a/n: Happy Christmas! I have most of the Draco saga outlined, Poka. I'm trying decided how to write it all. I think I'll wrap up divergence with one more chapter and start a new story with a time jump. It would be nice to have it all in one story though too. Stay tuned.

Day 24 prompt: A Christmas Proposal

Chapter 24: A lifetime

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Hermione had been standing on the porch so long, the snow was piling up on her hat. Harry wanted to give her the space she needed. It was also cold outside. Pulling on his coat, he stuck his hat and gloves in his pocket and took out his wand. Stepping out on the porch, he surrounded her with a bubble of warm air. The snow melted around her.

She turned and smiled. "Thanks. Is it that time?"

"If you're ready?"

Letting out a breath, she held out her hand for him. Harry felt the warmth blow over him as he burst the bubble. The cold rushed in. What a metaphor, Harry thought as they started to walk. For a quarter century, he and his wife had been trying to protect each other only for the world to douse their efforts. As they walked toward the cemetery Harry wished he could have one conversation with his parents. Just one to find out how they managed to build a life in the midst of threats and chaos. Stopping in his tracks, he had a thought. He didn't know if she would approve.

"What's wrong?" she asked, turning around to find out why he stopped.

He studied her. Would she agree to his proposal? They had never talked about using the resurrection stone. Finding it in the snitch had been a surprise. They were in the midst of dealing with a myriad of revelations. It was still safely stowed in the golden ball. Right next to his cloak. He saw the shape of the elder wand in her pocket. They routinely used two of the three deathly hallows. Why not use the third. "Hermione. What would you think if we took the stone with us this year?"

Momentary confusion gave way to understanding. Then skepticism gave way to sympathy. "Is that what you want? They won't be alive."

"They won't be dead either. I have so many questions."

He could tell Hermione was running through the possible consequences. For that he was grateful. In that moment, he couldn't think of a single reason not to do it.

"The story makes it sound like they'll be in some in-between state. It could be really hard to see them like that."

Taking her warning to heart, he really thought about it. He had seen and talked to them once. When the Priori Incantatem spell reunited them in another graveyard. "You think I shouldn't?"

She stepped up to him, took his hands in hers. "I didn't say that. You should get the answers you need. It might be hard to let them go after you see them."

Familiar with that feeling after becoming obsessed with the mirror of erised. "When you tell me it's time to say good bye, I'll listen." It was a promise he was confident he wouldn't break. She was his future. He didn't want to dwell on the past. He just wanted to understand it. To know his parents.

"I'll go get it," she offered.

At that he smiled. "It's in a snitch, Hermione. Accio snitch, " he cast. Watched for the telltale glint of gold. It was dark already, it helped that for once the elusive ball was headed straight for him. It landed in his palm with a satisfying slap. They continued their walk to the grave of his parents in silence. Rehearsing the questions in his head, he didn't want to regret missing something important. They were in the cemetery before he had a chance to register they had arrived.

"I'll sit over here," she told him, pointing to a bench. She wasn't just giving him privacy, she wouldn't be able to see them.

Watching her settle in, he walked up to the headstone. Read the names. Something leapt within him. The gold ball in his hand seemed to sense the reaction. It's wings fluttered against his fingers. Bringing it to his lips, the hidden panels Dumbledore created fell open. Tilting it, the small, black stone spilled out onto his palm. Harry closed his eyes, thought of the picture of his parents, dancing in the snow. Turning the resurrection stone in his hand three times. He didn't move, afraid to open his eyes. What if it didn't work?

"Harry?" a woman's voice said his name. He felt her touch.

It was such an unexpected sensation, Harry's eyes shot open. They were there. Both of them. Not ghosts. They were physically there. His knees grew weak and he was sure he would have dropped to the ground if his dad hadn't pulled him into a hug. There wasn't warmth to the embrace, a reminder of Hermione's warning.

"Look at you. You're all grown," James said as he pulled away to get a look at his son.

A small gasp from his mom, had Harry turning, afraid the spell was ending. She was looking at Hermione.

"Someone's here. We shouldn't let them see."

Shaking his head, he smiled. "That's Hermione. She's my wife. No one else can see you though. Just me."

"Your wife?" James said with interest, studied the still form across the cemetery.

"We can't meet her?" Lily asked with some sadness.

"No. The stone doesn't work that way." Despite all the rehearsal, Harry couldn't think of a single question he wanted to ask. He was too overwhelmed at the sight in front of him.

"Voldemort?" James changed the subject as he processed the real world. He'd been away from it for so long.

"Dead. Hermione killed him."

"Oh," Lily said with an air of respect as she stepped closer to try to get a better look at Hermione. "Are we grandparents?" she asked with excitement.

"Three kids. Lily, Shiloh, and Albus." James' face fell a bit, Harry quickly continued. "Remus had twin boys, James and Sirius."

"Lupin? Good for him. He was sure he'd always be alone," Lily said, returning to Harry. She ran her hand affectionately across his shoulders. "You're happy?"

Nodding, he leaned into her touch. "Very. It's still hard though. There's another dark wizard. It seems we keep making the same mistakes."

"They'll always be someone willing to use the dark arts," James observed. "The mistake would be to stop fighting."

"I wanted to ask. How did you do it? How did you live your life knowing it could all end?" Harry finally asked his most pressing concern. He was getting tired of the constant threats. He wanted to stop. He wanted to leave the country with his family and leave it all behind.

"Life must be lived, Harry. Otherwise they still win. Even if they're defeated in the end," Lily told him.

Harry understood the truth of his mother's words. Knew he'd be a shell of the man he was if Hermione hadn't been in his life. If they never had the kids. It was why he feared the future and looked forward to it at the same time. Walking them to another bench near the grave, he motioned for them to sit. "I don't want to keep you long. I just… I want to know about my family. About you. About the Potters."

James perked up at the opportunity and started a recitation of the Potter line and its many accomplishments. Lily would occasionally pipe up to correct the exaggerated record. Harry took it all in. The way they interacted. Their mannerisms. Not for the first time, he felt incredibly cheated out of the happy upbringing he could have had. He was surprised to find the loss didn't sting quite as much knowing he made that happy life for himself with Hermione. As the questions slowed, all three sensed their time together was coming to an end. Harry glanced in Hermione's direction, saw her standing. Not quite sure if she should end the reunion. Harry waved her over, stood himself, and joined her at the gravestone. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he studied his parents, looking for their approval. Lily kissed his cheek and stood back. "Live your life Harry. That's the only way we get to live on too."

Tears finally fell from his eyes. He didn't stop them. Hermione hugged him tighter. Harry knew he could use the stone again. It made the pain ease. "Maybe we can do this again next year?"

Hermione seemed to sense the question wasn't for her. She kept her silence and stepped away, made her flower wreath for James and Lily.

"Next year, then" James confirmed. "Bring pictures? Of your family."

Harry nodded, took the snitch out. "I love you," he told them and dropped the stone in the open pocket. His parents were hugging each other as they faded. He let out a shaky breath.

"You okay?" Hermione whispered, knowing he would be.

"Yeah. Let's go home. Make sure we're ready for tomorrow." With great effort he turned away from the grave, knowing his mom's words were right. "Thank you." She was about to object, he pressed on. "Not just for that. For being there for me through all of this. For being strong and not quitting."

"There's no quitting. You promised me a lifetime."

Had it been twenty-four years since they made that promise to each other? It seemed like yesterday. He guessed that was life too. There was no slowing it down. Tomorrow would come and they would face whatever it held. Together.