When Magic Collides
Chapter 10 – Goodbyes

They spent some hours doing what they could to restore Briarwood before it was really time to go. They walked back - the Order levitated the unconscious Death Eaters - to the Archway. Sirius found his wand and gratefully pocketed it and now it was time say goodbye to their new friends. "It has been an honour," Kingsley said. "You have our deepest thanks."

"Promise you'll come back for a visit," Vida insisted. "Just you guys though." She kicked the bound Death Eaters sourly.

"Promise, I'll figure out a way to take down the charms on our side so nothing bad happens," Hermione vowed. "When the war is over, we will definitely return."

"I wish you the best of luck in battle Alistair," Leanbow shook Moody's hand. "You are a fine warrior."

"Ay, you too," Moody replied shortly and Tonk rolled her eyes.

"Thank you for looking after us," she said warmly. "And for fighting beside us."

"We stand by anyone who fights for good," Udonna smiled.

"Take care Nick," Harry hugged the red ranger.

"And you Harry," Nick gripped his shoulder. "Don't give up."

"Bye Claire," Sirius embraced her. "Look after yourself."

Claire kissed Sirius's cheek, "If it wasn't for you, I would've never figured out how to unlock my powers. Thank you Sirius."

"If you ever need us, you know where to find us," Ron pointed to the veil.

"Let's hope we never have to take you up on that," Daggeron said. "I think we all deserve a little peace."

"Definitely," Chip agreed. "But maybe we could collaborate like the ancients used to."

"I am fascinated by the creatures you have here," Luna put in airily. "I would love the opportunity to learn about them."

"It's not such a bad idea, especially the protection from the Killing Curse," Remus conceded. "But that will have to wait until we're not under threat. We won't allow anymore Death Eaters to come here."

"As long as they don't remember," Xander jerked his head towards the unconscious, robed figures. "We should be safe."

"And even if they do remember, we'll take them down before they set one foot in Briarwood," Harry promised.

They were tempted to stay there in this moment of peace and happiness but the sun was starting to set and the Order knew they had to go. Claire tapped the top of arch with her staff and a purple curtain fell like it had been hidden in the rock. One by one, the Order sent the Death Eaters first then one by one the other followed. Once they were gone, Claire tapped the Archway again and the curtain disappeared.

*WMC*

Upon re-entered the Veil, it felt they had only taken one step and they were back in the Department of Mysteries. It was starkly quiet in comparison to the commotion it had been when they left. "Wait here," Kingsley ordered quietly. He waved his wand and bright stream of light flew from its tip and out of the room. "We can't just leave, we have to take care of this filth first. We must wait."

Mere moments later, there was a rumble of voices and the doors to hall burst open to reveal Dumbledore and Fudge in the lead of a line-up of officials. "Good gracious," Fudge expounded. "We thought you were all dead!"

"How long have we been gone?" Harry asked.

"The entire day," Percy said somewhat shakily looking at Ron.

"Thankfully the press hasn't been notified, they're already having a field day as it is," Fudge bristled.

"Unfortunately we did have to break the news to your families," Dumbledore said gravely.

"Oh no Gran," Neville gasped.

"My father will be so upset," Luna frowned a bit.

"We'll send owls to them immediately," Dumbledore assured them. "Do any of you require Healing?"

"No we're fine, they're not," Neville pointed to the Death Eaters.

"Ah yes, Aurors take them and put them in holding to be transferred to Azkaban," Fudge ordered and some men stepped forward and levitated them once more out of the room. Fudge watched them go before turning back to the rest, "Now what happened? No one has ever escaped the Death Veil."

"it's not a Death Veil, it's leads to some kind of void, like a black space that was very hard to get out of," Hermione answered. Harry and Ron were shocked to the core; Hermione lied to the Minister of Magic!

"Good girl," Moody muttered for only them to hear. "He's the last git we need knowing about the other side."

Fudge for his part, cast a frightened look at the Veil, "Well if that is all there is, I think we should leave. Fudge made to go, his entourage following but he paused for just a moment. And Mr. Black," Fudge added. "You have been pardoned." And he was gone.

"How did that happen?" Sirius's eyebrows rose.

"The Minister and I exchanged words in your absence, at last he sees sense, although it may be too later for that," Dumbledore told them. "So, what really happened?"

Everyone exchanged looks, Harry grinned, "You wouldn't believe us if we told you Professor."

EPILOGUE

Peaceful, quiet, and serene; those were three words that could never describe Rootcore on any given day, at any time. Playing second home to a pack of twenty-something year olds meant that the old tree was a daily host of chaotic activity. Not that anyone minded. Leanbow and Udonna felt as though they had not one but seven children, each one very special to their hearts. It had been a few years since their other world friends had departed and life at Rootcore had returned to its usual peaceful chaos. The Order must have kept their word because the Archway never activated again but Claire was diligent in keeping up with her powers and fully assumed the role of Gatekeeper. She could use either the tiara or hands to cast spells without difficultly and she became a stronger witch for it. Still they continuously hoped for the safety of their friends and hoped they would return when their war was over. Finally one day, Claire was out with her friends in the city when suddenly she felt a familiar squirming in the base of her stomach and she grinned, "Hey guys, they're back."

A/N: And so it ends. I'm rather proud of myself, my first fully original story. To all my Harry Potter fans, TICK IN TIME has been completed and RETURN FROM THE VEIL is now in progress. To all my Power Ranger fans, TIMEFORCE-DELTA is where you need to be. Please check them out and thank you for all the support and I hope to see you again. ENJOY R&R PLZ!