Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Chapter 24

"Harry," Edward approached his love. Harry had been standing by the window looking out to the vast emerald forest from the tallest turret of Hogwarts Castle.

"Mm," Harry responded softly. "Do you remember once the forest was dark and there was so much death in the shadows?"

Edward wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, resting his chin on his love's shoulder. "Yes. That was a thousand years ago. But I remember as clear as it was yesterday." He gazed out to the top canopy of the rolling trees spreading the floor of the valley. The Black Lake glittered in the sun that was dipping toward the horizon. He moved to stand behind Harry and wrap his arms around his lover's tapered waist, resting his chin on one shoulder, his cheek pressed softly against Harry's ear and cheek. "So much changed since we first met. And yet, some remain the same."

Harry turned in Edward's arms, facing his lover. He took in the golden eyes that he loves to fall deep into. His hand crept up to cup the pale cheek that never had stubbles and caressed the soft skin lovingly. Edward gave his usual crooked smile that never failed to make his knees weak. A thousand years had passed, and they had not changed one bit, appearance-wise, but everything else, they had. They were no longer young vampires with a thirst for life, curiosity of the world, and full of the fight if needed. Now they were older, beautiful, and mysteriously ancient. The world had changed around them, yet their love remained strong. They felt as if they were trapped in a time-turner, watching as the world speed by around them, and they were achingly slow, taking in each other, memorizing every moment, and loving one another.

After the trial had ended, Harry and Edward went to the Burrow with the Cullens to celebrate their freedom. The Weasleys were nervous about being around multiple vampires but quickly dashed as the Cullens proved themselves to be friendly and loving. The twins befriended both Jasper and Emmett, much to Alice and Rosalie's exasperation. Hermione, Ginny, and Fleur found kinship with Alice, Rosalie, and Esme, becoming longtime friends afterward, supporting each other in their life as sisters and mothers.

The Cullens returned to Forks, leaving behind Edward and Harry in England. Once Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett graduated from Forks High, they returned to England, uprooting their home in the Olympics. Carlisle became a new medi-wizard for the new extension at the St. Mungos, specializing in magical creatures that range from werewolves, vampires to trolls and giants. He remained a doctor for St. Mungos for nearly six hundred years before retiring.

Rosalie and Emmett started up a wizarding automobile business with their love for automobiles and inspiration from Arthur Weasley's Ford Anglia. Alice became the fashion guru for the wizarding world, introducing the top fashions line to the wizards worldwide. Eventually, she took over Madame Malkin's shop once the owner passed and settled in Hogsmeade with Jasper. Jasper became a highly valued consultant with the Aurors, hunting down criminal wizards and magical creatures. Esme remained motherly to all, keeping busy with involving in the women's circles. To everyone's surprise, she became a close friend with Narcissa Malfoy of all people.

With the full support of her friends and new extended family of vampires, Hermione became a force to be recognized in the Ministry of Magic, starting out in the Department of Magical Creatures. She turned the laws over and revolutionized the wizarding world, making them more aware of the magical creatures, paving paths to become part of the wizarding world, and uniting them all. She became the youngest and the first muggle-born witch Minister of Magic. She remained in office for four terms before deciding to retire in the last part of her life with her family. She reformed the Wizengamots, requiring seats for the different races of magical creatures. Carlisle sat for the vampire for a very long time until Edward took over.

Ron Weasley turned down the offer to become an Auror and went to work with George and Fred, helping them to set up stores across the globe. Hermione and Ron married and had two children, Rose and Hugo. Both Ron and Hermione lived to the ripe old age of two hundred and thirty. When they died, Harry mourned for a long time. They were his brother and sister in his heart. His vampire family mourned with him but helped him to get over the mortality of his mortal family.