Chapter 13

End of an Era

Harry and Tom were frozen from the lake, still shivering under the towels, the two looked around the pier. Harry was last, he refused to save only one and wanted to save everyone. George and Cedric were cuddled close next to them, sharing towels, while Hermione was with Viktor Krum and Fleur was holding onto her younger sister tightly. The points were given, still Harry did not feel ready to move. "This must have been so boring to watch," Tom mused.

"Huh?"

"The lake," Tom said, "while you and the others were down there trying to get us… the rest of the school could only see the lake's surface. It must have been boring to watch, in that respect I'm almost glad I've slept through it."

Harry nodded, "I was stupid, wasn't I?" he asked, "Trying to save all of you…"

"Stupid? No. Fool-hearted? Possibly… stubbornly courageous, indeed," Tom said. "I do not know if it is your childish idealism or your golden heart, however you were brave enough to find a way to save two people, while the other two just stuck with their one… Of course, there was really no harm coming to any of us."

"I see that now," Harry frowned. "Anyway, I could really do with a hot bath."

"As can I," Tom said. He stood up and held out his hand, "Heated blankets are good, but there is nothing like having a relaxing warm bath with your boyfriend. Shall we?"

Harry took Tom's hand, "Where are we going?" he asked.

"The Prefect's Bathroom of course," Tom said. "I suspect it should be empty by now, and if now, I am sure it's current occupants do not mind sharing it with us." Harry nodded, giving a little smile, before walking off with Tom. His head and body were full of adrenaline, so much so that he almost forgot that he had to write in his diary that night. Luckily, however, that was an old habit, one that will never die.

February 28th

Tom told me that he had special procedures in line with one Death Eater. He told me that there was one around Hogwarts, however he did not tell me who. I was scared to hear that there was a Death Eater here, I wanted to run and tell Dumbledore immediately, however Tom made me promise not to tell anyone. In return, he did something that made me feel very good… However I cannot help but feel worried. I know that my name was placed in the Goblet for a purpose, I just don't know what that purpose is. Whatever it is, it isn't good.

March 5th

That Skeeter woman somehow written an article about me and Tom! It's pure rubbish, saying that I am leading both him and Ron for my own amusements—just because I am not afraid to hug my friend, and Ron is clearly okay with it! I am so mad! Livid even, that woman was banned from the grounds I thought! How could she have gotten that information? Never mind, I need to focus on something. My day was fine besides that, and I've saw Ron hang around more with both Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. I don't know what they are doing, however Ron and Draco have never yelled at each other, and I even saw them smile at one another at some point. These are strange times we are living in.

March 8th

To be honest I thought receiving hate mail would be more exciting, however it is positively exhausting. Older witches and wizards have nothing better to do, I guess, than to send jinxes and minor curse words to a fourteen year old who loves his boyfriend very much. It's a bit sad. Oh well, from now on I'm using any and all hate mail to help keep the fires in Gryffindor Tower warm, that should cheer everyone up.

March 14th

Have you ever felt like the world is just moving so slow? Like there is an enormous event just on the horizon, just out of reach, and everyone but you know what it is and they are waiting with baited breath for it to come… only for it to come at a death's crawl? I feel like that is my life with the Third Task. Everyone wants it to be here already and yet… the twenty-fourth of June seems so far away. Something is going to happen there, I know it… I just wish for it to come so that it can be over and yet, as I think about it, I'm also dreading it.

May 3rd

Tom stopped our lessons, he told me that I now know everything I need to know. Instead, we've started to fool around. Our clothes quickly were flung off and… it was amazing, it was everything I expected and more. I just hope that I can't get pregnant.

May 15th

Tom and I did it again. I'm like addicted to it, is that normal? Divination almost made me fall asleep but then Tom and I found an empty bathroom and I was wide away real soon.

May 20th

Divination is so boring, I should have dropped it like Hermione.

May 27th

They are turning the Quidditch Field into a maze for the third task. However, Krum and I were by ourselves by the forest tonight. He was talking, he was rather nice, I can see myself asking to date him if I didn't already have Tom. Out of nowhere a battered and injured Mr. Crouch came out and scared us. He was talking nonsense—I ran quickly to get Dumbledore but when we returned Viktor was unconscious and Mr. Crouch was gone! He couldn't have gotten far—he looked near death! I'm still shaking about what happened, it can't be a good sign. I'm sending a letter to Sirius about it tomorrow, then telling Tom.

May 29th

Sirius replied. Told me it was dangerous to be with Krum, and that I shouldn't wander around after hours. Not that I had plans to. Tom's lessons started again; in that he is helping me prepare for the Third Task. Ron and Hermione help me as well; however, it is obvious that Tom is taking the lead. I should be confident about the task, however I'm not… I'm far from it in fact, I'm just more nervous than anything.

May 31st

I had a vision of Voldemort. He and Wormtail are preparing something, I don't 'know what. I was in Divination when it happened… I thought I was just dreaming when it shifted to Voldemort. I ran to tell Dumbledore, and while I waited for him in his office, I found a weird dish full of water and memories. In it I found Professor Dumbledore's memories of a trial that happened. Karkaroff was on trial as a Death Eater, and he sold his comrade for his freedom. I knew a lot of the people he sold… but also one that surprised me. Barty Crouch Jr. I didn't even know the man had a son. Dumbledore found me afterwards and after out talks my fear is still far from relieved. I need Tom.

June 14th

Tom has given me a necklace. "Wear it always my pet," he told me, "whenever you are in trouble, I will come running to you. It's my charm to protect you." It was really sweet of him, and the necklace is really beautiful. I already feel safer just wearing it, and I know I'll never take it off.

June 23rd

Tomorrow's the Third Task, it all ends tomorrow. I've tried a practice that Tom taught me. I'm exhausted and yet I still cannot sleep. I don't know what will await for me tomorrow, I just hope I live to write about it.

.

Battered, cut, injured and breathless, Harry could see the Triwizard Cup in sight. Everyone else was gone from the maze. He saw red sparks shot up high long before, which must has been Fleur as he ran into Viktor and Cedric just moments later. Both unconscious. He had to send up the sparks himself and wait for Professor McGonagall to take them out along with Professor Moody. Now it was just him… and a straight shot to the Cup.

There was no other challenges, no other difficulties standing between Harry and the Triwizard Cup, as it sat on a raised platform, the cup shining an brilliant blue, enticing anyone near it to touch it. Harry walked up slowly, his breath ragged, legs burning as the hedges around him seemed to become thicker and longer with each step. He stopped at the platform, his body shaking.

He took a breath and reached out and gripped the handle.

Instantly Harry felt a jerk somewhere behind his navel. His feet had left the ground. He could not unclench his hand holding the Triwizard Cup; it was pulling him onward in a howl of wind and swirling color.

Harry felt his feet slam into the ground; his injured leg gave out and he fell forward; his hand let go of the Triwizard Cup at last. He raised his head. He had left the Hogwarts grounds completely; he had obviously traveled many miles—perhaps hundreds of miles—for even the mountains surrounding the castle were gone. He was standing instead in a dark and overgrown graveyard; the black outline of a small church was visible beyond a large yew tree to his right. A hill rose above him to his left. Harry could just make out the outline of a fine old house on the hillside.

He pulled out his wand, just in case, He looked around, in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but feel as though he was being watched. Then he saw it. Squinting tensely through the darkness, he watched the figure drawing nearer, walking steadily toward him between the graves. Harry couldn't make out a face, but from the way it was walking and holding its arms, he could tell that it was carrying something. Whoever it was, he was short, and wearing a hooded cloak pulled up over his head to obscure his face. And—several paces nearer, the gap between them closing all the time—Harry saw that the thing in the person's arm looked like a baby … or was it merely a bundle of robes?

Harry lowered his wand slightly. The figure stopped at a towering marble headstone, only six feet away from Harry. For a second, the two simply looked at one another. And then, without warning, his scar exploded with pain. It was agony such as he had never felt in all his life; his wand slipped from his fingers as he put his hands over his face; his knees buckled; he was on the ground and he could see nothing at all; his head was about to split open.

He felt someone grab and drag him. He was thrust against something hard. The hooded figure pulled out a wand and lit it; in the wandlight Harry could see the name upon the marble headstone.

TOM RIDDLE

The cloaked man was now conjuring tight cords around Harry, trying him from neck to ankles to the headstone. Harry could hear shallow, fast breathing from the depths of the hood; he struggled, and the man hit him—hit him wit ha hand that had a finger missing. And Harry gasped. It was Wormtail.

"You!"

But it wasn't Wormtail who answered him, but another voice. "My dear Harry, if you wanted to be tied up, why let that beast do it?" Wormtail stiffened. He looked up only to be blasted away by an unknown spell.

Tom walked into Harry's focus, smiling at him. "I had a feeling this would happen my love," he said, looking at Wormtail and the bundle. "I heard him talking about it while I was here. That's why I've given you the necklace. Today's the day finally it seemed, strange though, I feel it was both rushed and yet took a long time for this day."

"Y-you," Wormtail sputtered. Tom smiled and stood up fully. "Hello Wormtail," he said coldly, "it has been a year…" he walked towards the bundle of robes that was on the floor. He stood between Harry and the robes and knelt down, opening them so only Tom could see. It was then that Harry heard a voice, a cold voice that only existed in nightmares.

"You… my Horcrux come to life…"

"Hello Voldemort," Tom said, "It has been some time… fifty years."

"How have you return? I did not feel it."

Tom smirked and looked back at Harry. "It's all because of the boy you're trying to now kill," he said. "I've seduced him… made him mine just as Adrian was. You remember Adrian, don't you? The boy who was the love of our lives…"

There was a cold laugh from the bundles. "Yes… he is dead."

Tom sighed and shook his head. He looked towards Wormtail for a moment, considering the frightened man before aiming his wand at him. "Avada Kedavra." The rat barely had time to give a squeak before he collapsed dead. Harry struggled as he thought he heard slithering behind him, however he couldn't move his neck at all. Tom, however, seemed unconcerned as he turned back to the bundle of robes. "Such a stupid old man," he laughed, "reduced to what? A disgusting babe of flesh—more monstrous than ever. Have you made them? All seven?"

There was no reply from the bundle of robes. Tom sighed and stood up. He walked towards Harry and silently undid the rope binding him. "What's going on?" Harry asked, "What are we going to do?"

Tom looked at the bundle for a moment before turning to Harry. "Do you want to see this?" He asked. "You can turn away and imagine that this is humane…" Harry shook his head, "No," he said, "I have to see this."

Tom sighed, "Very well… can you please move away from my father's grave then?" Harry nodded and stepped away. Tom moved towards the bundle and Harry could sense a very different aura about him. Gone was any love, happiness, or peace he found in his lover. Instead, he stood before it full of malice, hatred, and pure evil. He picked up the bundle and Harry saw a cold smile appear on Tom. "You're afraid… you're afraid of what I will do to you… you should be. After all, you are just an old man who, even after so much death and wars, accomplished nothing… you cannot do anything right you old fool." He moved the robes, letting it fall to the ground, and Harry let out a small scream.

It had the shape of a human child, except that Harry had never seen anything less like a child. It was hairless and scaly-looking, a dark, raw reddish black. Its arms and legs were thin and feeble, and its face—no child alive ever had a face like that—flat and snakelike, with gleaming red eyes.

The thing seemed almost helpless, not that Tom cared. "For fifty years I have been stuck in that diary," he began. "Not that I am petty or jealous about it… no, for fifty years I have been planning, wondering, thinking of how the world would be with me in charge… curious to all the wonderous things that Lord Voldemort will accomplish. And now, out of the diary, I am both astonished and angry to find that you've accomplished nothing… the great Dark Lord, defeated by a baby." Tom walked towards the headstone slowly, never looking down at the monster in his arms, or at Harry, his eyes focused forward, and cold of humanity. "A child! Who did nothing but cry and scream as his parents are dead around him! And still you could not have killed him. Not that it matters now… Potter is mine, and I will never let anyone harm a head on my love…" He stopped just before the headstone. He glanced at the name and chuckled coldly. "Goodbye Tom Riddle Jr. … the world won't forget about you… but I will."

He held the abomination by it's feeble looking legs and let it dangle in front of him. He swung his arms back and Harry realized what Tom was going to do a second before it actually happened. He swung the abomination with full force towards the headstone. The sickening crunch of bones breaking filled the air, red blood and puss splattered everywhere, the legs that Tom was holding onto broke off into two as the monster stuck to the headstone, glued on by it's own blood. It jerked endlessly, still somehow living. Tom took the head and rammed it repeatedly into the tombstone, a mad look in his eyes, his teeth gritted, and nose flared with each and every punch until, there was no distinguishable body, but a large spread of blood, flesh, and puss. Bones stuck out at odd places, and Harry had to turn away quickly as he felt his stomach flip and threw up.

Tom left the tombstone and cleaned his hands with the bundle of robes, finding and pulling out his old wand and pocketing it. His hands clean, he moved to Harry and placed his hand on Harry's back, "It's done," he whispered. "No—don't look, you don't need to look." Harry sputtered and looked up to Tom. Together, they walked in silence to the yew tree and sat down under it. They were both silent, watching the night sky above them. Time passed normally, without any noticing. Harry turned to Tom and watched him. Any anger, any violent, malice, any hatred that was once in his eyes were gone, replaced by his normal contemplation. "What now?" Harry whispered.

Tom glanced at Harry before looking up, spotting the moon through the yew's branches. "I like to think that years ago… my conquest started with a broken heart. That all I've done, I've done in the name of my lost love, killed by a society that did not understand him. However, that was lost as time went on… and Adrian laid forgotten. And now… the monster that Tom Riddle had become is now dead. I hope that in the afterlife, he and Adrian might once again reunite… but that might be just wishful thinking. As of the present… Voldemort is dead, and we are alive. Why risk our lives ever more? Tom Riddle may lie dead in this graveyard, murdered by the headstone of his father… but the future for me, for Thomas Blackthorn, is yet to be written, and is shining with many opportunities, with his husband Harry Blackthorn by his side." They shared a sweet smile and Harry reached for Tom's hand.

"Whatever you do, I'll be there to support you," Harry smiled. "I'm positive that you will be brilliant at it."

"Thank you, Harry," Tom said. He brought Harry's hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I think I might go into teaching… be it at Hogwarts or any other school, though I must confess I have a preference for Hogwarts. After all, you were an excellent student, Harry." Harry giggled at this. He glanced back and noticed Wormtail's body.

"What about all this?" he asked, gesturing to the graveyard. "What will we tell the world?"

"Nothing," Tom said. "They all believed Voldemort died thirteen years ago… let's keep it that way. Of course, Dumbledore will have to know the truth, if he doesn't already. We'll bring Wormtail's body to him, I'm sure he can use it to set Sirius free. He's a clever man, Dumbledore, hate him or love him, you have to admit he's clever."

Harry nodded in agreement. "I don't want to go, oddly enough," he said. "I don't want to go back to the noise… can't we stay under this tree for just a little bit longer?"

"Of course," Tom smiled. "As long as you need." Harry leaned against Tom and they watched the night sky together.

.

Later, when both were starting to feel tired, Tom roused Harry to go. They walked together to the Triwizard Cup and shared a kiss before Harry gripped the Cup again, transporting back to Hogwarts. The roar of the crowd greeted him, and Harry could just give a tired smile as he held the Cup up high. Looking around, he was surprised to see Professor Moody staring intensely at Harry, looking a little scared. He had no time to worry about that, however, as Ludo Bagman took Harry's hand and raised it up high, showing off the Triwizard Cup. "Our winner!" he yelled out to the cheering crowd, "Harry Potter!"

Tom returned to the castle with Wormtail's body transfigured into a stone. Alone in the hallway, he was surprised to see Professor Moody by himself. He looked frantic, muttering to himself and angry. "Professor," Tom said concerned, "shouldn't you be at the Quidditch Pitch with the others? Harry won you know."

Professor Moody stopped, he turned to Tom and, for the first time, surprised Tom. His face looked melted, his body turning in on itself as the man struggled with the magical eye, pulling it out of its socket just quick enough for a real eye to take it's place. Moody's wooden leg spat out, a real one sprouting out as well and the man began to thin and stretch, hair bursting on his head. Tom took a step back and looked around quickly. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Stupid boy," the man grumbled, "shouldn't have seen that."

Tom already had his wand out but a voice from just behind him yelled out, "Stupefy!" The stunning spell shot over his shoulder and hit the mysterious man. Tom turned around to see Professor Dumbledore standing just behind him. The headmaster's eyes moved from the man to Tom.

"How did you know to be here?" Tom asked.

"I must confess, Mr. Blackthorn, I did not expect to run into you here," Professor Dumbledore said, "I merely saw my friend looking a little ill and followed out of concern. However, imagine my surprised when I saw this, and you standing right in front of him Mr. Blackthorn… or should I call you Mr. Riddle?"

Tom gave a chuckle, "No use trying to fool you," he said. "How long have you known about me?"

"Since last year, I know every single student I've ever taught Tom… and you are a student that I will never forget," Dumbledore said, Tom nodded and noticed that his wand seemed slack in his hand.

"It's Blackthorn now, sir, if you please… Tom Riddle is dead," Tom said.

"Is that so?" Dumbledore asked in a serious tone.

"Yes," Tom nodded. He pulled out the pebble from his pocket, "I would like to confess two deaths that I've committed, if you would? This is Wormtail… I thought that you could use him… for Sirius."

"The years have changed you," Dumbledore said, looking completely surprised. Tom shook his head, "No sir, love has," he said.

Dumbledore nodded. He walked up to Tom and placed a hand on his back, "I am proud of that," he said, "if you would, go get Professor Snape and have him bring a vial of Veritaserum for our newcomer here. After his manner is done, we can talk about yours…"

.

June 25th

I am very happy to have the Triwizard Tournament over. Tom told me that when he returned, he and Dumbledore talked overnight about everything that happened, his years in the diary, my help in his escape, and our love. In the end, Dumbledore agreed to keep Tom Riddle dead, it is what is best for the world, and Tom can keep studying here as Thomas Blackthorn. However, he will have to explain to Sirius how exactly he came across of Wormtail's body. Dumbledore was able to extract memories from the corpse, which will be an excellent step in helping Sirius get his freedom. Then hopefully soon afterwards I can start living with him!

I still cannot believe that it is over, Voldemort is fully gone. There are his followers, yes, however they have all fled or are in Azkaban. Nobody is stupid enough to actually rise up without their leader. Anyway, I actually saw Ron and Blaise kissing! I can't believe it! They didn't say anything, or noticed me, which is good. They look good together, I hope it lasts. The term is over, all the exams are done, and all that is left to do this semester is relax with my boyfriend, watching the clouds go by.

I feel like something died in that graveyard, something that was inside all of us, and now all that is left is something new, something bright, and something… I don't know, peaceful? Boring? Boring… I like that word. Boring. I hope I can have a lot more days that are just boring. It would be absolutely fantastic.

July 14th

Today's the day! I'm moving in with Sirius! I'm more than happy to see the Dursleys gone and they are more than happy to see the last of me. I hope I will never see any of them again. Sirius and I are moving into a place called Number 12 Grimmauld Place, it apparently used to be his old home. He warned me that it was drastically unlivable, but anything is better than the Dursleys. Tom will be with us all summer to help clean up, as well as the Weasleys. Everything seems to be going great, my room had a large bed, big enough for Tom and me, and I don't care that there's a creepy house-elf that does nothing but stare daggers at me, I can't help but be happy about this whole situation. I cannot wait for the next year of Hogwarts to come, and I can at last have just a boring, plain year with my loving boyfriend.

July1st 1998

We've done it! Tom and I officially graduated Hogwarts! I'm so happy that I'll never have to write a paper ever again in my life! Well Tom has to, he was just approved for an apprenticeship for Defense Against the Dark Arts mastery, after which he can begin teaching. Me however, I think I'll relax for a week… or a month before I think about work. Sirius is old friends with the head of the Auror Department, a man named Kingsley Shaklebolt. He told me that whenever I was ready, I can hand in my transcript and Kingsley will look it over. I hope I get in.

September 5th 1998

I just got work from Kingsley! I'm starting my Auror training properly next week.

February 17th 2005

Tom and I found a lovely house for sale, it has a wonderful yard, not too close to the city and yet it has a nice wizarding neighborhood. Sirius is sad that I'm moving out, however Tom and I promised that we would visit him and Remus as much as we can, and that we'll need all the help we can get moving in. We told Ron and Blaise about it, and the two agreed to help. It's a shame that their thing with Draco ended, however Ron told me that they were still friends. Even now it seems odd to consider that man a friend… maybe I should talk to him some more.

July 30th 2007

I'm so nervous. Everything is set, the guests are all situated, the seating has been a nightmare, the rings are here, and my suit is perfect and yet… It's my fucking wedding! How can I not be worried? What if I trip? Or if I do something stupid—Tom wanted to outdo Cedric and George's wedding—but how to do you outdo a dragon show? I know it is all in good fun but he's a Professor! He should be more mature than that. Fuck, I feel like I won't be able to relax until Tom and I are in bed tomorrow. Is it bad for the second groom to drink the night before his wedding?

.

Twenty six years old, Harry had finally grown to a full height of five foot seven. His face still smooth, the only parts of him that looked older was the odd wrinkle under his eyes, and the worry lines in his forehead however most of that was due to wedding stress. The venue was perfect, an outdoor wedding on the edge of a beautiful lake, in the distance were low rolling hills and mountains that made the place picturesque and isolated. Several giant white canopies were set up, under each were rows of seating, as well as the catering and dining after the ceremony. Though it was still sunny, each canopy had a lantern ready to light up with dozens of sleeping fairies freshly caught for the ceremony.

Harry and Tom were in a private tent to the side, busy dressing for the wedding. Harry's suit was a dark blue color with a black bowtie, while Tom simply dressed in all white. A sheet divided them, for while they both knew what the other was wearing for their wedding, Sirius insisted that it was bad luck and they at least needed to be separated. Looking through a small window, Harry noted, "The guests are starting to arrive."

"About time too," Tom said. "I wasn't sure if I've set all the portkeys correctly." The lake was such an isolated place that, normally, it would take muggles days of hiking through wilderness to find it, Harry liked that aspect and hoped that the Daily Prophet wouldn't find them. "Who is it?" Tom asked.

"Hermione and her parents," Harry said, glancing through the window again. "Mr. Granger seemed to lose some weight."

"Hmm… Harry make sure that we never get that boring when we grow old," Tom said.

"Are you kidding?" Harry joked, "Boring is never an option with you or me." Tom laughed and Harry couldn't help but smile. The past twelve years since the graveyard really changed them, as though a heavy weight was finally lifted, and they were able to just be themselves. Together they've changed and talked, Harry glancing through the tent's window and commentating on which guest just shown up, and what was generally happening.

The tent opened up some time later, and Sirius walked in, "Harry!" he exclaimed, looking at his godson, "you are looking so handsome. I know that James and Lily would be proud." He pulled Harry in for a hug before looking past the sheet separating Tom and Harry. "You two could have at least used different tents," he sighed, shaking his head lightly.

"Then how will I talk with my boy before the wedding?" Tom chuckled. "Harry, is everyone ready?"

"Almost," Sirius answered for Harry. "You should have seen what happened, somehow Skeeter found out about this and tried to sneak in. Not that I blame her, the Harry Potter's wedding? And with a guest list varying from the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the head of the Auror's department to convicted criminals? Talk about the perfect mixture for gossip."

"Oh that reminds me, Viktor sent us another letter," Harry said, looking at the sheet. "He's sorry that he can't get to the wedding, however his team is doing very well this past season."

"That's nice," Tom said, "We should visit him one day… and his many… partners."

Sirius made a disapproving face but said nothing.

"You know, you still haven't told me about the deal you and him made," Harry hummed.

"Is there a reason?" Tom asked. "It was just a deal to type up loose ends. Nothing very important."

"I guess," Harry shrugged.

"Well, at least promise me that you two will not walk down together," Sirius said.

"Of course not," Tom said, "I'm just about ready, I'm going out to greet the guests and get in position, after that Harry will come out—"

"On my arm," Sirius interjected.

"Yes Sirius, you will be walking with Harry," Tom said, amused. "We do the ceremony, Harry and say our vows and 'I dos,' kiss, and before we know it we can finally relax."

"It all sounds so simple when you say it that way," Sirius said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "How does he do that?"

"Just his gift," Harry smiled. "Who else still needs to arrive?" he asked.

"The Diggorys, George and Cedric, just arrived, as well as Cedric's parents," Sirius said, "So all that's left is Remus."

"Great, tell us when they get here please?" Harry smiled. Sirius nodded and left. Harry watched Sirius through the window before turning to the sheet separating him and Tom and pushed it eagerly to the side. Tom chuckled and pulled Harry in for a long, loving kiss, both men holding each other close, Harry resting his head under Tom's chin. "God I'm tired," Harry complained.

"Me too, but think about it love, soon we'll be husbands, and after we stuff ourselves with food and celebrate… we can have our real celebration," Tom chuckled.

"Ohh? What do you have in mind?" Harry asked.

"I'm not telling," Tom said. He kissed Harry's forehead and patted his shoulders, "Come on, it's almost time and I have to greet everyone."

"Alright," Harry smiled. They shared one last kiss before Tom left the tent. Harry watched him through the window and sighed, stretching as he gave out a yawn.

"Bored on your wedding day, Harry?"

"Shut up Blaise," Harry said, turning around to see his friend. "I was up till four making sure everything's perfect."

"I'm sure it will be," Blaise said. He hugged his friend and took a step back, "My you look gorgeous Harry," he said.

"So, do you," Harry smiled, indicating to Blaise's simple black suit.

"Thanks, so what was the problem with last night?" Blaise asked.

"Seating," Harry said. "I know that you and Ron wanted to sit with Draco, however the Malfoys would rather be damned than be near the Weasleys, Diggorys, and especially the Lovegoods."

"So, what did you do?" Blaise asked.

"They're sitting with your mother and a few other older witches and wizards, hope you don't mind," Harry said.

"It's fine, my mother loves talking with Mrs. Malfoy," Blaise shrugged. "Which reminds me, have you heard about what happened with Draco and Parkinson?"

"Please tell me they didn't—"

"God no," Blaise laughed. "Parkinson heard about your wedding and begged Draco to take her as a date. She apparently annoyed him so much that he yelled at her public, and I quote, 'Shut up you annoying dog I'm taking Granger not you!'"

"No!" Harry gasped.

"Yeah!"

"You're kidding—him and Hermione?" Harry gasped.

"Him and Hermione," Blaise smirked.

"Lucius must have loved that," Harry said.

"Draco told me that he didn't talk to him for a week," Blaise said. Harry laughed and looked out the window for the young Malfoy. He was sitting in his seat and Harry gasped as every now and again he and Hermione would share secret looks. "Oh, this is brilliant," Harry grinned.

"Yeah," Blaise nodded. "Anyway, I just came in to say congratulations."

"Thanks," Harry smiled. "Hopefully the next one will be you and Ron," Harry grinned. Blaise blushed but gave a big smile at his friend. They hugged and Blaise left. A couple minutes later, Sirius walked in, standing upright and looking rather sharp. "Ready Harry?" he asked.

"I am," Harry nodded. Taking a deep breath, he took Sirius' arm and leaving his worries and nervousness behind, walk out and into the aisle as a soft harmony began. The guests all rose, and Harry saw Tom standing there at the end, his face beaming with happiness, his white suit contracting all the deeds that they had to commit to get to his point. Smiling to himself, Harry looked up at Sirius and nodded. Thoughts of their wrongdoings, their trials and tribulations came and went in Harry's mind, his heart fluttered over the guilt, the tiredness, the doubt, and left nothing but the purest of all emotions. Full of happiness, affection, love, and many other feelings Harry never thought possible when he first became aware of his otherness, Harry Potter walked down the aisle, ready to live his life, to see the new trials that adulthood will bring, and to see what fate has in store for him, all with his loving husband by his side.

THE END