Opening Authors Notes
Okay. Time to go big! Hoping this is an ending you guys like and hope it brings the energy. It's also worth mentioning that before I revamped things a short while ago, this includes most of the material that would have been in the final chapter that was accidentally uploaded prematurely. Dedication goes to GoldsberryDiggs on Wattpad again with secondary dedication to Her_Tulip on Wattpad.

I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved. I know that I can give love for a minute, for half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give. I am very happy to do that...I want to do that.
–Diana Spencer (Princess Diana)

I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or representation.
–Abigail Adams

Operation Rochambeau Ball & Reception
Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) Headquarters
Woolworth Building, Tribeca, Manhattan, New York, New York

Alex's wand flew out of his hand into Harry's free left hand. He turned to look at Harry, but then whirled back around when he heard a small snatch of music start up. When he heard of it, he felt like he wouldn't have been more petrified if he'd been hit with a basilisk's gaze or the Body-Bind Curse.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey," The girls chorused rhythmically.

Alex paled but felt himself led forward step by step as if there was a string attached to his heart.

While Hermione and the others continued to back Eliza up with the rhythmic "Hey, hey, hey", music – mainly piano – then kicked in, and Eliza began to sing, her eyes alight,

[Eliza] Ooh, I do, I do, I do, I do, hey!
Ooh, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do!

Then some more soothing (though not slow) piano kicked in as Eliza sang with the others behind her, all the while continuing to affectionately advance on Alex,

[Eliza/Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Boy, you got me helpless
Look into your eyes and the sky's the limit
I'm helpless
Down for the count and I'm drownin' in 'em

Alex was still dumbstruck, only managing to ask, "How? What...?"

"What are we doing?" Harry finished the question with a grin, approaching him. All eyes were on them right now, but this was a time he didn't mind because it meant Alex had nowhere to go if it came to that.

"Making sure you keep your promise," Fleur answered as she and Harry came up on either side of him. This was by design – they wanted to make doubly sure he didn't back out but wanted to, more importantly, be supportive.

"How did you know? W-when did you find out?" Alex stammered, looking around first at Fleur, then at Harry, then at Hermione and then finally at Eliza.

"A promise? Is it true?" Eliza asked breathlessly. Both apprehension and affection were evident in her voice and face – she thought it was very romantic but felt there was also a chance Alex could back out.

If she looked at Hermione, she would see that she was not worried, because she was looking around and seeing that she, Fleur, Ginny and even Harry found it funny and endearing in its own way to see Alex, normally composed and a man of action, acting like a shy young man in love who had nerves about fully expressing his feelings. Eliza's eyes then darted back to Fleur as she answered, clearly hanging on her every word.

"Yes, Eliza. Alexandre promised that if Operation Rochambeau succeeded and 'e lived through it, then 'e would ask if you would wear that ring again when he saw you again." As she spoke, Fleur was smiling at Eliza as though she had no doubt that Alex would follow through. She then turned to Alex and explained, "When we were all at Beauxbatons, I sensed something inside the box and asked Gilbert if I could see it. I then used my powers to find out what it was, and it revealed the ring and showed me who it belonged to."

She then encouragingly laid a hand on his shoulder and finished, "Courage, Alex. I didn't need to be a Veela to feel how genuine your love for Eliza is."

"I didn't know it was in there," Lafayette added, "but even if I knew it was and knew Fleur was looking for it, I wouldn't have stopped her."

Alex understood why the others had acted the way they had and nodded weakly. He didn't yet say it out loud, but with the way Fleur had acted with her powers, she looked and seemed more like an angel who had scrutinized his and Eliza's love, given his ancestor's sins, and still gave them her blessing.

He managed a smile at her and Lafayette before Harry clapped him on his other shoulder, grinned and said reassuringly, "You won't have to do it alone. I haven't had the chance to do something for Hermione just yet..."

Hermione's eyes widened as Harry pulled his wand out, lined it up with one of the two remaining lit keyholes and turned it before pocketing it again. This time, a sound much like a wedding bell accompanied the usual click, and he then faced Hermione and rapped,

[Harry] Hermione, I might have Galleons to my name
Acres of land and troops to command and dollops of fame
But there's more important things when push comes to shove
Like friendship and bravery and–

"Ooh, Harry, be careful!" Parvati, Padma, Ginny and Luna all exclaimed together.

They all looked at Hermione as they finished, and they saw from her face that she was melting from nostalgia but more than that from affection.

Hearing Harry and the four of them say those words took her back to the moment in their first year when they had originated, and for a moment, she was twelve again and saying those very words to an eleven-year-old Harry. As she remembered all too well, it had been when she hugged him for the first time just before he left to confront Voldemort for the first time since he was a baby, and she wasn't sure how to describe what was threatening to burst out of her heart and had thus left unspoken. And even though they were together now, she cherished that Harry was giving her the chance to get that moment right.

"Love..." She sang, a tear of joy running unchecked down her face as she beamed at him. There was enthusiastic cheering especially from the Hogwarts contingent, but they didn't hear it just yet because there was still something that needed to happen.

Alex saw that and was also moved. And as he was, he found himself thinking over what they had told him about their own relationship. They had been scared to tell each other how they felt, they had said, because they were so afraid of jeopardizing their friendship and couldn't bear to risk losing it for the sake of loving each other...but yet here they were, and the fact that they loved and trusted each other made them able to do that.

It made him want to berate himself for being utterly stupid – until he knew that there was a much better alternative.

He turned to Harry and said, "Harry? I'm ready."

There were soft gasps, especially from the other girls nearby. Eliza looked as if she was barely breathing from tension as Harry beamed at Alex and handed him back his wand, handle-first.

Alex returned his smile and then lined his wand up with the box's last lit keyhole and turned it. As it had been with Harry, a sound like a wedding bell accompanied the usual click, and he faced Eliza and picked up where Harry had left off with Hermione,

[Alex] Your family brought out a different side of me
Peggy confided in me, Angelica tried to take a bite of me
No stress, my love for you is never in doubt
Let's get our little place in Harlem and we'll figure it out

Eliza's face lit up, but it looked as if she was still barely daring to breathe. Harry also grinned at Alex before he turned back to Hermione as they finished.

[Harry] I'd been living without a family since I was a child
[Alex] My father left, my mother died, I grew up buckwild
But I'll never forget my mother's face – that was real
[Harry] And long as I'm alive, Hermione, swear to God you'll never feel so–

There were now more cheers from the crowd as the girls started to sing again. First, the others backed Hermione up while she cupped Harry's cheek and sang,

[Eliza/Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Helpless
[Hermione] (Oh, look at those eyes)
[Eliza/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Look into your eyes and the sky's the limit
I'm helpless
[Hermione] (And I know)
[Eliza/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Down for the count and I'm drownin' in 'em

They then turned to Eliza and saw that she was now only a few steps in front of Alex. Hearing him say what he said had made her want to pour the joy overflowing from her heart into him, and the way she sang reflected that:

[Eliza/Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Helpless
[Eliza] (I am so into you, I am so into you)
[Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Look into your eyes and the sky's the limit
[Eliza/Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] I'm helpless
[Eliza] (I know I'm)
[Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Down for the count and I'm drownin' in 'em

Eliza then beamed as she took the lead, met Alex's eyes and kept singing, with help from the girls alongside her. She seemed determined to make Alex melt out of sheer joy, and watching his face, Harry could see it was working.

[Eliza] I have never been the type to try and grab the spotlight
We were at a revel with some rebels on a hot night
Laughin' at my sister – she was dazzlin' the room
Then you walked in and my heart went ("Boom!")
Tryin' to catch your eye from the side of the ballroom
Everybody's dancin' and the band's top volume
[Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Grind to the rhythm as we wine and dine)
[Eliza] Grab my sister and whisper ("Yo, this one's mine!")
My sister made her way across the room to you (Ooh)
And I got nervous, thinking ("What's she gonna do?")
She grabbed you by the arm – I'm thinking I'm through (Ooh)
Then you looked back at me and suddenly I'm-

She offered the open box to Alex, and he pulled the ring out, got down on one knee and reverently slipped it onto her finger – back onto her finger, Hermione thought happily. Ginny and Parvati were continuing to back up Eliza alongside Padma and Luna, but it was clear it was all they could do to stop themselves from squee-ing. Parvati's gossip partner in crime Lavender was already there, excitedly squealing at the top of her lungs as she watched and making herself heard even over the cheers.

Meanwhile, Fred and George, with help from Ron, Ginny, Hercules and Lee, were adding to the moment by setting off some more of their enchanted fireworks overhead, bathing Hermione, Harry, Alex and Eliza in brilliant colors and gently falling starry sparks. Also, as if the room itself was recognizing what was happening, the view outside suddenly seemed to take off, creating the impression of a gentle but majestic broom flight upwards through Manhattan – or a hippogriff flight, Hermione and Harry thought fondly.

[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Helpless!)
[Eliza] I do, I do, I do, I do!
[Alex] Eliza...
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Helpless!)
[Eliza] I do, I do, I do, I do!
[Alex] I've never felt so...
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Helpless!)
[Eliza] Hey, yeah, yeah!
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Down for the count and I'm drownin' in 'em)
[Eliza] I'm down for the count – I'm...

Ginny, Luna, Parvati and Padma then turned and saw Hermione pulling out a fine gold chain and looping it around them, much like she had done in their third year. Instead of a small Time-Turner, though, it had two jeweled charms – a sapphire book for Hermione and a ruby broom for Harry. They then backed them up as Alex's, Eliza's and the audience's eyes turned towards Hermione and Harry.

[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Helpless!)
[Harry] My life will be just fine 'cause Hermione's in it
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Helpless!)
[Hermione] I look into your eyes and the sky's the limit – I'm...
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] (Helpless!)
[Hermione/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] Down for the count and I'm drownin' in 'em

Eliza pulled Alex to his feet, took his face in her hands and kissed him long and hard. As they drew apart but still in each other's arms, Alex realized that it wasn't just something he had fought for since coming to Hogwarts or since coming to Ilvermony, but something he had fought for ever since his ancestor's realization of what he did to the original Eliza made him finally throw away his shot. It felt as if a circle was finally closing and all was right with the world.

And let it never be broken again, especially not by me, he thought fervently.

Ron, John, Hercules, Lafayette, Fred, George and other friends of Alex's and Eliza's were surrounding them as they cheered and offered their congratulations. The crowd was either applauding, shouting congratulations or wiping away tears of joy as a snatch of the Wedding March sounded.

Harry and especially Hermione found their hearts brimming with joy as they watched. Outside, it now looked like the room was next to the Statue of Liberty at head level, with the head on one side with the New York skyline behind it. Responding to that, Ginny, Luna, Padma and Parvati finished,

[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma] In New York, you can be a new man
In New York, you can be a new man

The cheers were still going when someone tapped Hermione and Harry on the shoulder. It turned out to be Celestina, who said,

"Lovely work! Hey, listen, could you do one more song? I think one of my backup singers has come down with something. It's nothing too bad, but I'd rather she get the right potion and be treated before we keep going. Do you have something in mind?"

"I think we can put something together, Ms Warbeck, don't worry," Hermione answered, her smile growing. "Might also give me a chance to try something I've been wanting to."

She looked at Harry, who asked, "Oh, that?" When Hermione nodded, he grinned back and said, "Let's do it!"

About five minutes later after Hermione, Harry, Alex and the others had convened and Molly helped treat Celestina's backup singer, Justin stepped forward, raised his voice and proclaimed, "Good people, honored delegates from Britain, France and America, and most of all the members of the Operation Rochambeau strike team..."

Everyone turned his way, and he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Rise up!"

"Ay, yo-yo, yo-yo-yo, what time is it?" John asked with a big smile as a new melody began.

"Showtime!" Hercules, Lafayette and Dean replied, as the onlookers began to murmur with excitement.

"Come on and rise up!" Justin shouted.

"Showtime, showtime!" John intoned happily, just before Justin jumped out and he jumped in with a dark bottle in his hand that could pass for butterbeer or regular beer. He began as Dean started beatboxing and the music cut for a bit,

[John] Yo, I'm John Laurens in the place to be
Two pints of Sam Adams, but I'm workin' on three, uh
Those Death Eaters ain't want it with me
'Cause I will pop-a-chick-a-pop those flops 'till we're free

The crowd whooped before Fleur tapped Lafayette on the shoulder and winked. He needed no further encouragement and launched into a verse of his own.

[Lafayette] Eh, oui, oui, mon ami, je m'appelle Lafayette
The Lancelot of the revolutionary set
I came from afar just to say bonsoir
Tell the King, "Casse-toi!" Who's the best? (C'est moi!)

Fleur and the Beauxbatons contingent predictably cheered the loudest, though it got approval from all sides. Hercules was next, and his verse went,

[Hercules] Brah, brah! I am Hercules Mulligan
Up in it, lovin' it – I heard your mother say, "Come again?" (Ayy!)
Lock your daughters up and horses, of course
It's hard to have intercourse over four sets of corsets

There were some cheers and laughs, but those who weren't prepared looked at Hercules with bewilderment. Hercules, however, was unfazed, and John also laughed and grinned before he responded,

[John] No more sex – pour me another brew, son!
Let's raise a couple more (To the revolution!)

As the crowd cheered in response, John then turned and saw Ron and Harry coming towards them, almost innocuously, both wearing grins on their faces. Murmurs started to run through the crowd. Dean – who was still beatboxing – and Fleur both shot them winks.

"Well, if it ain't 2 stars of Hogwarts School..." John said with a smile of his own.

"Ron Weasley and Harry Potter!" Lafayette, Hercules and John said together, leading to more shouts of approval.

"Give us something! You got a right to rule?" John challenged, though his smile indicated he didn't expect to be disappointed.

Harry winked at Ron, who proceeded to let fly,

[Ron] Yo, I'm Ron Weasley and I'm not so measly
From Hogwarts' den of Lions and from a big family
They used to say we Burrow underground
But now they know that we gingers get around

The crowd whooped and Molly's voice rang out, screaming, "That's bloody right!"

Meanwhile, Hercules saluted her, turned back to Ron cheered, "A'ight, Ronnie, a'ight!"

"Thanks, Herc. Watch this, though!" Ron said, and he turned to Harry, who proceeded to go,

[Harry] Harry Potter, and I may be Boy Who Lived
I prefer Boy That Made British Blood Bigotry Fade
Forget the fame – I'm not here 'cause I'm afraid
Plus I've got a best mate who can kick you down to Troll grade

"Hang on, Harry," Ron said as Dean stopped beatboxing. The cheers also quieted down as they recognized what was going on. "I appreciate the label, but aren't you forgetting your other best friend? You know, your betrothed? The one you can't stop talking about?"

"Ron, you of all people should know that once Hermione gets going, there aren't too many things, including magical ones, that can slow her down, much less stop her," Harry said with a grin. "So I've got to make sure I get you in now or else."

"Guilty as charged. And nothing said it didn't include you, Harry...just so long as you aren't a prat or take the mickey out of me too much," Hermione said with what might be best described as a good-natured smirk.

The crowd shared a collective laugh, and Harry bowed, "Righto, milady. Now, back to business."

He then turned back to the crowd and said, "As a certain comedy troupe where we're from once said–"

Ron then joined in and finished, "–And now for something completely different."

Hermione, Dean, Justin and others who recognized the Monty Python reference laughed before John, Lafayette, Hercules, Ron and Harry almost jumped out of the center and Hermione and Eliza stepped in. A new bit of music stepped up – mainly a beat with a good tempo and a sound like a hard record scratch.

"Ah, could hardly ask for a better evening..." Hermione remarked. "Something doesn't feel right, though. Eliza, could you remind me what we're looking for?"

"Me, me! She's looking for me!" Boys all around said, raising their hands. Even if many had dates and even if Hermione and Eliza were taken, just a dance with either of them would be a treat and a half.

"Sorry, boys. She's looking for me," Harry said, as Hermione pulled him into a sideways hug.

"And she's looking for me." Alex said with a big grin as Eliza did the same with him.

"Thanks," Eliza told Harry and Alex. Then she turned back to the crowd and said, "That's a big part of the answer...but not all of it."

She turned back to Hermione, and they grinned before they started singing. Hermione was especially inviting her female comrades to come to the center, and Ginny, Luna, Parvati, Padma and Fleur needed no further urging.

[Hermione/Eliza] We're looking for some minds at (Work, work!)
[Hermione] (Girls, to the dance floor!)
[Hermione/Eliza] Work, work!
[Ginny] (Come on, everybody!)
[Hermione/Eliza] Work, work! (Whoa, work!)

As they gathered in the center, the view outside had changed to a brisk fly-through of Manhattan as if it had done a gentle dive and then started to flit around the skyscrapers at a good speed.

"You got something to say?" Padma asked Hermione.

Ginny gave her a look as if to ask if there was a shred of doubt, then turned back to Hermione and encouraged, "Talk to them, Hermione!"

Hermione needed no further invitation. With all eyes on her, she came forward and rapped,

[Hermione] I've been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine (Ooh!)
So lads say that I'm intense or insane
We've wanted revolution, I've needed revelation
So listen to my declaration:

She and Eliza then sang the opening bit of the Declaration of Independence, which the other girls in the center picked up on. Then, with a grin, Hermione switched back to rap and then lowered the proverbial boom.

[Hermione/Eliza] "We hold these truths to be self-evident...
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma/Fleur] That all men are created equal..."
[Hermione] And if I ever met Thomas Jefferson (Uh!)
Then I'd make him include women in the sequel!

Cheers and shouts of approval resounded at this, especially from the girls and women. Hermione quickly pulled out her wand and flicked it, and the music temporarily cut out. She then put her free left hand over her mouth and started beatboxing herself in time with the music that had been playing, making the crowd gasp with surprise but also cheer more.

Alex chose this moment to step forward, and the crowd also inched forward in anticipation and sounded their approval.

"You got a verse to add, son?" Hercules asked.

"Can I drop some knowledge?" Alex asked in reply.

"Make it good, my man!" John replied, giving him the thumbs-up. Alex saw Hermione nod at him and swore he could see her smiling even behind her hand and needed no further encouragement as he reeled off with a smile,

[Alex] Yo, Alex Hamilton and I have to laugh
How can we not be equal? We're like half
Like women are half of the people on Earth
And yes, they should've been equal since birth
That means all day, every day, equal pay, every way

Hermione stopped, lowered her hand and beamed. She looked as if she knew he'd do that – or something like it – all along. She wouldn't tell Harry until later that night, but she indeed did, which explained why she had done what she did.

"Oh, preach!" John whooped, as he and Alex's other friends almost mobbed him in approval, their hands cascading down his back. He caught a good glimpse of Alex's face as he left the center and saw that he was beaming and laughing as Eliza quickly but enthusiastically kissed him on the cheek.

Eliza then took Alex's place in the center and the turned back to Hermione. Now positively glowing, she began to sing again as the music started back up. Hermione, swept up and taking her cue, joined her when she repeated,

[Eliza] Look around, look around
At how lucky we are to be alive right now
[Eliza/Hermione] Look around, look around
At how lucky we are to be alive right now!

Hermione could have sworn she even heard a bit of synth as they continued. She rapped while Eliza sang, with them making sure not to sing or rap over each other and their friends backing them up,

[Hermione] 'Cause I've been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine
[Eliza] Look around, look around
[Harry/Ron/Alex/John/Lafayette/Hercules] (Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!)
[Hermione] So lads say that I'm intense or insane
[Eliza] A revolution's happening
[Harry/Ron/Alex/John/Lafayette/Hercules] (Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!)

[Eliza] In New York!
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma/Fleur] (Look around, look around)
[Hermione] We've wanted revolution, I've needed revelation
[Eliza] First London, now New York!
[Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma/Fleur] (Look around, look around, the revolution's happening)
[Hermione] So listen to our Declaration:

They sang together one more time before Hermione, high on energy and seized by an urge to dance, whooped and pulled Harry into the center. He was surprised, but his smile was as big as hers and he was all too happy to dance with her again.

As they danced a jig while the view went to a fly-through of Times Square, Hermione could swear she saw Picquery dancing with a younger Dumbledore in one of the portraits and saying, "You go, girl!" She looked around at their friends and comrades, both old and new, and started to put her finger on her emotions.

"How do you feel, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Honestly, Harry..." Hermione took one more moment and then replied, glowing, "Revolutionary."

Alex was watching and said softly but with a smile, "Already, the world will never be the same because they'll know what we overcame. All of us. I promise."

Eliza, following his gaze and hearing his words, held him tightly from behind and said, "And so do I."

"And I," Ron added, coming up alongside her.

Alex looked back at them. They smiled at each other, then watched Hermione and Harry continue to dance.

[Hermione/Eliza] "We hold these truths to be self-evident
That all men are created equal..."
[Ginny/Luna/Fleur] (Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!)
[Parvati/Padma] (In the greatest city in the world)
[Hermione] (Whoo!)
[Eliza/Ginny/Luna/Parvati/Padma/Fleur] Look around, look around
At how lucky we are to be alive right now

Closing Author's Notes
And there it is! I may upload one more chapter with deleted scenes, but this story is now finished. I truly hope you guys have had fun! I went through a bunch of ideas for ending songs before I settled on Helpless and The Schuyler Sisters and then went from there.

Ron and Harry's freestyle verses are adapted from another story – Cannon Bomb Diggy Red by TheaYonder right here on this site.. Meanwhile, Hermione's beatboxing and Alex's freestyle come from what actually happened in another part of Emma Watson's meeting with Lin-Manuel Miranda for United Nations #HeForShe. If you want to see it, look up "Emma Watson Beatbox for Lin-Manuel Miranda Gender Equality Rap" on YouTube.

As we wrap up, I also want to leave you one more bit – Lin-Manuel's acceptance speech for when Hamilton won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. It's as, quite simply put, both very cool and very unique! Keep an eye out for Stephen Colbert handing the award over and Anthony Ramos having a Puerto Rican flag literally up his sleeve. If you haven't seen it yet, look up "Hamilton Best Musical Theater Album 58th Grammys" on YouTube.