So here we are at the end of this journey. It took only five years lol but I am very proud I finished it, it wouldn't be continued or finished without my precious and talented Marla1 my longtime friend and beta :)

Thank you all for sticking around with me after all this time, thank you so much for reading and reviewing, I am so glad you liked this.

Enjoy...

Epilogue

Summer 2011

The small house in the forest of Dean, concealed by muggle or magical eyes, was quiet as the sun rose in the sky. The greenery around the forest made the house a haven for the couple that wished privacy.

The man in the kitchen of the ground floor was using the coffee maker, muggle and magical devices worked in sync, thanks to the couple's connections with the Ministry for Magic. He loved the house, a proper household for two magical people raised in muggle backgrounds. He never liked to use his name and connections to achieve things but for the house he had played every influence card. Special permission for the Floo network, allowance to use powerful concealing spells, muggle-repellant spells as they built the house within the forest, as his wife had wished for. The house itself had been ready in less than six months. Last spring they finally moved in and ever since it had been their haven.

He was dressed in black trousers and a black blouse, his socks black as well. He would put on his shoes before he left the house with his wife. He heard soft footsteps coming down the stairs to the first floor of the house and soon his best friend for twenty years and wife for one, entered the room and smiled sadly at him. Her black dress and tights almost concealing her five-month pregnant belly. He filled a cup of coffee for her as well, decaf as he had made sure to stock the kitchen with it. She took the cup gratefully and drank the black liquid, closing her eyes at the taste.

'It's really good, for decaf,' Hermione commented and Harry smiled slightly and nodded his head as he rested the small of his back on the counter and opened his arm for her to approach. She did so and wrapped her own arm around him, her face snuggling on the black fabric of his blouse. Her belly pushing slightly his own body.

'I had imagined our first anniversary different.' Harry sent through the bond and Hermione sighed and nodded. Cancelled airplane tickets and ten days in Italy had to be postponed. He would have to go back to his Quidditch team after that but he would make some time in the Christmas break for them to go somewhere then.

'We were not traditionally married, we wouldn't have a traditional first year anniversary,' Hermione sent and Harry nodded and kissed her lips. One year ago, he was facing his dead parents a day after his Elvis marriage in Vegas, a year later he had to attend a funeral with his wife.

Ginny Weasley had been captured by Aurors the night the Stone had been found. Soon the authorities realized she hadn't committed crimes serious enough to have a trial, apart from the resistance against the department of aurors the entire family had showed. Along the rest of the Weasleys, the case was dropped and the Ministry dismissed the situation as they wished to show control and confidence to the Wizarding Community.

It was Harry and Hermione who finished the Hallows for everyone's sake. It was the couple that had been found by Kreacher the next day in the cellar, the elf had called upon Ron and Andromeda to help as the couple had been found comatose by the elf. They had spent days on the fourth floor of St Mungo's hospital, drifting in and out of consciousness with most healers not sure how to approach the magical situation as the Hallows had never been encountered by anyone who survived to tell the tale.

It was their magical wedding and the sacrificial spell that kept them alive and their bond that brought them back, all based on the couple's unconditional love. Shared dreams, feelings, healing through it, their brains and hearts endured, their consciousnesses found each other and emerged from the deepest corners of their beings.

Something, they realized, hadn't happened for Ginny. By the time the couple recovered, she had been moved in the ward 49, where the long-term cases remained.

Her brain had been strained beyond hope, her perception of time and space was limited and the wound made by the Resurrection Stone refused to heal no matter the spells and potions she received. Her sleep had been limited, haunted by nightmares of the Diary possessing her and the Stone bringing back the dead. Everyone understood why the second brother took his own life in his desperation to find salvation. Ginny was living with the aftermath of the Stone's long-term use, she spoke to the dead who were not there, she was unable to recognize the living surrounding her.

She deteriorated, if it wasn't for the hospital staff and their excellent care, she would have died months ago. If Harry and Hermione hadn't taken the Stone, she would have died within days. Hermione had a theory that the Stone had realized Ginny was dying so it was seeking out for its master, showing Harry his parents, in an attempt to summon him close to It so it could remain in use. No matter how hard the healers fought, the Hallow had planted its seeds of destruction and Ginny's life was prolonged only because of the care she received.

Three days ago, the healers had summoned the close family and even though she failed to recognize anyone, Ginerva Weasley died among friends and family. Harry and Hermione had been among the people close to her. After their own recovery they built their bridges with Ron, leaving behind the awkward past and hoping for a better future. He needed them in his life and after almost losing them once more, he realized that he would either have them as one or not at all. They were glad he accepted them, at their sight of immediate perish, the trio came back together again. For the first time in years, they cherished their long friendship more than their individual issues with each other, something the three friends had forgotten, lost in the men's unconscious rivalry, Harry and Hermione's suppressed feelings and Ron's insecurities.

They had been warned that Ginny's time was nearing so they canceled their trip to Italy to stay close to Ron, when his sister left. They were there to comfort their best friend and the rest of his family.

Everyone had been devastated but the most miserable figure was Molly. She wouldn't lift off the blame from her shoulders as she was the one who knew the longest about Ginny using the Stone. She had tried in vain to stop her child but as she had admitted through her tears, she had been trapped by the Stone herself at the sight of Fred.

No one could go back and fix things – partly because they weren't sure when Ginny actually started using the Stone- as Hermione had explained to her desperate best friend… Ron had no idea how time travel worked but still he had tried to persuade his friends to go back and help his sister.

'After the ceremony. I want you to rest,' Harry offered through their link and felt Hermione smile and nod.

She had been tiring herself for the past days with the trips to the hospital, the time spent with the Weasleys and the limited sleep she was getting because of the situation.

After their encounter with death, or whatever that vision-like experience was, the Hallows had been deactivated. The Elder Wand was reduced to a piece of wood that little by little cracked and started withering until it was a little white twig. The Stone had been cracked open and the Cloak was torn and destroyed to a piece of fabric. Kreacher had taken care of the destroyed Hallows until the couple was released from the hospital and when they were back to full health, they had hidden the objects in the foundation of their current household, forever buried in the earth.

Ever since they escaped Death -in that scenery their consciousnesses had been taken-, three days ago was the first time they saw Death again. They didn't see him with their own physical eyes but they had felt him like no one else from the people around them. They had felt him waiting until he could seize the final breath from Ginny's parted lips, an ice cold grip, a presence of emptiness, a pull at the heart as if someone was sucking the life-force out of the dying woman was what the couple had felt in that hospital room.

Being the Masters of Death had its own lasting effects and they were glad they had closed the vicious circle. Ginny had been the example they had needed to erase the Hallows from the face of the earth.

'It's over for Ginny, we need to move on,' Harry added mentally and left his cup on the counter behind him so he could caress Hermione's belly.

Harry had been shaken to his very core when he had felt the third presence between them. They had realized what was happening before Hermione could be late with her period. Their Bond had developed rapidly during their hospitalization, making them share physical and mental sensations along emotions and thoughts, it had been the only way for them to survive.

They had unconsciously feared that after such a close encounter with death, maybe they would have problems creating life but they had reached the side of the bridge where the two children awaited along the rest of their friends and family. They had hoped it hadn't been just a trick, and Harry thanked the Heavens they were right, Hermione's pregnancy was smooth and easy and their son would be born in the middle of November. Best part of it all: he had no prophesy or legacy of fighting evil over his head, thanks to his parents.

'We will.' Hermione reassured her husband and best friend who nodded. They finished their coffees and left the cups in the sink before they could exit the kitchen of their cottage. Crookshanks jumped on their sofa and watched them at the hall as they put their shoes on. 'Apparate us please,' Hermione requested and Harry nodded and took her hand in his, they were gone with a loud crack.

With another one, they found themselves outside the gates of the cemetery of Otter St Catchpole, the thick forests around the graveyard allowed them to apparate in unnoticed. Still holding hands, the couple moved out of the tree line and moved inside the graveyard. A few people had gathered already and both Harry and Hermione shook hands with close friends like Luna Lovegood and the stricken Dean Thomas. There were Order members, Minerva McGonagall would make the eulogy for the fallen Gryffindor, just as she had done for Fred. The couple moved among friends until they reached the front where the Weasleys stood before the coffin.

Harry and Hermione parted their hands only to stand on the sides of Ron who had remained silent by Neville's side who made space for the two. Harry moved on Ron's right and Hermione on the left. The moment Hermione took Ron's hand, the ginger haired man broke in tears and hid his face with his free hand. Both Harry and Hermione moved closer until they could physically comfort their best friend with their own heads lowered their eyes full of tears. The rest of the Weasleys were close by, devastated and holding each other. Harry felt for a moment as if it had been yesterday when in similar fashion, they all stood by each other for Fred's funeral, back then he had comforted Ginny. Life had changed so much, Death had claimed some of it.

'Ginerva Weasley was a sweet, loving child,' Professor McGonagall started, her voice breaking from age and emotion. Hermione hadn't made it to keep the promise, another young one had died on McGonagall's watch, not the one expected but certainly one of her own. 'A child that deserved only happiness and love,' the elder witch continued and people tried to hold their sobs and gasps of breath. 'When you survive a war, burry your dead and say your farewells, when you find peace after the struggle, when the guilt and the fear finally vacate your dreams, you expect that the worst is over. But sometimes Death claims the most innocent, the most brave in ways undetected, sometimes Death makes a fool of us, the older ones, by taking away the young, going against Mother Nature itself.' McGonagall added and took a breath as she tried to contain her own tears. 'Ginerva was a talented witch and a brave woman, proud and beautiful, she will remain in our hearts as an example to be followed for her loyalty and her patience, her compassion and her honesty. She will be a reminder of all the good in life for us and the next generation.' Minerva added and everyone nodded their heads as they remained silent and raised their wands for Ginny the moment the coffin was magically moved within the earth and the marble stone carved itself, by her tomb, her brother lay.

Ron finally broke down and moved towards his best friend for support. Harry held his brother in a hug and Hermione rubbed her best friend's back with one hand as the other took away her tears. Ginny had been her friend for years, along Luna, the closest female friend she had, even if there had been rivalry and tension, Ginny had been there, at the Burrow, in Hogwarts, before and after the war, for her, for Harry, for Ron. Ginny was gone and Hermione realized this wound would take a long time to heal.

She could feel through their bond that Harry felt the same. They looked at each other for a moment and it was all they needed to communicate with each other. It was hard to push down the guilt, the "what ifs" surrounding the loss. Experienced, trained Unspeakables hadn't realized who had the Stone, they only found it after Arthur explained to Shackelbolt that Ginerva had been acting strange and the aurors put two and two together but it had been too late and only after Harry and Hermione had taken the wand.

After the end of the Hallows, the ministry had tried to reach the Potters for details, even still at St Mungo's but the Potters had refused to say a word about what had happened or where the Hallows remained after their destruction. They weren't sure what to explain after all. They had only reassured the Minister that the Hallows were destroyed as it was a matter of security and that they were done with the ministry. No more political games, no more shared information on anything, they were done with an institution that only lied and exploited them.

Hermione deep down knew, Ginny had been doomed but she and Harry couldn't help but wonder, if the ministry had given them the letter, if they had let them know, would they have destroyed the Hallows before they could reclaim them? Would Ginny have had a chance then? Or even with the letter and the Wand, their love would only blossom when it did, Harry had the Hallows before under his possession, yet he hadn't gotten the catalyst like a few months ago, he hadn't been with Hermione.

The funeral was over with many people giving their condolences to the grieving Weasleys, the family burying yet another child. Harry and Hermione were left behind with Ron who remained before his siblings' tombs. His tears dried up and his sobs abated, his eyes were red and tired as his friends comforted him.

'Thank you for being here,' he said with a broken voice and both Harry and Hermione nodded and patted his back. 'Everything ok with my Godson in there?' he asked after a moment, glancing at Hermione's belly, the brunette smiled for the first time ever since they reached the graveyard and nodded.

'He's fine,' Hermione reassured him and moved slightly away as Luna reached the trio to give her condolences, she and her father had already spoke to the rest of the family, the Lovegoods were surprisingly simply dressed in dark toned robes without too many accessories on them. Luna kissed Hermione on the cheek in greeting, did the same with Harry and smiled at the couple.

'Hello guys,' she said quietly, the girl that had been captured in the Malfoy manor, helped Harry with the Diadem of Ravenclaw and fought in the final battle was now a grown woman with long curly hair and her blue eyes full of honesty and kindness. Said woman turned towards Ron, smiled at him and cupped his face in her hands, her lips kissing his in a tender kiss only a lover would give.

'I'm here for you,' she reassured him in a calm voice, when the kiss was over. Harry and Hermione had remained with raised eyebrows and surprise coming back and forth through their bond as Ron had the decency to blush crimson as right after the kiss, he had to shake Xenophilius' extended hand who seemed completely unfazed by his daughter's show of affection. The blond father and daughter left quietly outside the graveyard and towards the direction of their own house as they lived close by.

'Uhmmm, you have some explaining to do,' Harry offered as Ron looked at his best friends, he glanced at the retreating back of Luna and the couple saw the hope and care in their friend's eyes before he could look back at them, he couldn't smile, not yet, but his features had softened.

'She's sweet, kind and… Loony understands.' Ron offered and Hermione actually swatted his arm.

'Don't call her that!' she commanded but Ron shook his head as he rubbed his arm.

'It's ok, she calls me Roony,' Ron added and Hermione rolled her eyes. The trio started moving away from the tombs of the Weasley family. Ron was the one to move first and his friends followed, if he was ready to leave, they were with him every step of the way.

'What's wrong with you and nicknames of your girlfriends?' Hermione wondered and the two men laughed, from Won-Won to Roony, there was a pattern there. The trio stopped a few steps before the exit of the graveyard and Ron faced his friends.

'I am going to go to her house, she has helped a lot in the past days, the Burrow is too depressing at the moment,' Ron confessed and both Harry and Hermione could see there was something deeper. Need, need was all over their friend's face for the blond woman, something genuine, dare they say love, was blossoming there.

'You know where to find us the moment you feel the need.' Harry reassured his best friend who nodded and the two men shared a hug before Ron could hug Hermione who wrapped her arms around him in a comforting gesture. They had grown up together, they had been through hell, and even if along the way, they parted ways, made mistakes with their partners, they finally found the right way and that was enough to cement their lifelong friendship.

'Thank you, guys. I will come and visit, I promise.' Ron added when he broke the hug with Hermione.

'If you wish, tell Luna too…' Hermione offered with a smile that was shared by Harry and replied from Ron with one of his own.

'Will do, till then, take care of my Godson,' Ron added as he pointed at Hermione's body, she chuckled and nodded. 'No funny business, that kid needs to make the Cannons the Quidditch Cup champions,' Ron added teasingly as he pointed this time at Harry who chuckled as well.

'The kid will be in United, now go away Weasley,' Harry ordered and Ron grinned for the first time in weeks if not months.

'Never too far away, Potter, not again,' he added and smiled at them as he shoved his hands in his pockets, his tall body relaxing at last as he turned towards the exit of the graveyard, he looked once more at his friends.

'Thanks, guys,' he finally said as Harry took Hermione's hand in his. 'And don't blame yourselves, please, it was Gin's mistake…' he added this time seriously, making the couple nod as he turned around and started walking. The morning sun making his ginger hair stand out through the green field he moved through. The couple looked at each other after Ron was up the hill separating the graveyard from the village.

'You think he'll be ok?' Hermione asked within the link, they had gotten so accustomed on using the bond, it was as natural as breathing.

'Luna has a way of helping people. Without words, without trying, I think it's what he needs so yes, he'll be fine.' Harry sent through their link and Hermione nodded and smiled. 'Lets go home, my love,' Harry added and Hermione reached for a kiss that he gladly gave to his wife. They broke apart after a few moments and smiled at each other.

'I love you, Harry.' Hermione sent through their link.

'I love you too, both of you,' Harry sent back as they glanced between them with smiles on their faces.

He put his arm around Hermione's shoulders, and she put hers around his waist, and they turned in silence and, back toward the church and the out-of-sight kissing gate.

Iwanted to give a closure to everyone's tale, something bittersweet as life is full of failures and bright moments. McGonagall had to be there and I wanted to Luna to pull Ron through, I hope you liked it, please review and let me know?

Again, a massive thank you for reading this

until next time

CP09