Chapter 35. Epilogue

            A year later found everyone preparing for yet another wedding. Ginny and Harry's daughter, Sara, was lying in her mother's arms, asleep. Ron and Hermione's daughter, Kirsten, was playing with a toy snitch, much to her father's delight.

Albus had died in his sleep from natural causes in March, the day after his one hundred and sixtieth birthday. Harry had immediately assumed the Headmaster position and had officiated at Graduation. Wen-Lee, who had also been the solicitor for Albus, had told Harry that his inheritance would consist of Fawkes, one million galleons and all the personal items that were at Hogwarts. Harry immediately took the money and set up the Albus Dumbledore Scholarship Fund for students that couldn't afford to attend Hogwarts. It was what Albus would have wanted.

            Harry had just arrived. He and Sirius, who had been chosen as head of Gryffindor, were catching up on the latest news about Remus and Emma, who had recently had a baby of their own.

            Luna, now eight months pregnant herself, was joking with Neville and her in-laws about Snorkacks. Neville smiled and waved at Harry, who nodded as he headed into the house. He had to talk to the bride.

            Harry knocked at the door. "Come in."

            Harry smiled as she turned toward him. "You look beautiful, Nymph."

            Tonks blushed. But she did indeed look beautiful, her own long brownish blonde hair and blue eyes twinkling as she twirled around in her wedding dress. "Do you think Charlie will like it?"

            "I know he will. Do you remember our conversation when I was in the hospital wing after Draco was killed?"

            "Yes, I do. I had always felt comfortable with you and I cared about you. But that day, I knew that we would always be friends."

            "Yes, we will. And I always knew that you would find the right man for you. Because, as Albus always said, love is the real magic in life."

FINIS

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FINAL AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thanks to all the loyal reviewers and to my beta reader and best friend, LongEarMage. Your support throughout this project has been wonderful. I will take a few weeks off to rest, but I have several ideas for new stories. I am not one of those people who will have several stories running at the same time; I prefer to concentrate on one and make it the best that I can. I am proud of ORDER OF MERLIN and have had a blast creating it. I can't believe it's finished…but a good author must know when to close the book. And, as Albus always says, when to stop rambling.

Thanks to JKR and this wonderful world that I have gotten to play in…see you all soon…

Candor

PS: If anyone is interested in getting this story in a single Word document, please let me know. I am planning to edit it for a few small things and then it will be ready, and I will be more than happy to share. My email address is in my profile.