I'm back from the dead! Sorry it took so long. Just lost my inspiration I guess...

But I'm back! This is the very last chapter, so I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 18

Harry strode down the darkened corridor, a paralyzed Mrs. Norris under one arm and the book in the other. His heart beat faster as he drew closer to the dungeons. Each step was bringing him closer to saving Pasha - to Harry's death. He stumbled on the last flight of stairs, almost dropping Mrs Norris' stiff body. Finally, he came upon the door. Slowly but surely, he swung it open, and his eyes immediately strayed towards the huddled figure in the corner. He hesitated, and then strode forward. I'm doing the right thing, he told himself. He carefully placed Mrs. Norris next to Pasha, whose face was hidden in shadow behind a curtain of tumbling curls. He did not bother to peer in and take one last look at her; he could not bear to see those empty eyes. The only images he wanted to have in his last moments were memories of her joyous laughter; her secret smile; her radiant, golden eyes.

Harry put the book down on the stone-flagged floor, knelt, and flicked it to the right page. He looked back up at Pasha, huddled in the corner; at Mrs. Norris, stiff and unmoving. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. His knees shook uncontrollably, and he felt ashamed. I'm doing this to save Pasha. It doesn't matter what happens to me. He forced his eyes back down to the book and skimmed them down the page. With a deep breath he stood, taking his wand out at the same time. Uncertainly, he stepped forward towards the person who had changed the course of his life forever.

Harry muttered the strange incantation, stumbling over the first bit. His wand began emitting a soft glow, which slowly grew brighter and brighter. He chanced a glance at Pasha, but she showed no signs of acknowledgment. Leaning down, he tapped the tip of his wand lightly on Mrs. Norris, who glowed slightly, then to Pasha. His wand left a trail of golden light, strangely reminiscent of the golden thread in the graveyard with Voldemort. He tapped Pasha lightly, and she too emitted a faint glow. Now it was his turn. The wand began drawing closer and closer to his heart, leaving a trail of light in the air that linked him to Pasha. It was close to him now, only a few inches away.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you."

Harry jumped, and accidentally let the wand leap dangerously close to him. He turned. It was Nearly Headless Nick.

"Wh – what?" he began.

"I heard you, back up in the corridor, talking to your friends. I couldn't let a chance like this pass."

His eyes widened, horrified. "You want to watch me - "

"Of course not!" said Nick indignantly. "What I'm meaning is that your life has just barely started. Don't go throwing it away. And what would this world do without Harry Potter!"

"Voldemort is gone," was all Harry could think to say. He had no idea where Nick was heading. Or why he had come.

"Yes, yes, but don't you see, Harry? You're a symbol – an idol – for everyone's security. Without you, people would think that Voldemort would come back."

"But he can't." He was getting slightly peeved. What was he doing here anyway? "Nick, you don't understand. I have to do this." He looked over at Pasha, and in a whisper, "I love her."

"Exactly. And you want to be with her, don't you? How will you do that if you're worse than dead?"

Harry sighed. "What do want me to do then, huh? Get someone else to sacrifice themselves for me?"

Nick's silence answered his question, and with a jolt, Harry realised his true agenda for coming here tonight. "But... why?"

"I have been here for a long time. Too long. At first I was afraid to die – which is why I became what I am. Not many get the chance to move on after they have made this choice. So when I overheard you tonight... I took advantage of the opportunity. Harry, let me go in your place. This is my want."

Harry was speechless. The wand was warm in his hand by now, the rope of light hovering in the air, waiting to be touched to the soul that would activate the spell and bring Pasha back to herself. After a moment Harry nodded, looking Nick in the eye. Nick's face relaxed.

"Thank you," Harry said.

"I should be the one thanking you," Nick replied.

Without another word, Harry brought the wand closer to Nick's pearly white body, hovering a few inches above the ground. He expected the wand to go right through him, but when it reached him, he glowed, just like Pasha and Mrs. Norris. From there Harry carried his wand back to Mrs. Norris' stiff body lying motionless on ground. As soon as if touched her, the golden threads of light linking the three glowed brighter and brighter until it nearly blinded him. It formed a triangle between them, and another white light was beginning to form in the middle.

Harry was on the outside of the triangle, close to Pasha and Nick. He watched as the circle in the middle began to swirl dizzyingly. Reaching his hand into the pocket, he pulled out the phoenix feather given to him by Dumbledore, and tossed it into the centre of the swirling vortex of light. It began to expand, swelling bigger and bigger, swirling all the time. Waves of heat rolled off it, growing so hot that Harry had to step back and watch, horrified, as it swallowed up Pasha, Mrs. Norris, and Nearly Headless Nick. He closed his eyes.

It was like a light switch flicking off. The swirling light was extinguished abruptly, plunging the room into darkness. Spots of light dotted his vision, forcing him to feel his way around the room. There was a scuffling sound from the other side, and he froze.

"Pasha?" he called out uncertainly. This had to have worked.

After a moments pause, "Harry?"

It was like music to his ears to hear her voice again. His heart leapt and he grinned foolishly. She was back.

"Pasha!"

His eyes were slowly gaining back their vision, and he could just make out Pasha's slim silhouette upright and standing and gloriously alive. He rushed towards her and drew her into a fierce embrace.

"Harry…what happened?" Her voice was croaky, but Harry had never heard a sweeter sound.

"A lot," was all he said, and he felt another surge of joy as she hugged him back.

They stood in the darkness, holding one another, neither one willing to let go. Harry was the first to step back.

"Pasha, I don't think I've ever told you before, and I've never said this to anyone, and…" Harry knew he was rambling, but he plowed on. "I – I love you."

There was a painful silence that followed, and Harry felt his face heating up. Fool! How could he ever have convinced himself that she felt the same way about him as he did her? And then go to announce it to her?

He prepared himself for a harsh retaliation. Or perhaps she would break it to him gently, telling him that she was just not ready for a "serious" relationship. But instead he felt her hand touch his shoulder, and then a moment later her warm lips met his. Her arms twined around him again, and in that instance, they understood each other more fully than ever before. They broke apart a while later, his breathing ragged.

"I love you too," Pasha responded, her voice sincere.

Harry opened his mouth, but a loud 'meow' interrupted him. They turned to see Mrs. Norris, amber eyes ablaze. They watched her totter out of the dungeon, probably to tell Filch about students out of bed after hours.

"We should go back up," Harry suggested.

"Lets," agreed Pasha.

Still holding hands, they made their way up the stairs. Harry felt like he was the bravest person in the world right now, and with Pasha at his side, he felt as if he could face the world and overcome anything.

Thanks all, for being so encouraging throughout the story, and the helpful comments. Not the greatest ending, I know. They've never been my strong point. Hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

Thanks again!

Love, Mouse