𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 84

"He's done it!" echoed Seamus, as dawn broke into the windows of the Great Hall. Everyone's faces began turning upwards into smiles as people began cheering and clapping each other on the back, hugging with the purest form of joy.

Fred, Lee, and George all began to skip around in a circle, summoning all the Firewhiskey they could from Filch's office, as Molly and Arthur looked on, glad all of their children had made it out.

Sirius and Aurelia, though they were ecstatic that Voldemort was finally gone, were sitting beside Felicity, Aurelia brushing out the girl's hair tenderly before kissing her head. "Sleep well up in heaven Felicity, we will always be in your debt for saving our girl."

Felicity's face was forever rested in a tired smile, her last thoughts forever that she had saved the love of her love's life. Minerva knelt down next to the couple, placing her hand over Sirius' one, her face saddened to see her former student now peacefully forever asleep.

"Her aunt and uncle were notified just then of Felicity's passing, and they will arrive here shortly to take her home to say their goodbyes," she said softly, brushing some hair out of Felicity's face.

"Natasha told us Felicity had a younger sister, staying with Andromeda. Does she have anywhere to stay?" Sirius asked, and Minerva nodded.

"Her aunt and uncle resided once in the garden shop opposite the Weasley boys' shop, and they will start rebuilding now that the streets have been cleared of the Death Eaters. Ashley will stay with them, and then will hopefully return back to Hogwarts next year," Minerva answered, standing up with ease.

Sirius also stood up, giving his hands to Aurelia to help her up. She had some dried blood on the side of her head, and a busted lip, whilst he sported a particularly nasty gash on his side, which Lily had patched up whilst James and Aurelia had reunited.

"We should go find our own daughter," Sirius said, but Aurelia shook her head, leaning into him.

"She's with Sev, looking after him in the hospital wing. We nearly lost him, and even though he betrayed our trust, Harry was given his memories, and we now know why he did what he did," she whispered.

Sirius frowned, wanting to just hold his daughter close, but the frown was wiped away as James and Remus tackled him into a hug, the three of them pressing her heads together before howling into the air, weirding out others around them.

"Must you howl?" Lily hissed, an array of wands in her hand from the deceased Death Eaters. Aurelia smiled, having had missed Lily's scolding's of her boys, and took some of the wands from Lily, examining them closely. "We are surrounded by fallen people, have a little respect for at least thirty seconds!"

The three hung their heads, standing in a formal line, as someone walked through the open doors of the Great Hall, observing the small (mostly) quiet groups of people around, from Seamus and Dean laughing together at one table, to the reclusive Malfoy's seated in the corner, Draco breaking away from his family as he noticed a sixth year Astoria Greengrass sitting alone behind a table, having had escaped from the dungeons.

His eyes scanned over the hall, stopping over Aurelia, whose back was to him with a red-headed woman he was unsure of. Sirius also had his back to Harry, with his arms now around Remus and James, and as Harry stepped closer, Aurelia snapped her head around, smiling at Harry.

"Come here Harry," she beckoned gently, leaving Lily's side to get Harry. She carefully wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing the side of his bloodied head. "Natasha has some people she wants to introduce you too, and though she wishes she could be here right now, unfortunately, she is unable to be here. However, I think you'll wish to spend some time with these people alone for a while."

Sirius and Remus turned around, standing in front of Lily and James, both sporting amused smiles. "There's no gentle way to do this," Remus said, lifting his arm up as Tonks moved to his side, kissing his chin.

"MOONY GOT A GIRLFRIEND?!" James cried in glee running from behind them to check out Nymphadora. Harry's jaw dropped at the sight of his father, and Lily walked out slowly, tearing up at the sight of her son, now much older than he had been when she had died.

"Mum? Dad?" Harry croaked, taking off his glasses to wipe them down before quickly shoving them back on.

"Hi, Harry," she whispered, unable to get any more words out as James came to her, also smiling fondly at Harry. He stood rooted at his spot, so James was the first to step forward, his arms out to invite Harry in for a hug.

"We're here son. We really are," he said with a fond grin, as Harry finally blinked, running into his arms. Lily moved to circle them both, and the small family all sunk to their knees, letting out tears that had been threatening to spill ever since Lily and James returned.

Natasha, tired from healing Severus' remaining wounds, sludged into the hall, nearly falling into Fred's arms as he dashed to catch her. "Harry?" she asked quietly, accepting Fred's offer to carry her to her family.

"With his parents. Which I still don't know how you managed to pull off," Fred said in disbelief, his face causing Natasha to laugh. She winced slightly at her bruised side, and Fred lay her down on one of the temporary medical beds in the hall, allowing for Poppy Pomfrey to tend to her side.

"My parents?"

"Safe and healthy. They're over with the Potters."

"Adrian?"

"Still banging Oliver back at their flat."

"Remus and Tonks?"

"Bruised, but they'll live."

"Felicity?"

Fred faltered, knowing how guilty Natasha felt about Felicity's death. "Her uncle and aunt are coming to take her body back with them so that she can have a proper burial in Japan, where her mother was from."

Natasha nodded, shutting her eyes. Severus' wounds had been life-threatening, and it had taken Erin's particular skill set in plants and Joan's training from St Mungo's that had saved his life, though Natasha had been using her magic constantly so that he did not lose consciousness.

Eventually, all of the venom had been withdrawn from his bloodstream, leaving him weak and in dire need of a blood replenishing potion, to which Natasha was skilled with making. Severus had granted her permission to enter the potion ingredients room, and she had quickly gotten to work.

"Sleep for a bit Nat, we don't have to worry anymore. It's over, we can finally be free without fear," Fred cooed, kneeling to press a kiss to her lips, running his hand through her hair.