Here at The End

So gather up your jackets

Move it to the exits

I hope you have found a friend

Closing time

Every new beginning comes

From some other beginning's end

-Semisonic-

"Harry?" Remus called, staring up at the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall.

Harry's messy black hair and anxious face came into view. "Remus? Oh, good Godric, this doesn't look good."

He knelt down, trying to staunch the flow of blood escaping from a large hole in Remus's abdomen.

"Leave it," Remus said hoarsely. "Come here."

Harry's face reappeared in Remus's line of sight, looking worried. "What?"

"Did we win?" he asked faintly.

"We did," Harry affirmed.

Remus gave a weak grin. "That's my boy." He turned his head to see the rest of what he'd taken to calling Harry's Posse grouped around them. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna.

Ginny knelt beside Harry, taking Remus's hand. "Oh, Professor..."

"Remus," he corrected. "How many times do I have to ask you?"

"At least once more, Professor," Ginny said wryly, as she always did.

"I'm dying, Ginny, humor me," Remus said, squeezing her hand.

They all knelt around him, saying their goodbyes. There wasn't much time left, Remus knew. He was beyond pain, beyond anything.

They say that, before a person dies, their life flashes before their eyes. Remus disagreed. As he died, these children's lives were made so clear to him. His own life was unimportant now, as he was off to another place.

Harry, steadily meeting his gaze, trying desperately not to cry. He'd always wanted to prove himself, and he had this night. He had everything he had lacked growing up: friends, family and hope. Hope for the future, for once in his life. A future that didn't include Lord Voldemort any more.

Ginny, her hand on Harry's arm, silent tears coursing down her face and soaking her eyelashes. Quick to anger and quick to forgive, desperate to prove herself worthy of the love she had anyway. Her caring nature, her protectiveness of those she loved. Her ambition for greatness, which Remus suspected would be realized sooner than she thought. A very talented witch, that one.

Neville on his other side, looking anxious and very sad. He'd killed Bellatrix Lestrange tonight, and finally gotten vengeance for what she'd done to him and his parents. He'd proven himself over the years, gaining in skill and learning everything he could. He would have made his parents so proud.

Luna beside Neville, looking a little less dreamy than usual, her blue eyes fixed firmly on Remus's face. She said all she needed to say without speaking a word. She was truly different, truly special, someone who would do great things and surprise everyone.

Hermione standing behind Ginny, crying softly and pressing her cheek to Ron's robes. She had such a thirst for knowledge, an ache to be the best. A wish for freedom and spontaneity in her well ordered life. She may have other friends in her lifetime, but Ron and Harry would always be her best friends. They were her boys, and Remus could die happy knowing that he was leaving them in her capable hands.

Ron, with his arms wrapped protectively around Hermione as he gazed down at Remus with resolute defiance, the tears in his eyes stubbornly remaining unshed. He was another who would do great things. He had a desire to stand out from his mess of siblings, a longing for recognition. He was fiercely loyal, facing death and worse for the sake of those he loved. Uncannily empathetic, he gave off an air of being clueless while at the same time always knowing exactly what to say.

Remus took a deep, rattling breath as he acknowledged that his journey was over. The era of the Marauders was at an end, having lived out it's full and battle-ridden course. Now his last breaths ushered in the era of The Six, a time of peace and rejoicing.

He saw the children who had been forced to grow up to fast, all gazing down at him having seen death many times before. Their lives would go on, and be filled with great things. Their children, and their children's children, would all live and prosper because of a brave few tonight.

Remus's gaze rested on Harry once more. He had lost the battle with his tears, and now was crying just as much as Ginny.

"Don't mourn me," Remus managed to choke out. "I'm off to greater things."

"Death is but the next great adventure," Ginny murmured.

Remus nodded at her. "Exactly."

Ginny laid her head on Harry's shoulder, her long red mane cascading down his arm and her robes. Harry laid his messy black-topped head on hers, clasping her hand. Remus smiled at them for a moment.

Suddenly, his vision blurred and shifted. He wasn't seeing Harry and Ginny any more. Instead, the lovely red mane and wild black hair belonged to James and Lily.

They were laughing, and welcoming him home.