After the reading of the names Harry and Lance returned to the stage and awards were given posthumously. Harry held Lance's hand through all the speeches. Lance didn't miss the way Harry tensed every time he was mentioned, which was at least twice in every single speech. He could understand why Harry had chosen to live outside this world. He was like a god to these people and Lance couldn't help but feel angry at them.

He understood the need for hero's from a clinical standpoint, people needed their hero's so they'd have a standard for which they could strive. Yet Lance knew Harry, he knew how damaged this war and the things before it had left him and he could tell that no one had ever thought to offer him help. They'd just lifted him up as their own personal idol and expected him to deal. At the end of the speeches Harry tugged Lance up by their still clasped hands and they were immediately approached by Kingsley.

"Harry," He greeted shaking Harry's hand firmly "So glad you decided to come and Lance I'm pleased to meet you again."

Lance accepted the handshake and offered a friendly smile to Kingsley.

"I'm glad to see you again as well." He offered politely and Kingsley nodded before sending a conspiring sort of smile at Harry.

"I have something for you," He told them both and reaching into the pocket of his robe pulled out a small scroll. He offered it to Lance who accepted it after a glance at Harry to find him looking as puzzled by the gesture as Lance felt. "This is a release form for the Statute of Secrecy, once it's signed you're both legally protected to discuss anything in regards to the magical world. Sorry it took so long to get it to you, you wouldn't believe the hoops I had to jump through."

"Wow, I didn't even know that was possible," Harry said sounding shocked and somewhat breathless. Kingsley nodded.

"They are very rare but given your status I was able to convince the International Confederation of Wizards to grant a waiver. You should be aware this also constitutes a magically binding contract preventing Lance from discussing Magic with non-magicals not already allowed under the existing Statute of Secrecy." The man told them seriously causing both Harry and Lance to nod their understanding.

"Thank you," Lance told him sincerely "I would hate to risk Harry being in any sort of trouble for bringing me." Kingsley gave him a warm smile and patted Lance on the shoulder.

"I was happy to do it. We all owe Harry so much I only wish there was more I could do." With another shake of their hands Kingsley moved on to mingle. Harry tugged on Lance's hand and led him away from the crowd. They walked in silence, Lance was lost in thought about all the things he'd discovered. Harry seemed content to let him process for awhile as he led him along Lance took in the beautiful grounds. The memorial had been on the edge of a large lake which Harry seemed to be circling. Lance could see the castle on the other side of the lake no longer a smouldering ruin but grand and imposing.

After several Lance let out a breath he hadn't even thought he was holding.

"So. . .Magic's real." He said more to hear it out loud again than anything else. Harry glanced over at him and sent him a crooked smile.

"Yep." he agreed but suddenly his smile seemed to slide off his face and be replaced with a look of worry. "Are you. . .Okay? I mean I know I just kind of dropped this on you and I will totally understand if this is too much. If you don't want to be here I can take you right home." Harry dropped his gaze down and he spoke in a choked whisper "You never have to see me again if you don't want to."

Lance was gobsmacked, for a moment he couldn't even speak but Harry seemed to take this as something else because he nodded and released a long sigh before turning back toward where they had come.

"Harry no!" Lance exclaimed grabbing his boyfriend's hand and pulling him closer. "This is a lot to take in but it doesn't change us. Don't ever think that!"

Harry nodded his head but his face was still contorted in worry. Abruptly he turned away from the castle and the lake, instead he pulled Lance toward the forest with long steps. As he walked he spoke.

"I'm tired of secrets," Harry told him "I want you to know everything and then if you still want to be with me, that's okay but I want you know everything." Despite this statement Harry fell silent again but Lance knew better than to push him and instead followed silently along as Harry pulled him into the dark shelter of the trees. They walked in silence for several minutes until they were so deep into the forest that no light penetrated the area. It was sometime later when they came to a large clearing.

The area showed signs of devastation and there were what looked like bits of giant web hanging from several of the tree's. It was empty however and the area showed signs of regrowth suggesting that some time in the past it had been destroyed and was now being reclaimed by nature. Harry stopped so suddenly Lance nearly crashed into him. Harry turned to face him and his normally bright green eyes were dark.

"It happened right here," Harry's voice was only a whisper but in the silence of the forest it seemed deafening. Lance was silent but met Harry's eyes to show he was listening. "Voldemort had done this thing, he'd torn his soul into pieces. It made it impossible to kill him. I'd destroyed most of them but I found out one was inside of me. It had been since he'd tried to kill me. The only way to destroy a Horcrux is to destroy it's vessel." Harry's voice was a hoarse whisper and his eyes were haunted as they met Lance's.

"Harry-" Lance choked out, knowing already what he was going to say but suddenly desperate not to hear it. Harry just shook his head and steeled his gaze.

"I have to tell you everything." Harry told him firmly, Lance bit back a response nodding his head instead so Harry would continue. "He was waiting here in the forest. He'd given me a hour to turn myself over or he would destroy the school. He didn't know I was his Horcrux and he didn't know I'd destroyed the others. I didn't tell anyone, I just went. I was ready Lance, I made my peace with it."

Lance didn't speak but he squeezed Harry's hand. "When the curse hit me, I died and I was given a choice. I could stay dead and move on or I could come back and finish what he'd started. I chose to come back, I killed him." Harry fell silent again and Lance pulled him into a hug.

"You saved lives Harry," Lance told him, using his hand to wipe a tear from his boyfriend's cheek but Harry stepped back.

"I know that, I-I don't regret it but there's more." Harry told him sounding choked. Lance nodded and placed a quick kiss on Harry's lips before stepping back to let Harry continue his story.

"After-after there were celebrations and parties, everybody wanted to cheer for me and toast my name. It was too much. I couldn't stop thinking about everyone who died. People I could have saved if I'd just turned myself over sooner. Good people, who didn't deserve it. Ron and Hermione were together and even the people who lost loved ones were at least a little happy. I was just. . .empty. I had made my peace with dying, I wanted to see my parents again, my godfather. I came back here two weeks later." Lance caught his breath.

"I sat down against this tree," Harry told him pointing, his face was devoid of color and his voice had lost all inflection. "I killed myself, I slit my wrists and I was ready. I went back to where I'd been before but this time I didn't get a choice I just came back. I woke up an hour later there was so much blood but I was alive. My wounds were almost healed like it hadn't even happened."

"Oh Harry," Lance breathed, he was crying and he felt sick to his stomach as he pulled Harry close to him. For a moment Harry was silent but Lance could tell he was crying as well.

"I tried again," Harry told him in a watery voice "but it was the same. So. . .I cleaned myself up and went back to the Weasley's. That was the first night Charlie and I ever-" Harry cut himself off and looked up to meet Lance's eyes again. "I don't know what's happening to me, I don't really sleep. Every injury heals close to instantly before I met you all I wanted was to just find a way to fix it or to just ignore it and hope it would go away on it's own.

I'm pretty fucked up Lance and probably more trouble then I'm worth. You're an amazing man and you deserve somebody who's not broken. I won't hold it against you if you decide to find somebody else."

"Harry," Lance whispered reaching up to cup his lover's face with his hands. "You're right you are pretty messed up. I knew that about you from the beginning but you're wrong if you think I want or deserve someone better. The truth is I doubt there is anyone better than you. You're an amazing person and I don't mean because you can do magic or because you killed some Dark Lord. You're intelligent, you're kind and very funny. The truth is Harry I don't ever want to leave you, I'm in love with you Harry."

Harry's eyes widened and he gasped in surprise. Lance pulled him closer, kissing him deeply. Harry wrapped his arms around Lance and returned the kiss passionately. They continued to kiss until air caused them to break apart. Harry leaned his forehead against Lance's as he tried to catch his breath.

"I love you." Harry told him breathlessly, his hands clenched tight to Lance's robes. "I didn't want to say, in case it was too soon but I do. I love you Lance."

Lance pulled him in and began to kiss him again gasping out words in between. "I think I loved you the moment I first saw you. I couldn't stop thinking about you, I haven't stopped since that very first day."

Harry responded by pushing Lance until his back met a tree and they continued to kiss, as their hands frantically pulled at each other's clothing. They continued to kiss and touch each other until Harry broke away and with a flick of his wand made a bed from a nearby pile of green grass. They fell together and as they made they love whispered desperate words of devotion to each other.

An hour later Harry and Lance emerged from the forest looking rather dishevelled and exchanging smiles and kisses every few steps. Harry glanced up at the sun high in the sky before releasing a soft curse.

"We're supposed to be at lunch with the Weasley's." Harry told Lance apologetically.

"Good, I'm starving." Lance replied getting another smile from Harry before he took his hand and set off back toward the gate.

"We'll have to walk, we can't apparate out from here."

"Apparate?" Lance asked "Is that the squeezy travel thing we did this morning?"

"Yes, I know it's uncomfortable but it's the fastest way to travel. I prefer to go by broom personally but I don't know how you feel about heights."

"Ah Apparating is fine." Lance assured him getting a lopsided grin from Harry as they walked hand in hand toward the gates. The memorial garden was still fairly crowded when they reached it and as they passed through it several people tried to wave them down but Harry ignored them with determination as he pulled Lance into a waiting carriage.

Blaise Zabini moved quickly through the bowels of the Department of Mysteries. He was the only Unspeakable in the Ministry. The others were off taking advantage of the Ministry sanctioned holiday. He couldn't help but scoff at how reckless the ministry had been. He'd been told to wait until after the anniversary but changed his plans when he realized the place was going to be virtually defenseless. More guards and wards had been added after The Dark Lord's body had somehow been smuggled out before. Fortunately for Blaise however, he had a perfectly valid reason to be there and was trusted enough by his supervisor to have been informed of what wards were added.

Before his Lord's fall Blaise had convinced him he was far more valuable unmarked at least until he finished school. He'd thought the traitor Malfoy was a fool for taking the mark when any dorm mate would undoubtedly see it. Blaise had the good sense to be a bit more discrete, never openly voicing his loyalties and never taking the mark. This had allowed him to become a part of the new ministry when the Dark Lord fell. The first time he'd done the ritual late at night within the ministry itself but this time he wasn't taking any chances. Instead his Lord's body would be moved to a place where ambient magic was less likely to interfere.

The ward's were laughingly easy to bypass. Most allowed him through simply because he was an Unspeakable. This stunt would undoubtedly show the world where his true loyalties had always lay, but that was fine with Blaise. He would have nothing to fear from the Ministry once the Dark Lord had returned. With the prophecy fulfilled Potter would soon be dead and once that happened no one would be able to stop them.

Finally Blaise breached the room where the Dark Lord's remains were being kept. Minister Shacklebolt had given the order to have them cremated but Blaise had convinced his supervisor to hold them for a short time longer. He thanked his lucky stars most unspeakables considered themselves above any sort of outside authority. If Shacklebolt's orders had been followed all would have been lost. His Lord's body was wrapped in some sort of vile muggle fabric called 'Plastic'. It was disrespectful but there was nothing Blaise could do about that until it was removed to a secure location.

He bowed low before approaching the body and gently lifting it into his arms. His portkey hung around his neck and with a whispered word he swirled away holding tightly to his Lord's remains as he went. He arrived in a heavily warded clearing on the other side of England. Candles were already lit and a raised platform had already been made ready for the Dark Lord. Blaise wished he could simply raise him now but Potter had to be dealt with first. With a final bow Blaise left the clearing to go to the agreed meeting place. The attack on Potter would happen soon and then nothing would stand in his way.

Lance hadn't been sure what to expect of the Weasley's home but nothing could have prepared him for the strange ramshackle building Harry brought him too. His first thought was that it was likely to collapse at any moment and he seriously considered not going inside but Harry's wide eyed happiness at the sight of the place silenced his concerns. Harry wasn't worried and Lance trusted him.

"Welcome to the Burrow!" Harry told him warmly. Lance smiled but before he could reply the door swung open and several children bounded out.

"UNCLE HARRY!" Cried a small boy who Lance recognized as Harry's godson Teddy. A taller little girl with strawberry blond hair and wide blue eyes trailed behind him. Looking as if she would rather be running. Harry knelt down to capture Teddy in his arms and spin him in the air.

"Hullo Teddy," Harry greeted warmly as he placed the boy back down. The little boy fixed his golden eyes onto Harry's form for a minute and much to Lance's shock the boys hair shifted suddenly from blue to black and messy just like Harry's. "You're getting good at that." Harry told him with a smile as he ruffled his hair.

The other girl had come to a stop behind Teddy and cast a warm smile up at Harry.

"Hello Harry, it's very nice to see you again." The child said politely before giving a curtsey and offering her hand. Harry very solemnly kissed the little girl's hand.

"Ms. Victoire Weasley, such a young lady you're growing up to be." Harry told her solemnly and causing her to blush. Harry grinned before standing up and taking Lance's hand.

"Victoire, Teddy this is my boyfriend Lance." Harry told them. Lance waived but the little girl scowled heavily.

"You're not as pretty as me!" She declared sending him a furious glare.

"Victoire! 'Ow Dare you speak so rudely to a guest!" A stunning blond woman demand stepping from the house. "You will apologize at once!"

Victoire scowled heavily and stomped her foot.

"I won't! He's ugly and I hate him!" She screamed before running back into the house. They all watched her go before the blond turned back to Lance.

"I apologize for my daughter's terrible manners. I'm afraid she iz a bit jealous. I am Fleur Weasley and I think you are a very handsome boy." Lance waived off her apology but couldn't help but blush when Harry leaned over and whispered "I think you're pretty." softly into his ear.

"Come in, come in Molly has been worried that you had not arrived." Fleur told them.

Harry picked up his godson and took Lance's hand as they followed the blond woman. Inside the house was a flurry of activity with people bustling to and fro laughing and talking. They quickly lost sight of Fleur as people began to call out hello from all sides and Lance was subjected to a flurry of introductions. Meeting children, spouses, and friends who all seemed thrilled that Harry had brought him around. Lance had never seen Harry smile so broadly so often and could barely hear himself think over the excited chatter coming from every angle.

"We're eating outside!" Hermione shouted from beside him causing Lance to jump in surprise. He turned to greet her as did Harry and Lance was surprised again as the previously reserved woman greeted them each with a hug before tugging them through the kitchen to the back yard where tables and chairs were being set up. They had barely had a moment to catch their breath when a loud bell signaled everyone else outside. Lance watched in wonder as dish after dish of food floated out the door and onto the assembled tables. He'd been placed with Harry on one side and Arthur Weasley on the other.

True to Harry's earlier promise Lance was occupied for the entire meal answering question after question about ordinary things. When Arthur learned he worked for law enforcement Lance was questioned thoroughly about everything from fingerprinting to the prison system. The man was crushed when Lance explained that yes he did own a gun but had not brought it with him to the memorial service. By the time the meal was over and Mr. Weasley was being pulled into his home Lance had been forced to promise to teach the older man to shoot before he returned to America. A thought that frankly terrified him since the man seemed a bit flighty.

After the lunch the older people went inside and had taken the smaller children with them. Harry and his friends along with most of the Weasley children opted to stay outside chatting together. Ginny Weasley had helped clean up but when she rejoined the group she looked around and began counting heads. Lance watched her curiously as Harry chatted with George about his joke shop. The red-headed woman suddenly put her fingers to her lips and let out a shrill whistle causing the surrounding group to fall silent and look at her.

"So. . .Quidditch?" she asked prompting a cheer from most of the men in the group and rolled eyes from Hermione. "Excellent I nominate Harry and Angelina to be team captain's."

Lance glanced in surprise at George's wife but her eyes were bright with excitement and everyone else in the group were nodding with agreement. Harry glanced over at Lance anxiously.

"You don't mind?" He asked with hopeful eyes "I would say you should play but I'm not sure if you could fly a broom."

"He couldn't," Hermione said walking up to them "The broom just acts like a regular house broom for muggles." Harry's shoulders slumped.

"Oh well, I don't have to play."

"I want you to play!" Lance told him quickly "I don't even know what Quidditch is but I'm excited to find out."

Harry grinned before yanking him into a passionate kiss. The others let out whoops and cat calls but Harry ignored them as he kissed Lance. When he broke off he was still grinning.

"I love you!" He declared before turning to the group "Ginny's on my team!"

Lance sat on the grass to watch the game. Hermione sat with him, apparently she was no fan of flying, but she willingly explained the rules of the game. She also explained that the game was normally played with magical balls but for the sake of discretion they were using charmed apples and fruit instead. More than once Lance's heart stopped in his chest as Harry swooped and dived pulling insane stunts.

"He's showing off," Hermione told him with a wry smile "He really loves you."

"He's scaring me to death." Lance replied and Hermione laughed.

"Welcome to life with Harry Potter."

After about two hours of play in which there was much cheating (At least according to the players) Harry's team finally won. He landed flushed faced and bare chested, his shirt having been discarded sometime in the first few minutes of the game. He pulled Lance into another passionate kiss before moving inside to say goodbye. As soon as they stepped out of the Burrow Harry apparated back to their hotel and they fell into bed together.

Author's note: Wow so sorry for the long delay on this but Hopefully it won't happen again. I hope it was worth the wait! Please review lots! I really hope you guys loved this one and I'm going to watching my inbox obsessively to hear what you all thought of it. We're nearing the end stretch on this one I think One or two chapters and then it's over. . .

Anyway PLEASE REVIEW EXCESSIVELY!