MetaFic

"I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the old vicar smiled at Harry. "Well, go on, kiss your bride."

Harry leaned in and kissed Ginny. Next to them they could hear Bill and Fleur both clapping happily.

"You sure know how to show a girl a good time on her birthday," Ginny said, smiling.

The vicar cleared his throat. "I will still need all four of you to sign the paperwork."

"Of course," Bill said.

It had been Bill's idea to go through with the wedding as quickly as possible. It was Harry and Ginny who decided that as soon as her birthday happened, they would immediately get married. Which was why they were all standing in a stone country church and holding Harry and Ginny's wedding at one in the morning.

"Is everything ready?" Harry asked Bill as Ginny and then Fleur signed to official document.

"Yes. I'll take this in and file it this afternoon, and then I'll go to Gringotts and make the transfer for you."

"Do you think you can stay 'idden another week?" Fleur asked.

Harry nodded. "It shouldn't be a problem."

Ginny smiled at her brother and his wife. "Tell Mum we're sorry, but we thought the fewer who knew the better."

Bill nodded. "I'm sure everyone will understand. Once you're settled, you can send for us to visit."

"Bill–" Harry started to say.

The older man placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "You don't have to say it: we were glad to help."

"Yes, ve were," Fleur added.

Ginny held up her left hand and laughed. "Well, I for one adore the ring you guys picked out."

Bill shook his head. "It was all her," he said, nodding toward his wife.

"We should go," Harry said.

Fleur smiled at the newlyweds. "Where do you plan to go?"

"Harry's never been to Godric's Hollow," Ginny said. "No one told him it was a Ministry certified historic site."

"Another thing I was kept in the dark about." Harry frowned. Ginny reached out and squeezed his hand, and he gave a lopsided smile. "I need to see it before we leave the country."

"I completely understand. Be careful, both of you," Bill said.

Ginny Potter looked up at her older brother. "I promise." The young woman looked at the French Half-Veela. "Thank you, Fleur, for everything."

"It 'as been a pleasure and an 'onor."

Bill and Fleur watched the younger couple leave the small country church. They stepped outside and, with a smile to each other, apparated back to their own flat.

It had been a tiring day, trying to pull off a wedding so quickly. Fleur had gone to find a suitable ring and bouquet while Bill arranged the paperwork and found a clergyman who was also a wizard. There was still work to do, but at least it looked like Harry and Ginny would be safe. Once the paperwork was filed and the Potter family fortune transferred to Harry's new bank, Bill would be able to breathe a lot easier.

Right now all he really wanted was to sleep.

"Don't you think a wedding is the most romantic thing ever?" Fleur said, slowly stalking toward the bed Bill had just settled on. With a manic grin she pounced on him.

Bill smiled up at her. "Romantic? Or maybe an aphrodisiac? "

"Perhaps both?" she said.

With a laugh, Bill flipped her over onto her back and settled on top of her. Sleep could wait.

***
Ginny Potter sat outside the tent and watched the night slowly pass.

They had come to Godric's Hollow, the place of Harry's childhood, under cover of darkness, slipping past the one old watch wizard at the gate with ease. For the next two hours Ginny had simply stood by and watched as Harry drifted among the ruins of his childhood home. Finally, we had walked back to her holding a charred piece of what appeared to be a broomstick from a crib mobile, and they had walked quietly back to their tent, well hidden inside the ruins of an Abbey.

Ginny had held Harry close as he slowly and quietly cried. Finally, he had reached for her in reassurance, and they had made love for a time, trying to fend off the specter of death with their act of devotion. Then she had lain next to him until he fell asleep.

And now she sat outside, watching the stars in the heavens and wondering if the two of them, and especially Harry, would ever be allowed to live the kind of normal, happy life others took for granted.

She didn't think so.

But whatever their future held, whether they lived another one hundred years or died before dawn, Ginny knew she had made the right choice and that nothing - not Voldemort, not Dumbledore, not death itself - would keep them apart.

She looked at her watch. Midnight. She turned back to the tent as she heard Harry’s voice murmur her name.

***
"I have them," McGonagall said softly.

"Where are they?" asked Dumbledore.

"Near Godric's Hollow."

Dumbledore sighed. "Very well. Call the entire Order to Grimmauld Place; no exceptions."

McGonagall nodded. "Should I bring Miss Granger?"

Dumbledore considered. Left loose, Hermione Granger could easily turn into a wild card. "Yes, bring Miss Granger."

***
In the Forbidden Forest the centaurs gathered in their clearing and looked up into the sky.

Bane kicked with his front right hoof. "Mars is very bright tonight, brighter than any have ever seen it."

"It is time," Ronan agreed. "What shall we do?"

"Nothing," Bane said softly. "Let the wizards sort out their own troubles."

***
"I have located Harry and Ginny," Dumbledore said, looking around the room. "They are at the ruins in Godric's Hollow."

The division in the Order was obvious by the seating. All the Weasleys, along with Fleur Delacour and Hermione Grange,r sat along the far end of the table, away from the Headmaster, with Arthur Weasley situated directly across from him and staring him down. At Dumbledore's end of the table sat Moody, McGonagall, Snape, Emmeline Vance, Hestia Jones, Dedalus Diggle, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, and Arabella Figg. Sitting between the two groups, and looking pensive were Lupin and Tonks. Hagrid and Madam Maxine were still on the continent trying to negotiate with the giants. Mundungus Fletcher stood off to one side.

"I see," Arthur Weasley said carefully as he looked up from his watch. "So when do we go after them?"

Dumbledore was silent for a full minute. "I will retrieve them myself."

"Do you think that wise?" Mr. Weasley asked softly.

"I do not want any more — unexpected — incidents keeping us from retrieving Harry."

"And Ginny," Mrs. Weasley said.

Dumbledore nodded. "And your daughter."

"So where do you plan to take them?" Arthur asked into the growing tension.

"I shall bring your daughter to you as soon as I have seen to Harry's safety."

Arthur Weasley narrowed his eyes. "You didn't answer my question, Albus."

There was an audible intake of breath from several members of the room, and the temperature seemed to drop.

"What the Headmaster plans to do with Potter is of no concern to you," Snape said in a smooth, silky voice.

"Actually, it is," Bill replied.

"Yes, yes, I understand that you see yourselves as Harry's family," Dumbledore said calmly, "but Harry must spend an allotted amount of time under his aunt's roof. The Dursleys are, after all, his blood family."

"But not his real family," Charlie put in.

"Albus, perhaps it would be best if Harry were brought here, instead," Remus Lupin said, trying to make peace at the table.

"Unfortunately, that will not be sufficient to protect Harry," Dumbledore told him.

"Harry and the Dursleys don't consider each other family," Arthur said. "In fact, the Dursleys have disowned Harry."

Dumbledore's eyebrows raised. "Are you telling me that the Dursleys would turn Harry away?"

Arthur Weasley reached into his robes and withdrew a roll of parchment. He used his wand to flick it down the table to Dumbledore. "The Dursleys are no longer Harry's legal guardians, not in the magical world. Not in the muggle world."

There was a deep murmur from Dumbledore's end of the table as the Headmaster unrolled the parchment. Under different circumstances, he would have admired what Arthur had done and congratulated him on his efforts. Dumbledore had worried about who would step up and lead the forces of light once he was gone. Now he knew. Arthur Weasley would be that man, at least until Harry Potter came into his own. Dumbledore drew a deep breath.

"This changes nothing, Arthur. Harry must still be protected from Voldemort."

"Yes, I know Harry needs to be protected from Voldemort," Arthur said mildly. "But it's time someone started looking after Harry's best interests."

"I have always had Harry's best interests in mind," Dumbledore said softly, drawing upon his full power.

Arthur Weasley sensed what Dumbledore was doing and refused to be cowed. "Have you?"

"We can discuss this more when I return," Dumbledore said, standing and drawing his wand. "No one will leave this house until I bring back Miss Weasley."

Before anyone would stop him or say anything, Dumbledore was gone.

The Weasley group stood as one. Arthur and Molly tried to apparate but found the way blocked.

They started toward the front door.

"And where do you people think you're going?" Severus Snape snarled.

"To find Harry and Ginny," Arthur said, pinning the Potions Master with a deadly glare.

"No one will be able to leave until Dumbledore comes back. I'm sure he's charmed the doors to keep everyone in," McGonagall said.

Arthur Weasley turned toward his oldest son and nodded.

"I'll need some time," said Bill Weasley.

"I can't allow you to break the wards keeping us in," Moody said, standing up.

The two sides drew wands while Lupin and Tonks looked around frantically.

"You better break those wards quickly," Charlie mumbled to his older brother, keeping his wand on Snape.

Fred and George reached into their pockets, eyeing Shacklebolt and Hestia Jones warily. Molly Weasley squared herself in front of Emmeline Vance, while Fleur looked calmly at McGonagall. Ron and Hermione pointed their wands at Diggle and Doge, who seemed more amused than threatened by their actions. Arabella Figg backed toward a corner.

"Please, everyone just calm down," Lupin said, his voice strained.

"It's too late for that, Remus," Molly said sharply. "You and Tonks need to choose.”

Ron scanned the room. "Where's Fletcher?"

There was a moment of silence. Arthur said softly to Moody, "So, where is Fletcher? Off giving up Harry and Ginny's location to god knows who, perhaps?"

"It doesn't matter; Dumbledore said no one was to leave, so no one is leaving." Moody shifted away from the others on his side.

Arthur turned with him. "I've always admired you, Alastor, but I'm afraid I have to disagree with you this time."

"I understand," Moody said. He fired off a curse at Arthur Weasley, who batted it aside and returned with one of his own.

That was the signal everyone was waiting for. The house erupted into a magical battle.

***
"So Potter and the girl are hiding out near Godric's Hollow, and Dumbledore has gone by himself to see them? This is the perfect opportunity!" Cornelius Fudge said, almost too happy for words. "We'll snare Potter, and we'll get Dumbledore for obstructing justice."

"So, about my pardon–" Fletcher asked.

"Once we have them in custody," Fudge reassured him. He turned to his aid. "Perry, go roust out the Aurors. I want a strike team there within the hour."

Percy Weasley nodded and left the room. He had no intention of notifying the Aurors until after he'd spoken with Fred or George. He left the building and headed for the twins' shop.

No one saw the rat run from the shadows. It changed into a man and then vanished with a sharp pop.

***
"Very good, Wormtail; you may stand at my side as I kill the Potter boy," Voldemort said, his red eyes gleaming.

"T-t-thank you, my lord," Pettigrew bowed.

The Dark Lord turned to rest of his followers. "Bellatrix, you know your part? And the rest of you?"

"Of course, my lord. I shall deal with the old fool while you kill the boy," Bellatrix LeStrange smiled.

"And we shall aid her," Lucius Malfoy said coolly. "Dumbledore will be defeated once and for all."

"A new day will dawn tomorrow, my faithful Death Eaters, and we shall rule it!" Voldemort cried.

***
"What do you mean they're not here?" Percy asked in a frantic voice.

"They got called away on business–" Angelina said.

"The Order?"

"Yes."

"Damn!" Percy cursed whole-heartedly.

Angelina took a deep breath. "They left you a letter, in case of emergency."

"Let me see it." Percy took the letter and read it. So, they were probably trapped wherever the Order was headquartered. Well, he knew someone who could lead him there. "Thank you, Angelina. If they show up, tell them they've been betrayed by Dung; they'll know what it means. Tell them that Fudge plans to send a team to get Harry and Ginny within the hour."

Angelina watched Percy hurry out the door. The world was going mad, she thought. She looked at the other letter and made a decision. "Come here, Hedwig. It's an emergency."

***
Neville Longbottom looked at the handful of anxious D.A. members he had managed to round up on short notice.

"So, the Ministry is going to send a team of Aurors after Harry and Ginny. We have to stop them."

"Us?" Susan Bones said, more than a little frightened.

"Us," Neville told her, looking around at Susan, Luna Lovegood, Seamus Finnegan, Zacharias Smith, Lavender Brown, Angelina, Katie Bell, and Cho Chang.

"What are we going to do?" Katie asked.

"We're going to attack the Ministry," Neville said, dead serious.

"What?" Lavender asked. "Are you mad?"

"No," Neville told her. "We have to make it look like an attack so that they'll be too distracted to search for Harry and Ginny. Hopefully someone else, like Mr. Weasley, will get to them first. "

"We're going to fight Aurors?" Seamus was incredulous.

"Yes," Neville smiled, "but remember, no serious injuries; just use low level jinxes and hexes. We don't want to hurt anyone, just keep them busy for a few minutes and cause havoc." Neville looked at the other eight. "Now, lets go."

***
Albus Dumbledore apparated quietly to a spot near Harry and Ginny's location, but not too close. If they noticed him before he was within spell range, they would likely get away. Even then, it was possible they would attempt to put up some kind of defense.

He had taken three steps toward their tent when a dark form appeared in front of him.

"Ah, Dumbledore, so good of you to join us," Tom Riddle said softly.

Dumbledore looked mildly at the Dark Lord. "I have defeated you twice this year already, Tom. I am prepared to do so again."

"Yes, I thought you might say that. However, I've brought some — extra help with me."

Dumbledore watched as a dozen of Tom Riddle highest ranking Death Eaters fanned out before him.

"You think these people will give you victory, Tom?" Dumbledore asked.

"I don’t need them to give me anything, you old fool! Avada Kedavra!"

Dumbledore vanished in a swirl of robes and the spell passed harmlessly into the night. He reappeared next to Dolohov, stunned him, and vanished again as a barrage of curse headed for his position.

***
"What the hell?" Ginny Weasley said, sitting up in the blankets.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"Sounds like a spell battle," Ginny said, quickly reaching for her clothes.

Harry wasted no time with words. He dressed quickly and they collapsed the tent with a wave of their wands.

"Let's go," Harry said.

"You two will be going nowhere," a high cold voice said from the shadows. Lord Voldemort stepped into the clearing in front of the Abby. "Good-bye, Harry Potter," said Voldemort, raising his wand."Avada Kedavra!"

***
Neville Longbottom's delaying action was going poorly. Within the first five minutes almost half his team was down, leaving him with Cho, Angelina, Luna, and Susan.

They had spent the next twenty minutes running through the Ministry building causing chaos. Alarm claxons where sounding everywhere, and Ministry personnel were either rushing away to safety or toward the battle depending on what their function within the Ministry was.

The group rounded a corner and found themselves face to face with a squad of MLE officers. There was a moment of hesitation, and then a dozen voices all cried "Stupefy!" at the same time. Several bodies hit the ground.

***
Percy Weasley used the ensuing chaos to sneak into the Minister's office. He found Mundungus Fletcher going through the Minister's desk. Fudge was nowhere to be seen. Fletcher looked up and raised his wand.

"Expelliarmus!" Percy said.

Fletcher tried to back away from Percy, but Percy cast ropes and pulled him forward.

"You're going to take me to the Order's headquarters," Percy hissed.

"Won't do no good," Fletcher said, sweating. "I'm not the keeper, I can't let you in."

"Then we'll stand outside until someone comes out or goes in. Now come on!" Percy tugged at the robes and started out of the building with Fletcher in tow.

***
Alastor Moody had to admire the way Arthur Weasley was fighting this battle. Alastor realized that Arthur, knowing he was slightly overmatched, was fighting a controlled, defensive fight. Alastor had more experience than Arthur did in a fight, but the Weasley Patriarch was no slouch, and he knew all it would take would be for either Molly to join him or Bill to break the wards for Alastor to lose. Arthur Weasley could afford to be patient.

Moody spared a quick glance around the room. Emmeline seemed to have Molly under control, though Molly was still fighting hard. If Emmeline could knock out Molly, she would be able to help him tackle Arthur, and the fight would be over. Behind Arthur, Fleur and McGonagall were deadlocked, the older witch's experience countering the younger one's speed and power. Charlie was just keeping even with Snape, but Moody knew it was only a matter of time before the Potions Master won that battle. Doge was down and Diggle was defending himself furiously from the combined attacks of Granger and Arthur's youngest. Well, mused Moody, blocking a curse and trying a stunner-bludger-entanglement combination against Arthur, Doge and Diggle always were idiots. They had underestimated the kids. Fred and George were going toe to toe with Shacklebolt, but the young Auror stilled looked to have the upper hand, despite Hestia being bond and frozen on the floor. Moody tried to maneuver for a shot at Bill Weasley, where he sat slowly disassembling the wards and charms locking them in, but Arthur smoothly turned him away from his sight line. Yes, Arthur Weasley was good, Moody mused. Lupin and Tonks were the wild cards; if they came in for either side, that side would probably win. Moody was content to let them sit on the fence.

Moody saw Charlie go down under a cutting curse. Then suddenly Lupin made a decision and attacked Snape. Moody cursed under his breath as Tonks joined the battle, helping Molly drive back Emmeline. Emmeline fell a moment later, and suddenly Moody found himself on the defensive as Arthur and Molly both took shots at him while Tonks moved to aid the twins.

Moody felt the magical build up a moment before the magic unleashed. There was a terrible sinking feeling, as if he was being sucked down a drain, then he found himself flung against a wall and pinned under Arthur Weasley.

Bill had broken the wards.

Moody and Arthur eyed each other, but before either could say anything, Bill stepped outside, obviously going to warn Harry and Ginny. Moody was surprised when, as he and Arthur disentangled, all the while keeping their wands on each other, Bill walked back into the house dragging a bloody Mundungus Fletcher with him.

"Tell them!" Bill snarled. "Tell them what you did!"

"I was only trying to–" Whatever Fletcher was going to say was cut short by Bill punching him in the stomach. "I told the Minister where the Potter boy is!" Fletcher gasped, dropping to his knees from the pain.

Moody looked at Arthur. "If the Ministry knows–"

"Then the Death Eaters know," Arthur finished.

"Truce?"

"Truce."

The Order of the Phoenix stopped fighting and mobilized for battle against their real foe.

Within ten minutes, everyone who could fight had apparated away, including Ron and Hermione, who dual apparated with Mr. Weasley and Moody, leaving Snape and Arabella Figg to guard Fletcher.

***
Albus Dumbledore was starting to tire.

He had knocked out several of the Death Eaters, but Tom continued to hound him with killing curses, including a near miss intercepted by Fawkes. Lucius Malfoy, the LeStrange brothers, Mulciber and Avery continued to fight on, pressing him hard.

Dumbledore tossed a binding spell followed by a stunner followed quickly by a scatter light. There was moment of stunned silence as the brilliant light exploded. When the light stopped, Dumbledore's heart nearly stopped.

Tom Riddle's form was changing into that of Bellatrix LeStrange.

"Surprise," she hissed. "By now my master will have killed the little boy and girl." She smiled sweetly at Dumbledore. "How does that make you feel, old man?"

Dumbledore attacked them with renewed vigor born of extreme panic.

Around him there were several pops, and a horde of angry redheads joined the fray

***
Harry and Ginny dived in different directions as Voldemort threw the killing curse at them.

The trick, Harry knew, was to keep moving and use the cover effectively. He tried to draw Voldemort's attention away from Ginny, who had disappeared into the trees. Harry dived behind a ruined wall of the Abbey as a killing curse whizzed past.

He popped up and blasted away with a barrage of spells, but Voldemort simply swatted them aside and laughed.

Harry broke out in a sweat. He knew he was in trouble.

***
Ginny dived away from Harry, hoping if they split Voldemort's attention, it would make him less effective.

What she had not counted on was diving headlong into Peter Pettigrew.

She came up fast, her wand at the ready, and before the small rat-like man could react, Ginny Weasley was driving him backward with the power of her spells.

***
Voldemort looked toward the sounds of battle coming from his right. The Weasley girl was easily handling Wormtail. Well, Voldemort thought, quickly turning his wand at her back, that would be simple enough to stop.

***
Harry saw Voldemort turn his wand. He cried out to Ginny, hoping she would hear him through their bond even while she was concentrating on fighting Wormtail.

***
Ginny heard Harry's voice in her head, warning her a moment before the attack came. She rolled off to the left, toward Harry, and watched as the killing curse struck Peter Pettigrew and flung him backward into a tree. He struck it, slid down the trunk, and lay very still.

***
Voldemort screamed in fury as Wormtail took the curse full in the chest. He turned to track the girl when he saw movement out of the corner of his eyes. Potter had broken cover, obviously trying to reach his little lover.

***
Harry dashed for Ginny. He saw Voldemort turn toward him and Harry let loose another four-spell barrage just as Ginny rose to one knee and attacked the Dark Lord also. He watched in satisfaction as the Dark Lord was driven back, but Voldemort got off another killing curse, this one aimed at Harry. Harry tried to dive, and the curse struck the ground in front of him, blasting him into the air.

***
Ginny watched Harry sail toward her and winced when he hit the ground with a thud, but she had to keep the pressure on Voldemort, who had conjured a shield and was using it to deflect her hexes and curses. She saw one of her cutting curses get past his defenses, but he cast the killing curse at her with a thunderous roar. She just managed to sidestep the spell, but it blasted the tree behind her, sending jagged pieces of wood into her back and knocking her forward. She heard her wand snap as she fell.

***
Harry rose from the ground just as Voldemort drew back his wand and cast the killing curse at Ginny where she lay on the ground, bleeding from a dozen small wounds on her back.

Harry raced the spell to Ginny.

He grabbed her arms and pulled her around, shielding her body with his.

At the same instant the spell struck him, Harry Potter had a moment of clarity.

He understood now.

He knew.

He wished he could tell her that everything was going to be okay, that they were going to win, but the killing curse took him squarely in the back, driving his body into hers and knocking them both down.

Harry had just enough time to lock eyes with her and mouth the words "I love you," before his world went very black.

Then very white.

***
Ginny Potter held the lifeless body of her husband, too shocked to even cry. It couldn't end this way! It couldn't! But she had felt Harry's life end; she had felt his final emotions of love directed at her through their bond, then there was a shattering pain, then nothing. She heard the high, cold voice of Voldemort gloating over his victory as he walked toward them. She couldn't look up. She didn't care if Voldemort killed her. It didn't matter.

She glanced at Harry's wand. It lay just a few inches away, but she knew if she reached for it, the Dark Lord would strike her down before she could grasp it. Instead she took the handle of the kitchen knife Harry had started carrying around so many weeks ago and withdrew it from the sheath, careful to keep it hidden from view. She waited until Voldemort was mere inches away, looming over them.

"And so Harry Potter dies and Lord Voldemort wins!" he said. "Lord Voldemort always wins!"

Ginny Weasley came off the ground like a striking lioness, the knife firmly in her hand. She had almost managed to jab the blade into the Dark Lord's chest, but he grabbed her hand and held fast. They stood frozen for a minute. Then Voldemort laughed again, and Ginny felt herself being lifted from the ground and twisted around.

The knife slammed into her stomach. She felt Voldemort push the blade deeper into her and then lift up, ruining her internal organs and slicing her open. He laughingly pushed her away, and she fell next to Harry.

"Did you really think you could kill Lord Voldemort with a puny muggle blade? How terribly foolish!"

Ginny reached for Harry's wand and grasped it. She sat up, clutching her stomach, trying to slow the bleeding long enough to cast one more spell.

Voldemort looked at her mockingly. "What's this? Still fighting? You are a brave little girl. I admire your tenacity. Lord Voldemort grants you a swift death." He raised his wand. "Avada Kedavra!"

Ginny saw the jet of green flash toward her, and then it enveloped her body, burning her until she screamed. She watched as the green light whipped around her and then turned back on its caster.

Voldemort had one moment to realize his mistake. He had one moment to suddenly understand that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley were a bonded pair. He had less than an instant to realize the girl was now protected by the love her bondmate had felt for her.

He had enough time to understand, but not enough to react.

He managed to scream out something incoherent, and then the curse ran back up his wand, blasting it to pieces along with his entire arm. The spells Voldemort had placed on himself shattered and flew away in a violent explosion of magical energy.

For one instant Ginny recognized him; saw Tom Riddle instead of the creature he had become, as the enchantments and augmentations were stripped away. Then the green light faded, and Tom Riddle's lifeless, broken body slumped to the ground, smoke issuing from empty eye sockets.

Ginny watched him carefully for a second more and then turned to Harry. She lay down next to him and placed a hand on his still face.

"We won, love. We won."

Ginny rolled on her back and gasped for breath. There was no more pain, only a terrible coldness. She swallowed and blinked.

A pale, smiling Harry leaned over her. Behind Harry stood a man who could well have been Harry, only ten years older, and a beautiful red-haired woman with Harry's eyes. A pair of twins, who she recognized from her mother's old photographs as her Uncles Fabian and Gideon, stood nearby.

Harry held out a translucent hand to her.

Ginny Weasley smiled and closed her eyes.

***
Ron and Hermione sat side by side in the little cemetery hidden in the woods of the Weasley property. They had come every day since the funeral, visiting their lost friends. Hermione laid her head on Ron's shoulder, and he pulled her close.

The scene after the battle had been terrible to behold, and Ron knew it would haunt his dreams for years to come; his sister, her body torn open and soaked in her own blood, lying near Harry, his eyes wide and lifeless, and the blasted remains of Lord Voldemort smoking nearby.

Albus Dumbledore had slumped to the ground when he reached them. For the rest of the night all he did was mutter softly that it was not supposed to end like this while gently holding baby Fawkes, who had keened sadly. McGonagall and Moody had finally led him away. No one had heard from or seen the Headmaster since.

When Fudge and the Aurors had come up to the scene, they had tried to take Harry and Ginny's bodies; Fudge had insisted that there be a lavish state funeral for the fallen heroes of the second war. Ron's father had bodily picked the Minister up and slammed him against a tree. In a low voice spoken though his tears, Arthur Weasley had told Minister Fudge that he had done enough harm to Harry, had used him and abused him enough in life, and Arthur wouldn't allow the Ministry to make a mockery of Harry and Ginny's sacrifice. Fudge had tried to protest, and Ron's father had calmly told Fudge that by the time he was finished with the Ministry in the papers, by the time all the truth was revealed, Fudge would be lucky to find employment mucking out stables. When Fudge had attempted to get the Aurors on the scene to arrest Mr. Weasley, they had looked away in disgust. Arthur had warned the Minister to stay away from the Weasley family, and Fudge had stumbled from the battlefield.

Ron and his brothers had the grim task of bringing Harry and Ginny home, assisted by their father and Remus Lupin. Tonks and Fleur had prepared them for burial, washing their bodies and dressing them. A small, private ceremony, involving only family and a few friends from the D.A., had taken place in the Weasley family cemetery. Lupin had vanished afterward, but Ron heard though Charlie that Tonks had found him, and they were slowly helping each other heal. Their mother had taken to her bed for the first week, and Fleur had stepped in and run the Burrow with help from Hermione and Bill. Finally, Molly Weasley had emerged from her room, tired, older, and heart-worn, but ready to live again. That night Fleur and Bill had quietly announced their engagement and the impending birth of their child. It had been the first truly bright spot in their lives since that horrible night, and they had needed it. Hedwig had arrived at the Burrow that night also, landing on Ron's shoulder with quiet, dignified grace. She seemed content to stay, allowing the Weasleys to give Errol a well-deserved retirement.

"I still can't believe they’re gone," Hermione whispered.

Ron sniffed. "I know. I always thought we'd all be together in the end. I thought..." he drifted off into silence.

"Nothing could stop us," Hermione finished.

Ron nodded. "We failed them," he said in a low, hoarse whisper. "We failed them, and they're dead."

"Ron, we did everything we could."

"We should have helped the Order bring them home."

Hermione sniffed back a tear. "It wouldn't have mattered. Harry would have escaped again, and Ginny would have joined him. And we would have lost them as our friends."

"We lost them anyway."

"Ron, I–"

Hermione stopped short as the large headstone marking the spot where Harry and Ginny lay side by side started to glow. Under the names and dates, under the simple line that that said 'They dared to love, and their love saved the world,' the stone of the marker started to flake away, leaving words in a gothic, stylized script.

To the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.

Underneath those words the image of a stag and a lioness running together formed.

Ron and Hermione looked up as a flash of pale light came from the trees at the far edge of the little graveyard. There in the moonlight stood the pale forms of Harry and Ginny, hand in hand. Ron held his breath. Ginny looked happy, and Harry — Harry looked at peace. The ghostly forms smiled and waved, and Ron and Hermione stood up as if to walk to them. Then there was a brilliant flash of light, so bright that Ron and Hermione were forced to cover their eyes. When they opened them again, they saw the briefest vision of a silvery stag and lioness running playfully together through the trees, and then the vision was gone.

Ron reached out and took Hermione's hand.

"Well okay," he whispered. "Okay."

He looked down at the brown-haired woman he planned to spend the rest of his life with. She smiled up at him through the large, fat tears running down her cheeks.

Ron squeezed her hand. "It's time to go home."

They turned and walked away from cemetery without a backward glance.

THE END