Wanting Something More
Chapter Twenty-Six: Wanting Victory
Deathly silence flooded Harry's ears. It was almost painful after the loud cheering and celebration of the Death Eaters. His body ached as he attempted to play dead in Hagrid's arms. When they stopped in the courtyard Harry listened to the footsteps. He kept his breathing as light as he was able. The screams of his friends and loved ones startled him, as well as Hagrid, causing him to shift his arms while Harry shifted just a few muscles. He waited with bated breath, and when no one was rushing to kill him, Harry knew he was in the clear. All he had to do now was wait.
Harry listened as Voldemort began his great speech about how valiantly the students had fought and how he would reward them. The hiss of Nagini alerted him that the snake was still alive. Harry wanted to panic at first, but a sense of calm washed over him. He wondered if it was Brittany ushering him to keep his cool. He had to be subtle and cunning to make this work. He continued to listen, his ears straining to take in every detail he could.
When Neville stepped up, Harry could tell he was injured and fatigued, but by no means beaten. Neville's boots crunched to stones with purpose, they did not drag with defeat. "Harry may be dead, but we will do what we must."
Harry barely had time to think of warning Neville before he heard the sound of a sword swinging through the air. The sickening squish of flesh being torn apart was muted seconds later by Voldemort's screams of rage. Neville was backing away quickly as Voldemort raised his wand. "You shall die first then Longbottom. Perhaps I will have Bella play with you first like she did your parents."
Then a voice Harry had not been expecting called out. "Get away from my students!"
Voldemort recoiled, as if struck. "Severus, but how?"
Severus Snape strode around the courtyard, almost cocky, from the sounds of his steps. No more pacing or calculated, it was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from the headmasters shoulders and he knew victory was at hand. "You really thought I was going to let you kill me? You thought I was fool enough to be unprepared for that eventuality?"
Voldemort was unsure, but still confident in his own strides. "I killed you. I possess the Elder Wand. I am it's master and with it I killed Harry Potter."
Snape's stride continued. "Perhaps the boy went to his own demise willingly to ensure your mortality. One can never tell with brash types like that."
Voldemort snarled at the secret being broadcast to all his enemies. Harry heard the rustle of cloth, indicated the raising of his wand. Snape's billowing cloak echoed as well. "You claim mastery over the wand Severus, you who killed Albus Dumbledore?"
The collective gasps from those unknowing how the events of that night nearly deafened Harry once more. He was listening as best he was able to gauge the best time for his actions. What are you doing Snape? You're going to get yourself killed.
"No. Draco was the master of the wand, never I. He disarmed Dumbledore that night, just as Albus knew he would. And Potter, having bested Malfoy a few months ago the ownership transferred to himself. If you killed him, then the ownership of the wand would now be yours." Snape still continued circling as did Voldemort.
"Why would you not tell me this information? Why would you not share your secrets with your lord?" Voldemort hissed. Harry could see the smirk pulling across Snape's lips.
"Perhaps I have been a spy too long. My secrets kept me alive and made sure that the rightful ownership of the wand fall where it was fated." Snape continued.
"Why appear now?" Voldemort was trying to understand just how the sniveling snake had both outsmarted him and somehow remained loyal to him.
"I had to see for myself." Snape replied with a smirk.
"See what-"
"Oi, Moldybutt!" The voice, the sweet innocent voice cut through the massive gathering. Harry's heart began to beat as fast as a Snitch.
No, I saw her die! It can't be? Why the hell are you even still here? Get out of here and get your clumsy danger prone butt safe Brittany!" Harry mentally shouted as joy filled him in such a way he had never known.
Brittany had not appeared when he walked to his death because she was still alive somehow. Brittany was absent in his cross roads between life and death because she was still alive, waiting for him. Brittany was standing fifty yards away from him, alive and safe. Brittany had just called the Dark Lord Moldybutt to his face. Brittany was now in mortal danger.
"You know my boyfriend's going to kick your Moldy ass and make sure that nickname follows you into legend!" She shouted and Harry could see the smirk on her face without opening his eyes.
Voldemort moved towards the woman he loved and Harry dared peek out from his lashes and he saw her. Standing with a defiant smirk on her face with her hands on her hips. Her head was held high, and her clothes looked covered in ash. She was the most beautiful creature Harry had ever seen. Once again, she was on the knifes edge of danger.
"What did you call me?" Voldemort hissed in outrage.
Harry chose that moment to leap from his position and shout out. "Moldybutt!" While he pulled out the Elder wand and cast Expelliarmus wordlessly.
Voldemort turned just in time and paled, more than he already was and was quick to shoot the killing curse back at Harry. Their magic met, red met green and they clashed in the middle. "How!"
"Maybe you weren't trying hard enough Tom." Harry taunted.
"That wand, how do you have that wand!" Voldemort screamed. His face scrunched trying to force the magic towards his enemy. "What the hell is this?" He screamed while staring at the false wand in his own hand.
"Snape got it for me before I left Hogwarts." Harry smirked.
Voldemort turned his attention towards his spy and the magic moved closer towards him. "Traitor!"
"You killed the woman I loved. I've waited for this moment for seventeen years. It was easy enough to commission a fake be placed in the Tomb for you to find."
"All this time, for her?" Voldemort screamed out in rage, his concentration slipping.
"You never understood the motivations of love. Now you will be ended by them." Snape smirked.
Harry watched all this in wonder as the fruition of Snape's planning unfolded before his eyes. He wondered how this man spent so much of his life being untrusted by his allies, all for this moment. Harry realized just how mush he owed Severus Snape. As his eyes caught those of Brittany, shining with pride and determination, he knew he owed the headmaster everything. Snape had caused the pieces to fall into place with Dumbledore's aid and planning. Snape had ensured they would be victorious. Snape had ensured that death would come to the man that stole away the life of the woman he loved, but could never have. Harry would never let this man before him place the woman he himself loved in such danger ever again.
"For all that you have done Tom, let death judge you!" Harry shouted.
It was with a piercing silence that all the noise and light had been sucked out of the courtyard. Harry could feel the stone in his pocket and the robe at his back fill up with an energy neither light or dark. It was neutral and powerful. The wand at his hand heated and he felt the pulse of magic just before the gray magic shot out. Standing before them all was a skeletal figure, cloaked in a material matching his own invisibility cloak. Before them all floated the physical embodiment of death. It swiveled it's head around and landed on Harry's own.
Death said nothing and seemed to read the boy's mind. Felt him probing the information easily. The creature, like a dementor, but more at peace, with less deadly intent nodded at the young wizard and turned to face the shaking dark lord. The Magic that had been holding the two wizards in place exploded into harmless shards of light as death passed through with ease. Voldemort was shaking as the creature came closer, unable to move, unable to speak. With one bony hand death reached out and touched the evil man with two fingers to his forehead. Harry felt deja vu to back in the graveyard fourth year. Death seemed mocking as the life was drained from Voldemort before their eyes. None ran to his aid, and none would ever dare.
Harry Potter, the boy who lived, was now seemingly commanding death. The world went black for all save Harry as Voldemort began to crumble before him. Death turned his work done and held out his hand. "No, she's alive I want to stay here with her! Please, I love her."
Death was not shaken by this and spoke. "All shall fear your power over death, but no more shall you claim ownership over me or my power. Return to me the Deathly Hallows!"
"You can have the wand and the stone, but the cloak. You gave it to the third son for his humility and acceptance that all life will end. I cannot command death with just one can I?" Harry pressed, "Or should I keep them and pass them on to my children?"
Death seemed to smile, which unnerved Harry fiercely. "The wand and the stone. You may keep the cloth that shelters but does not evade. Know I only took that one's life for his own evasion of my clutches, should you attempt the same," Death turned to stare at Brittany. "Her life will be forfeited in your place."
Harry nodded. He set down the wand and fished the stone from his pocket. "I want them to know it's over. One last time?"
Death said nothing as Harry turned the stone three times. His mother, father, and Sirius stood before him. "We are so proud of you son." Was James' tearful reply.
"I always knew you could do it Harry!" Sirius cheered.
"We will be watching over you forever, you and that lovely girl you've chosen." Was his mother's wistful reply.
"We love you Harry." They all called out before they vanished before his eyes and Death stood before him.
Harry nodded and watched as Death reclaimed the powerful items and then the darkness around them faded and Harry watched Death Eaters run in fear of the man who controlled death. He smiled as he turned and his friends parted as he bolted straight towards Brittany to make sure she really was there. He picked her up in his arms and twirled her through the air as she laughed. He could not help laughing with her.
"How are you still alive?" Harry wondered in awe.
"Snape had a back up plan!" Brittany smirked and shrugged like it was the most obvious answer in the world. Though she could not deny the sense of deja vu, and remembered a dream she had the day before she had bumped into Harry at Diagon Ally. As his lips touched hers she felt everything was right in the world.
Not a second after the last syllable left her mouth did his lips descend on hers. His kisses were rushed and desperate. Her cheeks, eyes, forehead ears, nose, his lips traced down her jawline. His tongue relishing the taste of her, his own nose the smell of her. His arms pulled her so close to his side and he swears to himself he'll never leave her alone again. He lips move back to her own and he takes his time tracing every millimeter into memory, every twitch every movement and sound she makes. He gives a groan as she tries to pull away. Just as Brittany greedily grabbed a gasp of air he dives in for another. The cheers of joy from all around him can wait another few moments. He nearly lost her.
The kiss was shorter this time and he growled as Blaise pulled his sister away towards her friends. He watched and realized none of them knew she had almost died. Luna was off to the side smiling at him and pointing towards Hermione and Ron. He smiled to his two best friends and decided they needed to sit down to tell them what had happened. All he wanted to do was take Brittany back to his house after that and just lay in bed for a week to process everything. First, he owed Hermione and Ron and explanation.
Draco watched Harry Potter kissed the woman he thought he loved and murdered and knew that whatever goodness there was left in the world had saved her. Not for Draco, but for Harry Potter. The love that showed in both their eyes and desperation to be with each other was the final act needed to clear away his obsession with the fiery younger Zabini. He watched with a heavy heart and wondered if she would ever be able to forgive him, or if he himself deserved forgiveness. After the pair parted from their heated kiss his eyes began searching. He saw his mother and father waving him over towards them.
Pansy caught his eye off to the side of the courtyard. She was crying and laughing and cheering. He walked slowly, almost timidly towards the woman that had always been by his side. Her eyes looked up and she watched him. He could see the disgust flash for a moment before something beautiful took its place. He was not sure he could name it at first, but it almost looked like forgiveness. His stride grew more confident as he reached her and held out the necklace.
"Looks like you're stuck with me Pansy." Draco gave her one of his award winning smirks.
"Perhaps, then again I can always explained how I obtained it and how you were involved and find myself free of you." She taunted back.
Draco felt himself recoil as if slapped. "But why would you?"
Pansy had a look, that set a heat through his stomach. "You'll have to work extra hard to earn back my love Draco Malfoy. Besides I can't be seen betrothed to such a widely known man whore." Her face was stern, but her eyes were teasing.
"Oh will I now?"
"Yes, you're not just going to get me that easily. I've got standards you know." She shot back with ease.
"I seem to have gotten you before Pansy." Draco easily sparred with the woman who had been by his side as long as he could remember.
"It's a new world now Draco. You're more then welcome to change my mind though. Tell your parents I said hello." Pansy smirked before turning around and skipping off to give Brittany Zabini a hug and congratulations.
Draco smiled as he watched her go and looked down at the pendant in his hands. The beaming faces looking back at him to give him hope that with enough time and effort, he and Pansy would end up being something more. Perhaps Brittany coming back was to help him also, he was a pawn in this war as well. Draco would just have to make sure to be worthy of someone this time around.
Draco walked up to his father and before he could open his mouth Draco beat him to it. "Absolve the betrothal between me and Brittany. I no longer wish to marry her, and she clearly has no desire to marry me. You've lost the game father. Let's just hope Potter leaves us alone and forgets what we've all done."
It was his mother who replied. "I will inform her mother when we get back to the manor. Hopefully Harry Potter will remember who aided him in the end."
Draco turned and Harry's eyes and his met. He watched as Harry nodded to his mother and then gave a hard stare to Draco. "She's all yours Potter." Harry seemed taken aback by this and gave his rival a single nod before turning back towards his friends. "Let's go home."
"Very well Draco." Lucius agreed and began walking towards the gates to apparate home, towards peace and a new future. "Though Miss Zabini would have made one hell of a Malfoy."
"Nah, she's not in my league, she's much more Potter's style." Draco stopped and thought for a few moments and smiled. She's one hell of a Potter. You better treat her right Potter. She deserves it.
Harry had never felt as at peace with himself as he did in that moment. He was standing alive after the war, with the woman he loved, and his friends survived. That was until he felt his girlfriend rather violently pulled away from him mid kiss. His first instinct was to draw his wand, and when he did he almost blushed. Blaise Zabini was hugging his sister with such intensity he felt embarrassed watching.
"How in the bloody hell are you alive?" Blaise hissed, eyes scanning his sister for injuries.
This was when Harry noticed the rather large group of their friends gathered all around them. "I was actually hoping to hear that too." He added.
Scarlett pushed Blaise aside and begun her own death grip on her best friend. "I've been so worried about you. Then Luna came and told us all you had fallen into flames. Oh Brittany, I'm so happy she was wrong."
Brittany had the good sense to look ashamed and chuckled. "Well you see-"
"Britt! Scarlett and I have been scared out of our wits ever since that night! Please tell me you'll forgive us!" Phoenix shouted wrapping his arms around the two girls. The Silver Trio reunited once more.
Harry wondered where Seth, Serena, and Gabriel had run off to. "Where are the others?" He asked.
Blaise sighed and pointed to where Gabriel and Serena were currently snogging. Gabriel seemed to have bee wounded and recently patched up by a Medi-Witch. Blaise pointed off in another direction where a familiar red head was quietly escaping the crowd with another head of shaggy black hair. Harry smiled. Good to know I'm not the only one who's found someone.
Harry turned back around and was face to face with an irate Blaise Zabini. "You let her die." He hissed. "I don't know what kind of magic you used to bring her back, but Lovegood said she was dead. That and you were going to your own death. What happened?"
Harry sighed and leaned in closer to Blaise. "I did not let her die. Somehow I think this was all part of Snape's plan. Honestly it was brilliant. I never would have realized I was a Horcrux and needed to sacrifice myself if I hadn't believed she was dead. I didn't bring her back though. She was never there when I used the Resurrection stone to see my loved ones, and she wasn't there in the limb before death. I think Dumbledore actually knew she was not dead and wanted me to find that out on my own."
Blaise stood silently for a few minutes, his gaze constantly returning to his younger sister. Finally he turned back to Harry and bowed his head. "I'm sorry for jumping down your throat. When Lovegood said she had met the flames and you were going to your death to fulfill the prophecy so we could all live, we assumed the worst."
"It's fine. She's safe and that's all that matters." Harry smiled and held out his hand.
"Good. Well it seems you've finally driven Malfoy off as well. Otherwise he would have gone mental when he saw that reunion." Blaise let out a whistle. "You know had I not thought she was dead, and knew you thought that too, I probably would have punched you for snogging my sister like that."
Harry blanched. "I thought you were alright with the idea of us. Hell it was your idea!" Harry shot back.
Blaise laughed and waved his hand. "Of course I do. I just don't want to have to watch you slamming your tongue as far down her throat as it can go mate. No older brother should have to. That's why Seth and Ginny are finding a nice quiet place to do that considering her six older brothers are all around." Blaise patted him on the back. "Don't you worry I'm sure you two can sneak off on your own later."
Harry nodded slowly. "I assume you want to have sometime with her."
"Considering how long its been since we've seen her, yeah." Blaise shot back. "But hey I'm sure you can whisk her away later. I've got both my eyes on her so go find your friends. They were both pretty upset with your idea to go commit suicide for the greater good and all."
Harry paled again and nodded. "Right, just tell her I'll be back."
"Will do." Blaise replied while joining his little sister and her two best friends. Harry slipped away and Blaise turned his gaze towards his sister once more. "Alright Scarlett stop squeezing the life out of her. Brittany Ann has some explaining to do about what she was thinking coming her tonight."
Brittany looked at her brother and jumped into his open arms. "I just had to be here Blaise. It was all part of the plan. I wanted to be of some use."
Blaise ran his fingers through his sister's hair as she cried out all her frustrations and joy into his chest. "I hope Harry's able to convince you not to throw yourself into danger anymore after this. You're going to give us all a heart attack."
"Love you too Blaise." Brittany smiled up at him.
"What about us!" Scarlett and Phoenix huffed.
Brittany turned and pulled them into a hug with her brother. "I love all of you!"
Scarlett and Brittany devolved into hysterics and Phoenix could not help but through a jibe in. "Not as much as you love Harry Potter." He made some very loud and obnoxious kissing noises while grinning for all he was worth.
Scarlett and Brittany both bopped their friend on the head for that one and the group shared a long and well deserved laugh.
Harry found Hermione and Ron huddled together and approached the pair slowly. Are they going to be pissed at me for what I did? Harry wondered, his pace growing slower.
Hermione was the first to notice his approach and motioned to Ron before sprinting to Harry as fast as she legs could carry her. She then slapped him as hard as she was able while tears streamed down her face.
"How could you Harry? How could you go to him without even telling us? We would have gone with you. Supported you, done anything to help you. Why did you do such a stupid thing like that!" She practically screamed at him.
Harry was taken aback by her pained words and awkwardly moved his hands around her back and held her as she cried. Ron walked over to them and gave him a look Harry was unable to read. "She's been like this since Luna told us what you were doing."
"I'm sorry, I am so sorry for worrying you."
"You went to die Harry." Ron pressed. "How did you think we would feel?"
"I, I had just watched Brittany die before my eyes and all I could think of was, well being with her and not letting anyone else I care about die for me." Harry admitted his own eyes tearing up. "I've lost so many people I've loved to this war, if I lost either of you-" Harry could not bring himself to finish.
"So Brittany died, and you were all ready to just quit?" Hermione pressed, her tone soft but accusing.
"No, it wasn't like that. I had to do it. I was the horcrux Moldybutt never intended to make. This was part of Dumbledore's plan all along. I think you knew before I did Hermione." Harry countered.
Hermione froze and Ron looked down at the woman he loved shocked. "You knew 'Mione?"
"I, well I. I had thought that was a possibility. I had no proof, and neither did you." She tried to turn it back on Harry.
"I've always known there was a part of him inside me. I just didn't know what or the reason it was there was. Dumbledore did not seem surprised when I talked with him in limbo. I'm pretty sure all of this was his plan."
Ron scratched his head. "His plan left room for a lot of people to die."
"Snape had a back up plan, and I think we can thank him that we barely lost anyone." Harry supplied as Hermione continued to cry into his chest.
"So, you're the master of death now huh." Ron shot back. "I doubt you even need to pass your N.E.W.T's to be an Auror now."
Harry leaned closer to him and whispered. "No, Death wanted his Hallows back. I did manage to keep the cloak though. It's a family heirloom after all."
"Ah, that's too bad. You could have rounded up every bad wizard in the whole world like nothing with those." Ron pouted a little.
"That doesn't mean they have to know I don't have them anymore." Harry conspired.
"Both of you just stop. You need to give us every detail from the moment we split up. I want to hear everything right now." Hermione demanded.
Ron nodded. "I'm pretty bummed we missed out on such a huge chuck of the end."
"Alright, but let's go somewhere private." Harry advised.
"Deal."
After about three hours, Brittany had managed to sneak away from her friends and went in search of the man she was determined to spend the rest of her life with. She walked around for a while and was about to give up the search when Luna Lovegood walked right up to her.
"The place you two first really connected, that where you'll find him." Luna offered simply, turned back to Neville and walked off with him.
Brittany stood flabbergasted for a few moments before she started thinking about the first time she had opened to Harry. Brittany's mind flew past all their interactions, until she reached that first night at Hogwarts. The night she and Harry had spent about an hour talking about their lives. She began sprinting towards the Owlry. She had been kept waiting long enough.
As she bounded the steps, almost out of breath she could barely keep breathing, she had no voice to call for him. She rounded the corner and slammed right into him. Brittany would have fallen to the ground but Harry had long ago honed his reflexes to his clumsy love.
"Falling for me again?" Harry teased as he pulled her to him as tight as he could. "I'm going to have to put yo in a giant bubble to keep you safe aren't I?"
Brittany took a few moments to catch her breath before giving him a quick peck on the lips. "You should make that bubble for two. You get into danger all the time."
"Yes, well I've mastered death, you haven't." Harry could not stop smiling.
"You're not mad at me?" Brittany looked up at him in awe.
"No, I was more scared than anything though. I thought I had lost you. I could not live with myself if you had died."
They pair slowly sank to the ground and held onto each other. Harry's grip was fierce while Brittany's was tender and filled with support. "I could not die Harry, I need you too much to leave."
Harry laughed and pulled Brittany's head back to stare into her eyes. "I'll always be here for you." Harry leaned towards her, their breath mingling. Harry was entranced by the way the morning sun glinted off her hair. Brittany bit her bottom lip and he could not hold back.
His lips hit hers and a feeling of warmth and heat spread through the pair. Fire was racing through their blood. Brittany's hand gripped Harry's collar to pull him closer. The fabric popped a little at the harsh treatment. Harry twisted his hand into her silken locks and pressed her lips more firmly to his own. Their lips molding to one another as Harry moved his other arm to her back to mold themselves together. Little surges of heat pulsing at every contact. Their lips moved in tandem as months of loneliness, longing, fear, hope, love, and desire spilled from one to the other. Then the energy swirled around then as their passion continued to explode into a joy neither had ever reached before.
They continued to express their feelings until far longer than they could not breathe. Breaking apart to heated gasped, Harry gazed lovingly into Brittany's eyes and leaned his head to hers. "I don't think I could survive if you ever risked your life like that again though."
Brittany blushed. "I don't think I could either, only knowing you'd survive kept me going. I may have to rethink my Auror training."
Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Hermione was right though, you really are talented as a healer. I had Madam Pomfrey coming to me telling me she wants to discuss the potions you've been making. Plus the spells you used helping the injured while I was with Hermione and Ron."
Brittany smirked. "You just want a personal Medi-Witch at home after a long day hunting dark wizards."
"Would it be wrong of me to want you to be there to come home to?"
"Not at all." Brittany smiled brightly. "Besides, I'd rather you not worrying about me. I might get you hurt."
Harry smiled and his eyes drifted to the pendant. "I know my life with always have danger, and I've kept my promise. Malfoy has given up on you, so if you want to take things slower we can. I love you more than anything, but I want you to be with someone who can give you everything. I want you to be sure it's me."
Brittany looked up at up at her boyfriend. She placed her hands on either sides of his cheeks and stared into the emerald pools. She took a deep breath and told him exactly what she thought. "Harry James Potter. I have loved you before I even met you. The man I fantasied spending my life with was you when I was a little girl. You're everything I could ever want, and you're everything I need. I could spend a hundred lifetimes looking for someone even remotely like you and never come close. Now before you get another doubt in your head about whether or not I want to spend my life with you I'm going to ask you a very simple question. Will you Marry Me?"
Harry was taken slightly aback by the declaration and sudden proposal but his heart was soaring. "And you're my everything. But, I'm the one who's going to propose, and we're going to do this the old fashioned way. We were rushed into this, and I'll never regret that, but marriage will wait my love. You need to finish school first." Harry teased. "You're going to be studying to be a healer, so you're Charms is going to need a lot more work. You won't have time to plan a wedding anyways."
"So you're saying no?" Brittany began to pout.
"I'm saying be patient. I'm not going anywhere, and you can survive one more year." Harry teased. "I want to love you as you deserve and maybe take you one a few more dates before I take you as mine forever." His hand touched the locket. "Besides technically you already are. I'm going to treat you like damsel I saved and love you for all time."
Brittany blushed and pressed her lips to his softly. "Alright, but I'm proposing again after I graduate if you don't." Brittany whispered against his lips.
"Alright. I love you Brittany Ann Zabini."
"And I love you Harry James Potter."
"Now I'm going to take you home and make good on what we talked about that night I was with you at home." Harry whispered to her, his voice dropping an octave and growing heated.
"Shouldn't we stay here and help rebuild?" Brittany wondered, looking down at the Hogwarts grounds in various stages of destruction.
"I just ended the war, I think I deserve to do a little celebrating."
Brittany giggled as the pair stood up and made their way down the stairs. They walked quickly and startled by a nasally voice calling out. "Going somewhere Potter?"
"Oh, Professor. I didn't see you there."
"Obviously." Severus Snape drawled as he gave the pair a once over and smiled. The love they shared radiated from both their faces and the air around them. "Be sure to return here tomorrow. You have earned the night off. I'm proud of you Potter."
Harry stood still for a few moments as Professor Snape turned and began walking away his cloak billowing around him. "Look after him Miss Zabini."
"I will Professor!" She called out happily after him.
Harry and Brittany laughed the whole way to the edge of the Hogwarts grounds. Harry took the arm of the woman he loved and pulled her in for another deep kiss. "Let's go home Brittany, together."
"Home is where ever we are Harry. We'll always be together." The pair of lovers apparated back to Grimwauld Place to begin the rest of their lives together.
AN: All that's left is the Epilogue, and then it'll be then end. It's been a long time coming but this story started eight years ago is coming to an end. I always intended to end it this way, but the journey changed of the years as I grew. I thank everyone who has been apart of this fic, and those of you who read this after it is finally finished. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I intend to write the Epilogue and post it soon.