Brooklyn felt himself coming to, head aching all over, feeling his arms still bound by his ropes now up against a tree. He shook himself to clear his head, seeing that he was in Aragog's old home, a campfire in the middle of the clearing, as well as hundreds of Death Eaters there.
Voldemort, who was present came up to him, smiling sinisterly. Brooklyn growled softly, holding up his legs and looking away. Voldemort though took his chin, making him look into his eyes.
"Welcome, my little friend. I had invited you here to be a guest when Potter comes," he said in a quiet voice. Brooklyn just kept growling.
"Y-you won't win… Harry will-will see to that," he grunted. Voldemort just laughed.
"How amusing that you think you have a choice in the matter." He sneered, pushing his head down.
"But let's talk about a few things before we meet your brother. How do you feel, to be able to talk to my Nagini?" He said in a silky voice. Brooklyn growled.
"I didn't deserve this curse! You implanted it into me on purpose!" He spat, wiggling in his bonds. Voldemort then slapped him, Nagini slithering around his feet.
"After I kill Harry Potter, you will learn who to respect," said Voldemort quite deadly. Brooklyn wouldn't let himself be scared like before with the diary, growling.
Soon, a Death Eater came up to Voldemort. "No sign of him, my Lord," he called. Voldemort raised his brow while Brook looked about worriedly, wondering where he was. He wanted to get out of these bonds and look for his brother.
"I thought for sure he'd come," Voldemort whispered in a soft voice. But then suddenly, a figure stepped out of the shadows, a calm look on his face. His eyes burned with anger at the sight of Brooklyn being chained. It was Harry.
"Harry!" yelled Brooklyn, tugging. Rowel smacked him. "Shut up!" He snarled. Harry drew his wand. He was willing to defend his brother. Not for himself this time and was ready to die for him.
Voldemort smiled serenely and evilly. "Harry Potter, the one praised by so many and comes to die."
Harry stomped his foot on the ground. Seeing Voldemort holding his brother hostage like this was more than enough from this tyrant.
"You don't deserve to keep my brother like this! I want to defend for his freedom!" Harry shouted. Brook smiled at Harry's bravery. He was showing signs of being a true gargoyle.
Voldemort drew his wand. "Very well…" he growled. The two pointed their wands.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Brook watched as those spells collided, heart thumping. Harry held firm but allowed the green spell to get closer. This was the only way to be rid of the Horcrux within him. Eventually there was a blast of green; and Harry's body fell to the floor. Voldemort too fell down unconscious. Bellatrix instantly ran over.
Silence rang through the forest as the two of them continued to remain unmoving. Brooklyn's muscles clenched in apprehension. Will Harry be able to come back?
….
Harry opened his eyes. He heard a train whistle. Grunting he got to his feet, staring around at the overly clean possibly King's Cross station. Then he gasped at the sight of a vibrant red train coming in. He went forward, watching it come to a halt.
The door opened, as two familiar people came into view. Harry felt tears, it was his parents. He remembered seeing them with the Resurrection Stone which he had dropped in the forest.
"Mum! Dad!" He sobbed, racing right into their arms. Lily and James hugged their son fondly.
"Oh, my son. You were so brave," Lily said softly, stroking his hair. "And because of it you've become a new creature to be able to return to as."
Harry tilted his head then looked down at himself. He saw his gargoyle wings, tail, and felt his beak. "What? But how?" He asked. "I was only able to be a gargoyle by transformation! How am I one permanently?"
Lily then caressed her son's cheek. "It is about time I told you. You and I are descendents of Oberon and Titania. Your grandmother gave me to my adopted mother when I was a baby to protect me because of how powerful I was."
Harry gaped. So he was a grandson of Oberon? He remembered Brooklyn telling him about those two the first time they met.
"But… but what about Dumbledore? And all those lies he told? About me to be sacrificed?" Harry next demanded. James and Lily looked at one another.
"Dumbledore wanted you to live a normal life without having the prophecy hanging over your shoulders. And another thing, there was another boy also born at the end of July, too. Neville Longbottom."
Harry was flabbergasted. "But w-why would it choose me and not Neville?" He asked. James took his hand.
"He wanted somebody who was a half blood like himself to mark as his equal, thus he chose you my son." Harry was stunned for a time. Then Lily traced a hand along his cheek.
"Your brother needs you, as well as all of Hogwarts. You have to go back now, my son." She said. Harry felt like crying, hugging his parents.
"I don't want to leave you again…" he whispered tearfully. "We will always be with you, son," James stated gently. Eventually his surroundings faded away…
….
Broojlyn continued to watch with apprehension as Harry's body lay there. Voldemort had managed to pull himself to his feet. Nagini moved her face near Brook who bared his teeth at her.
"Oh, sssuch pleasure at ssseeing your brother dead…" Nagini crooned. He just looked away.
"It's not over yet." He growled, wondering if at any moment Harry would jump to his feet with a grin and finish Voldemort off.
Bellatrix tried to help her Master to his feet but he shoved her cruelly away. Brooklyn felt she deserved it after almost killing Sirius. There was silence for a time, Voldemort then asked somebody to see if he was dead.
Narcissa went forward and leaned over. "Is Draco alive?" She whispered. Harry nodded, feeling his heart beginning to beat at a new rhythm, eyes suddenly glowing. Brooklyn noticed, a smile beginning to appear on his face.
To Voldemort's shock Harry suddenly let out a huge screech, back arching, as his body began to change; wings sprouting from his back as well as his tail, beak, and long silver hair. Talons gripped at the ground, baring his fangs.
"No! I killed you!" Voldemort screamed as Harry stood on his hind feet, glaring.
"You can't kill a descendent of Oberon and Titania!" Harry confirmed in a bold voice. This enraged Voldemort who shot his spell but Harry ended up deflecting it with his wings that conjured a magic shield from it, sending it back. It made Voldemort yell out and duck out of the way. Harry made it to his brother and ripped his chains off, instantly hugging him.
"H- how are you related to Oberon?!" Brooklyn asked in disbelief. Harry grinned. "Mum is his direct descendent, she told me. Plus I like that I can block spells with my wings!" He said. Voldemort had gotten to his feet. "We'd better run!" Brooklyn called. Harry nodded, as Brooklyn took them both to the air. Voldemort shot spell after spell, trying to hit them. Lucius and Narcissa had made a break for it in the chaos to find their son.
….
Demona had hidden down by the docks with Draco while waiting for the chaos to die down. For a time there was silence between them, until they heard spells shooting from outside.
Perhaps Brooklyn will now be all alone, and I will somehow find this boy's parents, she thought to ourselves. Demona then stood up. Draco looked at her inquisitively. "Where are you going?"
"We waited long enough, boy. It is time to make our move," Demona growled, taking his hand tightly and dragging him out. Draco paled.
"No, I… I can't go with him out there!" He wailed. Demona gave Draco a cold stare.
"This is what we have to do to see your parents again. After I drop you off with them we go our separate ways since you seem to not want to face our enemies with me. Unless you still do."
Draco looked scared. He didn't know which side he belonged on now. His parents, the Death Eaters, or being near Demona's side to be protected only to find out she wishes to murder one of them. Yes he knew of that and went along with it fine but now that it had come to this he couldn't do it. He didn't have it in him anymore.
He trembled. "I- I'm sorry, Demona. I do support in you hating Potter and that gargoyle and wanted a part of having revenge on them. But now, I just want to get away from here. I hope you soon see that someday you see that your revenge would cost you."
Demona felt her face soften a bit, finding it strange that a small boy pitied her, but she didn't reply as the two of them left the docks together to find their targets and end this for good.
….
After flying for a while they landed in the courtyard of Hogwarts, running to the Great Hall. Everybody had heard the commotion outside and went to see what was happening, to see Harry in his permanent gargoyle form with Brooklyn. Katie cried as she ran into Brooklyn's arms, tackling him to the floor in a kiss. Brody was standing with Griff in relief at seeing his friends alive.
Harry was greeted with a hug by Sirius. He told Sirius everything that startled him to a number of levels. But then Voldemort's voice rang through the courtyard.
"Harry Potter… even if you are still alive, you still belong to me. Surrender and I shall spare your friends. And return to me my property, Brooklyn…"
Harry glared when Voldemort then came into view at the entrance, cloak swishing. There was now only one Horcrux left, the snake who slithered nearby.
"No! I won't give up fighting you. And since I'm Oberon's descendant I demand that you leave Hogwarts, and never return!" Voldemort just sneered.
"Oh, you have no authority over me. I won't stop until I see you dead for good," Voldemort hissed viciously. Neville then stood forward holding the Sorting Hat he found while walking around.
"You can't break us, Voldemort. No matter what you do; we will keep fighting even if Harry isn't here! People die every day, we lost a lot of family, including Ron."
Hermione had tears coming down her face when he mentioned Ron.
"We won't die in vain but you will! It's not over!" Neville shouted, drawing out the ruby encrusted sword. Brook grinned from this, Harry suddenly shooting out magic from his hand instead of a wand at Nagini that deflected off of her and struck at some Death Eaters. Brooklyn glanced at Harry, he wanted to help fight Voldemort but Harry shook his head, eyes saying that this was his battle alone, running into the castle to keep Voldemort away from everybody else.
Brooklyn ran to Katie. "Katie, the snake is the final piece of Voldemort's soul we have to kill. Harry will distract Voldemort while we try to trap her." He said. She nodded while the Death Eaters and the heroes took one another on again. "Please, don't die," she begged. Brook smiled and gave her a kiss while in her gargoyle form. They wrapped arms around one another, sharing in each other's love.
"Uh, Brook, the snake is behind you!" Brody yelled. The red gargoyle turned around to see Nagini slithering up to him, showing her deadly fangs.
"I shall kill you now! And your friends!" She hissed venomously. Brooklyn bared his own, signaling Katie to run, and she did to join Goliath and the others in the battle.
"Your reign of terror is over, Nagini! I won't let you harm anybody no longer!" He roared back. Nagini raised her head, and struck. Brooklyn jumped out of the way.
"I'll lure her into the castle, Neville. Follow us and wait until I give the signal!" Brooklyn said. Neville nodded while Brooklyn raced into the castle as well in hopes of trapping his enemy.
….
Demona and Draco both made their way into the entrance of the courtyard admist the final battle, where Demona used her sharp vision to try and locate his parents. At one point she saw Brooklyn running into the castle with Nagini on his tail. But she couldn't go after him yet.
She then spotted two familiar figures; who were leaving. She held Draco tight and dragged him over to where they are. A Death Eater spotted them too, unfortunately.
Yaxley growled. "And where do you think you two are going?" He demanded. Lucius flinched in fear but Narcissa glared back.
"We're leaving to find our son, and to get away from him!" She snapped. Yaxley pointed his wand. "Nobody leaves the Dark Lord without punishment," he said darkly. They braced themselves for being hit but suddenly a banshee screech rang through the air. Demona had pounced onto Yaxley, pinning him down.
"If you want to hurt them, you answer to me. And tell your Master that I no longer am in league with him!" She growled. Yaxley's eyes were terrified but he continued to glare.
"The Dark Lord will hunt you down for going against him, demon." He snarled. Demona then ended him right there by slashing his throat, tossing his body away. The Malfoys looked at their savior with round eyes.
Demona just watched them for a bit before speaking. "I came to return your child," she said, presenting Draco. Narcissa sobbed and gave him a hug. Draco couldn't hold it in and hugged her back, too. Demona then told them of her seeing Brooklyn and her desire to end her long time rival with their assistance. But Narcissa couldn't go with it, holding her son's hand tight.
"All we want is to go home, and not fight anymore. We no longer wish to kill anyone for anybody else," she said in a hoarse voice. She was worried at how Demona would react since she was rather fierce from watching this gargess in action. But she didn't do anything, merely nodded.
"Very well. Then take your child and go before you get hurt," she growled, turning and running on all fours to get to him. The Malfoys were somewhat startled that this gargess showed them mercy, then decided to heed her and quickly ran off to hopefully a better life.
…
Brooklyn ran through the castle amongst the fighting crowd. He spotted Mrs. Weasley fighting Bellatrix who nearly hit Ginny with the killing curse but didn't stop to watch, the snake continued to chase him down, hissing. Mrs. Weasley killed the madwoman after a good fight with her. He was unaware of Demona running after him, too. All Brooklyn focused on was getting the snake cornered for Neville to kill her with the sword.
Silence met his ears once further in. He stopped at the bottom of the Grand Staircase. Nagini's hissing made him turn around. Brooklyn backed up the stairway, feeling somewhat nervous now. He hoped Neville would make it.
Demona managed to follow Brooklyn to where he was now, watching as the snake hissed in Parseltongue.
"Yesss, I have you now, my prey…" Nagini said seductively, raising herself up to his height. The red gargoyle spread out his wings, growling. "It is going to end here, right now, bastard!" He shouted in rage. Nagini snarled and charged at Brooklyn, wrapping tightly around his body again like before.
Brooklyn gasped out from the attack, attempting to throw her off. Demona had heard Brooklyn talk in Parseltongue and felt herself grow angry at this, that Voldemort had given him this ability instead of her, for she figured it had come from using the Diary that time ago. But she kept hidden until the last possible moment.
Katie had run to safety like he told her to. But something deep down within her told Katie that she couldn't let her love face that devil snake alone. Narrowing her eyes that glowed she turned to go after them.
Upon getting there she saw the snake choking Brooklyn. Growling she ran at Nagini, grabbing her coils then biting hard with her gargoyle fangs. She shrieked in pain, letting Brooklyn go after that who fell to the floor, wheezing. He gave Katie a grateful look who helped him up after throwing Nagini away. Now they were both cornered. She readied to strike, fangs at the ready. Both of them held each other tight.
"Hmm, two lovers for me to kill, how sweet…" purred Nagini. Katie cried while burying her face into Brooklyn's chest. Brooklyn held her gently, glaring at Nagini until he too closed his eyes, nuzzling Katie.
Brooklyn then had a last thought while readying to die. Don't give up, Harry. You can defeat him! He thought.
…
Meanwhile Harry and Voldemort were both dueling, with Harry shooting magic out with his hands.
Harry glared at Voldemort. "Dumbledore was right. That wand will always fail you, for you're not its true Master." Voldemort roared out, using his wand to slash Harry's face with a spell, a scratch going along it.
"No! It is mine! I killed Snape!" But Harry shook his head. "The wand never belonged to Snape, but it belonged to somebody else, Draco Malfoy!" He exclaimed. Voldemort then had a terrible grin.
"Then I will attend to the boy after I finish you…" he said softly, grabbing Harry's throat. Harry kicked Voldemort with his taloned feet, knocking him away.
"That won't work either. But I won't tell you who really owns the wand." Harry growled back. The two rivals then continued on with their battle. Out of the corner of his eye Harry could see Brooklyn and Katie cornered by the snake but then Voldemort used his shadow flying to take him outside of the castle.
They screamed and growled, clawing at one another while flying. Harry kept himself steady with his wings and to slam Voldemort into towers and such. The two eventually came back down to earth, lying there stunned for a while.
Harry groggily looked over to Voldemort who crawled over to get his wand. He felt so tired. Even with his newly strengthened magic, he didn't think he could do this anymore. All he wanted was a good rest from it all. He lay there, wheezing. Voldemort stood over him.
"So pathetic. You don't have any more strength now, not even with all of Oberon's magic. Now I shall kill you." He raised his wand. But then Harry heard Brooklyn in his head.
"Don't give up, bro! You can defeat him!" Harry opened his eyes that now glowed. Strength pulsed in his veins as he suddenly tripped Voldemort with his tail, and jumped away in a fighting stance. This was it. He couldn't give up anymore! Voldemort shot his spell, and Harry shot his own from his hands, the spells colliding in mid air, the final showdown now starting.
….
Brooklyn kept his eyes closed when Nagini let out her screech, going to sink her fangs into the two of them. Voldemort's voice spoke to him suddenly.
I shall soon end your little owner. And my loyal servant will strike you down… you have lost…
"No… no!" Brooklyn cried. Katie glanced at him in concern, but didn't have time to ask since their death drew closer. But then Neville screamed; the Sword of Gryffindor cutting off the devil snake's head at last!
Katie continued to cry from their near death experience while Brooklyn stroked her hair. "It's ok, it's over now," he said softly. Neville smiled at the sight. Now it was all up to Harry to defeat him.
But then Brooklyn smelled a scent; a familiar one. He growled, holding Katie's hand right as Demona suddenly showed, eyes flashing.
"No, it is not over. I finally have you where I want you!" Demona sneered, eyes a bright red. Brooklyn backed up.
"Demona, this has got to stop now! Your revenge is pushing you to the breaking point!" He shouted in anger as he tried to get to her. But Demona was still too focused on her goal, hissing.
"It's too late to change my mind now, Brooklyn. The Malfoy brat couldn't change me, either. And I should've gotten the Parseltongue ability, not you. Now I shall end you for good!"
Demona charged head on at the red gargoyle. The two of them slashed each other there on the stairway, both intending to kill. Brooklyn didn't want to and wondered how he could kill somebody who was immortal.
He gasped as Demona grabbed his throat suddenly, pushing him against the stone. Brooklyn gritted his teeth as he struggled to get free. Demona smirked.
"It is time now for me to finally take my vengeance for you betraying me those years ago," she said, lifting him up, then throwing Brooklyn off the stairway since they were up several flights of it.
Katie screamed. "No!" She sobbed. Neville tried to stab Demona with the sword but she just kicks him, knocking Neville out.
"Don't even try, foolish child. I am immortal."
Katie flew down after Brooklyn who hit his head several times in his fall, feeling himself going unconscious right as Katie grabbed him, lowering him down gently to the floor.
She stared at him in fear, for he wasn't breathing. Demona's choking and throwing him by his throat had cut his air out. Katie stroked his cheek.
"Brook, please, wake up! Please!" She cried tearfully, shaking gently. There was no response. More tears slipped down her face, for she couldn't feel a pulse either. "Oh!" She began to cry, hugging Brooklyn to her chest. She begged silently to whoever was out there to help bring the one she loved back to her.
…
Harry pressed his feet into the floor, gritting his teeth as he struggled to concentrate, the two spells still collided in mid air. Voldemort was grinning and thinking he had gained the upper hand.
But then there was a halt as Voldemort felt Nagini's death meaning the end of his last Horcrux. He panted heavily, glaring at Harry before eventually continuing his spell.
But Harry's kept getting closer and closer, Harry using all of his strength until at last Voldemort's hand suddenly began to burn. Voldemort struggled to keep himself from losing but the pain was too much; and the Elder Wand flew out of his hands.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I'm the true owner of the Elder Wand. Now you shall pay for causing harm to everybody here in the Wizarding World," he snapped.
Voldemort screamed as he felt his body shrivel up, and then fall to the floor, not moving ever again.
Harry panted heavily, sinking to his knees. He had done it. Voldemort was finally gone!
But then he remembered Brooklyn. Harry felt panic rise, he had to check if his brother was ok!
Gripping the elder wand Harry raced back into the castle, searching everywhere for his brother until at last he heard somebody. It was Katie crying.
"No…" Harry whispered in horror as he glanced about, his eyes finding Katie holding an unmoving Brooklyn in her arms. He wasn't breathing, either.
Harry approached them. "Katie, what…?" He asked shakily.
"D-Demona attacked us and threw him, and now Brooklyn's not waking up!" Katie sobbed. Harry felt his anger and grief, taking Katie's place by Brooklyn's side and feeling for a pulse that horribly wasn't present.
"Brother?" Harry asked softly, shaking him a bit. Brooklyn's head just rocked side to side, like when he was unconscious in the Chamber. But this time it didn't seem he would wake, too, even with Voldemort dead.
Harry cried shakily, heart breaking, not believing his brother was really gone but he was.
With Katie's help the two of them carried Brooklyn to the Great Hall, Neville following after waking up. Demona watched with a smirk, glad to have finally done her revenge. She decided to expand it further by following them to see the look on her ex mate's face. That would be satisfying.
Everybody else had managed to drive back the Death Eaters after the enemy felt their leader's death and were now settling down to treat their wounds.
Hermione was sitting with Lexington and Fred just enjoying their company until she saw the door open; revealing Harry, Katie, and Neville. But they were carrying a body. Lex looked closely and gasped in terror recognizing Brooklyn.
"Brooklyn!" He croaked. Bronx whined as he ran over to sniff his red friend's body after his friends set him down. Brook's face looked like he was asleep. Harry gazed out at everyone.
"Voldemort is no more. But my brother took a sacrifice when fighting Demona." he said shakily, kneeling down, tears falling.
Demona looked into the doorway and quickly found a hiding spot within. She could see Harry deeply mourned for Brooklyn which took a different turn for her. She didn't expect this from a human who was now a gargoyle. His wings were drooped.
Goliath and the rest of the clan came forward to pay their respects to their lost clanmate, as well as their human friends, too. Macbeth just stood quietly on the side, a small frown on his face. But out of the corner in his eye he spotted a familiar figure but didn't quite get a good glimpse of Demona. But he could feel she was there. For the moment Macbeth didn't say anything since he had no desire to tangle with her anymore.
Katie then leaned down next to him. "I was r-ready to spend the rest of my life with Brooklyn. But now…" she sniffled as Harry hugged her. Giving a sigh, she eventually held Brooklyn up to her and gave him a small kiss on his lips. Katie continued to do it for a while, causing certain people in the crowd to begin crying and even Demona herself began to feel a twinge of regret, but not completely. Her rival was dead and that was all that mattered.
But then suddenly there was a small flash of light after Katie kissed Brooklyn. She gasped a bit and pulled back, seeing Brooklyn's eyes begin to open up, gasping softly, feeling as though every dark thing in him had been lifted. He didn't even feel the snake curse Voldemort struck him with anymore, either. Everybody was staring open mouthed and he gave a grin.
"You should see your faces," he chuckled, resulting into Harry, Katie, Lex and Hermione all tackling him in a group hug. Brooklyn winced. "Oh! Easy, still sore," he grimaced. They lessened up on the hug. "Sorry," Harry apologized. Brooklyn looked around at his clan, happy at seeing everybody again.
"Where's snake face?" He asked then. Harry hugged him again. "He's finally gone, I defeated him," Harry said, crying with happiness. That's when Brooklyn by now noticed Harry's scar was missing. "Hey, your scar," he pointed out.
Harry felt his forehead and Brooklyn was right; it was gone. "Guess that came with removing the Horcrux," he said, smiling too. Brooklyn took Harry's hand. "You know I'm proud of you, right?" the red gargoyle said gently, feeling his tears coming down. Harry nodded, his own happy tears coming down.
Demona witnessed this tender moment between her revived enemy that startled her and the Boy Who Lived. Something about it just hit her in her stone heart, receiving flashbacks of her and Goliath and how they used to be.
What was wrong with me? She thought to herself, baring her teeth in regret. But then she heard someone coming.
"Demona."
She found herself face to face with her old mate who had spied her watching. Demona just growled looking away from him and hugging herself. Goliath made an attempt to put a hand on her shoulder. This time she didn't shake him off, eyes still tightly shut. Goliath gave her a gentle gaze.
"You can come and join us if you want. You don't need to worry about Voldemort anymore." The gargess turned, eyes glowing. "They will just shut me out," she snapped. "Go ahead, beat me up. Tell me how wrong I was!"
Those words hit Goliath hard, eyes moistening. He really did miss her. "No, I won't." he said softly. Demona blinked a bit in surprise, but then scoffed, though at one point her eyes looked soft.
"Those humans really did soften you up. But I still don't wish to return with you, Goliath. After everything I need to clear my head. Go on my own way for a while." She then said, taking Goliath's hand off her shoulder. Goliath sighed a little in understanding.
"If that is what you wish to do, Angel of the Night," he murmured, smiling. "Whenever you return I will be here to welcome you home." Demona shook a little from his words and her old name. The gargess gave him a small nod then began to walk away from Hogwarts on her soul journey. Goliath watched after her, his heart filled with sadness of her leaving.
Brooklyn had watched but didn't dare to ask his leader what had happened while he and Harry helped the injured into the Great Hall knowing this was just between him and his old mate. Perhaps there was some good in her. Somewhere.
….
Everybody then rejoined in the Great Hall. Nobody really talked much except one or two. Several people have ended up losing their lives on both sides of that fateful final battle. But everyone would remember their lost friends with honor.
Hermione was having a delightful talk with Fred, George and Lexington whom she had formed a strong bond with. She could feel the weight of grief for Ron leaving her shoulders for she could sense him in the Twins and Lex.
Harry and Brooklyn were just sitting together while Pomfrey tended to some of their wounds when Goliath approached Harry.
"Harry, because of your deep connection with Brooklyn and your loyalty to protect others I had a thought of offering to you to become a permanent member of our clan." He said with a smile. Harry's mouth fell open. Him? A member of a gargoyle clan? He then glanced at Brooklyn now realizing he kind of was with his bond with him over the years. And he could be part of another family, too.
He turned to Goliath, tears in his eyes. "Goliath. I- it would be an honor to be in your clan," he said in a tearful voice. Goliath looked happy about it. "And aside from offering you to be with us we also wish to be here at Hogwarts to keep those like Voldemort out of the castle."
Brooklyn was startled. "But, Goliath, what about Manhattan? They need us." Talon spoke up from behind them.
"We will continue to protect the city in your place, Brooklyn. We promise," the black panther mutate offered. Brooklyn then saw sense in Talon's words. And the idea of being able for his clan to be at his brother's school made him feel quite happy, a grin on his face.
But then another thought hit him. "Er, Goliath? Puck?" Goliath rubbed his neck. "We were able to find that trickster held by Demona. He was in a rough shape but we fixed him up. He is still resting at the Eyrie Building. But I'm sure Puck would be rather interested in visiting this place. I and Xanatos already told him off for misusing that spell." The red one nodded in understanding, somewhat glad that Puck wasn't dead.
Katie joined them, a smile on her face. "You know, Brooklyn, I- I really do still like you," she said shyly, shifting her feet. Brooklyn blushed. "Well, uh, you did save me. So perhaps this could work between us," he replied in an equally shy voice. He suddenly heard Fred, George and Lex wolf whistle until Hudson shook his head at them. "Let him have this, Lads. He deserves it."
Brooklyn then knelt onto his knees. "Katie. I know I haven't been able to spend so much time with you regarding the hunt for Horcruxes, but I wish to do it now. I would love for you to be my lifetime mate. If that is what you wish," he said, while looking away a bit in case she rejected him. Tears came down her face, then Katie ended up hugging Brooklyn once more.
"Oh, yes! I would love to!" She cried. The two lovers embraced each other in a kiss, sealing their mating. It wasn't an official gargoyle mating ceremony but it was good enough, something to celebrate a triumph over evil.
….
A few days later of rest and healing, Harry, Brooklyn, Hermione, Katie, and Lexington all gathered together out by the Black Lake, just sitting side by side and enjoying the spring breeze. They mostly discussed why Voldemort couldn't get the Elder Wand to work and how the Patronus Harry had seen in the woods was Snape's. Brooklyn and Katie held hands looking forward to their future together, maybe even having kids that could come to this school, whether they be born gargoyle human hybrids or adopted humans. Xanatos had ended up giving Hermione Harry's offered job since Harry was now a full time member of the gargoyle clan and wanted to do that instead. She accepted without hesitation.
Harry had ended up mending his Holly wand out of love for it even though he can use magic without a wand now. He told them of how he had found the Resurrection Stone but lost it in the Forbidden Forest and wanted to put the Elder Wand back with Dumbledore and leave it until he died then its magic would be done for. The cloak would be the only thing he would keep until the time came whether he had children. He and Ginny were friends, sure but they didn't up and propose like Brook and Katie did. Maybe one day Harry would find somebody for him.
Brooklyn smiled while gazing at the beautiful horizon. He sensed long time peace in the air and the end of their old adventures. He could thank Puck later for causing all these wonderful friendships to happen to him, and now just wanted to have peace and quiet for a good while.
