The Deathly Hallowed.

Harry sat, anxiously waiting. All the teams but one had returned, all of them empty handed. Now Harry's and Ginny's hopes, along with Lily's survival, rode with Teddy and Victoire. The suspense was agonising. James sat next to his mother, her arms wrapped round him protectively. Caleb, who had returned to his normal state, unaware of his Werewolf experience until he was told by Molly, couldn't look his cousin in the eye.

Molly gripped at Arthur's arm, her face milky white. Looking around, the same pale complexion was mirrored by her family, the hazy gold glow of sunrise bathing them in light, almost mocking them. The silence was broken only when the clock ticked. Such a quiet sound, but in the sitting room where the sat, the noise felt as loud as a bomb going off. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…The sun…now or never… James trembled under Ginny's hold. What if they were too late? What if Lily was already dead? Lily, Little Lily, his youngest sibling and only sister, whom he had promised…promised…

James stirred. Someone was crying. Al? Nah, the guy was a wimp, but the girlish sobbing wasn't his style. Al normally sounded like "WAAAAHHHH!", and the cute hiccup? Nope, not Al. Then, it must be…Lily? Little Lily? Mini Xena who never cried if she could help it? Something must be up. Crawling from his twisted duvet and slipping into his Power Ranger slippers, the little boy opened his creaky bedroom door and tiptoed over the landing, dodging the creaky floorboards, ears pricked and listening to the soft breathing and slightly louder snoring that issued from his parent's room, searching for any audible signs of wakefulness. He stopped at a door with an intricate plaque which read: LILY, the name entwined with wildflowers. It was slightly ajar, and a soft, sniffling sound could be heard from behind it. Stepping into the room, James realised what a feat this was, even as a five-year-old, Lily was hard-headed, strong-willed and kept her brothers out of her room. The magnolia walls were bathed in soft pink light, which came from Lily's bedside table. Lily's bedspread was creamy magnolia with claret red patterns of sequinned butterflies and flowers, and hanging from her four-poster bed were cream coloured, gossamer curtains, tied with neat bows to the posts of her bed. Lily sat cross-legged in her bed, dabbing her eyes with her duvet.

"Lil?" whispered James softly. Lily jumped, then scowled. "W-what are y-you doing in m-my room?! G-get ou—" She couldn't bring herself to say the rest. James noticed the fear glinting in her eyes, the kind of fear that is caused by the echoes of a nightmare that you can't quite shake, the kind of fear that would make you never want to sleep again. James plonked himself at the foot of her bed. "I heard you crying, some dream huh?"

Lily nodded, lip trembling "They kidnapped me, they were gonna kill me! And you were dead, they killed you already, and Albus was missing…and Mum was dying and Dad…Dad was going insane, screaming 'They've done nothing! They're innocent! They've never seen war in their life!' James, it scared me, those hooded faces with bright red eyes, I'm scared James…" her fresh stutters and sniffles hit James like a punch in the stomach. What kind of savage dream would do this? Lily wasn't weak, and what she described was horrifying. James wrapped an arm around her, and was glad when she didn't shrug it off, but snuggled into him, her warm tears seeping into his Transformers Pyjamas. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Ok Lils? You won't get kidnapped under my watch."

Lily's tearful eyes looked up at him, thanks and love glistening in them with the rosy light as she stuttered "You p-p-promise?"

James smiled at her, the moment was so rare, but it was something to be treasured. Lily, needing his protection, for once he could act like the big brother he was supposed to be.

"Promise."

James let the tear escape his eye. Big brother? More like big failure. Sighing, he looked to the window. The sun was getting brighter, but he could feel the room's hope fading. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick… James wanted to break the clock! Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, CRACK! The whole room jumped, then peered into the centre of the room. Victoire flipped her hair as the dust settled, her face glowing. Teddy, with his sky-blue hair with aqua and rose pink streaks, beamed at his friends. He seemed ecstatic, like Christmas had come early. Harry got to his feet quickly, like he'd been sat in an electric chair, his eyes searching them with urgency. Both Teddy and Victoire stepped aside, letting a nine-year-old girl with bright red hair bound into Harry's arms. "Dad! Mum! You're ok! You're not hurt! James! You're alive!" she sobbed with joy as Ginny and James ran to join the embrace. The holes in the family's heart were being healed, the feeling of strength and hope filling them up like a drink, this one precious moment, worth more than diamonds, sapphires and gold, rare and beautiful. James squeezed his sister tightly. A moment of peace, love…and relief.

*

Teddy grinned at his godfather's joy. He always knew Harry had known hardship and pain, he was there, fighting in the battle his parents fought in, he was there when his parents died. Teddy felt numb, but he wasn't sure if it was happiness or sadness. Moments ago, he had saved Lily, who was like a little sister to him, and then he saw his Dad, Remus Lupin. The numbness was gone, a warm feeling sprouted in his chest. His father was a handsome man, with mousey hair and wolfish, amber eyes. His face was scarred, but in the sunlight, in the breaking dawn, everything about him was radiance. Remus Lupin. The DADA Teacher, a member of the Order, a member of the legendary prankster group, The Marauders, a werewolf, but a good werewolf, a man of great strength and knowledge. Teddy smiled. We're very proud of you. The words echoed in his head, pride growing inside him. 'I wanted to be just like you, Dad, I wanted to help people and be strong in times of trouble. I'm an apprentice auror now, Mum. You'd never believe, but Harry is my teacher!' He paused his train of thought. Harry lost everything, it wasn't fair he was losing it all again. He felt Victoire squeeze his arm, and he let himself be led to the couch, where Victoire snuggled next to him. Distant music had started to play, resounding in his head. Teddy absent-mindedly stroked Victoire's hair as he thought quietly to himself.

*

Ginny stared into her firewhisky, the amber liquid shimmering in the fire light. Lily was safe, James was safe, Albus…

"He'll be fine."

She looked up to see her father watching her with kind, sympathetic eyes. Ginny frowned. "How did you.."

"I know what parental worry looks like, Ginny. I had six sons and a daughter, who were all involved in the Anti-Voldemort movement. During the war, I saw it in the mirror every day."

Ginny smiled sadly. Arthur grimaced, speak of war reminded him of their loss, of Fred. He sighed. "Love is a gift and a curse. It's precious and painful, can cause joy and sorrow, and it can kill you or save your life. Such is the way of a family."

Ginny knew what he spoke of. Lily, Harry's mother, had sacrificed herself to protect Harry. Love killed Lily, but it saved her son. Ginny nodded quietly, glancing at her own. Lily sat on Harry's shoulders, ruffling his already messy hair, whilst laughing at James below her, who's abominable dancing was taking up nearly the whole sitting room. Laughing, Ginny rubbed her chilly shoulders…wait, that wasn't right. The fire was roaring, yet it was so cold. Why was it so cold?...

The door flew open, and gusts of icy, January wind chasing throughout the house. Everyone turned to the door, where, in its wake, stood a doe, it's fur as silvery as the moon. She stepped cautiously into the room, looking around, studying everyone's faces…her eyes met with Harry's. Her eyes were inky black…

The doe transformed suddenly, mist rising from its feet, then obscuring all sight of the beast. When the milky white mist thinned, where the doe had stood was a tall, clean, handsome, yet ghostly figure of none other than Severus Snape.

"Potter." He said curtly, nodding at Harry. Harry lifted Lily from his shoulders and stood her on the floor, then nodded back at the translucent man, dumbfounded. Was that really Snape? Where was the greasy hair, the furrowed eyebrows, the permanent sneer? This Snape looked younger, handsomer, and happier and freer than he ever had been alive. The only thing which gave him away was the hooked nose. Snape turned his gaze to James and Lily, who stood side-by-side near their father. "I am Severus Snape, one of the inner six."

Lily gasped "You know where Albus is!"

Harry, alerted by his daughter's words, looked sharply at Snape. "Why are you here?"

Snape replied coolly, his eyes not leaving Lily and James. "I am here on orders to make you aware of an extremely rare event."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Go on."

Snape turned to Harry, his onyx eyes glinting. "The Deathly Hallowed have been reborn."

At Harry's confused face, Snape continued. "The Hallows weren't a means of creating the power they have, but harnessing them. The first master of death, Tidus Peverell, had 3 sons, each inheriting one of the Hallows powers. When those sons died, the powers took form as a wand, a stone and a cloak. For a long time the Hallows remained apart, but nineteen years ago a new master of death rose, and has started the cycle again." He looked at Harry with piercing eyes "Your children have the power of the Hallows."

Ginny spluttered "What?"

"Albus learnt his abilities when he was eleven, that night he went missing. He ran to the graveyard, and his pains summoned us, his inner six."

"Who exactly is the 'Inner Six'?!" called George.

"Myself, Remus and Dora Lupin, Sirius Black, James and Lily Potter. But that is the power of the resurrection stone. With the power of the Elder Wand…" he glanced at James "The possibilities are endless. I mean, with a simple stunning jinx, one could knock even a werewolf out cold."

James choked slightly. How on earth did he…

"And when gifted with the power of the cloak, you could pass undetected, right from underneath a threat's nose. Remus told us of your encounter, Miss Potter. Quite a bit of luck your powers kicked in like that." Lily nodded, her lip trembling. Harry growled slightly, then said in a soft, but deadly tone "Where is my son, Severus."

Snape sighed again, looking pained. "I was given strict order not to tell you a thing, but you're his family, and you're scared." Harry watched the spectre with interest. The Snape he knew was nowhere near as compassionate. The Snape he knew would of sneered at him and said 'Mind your own business, Potter.' It was strange to see how death had changed the man…or was it that Snape had always been like this, only he acted like he did to hide his true being, or was it simply because he had been reunited with his beloved Lily Evans? Snape inhaled, then said quickly "Albus has hidden himself in time, by use of a time turner he had Lily steal from the Ministry. We know he is hidden somewhere in the nineties, but the thing with time is that it's always moving, so you never can be sure. You have a smart son, Potter, Smart, but stupid." He added gloomily. Noticing Harry's expression, Snape continued. "Albus vows he will not return home, until the shard of darkness within him is gone. He knows you're all safe and is glad, but he sent me to severe all ties with you."

Ginny was confused. "Hang on, didn't you say you had orders to tell us about the Hallows?"

"Yes." Replied Snape, the corner of his lip curving slightly "But I didn't say from whom…" and with that, he disappeared, his form turning to dust, then blowing away in the wind…

"I am James! The super Sorcerer! My brother, the Necromancer, can talk to Ted's parents and Lily is the world's best magician's assistant!" James laughed loudly as Ginny pushed under the duvet of his bed and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

"I'm not a sequinned 'Isn't he amazing' girl!" exclaimed Lily indignantly "I didn't cry once! Not once when I was graveyard! I'm no push over, so don't forget it!"

James almost laughed at himself for thinking he was Lily's protector. The five-year-old was nine now, and even as five she was tough. Her nightmares became reality for her, and she fought til the bitter end. James believed that she didn't cry. Lily wasn't like that. But she was safe, that's all that mattered. There was only one thing left now, Albus. He had to find Albus. Once Ginny had tucked in Lily, she crossed the room to the door and said "Sleep tight, you two. Don't start honing Hallow Skills, its sleep time now!"

James rolled his eyes. Mothers, they knew everything.

Harry pressed his forehead into his palms. The Deathly Hallowed? But how?! He stared at his hands, thoughts swirling through his head. 'The Elder Wand won't end with me.' He thought grimly. A warm hand touched his shoulder. Turning, Harry's eyes met Ginny's. She'd returned from putting the children to bed. Her eyes were thankful, but worried. He knew the feeling.
"He'll be okay, Gin." He whispered softly, brushing the hair from her eyes.

She sat next to him, letting his warm arms encase around her, soft memories from her fifth year danced in her head. Warm nights by the lake, once again, in Harry's arms, the orange sun against the indigo sky, the pine-tops a black silhouette. They had been young, and Harry's destiny was a winding, unpredictable path filled with mystery and lies, one that he wouldn't allow her to follow. The kiss he had given her the following summer seemed almost to be good bye. She had wanted to cry bitterly, but instead, joined Neville and Luna in a rebel crusade against Voldemort's followers who had overrun the castle, continuing Harry's work, as he travelled across the UK, doing works that no-one knew of, but all knew it had a purpose.

Seeing him supposedly dead in Hagrid's arms…that night in the Battle of Hogwarts, it took all of Ginny's strength not to send unforgivable curse after curse straight to Voldemort's chest. The thought of Harry, her saviour in the Chamber of Secrets, her teacher in the terrible year of Umbridge, her boyfriend whom had loved her so genuinely in her fifth year…dead…it made her blood turn cold. The numb feeling of loss she'd earned from Fred's death had trebled. Harry had been their last hope, gone to dust, swept away by the fleeting winds of life. The sight of him reappearing amidst the great brawl was nothing short of glorious. Just seeing him, breathing, radiating life…it seemed to bring Ginny back to life as well. Harry was alive! Hope was alive! And what's more, hope was invincible. Voldemort's end was certain, his reign of fear, the battle their parents, alive or not, had fought, it was finally over.

Two years later, the sweet smell of honeysuckle had wafted past Ginny's nose as she stood on the doorstep of a small cottage in the countryside of outer London. Harry's new, tiny house was laced with ivy and honeysuckle, with a shifting willow bearing upon a pond filled with lilies and frogspawn. The cottage itself was all of a kitchen-diner, a lounge with a staircase coming of it, a study, and upstairs was a bathroom and two cosy bedrooms. Harry lived with Kreacher, who had left the remains of Grimmaud Place, as Yaxley had ripped it apart, and Windil. Windil was a small, little elf, probably classed as a child in Elvic society, but never-the-less, Windil was eager to please his master. He had told Harry that his mother, Kanta, had been killed in the war when protecting the house of the Grandmother Harry never knew, Eleanor Potter. Harry learnt that his Grandmother had died when he was but nine, at the age of fifty-three, no less. An old mother, who had left her only grandson her house and its possessions, and Ginny stood before it. She remembered ringing the doorbell, and grinning as the door swung open. The familiar, black, messy mop was a welcome sight. A month later, sat in Harry's endless back garden, Harry cuddled her close, his arms embracing her…the lake…fifth year…Ginny had smiled, her hand's warming on a mug of hot chocolate. She had heard him whisper "I think my adventures are finally over."

"Sad?"

"No, relieved. It means I can finally be normal. Have friends, maybe a family…"

Ginny had raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yeah." He replied, She knew he was smiling at the time, she could hear it in his voice. "D'you think Pavarti would give me another chance?"

Ginny had felt like pouring her hot chocolate over his head, in spite of knowing he was joking. But instead, she had stroked her chin, saying "I don't know, your dancing was awful, and I bet she'd rather have an alive accountant for a husband than a dead daredevil."

"Do I look dead to you?"

"By my count, you could have died nine times, and should have died twice."

"Do you want me dead?"

Ginny had laughed. Harry smiled, then said "If I was dead, then I couldn't give you this." A velvet box had landed in her lap. With trembling hands, Ginny opened the box, revealing and emerald ring, goblin made, by the looks of it. The emerald was surrounded by small diamonds, and the gold band itself was cut to look like entwined ivy. It took Ginny's breath away.

Harry had laughed. "I'll take that as a yes?"

Ginny had squealed, her chocolate sopping everywhere. The air was electric, sending ripples of excitement through her spine. "Yes!" she gasped "Yes, I will!" Harry squeezed her tightly. They were engaged.

The wedding itself was incredible. Hermione as maid of honour and Ron as best man, Ginny knew her family would be confused to where they sat. As far as they were concerned, Harry always was family, but she needn't have worried. When the Weasleys filled up the Bride's side of the church, the Groom's filled with many others, including Andromeda Tonks and her grandson, little Teddy, who was Harry's Godson, Seamus, Dean, Luna, Neville, Pavarti, Padma, Lavender, Dennis Creevey, Oliver Wood, McGonagall, Slughorn, Cho, Kingsley, Ollivander, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Dedalus Diggle, and, surprisingly, a young, slightly overweight man, who Harry recognised, and realised had been dieting hard, who turned out to be Harry's only relative on his side of the church. Dudley Dursley. It was a great shock to Harry, and he doubted his cousin would stay for the party, but still, it was the thought which counted. And what's more, Harry rather enjoyed the look on Dudley's face when he saw Ginny float down the isle in her lacey, white number, her train and veil trailing four feet behind her. That night she learnt how Fleur had felt at the wedding at the burrow, when she married Bill. Only this time, there was no interruption from death eaters. Harry had been right, the moment Dudley spotted the hovering champagne bottles, he had left Harry with words of luck and new beginnings, then left the reception. Molly outdid herself with the cake, Five tiers, each representing something dear to the two of them. As the night drew on, she threw her bouquet into the air behind her, and turned to see a blushing Hermione, who was holding the bouquet gingerly in her hands, glancing at Ron, her official 'partner'. Ginny had laughed, it was only a matter of time.

Four years later, Ginny found herself in St Mungos, weary and worn, yet a proud, happy mother. Harry sat next to her, a little bundle in his arms, with soft brown eyes and a tuft of black hair.

"I want to call him James." Said Ginny hoarsely. Harry raised an eyebrow. Ginny smiled coyly. "Your dad had bravery and spirit, and he looks like him." Harry squeezed her hand.

"James it is."

Of course, two more followed, Albus a year later, and Lily two more after that. Ginny sighed into her husband's arms, reawakening from her memories. Memories, all precious, but all easily lost…just like the people she loved. Ginny pressed herself closer to Harry, reassuring herself he was still there. Harry held her tightly. Ginny was cold to the touch, but the fire seemed cool as well. Maybe it was just him, but Deathly Hallowed? Sacred powers? Harry was haunted by these thoughts, and was still pursued by them in his dreams, as he slipped into slumber, along with Ginny, unknowing what was around the next corner…

AQ: Sorry for taking so long! The computer wouldn't let me upload my files onto ! Grrr...disobedient computer. (kicks screen angrily)

...(Computer dies)

Oh no! Come back! I didn't mean it!!! ....zzzpaksszz...co...zzzaakkspazzz...aaaaack!....zsapksszz

...lol