Chapter 101: Follow you, Follow me

Moody stood in the center of the Quidditch pitch at Potter Manor with the kids around him, all of them out of wandless, tied up, out of breath and glaring at him.

"Glare all you want," Moody growled. "It won't change the fact that I just mopped the floor with all of you."

Harry in particular scowled. He had fought students three years older, Death Eaters and none of them rivaled what Moody could do. The most recent session had Moody slip a rope around his ankle to launch him through the air.

"Potter, you need to stop holding back," Moody said. "Yes, I know you are. You're afraid of overpowering your spells but that just has them coming weaker, slower and easier to deflect. You've got power, kid and now you need to let yourself use it. I know you think you can flip a switch and use it when the time comes but you will become so used to it that you will never achieve your full power against those using theirs. Do you think Voldemort is going to hold back? He might if only to draw out your suffering. You know what's coming for you and how hard it is coming. After Dumbledore, you're probably the top target of those munchers. If you keep doing this, you could get the person next to you killed."

Harry flinched and swore he could smell the dank graveyard instead of the fresh-cut grass of Potter Manor's quidditch pitch. Before Harry could reply Moody moved on.

"Granger, you're thinking far too much and it's affecting your speed," Moody said. "Keep thinking offense and defense. Know your next spell and get ready to cast. I want the next spell launched before your previous one hits its target. Your defense is exceptional. If you keep your speed up and keep moving, you'll be tough to take down but in the end, it's your own mind that's holding you back. You're brilliant in the classroom, lass but this isn't the classroom. Work on your preparation and thinking on your feet as Potter and Longbottom do. You don't have as much raw power as they do but they don't have your accuracy either. Longbottom, you're getting better at using that hammer but I want more from you. Let your power shine."

Moody paced in front of the kids.

"The rest of you have work to do as well," Moody's magical eye moved from one to the next. "Greengrass you're holding back. Show me that Slytherin cunning your house is supposed to be known for. Same goes for you, Davis. You're good until someone gets a hit on your girlfriend and then your focus wavers. Same goes for you, Lovegood, when someone scores a hit on Davis. Death Eaters love causing pain and the worst pain is losing someone you love. Patil One and Brown you're both good at defense but you need to work on your offense. Patil Two, at least I'm assuming you're the Raven twin, you need to get your speed up. Your accuracy is good but you need speed to match it.

"Crabbe and Goyle you're both angry and it shows. Use that anger, don't show it. Anger is a great ally in a fight but only if it is contained, and controlled. Bulstrode! You have more power and I know your dad. He's a good auror who the Death Eaters tried to turn. They only found pieces of those eaters. I know your potential; now show it to me."

Moody turned to finally examine Susan and Hannah.

"Abbott, you have all the trademarks of a healer," Moody complimented. "Your first instinct is to get everyone back up on their feet. For that reason, you need to work on your battle transfiguration to give you cover so no one will take advantage of your kindness. Meanwhile you, Bones, are just like your aunt but your spells are right out of the auror's playbook. Death Eaters know that book better than anyone and will use it against you. Broadcast that you're using auror spells and they will know where your limits are. Break free of your limits. Now again!"

Harry looked at Hermione and he knew they both had the same idea. Daphne and Neville fell into place at their respective shoulders. Moody clomped his way back to his starting position as Neville held his wand in his right hand and his hammer in his left. Before Moody reached his starting point, he turned and started to cast, starting with a ground-liquifying curse. Hermione cast the counter around the four of them but Susan and Hannah were not as quick and they sunk into the ground and flailed as they tried to get back up. Before they could do anything, Moody covered them in green paint.

"Bones and Abbott you're dead," Moody said as he moved to counter the stone block Goyle shot toward him. Moody turned it to ash and that ash to spikes that he used to intercept the cloth Crabbe conjured, with two more casts, Crabbe and Goyle were covered in paint. "Goyle and Crabbe, you're done."

Moody's eye flicked around him and he hit Luna and Tracey with two spells to bind them but Hermione blocked the spells that would have eliminated them. Harry used that opportunity to launch a gout of flame at Moody which Moody encased in a bubblehead charm, cutting off its oxygen. Before the flames went out completely, Neville shot a spout of water to cover the area in steam.

Even while Moody dealt with the flame, he used a strong wind charm to knock Lavender, Parvati and Padma off their feet and conjured tree-like roots from the ground to hold them. Before he could finish them, three piercing hexes came from the mist and Moody twisted his body to avoid two while the third hit his shoulder.

Moody grunted in pain and quickly dressed his injury only to move again as a bone breaker came toward him courtesy of Daphne.

"I can still see you," Moody said as he deflected Daphne's curse.

"We know," Harry and Hermione said from behind him. In the chaos, they disillusioned themselves and flanked him while his magical eye was busy with Neville and Daphne.

"That was the plan," Daphne said as an ice-blue curse launched from her wand at the same time as Harry launched his lightning whip. Hermione followed with her razor wire cords and Neville trapped Moody's foot by conjuring a variation of Hermione's binding spell, turning it into thorny vines. The vines wrapped around Moody's leg and began to tighten. Daphne's curse hit Moody's wooden leg, freezing it solid and Harry's whip wrapped around the leg. Moody just narrowly managed to vanish Hermione's cords before they hit.

"You're finally getting it," Moody complimented. "But you've still got a way to go. Duro."

Moody hardened his leg and used it to pull Harry off balance. He launched six green paint curses at Harry and Hermione, forcing the latter to conjure a wall to intercept them. That gave Moody the opportunity to focus on the other two. He launched a shocking curse at Daphne that Neville intercepted with his hammer. That curse absorbed into the hammer, making it look electrified for a moment before it faded completely. Moody followed up with more green paint curses putting them down for the count.

"Ready Hermione?" Harry asked aloud as Moody used a small gout of flames to take care of the vines holding him down.

"I think I am, Harry," Hermione answered.

Harry summoned Daphne and Neville's wands to their hands and they both used them to ignite their lightsaber spells. As they stepped around their wall, Moody laughed.

"That's new," Moody said and launched a wide variety of curses at the two of them which they all caught on the saber and deflected with Hermione sending one straight back. They closed the distance with Harry pushing a brace of ice spears toward Moody while Hermione launched a curse that looked like liquid metal. The spell hit his wooden leg and started growing across his legs. Hermione began to mutter and the metal solidified, trapping Moody in his spot.

"You think you've got me?" Moody asked. "I can still cast, I'm not done."

"I know but it's not us you should be worried about," Harry said. Lavender and the Patils all cast binding spells as Harry conjured three snakes with instructions to hold Moody while Hermione disarmed Moody and launched her razor cords.

All the spells hit at once and Moody was unable to move. With a hacking laugh, he yielded.

"Well done," Moody said. "You've been holding back, it seems. Just remember, a Death Eater always has backup."

At the word backup, Sirius, Kingsley and Tonks dropped disillusion spells and the five remaining fighters scrambled to avoid the paint spells launched their way.

"We know," Harry said. "Now!"

Luna, Ginny, Millie and Tracey dropped their own disillusionment spells and covered the trio in binding spells. At the same time the Weasley twins apparated above them and encased all three in something that looked like a gigantic, sticky tongue that wrapped them up tightly.

"How?" Sirius asked. "You can't apparate inside the grounds of Potter Manor! Anyone who does goes back to the apparition point."

"Trade secrets, Padfoot," Hermione said with a smirk. "But all the credit goes to Luna. She figured out the secret as our ace in the hole if anything happens at school."

"So your trick works there too?" An awed Tonks asked.

"Of course," Luna said. "There are many ways of travel that witches and wizards don't consider."

"What if we're in a tight spot?" Kingsley asked. "Your trick could come in handy."

"Just say 'New Marauders Help' and you'll be transported to safety," Harry said. "Just be aware there's a current maximum of two at a time."

"Well done!" Moody complimented. "You freed everyone from my bindings and kept a squad in reserve for a counterattack. I must also commend you on this spell on my legs. Never seen it before."

"That's because it's one of Hermione's," Harry said. "It's some sort of metal that she conjures to grow. With her second charm, it hardens to trap the opponent. It has to be shielded as it can't be deflected nor avoided as she can guide it toward the target. Even I don't quite understand it."

"And those light sticks?" Moody asked.

"Lightsabers," Hermione beamed as she flicked her wrist to move the blue blade around. "It's a muggle thing, kind of like Harry's Kamehameha. They deflect spells, though we don't know if it'll deflect an Unforgivable, and cut through anything."

"Well, anything we've tried," Harry said. "I imagine some things would be harder to cut than others."

"You've had this and you didn't think to tell us?" Lavender asked with a touch of incredulity.

"We've been keeping it secret so the Death Eaters wouldn't know about it," Harry said. "It's also not good to defend against area-effect spells or if you're outnumbered. That's why we wanted to do it with a second wand. Thank you, Daphne and Neville."

The duo handed Neville and Daphne back their wands.

"We will teach everyone how to use the spell but it's not going to save your ass if you're outnumbered. We've found it works better if you have a partner to use it for defense while you use other spells on offense."

"Before we break off," Sirius held the kids back. "Can you teach us that spell, Hermione?"

Hermione gave instructions on both the sparring and full-powered versions of the spell. after a few attempts, lightsabers started extending from the wand. The first ones to come were Lavender's pink blade, followed by Parvati's golden blade. Padma and Neville's both were blue and next to them Daphne and Tracey's emerald blades extended outward.

"Slytherin through and through, aren't you?" Harry teased.

"You say that like that's a bad thing," Tracey said as she theatrically threw her shoulder-length brown hair over her shoulder. "I remember you saying the hat wanted you in our house."

"The same hat also gave me my ancestor's sword," Harry said. "Remind me what the sorting hat gave you guys?"

"Nothing that we don't already have," Daphne said haughtily. "It gave you a stick, sure but all your brains and cunning for how to use it you got by talking to us."

"This is so much fun," Luna's voice cut off any retort. Instead of a blade, she created a light whip that looked like a beam of pure sunlight.

"You didn't create a blade?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, why? It's all about intent, you said," Luna said in her airy tone as she got the whip to move in intricate patterns.

"Excellent!" Goyle shouted. He followed Luna's advice and made a blade with some curve in a vibrant red. Crabbe did the same but stuck with the traditional blade design though in the same color. Ginny, Fred and George's were all orange, the same color as their hair.

After the Weasley twins saw Luna and went about creating different shapes from a Yo-Yo all the way to a Shuriken that they launched at one another with the other catching it and sending it back. Each time the blade went back, it grew just a little.

"Bloody Weasley genes," Ginny said. "Everything around us is ginger."

"Well at least we know you're a true redhead," Vinny said.

"Thought you already knew that, Vin," Ginny smirked and covered her mouth in shock as George's focus slipped. The Shuriken whizzed past him where it collided with the center Quidditch hoop. The blade sliced through the stem of the hoop, through the end of the erected arena before impacting with the countryside, ending with an explosion that sent dirt high into the sky just as the hoop collapsed behind a very embarrassed Weasley twin.

"Oi Terror Twins!" Harry shouted. "Can you go ten minutes without destroying my shit!"

The group laughed, Sirius loudest of all and Ginny mouthed a "thank you" to Harry for distracting her brothers as her face remained a bright crimson. Around them, the group continued to play with their light weapons.

"Well I have to say I'm impressed, Hermione," Sirius flicked his wrist and moved his black blade from shoulder to shoulder. "These are as functional as they are cool."

"No kidding," Tonks said. Her blade changed colors as she moved while Kingsley's purple blade hummed over her shoulder. "There's a lot of Aurors who would kill to have something like this."

"I know Auntie would love it," Susan said as she and Hannah played with their golden sabers.

"We just don't want any Death Eaters to know about it," Hermione said. "You saw how useful it is. We want this in our back pocket, especially since Death Eaters prefer shock and awe tactics with an emphasis on close quarters, this spell isn't one they can anticipate."

"Can't wait for next year," Millie said as her indigo blade hummed. "Next time Derrick and Bole want to ogle me, they'll have another thing coming. Thank you for including me and my family in the alliance. We've never been… included before."

"In the spirit of our alliance," Neville piped up, extending his saber again only this time in the shape of a hammer. "It would be prudent to teach this spell to our allies. I get not wanting this in the DMLE since that place is one the Munchers love to worm into but if the Great Alliance is to be great, it must be given the tools to be such."

"Well if we are going to do that," Harry said. "It is only prudent to do one thing first. Hermione, head witch of House Granger, will you formally join the Great Alliance?"

"Me?" Hermione stammered. "But I'm already dating you. I don't need to be a part of the alliance."

"You do if we want to share the spell," Harry said.

"Very true," Daphne said. "By joining the alliance, anything you share is magically protected. It can't even be taken through Legilimancy. Your family would also be protected by the Alliance should anyone try to attack them."

"But there is no House Granger," Hermione said.

"Why not?," Susan asked. "You're a witch in the wizarding world so why shouldn't you have a house? It might not be Ancient or Noble but it is a house."

Susan raised her voice.

"Hear ye, hear ye," she shouted to the boundary. "Now introduction the Most Brilliant and Wise House of Granger!"

Everyone present clapped.

"And so I must make my request," Kingsley said. "House Kingsley requests to join the Great Alliance."

"It is so granted," Harry said. "So mote it be. I formally welcome you to the alliance."

"Alright now that's enough of the serious shit- not a word, Black," Daphne pointed at Sirius. "We've got a wedding to prepare for. Until tonight, gentlemen."

Daphne and Hermione hooked their arms into Tonks' elbows as they led her into the house.

Later that evening, Harry stood looking out at a beautiful glen with green trees in full bloom, a manicured lawn with two groups of chairs in front of an arch of pure maple with a brilliant blue lake just beyond. Birds chirped and Harry could swear he saw a Gryphen flying over the treetops. Soon Black Moor was to host its first union since Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy over two decades previous. Harry was first to arrive as the others were either preparing for the wedding.

"See something you like?" Hermione's voice made him turn.

She stood in front of him in a red off-shoulder dress with white around the shoulders. The dress hugged her curves in the most wonderful of ways.

"Well I do now," Harry beamed. "You look wonderful, Hermione."

"Why thank you, Mr. Potter," Hermione curtseyed and giggled coquettishly.

"Hands where I can see them, kid," Richard said as he and Emma popped in with the help of Dobby and Winky.

"Yes, Harry," Hermione cooed. "Keep your hands where they can see them."

She then dropped her voice to a stage whisper.

"Even if they won't like where they can see them," Hermione ended with a giggle. "You look good as well, Harry."

Around them, guests started popping in with their time-activated portkeys.

"Good evening all," Sirius stepped out from the large manor behind them to greet them looking resplendent purple robes of acromantulan silk.

"Looking good, Padfoot," Harry greeted the man. "When's your date get here?"

"She should be arriving right," Sirius looked at his watch. "Now."

Lights flashed and Lavender, Parvati, Padma and their parents dropped in front of them.

"Sirius!" Samantha Brown beamed and ran to the animagus.

"No way!" Harry and Hermione said.

"Mum!?" Lavender squealed. "The man you've been dating for months is Sirius!?"

"Surprise," Samantha said sheepishly. "Ran into him at the Ministry a while back and he invited me to dinner. I didn't know how you'd take it."

Lavender sprinted forward to hug her mother.

"I'm so happy for you," Lavender said as she pulled away before locking Sirius in a stern glare. "You hurt her and I will trap you in your dog form and leave you at the vet."

"Lavender," her mother scolded which only inspired laughter from the other teens.

"I promise I'll take care of Sammy," Sirius said. "She's had enough issues with men treating her horribly, I don't want to add to it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a groom to find. Hopefully, he's not tearing up the furniture."

"I guess we should check in and take our seats," Hermione grabbed Harry's elbow just as Helen grabbed Richard's and together they found their way to the seats.

"So I hear you showed the group your lightsaber?" Richard struck up a conversation while they waited for the ceremony to begin.

"Here we go," Helen rolled her eyes. "He's been talking about this for months. Ever since you mentioned it in your letter, Harry, he's been desperate to see the spell."

"Oh how terrible of me," Hermione said offhandedly. "I guess now wouldn't be a great time to mention that Dean is almost finished with a Rune-based version of it."

"You never told me that before!" Richard glared with no heat behind his eyes. "You've been holding out on me!"

"Whoops," Hermione said with a giggle. "When it's ready, I'm sure he'll want someone to test it. He'll want a non-magical to test it to ensure it can work."

"Really?" Richard bounced on his seat looking between Hermione and Harry.

"Don't look at me," Harry threw his hands up. "Hermione's the one with the secrets. She won't even tell me about the spell she's working on. I can tell it's super secret but she won't tell anyone anything. She's even gone as far as to charm her journal so the pages look blank."

"As I instructed her," a squeaky voice said. The group turned to see Flitwick taking a seat next to Hermione with a goblin taking the seat next to him. "The spells of Apprentice Granger are dangerous for anyone else to attempt before they are finished. I have seen her work and if she can work out the kinks, she will not only be granted the rank of Charms Master but she will change the wizarding world forever."

"I know," Harry said. "I'm just giving her a hard time. I know she's frustrated by the fact she can't read my Family Grimoire so I think it's great she has her own thing."

"Well put, Apprentice Potter," Flitwick said. "You two are so tied together, it concerns me sometimes. I like that you have time to yourselves. With that in mind, this is my wife, Home Wrecker."

"Home Wrecker?" Helen asked cautiously.

"That's me," a surprisingly deeper voice came from the female goblin. "When I was five, I was working on enchanting a few objects around the dwelling. I overloaded the runes and collapsed the house. Since then, I've been known simply as Home Wrecker. Hated it at first but now I've come to like it. Humans always react so strongly, I find it humorous.

"It is nice to meet you both," Home Wrecker said. "Filly talks about you often, he is really quite proud."

"Good to meet you too," Hermione shook her proffered hand. "Afraid Professor Flitwick hasn't mentioned you much."

"That's my Filly," she replied as she tapped Flitwick's hand lovingly. "Always so protective of me to the point of no one knowing about me. We'll talk later, it looks like the guests are starting to file in.

Charlie Weasley plopped down next to them with Nikola both of them in red dragonhide robes.

"Oh good," Charlie said. "I was worried this would be a stuffy affair. Now I know there will at least be some here to make it lively."

"As if Tonks would do anything dull," Harry said. "How are things at the reserve?"

"Very well," Charlie said. "That dragon Hagrid had in your first year? Turns out she's nesting. By this time next year, we'll have five new dragons to work with."

"Look at my Charlie," Nikola nudged Charlie. "Wish he got as excited about me as he did about baby dragons."

"Maybe if you only came around once every 16 months, I would," Charlie said.

"Keep this up and you will," Nikola retorted as the Grangers and Harry laughed at their interplay.

"Oh look, it's starting!" Helen said as a string quartet started to play.

Lupin came first with Professor Sprout who was called to perform the ceremony. Lupin's black dress robes offset his greying hair, giving him an austere look while Sprout was barefoot and wore a simple set of beige robes. After them, Andromeda Tonks sauntered down the aisle at a sedate pace, looking regal in a purple dress with a broach of the Black coat of arms. Behind them, Sirius led a shorter brunette who Harry knew was Hestia Jones, down the aisle. When they arrived at the front, everyone stood as the orchestra changed. Instead of the usual music, Tonks and Lupin elected for something more modern as Frank Sinatra's All the Way began to play.

Tonks emerged from the house and her father escorted her down the aisle in black robes made from the finest silk. Her bubblegum pink hair stood out against the blue skies, the green grass and her pearl-white gown that glimmered in the sun. A silk train trailed behind her as she walked. Harry pulled his eyes off of her to turn toward Remus. Lupin beamed as his bride walked toward him, looking 10 years younger and Harry could tell he felt 50 pounds lighter. When they reached the front, Sprout beamed at the two of them.

"Greetings all," she addressed the audience. "We are called here to witness the bonding of Nymphadora Celeste Tonks and Remus John Lupin. Who gives this woman today?"

"Theodore Eddard Tonks and my wife Andromeda Cassiopeia Tonks," Ted bowed and handed Tonks off to Lupin. "Take care of my baby girl."

"Thank you, sir," Remus felt odd calling someone his age sir but Ted smiled all the same.

"Welcome both of you," Sprout made eye contact with Tonks and Lupin in turn. "There's nothing more beautiful than a new union. Life, love and magic itself feel renewed when two magicals bond themselves to one another. Hold out your hands."

Into their awaiting hands, Sprout placed two seeds.

"You each have a seed of a tree whose wood was used to make the other's wand," Sprout said. "Take these seeds and drop them into the holes behind this arch."

Tonks and Lupin planted the seeds into the holes and Sprout watered the hole and then sealed it.

"Let these seeds represent your union. As they grow, so too should your bond," Sprout said. "Trees do not just grow upward, they also grow outward and, most importantly downward. The roots of these trees will entwine themselves around the other's tree. But like these trees, your union will not grow without care and maintenance. Feed and care for it and it will grow stronger than any force wishing to harm the tree. Properly cared for, the trees will provide fruit long after all of us have passed. But if they are not cared for; if they should whither and die, so too shall the trees. However, with work and care, your roots will thrive and support a strong tree with many, many branches. Always remember to keep the roots of your union strong."

"We will," Tonks and Lupin said as they beamed from ear to ear.

"I am told the couple has written their own vows. Nymphadora if you will start?"

"Remus, the first time I saw you, you literally kept me from falling on my face. As clumsy as I am, I fall often but I have never fallen quite so hard as when I fell for you," Tonks said. "You looked at me and I always felt seen. Not as a metamorph or as an auror or as the last remaining daughter of the Black family. I don't know the last time someone looked at me and was content with me the way I am. I am so excited for our lives together. I love you, Remus. Now and forever."

Hermione wiped a tear from her eye as Tonks finished speaking. Under the arch, Remus did the same.

"I… I uh…" Remus cleared his throat to try and regain his failing voice. "I've always feared the moon. After I was turned, I read the book about Jekyll and Hyde. I always felt at war with myself, as if the wolf and I existed independently. Even at school, I spent my nights quaking in fear that someone would figure it out. Slowly they did. First, it was Lily and then James, Sirius and finally Peter. None of them rejected me but I also knew the wolf would kill them if given the chance. However, a year ago, the wolf and I finally found common ground: you. I no longer fear the wolf for the wolf and the man both love you and wish to protect you. When the wolf pack decided to leave, I knew I couldn't go with them. My pack is here and my mate is right in front of me. I love you, Nym. Now and forever."

"Beautiful words, both of you," Sprout said. "Does anyone have the guts to object to this union?"

The glen was silent save for the birds chirping in the area.

"Then it is my genuine honor to name you man and wife," Sprout's eyes watered as she spoke. "Well, what are you waiting for? Kiss her!"

Lupin and Tonks met in the middle for a kiss as the audience applauded.

"For the first time ever, I am proud to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Remus Lupin!"

From there the reception passed quickly. Dinner was served, toasts made and cake smashed into Lupin's face by the ever-mischievous Tonks. The sun has slipped beyond the horizon. Tealights stretched over the dance floor and head table, giving it a soft, romantic glow. Harry watched Helen and Richard sway on the dance floor. Next to them, Luna and Tracey held each other as they moved to the music while Neville twirled Hannah. Everywhere Harry looked, he could see friends and family enjoying themselves.

How long until the war comes for them? Harry thought wistfully. How many more families will Voldemort tear apart? How many of my friends will suffer because they are my friends?

Part of Harry wanted to walk out to the center of a field and call Voldemort out to challenge him but he knew that he stood no chance against the man, their duel in the graveyard proved as much. As much as Moody was teaching him, he was still trailing the dark lord by a significant amount. Harry flicked his wand into his hand, feeling the electricity course through his veins as his holly wand contacted his palm. He watched everyone laugh and dance. As much as he wanted to join them, he felt trapped in his chair.

"That's a serious look," Hermione roused Harry out of his thoughts. "Nothing befitting a night like this."

"It's just the beginning, isn't it, Hermione?" Harry asked. "He's back and regaining followers. It's only a matter of time until he starts to go after everyone at this event; everyone who is close to me."

"It is the beginning," Hermione said. "But it is also the end… and another beginning. He'll come, as we know he will. He'll use the same weapons: fear, doubt, and bigotry. He'll attack with the same tactics but this time the world won't be relying on a baby to save them. His end is near. His and not yours. Then it'll be the beginning of a whole new world. One of many more days like this one. Weddings, celebrations… babies."

Harry had an image in his head of Hermione with kids. A girl with her hair and eyes.

"Do you think about that?" Harry asked. "Children, that is."

"Sometimes," Hermione said. "Not often but as our relationship has grown, I find myself thinking about the future more. I'm not in any rush but, as the years have gone on, I think I'd like to be a mum. I'd especially like to be the mother of your child."

Hermione's eyes carried an intensity in them as she soothingly rubbed his hand with her thumb. He always wanted a family; one that he could show all the love he never got growing up. But that was tough for him to consider with a madman hovering over his head.

"Hermione…" Harry winced at his own tone.

"Hermione nothing," she glared at him. "I know what you're going to say and you can stop that right this second. I know you're worried and so I am. Worried for me; worried for you; worried for mum and dad and everyone else we love. But if we start thinking about how we won't survive we won't have a life after this is over. I love you, Harry. More than anything in the world. I'd die for you but most importantly, I want to live with you. I'm talking about marriage, kids, and everything. You're part of the family, part of my family and Merlin help the witch or wizard who tries to harm my family."

"I love you too," Harry sighed. "I guess I'm being stupid."

"Quite daft, honestly," Hermione giggled and stood. "Now there's a perfectly good dance floor out there. Are you going to show me a good time or do I need to go find someone who will?"

"As if anyone else could," Harry returned her smile. "Lead the way, Granger."

Hand-in-hand, the duo ventured into the fray, any worries of tomorrow leaving them as they moved in time with the music.

(A/N: I am back and as the calendar turns to April, I am making a personal goal to write at least an hour every day this month. Mostly it'll be working on this one but also the next fanfic that I'm trying to develop and flesh out. Hope everyone is doing well.)