... there will always be someone to fight against the evils of this world. Neither will ever win, because on the day that good falls to evil, or evil is banished by good... this world will draw it's last breath and then fade into the eternal night. This world is made up of balance and we've just played a part in that balance... The only true good to Voldemort's true evil." Graham smiled mysteriously a little before rising and taking Colin's hand. "Now if you will excuse us... We need to see a man about a bonding ceremony." With that he leads Colin off to where Dumbledore was chatting with McGonagall.
"I think I understood that. Good can never win, but neither can evil... So, for today good is on top." Blaise said as he reasoned out what the fore-seer's words meant.
"We'll need to leave a full detailed account so that our children's grandchildren won't have as hard of a time as we did." Draco's words were soft as he swirled his glass of wine.
Harry grinned and clapped him on the back. "I know I'm anxious to write my memoirs."
"You're joking right?" Neville asked staring at him with wide horrified eyes.
"Yeah. I think I might write something... you know later on. But right now, we have our last year of school and we have to help rebuild. Also, I don't know about you... but I have a family to watch over and maybe add a few members in the next couple of years." Harry grinned and settled back sipping his butterbeer.
Cros giggled a little. "Don't you think you're a little young to be thinking about having kids? I mean we're just 17 going on 18."
Harry shrugged a little before speaking. "I don't know about you guys, but I don't exactly feel like a kid."
"I agree... We just made adult decisions... and we took lives. As for children, well it's expected of us as purebloods." Neville said softly as he laid back against Blaise.
"And how those kids are going to be made isn't a bad thing either." Blaise said with a grin before kissing one of Neville's red cheeks.
The sight of Severus sweeping up to them had them all greeting their head of house. "Harry... we need to see you for a while, then you can rejoin your friends."
Standing Harry nodded to them before moving off with his bondmate-to-be. "What do they want now?"
"Nothing... I just wanted your company for a moment." Severus said after they'd turned a corner and he pulled Harry into the shadows.
Harry laughed and he put his arms around Severus' neck. "Really... and what did you want my company for?"
After stealing a quick kiss Severus smiled a little down at him. "I wanted to tell you that Sirius has been cleared... While it doesn't matter to him now, I thought you'd like to know so that you could add him to the monument."
With a nod Harry bit back the tears. It still hurt to think of Sirius, but his vindication helped to ease the pain within Harry. "I'll go add it later. How did Remus take the news?"
"He's on his way Black Manor right now... I think perhaps it will help him to oversee the Black family properties that have been turned over to him as Black's heir." Severus didn't say that Remus hadn't looked very well after the final battle. He could only hope that the werewolf would live a while longer so that Harry wouldn't feel any worse about the number of people he loved dying.
Harry nodded a little. "So, what are our plans for the future?"
"You will finish school, and then we will see about raising the children we still have under our care. After that... is up to you." Severus wrapped his arms around him and laid his head on top of Harry's.
"I'm hoping Dumbledore will have me on as the DADA professor. That way I can stay here at the school with you and the children." Harry murmured against Severus' chest.
"If that is what you want."
"Well, I'd rather stay at home and have a large family, but I don't think that's wise since I have to finish school." Harry grinned impudently up at Severus.
"Not very wise... but what can one say for a former Gryffindor." Severus' smirk made Harry bat him on the arm.
"Sorry to interrupt... but we wanted to say goodbye before we left." Salazar's voice startled them apart.
Turning they faced the four ghosts with questioning looks. "Where are you going?" Harry asked looking at them.
"Now that we're together again, we've been thinking about how nice it'll be to move on... See some of the people we've been missing." Helga said with a soft yet sad smile.
"That's understandable. I'm sure that there are many people you would like to see again." Severus said softly.
"Um... perhaps if you saw my parents and Sirius you could tell them I miss them... and that I love them." Harry's eyes were teary as he fought back the pain of losing four beings he'd come to consider friends.
"We'll do that." Rowena promised as she and the other three started down the long hallway.
Godric turned and waved with a big smile. "Take care!" They farther they went the more they faded until soon they were gone.
"I wish they would have stayed. I'm sure there was a lot they could have taught us." Harry said as he wiped his tears away.
"They've been here long enough. They did their part by creating the school and sticking around to help protect the world, they've earned their peace... Now, lets return to your friends. I'm sure they're missing you..." After one last kiss Severus sent Harry back to his friends and then went to see Dumbledore about securing the DADA job for Harry.
THE END!
And there so ends this series. I'm sure some of you are asking, what happened to the pureblood-hating-Gryffindors and what about the soon to be reborn Tom Riddle... Well, perhaps some day I will tell their stories, but for now I will leave it in your minds. I will be writing a short ficlet about how Charlie and Draco met, but this series can now be considered finished (at least for the present time).
Now I would like to take a moment to thank those of you who've reviewed so much!
Also I would like to take a moment to personally thank some reviewers who's reviews had me working faster:
Sailor Grape, Swift tales and Athenakitty: your reviews always made me want to write more, thank you!