Author's Note:
Well, since a lot of people are celebrating American Thanksgiving — thank you to the people who wished me well, but here in Canada it's just Thursday — but Happy American Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating and as part of your celebration — here's an early post!
To those of you who follow on the fanfiction website, you have to go back into your account and re-check notifications to get the proper email alerts for my stories and updates. Apparently it resets every six months? Super inconvenient, I agree. Thank you in advance!
Reviews and Comments: To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Yes, I wanted to show how everyone is moving on and slowly getting their lives back on track amidst their grief. Life doesn't stop unfortunately. The party was fun and exactly what they all needed. Thank you! To one-of-a-kind-copycat: Thank you for saying "the resolution you are giving us is beautiful and I'm so thankful you aren't rushing us to the finish." It's nice to set the pace. Thank you! To wiebenor: Thank you! To Sets: Yes, it would be very hard for Padma. It is winding down. Thank you! To audreypaustin97: Wow! Thanks for wanting to start re-reading from the beginning, I hope you enjoy it as much the second time! The drinks are very yummy, I recommend! We'll catch up with Harry and the house elves soon. Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! To Wolf's scream: I agree, Luna and her dad are wiser than people give them credit for. The photo book will be very important. It is a pity that Crouch's signature is required. Thank you! To Padfoot777: Thanks for loving the bit with Rolf and Zee! Thank you! To Tmrpotterhead250: Thank you! I think Colin's idea is very cool and interesting! I am teasing you with Rolf and Luna and no, it won't be as soon as you think it's going to be. The party was fun and the exact wind down they all needed. Theo is nervous and excited to meet Bas' family and plan the party. Harry is thankful he has friends like Ron and Theo. Draco and Astoria won't be anytime soon either. Thank you!
To Read and Fly: I am trying to give closure so thank you. No, there will not be a Molly POV coming up, but we will see her. We will see some more Harry and Zee moments and some Remus and Harry as well. Thank you! To SMalfoy09: Thank you very much! To harstonks: Thank you! To Nightwing2013: Harry is awkward, but Sophie is 100% creepy. The drink names made the chapter title more fun. I didn't provide decimals in the drink ingredients. Thank you! To Marauders0716: Lucius giving Draco that advice was almost a homage to the end of the ASC. Thank you! To mike3308: You think Luna is the blonde who Rolf has a crush on? We will have to see. I think Draco will keep both, he just needs some time away. Thank you! To ThomasJAvery: Thank you! Ginny needed that time with her friends to unwind and catch up. I'm glad you enjoyed the party and seeing what everyone's future plans are. I'm excited to share some of the Auror stuff and the Quidditch camp stuff, it will be coming soon! Thank you! To notyap989: Thank you! To A Huge Fan: I am good at the sneaky titles lol. And they all did enjoy blow jobs, just not the kind everyone was thinking lol. It was fun giving futures out to random characters. I look forward to seeing what it brings. Thank you! To ellyann13: All of Rolf's pets survived, as explained in his conversation with Zee about getting them back to their homes safely (and they weren't listed in the dead therefore they survived). Thank you!
To EnigmaticEmperor: Yes, those blowjobs lol. Shots not sex. We will hear more about the pictures of Harry later. Yes, Colin had a crush on both Harry and Ginny if you remember way back to when he realized he was bisexual. Luna is very Luna. No, Zee doesn't know that Rolf means Luna at all. Yes, Goldstein's parties did kind of play a role in Nevannah so it was fun to bring that up. Bas isn't at all uncomfortable with Theo flirting, there's a difference in flirting with people and flirting with people and Bas knows Theo is a one-man-man. I would be scared of Sophie too lol. It was nice to show Lucius being supportive. He's made a lot of mistakes and he owns that. Thank you! To Nan001: I wish you well in your future endeavours! Thank you! To pix25: I'm glad you found the drink names so hilarious! Thank you! To AnonymousHufflepuffWriter: Thank you for saying I have a nice balance in the chapter and scope of the series. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: I wanted to show how different people are dealing with their grief and showing Colin's family dealing with the loss of a child was one way to do that. Thanks for loving the teasing of Hinny and seeing the future of our characters beginning to unfold. Thanks for loving the development of Draco's character as well. You think I'm making Zee a Cupid of Rolf and Luna? Well, Zee doesn't know the blonde is Luna though. Thank you!
To AQuickRead91: LOL, I'm not sure. Thank you! To c_thru_the_looking_glass: Thank you for loving seeing everyone finding their futures and yes, I did provide the drink recipes are as they are fun to make! Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: Glad the drink names had you cackling. You think Draco will run into Astoria on his world tour? Yes, it was said in chapter 351 that Harry and Zee buried Lady Godiva next to Marauder and Dobby is with the other house elves who died and buried at Hogwarts. Thank you! To Tmr_Potterhead250: Thank you! You think it's cruel to tease with Luna and Rolf? It's still a ways away. I'm glad I can make you love Ron and his relationship with Harry as well as love Harry's relationship with Theo. Thank you! To abhinav_india_16: Thank you! And wow, sounds like you're about to get lucky lol. Thank you. To GryffindorHealer: Thank you, I hope you try out some of the mixed drinks anyway. Thank you! To PurpleLotus: Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To katelyn453: I agree, a fun way to send them off to their future! They are real names of real drinks, just google them. Thank you! To TatiRena: Thank you!
To Bellmel: Anthony's party was what really proved the battle was over, thank you. I wanted to show how people are moving on and starting over. It is surreal and I think we needed this little snippet to show it. Sophie terrifies poor Harry lol. Yes, Hinny and Theobas together lol. You think Zee needs another animal to accompany her to work? Theo did need to speak to his friends about Bas and his confusing feelings and fears surrounding them. I don't think it gave him the courage yet, but it definitely helped him. Bas and Theo are both insecure. Rolf does have a crush and it will still be ages I'm afraid lol. Yes, Blaise's future partner is still eons away as well. We'll have to see if Zee puts two and two together on Rolf's mystery blonde. Thank you! To The Go1den Snitch: Thank you for your kind support. I appreciate you saying that creating a villain that people hate is a real skill, I agree. Thank you very much for your words and support, I appreciate you! To Timothy Taft: I know you are only reviewing up to the death of Sirius (222), but thank you so much for claiming I have written such a moving tribute to Sirius. Thank you very much!
To Guest: To the random guest who posted a snippet of their very weird and strange story in a review with a demand for positive reviews, I don't know what to tell you except good luck with your writing. It's not my personal cup of tea, but I hope it helps you get reviews. Thanks for boosting my review count.
My posting schedule: Weekly.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE:
The One Where Life's About To Get Good
Neville loved having Hannah live at Cumbria with him and his grandmother. It only further cemented his desire to spend the rest of his life with her. Now that NEWTs were over and done with for her, and PLANTs were over for him, he had brought up the possibility of her reaching out to her uncle again. Hannah promised to do so, but he was still surprised when she told him that the two of them were invited over that Friday evening for dinner.
Julius Abbott and his wife, Abigail, had a modest home in London. When Neville and Hannah arrived, Julius invited them in with a smile, ushering them up the steps into the two story home just a few blocks over from the Ministry of Magic.
"I'm so glad that you both decided to come. Welcome!"
"Thank you," Neville said as Hannah nodded, shyly.
Soon they were settled into the living room with glasses of wine and starters. Neville reached out to take Hannah's hand in his when he felt her twitching nervously next to him.
"I'd like to start off with an apology, Hannah," Julius began. "I know that I said it in the letter, but I've been holding a grudge against you that you never deserved. I should have made more of an effort to get to know you, for Jake's sake as much as yours, and I am truly sorry for that. I hope that over time, we can maybe become friends."
Hannah bit her bottom lip. "Mr — Julius?"
"Uncle," he corrected. "Uncle Jules, if you'd like."
"Julius," Hannah repeated. "I've only recently really come to understand the choices my mother made. My best friend has been telling me for years that my mother wasn't a good person, but I just… I wanted to believe the good in her. I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. It breaks my heart that I was wrong about her."
Julius nodded. "I'm sorry that you had to go through that. But Abby and I… we would be more than happy to help you in any way that we can. Even if it's just a weekly or biweekly or monthly dinner. I really would like to get to know you, Hannah."
"I'd like that, too," she admitted.
Abby smiled warmly. "Good. I'm going to check on dinner and let you two get to know each other a bit."
Neville offered to help but she insisted he sit down.
"So," Julius began. "I know your boyfriend, obviously. He has a seat on the Wizengamot and he's the grandson of the rather formidable Lady Cumbria. He tells me that he wants to be a Herbologist."
"He is," Hannah said. "He is a Herbologist."
Neville blushed. "Well, only recently. I'm working on expanding my personal greenhouses for the time being."
"And you?" Julius asked. "What are you hoping to do now that you've finished at Hogwarts?"
"Bake," Hannah said. "I love to bake."
"And she's incredible at it," Neville told him. "Not only is it the greatest tasting food you've ever had, but it's truly a work of art."
"Neville exaggerates," Hannah said. "I like to make fancy desserts. I want to open my own bakery some day. Actually, Neville and I are going to do a joint flower shop and bakery."
"Really? That sounds… well, brilliant actually. It will be a one-stop shop for all of us blokes who forget important dates and need something to apologize for. Not only that but it sounds like it will be a good place to handle events like weddings."
"That's what we're hoping," Hannah said. "Hopefully within a few years. We're still in the planning and saving stage of the game."
"And looking," Neville added. "We want to keep our eye out for space when we can as well."
"It sounds like a good plan," Julius replied. "What else can you tell me about yourself?"
Hannah told him a little bit about her life at Hogwarts and her friends. When he asked about the ring on her finger, she told him that it was a promise ring, and he reiterated his statement that he thought Neville was a nice young man. Abby had only just returned to the living room when a beautiful young woman walked in with long dark brown hair, her arm was linked with a tall blond man who wore wire-rimmed glasses at her side.
"Oh, Angelica! Perfect," Julius said, standing to kiss her cheek and to shake the man's hand. "Come meet your cousin, Hannah. Hannah, this is your cousin Angelica and her fiancé Benjamin Rawlings. Angelica, Ben, this is Hannah and her boyfriend, Neville Longbottom."
"Nice to meet you," Ben said, extending his hand out to Neville first.
"You, too," Neville said as Angelica pulled Hannah into her arms for a hug.
"Cousin! I've been so looking forward to meeting you ever since Dad told me… I can't believe that we could have been the best of friends our whole lives if we'd only known about each other!"
Hannah looked flummoxed by this, but she smiled. "Thank you. That would have been nice."
It wasn't long before another woman appeared in the doorway. She was taller than Angelica, lean and had an athletic build. Her hair was short and dark purple with bright blue tips all spiked around her head. She had a sapphire stud in her nose and rings on every finger.
"Hannah, hi, I'm Jaclyn, but everyone calls me Jackie."
"Hi," Hannah said, smiling as she watched her cousin kiss her mother and father before taking a seat next to Angelica.
"Is Kem coming?" Abigail asked.
"Yeah, but she's running behind. She had one last client for a massage so she told me to come ahead without her. My girlfriend," she added at Hannah's look. "Makemba Keita. She's a masseuse and general wellness healer at the Witch's Spa in London."
Talk turned to Jackie's job as a cosmetician and Angelica's job as a healer before Makemba showed up. Neville noted that she was beautiful herself. Just as tall as Jackie, but with short black curly hair and dark brown eyes over dark skin. She had a huge bright blue butterfly tattooed on her right shoulder, visible in the strapless top she wore over red trousers.
By the time they sat down to dinner, Hannah was feeling more comfortable. Neville loved how he could physically see her relaxing, degree by degree. Angelica was gushing about her wedding plans (date set for April of 2000) and everything she wanted to get started on for it despite it being almost two years away. Jackie and Kem were talking about the new flat they were moving into and when they spotted Hannah's ring, they immediately wanted to know about her and Neville. When she told them about the promise ring, they thought it was the sweetest thing and asked a million questions about her. By the time dessert was served, Neville was feeling a bit put on the spot.
They stayed for after dinner drinks before saying goodnight. They all hugged Hannah goodbye and Julius took her hands in his at the door.
"This was lovely. I really hope that you'll come back again soon. We have weekly dinners here every Friday night and I would love for you and Neville to come."
"I'd like that," Hannah said.
Julius pulled her into his arms for a hug. "Perhaps you and I could grab a cuppa together one day next week? Just the two of us?"
Hannah's eyes lit up as she nodded. "That would be wonderful."
"Good," Julius said. "I'll owl you. Goodnight, Hannah, Neville. Thank you again for coming."
"Goodnight, Mr Abbott," Neville said, reaching for Hannah's hand.
Hannah hugged Abby before she flashed a warm smile at her uncle. "Goodnight, Uncle Jules."
The smile on the man's face when the door closed told Neville everything. Neville squeezed her hand in as they headed down the street, thinking that evening had gone even better than he could have hoped her.
"Thank you."
He stopped, turning to her in surprise. "Only you would thank me for that. I hardly did anything, Hannah. That in there, charming all of them? That was all you. I was only here for the ride."
Hannah stood on her toes to peck his lips. "No, you did so much more. I love you, Neville Longbottom. Thank you for helping me reconnect with family."
"It was my pleasure," he told her. "Now, should we head back to Cumbria or is there somewhere else you'd like to stop along the way?"
"No," Hannah said, leaning in to peck his lips again. "Tomorrow I'll drag you out with me when I start filling up on ingredients. Starting Monday, Serendipity Catering is officially in business."
He grinned. "Save me one strawberry fairy cake?"
"Deal."
Neville held her close as they Apparated back to Cumbria and thought he couldn't wait to really delve into the beginning of his life with Hannah by his side.
Life was about to get good.
~ ASC ~
Harry was holding a sleeping Teddy curled up on his shoulder. Teddy's sweet little face was against his neck where Harry could feel his soft breaths. His hand rubbed up and down his back as he sat comfortably in the armchair in the living room of Remus and Tonks' cottage.
"How was the party last weekend?" Remus asked, sipping the tea in his hands as he sat on the sofa across from him.
"Good," Harry told him. "It was fun. Goldstein knows how to throw them."
"That was a good idea he had, to celebrate the end of your Hogwarts days. How was your head?"
Harry grinned. "It was fine. I didn't drink that much."
"Was everyone there?" Remus asked.
"Yeah," Harry said. "Even Malfoy. Theo brought Sebastian along and Parkinson and Goyle showed up, apparently Astoria Greengrass babysat their son. Parkinson's hugely pregnant, due in two months. But it was nice."
"I'm glad," Remus said. "It was a good idea. Plus I think it's a way of helping all of you have closure after everything that's happened."
Harry nodded. "I suppose, yeah."
"Molly was by earlier this morning. She was talking about Ron and Hermione going to Australia."
"Yeah, they leave tomorrow," Harry said. "I had Basil help find them a beach side cottage and rented it for them. I wish I could do more to help."
"I don't understand, doesn't she know where her parents are?" Remus asked.
"Not entirely," Harry admitted. "But she and Ron will find them and bring them home. They went to Sydney, but that was almost a year ago. She'll find them. It's… complicated."
Remus gave Harry a look before he changed the subject. "What about your summer plans?"
"My plans?"
"Yes," Remus said, stretching his long legs out to rest on the coffee table in front of him and giving his son amused look. "You know, the time for you to relax and take a breath."
Harry shrugged. "I didn't really make any. Ginny's training starts in August and I was just so focused on Voldemort and now… the three of them are still out there."
"The Aurors will find them, Harry. Crouch, Bellatrix, and Brambilla are wanted all over the world. They won't stay in hiding forever," Remus told him. "And I'm not saying that they aren't a threat because we both know how dangerous the three of them are individually let alone as a group, but without Voldemort to lead them… the three of them are going to be quite lost."
Harry knew that his father was right, but the thought of those three, three of the most twisted human beings he'd ever known, having been the main Death Eaters to escape, bothered him. Especially because there was still no word on the missing Resurrection Stone.
"What about the stone?" Harry asked.
Remus pursed his lips. "That is a little worrisome, but Voldemort can't return, Harry. We destroyed all of his Horcruxes."
"They why would they take it?"
"I don't know," Remus admitted. "And we don't know that they did; not for sure. But we'll find them. You have to be confident in that. Even after the last war ended, it took months, almost a year before we managed to round up all of those who were involved with Voldemort in some way. And you know that there were lots who got away as well. It will take time, but it will happen. It won't be like last time. There's no place for them to run. There's no lying their way out of this one. Now, stop worrying. You did enough. You stopped Voldemort, Harry, and that alone means you shouldn't have to worry about the rest. What it means, is that you should take a little holiday. Go somewhere and just relax; stop worrying about everyone else and take care of yourself for a while."
Harry shrugged. "Ron and Hermione said the same thing before NEWTS and I've been thinking about it, but I wouldn't even know where to go. Besides, Zee needs my help with Mina and Leo."
"She does, but a week or two away wouldn't be a problem, Harry."
Tonks came from the bedroom then, freshly showered and dressed in bright purple cotton shorts and a Weird Sisters tee shirt. She plopped down next to her husband and took his hand in hers.
"Okay, what did I miss? Fill me in."
Remus kissed her hand. "I was just telling Harry that he should take a little holiday. He deserves the break."
"Oh, you definitely do!" Tonks exclaimed. "Go somewhere warm where you can surf again. You haven't used your board in ages!"
"That's true," Harry said, remembering how much he'd loved the feel of flying over the water. Surfing was really fun and so relaxing and freeing.
"You can go with Ginny," Tonks continued. "I bet that she could use the break too. A little distraction from all that's going on and a break from everything."
"I don't want to pull her away from her family right now," Harry began.
"No," Remus said. "You won't be. Honestly, I think that it would help her and help Molly. To see that her children are moving on and living again. After all, Ron's leaving, isn't he?"
Harry couldn't really argue with that. He had to admit, a little holiday away with Ginny was starting to sound pretty great the more he thought about it. Somewhere warm where they could surf and swim and somewhere they could be alone to make love. It had it's appeal.
"I know the perfect place," Remus said. "The Potter house in Barbados. You still have three or four more weeks before their rain season starts. It would be perfect."
"Barbados," Harry repeated, thinking it over. "It does sound kind of perfect."
Remus smiled. "Something to think about. You're always taking care of everyone else, Harry. I think that after everything that's happened, you need to take care of yourself for once."
"Plus, a good holiday of sex and sun is always the way to do it," Tonks teased.
"Dora!"
"What?" Tonks asked, feigning innocence. "It's not like we don't know that they aren't having lots and lots of sex, Remus. Just look at that chameleon tongue!"
Remus covered her mouth with his hand and Harry snorted.
"I'll think about it."
"That's all we ask," Remus said.
But when Harry left Wrexham, he found himself thinking about it more and more. Outside of the quick visit that he and Sirius had done in Potter's Paradise in Barbados, he'd never really been there. But he remembered that it was beautiful. He definitely wanted to surf again and it would be nice to go somewhere without people stopping to thank him.
After defeating Voldemort, it seemed that his so called celebrity status had jumped up even higher. He was constantly in the paper, his every move monitored. He'd stopped in Diagon Alley to buy more ink and reporters had snapped his photo and asked a dozen and one questions about his plans. At every funeral he attended, someone snapped his photo and plastered it in the paper. People asked for autographs and when he, Ron, and Hermione grabbed a bite after their NEWTS, reporters had swarmed them coming out of the restaurant.
It was starting to get on his nerves.
He hardly went anywhere anymore, moving only between his own home, the Burrow, and Remus and Tonks' cottage. He just wanted to be left alone.
Instead of going home like he planned, he found himself walking up the drive of the Burrow. He let himself in the back and found Charlie in the living room with Molly and Aydin. Charlie had decided to extend his stay in England after Arthur had died and Harry knew that Molly was grateful for it.
"Hi, Harry, dear," Molly said as she held her granddaughter on her lap and read an alphabet book.
"Hi, Mrs-Molly," he corrected. "Hi, Aydin."
"Hi!" Aydin exclaimed.
Charlie chuckled. "My little social butterfly. Where are you coming from, Harry?"
"I just saw Teddy. Is Ginny around? I wanted to talk to her about something."
"In the shower," Charlie said. "She should be done any minute."
Harry nodded. "Thanks. I'll wait upstairs for her."
"Hands off, Potter," Charlie teased.
"Oh, Charlie," Molly said. "Leave them be."
Harry headed up the stairs as Molly scolded Charlie for teasing him. He let himself into Ginny's room and stretched out on her bed to wait for her. Charlie was right, it was barely a few minutes before he heard her humming. She came into the room with a blue towel wrapped around her hair and a rather ratty brown one wrapped around her body. She closed the door behind her and jumped at the sight of him lying across her bed.
"Merlin! You scared me!"
"Sorry," he said, his grin widening.
Ginny moved to her wardrobe to find some clothes and Harry came to stand behind her, pressing his lips to the cluster of freckles on her shoulder.
"Hi."
"Hi," Ginny said, turning her head to peck his lips. "I have to get dressed."
Harry merely turned her around and opened her towel, his eyes taking his fill of her flushed pink skin as he licked his lips.
"You are so fucking beautiful. I've been thinking of nothing but going down on you again since our dance in the rain."
Ginny blushed. "You know, for someone who claims that he's awkward, you certainly have the words."
Harry leaned down to brush his lips over hers. "Only for you."
He held her close against him, the towel squished in his hands at her back as they kissed.
"Mmm, too bad your mum and Charlie are well aware that I came up here."
"Better work on your stealth skills, Potter."
He pinched her hip before he stepped back. "I wanted to run something by you."
"Oh?" Ginny asked, letting her towel fall to the floor entirely.
Harry's eyes raked over her hungrily as she turned to grab a pair of knickers from her drawer. Gods, she was so beautiful. He swallowed and adjusted himself as he sat back down on the bed. He watched her tug on a pair of striped cotton knickers before he cleared his throat.
"Erm, Ron and Hermione leave tomorrow and there's just so much going on."
Ginny clipped a matching blue bra into place before she pulled the towel off of her head and began to rub it over her long wet hair. "Go on."
Harry shrugged, his eyes on the dark wet tresses. "I was visiting Teddy and talking to Uncle Rem and Tonks about everything and… I mean, I can't even go out for coffee without practically being mobbed and I get it. People want to say thanks and I mean, I don't need that, but people want to do it and I don't want to be a wanker about it, but…"
Ginny pulled on cut-off jean shorts before she moved to stand in front of him. She put her hands on his shoulders. "But you deserve some peace too."
"Come away with me," he blurted.
"What?"
"Come away with me," he repeated. "You and me. Ron and Hermione will be in Australia for a few weeks, at least. Charlie is staying a few more days with Aydin, but your mum's doing better, yeah?"
"Yes, she is," Ginny agreed. "We're all doing a bit better. Percy says that we need to move on and I know he's right. And I know that Percy bossing us around is his way of dealing with everything, but it's just… life without Dad is very different."
Harry pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "I know. Let's go away, just you and me, for two weeks. Somewhere it's just us. No reporters. No one needing us. No one asking how we're doing. No one to see if we need anything. Just you and me."
"It would be nice to spend some quiet time at Somerset," she admitted. "We didn't really get a chance to try out all those rooms."
He grinned. "Oh, don't worry, we'll definitely try out all those rooms, but I had something else in mind."
Ginny raised an eyebrow.
Harry let his hands slide down her hips to cup her arse through her denim shorts. "We have a house in Barbados."
"We?"
He rolled his eyes. "What's mine is yours. And look, it's called Potter's Paradise and I've only been there once to check it out, but it's perfect. It's on the beach so we can surf. There's a pool and the ocean and we'd have the whole house to ourselves. No one to bother us. We can just swim and shag and surf and shag and explore and shag some more."
She chuckled. "I'm noticing a common theme here."
He spanked her lightly. "What do you say, Gin?"
Ginny leaned in to peck his lips. "I think it sounds perfect."
Harry grinned and deepened the kiss, one hand sliding up to cup a breast through her bra. Ginny swatted his hand away.
"None of that, Potter. Mum will be waiting for us to go down."
Harry let out a dramatic moan and turned to bury his face in her pillow. "You'll kill me."
Ginny tossed him a saucy look over her shoulder. "I think you'll survive."
He grinned as he watched her turn to brush her hair and thought his summer plans were definitely looking up.
Harry stayed for dinner as he listened to Ron and Hermione talk about their plans for Australia. They had a portkey taking them directly to the Australian ministry tomorrow morning. It was set to leave at seven AM, but with the time difference they would be arriving at four in the afternoon as Australia was nine hours ahead of England.
"Basil stocked up the beach house for you," Harry said. "Everything's in order that way, but Byron Bay isn't close to the Australian Ministry."
"I know," Hermione said. "But it was one of the better places to stay along the coast according to my tourist books. Plus, my parents might not be in Sydney. After we speak with Agent Cook, we'll know more."
Harry knew that Hermione had everything figured out. She'd been scared and worried about how to find them and when Harry had suggested that she get the Australian ministry to help her, she'd shaken her head.
"Harry! If anyone finds out what I did… obliviating anyone the way I did… it's not right."
"You did it for their protection," Harry argued. "Just let me talk to Tonks."
He had and she'd suggested that he talk to Kingsley Shacklebolt. Kingsley had been more than happy to help.
"She's not the first," he admitted, scratching his bald head. "We had people doing this in the first war as well. It's a witness protection program of sorts. I'll write her a letter to show to Agent Cook, but she shouldn't have any problems."
Hermione had flung herself into Harry's arms when he'd given her the letter. Harry had insisted on renting a beach house for them to stay in, claiming that it was his way of saying thanks for all of the help that they'd given him. But in reality, he just wanted to help in some way in the search for her parents. He'd refused to take no for an answer and it had been Ron who'd thanked him in the end, understanding.
"What are you two going to do while we're gone?" Ron asked, helping himself to some more chicken.
"Actually, Harry just asked if I would go on a little holiday with him," Ginny said, her eyes on Molly. "To Barbados."
"Barbados?" Charlie exclaimed. "Not around the corner, is it?"
Ginny ignored him. "We can surf and swim and relax."
Molly's eyes softened. "I know that this has been hard on you, dear. Can't even open the paper without seeing your face splashed all over it."
Harry nodded. "It's far enough away to get a break and it would be relaxing. Gin and I haven't surfed since we were in Georgia and I know that she's itching to get back in the water as much as I am. My grandparents had a house out there and it was actually Uncle Rem's suggestion that Ginny and I go."
Molly sighed. "Of course you can go. It's only a handful of weeks until you're seventeen and… you deserve it, dear. Both of you."
Ginny squealed and jumped up to kiss her mum's cheek. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Charlie rolled his eyes. "Not going to invite the whole family, Potter?"
Ginny pinched him as she walked by and he yelped.
"I mean, no of course not, you deserve some alone time," Charlie replied.
Molly chuckled. "How long will you be gone?"
"Two weeks," Harry said. "I think maybe we'll leave this weekend?"
Ginny smiled. "That sounds perfect."
And Harry thought it really did.
~ ASC ~
Ron thought that the little beach house in Byron Bay was a lot bigger than he'd expected it to be, but of course his best mate had gone a tad overboard. The place not only overlooked the Pacific Ocean but was a lot of glass, giving them a beautiful view of the beach. The house was elevated off of the sand and there were ten steps to get inside. The big wrap around porch was white against the bright blue siding. It was rather quaint.
"How did Harry even find this place?" Ron asked as he carried his and Hermione's suitcases through the door.
"Basil," Hermione said. "He asked if the elf knew of anything available to rent and he returned an hour later with a folder of over thirty properties complete with photos from all over Australia. I thought that Byron Bay had the nicest properties with the most privacy so that we don't have to hide our magic as much."
Ron whistled. "Damn. You have to admit, house elves are awesome."
Hermione pursed her lips, her hands on her hips as she stood in the furnished living room. "This is lovely."
Ron stood their suitcases by the door and moved to pull her back into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her bushy curls. It had been less than an hour since they'd arrived in Australia and Hermione was already very tense.
"Okay, let's get unpacked, find something to eat, and then we'll have a nap."
"I can't sleep!"
"Yes," Ron insisted, kissing under her ear. "You will. Jet lag is going to kick our arses if we don't. Bill was very clear on that. He said that you eat, you nap, then you plan."
Hermione looked like she wanted to protest, but she nodded. "Okay."
"We also need to get a heating charm up in this place. I thought Australia was supposed to be hot as bollocks!"
"Not in June," Hermione explained. "Because of where it sits on the equator their seasons are backwards from ours. June is actually the start of their winter season."
"Bollocks," Ron muttered. "I was hoping to spend some time in the ocean."
"I think it's rather nice," Hermione admitted. "At least I won't have to worry about the humidity making my hair so awful."
Ron figured he could understand that, at least in theory, but he was still disappointed it wasn't hot. He took her hand in his, leading her into the kitchen. Harry had sent Basil ahead to set everything up for them so Ron knew that meant the kitchen would be well stocked. He found the makings for sandwiches and got to work making them each a roast beef sandwich, putting the plates on the table before them. Hermione was looking out at the water, her arms wrapped around herself.
Ron went to stand behind her, pulling her back against him. "We're going to find them, Mione. We're going to find them and we're going to bring them home."
"Australia is a huge country, Ron," Hermione said. "I know that they came to Sydney, but we don't know that that's where they stayed."
"Hey, we have that appointment with the Department of Muggle Liaisons tomorrow at nine. They'll be able to help us locate them and work with the Muggle Aurors if necessary."
"Police," Hermione corrected.
"Right, them," Ron said. "Monica and Wendall Wilkins will turn up. I promise."
Hermione turned in his arms, tilting her head back to look up at him. "You can't promise that."
"I can," Ron vowed. "Your parents are smart people, Hermione. They won't have wandered off somewhere or disappeared. They are somewhere here in Australia, probably in Sydney, and we'll find them. I know it. We just have to take it one step at a time, starting with you eating this amazing sandwich that I just prepared for you like the awesome boyfriend I am."
Hermione's lips curved. She stood on her toes and brought her lips to his for a soft kiss. "I love you, Ron Weasley."
Ron squeezed her bottom and she rolled her eyes. "I know. I'm kind of brilliant. Come eat."
Hermione shuffled over to the table and took a seat and when Ron watched her take her first bite, he knew that it was going to be all right. She would stress over things and he expected nothing less from her. He couldn't imagine if it were his parents in this situation, but he knew that they would find them. They just needed to take it one step at a time.
So far, Australia had been very different than Ron had expected. When they left the Australian Ministry of Magic, otherwise known as the Cabinet of Magical Affairs or COMA, he'd been shocked to walk outside and feel a cool breeze. It had been chilly enough that he'd needed a jumper. There was no humidity and crazy heat like he'd been expecting. And he was a little bummed that he hadn't seen a kangaroo, but as Hermione pointed out, it wasn't like they walked down the busy streets of Sydney alongside of the people.
The transportation office had helped give them directions to the beachside cottage in Byron Bay, which was apparently almost eight hours away. According to the portkey official, he suggested that they take the Straya Bus. It was the Australian version of the Knight Bus, a triple decker bus in dark blue with white stars on it. It not only moved twice as fast as a regular bus, but had off-road tires and was able to sail along the rough terrain outside of the city. Ron had to admit, it made the Knight Bus look like a walk in the park when it came to a bumpy ride, but the Straya Bus brought them to their beach cottage in Byron Bay in just over four hours instead of eight like a Muggle bus would have taken.
Byron Bay was a beautiful coastal town. Hermione had chosen it as their place to stay because according to her research, it was one of the best places to stay that kept them somewhat close to the main cities around Sydney. If Monica and Wendall Wilkins hadn't stayed in Sydney, it was more likely they had ventured off into Canberra, Brisbane, or even Melbourne. Either way, it looked like they were going to be spending a lot of their time travelling. If necessary, they would find a hotel if they were forced to head towards Melbourne, but Ron agreed with his girlfriend, he didn't think that they went that far south.
They finished their sandwiches quietly and Ron left Hermione to unpack in their bedroom while he looked around the cottage. It had two bedrooms, an open kitchen and living room, and one fairly large bath with a walk-in shower as well as a large tub. He looked out at the ocean and despite the rather overcast weather, it was a beautiful sight. He turned to head into the bedroom and see if Hermione needed any help when a movement on his left caught his eye.
A huge yellow-brown spider the size of a Galleon was crawling up the wall.
Ron let out a loud half-scream, half-shriek as Hermione came running.
"What? Ron! What is it?"
Ron slowly backed towards the patio door, his eyes on the spider as he pointed. "Sp-sp-spider!"
Hermione started to roll her eyes before her eyes fell on the large thing and she yelped, hopping up onto the couch. "Eeee! Get it out!"
"I'm not bloody getting it out!" Ron yelled. "There's no way that I'm touching that thing!"
"Ron!"
Ron shuddered and closed his eyes. "Nuh-uh!"
Hermione glared at her boyfriend. "Fat lot of help you are, Ron Weasley!"
"Look at the size of that bloody thing, Hermione! Do you want me to die?"
"Coward," she muttered under her breath, sticking her tongue out at her boyfriend. She let out a slow breath before she pulled her wand from her pocket and slowly pointed it at the spider. "Okay, I can do this. Just breathe. Petrificus totalus!"
The spider froze and slowly tumbled down the wall, making Ron emit an even louder scream. Hermione kept her wand on it.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The spider floated up and at Hermione's look, Ron opened the patio door, and she levitated the spider outside onto the sandy beach. Ron slammed the door closed behind her and visibly shuddered, half jumping off of the ground as he did a little dance.
"Blimey! I feel like it's crawling on me! Did you see the legs on that bloody thing?"
Hermione shuddered as well before she bit her lip. "I thought maybe after the Acromantula thing, you'd be okay with them."
"Did you see how many legs that thing had? How long they were? Hermione, that thing could cover my head! It could eat me!"
Hermione chuckled, wrapping her arms around his waist and tilting her head back to look up at him. "Australia is known for having some of the biggest and deadliest spiders in the world. I think that was a Huntsman spider."
Ron paled. "Now she tells me!"
She stood on her toes and kissed him. "I can't promise not to freak out if we see another one, but I'll agree to handle the spiders if you promise to handle the snakes."
"Deal," Ron said, pecking her lips again.
Hermione was halfway to the bedroom before Ron called out to her.
"Wait — what snakes?"
~ ASC ~
Remus kept his eyes on his wife as she gently placed a sleeping Teddy in his cot next to their bed. She tapped his tummy lightly before she stood, a soft smile on her face. When she turned, her robe opened a bit and he was greeted to the sight of those beautiful full breasts.
"Did he eat enough?"
"Yes," Tonks said. "But I'm still aching a bit."
Remus pulled her down into his lap, pressing his lips to her throat. "Want me to take some?"
She nodded, sighing when he bent to suckle her just enough to let some of the milk flow. After a minute, she pushed him away.
"That's good. Thank you."
Remus kissed her breast tenderly before he lifted his head to kiss her lips. "My pleasure." He closed her robe, snuggling her into his arms as they looked over at their sleeping son. "He's perfect, isn't he?"
"Absolutely," Tonks said. "Our perfect little man."
They watched him a moment before Remus stood up, Tonks in his arms, and carried her over to their bed.
"Mmm," she murmured. "Don't tempt me. I still have to shower."
Remus pressed his lips to her forehead. "Want me to wash your back?"
Her lips curved. "Getting cheeky, Professor."
"Always. Go, hop in the shower before you get too comfortable."
Tonks reluctantly slid off of the bed to do just that. She came back ten minutes later wearing one of his old sleep shirts and a pair of cotton knickers. She climbed into bed next to him, sighing when he wrapped his arms around her so that she could snuggle in close.
"I needed that. It was so nice to see Harry with Teddy earlier."
"Mmm, he's great with him," Remus agreed. "Did you hear him talking to him earlier? He's kind of adorable and calling himself Uncle Harry and talking to Teddy like he's a little adult. I was making us some lunch in the kitchen and I could just hear him prattling on about how he's excited to start Auror training. He was telling Teddy how he's going to show him how to ride a motorbike like Sirius would have and how he'll take him to Quidditch games to cheer on Ginny and let him play in the treehouse with Mina and Leo. It warmed my heart."
"That's so sweet," Tonks said, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "I love how attentive he is. He's here almost every other day, taking Teddy so I can shower or run out and get stuff done. He's making our job too easy."
Remus chuckled. "Enjoy it. Once he starts at the academy, we won't have the extra set of hands available as often. Plus he and Ginny are leaving soon for their holiday."
"Ah yes, sun, surf, and sex."
"Dora!"
"What?" Tonks asked innocently. "They are definitely going to be shagging like mad."
"It doesn't mean that we need to address it."
"You're so adorable and awkward about it."
"I'm not awkward about it," Remus protested. "I know that he's having sex. He's come to me about it. It's just that I don't think we need to bring it up. I feel like it was only yesterday that Harry was Teddy's age and to think of him out having sex… no, I don't want to do that."
Tonks chuckled. "That's because you're such an old man."
Remus pinched her hip and she squealed. "Shush, you'll wake the baby."
Tonks twisted his nipple in response and he bit back a yelp. "Prat. So, I've been thinking actually, about Harry and the academy."
"Oh?"
Tonks shifted in his arms. "I love being home with Teddy. I love spending my days snuggling him and taking care of him. It's… it's the most rewarding job I've ever had and I feel guilty for thinking it, but I don't know if I want to take the full year of maternity leave offered."
Remus lifted an eyebrow. "No?"
She began to trace circles on his chest as she spoke. "If I go back in September, it would only have been six months. I could just do part-time and get to help Harry get settled and we can work together. I know it's a lot to ask and if you don't want me to, I completely understand. Molly has offered more than once to be available as a baby sitter and we can work it out with you at Hogwarts."
"I could take him," Remus said. "It would be more challenging with my classes when he starts crawling, but I'd love to have him at work with me. Minerva could watch him when I can't and if you're part-time, we can switch off when needed."
Tonks lifted her head to look down into his eyes. "Really?"
Remus brushed his thumb down her cheek. "Of course. If this is what you want, we'll work it out."
"It doesn't make me a bad mother?"
"No," Remus insisted. "Absolutely not. You're an amazing mother and Teddy loves you so much."
She bit her bottom lip. "But by admitting I want to go back to work, doesn't that make me…"
"No," Remus repeated. "It makes you an incredibly dedicated and driven woman who knows what she wants. Plus, if you go back early, it means I'll get more one-on-one time with my boy. I think of it as a win-win, really."
Tonks chuckled. "Ah, so it's selfish on your part."
"Entirely," Remus said. "Nymphadora, whatever you want to do, I will always fully support you."
Tonks brushed her lips over his. "How did I get so lucky?"
"That's my line," he teased.
Their lips met for a long kiss before Tonks straddled him in the bed. "You know, it's been a few days since I got the all clear."
"Oh?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
She ground herself over him and his eyes crossed. "Uh-huh. I'm all good to go and yet you haven't taken advantage of me yet. I'm a little hurt."
Remus reached under her nightshirt to cup her breast. "I didn't want to push. You had a major surgery, Dora and it… are you sure?"
"I am," Tonks told him. "I miss you. It's been so long, I might be a virgin again."
Remus snorted. "I doubt that."
Tonks' grey eyes met his. "The healers said I could have sex that it shouldn't… affect my sex life, but I might not be able to perform like I could before and I…"
Remus pressed his lips to her forehead. "Nymphadora, there's no rush. I'm not going anywhere."
Tonks shook her head and pulled her shirt over her head, leaving herself in just her cotton knickers, he licked his lips. "No, I don't want to wait. Touch me. Please."
Remus stared at her a moment, his eyes on her perky breasts, taking in the large ugly scar across her side and her abdomen. He reached out to trace it with his finger and she closed her eyes.
"Don't close your eyes. It only shows me how beautiful and how strong you are. I love your scars because each one tells me you lived. You're alive, Nymphadora. I can't ask for anything more than that."
She leaned into his touch. "Touch me, Rem."
Remus gently pushed her down onto the bed, his mouth moving over her throat as he hovered over her. "I am."
His lips moved down her torso, sucking on her skin between kisses and when his nose brushed over her knickers, she made a soft moan.
"Something you want, Nymphadora?"
"Yes," she groaned, her hips arching towards him.
Remus licked his lips, brushing a finger beneath the cotton to feel the wet heat there. Fuck, this was something he wanted too. He let his tongue dance over his bottom lip as he teased her and then he pushed her knickers aside and let his tongue delve into her.
The sound she made on top of her taste hitting his tongue, made his already aching cock, grow. Merlin, he'd missed this, but he still craved her like a potion habit he couldn't kick. He lapped at her, moaning as he dragged his tongue over her folds, twirling in and out of her as she mewled under him.
He added a finger as he moved to suck on her clit and she panted his name, her fingers clutching his hair desperately. He took his time, building her up and taking her over and when she finally came, she turned her head to moan into the pillow as Remus continued to lick and tease her.
"Again," he purred against her. "Come for me again."
"Mmm, I can't," she groaned. "Come up here."
Remus ignored her and dived back down on her, determined to show her that no matter what happened, she was still the same woman he loved to pleasure. She groaned, twisting against him as his fingers and tongue delved deeper and faster and when she clenched around him a second time, he finally moved back. He shoved his pyjama bottoms down his hips and lined himself up with her.
"Are you sure, Nymphadora?"
She didn't wait for an answer. She grabbed his hips and pushed herself up to take him into her, both of them groaning at their connection.
"Oh, Rem," she gasped. "Oh, Rem, I forgot how bloody amazing you feel."
Remus made a sound of agreement and when he started to move, her nails dug into his hips. He crushed his lips to hers as he came, his hips rocking against hers. When he finished, he panted against her chest, sighing as she ran her hands up and down his back.
"I'll move in a minute," he whispered.
Tonks kissed his forehead and smiled. "No. Stay."
Remus rested his head against her shoulder waiting for his heartbeat to settle back and when he shifted her so that they were side by side, wrapped in each other's arms, they shared another kiss. Then they were both drifting off, content to try to catch as much sleep as they could before Teddy woke them once more.
Remus thought life was pretty close to perfect.
~ ASC ~
Ginny had just finished packing for Barbados, a smile on her face as she added a few more things. She'd spent the afternoon shopping with Theo for a new bathing suit and had ended up buying two after Theo had insisted she needed both of them. She had to admit, he'd been right.
The first one was black with lime green trim. It was a halter top, a thin lime green string between her breasts and around her back and neck. The two black triangles that covered her breasts were a little tinier than she would normally wear, but since she planned on wearing it on her trip with Harry, she'd agreed to it. The bottom was black with lime green strings tied at her hips. The second one was dark green, high in the thighs and at the bottom and a halter around her neck. She loved both of them.
Molly stepped into her bedroom with a basket of clothes. "There might be a few more things in here you might like."
"Thanks, Mum."
"So, Barbados… I've never been anywhere so exotic."
Ginny smiled. "I know. I'm excited. Harry bought me that surfboard and we've never been able to use it again. It will be so nice to get in the water. It's like flying, you know?"
"I'm glad that you're going," Molly admitted. "I know once your Quidditch training starts up in August you're going to be extremely busy. You and Harry were both so brave in the battle, Ginny, and… I don't want you to hang around here and sit with me because I'm sad."
"I'm sad, too, Mum," Ginny told her, moving to hug her mother. "But Dad wouldn't want us to sit around and forget how to live."
"No," Molly agreed. "He wouldn't." She kissed the top of her daughter's head. "You're both still on the potion?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yes. I promise. We're being careful."
"Good. Three surprises of unplanned grandchildren are more than enough for me."
Ginny chuckled as her mirror lit up on her night table. Ginny reached for it, smiling down at Theo's face. "It's Theo."
"I'll leave you to it. Tell him I said hello."
Ginny nodded as Molly left the room and she swiped open the communication mirror. "Miss me already?"
"Always, chick!" Theo declared. "No, I know that you wanted to go home and pack, but I wanted to talk to you before you take off on holiday."
Ginny lifted an eyebrow and moved to sit on the bed. "Oh? Everything all right?"
Theo let out a dramatic sigh. "I don't know. Sebastian and I still haven't spoken about it. You know, about that whole unspoken thing."
"The fact that you have matching Patronuses and are madly in love with each other?"
Theo bit his lip. "Well, yeah, that."
Ginny smiled. "Theo, you just have to tell him. I know that you're scared, but you already know that he loves you."
"I know," he said. "But he was on a ton of potions and he probably doesn't even remember that he told me he loved me and if I tell him than it makes it all real."
"Living in denial isn't going to stop it from being real. I know you loved Finn, but you're not going to lose Sebastian like you lost Finn."
"You can't promise that," Theo whispered, his eyes wide.
"No," Ginny agreed. "I can't promise that. Where's Sebastian now?"
"At work," Theo said. "He said that he would be a little later tonight. Can you talk to me for a bit?"
Ginny reached over to lifted Arnold into her arms, stroking her pgymy puff's soft fur as she smiled into the mirror. "As long as you want."
Then she stretched out on her bed, Arnold on her chest, and listened to her friend unload his worries and fears on her.
~ ASC ~
Sebastian let himself into Norfolk Manor, still finding it weird to walk into this massive home. He loved how much it reminded him of Theo though, the simple touches and colours. It made him smile. It seemed that he was spending more time here as of late than he was in his own flat. When Oliver came to greet him at the door, he realized that he rarely even went home anymore other than to grab clothes. He wasn't sure when that had happened exactly, maybe after he'd recovered here after being released from St Mungos, but he wasn't upset about it.
He wanted to be with Theo every spare moment that he could. Whether it was here at Norfolk or in his little flat hardly mattered. The fact that he had told the man he loved him and Theo had yet to say it back was only bothering him a little bit. He didn't want to force Theo to say it if he didn't feel the same, but sometimes when he looked at him… he swore that Theo did feel the same. He stepped out of his shoes, putting them into the large cupboard by the door on the mat and decided that instead of obsessing over Theo and his feelings, he would find his boyfriend and snog him instead. If he could show him how much he loved him and cared about him, maybe Theo would see that he meant it.
Sebastian headed towards the living room as that was usually where he could find his boyfriend this time of day. The sound of Theo's voice made him smile and his tongue dipped out to touch his bottom lip as he headed towards the door, pausing just outside of it when he heard his name.
"I compare Bas to Finn all the time, chick," Theo admitted. "I can't stop myself."
Sebastian frowned, biting his lip. He compared them? What the hell did that mean? Merlin knew that he'd been trying his best not to be jealous of the fae prince who had given Theo everything before him, but knowing that Theo was comparing the two of them… how the bloody hell could he compete with that? He wished that Finn was alive so that he could beat him in a duel; anything to prove that he was the better man for Theo. The thought was petty and he didn't care. He leaned against the wall by the door, closing his eyes as he heard Ginny's voice respond.
"Theo, it makes sense that you would. You loved Finn and he meant so much to you. He was everything to you."
"I know," Theo said. "Part of me will always love him, but it's different with Bas."
"Different how?" Ginny asked.
Sebastian leaned back against the wall outside of the living room door, not daring to go inside.
"Because everything that I had with Finn was perfect, Ginny. It was just perfect and things with Sebastian are not perfect."
Sebastian's heart clenched in his chest. Part of him always wondered what Theo saw in him and now his fears were coming to head. He wasn't Finn. He wasn't a bloody fae prince and he wasn't perfect. Clark had told him that enough times when they'd been together. He'd claimed Sebastian was too needy, wanted to spend too much time together, and told him that he wasn't boyfriend material. Despite listening to his friends tell him the problem had been with Clark and not him, hearing Theo's words brought all of those insecurities right back.
"I don't want things to be perfect, Ginny," Theo continued, making Sebastian pause. "I like that I don't know what's going to happen and I like that we disagree on things and… he's just amazing. I mean, he's so bloody handsome and sexy obviously, but he's intelligent and sweet and… he's kind of a big softie. For someone with such a bad-arse job, he's not what you'd expect. I loved Finn and I loved being with him and spending time with him and I wanted a future with him, but being with Bas… it's made me realize what was missing when I was with Finn. As much as I loved him, he was too perfect, Ginny. He always agreed with whatever I wanted and just wanted me to sit in a protective bubble. Bas doesn't want that."
Ginny's voice made Sebastian hold his breath. "Okay, so what's bothering you about it, Theo? Is it that you compare them that's bothering you? Look at this way — what if Finn hadn't been killed, and you could see what you have with Sebastian now, and you had to choose between them? Who would you pick?"
"I loved Finn," Theo said. "He was my world and I don't regret a single moment that we had together."
Sebastian bit his bottom lip and started to turn away. He couldn't be here right now. He couldn't stand here and listen to the man he loved talk about how much he loved this other man. He needed to go anywhere else and he needed to do it now before he barged in there and said something that he'd regret.
"But if I had to choose… I would choose Bas every fucking time," Theo said, making Sebastian stop in his tracks. "I wouldn't even hesitate. Sebastian is the one, Ginny, and Finn… could never compare to him. I sometimes feel guilty for thinking that, but he could never compare to him. I'm madly, desperately in love with Sebastian and if Finn walked through those doors right now, alive and whole, I would choose Sebastian Kane every single time."
Sebastian marched into the room and bent over the back of the sofa to capture a surprised Theo's mouth in his in a long, upside down kiss that kept going and going and going… Part of him heard Ginny say something about leaving them be, but he didn't stop kissing him as Theo dropped the mirror from his fingers. He felt lightheaded and giddy and when Theo's hands tugged at his arms, he let himself be tugged over the back of the sofa to cover Theo's body with his, their lips never leaving each other.
"Bas," Theo whispered against his lips and Sebastian lifted his head just enough to look into his eyes.
"Did you mean it?"
Theo stared up at him, his eyes full of love and desire. "Every word. I love you. You're the one for me. I'm so sorry that I freaked out and that I didn't say it back like I should have."
Sebastian cupped his face in his hand and shook his head. "No, I don't care about that. I don't want you to say it if you don't mean it. I know how important Finn was to you."
"He was," Theo admitted, his arms looping around Sebastian's neck. "I thought he was everything and he was exactly who I needed at that time, but he's not you. Bas, he's not you and it's you that I want. I love you, Sebastian."
"Say it again," Bas whispered.
"I love you," Theo repeated, his lips curving.
"Again."
"I love you," Theo said a third time, his eyes twinkling. "I am hopelessly, desperately, heart on my sleeve, madly in love with you. I've never felt like this with anyone before and what I feel for you… it's made what I felt for Finn pale in comparison. I know now that I was waiting for you."
Sebastian crushed his mouth to his in a deep kiss that left both of them breathless before he pressed his forehead against his. "I've tried not to be jealous of a dead man, baby, and I've tried not to put pressure on you about how you feel, but Merlin, I think I've been in love with you since the first moment you dared me to kiss you. The moment your lips touched mine, I knew that you were different. I knew that no matter what happened after that kiss, no one would ever kiss me like that again."
Theo trailed his fingers over Sebastian's lips. "You've been jealous of Finn?"
"Insanely," he admitted. "How the hell is a bloke supposed to compare to a bloody fae prince?"
Theo smiled, his hands slipping into his thick hair. "A part of me will always love Finn and I will always treasure our memories together, but he wasn't the one for me. You are, Auror Arsehole. I was waiting for you and I'm sorry that it took me so long to realize it. A bloody fae prince has nothing on you, Sebastian Kane. Nothing."
Sebastian's lips curved. "Is it weird that I still wish he was alive so that I could duel him for you?"
Theo laughed, his eyes twinkling. "You think that you could take him?"
"If there was a competition to win your affections… I'd do everything in my power to prove that I was worthy of you." He kissed his forehead, his nose, both cheeks, then his lips. "I think that you're the most amazing man I've ever met and that you choosing me over him, over anyone else is just… I love you, Theo."
"I love you, too," he said, kissing him deeply. "And Bas?"
Sebastian's eyes met those dark brown ones.
"It's better."
When Sebastian lifted an eyebrow, Theo pulled out his wand and conjured his Patronus. The macaroni penguin appeared before them and Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise.
"See? We're worthy of each other, Sebastian, and that's the best thing about us."
"We… we have the same Patronus," he whispered, his eyes full of awe. "How long have you known?"
"Since the Battle of Hogwarts when Ron pointed it out. Ron, of all people, Bas!"
Sebastian framed his face in his hands, his thumb brushing over Theo's bottom lip. "I love you, Theo."
Then he pressed his lips to his and they held each other close as they kissed again and again and Sebastian knew that Theo's words were true.
They had been waiting for each other.
And Sebastian had no plans of ever letting this man go.
Not for a second.