A.N. Well this is it, the last chapter. I hope you all have enjoyed the story as much as I have done writing it. Thank you all for the kind reviews ... and constructive criticism ... though the flames, I've pretty much ignored ... This chapter is for those of you who have stuck through my craziness, whether from the very start or even if you have just begun to read this. And might I add, before everyone wonders, I have gone back to change the first chapter so it fits in with my ending ... I would just like to thank you all so much, writing this has encouraged me to pick up my own writing; that I have left alone for quite some time. So in the theme of this chapter, it is now time I bring this story to an end, even if my own path has just started out. So for the last time, I'll sign off, how I usually do. Any mistakes are my own. Enjoy Kx

The grassy field, which held the playground had not changed since she last had been here. Harry sat there listening to the silence of her surroundings. She waited ... patiently - she knew he would come, he always had. Then a noise reached her: the small, soft thumpings of something that flapped, flailed and struggled. It was a pitiful noise - she looked around and spotted the thing making the noise. It had the form of a small naked child, curled on the ground, its skin raw and rough, it lay shuddering, on a blanket by the playground.

'You cannot help.'

His voice startled her, even though she had been expecting it.

'Is that what I think it is?' she asked.

'If you are referring to the Horcrux, then yes,' Eugene said, 'that would be it.'

'And if I pass from this place - he'll die?'

Eugene laughed, 'Voldemort is capable of dying, yes.'

His expression left her no openings, she did not know how to read him, though she knew long ago, she might not ever be able to.

'I've been waiting for you, for quite some time, you know,' he said, 'yes quite some time.'

'Me-?' Harry said, not understanding.

'Yes,' Eugene said, 'Come - walk with me.'

Harry, walked towards him, and together, they crossed the Spirit Plane.

'You realise what you've done, don't you?'

'I only did what needed to be done,' Harry said, 'I died ... Voldemort can be killed now.'

'Voldemort can be killed ... but what makes you think, that you are dead?'

'But the killing curse -'

'But you let him kill you - and that made all the difference, think Harianna, because I'm sure you already know the answer.'

'Well I let him kill me, so the part of his soul that was in me ... has gone.'

'Yes, your soul is your whole and completely your own.'

'But then how can I be alive if Voldemort used the Killing Curse and nobody died for me this time?'

Eugene gave a deep chuckle, 'Remember what he took in his haste to make himself stronger.'

'My blood.'

'Precisely! Your blood runs in his veins, your mother's protection inside both of you! He tethered you to life while he lives.' Eugene said, 'You were the seventh Horcrux, the Horcrux he never meant to make. He had rendered his soul so unstable that it broke apart when he committed those acts of unspeakable evil. What escaped from that room was less than he knew. He left more than his body behind. He took your blood believing it would strengthening him. He took into his body a tiny part of the enchantment your mother laid upon you when she died. While that enchantment survives so do you and so does Voldemort's one last hope for himself.'

'A magic in which he knew of, but never understood,' Harry said, 'Can you tell me - was I right, about my wand? About why it broke the borrowed one.'

Eugene laughed again, they had passed the playground, heading towards a river. 'You're the theorist genius - but yes I do believe you were correct.'

'He killed me with the wand you created.' she reminded him.

'He failed to kill you with the wand I created,' Eugene corrected.

'Can you tell me something?'

Eugene rolled his eyes, 'I suppose.'

'How comes - why did your descendants, until my mother, never possessed magical abilities?'

'I used magic of which you are fully aware of,' he answered, upon her blank look he elaborated, 'Do you not remember me telling you, that I too chose to die, chose to surrender myself-'

Harry smiled in spite of herself, shaking her head, 'You wanted to protect your family from being hunted, so you took it?'

'I did not take it, I merely postponed it,' he replied, just like the Slytherin he was, and added with a chortle, 'admittedly by several hundred years.' They had reached the river now, a half finished stone bridge stood part way across it.

'I always liked sunrises,' Eugene said, looking off into the distance, across the bridge, like he could see something she could not, 'There is just something magical about them, don't you think?'

'I've only ever seen a few myself. I was a bit busy worrying to enjoy them.' Harry said. 'So why did you say you've been waiting for me for a long time - I mean, I've been here before.'

'Ah ... yes, but before ... you were not whole, your soul was not your own,' he replied, 'I waited here, for I knew you would need me, you would need my guidance and to correct the mistakes I had once made.'

'My name - the meaning behind it, the power behind its meaning - it's talking about something else - isn't it?'

'You were always a smart witch - it was what you wanted to do after all - research into it - why not resurrect it?' Eugene said smiling slightly, 'I do believe I finally found someone worthy of possessing the Hallows. I'm glad if it was anyone, it was one of my descendants.'

'I'll try, after all, it's ancient magic your talking about,' Harry said, 'Is that why you like sunrises so much?'

'Why not? They symbolise a new start, a fresh beginning - hope for a better day,' Eugene said, 'Yes there is something magical about sunrises.'

'If I die? It will be - you know - for real, next time?'

'Yes, your soul is your own,' Eugene said, 'if you die and choose to go on, you will pass onto the next life.'

'But I can go on - now - if I want to?'

'The choice is yours.'

'Voldemort has the wand, and there's the snake.'

'Yes, there is that.'

Harry paused thoughtfully, 'Tell me if Dumbledore planned his death with Snape - the wand would have stopped working, wouldn't have it?'

Eugene chuckled, 'You're a smart witch Harianna, I'm sure, you've already worked that out,' he looked at the bridge, 'now this is where I must leave you. I have done all I can. You are, as they say, on your own.'

'No I'm not,' Harry replied, 'I'm never on my own, because I'm never alone.'

'You have learnt, I see, you have grown into a fine young woman. Definitely someone worthy of the Hallows.' And Eugene began to walk across the half-finished stone bridge.

'You know,' Harry shouted as neared the end of it, 'No one is ever going to believe me, when I'll tell them, who you were - are - and that I am related to you. I don't think I still believe it myself, Merlin.'

He turned, his green eyes search hers, and smiled for a moment, then he backed away into nothingness.

...

The first thing Harry was aware of was that she was lying face down on the ground. The smell of dirt filled her nostrils. She did not stir, she should of heard cheers of triumph and jubilation at her death, but instead of hurried whispers, and solicitous murmurs filled the air. Harry focused her mind, kept her magical presence in check, they could not know she was still alive.

'My Lord ... my Lord...'

It was Bellatrix's voice, Harry did not dare open her eyes, but allowed her other senses to explore her predicament. She knew her wand and Cloak were still stowed beneath her robes.

'My Lord...'

'That will do,' Voldemort said.

Something must have happened when he had hit Harry with the Killing Curse. Had Voldemort, too, collapsed? It seemed like it. Both of them had fallen briefly unconscious and both of them had now returned ...

'I do not require assistance,' Voldemort said coldly, 'The girl ... is she dead?'

There was complete silence in the clearing. Nobody approached Harry, but she felt their concentrated gaze. Harry willed her heart not to race, and kept her breathing low.

'You,' Voldemort said, and there was a bang and a small shriek of pain. 'Examine her. Tell me whether she is dead.'

Harry did not know who had been sent to verify. She could only lie there, and wait to be examined, there was a small comfort in knowing Voldemort was wary of approaching her, that Voldemort suspected that all had not gone to plan. Hands softer than she had been expecting touched Harry's face and neck, feeling for a pulse, and Harry knew what they could feel, she could hear fast breathing, and long hair tickled her face.

'Tell me, and I won't betray you, is Draco alive? Is he in the castle?'

The whisper was barely audible, her lips were an inch from her ear, her head bent so low that her long hair shielded her face from the onlookers. Narcissa Malfoy, had wanted to know of her son's whereabouts in exchange she had sworn to help Harry. Narcissa Malfoy no longer cared if Voldemort won.

'Yes,' she breathed back.

She felt the hand on the neck contract, Narcissa had turned to the watchers, 'She's dead!'

And now they all shouted, all yelled in triumph and stamped their feet, through her eyelids Harry saw bursts of light being sent up into the air.

'You see?' Voldemort screeched. 'Harianna Potter is dead by my hand, no one alive will threaten me now! Watch! Crucio!'

Harry had been expecting it: knew her body would not be allowed to remain unsullied upon the Forest floor, that it would be subjected to humiliation to prove Voldemort's victory. The curse was not as painful as she had expected it to be, it felt like a numb tingling, instead of an unbearable writhing pain. When the curse lifted, the clearing echoed with jeers and shrieks of laughter.

'Now,' Voldemort said, 'we go to the castle, and show them what has become of their hero. Who shall drag the body? No - Wait-'

There was a fresh outbreak of laughter, and after a few moments Harry felt the ground trembling.

'You carry her,' Voldemort said. 'she will be nice and visible in you arms, will she not? Pick up your little friend, Hagrid.'

The enormous hands that lifted her into the air were exceedingly gentle. Harry could feel Hagrid's arms trembling with the force of his heaving sobs, tears splashed down upon her as Hagrid cradled Harry on his arms, and Harry dare not, by movement or word, to Hagrid that all was not, yet, lost. Hagrid stumbled forwards, carrying her through the trees. Harry did not know how long, she waited until they reached the edge of the Forest. She just lay there as limp as she could manage in Hagrid's arms, waiting until finally they reached the edge of Forest, for Voldemort yelled: 'Stop.'

Harry thought that Hagrid must have been forced to obey Voldemort's command, because he lurched a little. A chill settled over them where they stood, Harry heard the rasping breaths of Dementors. Someone passed close by Harry, and she knew it was Voldemort himself because he spoke a moment later, his voice magically magnified so that it swelled through the grounds.

'Harianna Potter is dead. She was killed as she ran away, trying to save herself while you lay down your lives for her. We bring you her body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you and the Girl Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle, now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents, children, your brothers and sisters will live, and be forgiven, and you join me in the new world we shall build together.'

There was silence in the ground and from the castle.

'Come,' Voldemort said, and Harry heard him move ahead, and Hagrid was forced to follow. She knew the snake would be close by, but Harry had no possibility of extracting the wand concealed under her robes without being noticed by the Death Eaters who marched on either side of them. She knew they were approaching the castle, the Death Eaters sounded too gleeful.

'Stop.'

The Death Eaters came to a halt: Harry heard them spreading out in a line facing the front door of the school. She waited, any moment, the people for whom she had tried to die for, would see her, lying apparently dead in Hagrid's arms.

'NO!'

The scream was terrible because she had never expected or dreamed that Professor McGonagall could make such a sound. Harry could feel magical presences now exiting the doorway, survivors of the battle came out, to see the truth of her death for themselves.

'No!'

'No!'

'Anna! ANNA!'

Ron, Hermione and George's voices were worse than McGonagall's; she wanted to call back, yet she made herself lie silent, and their cries acted like a trigger, the crowd of survivors took up the cause, screaming and yelling abuse at the Death Eaters, until -

'SILENCE!' Voldemort cried, there was a band and a flash of light, and silence was forced upon them all. 'It is over!'

Her body was lifted out of Hagrid arms, and into the air.

'Potter is dead! IT IS OVER!'

At an extremely fast rate, her body fell downwards, there was nothing she could do. She could not save herself - she fell towards the ground - arms, hands, caught her, had stopped her from hitting the ground. She was now being cradled, in strong arms, against a muscular chest; that held a familiar musky scent - George's scent. Harry took a deep breath - A kiss was placed upon her forehead, than upon her lips, with such demanding force, as though he didn't believe what he was seeing, when she did not respond, George broke away.

'You'll pay for this!' his voice trembled as he spoke.

'I'll pay, no I think not! Potter is dead! Don't you understand deluded ones? She was nothing, ever, but a girl who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for her!'

'She beat you!' Ron yelled.

'She was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds,' Voldemort said, and her body was suddenly being forced away from the safety of George's arms, and landed on the ground with a thump, 'killed while trying to save herself.'

'Bullshit!' came a yell and shuffle, a bang and flash of light and a grunt of pain.

'And who is this?' Voldemort said.

Bellatrix gave a delighted laugh, 'Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?'

'Ah, yes I remember,' Voldemort said, 'But you are a pure-blood, aren't you, my brave boy?'

'So what if I am?' Neville said loudly.

'You show spirit, and bravery, and you come from noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom.'

'When hell freezes over,' Neville said, 'Dumbledore's Army! Potter's Resistance!' he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort's silencing charms seemed no longer able to contain.

'Very well,' Voldemort said, and Harry heard danger in the silkiness of his voice. 'If that is your choice Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head, be it.'

Harry opened her eyelashes an inch as the sound of shattering windows, something that looked like a misshapen bird flew through the window and landed in Voldemort's hand. He shook the object by its pointed end and it dangled, empty and ragged: the Sorting Hat.

'There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School,' Voldemort said, 'There will be no more houses. The emblem, shield and colours of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone, won't it Longbottom?'

He pointed his wand at Neville, who grew rigid and still, and forced the Hat to Neville's head. There were movements from the watching crowd in front of the castle, as the Death Eater raised their wands, holding the fighters at bay.

'Neville here is going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me,' Voldemort said, and with a flick of his wand, he caused the Sorting Hat to burst into flames. Neville was aflame, rooted to the spot, unable to move, Harry could not bear it: she must act- several thing happened at once. Grawp had came lumbering round the side of the castle, his cry was answered by roars from Voldemort's giants Then came hooves, and twangs of bows and arrows were suddenly falling amongst the Death Eaters, who broke ranks. Neville moved too.

In one swift motion Neville broke free of the Body-bind; the flaming Hat fell off him and he drew from its depths something silver, with a glittering, rubied handle - The slash of the silver blade could not be over heard by the crowd, of Grawp's shouts, yet every eye seemed drawn to it, and Harry seized her chance - she pulled the Cloak from inside her robes, swung it over herself and sprang to her feet.

Chaos reigned. The charging centaurs were scattering the Death Eaters, everyone was fleeing the giants' feet, reinforcement had come out of no where; Harry saw great winged creatures soaring around the heads of Voldemort's giants, Thestrals and Buckbeak were scratching at their eyes while Grawp punched and pummelled them, defenders of Hogwarts and the Death Eaters were being forced back into the castle. Under the Cloak Harry was shooting jinxes and curses at any Death Eaters she could see, while searching for Voldemort. He had entered the Entrance Hall, firing spells from his wand, still screaming instructions to his followers; Harry cast more Shield Charms at her surroundings, Seamus Finnigan and Hannah Abbott darted past her into the Great Hall where they joined the fight flourishing inside it.

Now there were more people storming up the steps, Harry saw Charlie Weasley overtaking Horace Slughorn. George had sprinted into the Great Hall, tearing after Voldemort. The shopkeepers and homeowners of Hogsmeade had turned up. Three of centaurs had burst into the Hall, and the door behind Harry that led to the kitchens was blasted off its hinges. The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the Entrance Hall, screaming, being led by her very own house-elf; Kreacher, still wearing Regulus Black's locket, crying: 'Fight! Fight! Fight for my Mistress, defender of house-elves!'

Death Eaters were folding under the sheer weight of numbers, overcome by spells, dragging arrows from wounds. Harry sped past them, and into the Great Hall. Voldemort was in the centre of the battle, the Great Hall became more and more crowded, she could not get a clear shot.

Yaxley was slammed to the floor by Fred and Lee Jordan, Dolohov fell with a scream by Flitwick's hands, Macnair was thrown across the room by Hagrid, he hit the stone wall and slide unconscious to the ground. Ron and Neville brought down Fenrir Greyback, Aberforth Stunned Rockwood, Arthur and Percy floored Thicknesse. Draco almost Stunned his own parents, who were holding up their hands in surrender at him.

Voldemort was now duelling McGonagall, Slughorn and Kingsley at once, and there was cold hatred in his face as they wove and ducked around him, unable to finish him - Bellatrix was fifty yards away duelling three people at once: Hermione, Ginny and Luna, Bellatrix was equal to them, Mrs Weasley broke through the crowd, as a curse missed Ginny. 'NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!' Bellatrix spun on the spot, roaring with laughter at the sight of a new challenge. Harry watched with terror and elation as Molly Weasley's wand slashed and twirled, Bellatrix's smile faltered. Jets of light flew from both wands; both women were fighting to kill.

Hundreds of people now lined the walls, watching the two fights, Voldemort and his three opponents, Bellatrix and Molly, Harry stood, invisible, torn between wanting to attack and yet to protect, unable to be sure that she would not hit the innocent. Bellatrix laughed, and Harry knew what was going to happen before it did. Molly's curse soared beneath Bellatrix's outstretched arm and hit her squarely in the chest, directly over her heart. Bellatrix's smile froze, her eyes seemed to bulge: for the tiniest space of time she knew what had happened, Voldemort screamed.

McGonagall, Kingsley and Slughorn were blasted backwards from his fury. And as he rose his wand towards Molly Weasley as a different curse was ascending towards him.

'Sectumsempra!'

Voldemort deflected the curse, and rounded upon the person who had cast it; George Weasley. Harry passed through the onlookers - she had to make it - time was against her - Voldemort had raised his wand straight towards where George stood - she was so close now - barely feet away - there was a flash of green light -

'NO!'

There was a flash of blinding light - George had been forced out of the way, the Killing Curse flew over darting heads until it collided with the wall.

Everyone was searching around for the source of the shout, George looked around in bewilderment - Voldemort looked furious. And Harry pulled off the Cloak at last. The yell of shock, the cheers, the screams on every side of; 'Harry!' 'SHE'S ALIVE!' were stifled at once. The crowd was afraid, and silence fell abruptly and completely as Voldemort and Harry looked at each other, and began, at the same moment, to circle each other.

'You!'

'Me!' Harry replied. 'You think you know me so well, then you should have known - should have known I'd fight. That I wouldn't come to you without doing something!'

'It was an accident! Just an accident that you're alive-'

'Accident was it, when my mother died to save me? Accident when I decided to fight in that graveyard? Accident, that I didn't defend myself tonight, and still survived, and returned to fight again?'

'Accidents!' Voldemort screamed, but he did not strike, and the crowd watched frozen. 'Accidents and chance and the fact that you crouched and snivelled behind others, and permitted me to kill them for you!'

'You won't be killing anyone else tonight,' Harry said, 'You won't be able to kill any of them. Don't you get it? I was ready to die to stop you hurting these people -'

'But you did not!'

'- I meant to. I did what my mother done. They're protected from you. Haven't you noticed? Can't you feel it? Your spells will not bind. You cannot torture them. You cannot touch them. You haven't learnt from your mistakes -'

'You dare -'

'Yes,' Harry said, 'because I know things you don't Tom. I know lots of important things that you don't. Want to hear some, before you make another big mistake?'

'Is it love, again?' Voldemort said, 'Dumbledore's favourite solution, love? Love did not prevent me stamping out your Mudblood mother. So, what will stop you dying now when I strike.'

'Firstly; they are all gone Tom. All your little precious Horcruxes.' Harry said, 'Secondly; my mother was no Muggle-born - she just never had proof.' Voldemort said nothing, as they continued to circle, 'Let's see shall we, who prevails - the descendent of Salazar Slytherin, who gave you nothing but the ability to speak to snakes, or the descendent of Eugene Averhill, better known as Merlin, that right I said Merlin!' Harry said, 'the creator of the very wand your holding - and I'll be honest with you, I'm not liking your chances right now.'

'You think you know more magic than I do?' Voldemort laughed. 'Then I, Lord Voldemort, who has performed magic that Dumbledore himself never dreamed of?'

'Oh he dreamed of it, but he knew more than you, knew enough not to do what you've done.'

'Then he was weak!' Voldemort screamed. 'Too weak to dare, too weak to take what might have been his, what will be mine!'

'No he was clever than you, a better wizard, a better man.'

'I brought the death of Albus Dumbledore!'

'You thought you did, but you were wrong.' Harry said. 'He didn't die from your orders. He chose his own manner of dying, chose it months before he died, arranged the whole thing with man you believed to be your servant.'

'What childish dream is this?'

'Not a dream, I've seen his memories - Severus Snape was never yours,' Harry said, 'He betrayed you then and continued to do so until his death. All because you started hunting down the woman he loved; my mother. And you never realised it, because of the thing you can't understand. You never saw Snape cast a Patronus, it was the same as my mothers; a doe, because he loved her for nearly all his life. You should have realised, he asked you to spare her life, didn't he?'

'He desired her, that was all,' Voldemort sneered. 'This matters not. Matters not whether Snape was mine or Dumbledore's, or what petty obstacles they tried to put in my path! I crushed them. Dumbledore tried to keep the Elder Wand from me! He intended that Snape should be the true master. But I got there ahead of you - I reached the wand before you could get your hands on it. I understood the truth before you caught up. I killed Severus Snape hours ago, and the Elder Wand is truly mine!'

'Yeah ... about that!' Harry said, 'You're right in thinking Dumbledore's plan going wrong. But before you try kill me, I'd advise you to think about what you've done ... think, and try for some remorse, Tom ...'

'What is this?'

'It's your last chance, it's all you've got left ... I know what you'll be otherwise ... be a man instead ... try ... try for some remorse ...'

'You dare-?' Voldemort said again.

'I dare, because Dumbledore's last plan hasn't backfired on me at all. It backfired on you Riddle.' Voldemort's hand trembled as he held the Elder Wand. 'The wand still isn't working properly for you, because you failed to kill the wrong person. Dumbledore intended to die, undefeated, if all had gone to plan, the wand's power would have died with him. Didn't you listen to Ollivander? The wand chooses the wizard ...possessing the wand is not enough! Holding it, using it, doesn't make it yours.' Harry explained, 'the night Dumbledore died, Draco Malfoy Disarmed him, thus the Wand chose him as its new master. Snape killed Dumbledore with his wand as planned. But the wand had a new master - for just moments - for Draco would not betray me and Snape - Snape then Disarmed him.'

'I killed Snape!'

'It's not necessary to kill the previous master of the wand, haven't you been listening - Draco Disarmed Dumbledore - Snape Disarmed Draco. You do not need to kill the previous master of the wand. So now, I ask you this,' Harry said, 'does the wand you hold, know that I overpowered Snape in this very Hall, before he met you hours ago. Because if it does, it knows that I am the true master of the Elder Wand.'

A red-glow burst suddenly across the enchanted sky above them, as an edge of dazzling sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window. The light hit both of their faces at the same time. Harry heard Voldemort's voice shriek, as she too, yelled:

'Avada Kedavra!'

'Expelliarmus!'

The bang was like a cannon-blast and the golden flames that erupted between them, at the dead centre of the circle they had been treading, marked the point where the spells collided. Harry saw Voldemort's green jet meet her own spell, saw the Elder wand fly high, spinning across the enchanted ceiling, spinning through the air towards the master it would not kill, who had come to take full possession of it at last. Harry, with her unerring Seeker skills, caught the wand in her free hand as Voldemort fell backwards, arms splayed. Tom Riddle hit the floor with mundane finality, his body feeble and shrunken. Voldemort was dead, killed by his own rebounding curse, and Harry stood staring down at her enemy's shell.

One shivering second of silence, the shock of the moment suspended: and then the tumult broke around Harry as the screams and the cheers, the roars of the watchers rent the air. The first to reach her were Ron and Hermione, their arms wrapping around her, their shouts deafening her. Then Neville, Draco, Luna were there, Kingsley, Hagrid, the Professors, Harry could not hear a word that anyone was shouting - her eyes searched until they found him. George stood there a short distance away - his parents were now speaking with her, as were his brothers - but she kept her eyes upon him. She broke into a run crossing the gap between them, passing the mass of people trying to approach her. She threw herself at him the moment she was in reaching distance. An arm wrapped itself around her waist, pressing her close against him, as though he could not believe she was actually real.

'Do you have any idea what I thought - what I was feeling?' George raged, once he found his voice, grasping her left hand, 'I thought you were -' he stopped speaking, blinking rapidly at her, then stared down at her hand, taking in the sight of the promise ring he had felt on her finger, 'you're -' he gulped, 'you're wearing it?'

'Of course, I'm wearing it,' Harry said, 'I love you, George.'

'This doesn't mean - doesn't change - you're going to tell me - everything!'

'OK,' Harry replied softly, looking around at the massive crowd, 'but not here and not now.'

...

Harry lay on the grassy slope that led towards Hagrid's hut, a little while later, watching the sun rise into the sky. Ron, Hermione and George were with her, she had just finished telling them, what she had recently learned. Luna and Neville - had been amazing at making a distraction so that she could. The Great Hall blazed with such life, and people had wanted her there to be part of the mingled pourings of jubilation and mourning. They wanted their symbol, their saviour and their guide with them. The thought that she had not slept, had only wanted company of only a few, occurred to none of them. They had moved Voldemort's body and laid it in the chamber off the Hall, away from the bodies that had died fighting him. Kingsley had been named temporary Minister for Magic ... the Death Eaters were fleeing or being captured, the innocent of Azkaban were being released at that very moment.

But Harry only cared about a few things - telling her friends, telling George, what had happened, without everyone listening in, and watching the sunrise.

'So what are you going to do now?' Ron said, 'With them - the Hallows?'

'Well Eugene passed them on so they could be destroyed - but I think I'll keep the Ignotus present though.'

'But the wand?' Ron said.

'Don't want it,' Harry said, and she pulled out from her bag, the wand she took from Snape, placing her own and the Elder Wand within it, instead, 'I'm going to hide them - the Elder Wand and my own - just in case. As the master of the Elder Wand, and people wanting its power, I'll be sought out - it's safer like this - I'll use Snape's wand.'

'That wand cursed off my ear -'

'This wand wasn't aiming at you,' Harry corrected, 'It's the only way, George, If I die a natural death, the Elder Wand's power will die with me. And I can't use my own, because that's how I won the wand -'

'And the Stone?' Hermione said hesitantly.

'I dunno yet,' Harry said, 'I'm half tempted to keep it, but then I might regret my decision. Eugene said, he had found someone worthy of them - so it must mean I'm able to use it - them, without going mad.'

'Still don't believe it,' Ron added, 'it's bloody mental - how the hell did he know you'd need help anyhow?'

'I dunno - some things though are going to be a mystery,' Harry said, 'and I'm Ok with that.'

'So what is next then?' George asked, his eyebrows raised in a serious expression.

'I'm going to resurrect Ancient Magic,' Harry replied.

'And just how are you going to do that?' George said, frazzled.

'I have no idea,' Harry laughed, looking up at the rising sun, 'but it's a good time to start.'

...

Three Years Later:

Darkness was descending from the sky, and slowly, ever so gracefully, ambient light rose up into the sky signalling the start of a new day. A woman with long messy black hair watched from her bedroom window, with nerves and anticipation as the sun launched itself into the sky. Today was the start of another new beginning, she had stayed up, had waited for this moment on purpose. Eugene had been right, there was something magical about sunrises. Green eyes searched around the organised room, and by organised; she meant it was in such a mess, that she knew where everything was. A laugh escaped her lips, most of it; almost most of it, had not been her fault. George was just as bad as she was. Harianna smiled, as she thought of him. George, the man she was going to marry later on today.

Her heart skipped a beat, she was getting married. Married!

She felt giddy, the thumping of her heart raced, as her eyes settled upon the white dress which hung on the outside of her wardrobe. A simple, white laced dress, that fell shortly below her knees. On the back of the lace dress, was a blue bow sash, that matched, her bridesmaids dresses and most importantly George's eyes. The dress that had once been her mothers. Winky had done an excellent job in transforming it, to a usable state, and transfiguring it. Harianna shook her head ... three years, three years since the demise of Voldemort. She had kept the Stone and Cloak, and hidden her wands like she said that she would. She wondered how had the time gone so quickly, and did not know how she managed to get George to wait this long.

September first dawned upon her, it had been George who had insisted that they got married on the day they had first met. She herself, did not mind, and could hardly care less, when or how they got married. But George had wanted it, he had wanted to give her, the best wedding she could have ever wanted. He did not understand, that he was already giving her, her wildest dreams ... even if his experiments caused explosions to happen all over Runewald.

Winky, who had been left in charge of Runewald, often chaste him for leaving his "work", which she said reluctantly, at "home". Home, how Harianna, loved hearing that word, she could never get enough of it. Even if that meant putting up with three overbearing house-elves. Kreacher wasn't so bad - the old elf had starting taking orders from George, much to her surprise. Dobby was helping out in Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, even though he still couldn't pronounce Weasley correctly, not that Fred and George minded. All three elves had been at Runewald, helping out with the wedding preparations, having them certainly came in handy and meant less work - and not having to worry about an overbearing mother-in-law, as much as she loved Mrs Weasley.

Harianna glanced out of the window again, the sun had risen now, and smiled. Mrs Weasley, there would be a new Mrs Weasley added today, though technically it would be Lady Weasley, and George would be Lord Weasley, through the marriage. He joked that he had to marry her, just for those benefits; he slept on the coach for a week, for that remark. She may have jinxed him to sleep there, as Runewald had other bedrooms he could use.

Harianna stretched and decided there was no point in waiting much longer; she might as well get ready, even if she had most of the morning to get ready, the wedding wasn't until two. She stumbled into the bathroom, turning onto the taps and began to draw herself a bath. Though she preferred showers for the quickness, there was something about just being able to relax. By the time she finished relaxing she still had hours to go. Why had she chosen to stay up again; oh yes, the sunrise. She walked over to her dresser drawer; which had a mirror placed over, and upon it, was the jewellery box George had once got her. From the goblin made container, she took a black rugged stone, and turned it over three times.

'It's your own fault, Anna,' a voice said. 'Staying up, what was you thinking? It doesn't take that long to get ready!'

Harianna laughed, four people had appeared in front of her once more. The voice that had spoken belonged to Sirius. It wasn't often she used the stone to speak with them, she had only used it once since her trip to the Forest. But she needed to talk with them today, she had a little issue, she hoped they could help with.

'I agree, I don't see what the fuss is about,' James said, 'He's not good enough.'

'You wouldn't have thought anyone was good enough for me, dad,' Harianna retorted.

'I happen to like him,' Lily said. 'He's good for you.'

'Well I never,' James said offended, 'And here I thought you would have wanted someone more serious for Anna.'

Lily glared at him, and Sirius who had just been about to open his mouth, stopped.

'I so need to learn that glare, mum,' Harianna said, 'Works wonders.'

Lily laughed, 'So, you nervous?'

'A bit,' she replied honestly, 'not just about marrying him either - there's the whole Handfasting ritual.'

'Ah yes, Ancient Magic ritual, that you discovered, through the pagan witchcraft.' Remus said.

'Yeah, I have no idea what to say for my vows,' Harianna admitted. After she had finished her last year at Hogwarts, she had travelled for a bit, only to discover that Ancient Magic had a connection with the pagan witchcraft, and though most of it never crossed over from Muggle to witchcraft, some of traditions and beliefs did. She was still learning though, it took time to work out what was relevant and what wasn't, 'that's what I'm worried about most - you know, making a fool of myself.'

'You'll be fine,' Sirius said, 'Speak from the heart.'

'Just what I needed to hear.'

A knock came at her bedroom door.

'Anna, it's Molly. Are you decent? Can I come in?'

'Best go before we get you into trouble,' Sirius said, grinning widely at her.

'Yeah, I'm decent,' Harianna called, and she placed the stone down into the box. The four people vanished from her sight, and Mrs Weasley walked in.

'Ah good, I was quite worried, I thought you might have slept in - I know how much you dislike mornings.' Mrs Weasley smiled at her.

Harianna blushed, 'They've grown on me.'

'So Dobby and Winky are finishing off the last of the food preparations, whilst Kreacher is helping the boys with the marquee.'

'Is that wise, Kreach's definition of nice, is ... old fashioned.' Harianna said, concerned. That was another thing which had changed, shorting Kreacher's name, the elf assumed like how Dobby and Winky did, when she merely spoke the name, she was actually wanting him.

'Better than Dobby's.'

Harianna laughed, her first Christmas with George, Dobby had decorated Runewald with large baubles with pictures of their faces. George had found it hilarious. 'Yes, that was probably for the best.'

'Is there anything you need?'

'No thank you,' Harianna replied softly.

'Are you sure,' Mrs Weasley asked, glancing around the untidy room, Harianna chuckled, and flicked Snape's wand, watching the room tidy itself up.

'We'll never find anything now.' Harianna joked.

'But it looks much nicer,' Mrs Weasley added, 'I'll leave you to it, if you need anything.'

'I'll call for you - are Hermione and Ginny here.'

'Yes, they're in the guest room, collecting their dresses, I suspect -'

However, Mrs Weasley did not quite get to finish her sentence as two squeals of excitement came from the hallway, and burst into Harianna's room. Ginny hugged her tightly, and Hermione gave her the same greeting, then Ginny demanded for her hair brush, and made her sit down. It was an odd feeling having one's hair brushed, it was soothingly nice.

'I've waited too long to be able to do this,' Ginny said, 'Fleur wouldn't let me touch her hair, but now I'll have a sister-in-law that doesn't mind.' Mrs Weasley rolled her eyes, and shut the bedroom door again, picking up the bridesmaids' dresses from the bed, so that they wouldn't crease.

'Well Hermione doesn't mind either,' Harianna said, glancing at the best friend, 'And she's next.'

'Ginny and Dean are next to marry.' Hermione corrected. 'But no I don't mind.'

Harianna laughed, that was true, Dean and Ginny were next to get married, then Hermione and Ron. Her friends were doing well for themselves. Ginny was now playing professional Quidditch with the Harpies. Hermione had gone into Magical Law and was currently working on changing the laws surrounding the treatment of magical creatures; including house-elves. Whereas her other best friend, and soon to be brother-in-law was also working for the Ministry; in the Magical Games department, not quite doing Ludo Bagman's job, he was instead creating games for shops. Ron said he basically sat around all day, doing nothing whilst getting paid for it, though they knew better. Speaking of friends Luna was travelling the world in the hopes of discovering new creatures, Neville was teaching, Herbology. Draco had been the surprise though, he had joined the Ministry, working in Muggle Relations, working hard on maintaining the Statue of Secrecy.

Ginny had managed to settle her messy hair into an elegant curly knot, which was held up with a new hair comb; a gift from her house-elves. So, all bases of the Muggle tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue was covered. By lunch time her hair and makeup was ready, Hermione and Ginny were both in their dresses and guests had started arriving. Teddy had turned up, which had put a huge smile on her face; he was dressed handsomely, though his hair would not stop changing colour, a habit he got into when he saw everybody. Fleur entered with her and Bill's daughter; Victore, trying to settle her nerves, apparently, she had been projecting so much, they could feel it in the marquee.

Her nerves did not settle when she put on her wedding dress, she paced the length of bedroom over and over, trying to think of words, that would not come to her.

'Harry?' a voice said, and a knock came at the door. She knew who it was the moment they said her old nickname, as mostly everyone changed to using Anna, but she had been Harry to him, for far too many years. 'Are you ready?'

'If I said no,' she replied, facing the door that opened slowly, to reveal a timid looking Dudley. Over the years, he had dieted, and lost the excessive weight; though he had not lost the muscular build. 'Would you believe me?'

He smiled widely. 'It's a bit late for now ... you're all dressed, everyone's waiting for you - and you - you - look - look-' he seemed lost for words, and unsure of what to say.

'Thanks,' Harianna said kissing his cheek, 'It means a lot,' and she took a deep breath, 'Well, here goes nothing. Ready to walk me down the aisle?' Dudley stuck out his arm for her to take as an answer. Hermione, handing over her bouquet of flowers. And she followed them down the stairs and outside. Her eyes took in the first sights of large marquee that had been placed nearby Sirius's grave. She walked over to it and placed a hand upon the headstone, and said two words; 'thanks, Sirius.' She retook Dudley's arm, and turned to the entrance of the marquee. 'I'm ready.'

Together, as music played, they walked down the aisle, Harianna glanced around at their guests, smiling in greeting until her eyes settled upon the man waiting for her; George's wide smile was infectious, and even from a distance she could tell his eyes were twinkling. She was not wrong for when she reached him, the emotions running in the depths of his eyes spoke volumes. Harianna turned, gave her flowers to Hermione, then smiled at the Priestess for the ritual required a female. And she waited, she was ready for her vows, she had received good advice after all.

'We are gathered here today to unite two souls as one,' the Priestess said, 'Do you George Weasley and Harianna Potter join us here of your own free will, to acknowledge the internal bond shared between you.'

'I do,' George replied.

'I do,' Harianna said.

'You may face each other,' they did so, 'join hands,' George and Harianna grasped each others hands, 'George you may recite your vows.'

'Anna,' George said, 'You exasperate me, you bewilder me, you drive me crazy, and drive me up the wall. You encourage me, you guide me, you help me, you are my lover and my friend and my soul mate, you have been many things to me,' he paused, 'though what infuriates me the most, is your ability to be completely oblivious.' he laughed, 'Like the first day I met you, ten years ago to the day. You were oblivious to your surroundings whilst trying to figure out how you were going to place your trunk onto the train. The thought of asking for help - well it just had not occurred to you. You were oblivious to my flirting - admittedly it was quite bad, but still I was flirting. You were oblivious that I liked you for such a long time. But I could not love you more for it, without this ability of yours we would not have met. And I would not have fallen in love you, my Princess, my Anna, my oblivious crush that didn't know how to simply get her trunk onto a train.' he paused, 'I promise to be strong for you when you are in need of it, to stand by you when times get tough. I promise to love you, to cherish you, even in your oblivious moments, for I would not change a single thing about you.'

'George,' Harianna replied, silencing the small amount of laughter, 'I have longed for the day I'd meet someone to love me for me. You stood by me, and saw me at weakest points. You brought laughter and joy into my life, that I have never known before. I would have to been stupid to not have fallen for you, as oblivious as I may have been. You know me, you know my faults, and you know that sometimes - just sometimes, I need saving too. That's what makes you, you, and that's why I fell in love with you. My somewhat obnoxious Prince Charming, my very own knight in shining armour, my one and only hero.' she paused, 'you helped save me, when I needed it the most, even if that meant saving me, from myself. I could not love you more for that, and words could only begin to describe what that means, and what you mean to me. I've often wondered what I got right to deserve someone like you,' she took a breath, 'I promise to love you, to honour you, to help you even with your deepest fears, and I promise to never take you for granted for I would be at a loss without you.'

'Here before witnesses George and Harianna have sworn their vow to one another, with this cord,' the Priestess conjured a piece of rope, 'I bind them to those vows, and to each other.' the cord wrapped around their hands. 'I pronounce thee bonded for life.' she turned to George, 'You may kiss your bride.'

George had no trouble in complying, guiding Harianna towards him, kissing her thoroughly.

'Ladies and Gentleman may I proudly present to you,' the Priestess announced to their guests, 'the new Lord and Lady Potter.'

Harianna pulled away from George, startled, 'Potter?' she repeated.

'Potter,' George confirmed, as though it was nothing, pulling at right the sleeve of his dress robe, a new tattoo had appeared on his wrist, the same shape and size as her own; the Black Family Crest, 'Hurt less then I'd thought it would.' George remarked, looking at it.

People hurried to congratulate them, and to pay their respects, Harianna rolled her eyes, she was pretty sure George had not told her about him taking her surname; not that she minded. And when she told her story later on, to what she hoped would be one day be their children, she would make sure to always start it with once upon a time, and ended the same way all Muggle fairy tales did, After, all isn't that what every princess got? A happy ending, Harianna looked around at the marquee with all the smiling faces, George swept her towards him for another kiss; she was definitely living hers, even though the sun would be soon setting, tomorrow would bring about a new day, and with it a brand-new start.

And they lived happily ever after. Even though their lives were just beginning.

The end.