A/N#1: This was one of the most emotionally grueling chapters to write because of life and recent circumstances you can read about -if you want to- in the A/N #2 at the end. A lot of hard conversations that could be triggering will happen. You have been warned.

Chapter 43: Of Politics and Shovels

The spirit of any nation resides in its people. This thought would have been calming to Auror Shacklebolt had he not just survived another war where all his worst nightmares came to life. He had seen first-hand how low people could fall. He saw betrayal between people he thought would be on the same side forever. People he thought he could trust his life ended up being Voldemort's followers. It had been physically painful to see treason from public officials to the nation they swore to protect and defend. He saw cowardice. He saw cold-blooded murder and many other atrocities. He saw the downfall of the whole government. He saw horrible crimes of war. He lost friends throughout his years in service, but never as many as he did in this war.

Kingsley groaned. His whole body was sore. He probably pulled muscles he couldn't even name. He was getting too old for this life, but there was little else to do but take a myriad of potions, clench his jaw, and power through. If Amelia was coming to talk to him despite being bedridden, he had to rise to the occasion. He drank his coffee black with no sugar. He had never had such a large cup before. It was more a bucket than a cup. He would be jittery all day, but he needed the alertness. His meeting with the ICW and the muggle authorities had gone well enough, or rather, as well as could be expected considering the state of Magical England.

The Wizengamot called for an emergency meeting the following day at 1 pm. The summons were mandatory. He doubted surviving Heads of House would be happy about that, but they couldn't just not go. Their country was in shambles, and the longer they waited to start fixing and rebuilding, the worse it would get. His one surviving and trusted auror, MacAdams, was still asleep on a chair. He left him to rest. MacAdams hated meetings, and he would probably snap and say the wrong thing at the wrong time. After a quick shower and significant cleaning spells on his plainest robes, he put his armor plates back on, just in case, and took out a mirror to call his old boss to ask her what time she would arrive. They needed to talk to some key players as soon as possible.

Madam Pomfrey had fixed Susan as best as she could. The young woman would have to have her womb surgically removed soon. Otherwise, she could get an infection. The Grangers had recommended a fertility specialist as soon as they woke up via the messaging feature in their mirror, and Susan had already made an appointment. She didn't plan on having children, but at the same time, she felt her aunt didn't deserve to see their House die off with them. Poppy thought that it was very likely that she could get her eggs out the muggle way and preserve them if she changed her mind about having children. If she preserved her eggs, she could eventually get a surrogate. Muggle medicine was far more advanced than magical healing in this sense.

Poppy fought Amelia the day of the battle until she finally agreed to be sedated for at least 8 hours so her core could rest, and the potions could work. All her injuries needed time to fix. Her kneecaps had to be grown from scratch, and she suffered significant magical exhaustion. Amelia struggled to let this happen. It was Susan's plea that convinced her. She realized she probably looked worse than she felt. All her injuries and extensive treatment would have been minor if she didn't know that the Magical World needed her assistance. Her dictoquill was very helpful in sending summons to all the people she needed to recruit to help her and Kingsley reach a semblance of an interim government. She took the sedative once she had sent out the letters.

Susan had asked their family elves to stick by her aunt and ensure she obeyed her Healer's orders. She needed to go back to the castle to check on her friends. They needed her, and the expert healer had attended to all her injuries, save for Voldemort's curse, quite easily. Susan took a couple of large potion kits from their family storage to bring to the Infirmary. She tapped her bracelet and vanished.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger were bone tired. They had been helping the healers and Scamander. There were so many dead and injured people and creatures. They had sent Susan details on the fertility expert who had helped them conceive Hermione. Hopefully, once she saw Dr. Brightman, her options would be a bit clearer. It was quite a difficult decision at her age. However, if she froze her eggs, she could at least have a chance to look into surrogacy if she eventually wanted to become a mother.

Mrs. Weasley had taken over the kitchen with the help of Lady Patil and both their twins. The full English breakfast, paratha, and tandoori chicken, as well as the oatmeal and fruits with yogurt, were very well received by everyone. Dobby had managed to procure absurd amounts of food that both matrons were puzzled by but grateful for. Kreacher had been proud of Dobby for having enough foresight to stock all Potter properties. Otherwise, they would have been scrambling for food like they did the night before. It wasn't that the food hadn't been plentiful or delicious. It was just clearly an odd combination that happened out of necessity and no fanciful bizarre cravings.

Most elves had been too exhausted to see about food after the battle, and they were mortified to find out that their Master and Mistress, exhausted as they had to have been, had gone to fetch food with their friends like they were errand boys and girls. Now that they were rested, under the careful guidance of the cooking mothers, dishes had left the kitchen fresh and perfectly seasoned. A rested Ruki was summoned by Omari to the now clean and much better-organized lake. He told her that the other clan had been working hard with them to procure fish for the humans and seaweed for the elves. Ruki had been pleasantly surprised, and the elves were over the moon to get their beloved seaweed once Ruki packaged it and brought it from the island.

Lavender woke up with a groan. The first thing she sensed, beyond the pain, was the overwhelming scents all over the place: blood, sweat, potions, vomit, perfume, cologne, and the laundry detergent used on the blankets over her. She quickly realized that there was a warm hand holding hers, that of her unbitten arm. Her nose focused on Dudley. She then realized all that she could hear. Heartbeats, inhalations, exhalations, IV medication dripping, groans of pain, footsteps, fabric rustling as patients moved, potions being poured, the wind was howling outside.

She winced as she opened her eyes. There was far too much light. He woke up and squeezed her hand.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"How are you feeling? Do you want me to fetch a Healer?"

"N-No. Can you please go get Bill? or Remus?"

"Sure, but Lav," Dudley sighed, "I am not going anywhere."

"I know you don't think you are... But you have no idea how bad this is. You have no idea the prejudice and the hatred that this condition gives us. They do. Remus was bitten as a child. He has lived with the condition the longest. You will be judged, even scorned, by choosing to associate with me at all. Let alone have any sort of long-term future like we talked about."

"Let me worry about that. You just focus on getting better," Dudley moved to kiss her lips. She turned her face. He pecked her cheek and then her forehead. "I am not going anywhere, love… I mean… I am, right now, but because I am going to go get you a weretutor," he turned and left.

"A were what?" she blinked, perplexed.

A few minutes later, her mother parted her curtain to come in. "Hello, love."

"Hi, mum."

Mrs. Brown stared into her daughter's now amber eyes and had to make an effort not to start sobbing right there, "Oh, honey, I am so sorry this happened to you."

Lavender held her mom tightly, "Don't be. They would have killed Chyou. Is she okay?"

"She will be. She's a bit shaken from her brother losing his leg, and Anthony is still in a lot of pain from the torture curses, but she was healed and is in her room now. Her father and Chyou came to thank you, but you were asleep."

Lavender groaned as she tried to get comfortable, "What are we going to do about Daddy?"

"Harry offered to take care of all funerary expenses. Your father never said what he wanted in the event of his death."

"He told me once he wanted to be cremated," Lavender sighed. Her eyes filled with new tears.

Her mother squeezed her hand, "Then, that's what we will do. Are you in a lot of pain?"

Lavender nodded, "Yes, but I guess so is everyone else… At least they fixed my leg. That hurt like a bitch."

Mrs. Brown nodded, "Is there anything I can do, baby?"

"Yes, please. I need to shower. I feel like I have a pound of dirt all over. Can you help me?"

"Of course, love. Let me ask the healer if I can take you to a bedroom or if I should bathe you here."

"Mum, please. I need to leave this room. The smells, the sounds, it's too much."

"Oh… Of course," she walked away, calling for Andromeda.

Remus was locked in his room with his wife, so Dudley went to get Bill. He found him looking at his sleeping wife, holding a small bundle in his arms.

"Excuse me?" Dudley whispered from the open door.

"Come in. No worries. My Fleur sleeps like the dead," Bill smiled. He was expecting this. "Is Lavender awake?"

"Yes."

"Come, hold Victoire while I go talk to her."

"That's her name?" Dudley smiled as he awkwardly extended his arms forward.

"She's a baby, not logs of wood, young man," Sophie chuckled. "Viens ici. Sit here," [Come here] she pulled him to sit on a rocking chair. Placed some sort of pillow on his lap and arranged his arms in the proper way after disinfecting his hands with a spell. "There."

Bill placed Victoire in Dudley's arms slowly. "There is a prepared bottle right behind you if she wakes up. She shouldn't. She just fell asleep after being changed and fed."

"Okay. Bill?"

"Yes?"

"I keep telling Lav that I am not going anywhere, but she won't listen… Why?" Dudley looked so sad that Bill realized he needed to provide some context. As a non-magical, he probably thought lycanthropy was like a regular chronic illness.

"Listen, Dudley… From the moment a wizard or a witch is bitten and infected with lycanthropy, we become -to no fault of our own, of course- second-class citizens in the Magical World. She first needs to truly understand what this means and the changes it will force upon her. I know that as a non-magical, you have no idea how bad it truly is. The only references you have for this are Remus and me. And we have been fortunate to be among people who love us, accept us, and support us regardless of our condition, but that is rarely the case."

Sophie folded and put baby clothes away as she added more context, "Alain had a lot of…uh… difficulty… accepting Bill as Fleur's husband-to-be when he heard about the attack. He was almost close to disowning her."

Dudley frowned and sighed.

Bill nodded, "Yes, and I don't entirely blame him. I have a daughter now, and when she grows up, I want her to be with the best man… or woman possible. I want her to be with someone who will be the best possible partner. A werewolf is not the best possible partner for anyone, no matter how hard we try."

"Lycanthropy has a lot of… what's the word? Hurdles?" Sophie commented as she did a spell to cool the room.

Bill nodded, "Yes, hurdles. Challenges, if you will."

"But there is a medication for it. Right?" Dudley blinked, rocking the baby.

"Yes, there's a potion called Wolfsbane. It… helps. However, as a werewolf, she will be barred from places. Many professions will no longer be an option. Businesses will refuse her service. People will stare and say horrible things."

"But how will they know?"

"I'm sure you saw her eyes have changed."

"They are beautiful," Dudley replied with a dreamy smile.

Bill smiled back, "Yes, but only werewolves have amber eyes. You will see that in a pitch-black room, you will still be able to see her eyes."

"So… being a werewolf means that they treat you like… like they treated black people before?"

Bill thought for a moment, "Yes. I suppose it is a bit like that, like Apartheid in Africa. The magical Hospital will refuse to treat her because the risk of her blood coming into contact with other people's injuries would be too high. She will have to change her diet to mostly protein and almost raw. Her sleeping patterns and her menstrual cycles may go haywire, which will affect her fertility. Lycanthropy isn't like uh… say… epilepsy or depression," Bill suggested conditions he knew were common to both worlds and needed constant treatment. "Wolfsbane doesn't keep the werewolf from transforming. It nearly calms the animal inside a bit, so she's less dangerous to herself and others."

Dudley was pale, "It's like someone with HIV, but who is schizophrenic, except it is contained to just the full moon?"

Bill blinked repeatedly, trying to process that. He had read a lot about mental health and conditions when they found out about Ginny. "No. Not exactly. She can live many more decades. She will likely outlive you, even taking the wolfsbane every month for the rest of her life. You see, wolfsbane is incredibly toxic. Any non-werewolf takes a sip? They'd be dead in minutes. You need to know… Magicals live longer than non-magicals, but she will live many years less than an unbitten witch because of the cumulative effects of long-term Wolfsbane use. As werewolves, we lose our hold on our human minds when we transform to different degrees. There have, unfortunately, been many cases of werewolves who escaped their enclosures and ended up murdering their families and eating them."

"What?!"

"Yes, it is most terrible. This is why werewolves insist on going very far away and staying locked up in places they know will be extremely difficult to uh… escape," Sophie patted his head in a comforting manner like his mom did when he was a child. "And they leave their wands outside their enclosures, for the most part."

Bill sighed, "I am not trying to scare you, Dudley. I know you are a good man. You clearly love her. I know you don't judge her for her condition. But if she's telling you to really think about whether you can handle all of this or she thinks you outright can't, there is a reason for that… All you can do, really, is sit down and analyze this. Think about everything this change entails: the logistics, the astronomical costs of wolfsbane, the loss of income from not being able to work for days per month every month forever, meaning many employers wouldn't even consider her, and the potential consequences to you and any children you may have."

Sophie nodded, "Yes. There is a lot you need to consider… Think that every single time she transforms, she will have to leave you and any potential children for a minimum of three days, which ends up being around a week while she recovers fully. Think that… if she were to get pregnant, she could attack the baby inside her womb and rip it out. She would have to be sedated and restrained the whole pregnancy, and that could cause her to lose the baby anyway… It's a lot to consider."

"You think I shouldn't stay with her?" Dudley's eyes teared up.

"No, Dudley, that's not what we're saying. I think that is a decision only the two of you can make, but to make it properly, you need all the information you can get. My wife will want to talk to you. After all, she is the one married to a werewolf. She could tell you more about that side. But don't wake her. She's terribly moody when she's awakened before she's ready."

"Okay. Thank you."

Bill placed his hand on Dudley's shoulder, "Dudley… This will never stop affecting her life. You need to seriously realize the magnitude of that statement. If you stay together, this will never stop affecting you either. Permanent things like this can eventually brew resentment. Keep all I told you in mind. Talk to Remus and Tonks. Read about it… Talk to the healers… Just make sure you do your due diligence before making any important decisions."

Dudley nodded and stared at the remarkably beautiful baby in his arms, "I understand... Is your baby a werewolf, too?"

"We don't think so," Sophie replied as she came braided her hair. "But we aren't ruling out anything until we can do some studies."

"I see."

"I'll come back as soon as we are done talking, alright? If Fleur wakes up, please tell her where I went."

Sophie took Bill's arm, "I'll go with you, son. She said she wanted some buttered brioche and chocolat chaud for breakfast. If I can't find brioche, I'll bake it." [hot chocolate]

Harry and Hermione walked behind Sirius' wheelchair in between debris of a non-functioning Ministry for Magic. Remus insisted on participating via a mirror. He didn't want to leave Dora or their baby, but he needed to be there for his pups and for his Mate, too. The twins sighed as they looked around. The sights around them were very depressing. Gone were the statues, the fountains, the golden arches, the marble floors were cracked… There were puddles of blood, scorch marks, and broken furniture. Torn parchment was strewn about. The British Ministry for Magic looked like a condemned building. It was a very concerning and depressing sight. Even using magic, it would take months for the building to even look passable.

Kingsley received them in the damaged entrance of the DMLE, still wearing armor, and asked to meet first with the Potters and Sirius and then with the twins, Neville, and Draco. No one was all too happy about that, but the office space was indeed limited. Neville and Draco took out their Wizengamot pocket-size rulebook and started reviewing some things. The twins said they wanted to check out the mess and swiftly left. Sirius was worried Amelia would AK his ass as soon as she saw him. The teens were shocked to find Amelia in a house robe and in a hospital bed inside Kingsley's office.

"Well, at least I am not the only one fucked up," Amelia stared down at Sirius.

Remus bit his cheek not to reply to that angrily. Moony despised Amelia with a passion. Remus… didn't like her all that much either. When she looked at Sirius, there was always a calculating glint. It was there over a decade ago, and he noticed it was still there now.

Sirius sighed, "I am glad you are alive too, Lady Bones."

She narrowed her eyes and didn't respond.

Harry cleared his throat. This was starting to get too awkward too soon, "We are happy to see you both… um… Well… for the circumstances, that is."

Kingsley shook his hand, "Thank you for your words and for all you did yesterday, Lord Potter."

"Harry, Kingsley, please."

"Lord Black," Kingsley nodded, "Lady Potter, Mr. Lupin."

"Sirius," he corrected. "You would swear we just met, Kings. We have broken Merlin knows how many laws together."

"Hermione is fine too, Kingsley. Let's dispense with the formalities. Why are we here? We have many things to do today."

"Straight to the point it is, then. I know that you are all tired and still dealing with a lot. The mourning period should be first, ideally. However, we find ourselves at a crossroads here. There is, as of right now, no functioning Magical Government," Kingsley intertwined his fingers and placed his hands on the desk in front of him.

"That has far-reaching consequences and exposes us to vulnerabilities that we cannot show at the moment," Amelia added with a grimace as she tried to sit up in a better position.

"The Ministry cannot afford to look weak," Kingsley sighed. "Hence, Amelia came by elf side apparition and won't leave this office, and I have taken potions for a month in a few hours."

"Weak before whom?" Remus frowned.

"The ICW, MACUSA, the Wizengamot, the press, the muggles… take your pick," Kingsley replied. "We have a very limited time window to create some sort of coalition that can help us prevent any surviving dark-aligned members from the Wizengamot from trying to take over the Ministry… again."

Sirius scoffed, "Are you seriously lobbying right now? You are unbelievable! There are hundreds of bodies waiting to be buried and cremated… Injured people and creatures still fighting for their lives as we speak… and you want our Houses' support to become Minister for Magic?!" Sirius berated Kingsley.

"Not him. Me," Amelia interjected.

Sirius looked even more upset and insulted at that.

"How convenient for you," Remus spat.

Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Sirius, Remus, please-"

"No, Hermione, dear. I will not shut up because I happen to have one thing you pups don't. The one good thing that came out of my fucked-up upbringing is that I know Pureblood customs and traditions perfectly well. Not many people, except perhaps Neville and Draco, know the Wizengamot and all its proceedings as well as I do. Let me teach you something for once."

Hermione nodded with a small smile and tightened her hold on Harry's hand.

"I will simplify what these two want to achieve. The Wizengamot must vote for an interim Minister for Magic until we have regular elections. The law states that in the absence of a functioning government, the Chief Warlock is entrusted with calling for all active and living Wizengamot members to vote. Usually, the candidates would need to get a minimum of 60% of the popular vote to be elected. In the present emergency -especially post-war circumstances- the candidates need 50% of the Wizengamot votes plus one vote. That's all. And that means that any House with significant swaying power, such as yours, Harry, will overturn a lot of votes. And that's the case even before the Orders of Merlin that you two will for sure get," Sirius narrowed his eyes at Amelia as he said this, "Which will give you additional votes."

"This is some sort of twisted quid pro quo, isn't it?" Remus asked from the mirror. [Latin: 'something for something' or "a favor for a favor"]

"Absolutely not! This is meant to be a cooperation agreement!" Amelia's tone was shrill.

Harry groaned and massaged his temples. A cooperation agreement? Oh, now they want to cooperate. Of course. His tone was caustic even when his lips remained closed. It made his wife want to flinch.

I swear they want to act like the past year didn't happen at all; Hermione rolled her eyes internally. If it wasn't for the goblins and the non-magicals… We'd all be dead.

"You have a lot of nerve to use that word," Remus grunted.

"She does. After all, once a politician, always a politician," Sirius replied.

"Sirius, please, see sense!" Amelia continued. "Of course, we are lobbying now! When else would we? Do you see people jumping at the chance to take the necessary positions to make the bloody Magical World functional once more? Did you see the state of this building? Do you think there's any budget that can fix the fucking mess in the streets? Do you think no government, anarchy, essentially, will help the thousands who lost everything to start the rebuilding efforts?!"

"Anarchy?! How many bloody potions are you on?" Sirius snapped, sharing a look with an equally incensed Remus in the mirror.

"None. I bloody deal with pain like women have always done by grinding my teeth and powering through, arsehole! In case you didn't notice, we have NO government. Zilch. Nada. We have no magical school. St. Mungo's was so damaged that it is working at 30% of its normal capacity. We have lost far too much, and unless we start working immediately, this will not be fixed for literal years, and the economic depression we will face will last for decades! Is that the future you want for all these kids?!" she waved her hand dismissively, motioning at Harry and Hermione, who shared an insulted look.

Sirius stood up angrily, "TOO MUCH?! You are worrying about the things we've lost?! Things can be replaced!"

"Spoken like a rich man," she narrowed her eyes.

He ignored her snippy reply, "What you should be asking is how many?!" Sirius growled.

"What?!" she crossed her arms.

"How many people?! How many creatures?! How many friends?! How many allies?! How many fought valiantly and died?!" Sirius yelled. His magic made the room cold.

Kingsley stood up, agitated, "Both of you, please calm down! I am not above locking you in an office together until you figure out your personal issues and can be objective about this!"

"Don't think I won't resort to biting you as Padfoot if you dare to try to force me, Kingsley!" Sirius exclaimed with his wand at the ready.

Amelia narrowed her eyes at him, "Try me, Shacklebolt! I will sack you!"

"I am still wearing armor, Sirius, and I don't work for you yet, Amelia," Kingsley frowned.

Remus cleared his throat. "Can we get back to the point, please? We have a very busy day ahead. I am not telling you what to do, Harry, Hermione… But I wouldn't vote today. It is disrespectful to the fallen."

"Why do you think you even get a say here?!" Amelia snapped at Remus. "You don't even hold a seat in the Wizengamot, Remus!"

"That is Lord Black of The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black to you, Lady Bones," Sirius replied in a tone that would have made most people squirm. In the mirror, Moony would have squealed if it wasn't for the fact that Remus kept him on a tight leash. He blushed.

Harry and Hermione shared a look.

Harry asked, So it's official?

Hermione blinked, Apparently; that must have hurt.

Amelia stared at Sirius as if expecting him to break and admit it was all a joke. When he didn't, she gasped, "WHAT?!"

"I renounced my title, Lady Bones," Sirius smirked.

"He cannot be Lord Black! You two are not related!" she exclaimed.

Sirius snorted, "No, not by blood. However, his wife is my cousin. Have you forgotten? Dora is now Lady Black. They will hold the titles until their child -my Heir- comes of age and takes over."

Amelia's eyes filled with angry tears. Her whole expression was screaming, 'How could you do this?'

Harry cleared his throat to break the tension, "Look, sorry to interrupt whatever this is, but we are not voting anything today either, Kingsley. We have to attend Queen Anord's wake tonight."

"Harry-"

"Kingsley, listen… His Majesty King Etrukord, the new goblin king, was kind enough to enact a protocol I designed with my attorney to move funds around for those who were affected by this war. He just lost his mother last night to our war, and even with his nation in shambles, he has taken it upon himself to continue helping us. I will not disrespect the goblin mourning period for such a wonderful monarch and ally to bend over backward for a government that left me and mine to fend for ourselves or to keep going above and beyond for a society that ran and buried their heads in the sand when things got too hard."

"Nor should you," Remus and Sirius said in unison.

"Harry, please… That is the whole point of this. You get to participate in choosing the future worthy leaders of the Wizarding World. In so doing, you get to choose people who will reflect the values you want to see, people who will help pass the laws and regulations this world has needed for decades."

Harry allowed himself a small smile, "Yes, I understand all that… You must, however, understand that it hasn't even been 24 hours since Riddle fell. We are still sore and tired. We are still nursing our loved ones. Once we take care of our people and creatures, we are ready to roll up our sleeves and work in the clean-up and rebuilding efforts regardless of how little any government like the one we had deserves that help."

"How many days will suffice?" Amelia asked with a raised brow.

"You are unbelievable!" Sirius snapped.

"Pads, please…" Harry squeezed his shoulder.

"Only because I love you, pup," Sirius sighed.

"One week starting today," Harry crossed his arms.

"Are you bloody mental, kid?!" Amelia asked with a frown. "The clean-up and rebuilding efforts cannot wait a whole week until you all deign to join us! We have dead bodies piled up and body parts still strewn around Hogsmeade and Hyde Park! Waiting a week could cause diseases! The last thing we need right now is an outbreak on top of everything else! Civilians are already struggling enough without having to pick up body parts and deal with that themselves!"

Remus only stayed quiet because an off-frame Dora grabbed his hand and squeezed hard. Deign to join you?! You foul bitch!

Is she seriously trying to guilt-trip us right now? Harry asked Hermione through their bond.

Yes. I thought she was better than that. How disappointing. We should totally apply the Draco approach; Hermione shared a look with him.

We totally should. I'm with you, Harry squeezed her hand three times. It's about time we respond like the teenagers we are.

"You know what? SHUT THE FUCK UP, Lady Bones!" Hermione stood up, holding Harry's hand. Amelia pulled back as far as she could on her bed. Hermione had always been civil and welcoming of her. Sirius looked ready to clap for Hermione.

"It is not our job to fix this fucked up reality adults allowed to come into existence! We have already taken most of the burden! You do not get to speak to us like that, Lady Bones… As if we're neglecting our duties for fun. Duties that -need I remind you- are NOT even ours! We are not government officials! We are not Aurors! We are not on the government's payroll! We are teenagers, for crying out loud! Our only concerns should be our education and our friends and family."

"I know, and I am truly sorry, but things being as they are, we need you to step the fuck up," Amelia interrupted.

"HOW DARE YOU?!" Remus exclaimed so loudly that the mirror vibrated.

Simultaneously, Harry's hair shot up vertically, and his core made the room cold, "FUCK YOU!"

"Harry!" Amelia sounded scandalized. The kid had always been sweet, soft-spoken, and calm.

"NO! I am sick and tired of the guilt-tripping. I have been bailing out this bloody Ministry for Magic and the fucking DMLE my entire life! I fought Voldemort's wraith in Quirrell when I was a first year. A FIRST YEAR! I fought a second wraith the following year and killed it and a giant basilisk that was petrifying students while the Ministry stood by and did NOTHING! I had to help my godfather, who never even received a fair trial, escape an illegal dementor's kiss-on-sight order because Merlin knows that you -Head of the DMLE- didn't do anything to get him out! I was forced to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, where I could have died in every single fucking task and almost did die in the cemetery, where Voldemort had Cedric Diggory killed and regained his body using my b-blood," Harry's chin wobbled. Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and pushed calming energy. He took a deep breath, but he wasn't done.

"I had to endure Dolores U-Umbridge's torture," Harry made a fist with his scarred hand and showed it to them, "And subpar education and fought the Death Eaters in this same building with my friends, all of us KIDS! Where were you that day?! Where were your Aurors?! I had to put up with a v-vile teacher violating my mind with legilimency while Dumbledore used me as a pawn to get information that ended up being ultimately worthless because it got him killed anyway! This world's complacency and cowardice turned generations of Hogwarts students into CHILD SOLDIERS! Then, I-" he looked at Hermione apologetically, "We starved and almost got killed several times while hunting the remaining Horcruxes. Our supposed best friend betrayed us and almost got us killed… or worse. We had to lead the resistance and an army into suicide rescue missions and battles without any official support! So, forgive me for not really feeling cooperative! I never wanted to be a hero. I still don't feel like one. All I ever wanted was to be a kid and have a n-normal life."

Hermione's hair let out sparks from her golden stripes, "Instead of that, we have fought! We have starved! We have bled!" she punctuated each sentence by stomping her foot. She looked at Sirius, "We have served illegal prison time! We have endured torture and some even rape! We have lost limbs! Loved ones! Even the ability to do magic! All the while, the bloody government fell, and no Aurors, no HIIT wizards, no Masters, no Wizengamot, and no international magic organizations did a goddamned thing about that!"

Sirius nodded with pride and took Harry's now free hand supportively. It hurt like a motherfucker with all the damage to his arms, but his pup needed reassurance, "The government dropped a war of gargantuan proportions on my godson's shoulders without even a by your leave! He was given no funds, no tactical or political support, no army, NOTHING! Had he not selflessly used his inheritance to finance the resistance, it would have collapsed long before the final battle ever happened. Do you want to see an itemized list of expenses? The food, the potions, the medications, the armor, the portkeys, the weapons, the cost of lodging and healing hundreds?! And to add insult to multiple injuries, all he received in exchange for his heroism was defamation by the press and insults from officials! He would have been right to vanish from England and never look back!"

"Sirius, I stayed true-" Kingsley tried.

"I know! I know you did, Kings… And how did that turn out for you, huh?"

Kingsley bowed his head down. It was true. He still only trusted his remaining one right-hand Auror.

"How many Aurors that you would have died for in the field turned out to be Death Eaters?" Remus asked with a deep frown from Sirius' mirror.

"Many more people could have joined the fight, but they decided to stay safe and away! Harry and Hermione have been fighting Riddle since they were eleven bloody years old! You don't get to tell them they are not doing enough! You don't fucking EVER get to tell them to step up when they have been doing that their whole lives!" Remus snapped. "Rebuilding Magical England is NOT their bloody job! It is ours! We, the adults, are the responsible ones! We allowed this shitshow to be possible in the first place!"

"The sanities of all our people are barely hanging by a thread from all the trauma we've had to endure in this war, Lady Bones," Harry added. "So, yes… We are indeed MENTAL!" He growled the last word. "Whose fucking fault is that?!" Harry snapped bitterly.

"Whoa! Everyone… Take a deep breath, please… I am sure Amelia didn't mean to imply you aren't doing enough," Kingsley tried, his whole demeanor apologetic.

"I said what I meant!" Amelia doubled down.

"Of course, you did!" Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Why are you here instead of with Susan anyway?!"

"SIRIUS!" Hermione quickly shook her head. Susan didn't want her aunt to know yet.

"What?!" Amelia asked, instantly scared.

"She needs you right now. Perhaps focus on that," Sirius grunted.

"Because I am a woman?!"

"No, you idiot! Because you are her family!" Remus growled.

"What do you know that I don't?" she narrowed her eyes. "Tell me!"

"Ask her," Sirius replied.

"This is getting ridiculous," Kingsley sighed. "We cannot fight each other like this! We are on the same side! Both Amelia and I fought with you!"

"With us, maybe, but not for us," Remus countered.

"Nothing positive will come out of this conversation. We are wasting our time. Perhaps Heir Malfoy and Heir Longbottom will be more amenable to help," Amelia frowned.

Remus scoffed, "I wouldn't count on that if I were you. Draco and Neville are Harry's family. They will not move against House Potter, not now, not ever. And it's Lord Longbottom."

Harry and Hermione turned to the mirror, shocked, "Since when?"

"Since a few hours ago."

"How?"

"Augusta finally stepped down," Remus replied.

"Fuck. Never thought I would see the day. That is one tough Lady," Kingsley replied.

"I thought he looked a bit different," Hermione thought out loud.

"It's a new dawn for everyone, it seems," Harry squeezed Sirius' hand.

"Harry-"

"Kingsley, I will support you in any role you want to take, but right now, my people need me more than the government does."

Kingsley nodded, "I understand. I will do my best to figure things out in the coming days."

"Just so you know, Gringotts should notify the DMLE soon. I made arrangements for you to get a donation of a million galleons."

Kingsley was shocked into silence. His jaw was hanging.

"That should help start the rebuilding process. At the very least, it will allow you to handle the bodies and clean the most urgent areas to avoid disease," Hermione added.

"That is extremely generous of you," Kingsley said.

Amelia, who knew exactly how big the Potter fortune was and remembered how much they offered for the Death Eaters' rewards… was not impressed.

"Sirius," Remus said from the mirror, "Jing and his people need our help digging."

Sirius nodded, "We will be right there."

"Digging?" Amelia frowned.

Harry looked at her with such naked fierceness that it made her feel cold; sparks came out of his sliver stripe, "Graves, Lady Bones. You see, we lost over 300 souls in battle yesterday. That requires many graves and funeral pyres."

Amelia paled.

Kingsley sighed. "I am really sorry for your losses."

"Thank you."

Harry rolled Sirius' chair outside. Hermione shook Kingsley's hand and looked at Amelia with severe disappointment. She turned around to follow them out.

Draco and Neville were standing outside, shoulder to shoulder, with very stern expressions and crossed arms, flanked by very serious twins. They all looked ready to pounce on anyone who made the wrong move.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked Harry, his eyes softened as he looked into emerald green.

Harry simply sighed and nodded.

"Heir Malfoy, Lord Longbottom, please do come in," Kingsley motioned from the door.

"No, we will not," Draco frowned. "We heard most of that."

"I would think that two such experienced professionals as yourselves would remember that the privacy wards collapse when a building has been so damaged," Neville frowned.

Kingsley rubbed his hand over his face and Amelia just looked even more exasperated.

"We actually thought-" George began.

"That you wanted to propose-" Fred continued.

"Something different," the twins said in their usual half-sentence style.

"Our bad," Fred shrugged. "Won't be making that mistake again."

"Your House is not even a member of the Wizengamot," Amelia raised a brow.

"No, but we are part of the businesses that contribute taxes to this government's economy, and our business was destroyed due to our role in this conflict," George replied. "We thought you would want to hear us."

"Our bad," Fred said again.

"Heir Malfoy, Lord Longbottom, please hear us out. We won't take much of your time," Kingsley tried.

Hermione and Harry shrugged to their friends as if to say, 'Your call.'

"Lady Bones, your House has been a good-standing member of the Wizengamot for generations, yes?" Draco said.

"We have," she replied proudly with a nod.

"And you, personally, have been on that seat for over twenty years now, correct?" Draco asked.

"Yes, that is correct," she nodded but looked confused.

"If you look back and try to remember Wizengamot voting history, you know that where a Potter goes, a Longbottom follows," Draco said, glancing at Neville, who nodded resolutely. "And now, after this war, a Malfoy follows, too. Where they go, I go."

Harry felt his affection for Draco deepen significantly. Pride and gratitude swelled in his chest, and his vision clouded with unshed tears. He shared a smile and a nod of respect with his two friends.

"We are a package deal, Lady Bones. You either get all of us, or you get none of us," Neville added with a severe frown. "Perhaps take that into consideration the next time you want to shake us for money or support. We don't take kindly to bullies, intimidation, or blatant disrespect, and we will move as one. Offend one of us and lose all of us. You have been warned."

Harry stared at Neville, grateful for his aplomb. That was Lord Longbottom, indeed. He spoke with authority and in the no-nonsense tone he had learned so well from his grandmother.

"You can't do that. You don't have an alliance," Amelia countered.

Sirius looked over his shoulder, "Not yet, but they will. I guarantee you that there will very soon be a Black-Longbottom-Malfoy-Potter official alliance. I will teach them everything they need to know myself."

Harry turned, too, "We would have liked to include House of Bones because, at the end of the day, we knew you would stand up for the right side... Now, I am not so sure."

"I resent that," Amelia frowned.

Harry replied, "I resent a lot of what you said and implied in there. If you excuse us, we have shovels to purchase and graves to dig."

Luna's muscles felt stiff as she sat by her father's body. Someone had done a preserving charm to keep him cool. Ginny had brought her an umbrella to keep her from the sun and or rain that could start falling at any point. She had asked her friend to give her some space, and Ginny left without a word. She understood. Losing a father was a profound pain. Losing a father after losing a mother in such a tragic way was horrifying to consider. Luna sighed. The reality of being an orphan was settling painfully in her heart. Her mother left. Her father was violently ripped away from the world.

She had so much to thank him for… But he knew. She knew he knew. He had fought so valiantly, especially for a man who was peaceful to a fault. He didn't train with them much. Defense magic wasn't his strongest suit, and still, he came for her. He came immediately when she needed him. He had laid down his life so that she could keep on living. His beautiful eyes were still open in shock. No one had thought to close them. She reached out and gently lowered his lids.

Luna kissed his forehead and went down to lay her head on his chest one last time. Except there was no rise and fall of his deep breaths, no lub-dub of his kind heart beating, and no warmth at all. Neville walked ahead of the group to reach her. When she collapsed into sobs again, he pulled her back up to a sitting position. He took off his robe and covered Xenophilius's body with it. Rain was starting to fall.

Harry and Hermione walked briskly toward them. The scene was heartbreaking. There were lines of preserved dead bodies a few feet away from where they were. Luna had levitated her dad away from the others. She was sitting by Xenophilius, holding his cold, rigid hand in hers. Harry understood her pain better than most. He knelt next to her and placed his hand over Xeno's.

"I know you are listening, sir… Mrs. Lovegood, I… I know you are all around us… In the air, the water, and the soil, too."

Luna gave him a watery smile and a nod. Hermione knelt to her other side and supportively wrapped her arm around the girl's waist. Neville's hands were on her shoulders. He was sitting behind her.

Harry continued, "I am blessed to have Luna as my sister, sir, ma'am. I promise you that she will never be alone. She will always have a home and a family with us. She will be protected, supported, and very loved."

Luna sobbed and lay her head on Harry's shoulder. His arm went around her shoulders, and his hand rested on her hair.

Hermione squeezed the girl and added, "We will help her pursue her dreams, and we will do our best to help her through losing you. Your sacrifice is much appreciated and will be honored in the way it ought to be."

Harry inhaled sharply, "You can rest in peace knowing that no one will ever hurt her again."

Hermione added with a teasing smile, "We will make sure Neville does right by her."

"Of course, I will," Neville nodded.

Draco moved toward them as fast as his still painful leg would allow. Neville stepped aside. Draco knelt behind her and wrapped his arms around her gently as Hermione let go.

"I'm so sorry, baby doll."

"Drakey," she sniffed. "Will you h-h-help me braid his hair with f-f-flowers?"

Draco winced and nodded against her, "Absolutely. The most beautiful, colorful, fragrant ones, Luna, like I promised him."

The Potters looked confused. Xenophilius had made Luna and Draco promise that they would set him on fire if he died in this war. His only request was that his hair be braided with many flowers so that his Pandora would find him quicker among the many other souls in the afterlife.

"They thank you… I thank you all. I really do have the best family ever," she smiled.

Harry kissed the side of her head. "Do you want to do the pyre here or back at your family property?"

"Here. I will take his ashes and spread them around the ruins afterward… Like he spread mom's ashes around the house," Luna shrugged.

"Luna… Could that wait? Not the pyre… the spreading of the ashes?" Hermione asked as delicately as she could.

Luna nodded and wiped away her tears, "Of course. I know that there are far more urgent issues."

"No, Luna… It's just that we will rebuild your family home," Harry squeezed her hand.

"What?!" a shocked expression on Luna's face was so rare that it was almost amusing.

"We will rebuild your home and the paper, of course."

"You don't have to do that, Harry…"

"Actually, I do. We promised your father that we would take care of you when he agreed to help us with The Quibbler. We were certain that would come at a steep price for your family. I am fulfilling that promise no matter what."

Luna sobbed and jumped into Harry's arms. "Th-Thank you!"

A Patronus approached them; it was a tabby cat, "Harry, Hermione, we are awaiting your choice of the area so we can start digging."

"There's a beautiful clearing on the other side of the river," Luna smiled. "It won't infringe upon the land the elves chose, and the unicorns will be happy to have company."

They all shared a smile. Nobody asked her what she meant or questioned her belief, not even Hermione.

Everyone who was healed and strong enough was digging. They agreed to do it by hand using the new shovels. It felt like a good way to honor the bodies and treat them tenderly and with respect. Every elf had run into battle without a care for their own safety. All that mattered was that their Master and Mistress and their friends needed them, and they wouldn't let them down. The elder elves decided to bury their fallen in the space they now owned from Potter Castle's lands. They believed it important to return to the Earth and continue to give life to nature. As such, all elves wore only a simple linen shift. No embalming was done. No shroud was wrapped around them. Luna sang beautifully during their funeral, and all the elves had a flower crown placed on their heads.

Ruki had said they could levitate the bodies to their final resting place. Harry refused. And so, in an act representative of how much change the new generation of wizards and witches would bring about, all young people who were physically able went in pairs to an elven body each. With the utmost care and respect, each pair lifted an elf by the shoulders and ankles. They went into the graves, conjuring steps to descend, and lay the bodies on the ground gently. The surviving elves were shocked and deeply touched by the scene. While Lord and Lady Potter were different and truly cared for, loved, and respected their elves, the magical world, for the most part, was decades behind. Perhaps it was seeing the Potters' example that made other young wizards and witches realize that death was indeed "the great equalizer" and that gratitude and respect went a long way to healing past grudges and indifference. [Partial quote from Kilroy J. Oldster. Read the full one in A/N.]

Most wizards and witches saw them as objects. As such, to them, elves were as replaceable as a broken glass or a shattered plate. The Wizards and Witches who had escaped to the Caribbean knew better. Elves, goblins, centaurs, and even the most stubborn of the merfolk, were all part of their magical community. They were all stronger for it. They had learned from each other. They had worked together. They cooked and ate together. They had become a part of the Potters' chosen family. They were all the better for it. And so, none of them complained as they shoveled drenched, heavy, dark soil under cold intense rain.

Once they were all in their graves, Harry and Hermione knelt and burrowed their fingers into the softened soil. They closed their eyes and focused their magic. Piles of dirt went over the graves and covered the bodies. The unicorns that had been grazing nearby and were healed enough by Scamander approached and bowed to the Potters and to the surviving elves. They seemed to have a conversation with Ruki who nodded with teary eyes. And so, the unicorns began compacting the soil of each grave. Elves were more certain than ever that they had chosen the right family.

The non-magical army picked up the fallen soldiers' bodies first thing in the morning. The commander who came to pick them up turned out to be a squib, and he was stunned by a seven-figure cheque that Harry handed him personally as he was leaving for the Ministry. The commander was both impressed and grateful for the donation and the condition of the bodies that had been washed and wrapped in white linen shrouds. Filius and McGonagall helped load the bodies into the trucks. They had been kept in a room kept cold by dozens of cooling spells. Harry had made sure Daiyu's advice on funeral rites was followed. Not all families, due to their religions or other beliefs, would want their loved ones embalmed or preserved in any way. Keeping them cold was a good compromise while they were taken away. Linen shrouds were a good choice because they kept their bodies covered modestly and didn't add much weight or bulk for transportation.

Queen Elizabeth addressed the kingdom the day after the battle, dressed in black. She thanked emergency personnel for all their hard work. There were still people working in Hyde Park and around London. Surgeons were still working on those most seriously injured. There were coroners working overtime. Several morgues were full. Funeral homes were approaching families waiting for their loved ones' bodies. They had received 'anonymous' donations from 'patriots' to cover the costs. That's the tale they had to tell.

Religious leaders all around tried to comfort the families of the awaited surgeons and inform them about their loved ones' procedures. Social workers made sure the children lost in the chaos found their way back to their parents. PETA was helping gather the pets that panicked and ran so that they could be photographed, and their photos posted in the newspaper for their owners to come to find them. Everyone was doing what they could to help. People were cleaning the sidewalks before their homes and businesses as well as they could.

Susan sat on a kitchen chair. She was exhausted. Andromeda had been dead on her feet when she got to the Infirmary to help, and she couldn't take any more potions, so Susan shooed her out and started helping anyone she could. It was a testament to how drained Andy was that she didn't even try to fight the young woman. Madam Pomfrey retired after a couple of hours. Lady Greengrass had slept a few hours and came back. Astoria hadn't left at all. She didn't fight on the battlefield. This infirmary was her battlefield instead, and she would not rest until all the patients possible were stable and in less pain. Susan's mirror vibrated.

"Auntie?"

"Where are you?" her tone made Susan flinch.

"Potter Castle, helping out the Healers. Where are you?" Susan frowned at the background. That wasn't their home.

"The Ministry. Are you okay? Do you mind telling me why you are keeping things from me?"

"Auntie, I am not keeping things from you. You were sedated when I left. I figured you would still be in bed, resting, as you should be."

"The Magical World will not survive this crisis without a functioning government."

Susan blinked and tried to keep her expression neutral. Her aunt was a politician at heart, "Of course."

"Imagine my shock when Sirius told me that I should focus on you instead of lobbying and that you need me more than the Ministry."

Susan winced. "I am fine. It's not life-threatening. I was already treated… for the most part."

"For the most part?! What does that even mean?!"

"Auntie, I am fine. I will need surgery, but it is not an emergency, so I thought I'd make myself useful. Hospitals are too crowded for non-emergencies right now."

"SURGERY?! Susan Amelia Bones! You tell me what is going on right now!"

"Are you going home now?"

"In an hour."

"When you get there, go to your study. There is a memory vial there. You can see what was done to me. I don't want pity or tears. I do, however, need your opinion about the future of the House. Please let me know once you have watched it."
"The future of the- Forget it. I am coming home right now. Please finish what you are doing and come back."

"Okay."

Amelia was aghast. The things that monster said… what he did to Susan… Her poor baby. She shouldn't have spoken to her like that. Susan stepped out of the floo.

"Hey…"

"Come, my dear. I am so sorry that happened to you. That's why I didn't want you there."

Susan sighed, "Need I remind you that if I hadn't shown up when I did you would be dead?"

"No, and I am grateful. But I would have been fine with dying. He took your ability to conceive. I-" Amelia took a shaky breath not to cry.

"Auntie… I never even thought I'd have kids anyway."

"What?!"

"But you don't deserve to have House of Bones die with me."

"Susan…"

"I have a crazy proposition."

"What?"

Gingotts had seen better days. Professor Flitwick had advised them to bring as much food as they could. And so, three very confused butchers were sold out of the product that would have lasted them a week in a matter of minutes. So were two supermarkets with puzzled cashiers who wondered where the barbecue was and how many were coming. Professor McGonagall advised them to dress in white, with no jewelry, makeup, or perfume. Women were supposed to cover their hair. Ideally, no one should wear shoes inside the ceremonial space. Those who were to attend would do so in representation of everyone else who wanted but physically couldn't or felt it went against their faith to participate.

Harry and Hermione went in first, and each of their staffs was fastened to the center of their backs with a special harness holster that the wand makers had created. The elves came in carrying large containers with the meats. Some of the goblins were surprised, not at their presence but by their respect for their funerary customs and the tact of bringing them a meal they preferred. However, most of them simply nodded briefly and went back to what they were doing. The goblins had cleared a path to the pyre from debris, and so all the humans removed their shoes and placed them inside Hermione's bag. King Etrukord was impressed. They were following customs. He had no idea how they knew, but their respect was very much appreciated.

Lord and Lady Potter bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty," Harry nodded. "We have brought some food."

Harry and Hermione stepped aside, and Etrukord saw a trail of elves carrying lots of raw animal meat. The goblins hadn't been able to hunt for a while, and they were hungry.

"Thank you. We needed this. With all the battles, our reserves were empty. Sharpaxe, direct the elves to the meal hall."

A goblin motioned, and the elves followed him without a word.

"We can bring more tomorrow," Hermione offered.

"I'd appreciate that."

"Of course," she smiled. "We were told that it is customary for goblins to honor their fallen royal with a memento from battle."

"Yes, that is-" the king stopped talking. His eyes widened. "Professor Flitwick," he bowed.

"Your Majesty," Filius bowed as much as his soreness allowed.

"You know each other?" Harry blinked.

"He taught me all I know about human spell casting," Etrukord smiled.

"You are too kind. I am so sorry for your loss but so proud of how honorably you all fought."

"The sentiment is mutual. We, the Goblin Nation, are very sorry for all the fallen humans and elves. We heard that humans use flowers as tributes," Etrukord motioned, and around two dozen goblins came out holding large circular tributes.

Harry's and Hermione's jaws fell. There were many white lilies combined with different flowers. Some arrangements had hyacinths, others were dotted with carnations, some others had forget-me-nots, and the most particular arrangements had chrysanthemums. They barely managed not to cry. Lilies meant renewal and rebirth. Carnations reflected love for the ones who have passed. Hyacinths meant sorrow and regret. Chrysanthemums meant get well soon.

"Thank you so much. This means a lot to us," Harry smiled. "But how?"

Etrukord nodded briefly, "We use flowers in teas, tinctures, medicines, and oils to prepare bodies for the pyre. We have a greenhouse that was -unbelievably- not damaged at all."

"They are beautiful," Hermione sighed. "Elves, could you please take them outside? We wouldn't want to disrespect our hosts' traditions."

The elves vanished with the tributes.

"You can place your mementos whenever you are ready."

The Potters waited for everyone who came to go first. Professor McGonagall placed her barely-together dragonhide vest over the logs. She was using a cane to aid her walking. Professor Flitwick placed a shield he had forged himself. Neville placed his father's wand that Augusta had returned to him. He had his own now, but his father's wand felt like an appropriate tribute. Luna took the now broken amulet her father gave her and climbed up the pyre to tie it around Anord's wrist after her son acquiesced. Draco took the blades he used to carve Daphne's name on Lucius' chest. Chyou brought her mother's arm guards and her brother's tactical knife. He was in no condition to leave the Infirmary but wanted to participate. A long and painful recovery awaited him. Jing placed his canteen that had been filled with blood replenishing potion and had saved countless lives.

Sirius placed his pierced and scorched armor plates. Remus threw his empty canteen of wolfsbane and a single silver coin that was wrapped in silk. Tonks threw her Auror boots with melted soles that hadn't been able to stand so much raw power in Hogsmeade. The general and Mrs. Xu had sent their military tags. Ruki threw the spear she had ripped off Murcus' hands and one of the stones with the runes that had been used to attack Voldemort in the Potter ritual. The twins threw a handful of their manes' hair and other trinkets. The elves placed various small items around the pyre as well.

Dharma flew in and landed on the king's offered forearm. She plucked the longest, dark red feather off her tail and flew over to Anord, placing the feather over the center of her chest. Dharma landed on Draco's shoulder. Harry and Hermione knelt before the pyre. We will never forget you and all you did for us. They shared that thought. Both took their backup wands and tactical knives and threw them in. Etrukord placed his small shield on top of his mother's body and placed two golden coins over her closed eyes. He then summoned a pitcher and poured an oil that smelled like a combination of various flowers all over her body.

The humans stayed silent in a large circle surrounding the goblin community as they chanted, roared, and clanged their swords to their shields. King Etrukord took an arrow, Dharma lit its end on fire, and with his bow, he threw it to the center base of the pyre which engulfed in flames quickly enough. The goblin nation sang, growled, roared, stomped, and yelled what sounded like compliments to their monarch. The humans kept their heads down and stayed silent. It was, after all, the way they showed their respect. The ceremony lasted three hours. By the time it ended, the pyre was turned completely into ashes. King Etrukord gathered some of the ashes in a bowl and went around 'painting' the goblins' cheeks or forehead.

He came to the humans and the elves, "If any of you want to-?"

All elves nodded. The humans looked to Professor Flitwick, who nodded. It was a great honor to receive such markings.

"My mother had faith in all of you. She was proud to fight next to you. I am hopeful that our friendship will be a long and steady one," the king painted each of them as he spoke.

"It will be. We are honored to have been a part of this," Harry nodded.

"You may join us for our meal, but I fear you may find it too raw for your liking."

"We thank you, but we still have to see to other funerals and pyres."

"Of course."

"Everything has been done as you requested," Etrukord smiled at Harry and Hermione. He took out a scroll and placed it in Harry's pocket. "That is the total. I am forever grateful, Lord Potter, Lady Potter."

"So are we," Harry and Hermione bowed and kissed his ring.

Everyone else followed suit, and they left quietly after retrieving the flower tributes.

In the following days, they would attend many too many wakes, funerals, remembrances, and tributes. All the time not spent there was spent helping their injured friends and family. Alain Delacour handed all the wizarding warriors' paperwork for them to go live in Magical France if they didn't want to return to England. Professor McGonagall gathered the surviving Unspeakables and the wizards and witches left from the Magical Studies department. They needed to evaluate what little was left of Hogwarts. They needed to know if the school could be rebuilt where it was. She had very little hope. Even with the grimoires in her possession, she felt lost.

By the fourth day after the final battle, hundreds of letters started to arrive at Potter Castle. There were letters of gratitude, support, sponsorship offers, alliance requests, betrothal contracts from people who weren't aware Harry and Hermione were married, the works. They received gifts, parcels of food, healing potions and bandages, butterbeer, and even firewhiskey. The elves oversaw checking all the mail to make sure it was safe. Then, they also had to allocate the resources received to wherever they were most needed.

By the fifth day, Harry decided he needed to face his aunt. Hermione was asked not to come. She would have fought him on it, but Dudley insisted on going instead. Mr. and Mrs. Granger told Hermione to come with them to check out their old house and practice to see what, if anything, could be done. This was something the Grangers knew that Harry had to do alone. Their daughter wouldn't manage to control her anger at her husband's torturer and abuser. It was for the best that she didn't go. Harry could tell the woman everything he always felt but didn't have the words or the courage -then- to face her and give her a piece of his mind. Both bonded halves weren't comfortable separating for so many hours or with such a distance. Harry was still very concerned about Hermione's and the Grangers' safety. Neville and Draco volunteered to go with the Grangers, as did three elves. This assuaged his fears a bit, but he wouldn't be completely calm until she was back beside him. Having her go was for the best. He knew he would blow up worse if she was also angry, and he knew she would be.

"Mom?" Dudley knocked.

"Dudders?" Petunia's voice was raspy. "Come in."

Petunia was sitting outside in a wheelchair, enjoying the sun. She was starting to look a bit less skeleton-like. She managed to turn the chair with just one hand but froze when she saw a bigger, stronger, scarier version of her nephew behind her son.

"Harry?"

He took a deep breath. "Petunia."

"What happened to you?"

"War happened to me. Let's not pretend you have ever cared how I am," his tone was icy.

"I… I do… I want to ap-ap-apologize," she said, looking at her son.

Harry shook his head, "No. You don't. You don't get to apologize to assuage your conscience and move on because what you did to me when I was a defenseless child with no one to advocate for me was foul, cruel, and criminal."

The woman looked down and said nothing.

"You ruined my childhood. You scarred my body and my soul. It is because of you that I never had a family. It is because of you that I never felt safe. It is because of you that I grew up thinking I was a waste of space. It is because of you that it took me years to trust anyone and let anyone into my mess of a life..."

Petunia's shoulders shook as she tried to cry without noise. She expected her son to come to her and hold her. He only moved to place a reassuring hand on the back of Harry's neck.

"My entire life, I have been used by everyone around me, but you… You took the cake. You used me as a cook, a gardener, a maid, a punching bag, a chimney sweeper, and a cigarette tray. All I ever wanted was to be loved by you, to be a part of your family. You turned that yearning into a poison that killed little Harry a bit more every day."

She needed to apologize. She wouldn't lose her son due to this, "I-"

Harry raised a hand, but his tone stayed cold and leveled, "Shut up. I won't hear you. Little hopeful Harry, who wanted you to love him, is dead. He died long ago. He died sometime between the first time you hit my head with a scolding hot frying pan and the last time you burned me with a cigarette. You killed him. He's gone."

She covered her face with her hand and her stump as best as she could as tears and snot ran down her face.

"I have nothing but contempt and disgust for you. You can save the melodramatics for someone who cares or chooses to believe your cheap act of repentance. You have overstayed your welcome both in my life and my property. We rescued you from Hogwarts, and that was far more than you ever deserved. The only reason I didn't leave you there was Dudley."

Dudley stepped closer to Harry and squeezed both his shoulders, "And I will always be grateful."

Harry nodded briefly and turned back to her, stepping closer, "I owe you nothing, but because I know you have zero ways of supporting yourself, and Vernon is dead, this is the last thing I will ever do for you," Harry dropped a folder on her lap. "That is the deed to a furnished two-bedroom apartment in Surrey and the registration of a new car. Both are in Dudley's name. If you want to keep them, you have to sign over the rights to the land in Montana to your son in exchange."

Petunia stared at the folder. She didn't even open it. Her hand was shaking as it covered her gaping mouth.

Dudley paled. "Harry-" he began to protest.

"Don't, Dudley. You will need to move her around, at least sometimes. I know you have other plans, and you are always welcome in any Potter property. The second bedroom is for when you visit. You can sell the property in Montana or relocate there if you wish," Harry turned back to Petunia. "You will also find the information you need for a bank account in your name with enough money for eleven years of very modest living."

Dudley was floored. Petunia was in complete disbelief.

Harry opened a second folder. "This is the transfer of ownership to Dudley. It is transferred as a donation, and you will not receive a pound for it. You know full well you stole the money that purchased the property from my vault, to begin with. Sign here," Harry pointed with a pen and handed it to her.

"Harry-" Dudley began again.

Harry raised his hand to halt any words his cousin was going to say. "Sign it, Petunia," he said in an angrier tone. "Sign it and be very grateful that I am not pressing charges for embezzlement. You wouldn't survive a week in prison, let alone the 7 years of maximum sentence me and my attorney would push for if you don't sign. We both know you have no money to pay any fines nor to hire any attorneys."

Petunia turned so pale that most of her veins were highlighted. She took the pen and signed with a wince.

"Consider the money a repayment -not that you deserve any- for the years you kindly hosted me full-time," Harry's sarcastic tone was like long nails on a blackboard for Petunia. "It is set out for you to receive the national minimum wage per month. After that money runs out, you are on your own until you die. I will not do anything for you ever again. I never want to see you again. I don't want to hear from you or about you. I don't want to be reminded that you exist and that you are still alive while much kinder people died in this war."

Petunia whimpered but didn't say a word. She knew he wasn't done talking, and the fear of Lily returning was still too fresh.

"You are vile in every way possible. I hope your new handicap teaches you some humility and some fucking gratitude. Every time you receive that money, I want you to remember all the harm you caused me, how much I despise you, and how little you deserve any kindness I have spared you. Goodbye, Petunia." Harry stood up and turned to leave.

"Wait! Harry, please!"

"GOODBYE, Petunia. You don't deserve to be heard. You have harmed me e-enough," Harry left the room with long strides as Petunia cried desperately. She expected Dudley to console her, but she was sorely disappointed when he ran after his cousin instead.

Dudley found Harry curled up on the floor of the master bedroom in a fetal position, crying so intensely, rocking himself so hard that he couldn't breathe properly. The scene would be a recurrent nightmare for him for years. He ran to his cousin and maneuvered for him to be between his legs. He wrapped his arms around Harry's body and brought his head to rest on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Harry…. I'm sorry… It's over, Harry. It's over," Dudley repeated again and again, rubbing his cousin's back. "You don't ever have to see her again, cous. I'll keep her away from you. I'm so sorry."

Harry cried like a desperate abandoned child would. Dudley thought that was really what it was. Harry had been abandoned so many times. It hurt him deeply to remember all the damage he himself had caused to his generous, kind, selfless cousin. Dudley kept trying, but there was no calming him down.

After several minutes passed, Harry's soft, strained voice broke the silence, "W-Why? W-What did I do wrong? W-Why couldn't she l-love me? Why couldn't she just… not hurt me?"

Dudley's tears finally fell with those words. Harry deserved so much better. His wounds were too deep. It would take years and years for him to stop hurting, let alone to heal. The questions were rhetorical, of course, but they still held so much trauma, so much yearning, "You deserved better, cous; you deserved so much better. You did everything right. You did much more than we deserved. You did, then. You do now. You will always be worthy of love, respect, and compassion. My parents and I-"

Harry shook his head, but Dudley wouldn't have it.

"No, Harry. Don't excuse me. My parents and I caused you too much harm. I was a piece of shit to you for years. I was horrible. I will never stop making amends, not because you ask it of me but because it's the only thing that feels right. I love you, Harry. I love you so much, and I know it's not the same, and that is not the love you wanted growing up, but I love you. You will never be abandoned again. You will never be without a family ever again. Never. I will be there for you no matter what as long as I'm still breathing."

"I love you too, cous," Harry's words were muffled against Dudley's collarbone.

Dudley smiled briefly, "You didn't have to do anything for my mom. She does not deserve more than what she already received, which was basic medical attention, because she's a human in need, not because she's related to you. I will move her to the apartment today. If Dobby could help me, I can leave right away."

"Will you come back?" Harry hated there was a twinge of fear in his voice. Hermione's voice floated to him from afar in his mind.

Are you okay, love? Hermione's voice sounded scared.

Yes. Don't worry. I'm with Dudley. We're fine. You?

Fine. Nothing to recover here. My parents want to start over from scratch, she replied.

Okay. We can help them with that. I'll see you soon. I love you.

I love you, too, Hermione replied.

Dudley squeezed him a bit tighter as if to reassure him, "Of course. You aren't getting rid of me, Harry. I will only be gone long enough to fill the pantry and the fridge and get her some clothes. I'll come back as soon as I can."

"Here," Harry sat up, turned, and pulled out some bills from a small leather pouch. "500 pounds."

"Thank you. I'll add it up to the tally," Dudley blushed.

"Don't. I just… I'm sorry. I know she's your mother, but I want her gone."

"You don't have to feel sorry… I want her gone, too. I know she will never be okay with Lav, and I am done living life in a way she approves of…"

"You will stay with Lav?" Harry wiped out his cheeks and eyes.

Dudley sighed, "Yes, I will… I just have to convince her I am not going anywhere. She's doing all she can to push me away."

Harry nodded, "I'm sorry. Remus was the same with Tonks… But soldier on. Once she has her first transformation and she sees you are still there, she will know you mean it. She's great. I was really happy to hear you found each other in this madness."

Dudley blushed deeper, "Thank you. I can't believe she gave me the time of day."

Harry chuckled, "Hey, you are much improved."

Dudley chuckled back, "Thanks to you."

"What?" Harry blinked repeatedly.

"Anything I manage to become and accomplish now will be because of you."

"Dudley-"

"It's true! You saved my life more than once. You taught me the right way by example. I love my parents, truly, but all the growing and maturing I have done, all the improvements… That is all because of you leading, supporting, healing, and giving me more than I ever gave you. You have been so patient, so gracious, so generous, so kind… I will never have a way to repay you for all these months," Dudley kissed Harry's forehead.

"He really does love me," Harry whispered more to himself than his cousin.

"As Draco would say, shhh, don't get sappy on me, Potter."

Harry laughed, "Dobby?"

"Yes, Master Harry Potter Defeater of Dark Lords and Mean Aunties Alike?" Dobby said with a smile.

Even Dudley laughed even though he didn't know Dobby meant both Petunia and Amelia.

"Dobby, just Harry is enough. You know that. Look, Dudley is moving his mother away to the apartment you furnished in Surrey. Here's the keys to the door and the car, Dud," Harry handed him a set of keys looped into a spare inactive bracelet. "Will you be back for dinner?"

"Yeah, don't count me out. I know they are making bangers and mash. You know that's my favorite."

Harry nodded, "I'll be sure to save you a plate. Be safe… Sorry about your shirt."

"What shirt?" Dobby said cheekily, vanishing any tears and snot on Dudley's shirt.

Harry chuckled, "Thanks, Dobby."

There was a combined memorial for the fallen non-magicals. The families were still puzzled, but grateful that someone had taken care of all the expenses. Even those who needed to be sent abroad were sent at no cost to their loved ones. Ted was exhausted. While everyone else was sweating training and going on missions, he had been doing the work of a secretary, an assistant, and about three attorneys. He had sent countless letters. He had gone back and forth to Puerto Rico to make phone calls. He had mailed cheques to the non-profits they used as a front to hide the origin of the donations. He had typed endless contracts of all types. He was sure he had carpal tunnel. His wrists hurt, and his fingers were numb at times. He rotated his wrists with a grimace.

A knock on his door startled him. Harry stood there with a large steaming bowl and a platter with a cup of coffee and his favorite pastries levitated by his shoulder.

"May I come in?"

"Yes, of course." The platter landed next to his typewriter. "What's the occasion? And what's with the bowl?"

"Andi tells me you refuse to let her help you."

"All I said was that I needed surgery."

"Okay, but at least, while you get surgery, you should stop working long enough to get treated," Harry frowned. "This is a medicinal herb sort of concoction. Ruki made it. She says we have to wrap a washcloth drenched in this around your wrists. Leave it until it cools, remove it, then repeat."

"Oh, thank you. I guess I can take a break. You can go-"

"Go where? I am here to be your personal healer's assistant," Harry grinned. "Your injury is largely my fault. Let me provide some relief."

"Wow. The Man Who Conquered at my beck and call? Are you going to charge me double?"

"Yes, but if you are a good patient, I will give you a few autographs you can sell," Harry winked. His tone was very sarcastic.

"Ah, perfect," Ted rolled up his sleeves. "I can auction them later," he replied with a laugh.

Ginny sat in the now clean living room playing exploding snaps with Luna, Padma, Parvati, and Chyou. They had asked Lavender to join, but she refused. Her senses were still overwhelmed. Harry walked toward them.

"Ladies," he smiled. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Hey, Harry," they replied in unison.

"That was so cringy," Chyou grimaced.

"I hadn't noticed the new do," Harry motioned at her hair. "You look amazing."

"Thanks, not too butch?"

"Not at all."

"She has the features to show off. I told her many times, but she won't believe me," Ginny said.

"You do," Harry smiled at Chyou. "How is Longwei?"

"He's going to need surgery. The healers say that it will probably happen tomorrow. Apparently, some bone splinters are causing problems to the injured soft tissue."

Harry frowned, "Is his pain manageable?"

Chyou nodded. "He's quite high, actually."

"I see. I'll stop by later. Is Jing with him?"

"No, he went to see the authorities."

"What? Why?"

"Well, I think it was supposed to be a surprise, but Her Majesty wanted to give you and your fighters medals of honor in a private ceremony. The non-magical soldiers will have a public ceremony, though."

"Oh! Wow. I don't know what to say," Harry blinked.

"Say nothing because you know nothing. I told you nothing. You must act surprised."

"Right. What medal?"

"That's more like it," Chyou smiled.

"Ginny, may I talk to you?"

Ginny paled. "What did I do?"

"Nothing, I just haven't been able to talk to you for a while."

"Oh, okay," Ginny stood up. "Luna, play for me, yes?"

"I'll try to win for you," Luna smiled.

They sat on a bench in the garden, facing each other.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asked

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"Why?"

"I have your eyes… I look like your mom enough to have terrified your aunt."

Harry sighed, "Did she yell at you?"

"Not at first…"

"What do you mean?"

"Before you get mad at me, please know that I did ask for permission. Professor McGonagall told me I could. You and Hermione were too busy to bother you with that."

"Permission for what?"

And so, Ginny told Harry what she did. By the end of the conversation, Harry felt a twinge of guilt gnaw at him.

"Maybe I shouldn't have been so tough with her earlier."

"Harry, honestly… You are incredible, and we all love you, but even without hearing the conversation, I know you should've been tougher. I didn't see your memories, but she did nothing but hurt you for over a decade. She deserves no mercy, no forgiveness, no attention, nothing."

"I know… I just… I spent so many years hoping that if I did well enough, they would actually change how they treated me… thinking I could be a part of their family… If it hadn't been for your family, I would still think their dynamic was normal."

"We loved hosting you. I know once we find another place to live, Mom will love to have you over as often as you can visit. We all will," Ginny smiled and squeezed his hand.

Both teens sighed in unison. They were so glad neither felt anything other than platonic affection and a deep sense of gratitude.

Ginny turned to him, "I don't think I can call you my brother yet. It feels a bit weird. But I do feel as if you are my only non-ginger brother, Harry."

"Thank Merlin for that!" his smile was wide, and his eyes were bright. "I meant what I said. With the new eyes, you do look like a sister Voldemort robbed me of. I don't know if it would have been a girl, but somehow, I feel like it would've…"

"What do you mean?" Ginny blinked.

"When Voldemort killed my parents, my mother was four months pregnant."

"Oh no! That's horrible!"

"Yeah… And it was so painful to know that because I really wanted a brother or sister… Someone with my blood, someone I could call my family, and while I have an amazing adoptive family now, growing up, I really needed that sense of belonging, of protection," Harry looked away. When Ginny inhaled sharply, he realized he had put his foot in his mouth. "But I don't have to tell you that."

She shook her head.

"How are you, Ginny? How's the potion regime working? How do you feel?"

She turned him to face her, "I am so much better. The potion regime is working well. I feel centered. I was so twisted and unbalanced for so long… Sometimes it feels like it's too quiet, too calm, you know?"

"After the battle, I was on the balcony of my room. I felt like I missed the sense of oppression, of urgency, of dread… the stress of death breathing down my neck. I felt it was fucked up. I broke down because I realized I had never had a moment in my life when nothing was wrong, and I think it's a testament to how much therapy I will need that I miss the bad things."

"I… I understand. I don't miss the pain, the abuse, the humiliation, the degradation… but I miss feeling special, feeling important. I was so glad that someone had noticed me and gifted me a book. I felt so cool when I had an older friend to write to in secret who knew so much about Hogwarts and magic. He played me so well. By the time he asked me to pledge to serve him and told me how to open the chamber and control the basilisk, I had no notion of the ethics, values, and morals my family taught me."

"I am so sorry, Gin."

"I know… All I can tell you is that it gets better. You start to appreciate the new healthy life. You will start to notice small things that you never paid attention to before. Maybe a beautiful leaf, maybe the feel of the sun caressing your skin, maybe the softness of a sweater, the loving touch of your family, the flavor of your favorite food, the sounds of music, the ocean…" she trailed off. "The chocolate ice cream…"

They laughed.

"Thank you, Gin."

"Whatever for?"

"For coming to battle. You didn't have to do that."

Her eyes, which now mirrored his own quite closely, filled with tears, "I did. You saved me and our family. I know you don't like to be spoken to about your -what is it Hermione calls it?- Ah, right, your saving people thing," she wiggled her brows. "But it doesn't make it any less true... Remember when you told me that it was your job to protect me?"

Harry nodded.

"You taught me a lot about family…" she squinted her eyes as she remembered the exact words. "You said, 'We will always defend you because that's what family does.' You should know by now that the defense is mutual in families such as ours."

He smiled and nodded, pulling her close to hug her tightly. He kissed the top of her head, "How are things between you and Luna?"

"We made up. She forgave me."

"That's great to hear… How are things with Draco?" Harry smiled teasingly.

Ginny blushed and looked away.

"What? You thought I didn't notice?"

"There is nothing going on there."

"Mhmm."

"Truly. I mean… He's a flirt. You were a victim yourself."

"He is scary at that. Don't remind me."

"Hey, you could do worse," she teased. Harry laughed. "You can say what you want about the ferret, but he is annoyingly good-looking."

"HA! I knew it! You liiiiiiiike him!"

Instead of admitting to anything, Ginny lifted a brow at him, "Swear to me that you felt nothing when he cornered you against the table."

Harry blushed and chuckled, "Yeah, I felt… harassed."

Ginny laughed, "You didn't look harassed! You looked hot, bothered, and embarrassed."

Harry threw up his hands, "In my defense, I have never had a guy 'come onto me' so brazenly. I know it was a joke, but it was unexpected, especially that it was Draco was unexpected."

"I bet you it wasn't the first time a guy came onto you. You are just seriously oblivious. I saw many girls throwing themselves at you over the years. All they had left to do was wear a bow that read Harry Potter's slut."

"GINNY!" Harry's blush deepened.

"It's true! How you managed to stay chaste and pure for Hermione is beyond me," she laughed.

Harry looked down.

"No way! You guys still haven't-?"

"No."

"What?! Why?! Don't bonds… like… need that?!"

"Yes, but I gave my word to her parents that we wouldn't… that we would have a wedding ceremony and the whole nine yards first."

"Merlin! Then you need to plan the best proposal in the history of proposals!"

"I hadn't thought about that. Now that you mention it… I should."

"You definitely should, and I'll help you!"

"What?"

Ginny nodded repeatedly, "Mhmm!" she smiled. "But first things first. Man up and talk to the Grangers."

Harry tilted his head to the side, "I already did."

"No… You promised to wait and to woo her."

"Exactly," he shrugged, not seeing the problem.

Ginny looked at him like he was being very dumb. "Harry… Can I speak plainly?"

"Always."

"The Grangers… They lost so much. You know? Not just their memories and material stuff, which sucks, of course, but time. Time is so precious. You are already her husband. I understand that. They understand that. But they have already been robbed of a lot of normalcy. Give it back to them. Ask them for an audience in private. Make sure Hermione doesn't know. Talk to them, declare your intentions, and ask for her hand as its proper, both because of your station as a Lord and because you are a gentleman who is head over heels in love with her."

Harry blinked at Ginny and was quiet for a while. "You are right… about everything you just said. They deserve that deference and respect… You have grown a lot wiser, Gin."

"Yeah, yeah… the potions are helping," she chuckled.

"Yes, but you have done a lot on top of that," Harry smiled at the cartoonish scene of a seemingly offended Mr. Unicorn, who was trying hard not to allow Scamander to apply a gross-looking paste to his broken horn.

"Forgiving helps," she knocked his shoulder with hers.

Harry turned his body to give her his full attention, "What?"

"I forgave my parents for not getting me help years ago. I forgave the Professors who didn't notice my struggles. I forgave my classmates, who couldn't have cared less if they tried. I forgave myself for cutting to feel alive... I forgave my siblings, who made fun of me for the diary but never tried to talk to me as my behavior changed. I forgave Luna for telling people what happened to me. I forgave you and Hermione because I begrudged your relationship."

"Gin-"

"Please don't take that the wrong way, Harry. I know your relationship had nothing to do with me. It's an internal thing. You didn't have to apologize because you did nothing wrong, but I needed to forgive you so I could move on. Does that make sense?"

Harry sighed, thinking about the many people he would have to forgive even if they never apologized or realized how much harm they caused him, "Yes… I think it makes a lot of sense, Gin."

Ginny smiled a bit, her voice barely louder than a whisper, "Very recently… I… I forgave myself."

Harry's eyes teared up. The naked pain that pierced him hearing something that was so absurd, so unfair, and that made so much sense -in a very twisted- way crushed him. She should have never had to forgive herself. She should have never been in harm's way to begin with. She should never have had to go through this. All the horror, all the pain, the nightmares, the cutting, the hiding from mirrors, the strained relationships, the fear, the inability to trust others, all of it stemming from the same clusterfuck of circumstances that allowed her to be traumatized by a monster and his minions. She was somehow a reflection of his own fucked up life.

Her smile grew, and her eyes teared up as well, "I forgave myself for being too young and too innocent to know better. I forgave myself for not telling anyone what was happening to me. I forgave myself for indirectly petrifying the victims. I forgave myself for all the hateful words and insults I told myself when all I could see in the mirror was a broken dirty girl instead of a survivor. I forgave myself for being unkind and lashing out at people who only wanted to help." She sighed, tears rolling down her cheeks, "I forgave myself for the last words I told my d-dad, which were both u-untrue and h-hurtful… I forgave myself for wishing to d-die for so many years just so I wouldn't feel the p-pain anymore."

Harry pulled her in for a tight hug. "P-Promise me you will never give up. Promise me that if it e-ever gets too dark again you will tell me. P-Promise that you will let us h-help you."

She squeezed him and thanked the universe that all she felt for him now was gratitude, admiration, and deep familial love, "Only if you promise the same."

"I promise," he nodded.

"Then, I promise, too. Now, if you excuse me… I just remembered that I need to go apologize to the soldier I attacked. I never did. I am so glad he made it back safely, though."

"Thank you for that, for trusting me, and for sharing," he squeezed her hand.

"Thank you for listening," she squeezed back.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Thank you for your patience! I hope you are happy and healthy wherever you are. -Lux-

Personal update: I have been let go of my job due to 'restructuring.' That is HR-speak to say there's cheaper labor in countries that abuse their workers' rights, and AI is replacing most positions too quickly. While I apply to other positions, I have been resting, taking some classes online, doing freelance official translation, and editing this. I also went to a Candy-themed cake class. I had never decorated a cake purposefully before. We made meringue decorations. The sponge we made was vanilla-white chocolate, and the buttercream was cotton candy. It was four layers in different colors. I promise it wasn't as sweet as it sounds. I will probably attend a few other classes. I've always loved baking, but decorating is new. It was fun :)

As for the quote:

"Death is the great equalizer of human beings. Death is the boundary that we need to measure the precious texture of our lives. All people owe a death. There is no use vexing about inevitable degeneration and death because far greater people than me succumbed to death's endless sleep without living as many years as me." ― Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls