Disclaimer: I don't own it… *sigh* I guess I never will…..

A/N: This is, alas, the last chapter in this story. However, do not fret! For there are two other sister stories to this. I split the whole thing up into a trilogy. I thought it would be more fun… for me, anyway. So, there you are. That's how it is. Keep an eye out for "Core Pursuit" and "Obstacles of the Heart". Thank you!

Chapter Nine

~IX~

September first came sooner than Harry would have preferred. He spent his last day of summer break with Ron, Hermione, and Draco, talking about silly, inconsequential things and completely avoiding the topic of the upcoming school term and the impending war. His final night was spent with Severus. For the first time since their initial bonding, Severus made love to Harry. It was sweet, and gentle, and everything that the young man needed at such a nerve-wracking time.

Afterwards, they simply held each other. No words were spoken, but each took comfort in the warmth of the other's embrace. Those few moments alone expressed more emotion than words could ever convey.

Sleep did eventually find them and when they woke the next morning, it was to Hermione pounding on the door and shouting at them.

Harry sat up. "Alright! We're up!"

"About bloody time," he heard her mutter, "Lazy sodding…"

He chuckled. "Severus, you'd better get up and get ready before Molly comes up here."

Severus cracked one eye open before pulling him back down onto the bed and kissing him soundly. "I'm already 'up and ready', Harry."

Harry laughed, jabbing him softly in the ribs. "There'll be none of that today. We're already late waking up."

He jumped out of bed and ran to the shower. However, as soon as Severus joined him, his resolve melted. Later, Harry would curse the man for nearly making them miss the train, but at that moment, he was perfectly happy to miss breakfast so that Severus could give him a "proper goodbye".

When they boarded the Hogwarts Express, they found a compartment toward the back of the train. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco sat in silence for several moments before Ron pulled out his Quidditch magazine and pulled Draco into a deep conversation about who would win the World Cup, which was going on its fourth month. Harry gave his input when it was asked, but for the most part, he was completely lost in his own thoughts. Hermione spent most of the train ride drawing up NEWT study schedules for each of them and pestering Harry.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, poking him in the side for the third time, "Would you stop spacing out? We're nearly at Hogwarts. You should put your robes on."

"Hmm? Alright," he said.

He looked out of the window and in the distance, very faintly, he could see the glowing windows and dark silhouette of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He felt the prickle of tears in his eyes when he realized that he was going home. For the last time…

XXX

AARGH! It's so SHORT! But I felt that it was a nice end to Part One. "Core Pursuit" will take place in their seventh year, and WILL feature the final battle. YAY! Keep an eye out for it!