Harry Potter and the Scar of Fate

Chapter 18

Curtain

When Harry returned from the cremation, he saw Draco and Kathy waiting for him. Kathy ran to hug him the minute she saw him. Draco wasn't too far behind, either.

When they were done with the hugs, Dumbledore winked at Harry.

"Please go to the Hospital Wing, Harry, or Poppy will have my blood," he said, with a twinkle in his eye.

Madam Pomfrey fussed around him a lot. As Harry slipped into the white sheets, he smiled at his friends, hoping things would go back to normal, now that Lord Voldemort was out of the way. The thought of his grandfather saddened him, but he wouldn't let that put him down. After all, this was what they'd fought for...

Thoughts raced through his mind as he slowly drifted into a deep slumber. For once, his sleep was, mercifully, dreamless. He woke up fifteen hours later feeling very refreshed and rather hungry. He noticed Hermione sitting next to him reading a book.

"Hermione?" he called softly.

"Oh, Harry, you're finally awake! Madam Pomfrey says that you can leave whenever you want to. Shall I bring you some food before we leave or would you like to come to the kitchen and get some yourself?"

"I'll come with you. Just wait till I put on my robes."

Five minutes later, Harry and Hermione were walking near the lake, carrying a big basket of food with them. They chose a nice spot and sat down to eat.

"So, what's up?"

"Nothing much. The N.E.W.T.s are next week, though. You ought to study a bit, you know."

"Come on, Hermione."

"I'm serious, Harry. I made you notes for everything you'd missed in class. Just go through them and you'll pass with flying colours! Then you can be an Auror!"

"Thanks. How're your preparations?"

"I'm nervous, but I think I'll manage."

They ate in silence and thought about their future. The next week passed in a haze of books, notes and exams. When the last exam was over, they all sighed in relief.

The seventh years were allowed a Hogsmeade visit as a special treat on their last day at Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco enjoyed it a lot. As they walked into The Three Broomsticks, Harry revelled in the new sense of safety that overwhelmed him. He was free. He could go and get himself a house. And he could do something he'd wanted to do since a long time. He stole a glance at Hermione and wondered when it would be the appropriate time to do it. He glanced at Draco and the Slytherin blonde nodded.

Harry gulped nervously as he stood up from his seat and walked over to Hermione's. Seeing his nervous face, Hermione stood up, wondering what had happened to him. She stared in shock as Harry went down on one knee in front of her and held up a single red rose and a little jewellery box with a diamond ring and whispered, "Hermione, will you marry me?"

The restaurant had gone so silent that you could easily hear a pin drop. Everyone stared at Hermione, while she stared at Harry, and Harry stared at her feet, still kneeling on the ground.

Hermione snapped out of her daze.

"Yes, I will," she said quietly and took the rose and the ring. Harry kissed her hand before standing up. Everyone applauded loudly.

"Oh my! The knight and the lady!" said Draco and put a fist over his heart in a melodramatic fashion.

"Aren't you guys to young to get married?" asked Ron, still staring at them.

The couple grinned at him.

That night, at dinner, Dumbledore announced their engagement. Colin clicked away with his camera, while Harry and Hermione were smothered by people coming in to shake hands with them.

When they departed from the school the next morning, their hearts were heavy. Hogwarts had been like a second home to them, and for Harry, it was the only home he'd ever known. The four friends were rather quiet during the train ride.

When they finally arrived at King's Cross, they walked out together, ready to take on the world with a smile.

~FIN~