Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.
(A/N): Well...here it is. The next to last chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter 44
A Life Not Predestine
Harry was awoken early the next morning by a light tapping on his bedroom door. Rolling to the side his hand landed a half dozen different places on the table before stumbling on his glasses. His other hand had a death grip on his wand. "Just a minute." Pulling on a pair of sweat pants and tucking in the light blue t-shirt he padded over to the door. Pulling it open he blinked a couple times in surprise at finding Remus standing there, looking around a little bit nervously. "Morning sir." The were wolf smiled broadly and focused his attention back on Harry.
"Good morning Harry. I was wondering if you had a minute."
"Uh…yeah. Sure. What do you need?" Again Remus glanced around as if wondering whether he should be here. He shrugged it off though and focused again on Harry.
"Well…I have something for you. Sort of an end of school present." Harry woke up quickly at that and looked around. Nothing was sitting in the hallway and Remus's hands were both empty.
"Okay…and it is?" Remus smiled at Harry's confusion.
"Get dressed and meet me downstairs. It's a bit to large to carry up here."
"O…kay." With a nearly mischievous grin Remus turned and headed for the stairs. Harry watched him for a moment before closing the door and stepping back into his room to find some clothes. Pulling on the swiftly shed jeans and shirt he had worn the previous day, he checked for his wand, cloak and a few other things. Satisfied he was good to go, he slipped on his shoes and headed out.
The house was deathly quiet as he silently descended the stairs and found Remus waiting for him in the entryway. The man gestured his to follow and headed toward the back of the house. Passing down a long hall and by several rooms they came to a back door Harry had barely known was there. Pushing it open, Remus was the first to step into the bright sunlight of early morning. The neighborhood itself was quiet, still waiting to wake up on a Saturday and taking its time. Harry followed him across the relatively small back lawn to a much smaller building that seemed to be no more than a shed with an entry door on the side and its back against the tall picket fence that blocked the yard form curious neighbors.
Lupin shoved the door open with some difficulty and let Harry step in first. It in fact was a shed that was no bigger inside than it looked from without. Dust an inch thick laid over the various tools and bits of lumber and other odds and ends that lined the walls. In the center of the shed though, was one thing Harry couldn't readily identify, covered in a tattered old tarp or blanket. It was this Remus approached and stood beside, his face suddenly growing rather serious.
"Now Harry…I dare say Molly and likely Hermione would frown on giving you this. I can't say your mother…or even James would fully approve either. However, some part of him I believe would want you to have it and more than a little part of Sirius. And since you've been lost both of them, I feel it is my duty as their friend and the last of the Marauders, to see it safely into your hands. So…I present you with…" He grabbed the blanket and yanked it away with a flourish, oddly not disturbing any of the dust. What Harry's eyes found beneath nearly made them pop. He could only stare at it wide eyed as Remus continued. "Sirius's motorbike! Hagrid's took care of it for a while and then I took over a few years ago. And now…it's yours."
Harry slowly approached the bike and looked it over. It looked almost perfectly normal. Well…as normal as a thirty year old motorbike could look in the shed of a magical house belonging to an ancient family line. The only thing that stuck out was a small red button near the right grip that looked to have been added on at a later date. After staring at it for several moments, Harry managed to speak. "Thank you. But…I have no idea how to ride it."
"Don't worry. Neither did Sirius. That's why he charmed it. Almost impossible to crash now…unless you really want to. Go ahead, hop on." After a moment of indecision, Harry did. It was oddly like riding a broom only…more comfortable. "Turn that key." He followed Remus's pointing finger and did so. Though he felt the vibration of the engine, there was barely a hum of noise. He rapidly looked around the bike, wondering if it was broken. "Another one of Sirius's touches. So the muggles wouldn't hear it if he was riding overhead. Speaking of which…this button," he pointed to the ad hoc red button that was very near Harry's right thumb, "controls the flight. Then after that it's like a broom. It can tell where your want to go."
"Whoa…"
"Exactly what your father said when he first saw it. Now…I think it's time to take it for a spin." Remus walked to the back of the shed and grabbed a small handle attached to the wall. Pulling it a second later revealed it to be a sliding door half the width of the wall that opened onto a small gravel path. Harry stared at it surprised for several moments before glancing back to Remus. The man was now holding a helmet. It appeared to be a newer style than the bike and had a flip down visor on the front. "You'll want to wear this. Officers are a bit…particular." He stepped aside and gestured to the opening. "Twist the right grip to accelerate, triggers are the brakes…you'll figure the rest out. Just don't die. That would look really bad in the Prophet."
"Oh, thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Harry fumbled with the helmet for a moment before slipping in on and dropping the visor in front of his glasses. With a nod to Remus, he managed to flip the kickstand up into position with his toe. Swallowing hard once more he slowly turned the right grip and let the bike inch forward out of the shed, past Lupin and into the path. Turning sharply he found a long narrow alleyway that ran all the way down the back of the block and to the side street.
Giving the vehicle a little more he held on tight as it picked up speed. It was eerily similar to riding a broom. Reaching the end of the alley he turned onto the side road. He took a couple laps around the block to figure out the signals, speed and brakes before accelerating down a deserted section and pushing the little red button. As if the road had simply started to rise, the bike began to smoothly ascend into the morning sky. Harry began to laugh at the feeling so similar yet different to his Firebolt. He could see now what had possessed his godfather to find this thing and then spend months charming the hell out of it. Flying over the suburbs he tried a few swoops just to see how it would handle. As it turned out, it worked as well as his broom, just slower.
After half an hour of hovering above the treetops, due partly to the fact it took him that long to find his way back to Grimmauld, he slowed down and headed for the alley, making a rather solid landing for his first try. Slowing as he came up to the shack, he pulled in and turned off the engine. A quick glance reveal Lupin had disappeared as he stood from the seat, his legs still a little jittery. Removing the helmet he hung it off the handlebar and closed the shed door. A locking spell automatically fell on it as he exited the deserted shed and closed the entry door after one last glance at his newest possession. Heading slowly back to the house as his legs readjusted to firm ground beneath them, he pushed through the back door and headed for the kitchen.
Finding only a plate of muffins he grabbed a couple and headed back up to his room. He needed a shower and a change of clothes. The rest of the house also seemed deserted as he climbed the stairs to his room. Finishing one of the muffins he set the other on the desk to eat after his shower. Taking a moment to stretch he pulled out some clothes from the wardrobe and headed for his private bathroom.
Standing under the water in the shower he let his mind wander to the transition he was about to make from Hogwarts student to adult. He would go from being Harry Potter the boy who lived to Harry Potter the Auror. Or Quiddich player. Maybe he could make both work. That would be a crazy schedule. But it wasn't like he had a lot else to do anymore. He had defeated Tom, saved the school and found the girl of his dreams. Now it would just be another year before she was out of school as well. He wondered for a moment how she would do without him, her brother and Hermione there to overshadow her.
Drawing a hand across the mirror, Harry slipped on his glasses and picked up the comb. There wasn't much he could do of course, but he could at least make sure it didn't dry tangled. Deciding it was as good as it was going to get, he set the comb aside and hung a rolled towel around his neck and down his bare chest to catch the drips while pulling on a fresh pair of jeans. Double checking his wand was there he padded back to the door and out to his room on bare feet.
Glancing up he was slightly surprised to see Ginny sitting on the side of his bed and finishing off the last of his second muffin. She looked up and met his eyes a moment later while wiping a crumb off her sleeveless white shirt and cutoff jeans. "Good morning." She was also padding around in bare feet this morning. Harry matched her smile.
"Morning. You're up early." She shrugged in response and looked off toward the window.
"It's such a nice morning and it's the last one I'll have before going back to the Burrow so I thought I'd better enjoy it."
"Makes sense." Harry noticed she was studiously avoiding looking at him and decided to grab a shirt. "So…what do you want to do today?" He turned to the wardrobe and began looking for a shirt. Pulling the towel from his neck he tossed it toward the hamper.
"Well…we could go to Diagon alley or…" He heard the small gasp in her lungs followed by the sound of her standing and taking a couple steps toward him. He looked back over his shoulder.
"What?" She walked slowly closer staring at his shoulder. He follower her gaze to the pair of circular scars that would likely never look normal again set several inches apart on his back. In a moment she was close enough to touch him and one finger reached out.
"Are these where…"
"Nagini sank her fangs in. Yeah." He felt his fingers make contact and trace the edges of the scar tissue.
"Does…does it hurt?"
"No. Not any more." He realized she was standing on her tip toes to see and crouched a little. This time it was he who gasped as her fingers left the bite marks and began trailing down his back, instead tracing the edges of muscles built hard from months of training. Every line sent little lightning bursts of excitement across his nerves. After several moments her touch reached his lower back and switched back from a caress to inspection. This time she had found a much lighter but much longer scar wrapped around his side.
"And this…" He could hear the trepidation in her voice as she began tracing the white line of the healed scar around his torso. He slowly turned into her touch to find her eyes waiting, just a hint of fear in them. Seeing his gaze though, it quickly disappeared and they quickly matched the forming smile on her face. He couldn't help himself and leaned in to kiss her. When he pulled back a little he found her smile had changed again and a light had appeared in her eyes that he remembered very well indeed.
A heartbeat later he felt the pull at the waistband of his pants as she lead him backward toward the bed. For the first time he didn't resist her movements, he had no reason to now. He could see the slight nervousness in her eyes. He felt it in his own. There was also excitement, anticipation, anxiety and, more than the rest, love. She fell back onto the bed began crawling backward, him in hot pursuit. His hand tossed his wand to the desk, sealed the door and dropped a silencing spell over the room in one smooth motion. Her eyes followed as the spell was cast. "Even Dumbledore couldn't get through that."
"What about Hermione?" He paused to consider it for a moment before shaking his head and returning his attention to her. The stretching caused her shirt to crawl up her stomach and reveal a couple inches of bare flesh. Harry chose this as the place to start his explorations.
There was no skill to either of their action. It was all instinct, the desire to explore and enjoy the driving forces to every movement. Every touch was slow though making this time special, sacred, if only to them. He paused only once as he hovered over her. "Ginny? Uh…wait a minute…"
"I've been waiting for nine months Potter, I'm not waiting anymore."
"But…it's what could come along in nine months that I'm concerned about."
"Don't worry. Potion. Took it this morning."
"But…how did you…?"
"You really want to talk about this now?"
"Good point." And that was it for the talking for most of the day. The first time was awkward, unskilled but thoroughly enjoyable. The second time was better. By the fourth they had a definite cadence.
Several hours later Harry glanced down at the blurry top of her head where she was laying against his chest, recovering, an idiot grin fixed on his face. After a moment he felt her move to look back at him and heard her voice. "What are you thinking about?"
"Oh…about how terrible it's going to be with you at school and me at Auror training." She considered this for a moment while making small circles on his chest with her hand.
"You're right. That's going to be torture. But we do have Christmas break."
"True…but still…that's a long time."
"Well then. We'd best make use of the time we have."
Sunday they also spent much of the time together, but this time it wasn't about them, it was about Harry putting to rest one last thing. They left the house early before either of the others was up and had only a rudimentary, if large, breakfast prepared by Winky before setting out. Shunning the Knight Bus or apperation in favor of less magical means, they hopped on a bus and began there journey. It was quiet as they rode, Harry mostly staring straight ahead in fixed concentration while she held his hand and waited.
From bus to depot and back to bus they traversed much of London on their way to their destination. The closer they got the firmer the look on Harry's face became and more than once his hand reached for a sword that wasn't there and gripped his wand up his sleeve. Each time Ginny squeezed his hand to help him relax, something that seemed rather effective.
Eventually they reached the stop they sought and stepped off onto the curb. Harry took a deep breath as Ginny looked around at the nearly identical houses that lined the road. Harry's eyes fixed on the one directly ahead and flashed to the side for just a moment to see the sparkling car parked there. His grip on her hand tightened as he reached the stoop and knocked on the door to the freshly rebuilt Number 4 Privet Drive. He was once again forced to wait several moments as the heavy reports of his uncle's steps made there way up the hall and Vernon pulled open the door, shocked and stunned to find Harry standing there. Before the man could rant, scream or demand, Harry spoke, his tone low and calm, betraying none of the desire he felt to flatten the relative again.
"Is Petunia here?" Vernon managed to recover from his shock and shout back.
"What are you doing here? You swore you'd never come back!"
"I asked if Petunia was here."
"After everything you've done to us I should-" He was oddly cut off by a small hand on his shoulder. He stepped aside a moment later to reveal his wife, no less surprised to see Harry. Never the less she managed to speak in her usual soft tone.
"Yes?" Harry hesitated for only a moment before responding.
"He'd dead. It's over." She took a moment to realize what he meant and then a wave of relief seemed to pass over her. Taking a breath she nodded firmly.
"Thank you." He nodded as well and her gaze settled on Ginny. With more civility than Harry though possible, she smiled a little. "I'm sorry…I don't believe we've met."
"Oh…Ginny Weasley. I'm Harry's girlfriend." Petunia looked slightly surprised at this new and Vernon was too shocked for words.
"Oh…" Harry looked over the couple one last time, again trying and failing to see something of his mother in his aunt. He glanced past them to the cupboard that was once his home…and then he turned away from that part of his life forever.
"Goodbye. I doubt we'll ever meet again. Have a good life." Ginny seemed shocked at the ice cold finality of his voice, but that was all right. His relatives were similarly struck silent as he walked away with the red head at his side and headed for the nearest bus stop. Harry felt a weight release from his shoulders as finally letting go of that part of his existence and moving on with his real family at his side.
Tuesday dawned crisp, clear and bright. After the aura of darkness that had hung over the school for much of the year it was a fitting way for it to end. Today was the last day of class for the students of Hogwarts, the last day Harry Potter, the boy who lived, the man who defeated Voldemort and (as some were christening him) the savior of the magical world would reside within its walls. A gathering of unprecedented scope had been planned to commemorate the event. Hundreds of gleaming white chairs sat in neat rows in the main courtyard facing a dais and the school beyond.
Along the raised platform sat two dozen chairs for staff and honored guests to sit in for the coming ceremony. A dozen tables sat end to end on either side awaiting the feast the house elves had prepared. A section near the back had been roped off for the numerous press members who had requested permission to come. A lone Auror cast a long shadow that swept across the seats as he patrolled the outer wall. Soon the sun would clear the walls and illuminate the entire set up, soon after which the students would begin to file down to take their seats.
For now though they were just waking up and groggily dressing in their best before making their ways down to the Hall. The entire Seventh year was walking on clouds with the knowledge that they would be officially ending their Hogwarts tenure this afternoon. There were more than a few tears at the thought of leaving their second, or in some cases first, home, but the prospect of the future also shone brightly in the same eyes. Harry let the last seven years wash over him as he lead the quartet through the main doors to the chairs. He could feel Ginny's hand wrapped in his, her thumb making little circles that sent sparks through his body.
He furiously pushed the thoughts that lead to aside though so he could focus on the coming ceremony. This time the students were arranged by year with the soon to be leaving in the front row. After escorting Ginny to her seat, Harry took his near the other two. Slowly over the next few minutes the rest of the chairs filled with students, parents, observers from the magical community and just about anyone else who wanted to attend. The chairs on the dais filled up as well with the staff on one wing and Ministry officials, including Arthur Weasley, on the other. The elaborate podium sat silently and waited for its first speaker. Harry glanced around as the last people found their seats.
The press area was packed with reporters and the occasional photographer taking pictures every few moments. In one corner of the seats there was a gap between the returned seventh year Slytherins with their guard and the rest of the crowd. Draco sat stoically, his eyes barely shifting from their dead ahead stare. Harry's eyes only lingered on him for a moment though before sweeping back up to the dais. The crowd slowly quieted as Headmistress McGonagall rose from her seat and headed for the podium, a sheaf of papers in her hand. Touching her wand to her throat, she looked out over the assembled witches and wizards.
"Good morning. Thank you for coming to celebrate this, the last day of school for these students of Hogwarts." Her hand swept the seventh years as the crowd applauded. "For seven years I've watched this class grow, learn and change from the eleven year olds I placed the Sorting Hat on to the strong, confident, shining examples of witches and wizards that sit before you today. More than any time in recent memory, these students have been challenged with nearly insurmountable odds and every time they have shown the strength to persevere." He tone lowered a little. "Also for the first time in recent memory, students were lost from this class and did not live to see this day. They will be remembered in each student who leaves these grounds as a full fledged members of the magical world.
"Those very same battles that cost us so many of our own however, also brought glory to others who lived. Because of that, I now present Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge and the Director of Magical Law Enforcement Arthur Weasley. Gentlemen?" She stepped aside and returned to her seat as the pair rose and approached. Fudge carried what appeared to be a very long scroll and Arthur held a large ornate box with an intricate M stylized on the front. He stood a little behind and opened the top of the box as the Minister reached the podium. Unrolling the scroll a little in front of him, he looked over the crowd.
"Good morning. Just over two months ago this school was the site of the greatest clash of magical battle in a thousand years. Forces darker than night assailed these walls and were repelled. They were defeated by a relatively small group of witches and wizards who were willing to give there lives to protect this institution and save the magical world. Some were called upon to make exactly that sacrifice, that last full measure of devotion, and they did it unflinchingly so that others could live. I rise now, with my associate Arthur Weasley to honor these brave souls, many of whom are with us today. Would you please come up as I read your name?
"First, to all the people who fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, it is my very great honor to present the Order of Merlin Third Class." Much of the crowd was stunned by this announcement but nonetheless began clapping loudly as he read off the names, one by one, of all the students, Aurors, Order members and others that had fought on that day. As each name was called they rose and ascended the dais, or walked over from their seat on it, for Arthur to pin the medal on their robes and shake hands with the Minister. Some were awarded posthumously and presented to parents, relatives or, in Colin's case, a surviving sibling. The last of these to be named were the trio themselves and they approached as a group. Harry could see the pride in Arthur's eyes as he pinned the medal on each of their chests. After again taking their seats under a hail of flashbulbs they waited as he cleared his throat.
"The thanks or a grateful community for your work. Now…there are those among the group I have just named that went even further to protect and save their family…their friends…people they'd never even met. They defended the school on numerous occasions and even went to the Ministry itself to bring the battle to Voldemort. We now honor them with the Order of Merlin, Second Class." Once again he listed names, this time the roster of Dumbledore's army. Each rose to receive their second medal of the day, to even more applause. The trio was once again last only this time it was joined by Professor Keystone. With sunglasses instead of the usual black cloth he looked almost normal, except for the way his head didn't move around to scan the crowd. Again taking their seats under a hail of flashes they waited for the Minster to continue.
"We at the Ministry are indebted to you. You saved many of our lives and made our reopening possible. Thank you." A round of applause followed before he moved on to the last part. "And finally, to some very special, nay exemplary witches and wizards…it is my honor to present the Order of Merlin…First Class." The crowd was dead silent as he stretched out the moment. "First…for her skill in leading the students of Hogwarts both in training and in battle, we present the Order of Merlin to Miss Ginevra Weasley!" She rose and strode confidently to the dais where her father positively beamed while pinning on the third metal. "Second…for his masterful strategic skill planning the battle and standing at his friends' side for seven years, we present the Order of Merlin to Mr. Ronald Weasley!" Ron also rose and was met by his beaming father to receive his award.
"Next…for her outstanding metal capabilities and research with which the victory would not have been possible as well as here assistance to her closest friends ever since coming to the magical world, we present the Order of Merlin to Miss Hermione Granger!" As she blushed slightly and climbed the dais Harry glanced back to find her parents, making a rare visit to the magical world, on their feet and clapping despite not really understanding the award their daughter was getting. After a moment she too returned to her seat and the crowd waited with baited breath for what they were all sure would be the next name on the list. They weren't disappointed. "And finally…for his strength and leadership throughout the year both on the battlefield and off and for his work to ensure the survival of the magical world…we present the Order of Merlin, First Class to Mr. Harry Potter!" The crowd exploded as Harry rose and climbed the dais to accept his award. He turned to meet a hail of flashes as he headed of his seat. Instead though the Minister caught his sleeve and gestured for him to stay. He did so and waited.
"But…we aren't quite finished yet. We have two last awards to hand out." He reached into the box and pulled out two final medals, after which Arthur closed it and set it aside. "Mr. Potter…for seven years you and Professor Albus Dumbledore have fought Voldemort, time and again standing against him and stopping his attacks, even when you had to stand alone between his forces and the rest of us. Through your work and dedication we were saved from the threat of Voldemort when you brought a final end to him. Though it is barely a drop of gratitude next to the ocean debt we all owe both of you, please accept this Order of Merlin in recognition of your work and posthumously for Professor Dumbledore." Harry nodded and waited in place as Fudge personally pinned both on his robes, one lower than the rest for Dumbledore. More photographs nearly blinded him as he staggered back to his seat under the thunderous tumult of cheering. Cornelius and Arthur returned to their seats as McGonagall returned to the podium.
"Well…what more can really be said about these students. They have each had incredible careers here at Hogwarts and I am proud to have taught each of them. Now they pass from this school for the last time as students and become fully trained adults in the magical world. They are the cornerstone upon which the next generation of us will be built and that future looks bright indeed." She paused for a moment and looked over the crowd. "And now, I say for the last time as your teacher…class dismissed." Thunderous applause greeted this pronouncement and the crowd exploded into cheers. Soon everyone was mingling and offering congratulations or posing for pictures while talking to relatives and friends. The suddenly filled tables to either side pulled people away from the chairs so they could dance themselves to the sides or disappear to provide room.
After a couple hours spent talking to various people, Harry felt the need for some privacy and drifted out the main gate, surprisingly attracting no attention despite the nearby huddle of reporters. Many of them were trying to make sure they got each of the Order winners' names correct. With the distraction he slipped out and idly made his way toward the lake. Unsurprisingly he found himself soon standing beside the white tomb of Dumbledore and looking at the surrounding scenery. His had rose and rested against the white marble, somehow still feeling a connection to his year gone instructor. After a moment he spoke, not caring if the man could no longer hear him.
"Well…I did it. I beat Tom. Just like you said I would. I needed a lot of help…also as you knew, but we managed. We saved the world. Your plan worked. Maybe not exactly how you intended…but it worked. Thank you." He paused for a moment before reaching down to his chest and removing the lower medal. Extending his hand again he pressed it against the stone. Warmth came from it as he cast a small transfiguration spell. When his hand slid to the side, the medal was set firmly into the tomb. "That's yours. We both have two now. Not really equal to all you've done for them over the years…but it is something. Something for me as well. Something for my trials and triumphs and all I've gained."
The years at Hogwarts danced before him. As each passed his mind picked out the things he had gained that had led to this moment. First was the greatest having gifted him his wand which had saved his life, his house which had built his character and his two closest friends, without which he never would have survived to see this day. Second year he acquired another powerful tool, the Sword of Godric Gryffindor which had also saved him and brought him victory. Third year had brought his Firebolt and his godfather, both of which had again been key. In fourth year he had gained both the most important and most horrible of his presents so far. With Tom's resurrection he had gained his enemy, the man he must kill…or die at the hands of. Over the course of fifth year he had build his group of Allies, the very same that stood with him in the final battle. The last two years though…they had been critical. In sixth he had finally found the knowledge, with the aid of the man entombed next to him, of how to defeat Tom. At the last, this year, he had gained the weapon that allowed his victory…his love for Ginny.
"I…I don't know if we'll meet again…but I hope we do so I can thank you for all you've done for me and my family over the years. I'm leaving the school now…but I know you will always watch over it, as you always watched over me. Goodbye Professor. Until we meet again." Harry let his hand fall from the stone and turned away toward the lake. After a short walk he stopped at the shore and stared out over the water that had nearly been the death of him three years earlier. It might have been ten or fifteen minutes before his silent reverie was disturbed, but he didn't mind when the voice reached him.
"Harry?" He turned and smiled as Ron and Hermione approached, hand in hand. "You okay?" The concern she showed on so many occasions was once again present, but dimmed by his smile. "You disappeared and we were wondering…"
"Yeah. I just wanted to a moment alone. To say goodbye and all. So…how are you two doing?"
"Pretty good. I think my mum's finally gotten over the shock that I'm engaged. Took her a lot longer than Ronald's parents."
"Well…they've spent a lot more time around us haven't they? Way they were talking they probably expected it."
"Probably Ron. So…you two set a date?" They glanced nervously at each other. Ron managed to stutter out an answer first.
"Oh…we were thinking something in the summer…like mid July. Worked out pretty well for Bill."
"Makes sense. Oh…speaking of which…" Harry reached into his robes and searched the pockets for a moment before producing a thick envelope. "I have an early wedding present for you. If you want it that is. I want you to know I will completely understand if you don't." He handed it over and Hermione opened it slowly, cautious of what it might contain. Pulling out a few folded sheets of paper she opened them up and scanned the first one. Her eyes went quickly wide as she did so, as did Ron's at a slower pace. Hers darted between the sheet and Harry multiple times before she could speak.
"Harry…this is…this is too much."
"If you want it…it's yours." Ron this time managed to respond.
"Harry…this is the deed to your parents' house. We couldn't take this."
"Sure you can. You'll need a place to live after the wedding, it's in a muggle neighborhood so you can get some peace from the magical world and most importantly…I already have a house and I'll know this one is in good hands. I don't think I could live there myself…but if you two want it…" They stared at each other, stunned for several moments before Harry could see a silent conversation raging in their eyes. After a minute they seemed to come to and agreement and Hermione gave an infinitesimal nod.
"Thank you Harry. It's so much…"
"You're my friends and it's the least I can do. Enjoy your new house. The Fidelus charm should have worn off by now so you should be careful about apperating in." A moment later he responded to the hug Hermione had crushed him in and shared a nod with Ron. After folding the papers and carefully placing them in her robes, Hermione returned her gaze to him.
"So…are you going to come back to the party?"
"Yeah. You two go on ahead. I'll be there in a couple minutes." They nodded and headed back to the gate, again hand in hand, stopping for just a second to say hi to Ginny, now coming toward him. His smile widened as she reached him and they embraced.
"Hello loverboy." Harry reflexively checked to make sure Ron was out of ear shot before returning his eyes to hers.
"Hello." He pulled her into a light kiss and forced his hands to stay firmly planted at her sides. Pulling back he held up a finger in notice. "Ah! Just remembered something. With all the anagrams I've had to deal with I figured I'd play with a few others. So…take a look." Pulling out his wand, he released golden ribbons that drew up perfectly to spell GINEVRA WEASLEY in the air above them. She cocked and eyebrow in annoyance at her given name.
"Okay…and?"
"Watch." He flicked his wand and the letters melted around each other to form four new words. A VERY WISE ANGEL now hung in the air above them for a moment before he let it vanish. "Must say…I completely agree with that." She smiled and kissed him again, this time pulling back and looking him square in the eye.
"So…what next?" He smiled broadly and turned to face the school, taking in all of its majesty in one sweeping glance, all of its beauty not holding a candle to hers as he draped an arm across her shoulders and pulled her close.
"Next? Next we go back to the party. Then I get to find out what it feels like to be a true adult wizard and live without a prophecy trying to guide my steps. It's a path we'll walk together…no matter what." He smiled again and pulled her a little closer. "Next…is life."
(A/N): Happy?
(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.