Chapter Forty-Nine: A New Beginning

“Why is she so stubborn?” Harry mumbled as he and Neville walked away in order to give Stephanie and Abby some time to talk.

“She is your sister, after all.” Neville responded with a smile. He was anxious leaving Stephanie alone for any period of time, but deep down in his heart he knew that the danger was now over. Without Dedrick leading any Death Eaters that remained free, Stephanie was in no danger of being harmed.

“That’s true.” Harry conceded, returning his smile.

Neville was exhausted—it had been such a long afternoon. First, Stephanie quit her job as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, which meant that he, too, would be leaving the school. Then, he allowed Stephanie to meet with Dedrick without him, putting her life in mortal danger. How could he have been so reckless?

“She would have gone whether or not you let her go, you know.” Harry broke into his thoughts and Neville realized he was now sitting against a rock wall. When did I sit down? Neville asked himself, though he knew his body was running by itself without any help from his consciousness. He was just so exhausted, and the day wasn’t even close to coming to an end.

“What do you mean?” Neville asked, though he knew Harry must have read his expression perfectly.

Harry shook his head and smiled. “You know what I mean, you just said it. She is my sister. I would have found my own way to confront Dedrick, and I know Stephanie would have, too.”

“If she harms Abby, I am holding you personally responsible, Potter.” The voice of Jason Seabold quietly broke the silence of the tunnels, but Neville could hear the threat in it.

“Stephanie wouldn’t hurt Abby.” Neville forced himself to stand and defend the woman he loved. He knew Stephanie would never again have to hurt another witch, wizard, or muggle. The thought was hard to comprehend, but was a relief at the same time.

“Stephanie adores your daughter, sir.” Harry replied and Jason seemed comforted by Harry’s honesty. Neville let out his breath in relief.

“You are really protective of her.” Neville pointed out matter-of-factly to make conversation. The silence felt awkward to him as they waited for Stephanie and Abby.

Jason just looked at him, assessing him, and finally nodded. He looked so sad that Neville wanted to cry, and Neville immediately felt guilty for making the statement. “She’s all I have. I can’t lose her, too.” Jason whispered.

“You’re not angry with her for sneaking out of Hogwarts or befriending Gryffindors?” Neville asked curiously. Stephanie had always been worried about Jason’s reactions to Abby’s friendships. One reason the first years had been tutored privately due to Abby’s concerns that her father would pull her from school because of whom she was friends with.

“Of course I am.” Jason responded. “I’m furious. Slytherins were never meant to be allies with Gryffindors—it goes against everything we were taught, and history. But I almost lost her tonight, and that puts everything in perspective.”

“I don’t understand.” Neville spoke honestly, attempting to understand Jason Seabold’s calm demeanor. He had imagined Jason’s reaction to be much more violent.

“You don’t have children, do you Professor?” Jason asked with a hint of a smile.

Neville shook his head and Jason nodded in acknowledgement. Then he continued. “Ever since her mother and brother were killed because of my activities, I promised myself that Abby would not be punished for my mistakes. So, I asked Daniel to protect her at all costs—I even promised his friends the most lavish of rewards.

“But despite his constant and obsessive protection, she still ended up here. Daniel sacrificed himself for my daughter, and though I am saddened by Jeffrey’s loss, I am happy that it was not my daughter who has died. Her life is more precious to me than who her friends are. She can befriend the entire House of Gryffindor for all I care tonight. She’s safe and that’s all that matters.” Jason looked both defeated and happy that his daughter was safe.

“Wow.” Harry nodded, impressed by Jason’s assessment of the situation, while Neville stood there, staring and speechless.

“Thank you, daddy!” Abby shrieked and ran into her father’s arms. Jason turned around and picked up his little girl.

“I love you, honey.” He said, squeezing Abby tightly.

“I love you, too.” Abby whispered in his ear.

Neville couldn’t help but watch the exchange in awe. In his mind, he had pictured Jason Seabold to be controlling, obsessive, and evil. But Jason wasn’t any of those things, just as Daniel had not been as Neville once perceived the student to be. It was an odd realization that people could be much different than how they were observed to be.

“Shall we?” Stephanie asked, taking Neville’s hand. “Kingsley will be waiting for us and I’m sure he’s getting impatient.”

Neville nodded as Stephanie pointed her wand at her chest and Disapparated the both of them. He was not willing to leave her for any period of time at that moment, and he was happy to know that Stephanie felt the same way. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay before them, forever.

“Let us begin.” Kingsley said as the five of them Apparated into the conference room of the Auror Training Facility. “It is normal procedure for the Aurors to complete a debriefing session immediately following a tragedy or difficult mission. I felt it was appropriate to provide you all with a chance to release some anxieties, thoughts, or worries about what happened this evening. We did lose a child tonight.”

“He wasn’t as horrible as people thought he was.” Abby whispered from her father’s arms. Neville noticed that she looked wiser than her eleven years, and the tears had dried from her eyes. “Daniel Blaiser was a good Slytherin. I loved him.”

“He wanted people to believe that he was tough, that he didn’t care what people thought.” Ginny had taken her place next to Harry. “And I wouldn’t have gotten to know him if Dedrick hadn’t threatened Abby. He was a good friend to me when my House turned against me. He didn’t deserve to die.”

“Daniel used to torture me.” Amber’s voice was not as soft as Neville expected it to be. She was clearly upset by Daniel’s death, but determined to continue with her life. “He would embarrass me in front of the entire school. But when things got really bad, he stood up for me. He forced his friends to back off and leave me alone. People hated him, but at the same time, I think they respected his authority.”

“Daniel Blaiser is a hero.” Jason Seabold said adoringly. “He saved my daughter by jumping in front of the Killing Curse. He is and will always be a hero in my eyes.”

“Daniel was arrogant, confident, mean, disrespectful, and rude.” Stephanie listed off the main traits that defined the fourth year student perfectly, and the entire room looked at her in surprise. Neville, too, was shocked that Stephanie would be so adamant about the negative characteristics of the deceased. Stephanie, however, continued unfazed by their reactions. “But, he was also protective, skilled, caring, and compassionate, though he would never have admitted as much. He put on a façade that everyone believed was true, but he was so much more than that. Daniel Blaiser was a good friend.”

The debriefing continued with Kingsley taking the lead once again and the others sharing thoughts and emotions as needed. Neville, however, didn’t need to add anything to the session. He wasn’t suffering—Daniel’s loss really didn’t affect him as much, only because Stephanie was hurting over it. He knew he should have felt remorse of some kind, but he was just so relieved that Stephanie was safe. Finally.

Neville was happy it was over. Nothing could ruin that excitement for him, not even the death of a student. So, he waited patiently for the debriefing to conclude, and provided Stephanie the support she needed, but he didn’t participate.

*~*~*~*

“Everyone is staring at me.” Abby complained softly the next morning as they waited in the Great Hall. The room had been transformed overnight from the dining hall she remembered into a lecture hall. There were several chairs on a stage at the front of the hall with many rows of chairs facing the stage.

Her father wanted her to go home with him after the debriefing, but Abby wanted to come back to Hogwarts for the night. She wanted to be able to mourn Daniel and spend a few more hours with her friends before the summer holiday began. Abby didn’t know if her father would still have security follow her and hold her captive in her own home, so she wanted to make the most of the time she had left.

And her father had surprised her by letting her return to Hogwarts and ride the train home the following day. During those last few precious hours, Abby, Lauren, Matty, Sammy, David, and Maisie never once left each other’s side. With Professor Potter’s permission, they had met in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and talked about everything that had happened this past year.

It was almost too much to comprehend.

“It’s not so bad.” Lauren giggled, patting Abby on the shoulder sympathetically. “At least they all know who you are.”

“At least they don’t hate you.” Maisie whispered sadly.

“They don’t hate you.” Matty replied, looking sympathetically at Maisie. “They just don’t understand what happened.”

Word about last evening’s events had traveled fast. It seemed like all of the students knew before they even returned from the Auror Training Facility, but it wasn’t surprising to Abby. The whispers, though, made her uncomfortable.

Some whispered excitedly that Daniel was dead—he had been cruel to many of them, but Abby wondered angrily why they didn’t have more respect. Others looked at her and the other four in awe and jealousy, impressed they had been able to help Professors Potter and Longbottom fight the Death Eaters. Many looked at Maisie as though she were the cause of all that had transpired.

“It’s not just you.” David responded proudly to Abby’s complaint, winking at some of the first year Hufflepuff students that were staring at them. The girls giggled excitedly and ran to the other side of the Great Hall. “They seem to be noticing me, too.”

“Oh, get over yourself.” Lauren huffed, getting up suddenly and walking away. She looked angry.

“What’s her problem?” David asked, looking at Abby and Sammy.

Abby shook her head and started to stand, but Sammy placed her hand on Abby’s shoulder. “I’ll go.”

Sammy stood and walked in the direction Lauren had gone. Abby didn’t know what to tell David, even though she was certain Lauren was jealous by the attention David was giving to the other girls.

“Honestly, what’d I do?” David asked again.

“Don’t worry about it.” Matty laughed, lessening the tension with his smile. “Girls are complicated.”

“Hey.” Abby playfully slapped Matty’s arm and pretended to be offended.

“I didn’t say it was a bad thing.” Matty replied smoothly, taking her hand. He looked like he was going to say something more, but Professor McGonagall interrupted and called for the students to take their seats.

Abby looked around the room, but didn’t see Sammy or Lauren. Professors Potter, McGongall, and Longbottom were standing at the front of the Great Hall with Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. The presence of both Harry Potter and Kingsley Shacklebolt immediately brought the students to attention.

“The Hogwarts Express has normally parted by this time,” Professor McGonagall began solemnly, “but Minister Shacklebolt and I have decided you need to know what transpired last evening.

“Dedrick Hargrave kidnapped six first year students last night. Amber Zacharias realized the students were missing and immediately notified fellow students, Ginny Weasley and Daniel Blaiser. Together, they found Professors Longbottom and Potter, and it was decided Mr. Blaiser and Professor Potter would go in search of the students while Professor Longbottom, Ms. Weasley, and Ms. Zacharias would notify the Aurors.

“Professor Potter soon found the location where the students were being kept by Mr. Hargrave, and a battle ensued. Before help could arrive, Mr. Blaiser lost his life protecting Ms. Seabold.” Professor McGonagall paused and Abby felt a tear fall down her cheek in remembrance of her good friend. I will miss him so much.

Matty squeezed her hand, knowing her thoughts exactly and she was grateful to have such wonderful and supportive friends. She looked over and saw that Sammy and Lauren had returned, and they smiled at her.

Minister Shacklebolt stepped forward and Professor McGonagall stepped aside. Abby was in awe that the Minister was at their school. He had congratulated the first years last night, and given his condolences to her specifically, but she still couldn’t get over the excitement of being in the presence of such a powerful man.

“I have been concerned about the mixed emotions received at the news of this child’s death.” Minster Shacklebolt began authoritatively, but in an understanding tone. “He may not have been the most popular student here at Hogwarts, but he was young. He was a mere child who lost his life protecting another. Daniel Blaiser will be honored and remembered forever in the hearts of those who knew him. I request that you remember him not for how you knew him but for the choice he made at the end.”

Professor McGonagall stepped forward once again. “I kept you students here so that we may provide any support you need at the news of Daniel’s death, and your parents have all been notified of the delay in your arrival. The train will leave in three hours, so do as you wish with your free time. We will be here if you have questions or need to talk.”

“I have a question.” Rachel Sorenson raised her hand and stood so the entire student body could see her.

“Yes, Ms. Sorenson.” Professor McGonagall nodded her acknowledgment to the student’s question.

“Daniel hated Professor Potter.” Rachel began and stopped until the hissing subsided. “At one point, he even talked about ways to get rid of her, permanently.”

“Your question, Ms. Sorenson?” Professor Longbottom demanded, taking Stephanie’s hand so tightly both hands turned white instantly.

“Even if his loathing of Professor Potter hadn’t lessened over time—I’m not saying it did,” Rachel corrected herself and spoke quickly, before she could be cut off again. “But even if it hadn’t, he still respected her.”

Corey Fletcher stood in support of Rachel’s statement, though Abby couldn’t figure out where her peers were taking this. Why did it matter whether Daniel hated Professor Potter or not?

The two students turned to addressed Professor Potter directly, but Corey was the first to speak. “Daniel respected you from the very first class, even though he hated you with every fiber in his body. But because Daniel respected you, we did too.”

“You are a good teacher.” Fred McAdams added, standing as well.

“Would you disrespect Daniel so much as to leave Hogwarts?” Mark Campbell added, as he and Craig Miller stood.

Professor Potter looked both speechless shocked. Abby and Matty stood at the same time, with Sammy, Lauren, David, and Maisie doing the same. Slowly, the rest of the students in the Great Hall stood as a silent request for Professor Potter to remain at Hogwarts.

Tears ran down Professor Potter’s face as she contemplated the decision in front of her. Professor Potter’s friends each smiled as they waited for her to say something to the students.

Finally, after a long moment of thought, Professor Potter stepped forward and spoke to the students. “It means a lot to me to know you want me here at Hogwarts next year. Maybe the Defense Against the Dark Arts curse has been dispelled. However, I’m not sure I have it in me to come back next year. You deserve so much better than anything I can offer.”

“There is no one better!” David shouted and several students clapped in agreement. Abby was stunned into silence—she never expected Professor Potter would actually leave Hogwarts.

“Thank you, Mr. McNitt.” Professor Potter responded quietly when the noise mellowed. “But I will have to think about it.”

“Please, Professor!” Sten Voltz, a first year Gryffindor, yelled from in front of Abby. “We love you!”

“I’m sorry.” Professor Potter replied, shaking her head. To make her decision final and the discussion closed, Professor Potter stepped back and took Professor Longbottom’s hand again.

The hall erupted again as students talked and complained amongst themselves. Abby, however, couldn’t do much more than just sit there and watch as Professor Potter spoke quietly with her friends at the front of the Great Hall. Could she really leave them?

Abby didn’t blame Professor Potter, but she also couldn’t help feeling abandoned. Her friends, though, were there and able to pull her out of her thoughts.

“Well, next year should be interesting.” Lauren laughed, the incident with David forgotten.

“Do you think we’ll have enough trouble to get into?” David asked enthusiastically. “I mean, without sneaking behind Daniel’s back there won’t be much to do.”

“I’m sure we’ll find something.” Matty replied with the smile Abby had fallen in love with.

Sammy stuck her fist in the middle of their group and said proudly, “five strong.”

Abby quickly corrected Sammy as she placed her own fist in the middle, touching Sammy’s. “Six. Six strong.” Abby smiled at Maisie as her new friend looked at her gratefully.

“Six strong.” Abby, Matty, Sammy, Lauren, David, and Maisie said together, confirming their friendship would only gain in strength as the years went on.

*~*~*~*

“It is so beautiful.” Stephanie whispered, her breath leaving her body in awe. She looked out into the beautiful pink sunset that lay across the Mediterranean Sea as she and Neville walked hand-in-hand along the Spanish beach.

“Not as beautiful as you.” Neville whispered back, leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips. “Happy birthday.”

Stephanie held back a smitten giggle as she stared at the man standing next to her. Neville had been amazing the past few weeks, supporting her mourning over Daniel’s death and helping her with much needed relaxation after the long school year had finally come to a close.

The Weasleys had delayed their trip for a few days, but eventually were able to leave her alone with few worries about her safety. Of course Harry and George still thought of her often, but they were able to enjoy themselves, too. She and Neville, however, had spent the two weeks holed up at Spinner’s End. The time alone had been much better than she ever could have imagined.

Now, she was spending her birthday on a beach with the man she loved. Stephanie couldn’t help but wonder what she had done to deserve such happiness, and she knew she would never take it for granted. For the first time in her entire life, she had no threats hanging over her head, no Death Eaters planning on killing her. For the first time in her life, she was finally completely free.

It was amazing.

“Thank you for not making me have a big party this year.” Stephanie said. In fact, she had been greatly relieved her friends hadn’t planned a party in celebration of her and Harry’s birthday.

Last year had been a fiasco and she had only agreed because she had yet to learn how to say no. Stephanie had been so grateful for the support of her friends that she hadn’t wanted to let them down by telling them she didn’t want a party. She hated the attention such events brought, so it was nice to be able to just be herself and not to have to put on a show.

“I know how much you hate that kind of thing.” Neville replied with a nervous smile. Stephanie noticed for the first time that he was fidgeting and his forehead was sweating more than it should in the cool summer evening. “I just want to make you happy.”

“And I want you to be happy.” Stephanie responded, taking both of Neville’s hands and pulling him in front of her. “What’s wrong?”

Neville closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and then opened his eyes to look at her. He let go of one of Stephanie’s hands and reached into his pocket. Then, he lowered himself onto the sandy beach.

Stephanie gasped as she realized what Neville was doing.

“Stephanie, I know you have only been mine for a short time.” Neville’s voice was shaking, but she barely noticed. Tears filled her eyes as she listened to the massive amount of love in Neville’s voice. “And it has only been little over a year since Fred passed away. But I knew I loved you the moment I saw your picture in the Daily Prophet, even though you were thought to have been a terrorist at the Quidditch World Cup. I didn’t know who you were, and you certainly didn’t know who I was, but I knew there was something special about you.

“Professor McGonagall asked Professor Snape to give me a copy of the diary for a reason. I believe she knew that we were destined to be together; she certainly saw something that I didn’t.

“But then I realized that you and I were meant for more when we had our first real and honest conversation. You had just performed the Cruciatus Curse on Draco and were scared because it made you feel good. I wanted to be there to comfort you, but in the end, you comforted me.

“I struggled to keep my feelings for you quiet. Through the years, my feelings grew stronger, but I felt it was never the right time to share them with you. They would have been too public by using the diaries. What if you rejected me? I just couldn’t do it, but I was still there whenever you needed me.

“And when you rescued Ginny and me, I thought that was going to be the perfect time. We could finally be alone while you recovered at the Burrow. But you had lived with Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters too long—Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, along with the rest of the Order, refused to let me go to you. I didn’t think I could stand it.

“And then you fell in love with Fred. It was so hard, but I saw the changes he made in you. You were finally able to smile, to see that we all care about you. And for that, I owe him the world. I conceded that Fred was better for you than I could ever be.

“You were heartbroken when he died. I never thought it would be appropriate to confess my love for you, seeing as how much you loved Fred Weasley. But the day the first years broke into your office, you made me so angry that I snapped. And I have been and always will be grateful to those students because they gave me the courage to share my feelings for you.

“I have lived without you for too long, and I cannot live without you any longer. Last year, when Ginny and I were alone at Hogwarts, I would dream about taking you to this very beach. I love you with my whole heart. Stephanie Annabelle Potter, will you marry me?” Neville opened the box he had pulled from his pocket and the ring glistened in the setting sun, but Stephanie didn’t notice.

Instead of utilizing the words that escaped her mind, Stephanie wrapped Neville in her arms tightly, and kissed him passionately. They stayed that way for several minutes, pushing each other into the other’s body. Finally, Neville pulled her away.

“Is that a yes?” Neville asked with a smile, already knowing what her answer was going to be.

Stephanie nodded and Neville grabbed her left hand, placing the ring on her finger. He slowly brought her hand to his lips and kissed the ring, finalizing their engagement.

She looked into his eyes again and found the endless love Neville had just professed. So many horrible things had happened to her that she never thought she could be happy. She had originally sacrificed herself so that her life could end with a purpose, doing something good. But she had overcome so many obstacles and survived the many sacrifices, and she couldn’t believe this was really happening to her.

She was finally going to get a chance to start over. Stephanie looked up to the sky and raised her left hand, the one Neville still held onto, and silently thanked Fred Weasley for allowing her to move on, to find love and to be at peace.

“To new beginnings.” Stephanie said with a smile, still allowing the tears to flow freely down her cheek.

“To new beginnings.” Neville repeated happily.

There was nothing else in the world to be afraid of now that she had conquered her worst fears and was supported by so many wonderful friends and family. It all seemed impossible, but Stephanie knew her happily ever after had finally come.


Thank you SO much to my wonderful beta ChannelingGinny for doing an amazing job! So, I have good news and bad news. The good news is there is another chapter. The bad news is there's only one more! What I need from you, the readers, is to ask any questions you may have...if I have left anything unanswered, let me know. I tried to cover everything, but the story is so massive I'm sure I've missed something! Chapter 50: Epilogue should be posted next week some time.

Chapter Fifty: Epilogue

“Nana! Nana!” Alice bounced up and down on her father’s lap. “Tell us about you and grandpa again.”

“Shh, Ally.” Daniel whispered in his daughter’s ear. “Nana is tired. We have to leave soon so grandma can rest.”

“No, it’s alright, D.” Stephanie smiled at her eldest child from the hospital bed. She could feel her life slipping away, but she wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to all of her loved ones. The room was full of family and friends that wanted to be there when she finally left to meet the others. “Come here, baby.”

Alice jumped off her father’s lap and joined Stephanie on the bed, along with several other of her grandchildren. Everyone was there to pay their respects, which Stephanie still felt was unnecessary. Still, it was nice to be so close to her loved ones during her final moments.

She had lived a long and wonderful life. It was something she had never expected to experience, and it was worth all the suffering she had endured in her earlier years. However, parting with her friends and family had been the hardest part of growing older.

Fred Weasley had been her first love and one of the first to pass away. He had died in battle only months after she had begun to know him. That wasn’t the hardest loss she had to endure, though, but luckily she would have many, many years before the most difficult death would come. Neville’s passing had been the hardest for her, but at least he had gone peacefully.

Only one year after Fred died, Stephanie had lost one of her students during the final battle of her life. Death Eater Dedrick Hargrave had kidnapped several younger students. Daniel Blaiser jumped in front of a Killing Curse to save Abigail Seabold. He passed away immediately, and losing him had been difficult, but it still wasn’t the hardest.

But that wasn’t what her grandchild had asked about. Stephanie had just finished telling the room about her life, as they always found it so exciting. Alice wanted to hear about her wedding again. Stephanie smiled as she hugged her grandchildren tightly, knowing it would be her last chance to tell the story.

“Many people thought our engagement came too soon. We had only been dating a short time, and I had lost my first love only one year before.” Stephanie paused and turned her head towards Fred Weasley. “Your uncle Fred was a wonderful man, and I did love him. Hermione was the most adamant that I didn’t see him when Draco deprived me of food and water, but I know he was there. He told me about Neville and I know he wanted me to be happy.”

“I know, Nana.” Fred smiled at her. He had heard the story many times before but she still felt the need to explain herself. The Weasley children were not her blood relatives, but she still felt like their grandmother. Even Harry’s grandchildren called her Nana instead of Aunt Stephanie.

“But Neville and I loved each other.” Stephanie continued, returning her attention to the children on her lap. “Molly Weasley was ecstatic when she found out, but I think Harry was the happiest. He had wanted me to be happy for so long.

“We were married the following summer under the stars outside Hogwarts. Both Neville and I thought that would be a magical place to be married as it was where our relationship began.” Stephanie’s thoughts drifted to the day she declared her never ending love for Neville Longbottom. It had been a wonderfully beautiful day. “The ceremony was small, and only selected family, friends, and students were invited—I always hated being the center of attention. Ginny was my maid of honor while Hermione acted as my only bridesmaid. Harry was Neville’s best man and Ron was his groomsman.

“George was kind enough to walk me down the aisle and give me away.” Tears came to Stephanie’s eyes as she walked down the aisle, once again carrying the bouquet of lilies that represented her mother. “It was absolutely beautiful.”

“What happened after the wedding, Nana?” Jackson prodded quietly from his grandmother’s lap. Five of her six first year students were her only surviving friends from that time-period in her life. David had been killed in his early forties during an undercover mission for the Aurors. It had been hard for Lauren to lose her husband, but at least David died doing something he truly enjoyed.

Stephanie had watched the first years’ friendship develop and blossom over the years. Stephanie was happy to recall that Abby’s fears about the first summer were never realized. Her father loosened his protective hold over Abby and he allowed her to spend plenty of time with her Hogwarts friends. Matty and Abby started dating that summer, if it hadn’t been official prior to that, and never looked back. After graduation from Hogwarts, Matty and Abby got married and had two beautiful boys, one sorted into Slytherin and one into Gryffindor. Those boys gave Matty and Abby six grandchildren.

It took David and Lauren until their fifth year to realize their feelings for one another. Their relationship experienced more difficulties than Abby’s and Matty’s, but they worked through it and had a boy and girl, both in Slytherin. David and Lauren were given four grandchildren.

Sammy dated on and off throughout her years at Hogwarts, and finally settled down with a quiet Herbologist. She had three children and seven grandchildren. Maisie married a peer from Ravenclaw, and they had one child who passed away at birth. The pain was too much for Maisie and her husband to endure, and their marriage dissolved. She never fell in love again, but she remained close with her friends from Hogwarts.

Each of these students grew to be close friends of Stephanie’s, and they had all been invited to her wedding. Matty, Abby, and Lauren had been Prefects together, and Matty and David developed near perfect Quidditch skills. Being rivals on the Quidditch field was more entertaining than harmful for David and Matty, and they grew to be better friends because of it.

The five of them were in Stephanie’s hospital room today, with their children and grandchildren in tow. Everyone wanted to say goodbye.

“It all happened so fast, Jackson.” Stephanie winked at Abby and Matty, who sat holding hands while juggling several children. “Ginny and Harry and Ron and Hermione all got engaged around the same time. It was Ginny who insisted on a double wedding, which surprised me. But the wedding was beautifully done at the Burrow.

“Ginny had the first child, with Hermione following close behind. Neville and I decided to wait a few years and just enjoy each other’s company. Molly and Arthur adopted our children as their grandchildren, since both Neville’s and my parents were deceased.” Stephanie looked at her own children for a brief moment and then continued. “Neville and I had three children: Daniel, Mackenzie, and Hailey. I wanted to leave something behind, so I named my children after special people in my life.

“Daniel was named after Daniel Blaiser—he changed my perspective on so many things and in many ways.” Stephanie nodded to her eldest child. “Mackenzie was named after Nikki Fullbright’s daughter, who had lost her life much too young. And I named Hailey after a little girl I once met in a muggle shopping mall.”

Stephanie kept several details to herself, though the older children and adults knew the entire story. Hailey hadn’t been her first kill, but Stephanie had played a major role in the child’s death.

“And because of my wonderful children, I have six gorgeous grandchildren.” Stephanie snuggled deeper into her grandchildren’s embraces. “Harry and Ginny had three children: James, Albus, and Lily. These children gave Harry and Ginny nine grandchildren. Nine. Can you believe it?”

“That’s not too many, Nana.” Brody giggled and the room erupted at the statement from Mackenzie’s only child.

“That’s what you think, little man.” James ruffled Brody’s hair playfully.

“What about Ron and Hermione?” Frannie, one of Sammy’s teenage granddaughters, asked while snapping on some of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes gum; the franchise had grown to be an international phenomenon.

“Ron and Hermione had two children, Hugo and Rose.” Stephanie explained. “Rose had three children, while Hugo, unfortunately, did not have any children.”

“I’m more of a bachelor.” Hugo pointed out. That was a good description of Ron Weasley’s only son. Hugo had never been one to settle down. “Like Uncle Charlie.”

“Ron’s brother Bill, and his wife Fleur, had three children and five grandchildren. Percy and Audrey had two little girls, who had three children. George and Angelina had Fred and Roxanne, producing six grandchildren.” Stephanie quickly calculated the math. “That means that Molly and Arthur were given the gift of twelve grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren. Include mine and Neville’s children and that would make…”

“Fifteen grandchildren and thirty-two great grandchildren.” Mark jumped up and down with his hand in the air, acting more like Hermione’s relation than Harry’s.

“Albus should be very proud of you, Marky.” Stephanie exclaimed with an amused smile. She was starting to get very exhausted, but she didn’t want everyone to leave quite yet.

“We are.” Albus squeezed his son’s shoulder and gestured toward his lovely wife with his eyes. Stephanie was so happy to have been given the chance to experience such a loving family, something she wouldn’t have been able to do if she had remained with the Death Eaters.

Life would have been so different if she hadn’t escaped from the Dark Lord. He probably would have succeeded in taking over the world, and she never would have survived past her eighteenth birthday. Funny how things work out sometimes.

“Nana, you’ve never told us what happened to Draco Malfoy.” Hailey’s teenage son Rob asked curiously from his place next to Frannie.

“That is an interesting story, Rob.” Stephanie looked over the younger children and towards the older ones. “No one, not even my closest friends, could understand the sympathy I felt towards the youngest Malfoy. But I knew he was not completely evil, he had become that way only because of his parents.

“After the final battle with Dedrick Hargrave, I started visiting Draco every Sunday. Neville was the only one to ever accompany me to the new prison designed by Minister Shacklebolt—Azkaban had been demolished shortly after Dedrick was captured. It took several months, but Draco eventually started acknowledging my presence, and even longer for him to start speaking to me.

“About three years after he was originally imprisoned, I pleaded his case in front of the Ministry of Magic’s parole board. He was released from prison with the promise that he would not make another attempt on my life.” To this very day, no one completely understood why she had done it. Neville had been sympathetic about her desire to help Draco, but he hadn’t been able to understand. “I saw him occasionally through Hogwarts activities, but he mainly kept to himself after that.”

“What about Pansy? Did she ever get out of jail? Did he marry her?” Vanessa, Lauren and David’s adult daughter, asked.

“Pansy only spent 18 months in prison for her role in my kidnapping, but she disappeared after that.” Stephanie explained all she knew. “Draco didn’t marry her nor do I know who either ended up with in the end. I felt sorry for Draco, but I could not forgive the pain he had caused me.”

“What about the other Death Eaters?” Roxanne’s son, Charlie, asked.

“Every single Death Eater was captured in the end, though a few were released because there was not enough proof to convict them.” Stephanie sighed in remembrance, but the overall fact remained that those released had done no harm later in life. “But all of those convicted of treason and other misdeeds spent their lives in prison. A few of the younger ones are still there, but most of them have been dead for years.”

“Minister Shacklebolt did a wonderful job.” Hailey added, squeezing Stephanie’s hand. “If the Ministry of Magic hadn’t made him retire, he would have been Minister until the day he died.

“Kingsley was a good friend of mine, and it was terribly sad to see him pass away.” Stephanie admitted sadly, but knew that she would see him again soon. “But he died peacefully in his sleep, which is better than any of us could ever have imagined.”

“I still think Dad was the best Minister Britain has ever seen.” Lily spoke very highly of her father, and Stephanie had to agree. She had been ecstatic when her brother had become the next Minister of Magic, and Harry was relieved that there were no large-scale crises to deal with during his reign.

“I miss grandpa, daddy.” Little Kaitlyn clung to her father, James.

“We all do, honey.” James hugged his daughter, but looked at Stephanie. “I always knew he wouldn’t last longer than a year after mom was gone.”

“They were close.” Stephanie agreed with her nephew. “I always thought the same about Neville and myself, but I had too many people to live for.”

“Mum, can we talk to you?” Mackenzie asked quietly, stroking Stephanie’s cheek. Tears glistened in her eyes, but they didn’t overflow onto her cheeks.

“Of course, dear.” Stephanie replied softly.

“Alone?” Hailey asked, but looked around the room instead of at Stephanie. The adults appeared to understand what she was asking because they started rounding up the children.

“We love you Nana.” Fred’s eldest son, Nicholas, gave her a hug on his way out of Stephanie’s hospital room.

Each of the children and adults said their goodbyes before they left. Stephanie felt her body weakening, but she forced herself to keep from crying. She understood this was going to be the last time she was going to see any of them, and she was scared. She didn’t want to leave them all behind.

Stephanie had done so many horrible things in her childhood and was terrified of the outcome. Would she end up in the same place as Neville, or Harry, or Ginny or Hermione, or anyone else? Or would she be stuck with the Dark Lord and Kieran and Dedrick and Lucius and Bellatrix for eternity? Or was there no afterlife? What if she was alone forever? What were her children or grandchildren or even great grandchildren going to do without her? What was she going to do without them?

“We are going to miss you at Hogwarts, Stephanie.” Tears of sadness flowed heavily down Abby’s wrinkled cheeks as she hugged Stephanie goodbye. “You were an amazing Headmistress.”

“As you continue to be, Professor Seabold.” Stephanie smiled her reassurances. She knew Abby would be the Headmistress of Hogwarts until the day she died, with Matt staying strong as her Deputy Headmaster.

“We never told you how happy we were that you returned to teach.” Sammy squeezed her hand. “Thank you for everything.”

“David really appreciated it. He felt he could get away with much more than the other students because he got along so well with you.” Lauren smiled through her tears in remembrance of her husband.

“He did. You all did.” Stephanie acknowledged for the first time in all the years she had known them.

“We love you so much, Stephanie.” Matty pulled her into his chest and let his own tears fall down his cheeks. Stephanie didn’t have words, so she only smiled and nodded to let them know how much they meant to her, as well.

“Nana.” After the room had cleared, Lizzie, Hailey’s middle child, stopped to say her goodbyes. “I have one more question before I go.”

“What is your question, sweetheart?” Stephanie asked, curious by Lizzie’s hesitancy. Lizzie tended to be more outgoing than the rest of her grandchildren, so this reluctance intrigued her.

“Earlier you told us about how Daniel used to make fun of Amber.” Lizzie stated slowly, looking at her grandmother seriously. “What was the spell he used on her in your classroom? And what did Amber see?”

“I won’t tell you exactly what Amber saw, Lizzie, but the spell Daniel utilized forced Amber to relive some terrible memories.” Stephanie was prepared to answer this question and was just surprised no one had asked it earlier. Not one single person, not even Neville, had ever asked her this question. “Amber was treated pretty badly by her father and brother, Lizzie. From the moment her mother died, Amber was treated as the woman of the house. She was touched in ways no little girl should ever be touched and Daniel made her remember this.”

“Did Daniel know what she was seeing?” Lizzie asked, nodding in understanding.

Stephanie shook her head. “No, I don’t think he did.”

“Come on, honey.” Hailey shooed Lizzie out of the hospital room so Stephanie could be alone with her three children. “Go see your daddy.”

“Bye Nana!” Lizzie waved as she ran out of the room to meet up with her father and cousins.

“Mum, have you been hanging on because of us?” Daniel pulled his chair closer and squeezed Stephanie’s hand.

Stephanie finally let the tears she had been holding in roll down her cheek, and nodded. “I can’t leave you alone.”

“Mum, we’re not alone.” Hailey stroked her arm from the other side of her bed. “We have each other. We have the Weasleys and the Potters. You don’t have to worry about us.”

“It’s okay to go see dad.” Mackenzie wiped the tears from her eyes and took Stephanie’s other hand. “I know he misses you.”

“I’m so scared.” Stephanie admitted to her children. She had held this in since Neville had passed away, but she needed to share this with them now. “What if he’s not there? What if it’s the Dar-Lord Voldemort instead? What if I’ve done too many horrible things?”

“Mum,” Daniel whispered softly, brushing the tears from her face. “You have done so many wonderful things. Dad will be there waiting for you. So will Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny and everyone else you’ve been talking about for days. Please, it’s okay to let go.”

“Go see daddy.” Hailey added strongly.

“Don’t you love me?” Stephanie asked, though she knew she was wrong. Her children loved her very much. “Why do you want me to die?”

“We love you very much.” Mackenzie sobbed. “And we don’t want you to die.”

“We just want you to be happy again.” Daniel replied, and Stephanie saw the tears that started forming in his eyes.

“Mum, you haven’t been happy since dad passed away.” Hailey added. “You’ve tried to hide it, but you haven’t. We can see how much you miss him. Daniel, Mackenzie, and I just want you to know it’s okay to say goodbye.”

“I love you so much.” Stephanie said, closing her eyes. “I am tired.”

“You should get some rest, mum.” Daniel said. “We’ll be right here with you the entire time.”

“Mmhmm.” Stephanie nodded and closed her eyes. It was getting harder to take the breaths she needed to keep her lungs full, but her body didn’t hurt. She just felt at peace.

“Bye mom.” She heard Mackenzie say through weeps and tears.

“I love you.” Hailey’s voice sounded very far away, but Stephanie could still hear it clearly.

The last thing she heard was Daniel’s breath exhale in a painful sob, “we’ll miss you, mum. Tell dad we love him.”

And then everything was quiet.

*~*~*~*

Stephanie didn’t know how long she had been asleep, but she felt strangely refreshed when she finally regained consciousness. Her muscles no longer ached from old age; her breath came in healthy doses. She felt as good as she remembered feeling when she was a teenager.

But it was the hand holding hers that allowed Stephanie to realize the difference. The touch was a familiar one, but was not that of any of her children or grandchildren. It was the touch of someone she had longed to feel for over twenty years.

“Neville.” Stephanie exhaled sweetly and opened her eyes. Sitting next to her in the same hospital bed she had been in when she fell asleep was Neville Longbottom. But he didn’t look like he did when he had passed away. No, he was now a teenager. Sixteen or seventeen at most.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” Neville smiled and kissed her gently on the lips.

“I’ve been scared.” Stephanie admitted sheepishly, suddenly aware of the others in the room.

“We know.” Neville replied, nodding his head. “But you’re safe now.”

Stephanie sat up and smiled as she looked around the room. Everyone who had ever supported and loved her was there waiting for her; Stephanie was the very last one to arrive.

She ran through the list of names for her own assurance: Jason and, whom Stephanie believed to be, Bryce Seabold, Daniel Blaiser—looking smug, as usual—, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, Nikki, Scott, and Mackenzie Fullbright, Molly and Arthur, Percy and Audrey, Bill and Fleur, Charlie, Hermione and Ron, Harry and Ginny…

Stephanie pushed herself out of bed when she saw her brother. They were in each other’s arms before Stephanie knew what was happening—she certainly hadn’t been able to move that quickly in years.

After a few moments of embracing, Stephanie pulled away and hugged the others down the line. First Hermione, then Ron and Ginny, and then George. When Stephanie moved to go to the next person in line, she realized she was seeing double.

“Fred!” Stephanie exclaimed without needing any time to understand. “You’re looking pretty good.”

“The bloody and mangled version would have helped with the ladies, but this will have to do.” Fred smiled as Stephanie pulled him into an embrace. They stayed that way for a long time before Fred whispered in her ear. “I love you, Stephanie.”

“I love you too, Fred.” Stephanie said as she pulled away and looked back towards Neville.

“I understand.” Fred nodded and Stephanie felt that he truly understood that her love for him had not faded, but changed.

There were only a few people left that Stephanie hadn’t had a chance to acknowledge. She truly hadn’t seen their faces, as she was overwhelmed by the amount of love that floated in the room.

“Sirius!” She cried and he pulled her off the ground in a large hug. She had never met Sirius Black, but he had been there for her when she thought she would be alone forever. He treated her like an adult when no one else would. He loved her unconditionally.

“Stephanie Annabelle Potter.” Sirius pulled her away and looked her up and down. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“I missed our talks, Sirius.” Stephanie laughed and he nodded. She turned to move onto the next person, and jumped into his arms when she saw his face.

“Severus!” It was strange to have Severus Snape return her embrace so forcefully, but it was nice. He, too, no longer had to put on a façade—he could finally be himself.

“Stephanie, it’s been too long.” Severus said when she released him. “Oddly enough, you have been missed.”

“I love you too, Severus.” Stephanie winked at him, and then got more serious. “Thank you so much, for everything.”

“You are very welcome.” Severus patted her shoulder and then turned his chest slightly. “Stephanie, I’d like to introduce you to someone.”

Stephanie didn’t need any introductions when she finally noticed the last two people in the room. She jumped into her mother’s arms and her father held them both tightly. No one cried tears of joy—they were all too excited to see each other.

“I love you, Stephanie.” Her mum whispered in her ear. “I’m so sorry for everything, but we’re here for you now.”

“I love you, too, mum and dad.” Stephanie cried out as she felt her brother join in the embrace. “I love you so much.”

“We are so proud of you, honey.” James Potter squeezed his family tightly.

It was the first time they had all been together, and Stephanie knew it would stay this way forever. After everything she and her friends had gone through over the years, it was finally over. Stephanie thought she felt free when Dedrick had been defeated, but that was nothing compared to this. Her friends and family were together again and nothing could change that, ever.

This truly was the happily ever after she had been dreaming about. Her children had been right—she hadn’t been happy since her Neville passed away. This was what it felt like to be truly happy. It felt amazing.

Neville took her hand and looked her in the eyes. Stephanie felt like she would melt right there in front of everyone, but she didn’t. She was going to remain in his arms for all eternity, or until her children joined them.

“I love you.” Neville whispered, and then placed his lips on hers.

“I love you, too.” Stephanie mumbled into his lips, and even though she knew he couldn’t hear her, he could definitely feel it.

“Forever.” Neville sighed happily.

Stephanie knew the truth in his words. They would never have to part ever again—they could love each other eternally. Forever.

The End.


I can't believe it. Two years of my life (and this story has consumed SO MUCH of my life for those two years) are gone, just like that. First of all, I'd like to thank ChannelingGinny for the last time for providing wonderfully amazing beta services. Then, I'd like to thank all my readers (who may or may not have left feedback, but still continued reading all this time) for sticking with me all this time. It sure has been an emotional roller coaster ride. So, please, leave me a comment and let me know your final thoughts. Stephanie, her friends, and my readers will all be missed. Again, thank you so much for sharing Stephanie's experience with me!