A/N: Here it is, the long coming final installment of "The Inevitable"...well...sort of. I love this story so much and I knew where it was going for a while. I know that there will be flamage, but please go gentle on me. This is my baby and I know that this chapter is highly depressing. This is the ending that I really like. I wrote four...I know I'm lame...but this is the one that put everything right. However, knowing that some of you would hate what happens, I am including one of the alternate endings posted as the next chapter. They are both sad, but in different ways. Even if you like this version I highly encourage you to read the other as well. I was more able to explain some of the questions I'm sure will pop up in that ending as opposed to this ending. Look at it like one of those 'Choose your own adventure' stories.

I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read/review/fave this fiction. I know it is just fan fiction, but some of the reviews you guys gave were amazing and kept me writing. I love you all for them. I'm not sure if I will be writing too much more in Harry Potter world, but who knows? I am going to be doing more one shots because they are much easier to manage and I can do a lot of them at once instead of stringing people on for months. I have some up even now that you guys should check out!

I will stop babbling now. Again, many thanks! Be sure to let me know which ending you like better. Maybe if enough of you guys and gals like the alternate ending I will write a sequel!

FIVE YEARS LATER...

The locker room reeked of sweat that hit like a wall as she entered the room. It had become familiar over the years, but it was still a bit of a shock. All around her, People were moving about with pregame jitters. Some were fine tuning the already immaculately groomed twigs in the latest broom put out by Firebolt. While still others were swinging beater bats around and making pregame jokes about the match they would soon be playing against Wimbourne Wasps. Amidst all the confusion, Hermione weaved her way though the sea of pumped wizards and witches carefully adjusting her son's hand so as not to lose him as the crowd greeted him enthusiastically.

Finally, behind the rows of benches, past the empty shower stalls and the metal lockers that were painted deep purple with a golden star, proud symbol of the Pride of Portree, she found the person she was looking for. He stood in front of a large white board with animated stick figures bouncing in formation. Occasionally he would raise his wand to change the positioning of a certain character before resuming his careful study. He was so engrossed, that he barely noticed Hermione walk up behind him and whisper into his ear. "I liked it better when the purple X was doing that weird swirly thing around the board."

Harry smiled and took a deep relaxing breath as he leaned into his wife.

"Daddy!" he heard a small voice say just before the source hit his leg in a big hug.

"Hello there, Sean!" he said picking up his son and turning to give his wife a quick kiss. "What brings you into the belly of the beast?"

"I brought you a present, Daddy!" he said turning expectantly to his mum.

Hermione reached into her small hand bag and pulled out a piece of paper. A grin broke across Harry's face at the site of the stick figure version of him—complete with lightening bolt scar on his forehead—zooming on his broom chasing an overly large golden snitch. Hermione had clearly enchanted because the figures were actually moving around on the page. "That is the best drawing I've ever seen!" Harry exclaimed swinging Sean around in a circle. "Thank you so much!"

"Did you see that I even got your scar from defeating the bad man!" he said proudly.

"I saw it!" he said, his smile fading slightly. "Now, I think that your Aunt Ginny had something for you over at her locker. Why don't you go check it out so I can talk with Mummy."

The second Sean's feet hit the ground, he was barreling off in the red head's direction.

Harry wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her in a way that might not have been appropriate in front of his teammates, but he didn't care. He pulled back and smiled down at her. "I love you!"

She leaned against his chest and sighed, listening to his heartbeat. "And I love you." Raising her head so that her mouth was pressed to his ear she whispered despite the fact that no one could hear over the noise. "How are you feeling?"

Harry stiffened, but didn't let go. Instead, simply kissed her hair and whispered, "Not so well, but I have a game to focus on. They are counting on me."

Hermione pulled back and examined his face worriedly. At only twenty-five, he was already showing signs of wear. His hair had flecks of gray and his eyes had bags under them from lack of sleep. He constantly looked as if he were recovering from a bad bout of flu. In the past year however, things had been getting worse. When sleep did visit him, his dreams were filled with nightmares of the man he had faced nearly five years prior taking over his body and one by one killing the people he loved. She had been working round the clock trying to figure out a remedy, but so far nothing had worked. "I wish there were something I could do," she said helplessly, running a finger across his forehead tracing his scar before cupping his cheek.

"We could talk to someone. You know? Tell them what really happened that night. Maybe that has something to do with it," he suggested knowing the answer before the words left his lips.

"Harry, we've been through this! According to my research," Harry had a flashback of her in school telling him random facts about Hogwarts, "who actually performed the curse has nothing to do with what we are dealing with here."

"But—"

"Harry," she cut him off, "I cannot be the hero of the people that you are. I won't do it! I don't want the glory."

"Neither do I!"

"I know you don't! But I am sure that who or who didn't take down You-Know-Who has nothing to do with anything. Please don't ask me again..."

Harry sighed. "I'm sorry, love." He reached out and pulled her back to him.

As he held her, Hermione couldn't help but feel that she was letting him down and she didn't know why.

"It's almost time," he said, looking at his watch over her shoulder. "You had better take Sean and find your proper seats."

She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss just as Sean came running up to her holding a full sack of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. He was babbling on about boggie flavor as Hermione turned with him to leave Harry to study some last minute plays.

Before she could fully turn, however, Harry grabbed her sleeve. She turned to him a questioning look on her face. "I know you are trying," he said pulling her into another bone crushing hug and giving her a kiss that made everyone in the vicinity whoop and cheer. He never wanted to let her go. "I love you."

She didn't respond, but continued to look at him with questions floating in her mind. The kiss reminded her of something, but she couldn't remember what. Just then, and announcer's voice boomed about the room and pitch announcing five minutes left until the start of the game. "I love you too," she said as Sean gave Harry one last hug, as they both headed out of the locker room.

Harry waited until they were gone and made his way to his locker. He hung the picture Sean had drawn him and held back a tear as he pulled out a thick envelope addressed to Hermione Potter and sealed with wax that was spelled only to be opened by her. Pulling out his wand, he muttered a few quick words. He took a deep breath, knowing what he had to do, his heart pounding with the finality of it all.

It hadn't taken him long after the dreams began to realize that something was seriously wrong with him. He had begun research of his own on the side, research that Hermione had refused to look at because of what would have to be done if he were right. After looking over several ancient and very dark texts, he had discovered the truth. Yet, even knowing, he had still hoped that he was wrong, hoped that his clever wife would find him a way out of this.

It appeared that she hadn't.

His hands were shaking as he closed the door to his locker and picked up his broom. "Right then!" He yelled to get everyone's attention. "Gather up!"

All of the players huddled up and looked at their captain. "There is a slight wind heading from the east, so make sure you correct. Remember, take your time and be precise! They many have speed but we have the agility and skill to win this!" There was a grumble of approval from them. "Now, let's get out there and make this our best game ever!" He almost choked up at the last words. His team didn't seem to notice as they all cheered happily and began heading for the pitch.

Harry hung back, reaching for his invisibility cloak.

"Harry?" Ginny asked causing him to jump and almost drop the cloak.

"I will be right out, just forgot something in my locker."

She nodded and followed the rest of the team out.

Silently, Harry slipped on the cloak and followed her onto the pitch stopping at the box being opened by a man in a black and white shirt. Harry had to time it just right, otherwise it might happen too soon. He had tried everything else and the thing inside him had stopped him every time. This was the only way.

As the balls began to release, Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a few choice words a one of bludgers. For a brief moment, the ball glowed green showing that the curse had worked had worked. The first contact it made with human flesh would spell the end the person it hit. It would leave no traces, he made sure. To make it fail safe, he had also jinx the thing to only track him ensuring that no one else would be hurt. It was even charmed to be invisible to the beaters until the curse was spent. The plan was perfect. Without giving himself any more time to think about it, Harry ran back to the locker room, stuffed his invisibility cloak and his wand (he didn't want the temptation of using it to destroy the bludger) back in his locker and grabbed his broom.

Taking a deep breath, he kicked off the ground.

#-#-#-#-#

"You did the right thing."

It took Harry a moment to place the voice, but when he saw her face he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "Isn't it strange how five years ago I couldn't wait to be dead and now I wish it could have worked out any other way?"

Lily smiled putting her arm around Harry's shoulders. She looked exactly the same as the last time he had seen her and, Harry realized, he look the same as well. He guessed that death took you back to when you looked the best you ever would. "I told you it wasn't your time then," She comforted.

He couldn't help but be angry at that. Throwing up his arms, he yelled, "And NOW is better? After I've tasted what I could have had? After having to do it to myself? That is how she is going to remember me!"

Lilly took him in a tight embrace, letting him sob into her shoulder before saying, "Would you have rather you not know your son at all or lived as a husband or won the quidditch world cup or see your dad remarried to someone who will take care of him and your siblings?"

He shook his head and looked down at the shriveled piece of what used to be a human soul that was cursing at him from the corner. It was because of this—this thing-that he had had to bewitch the bludger into killing him. The final piece of Lord Voldemort died with him on the pitch and now it was cursing him for it. Harry knew that in a few more moments he would have to move on through the fog and the mist into a new frontier and take the mangled soul with him. "I guess you're right," he sighed.

"Mum always knows," Lily said smiling. "Now come, I must help you two cross over."

"Wait."

"What is it, my son?"

"I need to make sure they will be alright."

Lily looked at him for a moment before nodding. "You can be granted this much."

Instantly, the Fog cleared and he saw Hermione sitting stonily on their bed dressed all in black. Ron was next to her sporting bloodshot eyes, but they were currently studying Hermione's. She barely blinked, barely moved under his gaze as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

"'Mione?" She didn't respond. He continued on. "Sirius and James will be staying in the house just down the hall. They will see to Sean until you are feeling a little better."

No response.

"They can stay as long as you need them to. All of us are here for you, okay? Don't hesitate to ask for anything."

At this she nodded, still not looking at him as he hugged her awkwardly before standing and leaving the room.

Harry held his breath, hoping that the spell would work properly. He had tried it a few times to varying success. He only hoped that it wouldn't let him down now.

He sighed in relief as just like clockwork, the letter he had written popped audibly into existence right behind Hermione on the soft bed they had once shared. She jumped, looking wide eyed around the room before turning and seeing the thick envelope behind her. With trembling hands she picked up the bundle. By the looking her eyes and the increased tears, she recognized the handwriting.

With shaking hands and she broke the seal and took out a folded piece of parchment and another envelope—this one addressed to Sean Potter. Setting down the other envelope, she shakily unfolded the letter and read:

My Dearest Hermione,

I want to start this—the hardest letter I have ever had to write in my entire being—with love. I love you and Sean more than life. I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone and you saved my life the day you told me that you were pregnant with Sean. So I must apologize for leaving both of you. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me. But you must understand that this was the only way.

Please do not blame yourself. It is for your future and our son's future that I did this. Please don't think me a coward. Leaving you was the hardest thing I have ever done. Saving you is my final courageous sacrifice. With my death comes the death of the final and accidental Horcrux made by Lord Voldemort. If I had stayed, it would have eventually caused me to do things that I would regret. I could already feel it taking over me, locking into my frustration and regrets and twisting them. I left my research for the proof of this hidden below the lowest drawer in our dresser. It proves what I fear you have already known for a long time, but were afraid to admit to yourself.

Trust me, love, there was no way you could have done anything to fix this.

Please look after my dad and kiss Sean everyday and tell him stories about us making trouble at Hogwarts. Remember the happy times. I count myself gifted to have loved and known you both. As for the others, let them believe that I died by accident playing a game that I loved. I know it is a lot to carry, but this is my final request. No one but you would ever understand and I can't risk doing that to my father when he had lost so much already.

Stay strong for Sean. He will need you. Enclosed in this envelope is a letter I want you to give to him on his first day at Hogwarts. Please make sure he gets it and knows that I love him.

Darling, I cannot wait to be reunited with you. Please don't be too quick about it! I want to watch you live a long and happy life. Always let me live in your memory. I pray that the images will be kind even though I have hurt you so by doing this. I will be dreaming of you until the day we meet again.

With all the Love that I possess,

Your Harry James Potter

As she finished, her knees gave out and she curled into a ball on the floor and began sobbing as she clutched the letter in her hand. Harry's heart broke as he watched her wanting nothing more than to reach out and hold her one last time. He had never felt more useless in his whole life. She cried and cried until her cries faded into the sounds of fitful sleep. Her eyes were swollen and red as he took a step forward.

Without thinking, Harry knelt down and gently lifted her off the floor and onto the bed tucking her in snugly. He didn't ask how he could do it, he simply treasured the moment. It was then that he saw that her eyes were open and watching him.

"Are you going to haunt me?" she croaked, her eyes full of hope.

Sadly, Harry shook his head. "I have to leave you soon. They granted me a gift to see you one last time."

"They? They who?"

Leave it to Hermione to ask a question like that at a time like this,he thought. "I don't know yet."

"I am very angry at you."

"I know, and I'm sorry." He his hand against her face wanting to memorize the feel of her skin. "I will miss you."

She looked at him with sad brown eyes, wanting to tell him so much, but getting the feeling that she only had a few more moments. "I love you."

"And I love you." Then Harry asked the question that was holding him there. "Will you forgive me?"

Hermione was quiet for a few more seconds before answering. "Someday, yes."

He smiled. That was good enough for him. "Good-bye, love," he said leaning down and kissing her forward.

Then, without another he word, he wasn't there anymore. Hermione stared off into the darkness, still crying, but not as badly as she had after the letter. The room felt more empty, he bed felt more cold, her life felt more hollow. Yet as she turned over and stared at his empty side of the bed, she felt more relaxed than she had. She may have lost Harry, but he had saved the world for her and their son.

Almost as if he had been called by her thoughts, a soft knock on her door announced the arrival of Sean. "Can I sleep with you, Mummy?" He asked.

Hermione wiped her eyes and quickly stuffed the two letters under the mattress. "Yes, darling."

Thumb in his mouth he dragged his stuffed hipogriff onto the bed and crawled under the covers. In an instant, he was out.

Pulling her son close, Hermione closed her swollen eyes and kissed her son on his forehead before settling into the bed herself. Somewhere in her heart, she could breathe a little easier. The air in the house, though sad, felt a little cleaner. So she drew breath and whispered into the dark, "Good-bye, Love," before drifting off into a final deep sleep.

~*\/*~ FIN ~*\/*~