Chapter Ninety-Nine
Word spread quickly.
There were celebrations. People linking arms and dancing in their street – Harry heard it, from the people who continued to flood into Hogwarts, determined to shake his hand – each of them hailing the 'Boy Who Lived' and Regulus Black, when it trickled down through the grapevine, exactly what and how it had all happened.
It was explained to all, including Harry, himself – by his mum and by Snape – so that, by early evening, everyone knew of it.
Voldemort's fall and the Black Magic and the breaking of the Imperius Curses and the fleeing of the Death Eaters that still remained loyal – doomed to either Azkaban or the Dementors Kiss – and Harry's, ultimate, fate which awaited him.
Daphne took Harry's hand in hers – a welcome hand, rather the hundreds it seemed he had shaken that day – where they sat at the Slytherin table, still in the Great Hall where it had happened, and she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Are you okay?" she asked, quietly, "Do you want to leave?"
Harry swallowed as he lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it and making her smile, before he shrugged; "Doesn't really make a difference where I am, does it? Still doesn't change it – what's gonna happen."
That, soon, his own magic would be gone.
Harry drew in a breath, telling himself it was worth it – of course it was – for all of the smiles and the joy and the laughter that currently filled the hall. All of the grateful, celebrating people who had come to show him their respect and thank him for all he had done.
The war, all the pain and the suffering, finally coming to an end.
"Hey –"
Harry glanced up at the voice, feeling his mum's hand on his shoulder; "How are you holding up, Sweetheart?"
Harry blushed at being addressed as such in front of Daphne, while his girlfriend, noticing his redden cheeks, fought a smile.
Harry nodded, forcing a smile, but it still came out a bit sarcastic; "Great."
"Excuse me, Harry."
Harry glanced around at the sound of the familiar voice, and he found it easy to smile when he saw Luna standing there, her father a few feet behind, engaged in animated conversation with Professor Sprout.
"Hey, Luna. You alright?"
Luna smiled at him and held out a blue flower his way; "It's customary in certain Wicca cultures to gift a person with a blue flower, to express their gratitude for a sacrifice that has been made by someone on their behalf –"
Harry eyed it for a second before he smiled, taking the flower she held out, and nodded.
" – thank you, Harry."
Harry eyed it again, before meeting Luna's eyes with a grin; "Actually, Malachi's sacrificed a lot more than I have, you know. I could give this to him for you, if you'd like?"
Luna's lips pursed together, in order to suppress the smile that played upon them while her cheeks reddened at Harry's suggestion. But she said nothing – simply made a little 'hum' under her breath – and stepped away, returning to her father's side.
Harry heard Daphne chuckle beside him, as his mum squeezed his shoulder and stepped away – called over by Professor McGonagall – and he placed the flower Luna had given him on his lap.
He whispered a spell – not really knowing how he knew it, thinking perhaps Sirius just knew what he wanted to do – and cast a charm to protect the flower from any damage – along with another little spell – before he tucked it into his robes and reached for Daphne's hand again.
He found that when he was sitting there, his hand in Daphne's – with eyes all for his girlfriend – that people were more inclined to give him some space and celebrate amongst themselves for a bit.
Daphne leaned in, as if sensing his thoughts, giving him a kiss – which he enjoyed, immensely – before she drew back, slowly, and her eyes brightened when she found someone over Harry's shoulder.
A delighted laugh escaped her as Harry turned around, seeing, when he did, that Veronica Greengrass had come into Hall – already reuniting with Astoria – and Daphne sprung to her feet – sharing a brief, elated glance with Harry – before she hurried over to greet her mother.
The Greengrass girls hugging in together in the middle of the hall, delighted to be reunited.
Harry smiled – warmed by the scene, a welcome reminder that all of this was worth it – but he didn't linger there long, getting to his feet before more people could approach him where he now sat, alone, and began to make his way in the direction of his mum and Professor McGonagall who, Harry noticed, were now being joined by Snape.
Snape who had returned, it seemed, from the Foundation without Mr. Black – simply holding a portrait in his hand as he reached them.
Harry frowned, trying again to feel for Malachi's dad's magical presence amongst those that still coursed through him – accidentally making a glass smash to his left when he did – before he quickly clamped down on the magic again and pulled up his occlumency barriers, and began to make his way towards where they stood.
"Harry –"
He was stopped by Remus – a welcome interruption – and Harry smiled, turning and going to him – hugging him tight when he reached him; "Hey, Uncle Remus."
"How are you doing?"
"Everyone keeps asking me that," Harry shrugged; "I thought I'd die. Now I'm alive. It's good, right?"
Remus looked at him, smiling proudly at how he was taking it – the actual cost Harry would soon have to make – before he nodded; "You really are the best of men, Harry."
Harry blushed at the compliment – remembering Sirius' words from earlier that day – and started to tell Remus who he'd seen – he'd surely want to know – but his Uncle Remus went on, before he could.
"Speaking of which, with this victory, Dora and I have celebrated by finally setting a date for the wedding."
Harry smiled, widely – "Yeah?" – glad to hear of some news that wasn't about him, right now.
"Really," Remus nodded; "August twenty-fourth, if all goes well. Dora would like to have it on the site where the Foundation stood. In a way of honouring her mother. And her cousin."
Harry frowned; "Like…in the ruins?"
Remus grinned; "We'll do it up a bit. Put up some lighting charms."
Harry chuckled, nodding; "Right."
"Of course, I was hoping I'd have my best man by my side for that?"
Harry smiled.
"Yeah. Of course. Count me in, Uncle Remus. I wouldn't miss it."
"And Grace will – no doubt – be delighted to be a flower girl once again."
Harry laughed, nodding.
"Yeah she would. Where's Tonks, now?"
Remus glanced over his shoulder, in the direction of the back of the Hall, and – when Harry followed his gaze – he saw them, too.
Tonks and Draco Malfoy sitting at the end of the Hufflepuff table, talking subduedly. Cousins, both of them losing both parents to the war.
Harry swallowed at the thought, Malachi coming to mind, then.
"With what happened to Draco's father…" Remus began, while Harry looked back at him; "Dora hoped to ensure Draco knew that he wasn't alone. That he has family here. If he agrees, he'll be coming home with us for now."
Harry smiled. Not at all surprised that Remus would do that, before he stepped forward, giving him another hug.
He stayed there a while, talking to Remus, but he could see Snape and his mum talking, heatedly, with the portrait that Snape had brought with him from the Foundation and, when he could, made his excuses and stepped away, coming to Snape's side where he still stood with his mum and Professor McGonagall.
"Dead as a doornail. Completely gone, I tell you," Phineas Black was saying, as Harry reached them.
"Then where is his body? Did one of the aurors come to retrieve him, as requested?" Snape pressed.
"How would I be aware of it, if they did, Headmaster Snape?" Phineas Black eyed him; "In case you hadn't noticed, there was a battle of exceedingly great proportions taking place within these very walls – of which I just so happen to have another portrait – and why in Salazar's name would I have lingered staring at my great-great-grandson's dead corpse for any longer than necessary?"
Snape stared at the portrait and Harry could see the flicker of hope that Harry had given him – when he'd told him he couldn't sense Mr. Black's magic within him – die away with the confirmation of Regulus Black's death.
Snape nodded, flicking his wand so that the portrait reduced in size, and then tucked it into his cloak, awkwardly.
"But –" Harry began, his own hope dying away with Snape's.
"I also saw it, Harry," Snape said – and Harry could tell it was a struggle for him to speak it, aloud – Snape lowering his eyes as he went on; "I was there to bear witness to his death."
Harry swallowed down the lump in his throat – at the realization of what Malachi must now be going through, remembering the pain of loss, well, after Sirius – and he shook his head; "But – you just said his body isn't even there –"
"I sent a Patronus, so that it could be retrieved. Soon, his wife will be called before the Ministry for identification purposes –"
The thought made Harry feel sickened, while Snape went on.
" – though, if what you believe is true, there is no doubt in my mind that it is with his wife – and family – that Regulus would have gone."
Harry looked at Snape, sharply; "Well…let's go back, then. And check. Grace is there, anyway, and if Mr. Black isn't…"
His mum nodded, then, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder; "Yes. It's late, now. And this has been more than enough for one day."
Harry leaned into her, slightly – not even feeling embarrassed to do so – and Snape nodded, the three of them making to leave.
"Severus."
Harry heard Professor McGonagall's voice speak quietly behind him – calling Snape back – and Harry glanced over his shoulder as his mum drew him away, catching – as he did – the small smile that she gave Snape – and that he returned with a nod – before the three of them made their way back to the island that the Blacks lived upon.
"Harry!" Grace greeted him, excitedly – delighted to see him back – despite the late hour, throwing herself into his arms when they stepped back across the threshold; "You came back! I thought you were going to stay!"
"Young lady, shouldn't you be in bed?" his mum remarked, trying to sound unimpressed but failing, as she ruffled Grace's hair.
"I'm helping Julia – the baby's awake again – she asked if I could get a clean blanket. He was sick."
"Oh dear," his mum remarked, as if with fond recollection, as she pressed a kiss to Grace's head.
"Grace, is Mr. Black home yet?" Harry asked her, not waiting for any more pleasantries to be shared.
Grace shook her head; "Nope. You're back first! But hopefully he comes home soon, because Julia and Malachi have been crying today, so they need his cuddles."
Grace went by them – not noticing the heavy glances shared between those who'd arrived – and went to the kitchen counter, pulling down one of the several blankets that were washed and folded upon it, and began to make her way back to the stairs.
"Stay with Daddy, Sweetheart," his mum stopped her with a hand to her shoulder; "I'll take the blanket up to Julia."
Grace looked hesitant – clearly trying to decide if she'd rather play with the baby or with her dad – before she nodded and handed over the blanket, his mum disappearing upstairs to Julia's side.
Harry only hung about for a minute – Grace quickly pouncing on Snape and insisting that he read her a story – before he followed in his mum's footsteps.
Harry headed up the stairs, his eyes going to the open door of Mr. Black and Julia's room as he passed it – and he could see Julia held tight in his mum's arms as she sobbed, quietly, on her shoulder – and Harry drew in a breath – struck by the sight of her grief – before heading further down the hall.
He knocked on Malachi's door, uncertainly, not really expecting Malachi to want to see anyone – he never usually did, after all, when he was hurting.
But it was pulled open, quickly, and Malachi stood there – eyes reddened – and he didn't look at all surprised to see him.
He guessed his dad – or maybe Julia – had let on to Malachi after they'd left; that Harry wasn't really going to die.
Still, there was relief in Malachi's eyes at seeing him there. As if, even though Malachi knew Harry wasn't going to die, he had still wanted – needed – his best friend back with him.
Harry stepped forward at the thought – realizing that Malachi did – the two of them hugging each other tight in the doorway.
Harry – all of them – barely slept through the night.
And it was at the crack of dawn – after Harry accidentally smashed a window, the magic starting to get out of control – that he and Snape had gone down to the basement; finding, there, the potion that Snape had already prepared for him.
"I – uh – just have to drink this?"
Harry eyed the goblet that Snape had handed over to him; "And then, that's it? The powers go back and…and mine along with them?"
"There is an enchantment that I will pass as you consume it," Snape explained to him.
Harry nodded and lifted it without hesitation to his lips – no point beating around the bush, after all – but Snape held up a hand, touching the goblet and stopping him.
"Harry."
Harry met Snape's eyes – surprised at the intensity within them – and he hesitated, then, under the expected fierceness of Snape's gaze.
Just when Harry would much rather that the man be all serious and stoic, now would be the moment he crumbled into a regretful mess.
"As I said previously," Snape said, more composedly than his gaze had implied he would be; "It is possible to bind the powers within yourself rather than release them. So that we may –"
"You mean so I could hold onto the curse that'd carry down to all my kids and grandkids?" Harry shot him a look; "No thanks."
Snape's lips twitched; "No. It would simply be for long enough that I might have time to find a solution to the current circumstances. There may be a way that I could –"
"No," Harry stopped him; "No more…I just want all of this behind us, now. I don't want to be living anymore lies or silly fantasies. I get it, okay, I do. You – we – had to do this to bring him down. I'm not mad. I'm just…ready for it to be over."
Snape looked at him, consideringly for a moment, before he nodded.
Conceded, once more, to Harry's wishes.
Harry lifted the goblet, downing the potion in one gulp, while he felt the warmth – the burn – of the spell that Snape cast upon him and he felt it all twist and turn within him, before the searing pull and pouring of the Black Magic leaving him.
Harry squeezed his eyes shut against the feel of it – his hands shaking and his feet unsteady on the ground, a gasp and a groan escaping him, way worse than how it had felt when it came to him the day before – before he remained unable to keep upright and fell to the ground.
The magic going, going and gone, as Harry trembled upon the floor, vaguely hearing Snape's voice calling to him through the haze of it all.
It took a second for Harry to come back to himself.
He felt Snape's hand upon his arm when he did and met the concerned eyes of the man beside him.
Harry swallowed, hard, looking at Snape, uncertainly.
He couldn't feel the Black magic anymore, no.
But he could still feel something – his own magic – deep within him.
There, as it had always been.
"Um…" Harry frowned, wondering what had gone wrong; "Did it work?"
The morning light glowed and glimmered across the train station.
"One-way ticket from Berwick to Oban – two changes – that's sixty-six pounds, forty-five."
"Ah."
Regulus cleared his throat, before he leaned his elbows on the counter of the ticket booth and flashed the girl behind it his most charming smile.
"Any chance of getting that on credit, Sweetheart?"
The girl blushed and smiled back at him, shaking her head.
"Regulus."
He looked around, sharply, at the familiar voice – seeing Kingsley Shacklebolt standing a few feet away – and Regulus went still with surprise for a moment, before he cleared his throat, giving the girl another smile, and stepped out of the line to approach him.
He felt strangely uneasy and exposed, as he did, making his way towards a fellow wizard – if Regulus, himself, could even be referred to as such, anymore – without his own magic.
Regulus gave him a nod.
"Morning, Kingsley. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Nor I, you," Kingsley said, eyeing him, carefully – a little bit suspiciously – before he frowned; "Rumour has it that you perished yesterday afternoon in order to assist Harry Potter in defeating Voldemort."
Regulus cleared his throat; "Ah. Well. It does sound like my role has been somewhat embellished a bit."
Kingsley eyed him, before he glanced around the train station – that it had taken Regulus hours to reach by foot, after he'd set off from the Foundation, cursing the fact he'd picked Northumberland rather than London, with a far stronger Wizarding presence nearby, to place it – before he looked back at Regulus, with obvious understanding in his eyes.
"You've lost your magic."
Regulus immediately lifted his shoulders, dismissively.
"Happens to the best of us," he said, lightly.
Kingsley smiled.
"May I offer you my assistance in getting you where you need to be? Home, perhaps?"
"Unfortunately, my home remains under the protection of the Fidelius. So, I can't speak the address."
"How about Oban, then. Did I hear that's where the train was going? Would that get you close enough?"
Regulus smiled, gratefully, nodding; "Yes. Thank you, Kingsley."
Kingsley chuckled, nodding that he follow him to somewhere unseen so that they could disapparate.
"I am quite certain, Regulus, that it is the rest of us who should be thanking you."
"…that Severus Snape has been called before the Ministry this coming Thursday to explain himself with regards to murder – if that is the correct word for it now – of the beloved Albus Dumbledore…A courtesy, in lieu of arrest, apparently – though no doubt that would come, soon, should he choose not to show up. I must say, a trial at the public's expense does seem rather pointless in light of recent events, don't you think, now that Albus Dumbledore, himself – or rather, his portrait – has come to the man's defence…"
Severus flicked his wand, turning off the radio, as Grace and Harry came into the dining room, their voices going, animatedly, despite the heavy weight than still hung over the Black household.
"If you do get to keep your magic, you'll get to go back to Hogwarts with Malachi in September, won't you?" Grace remarked climbing up onto one of the chairs at the table.
"Uh – yeah. I guess," Harry shrugged, taking a seat beside her, speaking nonchalantly, as if he didn't quite want to get his hopes up.
His own magic still going strong, despite the spell to repay the ancestral debt being cast early that morning.
"And Daddy, too!" Grace went on, before looking at Severus with a frown; "Will you two being going back to Hogwarts and leaving me and Mummy, again?"
Severus lifted his eyebrows; "Leave you both? Perish the thought."
"I didn't think you'd want to go back there," Harry remarked, looking at Severus with a considering frown; "After –"
Severus met Harry's eyes; neither confirming nor denying the fact that, really, he had no intention of ever setting foot in the place again, if he could help it.
His days of teaching – at long last – to become a thing of distant, not-entirely-fond memory.
"But how come you've still got your magic, Harry?" Grace turned to Harry, curiously; "Mummy said when you and Daddy did the spell this morning, that it'd go away, and that I had to be extra nice to you, to make you feel better."
Harry chuckled, sharing a look with Severus, before he ruffled her hair; "Is that right, hm?"
"Yep!"
"I dunno why they haven't taken it yet. Guess it takes a bit of time."
"Or maybe they don't want it, the people who said they'd take your magic away. Maybe you're not good enough at school. I saw your Transfiguration practice at the Foundation. Bit rubbish, wasn't it?"
"Watch it, Grace," Harry poked her in the side, making her laugh.
And then Harry met Severus eyes, curiously; "She's right, though. We did the spell this morning – shouldn't it have worked by now? I don't have the Black magic anymore. Just mine."
"The particulars are not well documented, with the magic being so rare. Most of it is hearsay. But – as has been established – it is expected that the magic from the living in the line who called upon the magic, give up their own in retribution for the crime of doing so."
Harry frowned.
"Then, why have they still not taken mine?"
Before Severus could answer, the door behind him sprung open, and he turned to face the unexpected arrival.
Stunned beyond belief to find Regulus stepping into the house.
Regulus shot them a bright smile; "Well. Full house, is it? Good morning you lot!"
He shrugged out of his cloak, hanging it up on the peg at the door; "Did you know that it takes a six-hour walk, three trains, one bus, and two bloody ferry rides to get here from the Foundation?"
Regulus rolled his eyes, walking up to Severus – who simply stood, staring at him in shock – before he grinned; "The sooner we move back to the mainland, the better. Thank Merlin I ran into Kingsley, or you'd have had to send out a search party."
"Mr. Black, we thought you were dead!" Grace blurted out, from where she sat at the table, looking as amazed as Severus felt.
"Hm. Not the only ones, from what I've heard, Miss Grace," Regulus said, giving her wink, before he smiled at Harry; "Not all I've heard either. Well done, Harry."
Harry smiled at him, past his own astonishment and relief at seeing him there; "Thanks, Mr. Black."
"How is this possible?"
Regulus met Severus' eyes at the blurted-out words.
"Apparently Dumbledore was right."
Severus stared back at him.
His next words ground out.
"I saw you die."
Regulus nodded, slowly – with a look of bashful regret in his eyes – before he lifted a shoulder in a shrug; "More fool you, Severus."
Regulus grinned.
Severus smirked, rolling his eyes, just as Regulus stepped in and embraced him.
Severus sighed, a little breath – a puff of amusement leaving him – before he leaned – only slightly – into it, if only for a moment.
The two of them lingering there – Severus feeling self-conscious when he heard his daughter's unabashed – "aww!" – from the table, and Harry's chuckle at her commentary – before drawing back.
Regulus tugged on something from up his sleeve – his wand – that he twirled through his fingers, before he said; "Although our little dabble in the ancestral pond was not without consequence."
Regulus met his eyes, telling Severus what he was already beginning to guess.
The simple reason, that the Black Ancestors had not taken Harry's magic with their own because they had – already – come to collect.
The debt already paid with Regulus' magic, instead.
"We'll fix it," Severus said, immediately.
Regulus made a face, shooting Severus a look, before he placed the wand down upon the counter and turned his back on it.
He cleared his throat, speaking more softly as he met Severus' eyes.
"Where are they?"
Regulus' footsteps slowed as he reached the threshold to his and Julia's bedroom, and he was immediately warmed by the sight that greeted him.
Julia was lying on the bed – their baby son in her arms – and Malachi was sat there on the bed next them, their eyes upon the bundle that cooed up at them.
Malachi reached up, chuckling his little brother's chin.
"He really does look like Dad, doesn't he?" Malachi murmured.
Julia nodded – and the warmth Regulus felt was shaken a bit, at the look of obvious grief on her face that she quickly pushed down – as she said; "Yes," she put an arm around Malachi, giving him a kiss on the head; "He's all you two."
"No," Malachi grinned, blushing a bit under his stepmum's affection; "He'll have brown eyes, right? Like you."
Julia smiled, giving Malachi a little nudge.
"Did you and Dad pick a name?"
"Ah –" Julia grinned, meeting Malachi's eyes; " – actually, I heard that you and your Dad picked a name."
Malachi looked a little bit embarrassed then, shrugging, before asking, shyly; "Did you like it?"
Julia nodded, looking at him, warmly; "I love it, Malachi."
Malachi smiled, looking down at the baby, just as Julia did too, saying, softly.
"Nicholas Regulus Black."
Regulus cleared his throat.
"Ah ah –"
Two heads turned sharply in his direction, as he held up a finger.
" – I did stipulate no stars."
Julia and Malachi stared at him, as if unable to believe their eyes – and it took his breath away to see both pain and hope warring within them – before their disbelieving looks turned to ones of amazement.
"Dad!"
Malachi ran to him first – as Regulus came into the room – and his son threw his arms around his neck, making sounds that were a mix of both laughter and sobs as he held him tight.
"Hey, Beansprout," Regulus murmured, holding his boy close.
The two of them stood like that for a minute, Regulus slowly drawing back to meet his eyes, and he reached up caressing his cheek with a smile for a moment – delighted to be given the chance to set his eyes upon his son once again – before Malachi smiled and stepped back, so that he could go to Julia.
Regulus made his way over, taking a seat on the bed beside her, smiling as he reached up to stroke her hair; "Wife. I must say, you're looking rather stunned."
Julia's eyes flickered back and forth between his – taking him in – as if still unable to believe he was even there.
And Regulus was simply caught in her gaze – amazed himself – for a moment.
Still not quite believing that this was really happening.
That he was actually here and that this was truly their future.
That they were even going to have one, at all, after all he'd told her since he'd met her.
That their time was short.
And that he hadn't, truly, deserved even that.
But then, for he and Julia to be together, Regulus had always thought it would be him pulling her into the shadows.
He had never once thought that it would be her pulling him into the light.
"You were dead," she whispered; "I got your letter."
Regulus leaned in, touching his forehead to hers, his voice a whisper; "Can't get rid of me that easily."
Julia's eyes closed then – a tear slipping down her cheek – and Regulus took her face in his hands and kissed her, fiercely, pouring everything he felt for her – for them and for their family – into that one act.
He felt the little sob she made against his lips, one hand upon the side of his neck as she returned his affections – seeming to lose herself in him for a moment, as he did her – and then they drew back, their eyes meeting past the glimmer of both their tears.
Regulus sighed, leaning his forehead back to hers for a moment, before his eyes turned to the baby still cradled in one of his wife's arms, who's eyes were upon them, widely.
As if witnessing something truly shocking, indeed.
Regulus chuckled and reached up, caressing the top of his head; "Better get used to that, Little Sprout."
Nicholas cooed and wiggled beneath his touch, making the rest of them in the room laugh.
Regulus drew Julia closer with one arm and held out a hand in the direction of Malachi, who was watching with a look of both embarrassment and happiness at his dad's return.
Malachi came to them.
His son's smile big and bright and this – his baby's innocent gaze and son's smile and his wife's kiss – and these three, these four; it was everything.
They were everything.
Malachi sat down on the other side of Julia and Regulus drew them all in, holding them close as they laughed, softly, together in each other's arms.
For Regulus to finally have and feel all of this.
It was pure and utter magic.
Harry glanced out the window at the side of the door that led to the porch, seeing Malachi sitting on the step by himself.
The blue gerbera flower that Harry had given him from Luna was held between Malachi's thumb and index finger, as he twirled it between them, looking thoughtfully at the petals.
Harry smirked and opened the door, stepping out, and he saw Malachi shift where he sat, quickly putting the flower down next to himself on the porch – trying to hide it from sight – as Harry approached and took a seat beside him.
"You know –" Harry began, before Malachi could say anything; " – I used the Black superpowers to put a little charm on that for you."
Malachi rolled his eyes, before looking at him with a frown.
"Yeah –" Harry nodded, grinning widely; " – I charmed the petals. You can pick off one a day, from now until September, the last one plucked the morning that you finally get to kiss her again."
Malachi shoved him and they both laughed.
Malachi lifted the flower back up – knowing, then, it was pointless to hide it – and looked down at it fondly, while the two of them just sat there, together, in silence.
After everything that had happened this past week, the two of them just, finally, taking it all in.
"Can you believe it's really over?" Malachi eventually asked him, quietly.
Harry shook his head.
"Not really. So used to living with it hanging over us all the time."
Malachi swallowed, glancing at him, and giving him a smile; "Least you're coming back to Hogwarts this September, though, right?"
Harry got a little jolt of what felt like shame – that Malachi's dad had actually paid the price that Harry though he was going to have to – but, before he could say so, the door opened behind them and Mr. Black, himself, came out.
"Aw, that's what I like to see. You two boys out in the sun. As it should be."
Malachi smiled at him.
Mr. Black glanced at the flower he held with a grin, his eyes getting a twinkle.
"Ah. And when will I be getting introduced to the young lady who has stolen my boy's heart?"
"Try never, Dad."
Harry and Mr. Black laughed.
"Did Dora tell you she's set a date for the wedding when she was over this morning?" Malachi asked, curiously, sharing a look with Harry.
Mr. Black nodded; "That she did. They'd like to have it at the Foundation. August. We should have it back up and running again by that time."
Harry perked up; "You're opening the Foundation back up again?"
"Apparently so."
Mr. Black cast a fond look Malachi's way, making it clear that his son had done some convincing on that front.
"That's great," Harry told him, "People need it. And you, Mr. Black. They'll still follow you like before. Even though…"
Harry trailed off, feeling a little bit uncomfortable even mentioning it – not sure, exactly, how Mr. Black felt about losing his magic.
Though it wasn't really that hard to guess.
Mr. Black smiled, looking a little humbled, and said nothing – a sure sign that he was touched – before Harry went on.
"I saw Sirius."
He'd expected Mr. Black to look surprised or, even, uneasy at the mention.
Sirius had always been somewhat of a sensitive subject.
Instead, Malachi's dad just smiled – entirely at peace with the mention – and nodded; "Me too."
Harry drew in a breath, realizing he'd experienced the same thing that he had.
"Thank you, Mr. Black. For…you know…dying for me and all that."
Mr. Black smiled, then, before giving a little chuckle.
"Harry," Mr. Black shook his head – and Harry thought he meant to decline the gratitude – but, instead, he just said; "Call me Regulus."
Harry smiled.
The door opened up behind them, then, and Snape stepped out, giving Regulus a nod.
"Ah. Severus, here, is giving me a little 'lift' over to Dora's," Regulus said, addressing Malachi now; "To speak to Draco. Would you like to come?"
Malachi shook his head; "Think he'd like it better if it was just you."
Regulus didn't protest that – likely knowing it was true – and squeezed Malachi's shoulder as he stepped down off the porch; "Well. I won't be too long."
"With Draco?" Malachi chuckled; "Think it's gonna take a while, Dad."
Regulus gave him a gentle shove and a wink.
Snape stepped down the porch, following Regulus, and he met Harry's eyes when he stood before him on the grass; "And you? Perhaps you'd like the opportunity to speak with Lupin?"
Harry shook his head, not wanting to be any more on an intruder on Draco's grief than Malachi did.
"Nah. Malachi's right. Malfoy's not gonna want me showing up for that. And…" Harry hesitated, before he added, almost hesitantly; "I kinda just want to go home."
Snape kept his eyes on him, consideringly for a moment.
Before he gave him a nod.
"Very well. Upon my return, that is what shall be done. Will you inform your mother and sister?"
Harry smiled and nodded that he would, before Snape and Regulus headed from the house.
He glanced over at Malachi where he was still sat beside him, noticing his friend's eyes were back on the flower in his hand, and Harry couldn't help but snicker at how obviously besotted Malachi was.
No excuses, now, not to finally go after what he actually wanted.
"You know, you could just write her a letter," Harry suggested, in mock-sympathy, before placing a hand upon his chest; "Dearest Luna. I do so wonder if the blue of this flower brings out the blue of your eyes quite as captivatingly as they do mine –"
Malachi shoved him and the two of them erupted into peals of laughter, once more.
"What do you intend to do for Draco?"
Regulus shrugged; "Whatever he wants."
Severus smirked as he and Regulus made the slow walk up to the gate of the Lupins' at the top of the slope.
"You know, I just can't – for the life of me – believe that Lucius killed Nagini," Regulus remarked, his tone expressing both surprise and just the slightest hint of teasing, before he went on – all teasing with his next words; "I always thought it'd be you."
"So it would have been," Severus conceded, ignoring the twinkle in Regulus' eyes; "Had Lucius not –"
"Stolen your thunder?" Regulus suggested, lightly, with faux-innocent eyes.
Severus glowered at him.
"It was not a contest, Regulus –"
Regulus burst into snickers.
" – and considering what happened in the aftermath of Lucius' attack upon the Dark Lord's final horcrux, one might consider my failure a blessing."
"A blessing," Regulus chuckled, nodding; "Speaking of blessings – I really ought to thank you."
"For what?"
"For being there," Regulus remarked, lightly – as if he were referring to one of the hideous work functions he had always insisted Severus must attend, rather than what they had both expected were Regulus' last breaths – before he added; "I know that wouldn't have been…how you particularly wanted to spend your afternoon."
"I imagine it beats frolicking in the clouds with imbeciles, as you spent yours."
Regulus laughed fully then, nodding his head, as they reached the gate. But his friend's amusement died away as he eyed it, uncertainly, before he turned – clearing his throat with obvious discomfort – to speak, with a light tone that belied his unease.
"Uh – Dora said it'd be warded," Regulus explained, before adding the password; "Howell."
Severus hesitated, then, glancing at Regulus who didn't quite meet his eyes – an old habit that, apparently, hadn't died along with him – before he spoke.
"There may be a way," Severus suggested; "With the Foundation expected to be restored by the end of the summer, I will be able to pull together the resources to form a Research Group –"
Regulus held up a hand, stopping him, and shaking his head.
"No. Don't waste any more of your time trying to fix the past, Severus," Regulus said, before he shook his head; "I certainly won't be. In fact –" Regulus smiled; "Most of my very best memories of these past few years just so happen to have been spent with my son in the world without magic. And those memories were no less precious without it."
Severus smiled, slightly, nodding slowly, before he lifted his wand and released the wards on the Lupins' gate.
Regulus raised his eyebrows, before stepping ahead; "Well. Wish me luck. I think I just might need it for this one."
Severus smirked while Regulus grinned, before his friend headed up the path to go to his cousin.
Severus lingered, just long enough to see Regulus step over the threshold, and for Lupin to meet Severus' eyes when he noticed him where he stood at the end of the path.
Lupin smiled, giving him a nod; "Severus."
Severus inclined his chin – greeting him in turn – before he turned and made his way back to the Blacks for the children.
Lily placed one of the blue gerberas she held upon the earth in front of the white marble headstone.
Her eyes lingered on the words upon it – that she'd only read once before, since she'd had it commissioned – as she slowly straightened back up to her feet.
James Potter, Born 27 March 1960, Died 11 August 1994
Beloved by family, cherished by friends.
Lily smiled, lifting her eyes skywards for a second – wonderingly, after what Harry had told her, about the two who bickered and watched over them – before she walked the short distance back a few rows, stopping before the other resting place that she'd come to see.
Sirius Orion Black, Born 3 November 1959, Died 12 May 1988
The greatest gift in life is love.
Lily drew in a breath, as she read the words that Regulus had chosen for his brother, before she knelt and placed the single flower she held upon the earth, her voice a whisper when she let her hand linger upon the dirt beneath her fingers.
"Thank you."
There was the slightest stir in the breeze that was – undoubtedly – just a breeze but it still made her smile – for she always was one to believe in fantasies a little – before she slowly got to her feet and stepped by the gravestone.
Her hand trailed upon the white marble as she passed, slowly making her way from the graveyard.
Leaving behind those who had been loved and then lost for them.
She was standing at the door to the cottage before long – having told Harry to let Severus know she'd catch up to them and not to wait – and she knew from the silence within that Severus and the children hadn't arrived yet.
So, Lily lingered there, too, her eyes on the house – on the home – that so much hope and love and laughter had been made within.
Finally letting go – allowing it to drift away in the breeze – any of the pain that still clung on and whispered in those deep corners of her mind.
There was the sound of a 'pop' of apparition behind her – a brief warning of peace about to be shattered – before she heard Grace and Harry's animated voices as they hurried up the path.
"Mummy, you beat us!" Grace called, as she ran up to her with Harry close on her heels, while Severus made his way more slowly up the path behind them.
"Yes, I did," Lily smiled, turning to greet them; "Were you dilly dallying, young lady?"
Grace shrugged; "I only dilly dally when there's something worth dilly dallying for, Mummy."
"Oh?"
"The baby! Nicholas!" Grace said, as if it were obvious, before she announced; "I want a baby brother, too, like Malachi."
Lily and Harry laughed at that – Lily sharing a look with Severus who looked both amused and determined; the answer to that being a very firm no – which only made Lily laugh more heartily, before she lifted her wand and flicked it, releasing the wards, and the door clicked open.
Grace pushed passed her, hurrying in first, while Harry followed – a little bit more slowly, almost hesitantly as he started to look back over his shoulder at Severus – only increasing his speed when Grace called back – "Harry, come on!" – and then Lily and Severus stepped more slowly across the threshold as the children disappeared into the living room.
"Our daughter certainly knows what she wants," Lily remarked with a fond smile to herself, as Severus shut the door behind them.
"Well, I am afraid she is to be disappointed," Severus answered, making Lily chuckle – though it was something that had already been discussed between them, years before; no more children – before he added; "Unfortunately, despite our current good fortune, our daughter will have to learn to bear the disappointment of not always getting what she desires."
Lily shot him a look, sceptically, a smile playing on her lips; "Oh, and you're the one that's going to be teaching her that, are you? She will have you wrapped back around her finger by Wednesday, let me assure you."
Severus pursed his lips together, suppressing a smile, before Lily stepping away, going on.
"In fact, you might even learn something, yourself, from Grace. After all, there no harm in expressing what you want once in a while. Never know. You might actually get it."
Lily pulled open the cupboard door above the counter and reached up, taking down two teacups – a relaxing cuppa at home, no better way to relax after all that had happened this past week – but she was halted by Severus' matter-of-face voice speaking from where he still stood some feet away from her.
"I want you to be my wife."
Lily hesitated in her movements, her eyes on the counter.
She got a slow smile to herself, before she turned and looked at him over her shoulder, meeting his eyes, smiling impishly.
"Is that right?"
Severus simply stood there, looking at her seriously.
Lily's smile started to widen, but she pursed her lips together – as Severus would do – to suppress it and lifted her chin and an eyebrow, expectantly.
Severus released a breath – a puff of amusement – before he nodded, his eyes rolling ever so slightly, before he walked the few steps up to where she stood and took her hands in his.
"Will you marry me?"
Lily started to giggle then – as if a young girl in love – and she nodded.
"Yes."
Severus smiled, then, not suppressing his happiness this time, and he leaned down, kissing her softly.
His hand came up to her hair – stroking gently – when he drew back, green eyes meeting black as they stood there; both, she was sure, barely able to believe they had arrived here, at last.
"When will we do it?" Lily asked him, keen to make it happen as quickly as possible.
"Perhaps the summer?" Severus suggested, before adding without the same enthusiasm by which he'd asked her to wed him, "Regulus expects that the Foundation will be ready for the wedding of Lupin and Miss Tonks by that time –"
Lily touched a finger to his lips, smiling and shaking her head.
"Too long."
Severus raised an eyebrow.
Lily smiled more widely, "Besides, I know how much you hate weddings."
Severus glanced away, another smile playing on his lips once more, before Lily went on.
"You've already put on a good show – for far too long – of enjoying things I know you've hated having to do on behalf of this family –"
Severus met her eyes.
" – and our first steps into our future is not going to be anything like that. That's behind us now. No more pretending, as Grace would call it, for any of us."
Severus nodded, and then the tiniest slither of a smile was back.
Lily took his hands back into hers, going on.
"So – we'll go to the Ministry. Just you, me and the kids. Drag along a couple of witnesses –" Lily's eyes twinkled; "If you can possibly put up with Regulus' teasing about it, at least, for the day –"
Severus smirked.
" – and we'll make it official. The four of us; a family. As soon as we possibly can."
Severus nodded and she could see that he was touched. Before he raised his eyebrows.
"Well. It just so happens that I am being summoned before the Ministry later this week. We could – how do they put it – 'kill two birds with one stone'?"
Lily laughed, fully then, shaking her head, before she stepped in closer and drew him back down to her – "so romantic" – and then she kissed him, delighted that the wait would not be long.
"Mummy! Daddy!"
The two of them drew apart, slowly, smiling at one another at the welcome sound of their daughter's call in their home.
"Harry's stuck setting this up for me! Come help!"
Lily chuckled and the two of them headed into the living room, finding Harry and Grace sitting in front of the fireplace with a muggle boardgame – Mousetrap – before them, that Grace had been given for Christmas from Julia, it's pieces scattered in a mess on the rug in front of them.
"I'm not stuck," Harry rolled his eyes; "It's just fiddly. You're just too impatient, Grace."
"Well, Daddy can use his magic and fix it all more quickly, can't you Daddy?"
Severus shared an amused look with Lily, as she took a seat on the couch behind them and shook his head; "I'm afraid I cannot. Patience, as your brother implies, is a virtue, Grace –" he glanced at Harry over Grace's head; " – as your brother already knows."
Harry's hands halted in his attempt to put together the game and met Severus' eyes, getting a smile and nodding, before going back to what he was doing.
Grace huffed as Severus took a seat next to Lily, his hand finding hers, and she thought she saw Harry blush a bit when he noticed.
At the open affection between them that would, soon, become common place amongst them.
"Fine," Grace grumbled, before handing over another piece of the plastic toy to Harry – with her continuing impatience obvious – before she looked over her shoulder at Severus; "But you have to play it with us then, when we're done."
"I am certain your mother and I could manage that."
Grace beamed at them, before turning back to Harry.
"Isn't it good to be home, Harry? It's all of us here, together, for the first time ever!"
Harry glanced at Grace, his movements slowly slightly, before he met Lily's eyes where she sat – still leaning in close to Severus – and then he smiled and nodded.
"Yeah. It is."
Lily smiled, warmly, back at her son, where he sat on the floor next to his sister.
Harry went back to what he was doing, his and Grace's bickering voices – interrupted, now and again, with the sounds of teasing and of laughter – filling the room, and Lily felt Severus' hand squeeze hers.
She leaned her head upon his shoulder, just basking in it.
Reality.
The war was won.
Her family was safe and happy and whole.
They – and their loved ones – having finally travelled the long, broken and beaten road that had, finally, brought them all home.
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~Fin~
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Epilogue Note: Since concluding this story, there is a one-shot Christmas special also posted on my profile that serves sort of as an Epilogue to this story ;)
Author's Note:
Gosh, guys, it's done! I can hardly believe it. Right now, I feel so much joy to have finally gotten this mammoth completed but I'm sure sadness will follow quickly on its heels in the next few days, as I know I'm going to miss this little world and these characters that I've been writing for so many years (especially those that don't exist outside of this universe.)
Most likely in my struggles to let go, I will revisit with (much shorter) dips back in and throw out a few one-shots whenever the inspiration strikes.
I really want to say thank you so much to all of you who have been along for this ride. Especially all of those who have posted reviews with your thoughts and your amazing encouragement. They have brightened what has been a pretty dire year.
I really hope you all enjoyed the ride – it's been a rollercoaster, I know – and the ending and I wish you all Happy Holidays and a fantastic New Year (if I don't happen to drop another fic in the meantime!)