Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters.

A/N: And so there it is... This is the final chapter in my trilogy. I would like to thank everyone for their support. Gwen, especially, for becoming my first official fan. You commented when I wrote, didn't write, and said I would write but didn't. Thank you for being crazy enough and yet sane enough to have as not only a fan, but a friend.

Thank you to everyone else for reading this.

After this story, about two months later, I am going to be continuing this series. Keep an eye out for updates. I have no idea what I'm calling it yet, but I will try to update about it in my other HP fanfic.

News! I am writing a HP/Sex and the City crossover. First chap should be out soon. Charms and the City. rated M. for some sexuality and language.

Thank you again!

Chapter 41: I'll Try For You, I'll Fight For You, I'll Die For You

Today was my day to move on to bigger and better things. Ironically it was Sunday, the end of the week, and the end of one chapter in my life. Saying goodbye to Hogwarts is something I thought wouldn't happen for a long time, but I was wrong. Maybe, just maybe if I had come here when I was younger, I could've had pleanty of more time to be here and enjoy it much longer. But now that it's over, I cannot cling to the might-have-beens and should-have-dones of the past.

"You have everything all packed?" Gwen questioned me as I walked into the entrance hall with the first of many trunks.

I put the large trunk down, "Yep. Everything is all set to go. I don't have to be outside for another four hours, so I don't know why you guys are so uptight."

"Let's see," Draco approached me and counted on his fingers as he listed, "you confessed love to a former professor, you were tricked by my father, you jumped in front of a spell to save Snape, you almost died, and you are now pushing everything aside and going away as if no one important lives here. I wonder why we're uptight."

"I have to do what I have to do..."

"-Says the girl who use to have no one." Hermione joked.

I sighed, "Will you guys never comprehend the reason for my departure?"

"No," Ron snapped, "I know I won't. You have three months left here.. You should have no reason to go."

Shaking my head, I began to walk back to my room for another trunk. I guessed that these four hours would be the longest ever.

Serenity had been napping when I brought the first trunk out, and she still was luckily. I put some food out for her, but only enough to keep her satisfied until we reached the college. My trunks and bags were piled on my bed and on the floor. There were about five of them. I had no idea I owned so much, but I knew two trunks included my sewing machine and all the fabric I owned. All my dresses that I made were in one trunk as well. My Halloween dress from the first year I came was still in tact. I didn't know if I'd ever use it again. Despite this thought, I would still keep all of my creations as keepsakes and memories.

Draco came into my room, "Need help?"

"Immensely!" I sounded exasperated, for lifting my heaviest trunk was no field day.

He took one end of the trunk, and I the other. We lifted on the count of three and carefully carried it down the dungeon hall and up some steps to reach the Entrance Hall once again. Placing the overloaded trunk on the floor, Draco gave me a fake smile. I was feeling very hated today.

"I suppose I should start saying my farewells." My words only made my friends seem more let down.

"Not yet," Gwen suggested, "You have to save us for last, or next to last... Close enough towards the end so that we aren't tempted to kidnap you and keep you locked in a closet."

Ron added, "Or locked in a trunk."

"Nice. Whatever. I have people to say bye to, so I'll catch you guys later in the lounge." My patience was wearing thin with my friends. If they weren't going to support my decisions, then so be it.

I returned to my room and glanced at the remaining four trunks. One by one, I brought them into the hall, seeing no more friends waiting around for me. I pushed the trunks towards the door so they would be ready for when I had to leave. It was alas time to say farewell to anyone of significance to me.

My first stop was Dumbledore's office. I approached a statue, the entrance to his room, and realized I didn't have a password.

"Damn it."

"Can I help-" Dumbledore appeared behind me.

I swiftly turned around, interrupting him, "Sir! I was trying to visit you and say goodbye, but I forgot you needed a password to get in."

"It's alright," Albus smiled and his eyes glimmered, "You are here now. I guess this is the day you move on. I have to say, you have matured a lot. From the day you entered, I knew you were going to have trouble fitting in, but you managed. And now you are on your way to a very fine college. Please keep this in mind: Your true friends might not like the idea of you going on your own, but eventually they will be at your side. And sometimes, when you love something, you must let it go in order for it to learn to return to you."

"Thank you, Sir. I love Hogwarts, but I don't think it will grow legs and walk to me." I giggled half-heartedly.

Dumbledore shook his head, "I'm not talking about the school." He quickly gave me a hug, "but you'll understand soon enough."

We didn't say farewell, or goodbye. Instead, we just smiled and went on our ways. Albus was the type of man to smile at and know he was thinking that he would miss you and hope the best for your life. There were no words needed for a man so respectable.

My next stop was Lockhart's room. Despite my hatred for him, I still had to say bye. It was something I needed to do. He was standing in the corner of his room skimming through a book. I got his attention and he was predictably shocked to see me on his floor, let alone in his room. We talked for a few minutes, as civil people did, and ended on a good note. He was happy I was moving on, but he was still pissed at Severus for getting involved with me.

"You are smart to leave now," Lockhart shined his teeth at me with a full grin, "Severus wouldn't be a very good boyfriend for you anyhow. Go get yourself a nice college boy. One you can have fun with. One who isn't aged over his limits."

That statement angered me, but I told myself that he was an idiot, and didn't know anything about relationships. "Whatever, Gilderoy. I have to go now...Nice seeing you one last time."

"Farewell, Maranda." He gave me another killer smile, (really, it killed me.) and I left his room.

After visiting Lockhart, I walked to McGonagal's room, then to Flitwick, then to Madame Hooch-who put up with my awful flying accident last year. The professors supported me, so why couldn't my friends?

There it was: The Potions door. The last time I would be down here. Unless I came back after college, I would never see this room, or this hall, or this school again.

"Maranda," Sev's voice sounded hollow and emotionless. Much like it was when I first attended this school. He continued, "You have come to say your final words to me, correct?"

I went up to his desk, where he always was and always would be, "Yes, Sev."

"You have a choice..."

I nodded, "And I'm choosing the right one for me."

He stood up and reached out his hand for a handshake, "Then, goodbye, Miss Maguire."

"Sev..." A few tears dripped down my cheek, "don't be heartless."

"You should have known what consequences you would face by first loving me and then leaving me." His hand was still reached out.

I took it, shook it, and swallowed a lump in my throat. I held on for a few extra seconds before putting my hand back down. He put his hand down too before sitting back down.

My heart stopped, "Is that it?"

Snape softly said, "Class dismissed."

I backed up, each step growing harder to take. I stared at the man who I thought I had known so much about. Apparently I hadn't known him at all. Snakes should never be trusted, for they take your heart and pretend to care. The suddenly, out of nowhere, they step on it and suck the blood out right in front of you.

So I walked to the teacher's lounge hiding my tears as I used to.

"Maranda!" Gwen shouted happily, "You've come to say goodbye!"

"What's going on?" I wanted to know why everyone seemed so euphoric.

Draco patted me on the back, "We're really sorry for the way we acted."

"It's really hard to say," Ron added, "but we are satisfied ... ecstatic with your choice. We just needed time to let it sink in."

Grinning at me, Hermione declared, "We love you! There's no way we're not going to see you again. Besides, I hear Neville is going to Pheonixia as well, so you'll have someone from our group to keep an eye on you."

I started to giggle, and then laugh loudly, "You guys! I swear I'll see you and keep in touch with you! The fact that I'm going on my way has nothing to do with you. Thanks for not holding it against me."

"No problem," said Gwen, holding Ringo very close to her, "Ringo says bye too."

"Bye-bye, Ringo."

Suddenly Albus' wise words made a lot of sense. My friends would eventually support me, as they did right now. I headed for the door to Hogwarts and looked at my watch. Five more minutes until it was time to go. I had already given many hugs to my friends. I had tried to say my farewell to the one I loved... And failed. Although I wanted to cry an ocean, a positive feeling swept over my heart and soul. I was moving onto bigger and better things.

A few house elves helped me carry my luggage outside as a black, horse-drawn carriage rode up to the school. No turning back now, and no looking for reasons not to leave. The driver of the carriage helped the house elves pack the trunks onto the back by using a levitating spell. Serenity was purring at my feet, and I lifted her into my arms, not taking my eyes off the carriage. I was scared, but very excited.

"Miss Maguire?" The driver asked if I was in fact, myself.

With a subtle smile, I asnwered, "Yes, I'm Maranda."

"On your way to the train station?"

"Yes."

He asked another question, "Do you have everything?"

"Yes."

"Alright then...All aboard!" He helped Serenity and I into the carriage.

The day's sunlight poured into my window, comforting me with sweet warmth and life. Serenity stretched in my lap and curled up for another nap. The clip-clop sound from the horses starting to move caused me to close my eyes and absorb the reality of me leaving. I thought about Severus. He wasn't too thrilled with me leaving, but I knew deep inside that he still loved me...Well, at least I loved him. Funny how I had never been in or believed in love until I fell for Snape. Now that I'm leaving, it doesn't bother me as much as it should that I may never see him again.

Perhaps it's because I have learned so much in Hogwarts, and I will always take the lessons with me in life. I learned how to befriend people, how to stand up for myself, how to not care what people thought about me, how to cry, laugh, live, and love. Now that I have a chance to go on my own, I'm content at the possibility that maybe Snape was just a lesson as well.

And as I neared the train station, I thought about it more. Severus Snape had, in fact, unintentionally supplied me with a lesson:

Love was worth trying, fighting, and dying for...

But sometimes, even when you have done everything to gain it, you must let it go. Let it find protection and safety. Let it flourish or wilt on its own. And then one day...It will come back to you, ready to try, fight, and sacrifice the way you have.

The way you always will.