Author note: Tissues may be needed – and possibly a pitchfork in case you hate me afterwards. This has been up loaded with the last chapter and epilogue. If this is the end, the least I can spare you is a a cliffy.

Chapter 62

"I feel as if this is the first time I ever saw you, do you remember?"

"Out in the forest I was terrified of you all." she responded.

The last place she had wanted to go was back to bed but Harry insisted that she had too. He was taking her home with a full bill of health and then they were going to be a family all of their own. Tusker had been and gone. They were just wanting on the results. It wouldn't be long they had been assured. Then they were going to be together.

Just the two of them with Alice.

He hadn't left her since he had seen her awake. Joy radiated through him, he felt as if he had drunk a thousand barrels of butterbeer. He felt that good, and was ridiculously happy.

Unless he let other thoughts creep into his head.

Fred. Tonks. Lupin.

People he had known. People he had loved and respected. Teddy was an orphan. Sirius's new godson was now in the same situation he had been when he had been a baby. War was a terrible thing.

He felt as she reached out to touch his face and he gave her a small smile.

"You're back with me. You're back." He had to keep saying it or else it was not true.

Leaning forward, there lips met. Hers felt dry and cracked... but he still wanted her so much. He could not put it in to words how much he wanted her.

A knock on the door interrupted them.

It was Ron.

"Harry, I think the rest of us might want to see Ari, and besides – Mum just got here with Alice!"

Ariana looked nervously from Ron to Harry. She had wanted to see her daughter so much when she had first woken up and she still did. Alice was her daughter; their child. Her arms were aching to hold her and she knew the pain a mother went through now when she was not with her children. She had felt it every day since she had had the caesarean. But she was also scared. Alice ...

"She isn't going to know me, is she?" she asked Harry.

"She has seen you more than once – if I know Alice at all then she is going to surprise us both." He said as he learned forward and kissed her forehead.

"You have no idea how brilliant you are do you?" he asked.

"Focus on Alice, Harry," she said giggling. "Focus." She did love it when he piled affection on her. Drawing back the covers he helped her out the bed and put a protective arm about her. He wasn't letting go.

Slowly, they walked out of her room and down the hall. They could both hear her babbling away. Their daughter... As they walked into the living room, Ariana for the first time properly saw her baby and her breath was stolen from her – for Alice was so much more beautiful than she had thought. She was the most beautiful thing in the world. She had her father's thick dark hair and her very own big blues eyes. But they looked so much better on her daughter, she thought to herself. She had known she had come to see her when she had sick but she had never really seen her before. But she was wonderful.

"Alice." She whispered. The entire room was once again watching her. But there were a much smaller amount of people there than there had been in the Great Hall.

Hermione and Ron, who she had been told were the godparents of her child were there, as were her brother's who she was yet to be properly reunited with. On the sofa, holding Alice was Sirius. Molly stood by the door with Arthur tears dripping down their faces. Fred was dead.... their son had died. Unable to see one mother reunited with her child when she was not going to be, Molly turned from the room. The joy she felt for Harry was minuet compared to the overwhelming grief she felt for her baby. And she had to get to George. He was going to need her.

Ron however stayed. With Hermione in his arms he was as much part of the extended Dumbledore-Potter family than anyone else was. He was weighed down by grief, but he wanted to stay none the less.

"Alice, look who it is. Daddy and mummy." Said Sirius to his grandchild as she sat on his lap.

It was obvious she was unnerved for she had hardly seen her father since August. Sirius she had seen a hand full of times. It was only Albus and Aberforth she had seen regularly.

As she approached them, Ariana fell to her knees fin front of the child. She wanted desperately to do nothing more than each out for the child and hold her forever. The girl in Sirius arms was her baby. She had come from her and they were a part of each other, the biggest part.

"Alice Lily..." she whispered with joy. Her daughter was there. They were together for the first time.

"Mummy 'wake?" she asked.

"Yes sweetheart. Mummy's awake."

But when Ari reached for her daughter she recoiled into her grandfather. Sirius looked at Ariana with pity but she shook her head.

"It ok."

She had been expecting that reaction.

"Daddy!" it was quite obvious that she had missed Harry and she was more than eager to be reunited with him than she was her mother. Harry looked at his love with pity, just as Sirius had.

"Really... it's ok."

But she did feel the bitter sting of her child's rejection. As soon as she was in her father's arms though in comparison, she nuzzled into his neck and let him kiss her.

But then they had had so much more time together before the war, Ariana reminded herself. Harry had really brought her up since when she was born to last summer so what they were having was a true reunion. Whereas Alice had never been with her mother before she had been left at the Weasley's. Harry and Alice knew one another; undoubtedly, they had also missed each other. But her daughter had never known her. There wasn't the same connection.

She needed five minutes she realised.

Turning to the stairs that lead to the bar, she slowly walked down them giving Harry a reassuring smile as she did, but tears welled in her eyes.

"I'll go." Hermione said gently as she went to follow her friends out but Albus and Aberforth shook their heads.

"Let us."

They found there sister sitting in one of the booths with tears cascading down her face. She had not realised till then just how much she had missed out on. Her daughter was no longer a baby. She was a real little girl already and she was so beautiful. She had been right she was never going to worthy of Alice. In the same way she was unworthy of her big brothers.

"I don't know how you can bare the sight of me," she said as they approached. They knew why she had said it of course, for they knew her.

"What happened – Ariana it wasn't your fault. You couldn't stop it." Albus said as he and Aberforth slid on opposite ends of the booth as to trap her between them. She had to talk to them or they were never going to reassure her.

But she looked at him with confusion in her eyes.

"I killed the women who gave you both your lives. I killed our mother. Why don't you hate me?" she asked. If they hated her it would be so much easier. It was there kindness that she found do hard to take, truly. But when she looked at how they had been with her ever since she had turned up, they had been so gentle and so loving.

The best brothers in the world.

"Ari, don't you say that. Ever. Sweetheart, we could never hate you." Aberforth said his own gruff voice thick with the emotion that they all felt.

"I didn't mean to do it."

"I know you didn't."

"I love her so much."

"I know you do."

She hadn't realised it but she had reached out for their hands and now held one each as she tried to come to terms with everything.

There were other things in her head too...

"Aren't you angry?"

"Ariana, we told you, love, that doesn't matter-"

"No, not about mother – Harry, Alice. Aba, I lied to you knowingly."

He sighed heavily. He did not know yet how to respond to that one. She had lied to him. He had been furious.

"I am not going to say that I was not disappointed in you when I first found out what you had done kid because I was. You were my baby sister – and you lied, and gave your virginity to a boy I thoroughly disapproved of – I think you knew that much." She nodded. She had always known he had not been a fan of Harry's, "but that was what – two and a half years ago now..."

He saw the shock cross her face. It was obvious she had not known she had been ill for so long, but he nodded sadly to confirm her fears.

"It's been that long Ari. Somewhere along the way though I learnt what was important in life and it is not hatred and anger Ariana. You have the most beautiful child. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think Harry loves you more than I could ever have guessed. He stood by you in the most courageous way – even when I tried to dissuade him from it. So I figure I can go down two routes now. I can shout at you and tell you that you did wrong and were stupid. Or I can take you in my arms; tell you I love you and that I missed you. I am done being angry with the world Ariana."

Burying her face in his chest, she wished more than anything she had been honest with him from the start and she had not lied to him. She wished she had been a better sister. She wished to god she had not been in the garden that day.

"You're both the best brothers a girl ever had, you know that?" she asked.

Turning her face she looked at Albus. He had been crying for quite some time. Here they were and as ever the story ended with them- the three Dumbledore siblings together. Turning she pulled him close and held on to both of them simultaneously. She was never going to let either of them down again.

But Albus felt a wrenched guilt in his heart. It didn't matter that Harry had survived. He had still sent him to his death.

"You two - we have an audience." Aberforth whispered.

At the door Harry stood with Alice. The little girl in his arms looked at Ariana shyly.

"Someone wants to say hello to her mummy now." He informed her. Ariana smiled.

"Come here then," she said and Harry brought their child over to her. She was so gorgeous. It was the only thing her mother could think of as the girl actually reached out for her.

Placed between her uncle's on her mother's lap Alice looked up at her as if trying to figure out why they had not been together before... Mother and daughter... together at last.

Yet, even as she held on to her own baby Ariana knew she was never going to be able to forgive herself for what she had done to her own mother even if Aberforth and Albus were good enough to find a way in their own hearts to forgive her. She just couldn't do it.

"I love my baby girl." She whispered in Alice's ear. "Did you know that? Mummy loves you so much..." she told her as they looked one another in the eye. They were going to be together now.

Enveloping her daughter in her arms, she kissed the top of her head and only prayed that Alice understood what she felt for her. Holding her was the best feeling in the words. Ariana wasn't content, she was joyfully... oh no it was so much more. She felt as if she had been waiting for this moment her entire life.

It was then that Tusker came into the room. She had been crying. She looked as if she was in disbelief and Albus knew that his suspicions had been confirmed.

"Miss Dumbledore... I need to talk to you."

One week later

Harry was still trying to digest the news. Despite the fact that everything had seemed as if it was on the up, once again appearances had deceived him.

"Alice let me put her down for her nap. Come see, Harry she's so adorable." A triumphant voice said to him from the door. He turned to see Ariana.

He didn't know how she was doing it. Why was she so calm? The question had been written on his face and she knew he needed answers.

Knowing that they were not going to go down to their daughter at that moment, she went over to the kitchen table. The small cottage that they were in sat off the Hogsmeade. There first home together. It also was destined to be there last.

Taking his hands into her own, she took a deep breath. "I know you are finding this hard to come to terms with."

"Aren't you?" he asked almost angry with her. Why wasn't she as dazed as he was?

She shook her head.

"Why not?"

"Maybe I always know something like this was coming. Or maybe it's because it is no less than I deserve." She truly felt at peace with what was happening. Death didn't scare her.

"Don't say that." He begged her.

"Why not? It's the truth. Harry, I don't think you understand. I killed my own mother. Whether it was intentionally or not, it was the most appalling crime. I cut someone's life short. My own mother... the best women I ever met. So now mine is being cut short... This is no less than my just desserts and nothing you, Sirius or my brothers could say can convince me otherwise." She said to him firmly. Tusker had told her the week before that she had lost her magic. Trying to protect Harry when she had only just woken up had broken her powers. When she had been swept up in her own magical bubble in the Great Hall... well, that had been her last moment as a witch. Now she was neither muggle, nor squib. And she was soon to begin to deteriorate... there no cure... nothing any one could do.

Six months tops...

"So what about me and Alice; do we deserve this?"

"No, not at all." She said to him. It was them that she was sad for. Those who were going to be left behind.

Strange, she had been involved in so many things over the years that could have lead to her death, and now that this Dark Lord was gone, she was really and truly dying. It was as if she had survived a sinking ship and was drowning in the bath tub.

"You know if I could turn back time I would? Change my actions. Leave you alone." She said to him and he looked at her in confusion and hurt. "Don't get me wrong my love. You were the first person who ever made me feel whole. I don't regret a moment that we have spent together. You have made me feel so alive. And I adore our baby girl. The memories of our time together ...." she felt hot tears prick her. She didn't want to reflect on the past – on what she might have had. "I love you Harry James. You really are the great love of my life. But I caused you more pain and trouble than anything else. If I could spare you that by giving you up sooner, I would have. You'd have been better off without me."

"Never!" he said firmly. The one thing he would never be without her was better off. She was his whole reason for being, along with their child.

"Silent thoughts of times together, bring memories that will last forever." She quoted to him. She shook her head. "Maybe I should go back to the pub." She suggested.

"I won't let you go."

"Harry, whatever happens now I am not going to see next summer... If I stay you will only lose me again."

There was so much truth in her words that they hurt him. It was as if she was cutting him with a knife. He wanted to deny what she was saying. But he could not.

"But if you go back to the pub now then I also lose you." He countered her argument. "No matter what I do going to lose you."

She shrugged. She didn't know what to do for the best.

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Then don't go..." he said as he held on to her hands and looked into her eyes. "Ari, if you are right and you do only have a few months left – then let's make every moment count. Let's spend them together... in the best way." He asked and she nodded. He was right. They should make every moment count.

Pressing his lips to hers, he sighed. If this was it, if there relationship was on a timer... "If you're going to leave me, you go on my terms."

"And what are those terms?" she whispered as there foreheads kissed.

"You leave me as Ariana Potter." He asked.

She looked at him torn between joy and intense grief. She had never felt so many emotions.

"If we marry, you'll be a widower by the time that you are twenty. Harry are you seriously telling me that is what you want..." she shook her head as the words came out in no more than a whisper.

He nodded determinedly. He had made up his mind long ago that he was going to have her as his wife. "More than anything. Let me lose you on my terms... please Ariana. Be my wife?"

"It will be the greatest honour of my entire life." She said. Getting out of her own chair, she walked over to his. Pushing it out from under the table, he made room for her to sit on his lap. When she did, he wrapped passionate arms about her.

He might lose her, but not yet.

"We still have some time." He reminded her.

She nodded and shut her eyes. She didn't want to know anything else than the fact she was going to be his wife in that moment. It was all that mattered.

-

The next day Ariana went back to the Hogsheads. It felt strange walking in there as a visitor. She had got so use to calling the run down back street pub home. It was the most comfortable, warm place in the world to her mind – except perhaps her little cottage. Like an old pair of slippers... or a cup of coco....

"What can I get you young Missy?"

"A butterbur and cuddle please barman." She said as she walked over to Aberforth. She also noted Albus the bar. It was only five minutes till opening time.

Once she had greeted her brothers she took up the stool beck to Al. She had come with the intent of telling them of her and Harry's plans but now she felt rather nervous.

Whether it was because they were used to losing her and getting her back, or just because they had had a longer time on the earth, lost more people, they were dealing with her fate better than Harry was. Either that or they were good at hiding their true feelings.

"What's eating you Ariana?" Aberforth asked. He knew when something was up with her – a general hint was she was awake, but it was something different this time he could tell. Like there was news she had to tell them and she did not quite know how too.

"." She said quickly. If she did not say if fast then she was quite sure that she would never have got it out at all.

"Did he now?"

While neither was shocked, neither had seen it coming. Apparently Harry had asked neither of their permission for her hand.

"I said yes."

"Well then, congratulations my dear." Said Albus as he embraced and kissed her. He was rather feeble now. There was no denying the fact that his age was beginning to catch up with him after all he had been through. She held on to him to him gently.

But she really wanted Aberforth's approval. Somehow it would just mean more to her.

He looked at her and there were such conflicting emotions in him. She could see it in his eyes. He was happy for her. But he was hurting.

"He's a good man. I know he is going to take care of you." He nodded. He could not deny it any more. His eyes filled with unshed tears and she knew he was not going to let them out. They had all done enough crying over the last years.

But she had one last request to make of him.

"Aba, I want you to stand in papa's place. I want you to give me away."

He nodded. "Of course." He said gruffly as if it was nothing. But the truth was it meant a lot to him – because after all the three of them had been together, even though he knew her and Albus loved one another dearly, it meant (at least to him) that he remained his sister's adored favourite. He had not and would not leave the special place in her heart where he had always sat.

Reaching over the bar he held her hand. The bonds that tied the two of them together had not broken – in fact they were stronger than they ever had been before.

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