I don't think apologising is even going to work on this. I'm closing this story up for you all, I'm sealing the letter, so to speak. There will be another chapter, one more, of all the clips of the future that I've written (probably two years ago!). I'm sorry if this doesn't meet people's expectations. I'm sorry it took so long. I'm sorry if you want some steamy scenes, it's not happening. For my own peace of mind, this is ending. This will end! If people are even still following this story!

To Awaken

Sirius

It seemed crazy, verging insane, this plan we'd woven together. In amongst this war, that we had barely seen, but thought we knew, thought we understood. But perhaps that's what made it work, our ignorance. We charged in with gathered information from other kids who really were, just as scared as us. We weren't blind, one look at the scars on the Grey twins convinces us that those atrocities were really out there, but that was only the beginning of the mess.

Me and Lara, strolling through the manor in stolen robes, her pale face shining out inside the hood, so obvious for anyone who had eyes. We just kept walking, heading to the side door Regulus had directed us to. We didn't meet anyone as we went, thank Merlin, but opening the door onto the garden Lara pulled me back as a Death Eater walked by. I tried not to breath but Lara simply stepped out as the hooded figured walked past.

"Stupefy," she muttered sending a bolt of red across the path, hitting the DE straight in the back.

He heeled over silently and I blinked in surprise at the blank face of my friend.

"Well, I suppose that would work," I sniggered slightly, she smirked at me a touch of warmth returning to her eyes.

"They're not really that good," she replied dryly.

"Over there," I nodded to where the others were waiting in the bushes, I saw a shift of black that could only be Snape.

We set out in a swift but steady walk, hoping nobody would see us, I glanced over my shoulder. The manor stood, dark against the sky and glaring at our exit. From here I could see the front of the building and the two Death Eaters standing outside it. As I watched I heard, far in the distance a sharp, hysterical cry of anger which could only be my mother.

"Quick, quick!" A voice said and there ahead of us emerged Snape, who was beckoning us, eyes also fixed on the house where the Death Eaters had straightened at the screech.

Snape grabbed Lara's hand, just as she began to stumble, face even whiter than before. I grabbed her other elbow and as one the three of us breached the boundary.

Lara

I felt, rather than saw the others grab at me, and voices swirled around me before I was pressed between two familiar figures.

LARA! My brother's familiar mind wrapped around mine, bonds that had been pulled to breaking point snapped back into place, even as arms wrapped around me.

"Lara," Remus murmured in my ear, just as everything went peacefully black.

Half asleep I felt the spin of sidelong apparition.

I was going home.

Alex

Our return was met with… shock. Shock, a little anger, and a lot of relief. The Order members who had visited us simple shook their heads, completely miffed.

Lara slept for days and I wrapped myself up in her dreams, telling her everything she missed as she recalled the nightmare escape from the Rosier's. Together we repaired the bounds between us. We'd never be quite the same again, the instinctive twin bond between us had taken a blow, we knew now there was only so much we could rely on each other for. But it was fine, good even. Outside us there were a whole group of people who were there for us. The group had barely left her room since the rescue, having been reassured by myself that Lara would not wake from the healing trance for a while, no matter how much they talked and joked around her.

I drew myself away one time to find that everyone but Sirius and Remus (who was fast asleep curled around Lara) had gone. I pulled my hand from Lara's a reached for him, meeting his questioning eyes with my own. It hadn't been an easy time for us, I knew.

"Everything is good," I whispered to him, letting my forehead fall against his.

I grinned.

"You know… we kinda have a wedding to plan," I said with a laugh.

Sirius groaned but I felt him smile as he kissed me.

Remus

I woke up slowly, feeling warm and safe, the room around me was quiet. Opening my eyes slightly I saw light float in through the window, lighting up the room in a way that could only mean it was morning. Yawning, I blinked away the sleep in my eyes, trying to remember what was going on.

Lara!

I turned my head swiftly, eyes meeting grey ones that were staring at me softly.

"You're awake," I murmured, almost in a daze, raising a hand to touch a soft cheek.

"So are you," she replied in amusement, eyes sparkling as a shy smile pulled at her lips.

I found myself smiling back, joy filling up my chest. I laughed, pulling her quickly to my side so I could burry myself in her hair and neck, still laughing. She snickered at me, arms wrapping around my chest. She pressed a kiss to my head.

"You're awake," I repeated, kissing her gently on the jaw, unwilling to unwind myself from her grip (my grip).

"Yes, I'm awake," she said, a smile filling her voice.

Everyone has been great.