The Phoenix's Fire

The Phoenix's Fire

Epilogue

One week after the end of the bloody battle that had claimed so many lives, a funeral was held for the fallen Necromancer Queen. Though there was no body to bury, small objects of Destiny's were placed into the coffin to be put into the ground. A large stone was put at the head of the grave, the largest of the entire cemetery. At Harry's request, Destiny's grave was set aside from the others in the memorial cemetery so that a garden could be planted around it.

Thousands of people- human and inhuman alike- came to pay their respects to the woman who had died to allow them to win. Though many came, few stayed after the service was over; few cared about one more Dark Creature's lost life.

Around mid afternoon, Harry Potter stood before the tombstone, reading and re-reading the flowing inscription etched into the cold stone.

Destiny Alexandria Black

1982-2004

Regina, Et Nunc Et Semper

In Memory of Your Courage,

We Thank You for Our Lives

Reaching up to touch the wings of the angel that stood with outstretched arms over Destiny's grave, Harry squeezed his eyes shut tightly. Feeling a hand touch his shoulder gently, he glanced slowly back. Standing behind him was Sirius, Julia, and a little ways down the rows of grave stones, Remus.

"Harry?" Julia asked. Looking at her through dulled eyes, he gave her his scattered attention the best he could. "I found an old chest of Destiny's in the attic and I thought you might like to have this out of it."

Holding out the wrapped object, she waited for him to take it. Pulling it gingerly from her hands, he glanced down at it curiously. "What it is?"

"That's not for me to tell you."

Kissing his check, she moved down to where Remus stood. Moving forward, Sirius stood next to Harry, silently gazing at the inscription.

"Regina, Et Nunc Et Semper?"

"It means, 'Queen, now and forever.' I thought it fit perfectly with who she was."

"It does. She was always a Queen first and foremost. She was wonderful at it too. Not many would be able to put people they don't really know ahead of their closest loved ones. She did it every day though." Nervously, Sirius licked his lips. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Yes, but... It'll be a long time before I am though... I... I just feel like I could have done something more. I mean, God! I'm a freaking War Mage and when the time came to use my knowledge, I failed..."

"No, Harry, you didn't fail. You saved the world. If the positions had been reversed and Destiny had wielded both powers instead of you, I... I honestly believe we would have lost."

"But I was trained on what to do in those situations!"

"They never told you how to deal with having the person you love be in that situation though. You did all you could..." Putting his arm around the younger man's shoulders, Sirius whispered, "It's okay to cry..." When Harry didn't respond, Sirius gave him a little shake. "Cry; you'll feel better."

Gently, Harry pushed his Godfather away. Bowing his head, he said, "I can't. I've cried so much over the last few days... There's just no tears left. I feel hollow, numb."

Turning Harry's face to him, Sirius said with gentle sternness, "It will get better, I promise you that. Don't give up on life. I've already lost my baby; I couldn't bear to lose you too."

Giving his Godfather a shaky smile, he replied quietly. "I'm not going anywhere. I know I'll see Destiny again when I die. When that happens and she asks what I did with my life, I don't want to have to say that I threw away what she so desperately wanted for herself... I'd like to be alone now if you don't mind."

Nodding, Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder before going to join his wife and friend.

Turning his back on the retreating party, Harry looked down at the package he still held in his hands. Pulling apart the paper surrounding the heavy object, Harry couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the gift enclosed.

Held in his hands was one of Destiny's most treasured possessions while she attended Hogwarts: a small crystal ball that sat on a stand as if it were a snow globe. The stand held picture of unicorns, phoenixes, and other mystical creatures. He remembered sitting in the Gryffindor common room with her as he and Ron made up predictions and she actually looked into the ball. Harry had claimed that there was nothing there, not even the swirling smoke that should have been. Destiny though actually saw things and was always more than willing to help them cheat their way through the class. Oh, but how she had loved the little ball. It was of Muggle origin and she had bought it simply because she had liked the stand. She always said that she had been using it when she had first realized that she could see things before they happened. It was her most magical object, simply because it had been made by Muggles.

Sighing sadly, he stepped forward and knelt next to the inscription on the cold stone, gently setting the little glass object on the ground. It was beginning to snow and already was sticking to the ground. By the time dusk arrived, snow covered the ground and the young man, but still he remained motionless.

Shivering, Harry kissed his fingers and pressed them to the stone before standing and preparing to go. Turning around, Harry jumped with fright and froze.

Standing behind him, a girl with chin length, flyaway, midnight black hair was watching him, her head ducked down, shadows obscuring her face. She was about 5'6", with a petite frame. Wearing a heavy emerald cloak, a bright blue fuzzy hat and red gloves, she was a funny sight indeed. From the amount of snow sitting on her shoulders and hat, she had very obviously been standing there for a very long while.

Getting the feeling that he had seen her before, he said awkwardly, "I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone else was here." Not receiving an answer, he nervously asked if she had known Destiny well.

"Did anyone know her well?"

"No, I guess not."

"Destiny Black was an enigma in life and will remain so in death. Ask anybody and they'll tell you that she was a selfish little b-"

Grabbing the woman by the front of the shirt, Harry effectively cut her off. Growling softly, Harry snapped, "Who do you think you are?" Pulling her forward so that he was right in her face, Harry was about to tell her off for insulting the dead when he realized why exactly she was so familiar. "Your eyes..."

"Hello Harry Potter."

Gasping, Harry immediately let go of her clothes and tilted her face up to get a better look at her eyes. Clear topaz sparkled brilliantly up at him as she laughed.

"Destiny?"

"I really should thank you for curing me. Another five minutes and I would have been beyond reach."

Shocked, Harry stuttered helplessly, "C-c-cure?"

"The cure that made me not vanish. You've killed me in every life for your own gain. To save me, you had to be willing to take my place in death."

Completely ignoring what she was saying, Harry reverently touched her face, brushed her hair behind her ear, and pulled her to him tightly.

"God, Des! I thought I'd lost you forever! Without you, I didn't know if I was going to make it."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. I would have come back sooner but I was a bit laid up. Though I did get an awfully nice tombstone out of it..."

"Laid up?"

"Transferring my powers to you, even for such a short time drained me to the point of death. I've spent the last few days just laying on the Ghost Roads, waiting to heal."

"You're really back?"

"Yes."

"For good?"

"Forever."

"And you won't be disappearing again?"

"Never."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

Glancing down at her hand, Harry asked hesitantly, "Whatever happened to the promise ring I gave you?" Hastily he added, "Not that I expect you to still wear it or anything..."

Reaching up, Destiny pulled a necklace off of her neck and showed him the charm. Hanging there was the beautiful clauddah ring he'd given her over five years ago.

"You know, this is the first time since I was sixteen that I've ever taken this off. I'll understand if it no longer has any meaning for you but... Just so you know, I still mean to keep my promise. If I marry, it will be you waiting for me at that alter. If not, I guess I'll just never get to walk down that aisle."

Smiling, Harry took the ring off of the chain and slid it onto her finger.

"Wear this ring until I can find something that is worthy of your beauty."

Grinning, she kissed him softly. Closing his eyes, Harry allowed himself to lose himself in the feel of her lips on his.

Night fell and still they stood locked in each others embraces, letting the gently falling snow pour down around them. They talked of everything and of nothing. When Destiny began to shiver uncontrollably, they made their way down the rows of stones to the entrance of the cemetery. Reaching the gate, he looked down on her.

"Des, what happen to your hair? It's so... short!"

Snorting, Destiny replied. "At the end of the burning, I fell out of my Animagus form and my hair caught fire! You should have seen me! I was rolling around on the ground on the Ghost Roads trying to bury my head in nonexistent dirt!"

Laughing, Harry touched the short tresses. "I think it's beautiful."

"Good... So, are you up for scaring my parents?"

Grinning mischievously, Harry whispered, "Later," and lowered his lips to hers.

*****

Screaming became a regular thing over the next few days when Destiny walked into a room and within mere hours, she was thoroughly sick of it. Julia took her daughter's sudden resurrection with almost no reaction; Sirius did not. Screaming loudly, Sirius tripped over a chair and nearly fell down the stairs. Destiny just smiled.

A week after Destiny had returned and things had once again quieted down, Harry and Destiny sat in Harry's home, throwing popcorn into each others mouths. Giggling, Destiny crawled into his lap and kissed him.

"Guess what?" Destiny chirped, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Um..." Pretending to think hard, he finally asked innocently, "Pizza?"

Giving his hair a playful tug, she laughed. "No silly! Do you remember the kitten Draco Malfoy gave me that Christmas at Hogwarts?"

"Yes..." Harry replied slowly, not understanding where she was going with this line of conversation.

"Well, when I left Hogwarts, I left my cat there too. I didn't want to take her with me and then have something happen to me, leaving her homeless, so I left her with a note saying to give her to my mother." Squealing excitedly, Destiny bounced up and down in his lap. "My mom gave Duchess back to me yesterday! Oh, and I found out what her powers are!"

Curiously, Harry asked what powers a cat could have.

"Duchess can see peoples' thoughts!"

"How can you SEE thoughts?"

"Well, she can't really hear what they're thinking. It's more like she gets an impression. Any-hoo, I was walking down the street yesterday and you will not believe some of the nasty thoughts running through guys heads!" Pausing, she blinked in surprise, seeming to realize who she was talking to. "Oh, I guess you would know then." Grinning, Harry waved for her to finish what she was saying. "Duchess also said that you were worrying about something when you came over to my apartment yesterday. Is everything okay?"

"Oh!" Harry exclaimed, suddenly remembering what he had been worrying about.

Setting Destiny on the couch, Harry stood up and dug through his pocket.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh... Just hold on for a second."

Finding what he was looking for, Harry kneeled down before her.

"Oh my God..." Destiny whispered.

Smiling, Harry said, "I asked you once to promise your heart to me. Now, I'd like to make you that same promise and give you my entire heart. Destiny, I love you more than you will ever know. To be able to see your face first thing every morning, for it to be the last thing I see every night, would be the greatest, most precious gift of all. Destiny Black, will you marry me?"

Opening the jewelry box and turning it towards her, Harry allowed her to see the contents. Sparkling up at her was the largest diamond she had ever seen.

Glancing up, she shrugged. "Okay."

"Okay?"

Smiling brilliantly, Destiny slid off the couch so that she too was on her knees and whispered, "Yes, mi amour, yes!" before wrapping her arms around him for a passionate kiss.

The End