Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: This is the last chapter and concludes this series! I hope you enjoy reading it!

"Harry, time to wake up," A voice singsonged.

"Come on Pronglet, open your eyes," Another voice said.

Harry opened his eyes, blinking a few times. He was in a living room but he didn't recognize it. "Where am I?" He sat up and rubbed his forehead. Wait, where was -

"It's okay, Harry."

Harry looked up and stared in shock. His parents stood before him.

Lily Potter smiled and reached out to smooth his hair. "It's okay." She said soothingly.

"Mum? Dad?" Harry whispered.

"We're here, Harry," James Potter said.

"You are, you really are," Harry's voice wobbled and he launched himself at his parents, feeling their arms around him. "I've missed you so much!"

"Oh, baby," Lily said, holding him. "We've missed you too. But we never left you. Not really."

"We're so proud of you," James said gruffly. "You were very brave."

Harry sniffled and pulled back, then grinned. "We do have the same messy hair!"

James laughed and ran his hand through his own hair. "Right? No matter how many times I brushed it -"

"It won't lay straight," Harry finished with a laugh. He looked at his mother. "And we really do have the same eyes," He said still grinning wildly at them. "I have so much to tell you, to ask you." He glanced around. "Where are we?"

"Our house in Godric's Hollow," Lily answered. "This is where we lived. In fact, you took your first steps in this room."

"I did?"

"I was playing with you, rolling a ball back and forth," James said. "I rolled it too far the next thing we know, you toddled yourself up and took wobbly steps to retrieve it."

"We both practically started yelling in excitement and scared you," Lily laughed. "You fell down in surprise."

Harry grinned. "Really?"

"Really," James nodded, his eyes twinkling.

Harry leaned forward eagerly. "Tell me more."

HPHPHP

Snape knelt next to his lifeless son. "Harry," He whispered, tears streaming down his face as he held his son to him.

"Is he..." Sirius couldn't finish.

"He's gone, Padfoot," Remus said, grief in his eyes. Gone, just like James and Lily.

"Do you see how powerful I am now?" Voldemort stepped out from the corner where he had been watching gleefully. "The boy-who-lived is dead! I am the most powerful wizard! Bow down before me!"

Sirius and Remus had their wands out, ready to fight.

Snape lifted his head, staring at Voldemort. "You killed my son."

"Your son," Voldemort scoffed.

"You wouldn't understand, would you?" Snape spoke softly, gently laying Harry down and standing up. "You don't understand love, or family or even friendship. I didn't either, not for a long time. But this boy, who let you kill him, taught me."

"Let me kill him? He had no choice!"

"Oh, he had a choice," Snape said softly. "You do know all your Horcruxes are gone, don't you?"

Voldemort froze.

"Oh, yes. We know all about them. We've destroyed them all. There was only one left, and you just destroyed it."

"I just -" Voldemort stared at Harry's body. "His scar," He hissed. "It all makes sense now!"

"In order for you to be mortal, you had to be the one to kill Harry and he knew that." Snape continued. "So he let you kill him, so that we could destroy you once and for all."

"Destroy me? Nobody will destroy me!" Voldemort screamed in anger. "No one!"

HPHPHP

"You really were a troublemaker," Harry laughed as his father finished telling of some mischief he had gotten into at school.

"No way, trouble just found me," James grinned.

"Yeah, me too," Harry quipped.

Lily shook her head fondly. "Keep telling yourselves that."

Harry tilted his head, thinking he heard something. He frowned. "Is someone calling me?"

Lily exchanged a look with James. She leaned forward and took his hand. "Yes. Severus is."

"Dad," Harry's eyes widened and he looked at James apologetically. "I mean -"

"It's okay, son," James said softly. "I understand and I'm happy, grateful even. To Severus."

"I – really?"

James laughed. "Yes, really. I know what he has done for you and I'm thankful to him for it. He gave you a home, a family. He watches out for you. He's a good man."

"Keeps you out of trouble," Lily grinned. "Well, he tries to." Her face grew serious. "I'm so sorry about my sister, how she treated you. You were never supposed to be there. So both of us are happy that you found what you needed with Severus. That he was able to get you away from Petunia."

"Thank you," Harry said with feeling. "I didn't know if it would upset you, that he adopted me. That I call him dad."

"Not a bit," James assured him. "He takes good care of you. He loves you. He has our gratitude." He gave an easy grin. "Besides, Remus and especially Sirius will keep him on his toes."

Harry laughed and wiped a tear away. He heard his name called again. "Do you think he will understand? Forgive me for leaving him?" He asked sadly.

"You can return," Lily told him.

"What?"

"You can go back, Harry," James said. "The Horcrux in your scar is gone. But you can return."

Harry's eyes brightened for a moment but then he grew sad. "But then I lose you two again."

"No, baby," Lily said, drawing him in for a hug. "You will never lose us."

"We're always going to be with you," James said, kissing Harry on top of his head. "Always."

"We'll see you again," Lily said. "But until then, we want you to have a long, happy and fulfilled life."

"I will," Harry whispered. "I love you both."

"We love you too," Lily kissed his forehead. "Listen for Severus now. Focus on his voice."

Harry closed his eyes, focusing on the grief filled voice calling for him. He felt everything swirl away.

HPHPHP

"I'll kill you all!" Voldemort roared.

"No Tom. Your reign of terror is over," Dumbledore suddenly appeared, with several Aurors. The Aurors immediately began going after the death eaters, hitting them with binding spells and dodging the spells the death eaters cast in return. Many of Voldemort's followers seemed confused has to what to do and were looking to their master for instructions, but Voldemort paid no mind to the fact that his followers were being captured.

"It's over, Voldemort." Snape said, stressing the name. "You failed. Again."

Voldemort screamed in anger and pointed his wand at Snape. "Traitor! Ava-"

"Avada Kedavra!" Dumbledore shouted.

Everyone watched as Voldemort seemed to freeze, shock on his face before crumbling to the ground.

"He's finally gone," Remus said in relief.

"No! Master!" Bellatrix screamed in fury, struggling as she was bound by Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Incarcerous!" Sirius shouted at Pettigrew. He walked over to the now bound man. "Hello Wormtail," He said darkly.

"Padfoot, my friend," Pettigrew said shakily.

"You were never a friend!" Sirius said, struggling not to curse the man who had not only framed him for murder but betrayed James and Lily.

"Let me take him, Sirius," Tonks said gently, coming up behind him.

Snape knelt back down next to Harry. He could hear the commotion going on around him. The screams from the captured death eaters, the crying for Harry, but all he could do was hold his boy. "Harry," He said brokenly. How could he live without his son?

"Dad?"

Snape looked down in shock as his son opened his eyes. "Harry?"

"Dad, I'm okay," Harry said, sitting up slowly. His eyes widened as he saw all the chaos around him. "Wow, what did I miss?" He looked at Snape. "Dad?"

"Harry," Snape hugged him in relief. "You're alive!"

"He's alive?" Sirius turned away from watching Pettigrew being led away. "Harry!" He gave a loud whoop.

"We thought we had lost you," Remus said in a choked voice.

"You did," Harry said, remembering being with his parents. "But I was able to come back." He hugged his dad again and once he had stood, hugged Sirius and Remus. "Really, I'm okay."

"Welcome back, my boy," Dumbledore said from behind him, with a smile.

Harry was about to respond when he saw Daphne staring at him with red, swollen eyes from crying. He glanced at his dad, who smiled and nodded, and hurried over to her.

"You're okay!" Daphne sobbed, hugging him hard.

Harry gave a laugh as Astoria launched herself at them. "I'm good. It's finally over."

Daphne sobbed into the side of his throat. "Don't you ever let anyone kill you again!"

Harry couldn't help but chuckle. "I promise."

HPHPHP

In the infirmary, Poppy bustled around handing out potions and calming draughts to Daphne, Astoria and their parents. "The slight shakes you have from the Cruciatus will fade soon," She assured them, watching as they drank their potions. She focused on Daphne's step-father. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine now," Doug Anderson assured her, pulling his wife closer to him. "As long as my family is." He couldn't help but be interested in his surroundings, now that they were safe and healed. As a muggle, he was fascinated with the castle and watching the portraits in the infirmary wave at him. He'd heard stories about Hogwarts from his wife and daughters but to see it was quite an experience.

"I'll have to give you a tour, since you' re here," Alyssa snuggled close to her husband, her sleepy eyes on her girls who were across the room, being fussed over by their friends.

"I'm sure that will be no problem," Poppy said in a soothing voice. "Now, rest."

Across the room, Daphne and Astoria had finally fallen asleep, letting the healing potions take away the last of the after effects of the Cruciatus. Harry tugged a blanket over Daphne before hopping back on his own cot. He was supposed to sleep, but his mind was filled with too many things. His dad, Remus and Sirius had hovered over him while he was looked over by Poppy and given some potions. Finally, after assuring them that he was fine for the hundredth time, the three men had reluctantly gone to speak to the Headmaster.

"You need to rest," Hermione said, her eyes red from crying. When she and the others had been told of what happened, they had rushed to the infirmary to see their friends, to see for themselves that they were really okay.

"Yeah mate, rest up for the party," Ron urged.

"What party?" Tracey asked in confusion.

Ron shrugged. "Well, there has be one right? To celebrate?"

"If not, we'll throw one ourselves," Draco said, putting his arm around Hermione. "I can't believe it. That monster is really gone." Relief was clear in his voice.

"You're finally safe," Hermione said in relief, smiling at Harry. "I wish we could have been with you. You must have been so scared."

"I was," Harry admitted, yawning as the calming draught he had taken began to take effect. "More than that, I was heartbroken at leaving everyone. I didn't want to leave."

"Oh," Hermione and Tracey began crying again as Harry fell asleep. Even Ron, Draco and Theo were struggling to keep their eyes dry.

"He's safe now," Ron said. "Now he can focus on having a future, yeah?"

The five teenagers sat by Harry, Daphne, and Astoria, keeping watch over their friends.

HPHPHP

Most of the death eaters had been captured and sent to Azkaban, Voldemort's body taken away after Fudge had seen it in person and let the daily prophet get a picture. "So that now everyone can relax and know he's truly gone," He'd said.

"You mean Voldemort, who hasn't returned?" Snape had said sarcastically.

Fudge had blushed with shame, mumbling apologies.

Now, Snape stood in front of the Headmaster. Sirius and Remus had gone to check in with the ministry and make sure everything was still running smoothly.

"I ask for your forgiveness, Severus," Dumbledore said quietly, looking out of his window.

"I can't give it," Snape said bluntly.

"I understand," Dumbledore sighed.

"I can't give it yet," Snape said after a moment. "I hope to, one day." But it would be quite some time before he could.

Dumbledore nodded. "I hope so too."

"Did you know, Albus? That he would be able to return?" Snape asked.

"I wasn't sure," Dumbledore admitted. "I had my suspicions that he might have the choice to come back after the Horcrux had been destroyed but I wasn't completely sure. I didn't want to give him, or you, false hope. Despite my methods, I truly care for that boy and have done the best I could for him. For everyone."

Snape gave him a small nod before returning to the infirmary. He didn't' want Harry out of his sight for a long time. Maybe when he was forty...

HPHPHP

Harry yawned, stretched and opened his eyes. He reached out mindlessly for his glasses when someone pressed them into his hand. "Hmm?" Putting them on and blinking, he sat up. He was in his own room, in their quarters. "How did I get here?"

"I carried you," Snape said, smirking at the horrified look on the teenagers face.

"You carried me? How embarrassing!"

Snape snorted. "After everything you have been through the last twenty-four hours, this is what upsets you?"

"Well..." Harry broke into a grin. "I guess it's not so bad. As long as no one saw. No one saw, right?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "No." His face sobered. "How are you, Harry? And I don't just mean physically."

Harry was about to answer that he was okay but his dad knew him better than that. "I was so scared," He whispered. "So scared. When the Headmaster told me that I was a Horcrux...and then when I saw the vision of Daphne and Astoria being tortured..."

"I wish you had come to me," Snape said, reaching for his hand and giving it a squeeze.

"I wanted to but... you would have stopped me," Harry said.

"Yes, I would have found another way," Snape said fiercely.

"Dumbledore tried to find another way," Harry said mildly. He saw the anger in his dad's eyes. "I believe he did. It's just, there was no other way."

"Guess we'll never know," Snape said, standing up and pacing. "Seeing you lifeless on the floor... it devastated me. Completely." He turned to Harry. "I found the note you left me. Harry, you changed my life too. It gutted me to think, even for a moment, that I had lost you."

"I'm so sorry," Harry whispered. "Dad, when I was...gone, I saw my parents."

Snape stilled. "What?"

"I saw my parents," Harry repeated. "I got to hug them, talk to them, they shared memories with me."

Snape cleared his throat. "Merlin, that must have been amazing. Were they...did they know I adopted you?"

Harry nodded.

Snape braced himself. "And? Tell me the truth, were they upset about it? Your father?"

"No, Dad," Harry reached out and grabbed Snape's arm. "They were both happy and grateful."

"Grateful?" Snape asked in disbelief. He wouldn't have blamed them if they had been horrified by it. Especially James.

"Yeah, they know you take care of me and they are happy about it. My father said you were a good man and my mum was grateful you made it to where I didn't have to return to my relatives. They're both okay about me calling you dad and happy that I found a home with you." He grinned at the shocked look on Snape's face. That was a rare look for the potions master.

"It must have been difficult, to leave them," Snape said slowly.

"They said I was able to return and I wanted to. I mean, I didn't want to leave them but they're always with me. And they wanted me to come back and live a good life." Harry said. "Dad, I'm happy to be home."

"Ah, Harry," Snape pulled him in for a hug. "I'm happy you're home too."

HPHPHP

Ron had been right, the Headmaster had thrown a huge party celebrating the demise of Voldemort. It was a joyous affair, although some of the students, children of death eaters, weren't as happy but were definitely humbled. Harry surmised that had more to do with the fact that some of their parents, like Blaise's dad, were in Azkaban. Students who hadn't believed Harry about Voldemort being back, like McLaggen and Seamus, had heartily apologized for how they had acted and for not believing him. Apparently the fear of Voldemort's return had been too much and they would have rather believed anything else other than the truth.

Harry had told his friends, Sirius and Remus about meeting his parents and they had been shocked and moved by his visit with them. Daphne's parents had recovered from their ordeal and had been all smiles at the party. The prophet was now declaring Harry a hero for facing off against Voldemort, even though Dumbledore had been the one to kill him once and for all. Things were still a bit strained between Snape and the Headmaster, but Harry figured that it would just take time for his dad to forgive Dumbledore for keeping secrets.

Snape was still protective of Harry, but he let him go to Hogsmeade weekends again and didn't worry about him walking the castle alone. Well, he didn't worry as much. It was a freeing feeling, to not have to constantly look over his shoulder. To not have his scar wake him up during the night, burning. In fact, his scar had faded and could barely be seen. The school was even changing, more people making friends outside of their house and eating at each other's tables. It was like everyone could feel that the castle was relaxed, happy.

The rest of the school year flew by and soon Harry and Snape returned home, to Spinner's End. After letting Hedwig loose and getting Nova set up in his room, he headed back downstairs to the sitting room and relaxed on the sofa, taking off his shoes and tossing them on the floor. "It's good to be home," He said.

"It is," Snape agreed. He had once hated his childhood home but now, it was filled with happy memories with his son. "You can relax after all that studying for you O.W.L.S."

Harry groaned. "I better have done well. I had never studied so hard before."

"Wait until you take your N.E.W.T.S. your seventh year," Snape smirked.

Harry shuddered. "Have time before that happens, thank Merlin. Hopefully sixth year won't be too bad." He watched his dad give him a pitying look. "It will?" He groaned.

"Not if you keep up with your subjects," Snape said as he opened the prophet. It was now readable, as there were no slandering articles about Harry in them.

"Can we still train this summer?"

Snape looked over at him, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, if you would like to." He closed the paper. "Are you worried about any remaining death eaters? There aren't that many free and the ones that are were not the more dangerous ones. Not that you shouldn't keep vigilant but -"

"No, it's just...I've been thinking about what I want to do after school. I mean, I know that is two years away but I've thought about being an Auror."

"An Auror," Snape repeated.

"Yeah, so I want to keep up with our training," Harry said hopefully.

Snape nodded slowly. "Of course we can. But...an Auror?"

"It sounds interesting, and you have to admit I have experience facing, um, bad wizards," Harry said somewhat teasingly.

"And aren't you sick of it?"

"Yeah, I'm sick of me being the focus," Harry shrugged. "Being an Auror, I'll be trained and maybe can help so that bad wizards, like Voldemort, can't cause the damage he did."

Snape's expression softened. "Ah, Harry. You have too good a heart. I admit, I don't like the thought of you in a dangerous occupation like that but I do believe you would be a good Auror."

Harry's eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Really. If that is what you want to do, then you should do it. It is a lot of hard work and studying as an apprentice for three years," Snape warned.

Harry nodded. "I know. I would work hard."

"I trust that you would," Snape said. "Besides training, we could do some traveling this summer. And I'm sure you will want to have your friends over, particularly Miss Greengrass," He smirked when Harry blushed.

"Yeah, I would want her over...I mean, everyone," Harry said, flustered. He gave a mock glare when Snape began laughing.

"Well, you'll want to get a jump start on your summer homework so that we have time for everything. And you should unpack," Snape stood up. "And your shoes do not belong on the floor, take them to your room." He gently admonished.

Harry couldn't' hide the grin on his face as picked up his shoes and went upstairs to his room. Being told to clean up after himself, get started on his homework, they were such ordinary, normal things a parent tells their kid. Harry loved it. He loved his life. And now, he had what he had always dreamed of. A normal, regular life with a parent who loved him. Whatever life brought him now, he knew he could get through it. He could get through anything, with his parents watching over him and his friends supporting him, a girlfriend who loved him, and a dad who encouraged him and loved him and protected him. Harry figured that even the pain of living with the Dursley's, being hunted by Voldemort for so long, well, it was all worth it to get him here. Home. It was all he had ever wanted.

The End.

Finally managed to finish it! Thanks to everyone who didn't give up on this story and for your encouragement. I've loved writing this series and hope you loved it too! Let me know what you think! =)