Chapter 33: Farewells

Sean awoke early the next morning, as was his custom, and took what little things he had brought with him together. He had slept in his battle clothes the night before, and kept those on while he gathered his formal wear. Ginny had told Sean where to find Regal the night before, and Sean had acquired him before going to bed. The Sagart had been given a guest room near Minister Moody that night, and Sean had been given another guest room.

He was now dressed, and after calling Regal over to perch on his shoulder, he went outside to meet the Sagart, he had to ask how they would be getting back to the monastery.

When he made his way out to the common ground, he was surprised to see the Sagart with Minister Moody, Bill, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. He walked over and exchanged greetings with Moody and then asked the Sagart in English, "why are all of them out here?"

The Sagart smiled and answered, "Minister Moody would like to learn more about the Order, so I have agreed to show him around the monastery. He is also our means of getting there. I believe the rest of them came to see you off."

Sean gave Regal to the Priest, and then came up to Bill and the two of them grabbed shoulders and shook hands the same way they had done at the ceremony before embracing.

Sean spoke first after they came apart, "Where is Fleur?"

A smile came to Bill's face as he answered, "she is still asleep, she is a bit more tired now with the baby on the way."

Sean was quick to answer, "Congratulations old friend, I am sure that you will make a great Dad."

Bill looked at Sean with a serious expression and then said, "if it's a boy, we want to name him after you. And in any case, we would like for you to be the child's godfather."

Sean answered in his usual monotone Irish voice, "it's the least I can do after you saved my life."

Bill was confused at this, "when did I save your life?"

"I was at the point of death after that battle," Sean began, "but before I passed on, I heard you call me…and I came."

Bill smiled and then he and Sean came together in a masculine embrace.

"I thank you for everything my friend" Bill said to Sean, "and I will always be here to help when needed" he added as they broke the embrace.

Sean turned to face Harry and Hermione. Both of them looked at Sean with meaningful gazes, both reflecting gratitude.

Hermione came up to Sean and kissed his cheek, "we owe you everything Sean," she said simply "thank you so much."

Sean nodded and then Ron walked up to him. "I just wanted to say thank you," Ron said, "for all you've done for my family and my best mate. Harry sure is lucky to have had a teacher like you."

Sean looked at Ron and spoke, "there's no such thing as luck Ron. We can only make the right decisions and be where we need to…God takes care of the rest."

Ron smirked and looked at Sean's crucifix, "Sometimes I forget that you're a monk."

Sean smirked and then said; "take care of your sister and family," as the two of them shook hands. After this, Sean walked over to where Harry was standing. Hermione pushed Ron off to the side a ways so that Harry and Sean could talk alone.

"I owe you so much Sean," Harry said, "I wish that you could stay with me all the time…you've been like a father to me."

Sean answered him, "we both have our own lives to live Harry. My path is different from yours, we can only be grateful that they merged at some point. You were my first student, and I doubt that I will ever have one better than you."

The two of them paused and looked at each other for a while. Harry remembered feeling similarly when he had said goodbye to Lupin at the end of his third year. Another mentor was leaving him, but Harry felt good this time. He knew that this mentor was not leaving in the wake of some controversy, or because he was dead, or because he was a fugitive, he merely had things to do away from where he was.

Sean then spoke to Harry, "In ancient Rome, when someone would achieve a great feat that would merit him a lifetime of honor. The Emperor would tell him 'A long life, and the good sense to live it.'" Harry held Sean's gaze as Sean said, "and I repeat this to you Harry, a long life," Sean gestured with his face toward where Hermione was standing, "and the good sense to live it."

Harry nodded affirmatively at Sean and the two of them gripped each other's forearms in a handshake and faced each other, Harry Potter and the Knight of St. George. Sean then walked toward Moody, who was about to apparate himself and the Priest. But they were interrupted by the voice of a young girl running to them.

"Sean!" Ginny called out as she ran to where they were. Sean politely excused himself and ran to meet Ginny. "I wanted to tell you goodbye," Ginny said, and then she kissed Sean on the cheek.

Sean could see tears welling up in Ginny's eyes; he lifted his finger and gently brushed them away. After he had done this, he tenderly put his hands on her cheeks and in a very tender yet strong voice said, "Don't cry Ginerva, I will come back to you. I will wait until you are done with school and I have made a living, but wherever you go, I will come to you." Ginny was still emotional at this point, and between sobs she spoke to Sean.

"How can you know that? What if on this next assignment you…"

Ginny stopped as she saw Sean bring his hands behind his head. He was wearing his medal and his crucifix around his neck; he reached back and brought the crucifix up over his head. He then turned it so that the side with the red beams was facing him, and gently put it around Ginny's neck.

"I'll be back for that," Sean said pointing to the crucifix. Ginny now knew more than ever that she was in love with Sean, and that this was real and not some fling. She sprung into Sean's strong arms and he held her in a tight and loving embrace.

"I love you" Ginny said into Sean's ear.

"I know" Sean answered.

"And I'll wait for you forever," Ginny added at the last.

After they came apart, Sean gave one last nod to Ginny and to the others that were there to see him off. He then stepped back to where his Sagart and Minister Moody were standing and took hold of Moody's arm as Regal hopped onto his shoulder.

Before they could apparate, Bill raised his hand and called out "goodbye Knight."

Sean looked up, raised his own hand and responded "farewell wizard."

A few seconds later, the three of them were gone, off to the monastery on the cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Bill, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were now left alone on the grounds near Hogwarts, just outside the protected boundaries. Bill immediately left to go be with his wife.

The sun was rising, and it was a very beautiful sight to behold. The four of them felt that they were on the threshold of a new beginning, one that would be glorious. Hermione walked over to Harry and took his hand; Ginny walked over to her brother and gave him a hug. She felt sad to see Sean leave, but hopeful for the future at the same time. Sean had given her his word that he would come back to her, and she now had his crucifix to always remind her of him. The four of them looked at the sunrise for a little longer before Hermione spoke.

"It's a new day" she said, "and a new world. It would seem that the storm is over."

Ron spoke at this point, "Yeah. No more adventures, no more looming threats, and probably no more mad antics. What are we to do?"

"It is a new beginning," Harry said, "and I for one believe that we should all make the best of this new chance. Sean said to me 'a long life and the good sense to live it,'" as Harry finished this he turned to look into Hermione's eyes, "and I intend to do just that."

"That sounds like a good idea for all of us," Ginny said as she held Sean's crucifix in her left hand.

Harry then gave Hermione's hand a squeeze and said, "let's go."

With that, he led her back towards the school. Ron put his arm around his sister's shoulder, she was still handling the iron crucifix around her neck and wondering at all that had happened, and the four of them walked back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.