Yes Krissy, I too am "so freaking happy" ! lol
Great Post Mel. Excellent as always my lovely. You and Krissy are making me jealous! lol.
Love you BOTH to pieces (wow that was girly),
Liam

Voldermort stared at Sarina with a hard expression and a cruel smile. “Any last requests?”

“Yeah just one” she retorted.

His smile widened and he let out a low hiss. “And what would that be?”

“Let Draco go” she said simply.

Draco turned his head sharply towards her and shook his head. “No” he said and he took hold of her hand. “We’ll go together.”

“Sorry but that is not an option,” Voldermort said. “Lucius, your son can go first and she can watch” he added.

Lucius took out his wand slowly and moved forwards. Sarina gripped Draco’s hand and squeezed it tightly. He looked at her with eyes that said it was going to be all right.

She made a move to step in front of him, when there was a loud commotion outside the door. Two Death Eaters burst into the room and bowed to Voldermort and then spoke in hurried hushed tones, Sarina could not make out what they were saying.

Voldermort turned to the others in the room. “You three” Voldermort said pointing at Greyback and the two unknown Death Eaters. “Come with me, the rest of you stay here. And Lucius do not waste any time, the job better be done by the time I return” and he strode out of the room.

Just as the door was closing Voldermort’s snake Nagini slithered into the room. Sarina looked at it transfixed; there was another of Voldermort’s Horcruxes if only she had a wand. A movement to her right caught her eye and she looked up to see Lucius raising his wand with a shaking hand and pointing it at Draco. Sarina could see the hesitation in his face and knew that this could be their chance. Without a seconds thought Sarina flung herself at Lucius and knocked him to the ground. She could hear yells around her and flashes of light streaking across the room as she wrestled his wand out of his grasp.

He grabbed the front of her shirt. “Look after Draco for me” he whispered in her ear. “And tell him I’m sorry.”

Surprise flitted over Sarina’s face before she turned the wand on him and stunned him. She jumped up and a curse flew past her missing her by inches and she dived behind the desk. She popped her head around the desk to see what was going on when the sound of breaking glass diverted her attention to the windows. She fell back stunned at the sight before her, for there was Harry, Ron and Hermione blasting their way into the Lestrange’s study.

Sarina jumped back to her feet. “Harry!” she exclaimed in wonder.

“SARINA LOOK OUT” shouted Harry.

Sarina was so focused on the new arrivals that she wasn’t paying attention to what was going on around her. The wand she was holding was pointing uselessly at the floor and Bellatrix had fired a curse at her. Before she could even react she felt someone’s body collide with hers and slam her to the ground. After a moment’s confusion she realised it was Draco. They both cautiously got back to their feet in time to see the battle raging around them. Ron was battling with Travers as Hermione was fighting with Dolohov. But the real battle was between Harry and Bellatrix, Sarina had never seen Harry duel like that before. He was totally focused and in control, he moved with graceful precision and managed to block and evade her spells. Sarina tore her gaze away from the two and went to help Hermione while Draco went to Ron’s aid.

In no time at all Sarina and Hermione put Dolohov out of action as did Ron and Draco with Travers. Sarina turned to see Harry and Bellatrix still dueling, she moved forwards this had to end now they didn’t have time for this, Voldermort would be back at any moment.

She took careful aim at Bellatrix. “Expelliarmus” she bellowed. Bellatrix’s wand flew out of her hand straight over to Draco. Sarina kept the wand pointing at Bellatrix, now was her chance for revenge a little payback for what Bellatrix had put her through. She raised the wand and the curse was on the tip of her tongue as she looked into the eyes of the witch who had put her through so much misery. Bellatrix wasn’t sneering now, her face held a frightened look, and Sarina opened her mouth her face contorted in fury.

“SARINA NO” two voices yelled at her. She stopped for a moment the wand still pointing at Bellatrix.

“Sarina this is not the answer” Harry said.

“Sarina” came Draco’s quiet voice. “This is not who you are. You’re not a killer, please don’t do it.”

And it was his voice of reason that made her lower the wand a fraction and take a deep breath. “Looks like it’s your lucky day” she whispered to Bellatrix.

Draco stepped forward and stunned Bellatrix with her own wand and turned to Sarina. “Are you okay?” he asked her.

“I’m fine, just fine” she turned to the others. “We need to get out of here now before he comes back.”

Severus Snape walked towards the group, where he had been during the battle was anyone’s guess. Harry took one look at him and raised his wand and moved toward him a look of hatred on his face. Instinctively both Sarina and Draco moved between them.

“No Harry” Sarina said firmly. “He’s been helping us.”

Harry stopped short a look of confusion on his face as Snape spoke up. “Here’s your wand Taylor,” he said thrusting her wand at her. “The anti-apparition spell has been lifted, so I suggest you do not waste any more time and get out of here.”

Sarina took her wand from him and nodded. “My sentiments exactly” she muttered. But out of the corner of her eye she spotted Nagini making her way to the door, no doubt going to report back to her master.

Sarina pointed her wand at the snake. “Sectumsempra” she roared. The spell hit the snake and great slashes went through the snake’s body, ripping it apart and killing it. She turned to the others. “Let’s go.”

They each took hold of one another’s hands. “Where to” said Ron.

Sarina took hold of Draco’s hand. “Draco knows where to take us” she whispered nodding at him.

They were just about to turn on the spot to Disapparate when…”Potter, the last Horcrux the one in the locket. The Dark Lord is wearing it around his neck, thought you might like to know” said Snape calmly before he Disapparated with a pop.

They stared at the spot where Snape had been just moments ago before yelling outside the room made them all jump and they too quickly Disapparated.

They arrived seconds later out the front of Rainbow Cottage and Sarina was relieved to see that it was still there and in one piece, nobody had obviously discovered it. Harry looked at Sarina questioningly. “It’s okay” she whispered. “I’ll explain when we get inside.”

They all walked in silence up the garden path to the front door of the cottage. They walked inside and headed straight for the dining table in the kitchen.

“Is someone going to tell us what the hell is going on? And why the hell he is here?” Ron shouted angrily pointing his finger at Draco.

“Calm down Ron” Sarina said quietly. “If it wasn’t for Draco here I would be dead right now. For the past ten weeks I have endured being tortured, been beaten to an inch of my life and starved of food. Draco came and helped mend the broken bones and brought me food before he was caught himself” she took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly before turning to Harry.

“Draco will explain the whole story, please just listen to him. I really do owe him my life,” she said softly. “I’m going to take a very long bath” she added and hesitated for a moment before giving Harry a peck on the cheek and walked off to the bathroom.

Draco looked away when Sarina gave Harry a kiss on the cheek and his heart gave a painful lurch in his chest. Sarina was married to Harry so where did that leave him.

Sarina ran the bath making sure that it was almost full, she took off her clothes and threw them into the corner of the room she would have to remember to burn them later. She looked at herself in the mirror and could still see the faint scars of the beatings she had received. She gripped the sides of the basin in both hands and inhaled and exhaled slowly. What the hell was she supposed to do now, she was in love with Draco but she still loved Harry and they were married. Did she go with the man she was in love with or did she stay with the man she was married to and try and make it work. She sunk down into the bath and felt the hot water flow over her body, the problem was not going to be solved today but she was going to have to make a decision very soon.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco sat around the dining table all sitting in silent contemplation after hearing Draco’s version of events that had taken place over the past ten weeks.

Harry was gripping the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles were white and he exhaled slowly. “She withstood all that and still did not give away any information” Harry said in wonder. He knew that Sarina was a tough cookie but even he was astounded at what she had endured and still survived.

“Yes she was truly amazing” Draco said quietly. “You’ve got one hell of a woman their Potter,” he added trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

Harry looked at Draco with confusion on his face. “Uh…yeah she’s quite a woman” he murmured. “Thank you for saving her and bringing her back home safely.”

“Yeah well I didn’t do it for you” Draco muttered under his breath.

Hermione looked over at Draco sharply a knowing look in her eyes.

“Well this is all very nice,” Ron said sarcastically. “But I’m not about to forget all the rotten things he’s done to us over the years. I have a good mind to punch him out right now” he bellowed.

“You’ll do no such thing Ron Weasley” came Sarina’s angry voice from the doorway of the kitchen. “This is my house and I’ll be the one to say who stays and who goes” she added taking a seat on the table.

“It’s alright Sarina, I can understand Wea…uh Ron’s feelings about me. Maybe it would be better if I did leave” Draco said quietly.

“And where are you going to go? He’ll be looking for you, just as he’s looking for us” Sarina reasoned. “No we’ll be sticking together until this is over. There’s one Horcrux to go and we know where it is. We just have to figure out how to get it” Sarina looked around the table with narrowed eyes daring anyone to argue with her.

“You’re asking a lot Sarina” Ron muttered.

“When this is over Ron, you can go back to hating each other but until then we work together okay” she said firmly.

“Fine” mumbled Ron.

“Okay” Hermione said quietly.

“If that’s what you think is best Sarina” Harry said slowly.

“Right then I’ve had a hell of a day and I’m tired so I’m going to bed. Draco I’ll set up a bed for you in the study and you can sleep there” she said walking off toward the study.

“I better give her a hand,” Draco said rising from her chair and following her.

Harry barely heard what they said, he nodded but his mind was full of jumbled and confusing thoughts. He was happy that Sarina was all right but pictures of Ginny kept on entering his mind and he kept remembering the kiss they shared. He didn’t know what to do, he was a married man but he was in love with another woman.

Sarina moved the desk and chair back with a flick of her wand and conjured a bed in the room she was just about to add some blankets when Draco walked into the room.

“Do you need a hand?” he asked.

“No it’s okay I’m almost finished” she replied flicking her wand once more and conjuring blankets and pillows. “All done, you should be comfortable enough” she said turning to him.

“Sarina” he began.

She cut him off before he could say anymore. “Please Draco, not now. I know we have a lot to sort out but I need to rest first and so do you,” she said quietly. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a wand and held it out for him. “It’s your father’s, I thought it best that you should have it. He also told me to tell you that he is sorry,” she added softly.

Draco took the wand from her wordlessly and nodded his head. Sarina thought it best to leave him be and she headed towards the door but Draco grabbed hold of her arm and turned her back around and looked searchingly into her eyes. She could start to hear his thoughts and she pulled back her arm quickly and sighed.

“Another thing I need to tell you Draco, you already know of my ability to shut down my mind against pain. What I haven’t told you is that…I can hear people’s thoughts when I have contact with them” she whispered guiltily.

Draco stared at her for a moment. “You can hear everything I say in my head?” he asked in wonder. Sarina simply nodded her head and looked at the floor, she should have told him that before she thought. He cupped her chin with his hand and pulled her face up to his level. “There was nothing I was thinking that I wouldn’t have told you anyway” he whispered.

“I know but I thought I ought to tell you” she murmured. “I really should be going to bed now,” she added taking a step away from him, being this close to him was not helping her confused mind. “Goodnight Draco” she called as she turned on her heel.

“Tell me it wasn’t just a dream, that you really do have feelings for me” he begged.

She sighed why did life have to be this complicated. “We’ll sort it out tomorrow” she told him as she headed for the door. She hesitated in the doorway, “And no you weren’t dreaming” she whispered before leaving.

Sarina was just getting into bed when Harry entered the room. He made his way over to the bed and sat down.

“How are you really, Sarina?” Harry asked with concern in his voice.

“I’ll be okay Harry, I think just need a few days of rest and some decent food and I should be back to my old self” she replied with a sigh.

“I’m so sorry Sarina, I can’t begin to imagine what you must have went through” he said quietly.

Sarina put her arms around him. "Let’s not go over it okay, I don’t want to have to re-live it again” she whispered.

They looked at each other for a moment and then they kissed. It was hesitant, it was awkward and it definitely was not the same as before. Things had changed between them.

Sarina pulled away. “I really do need to get some sleep Harry,” she said.

“Yeah okay, goodnight Sarina.”

“Goodnight Harry.”

Sarina didn’t miss the fact that neither of them had said I love you before she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The next few days for Sarina were spent catching up on much needed sleep, eating and regaining her strength. On the fourth morning she awoke to feeling almost back to her old self. She got out of bed and made her way into the kitchen to find Harry staring out the window with an amused look on his face.

“Good morning Harry” Sarina said quietly. “Where is everyone?”

Harry jumped slightly at the sound of Sarina’s voice. “Oh good morning Sarina, the other’s are outside” he said pointing out the window.

Sarina looked out the window to see Ron and Draco wrestling on the ground and Hermione jumping up and down yelling at them.

Sarina groaned at the sight. “Bloody hell can’t they be left alone for five minutes without a fight breaking out” she made to go outside and stop the fight when Harry stopped her.

“Let them get it out of their systems, there won’t be any real harm done” Harry said quietly. He turned and looked back out the window again. “I’m actually surprised, Malfoy has been able to get a few good punches in, seeing as how he’s fighting without a wand” he added chuckling lightly.

Sarina’s eyes narrowed, she didn’t appreciate Harry talking about Draco that way but she held her tongue. He turned back to her and pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest, he placed his chin on top of her head.

“We haven’t really had much of a chance to talk, have we?” he murmured.

Sarina pulled back slightly to look him in the face. “No we haven’t” she sighed.

Harry held her in his arms tightly; he had been doing a lot of thinking over the past few days and decided to make his marriage with Sarina work. He would have to try and forget about Ginny and focus his thoughts back on Sarina.

“How are you feeling?” Harry asked her.

“Physically almost back to one hundred per cent. Emotionally…well I’m getting there” she replied softly. Her thoughts were outside with Draco but she gave herself a mental shake. Harry was making an effort and she thought it would be a good idea if she did too. “I really missed you while I was away,” she added as a tear slid down her face. It wasn’t a total lie she had missed him at first before Draco came and stole her heart away.

“I really missed you too Sarina” Harry whispered. “My life was a real mess there for a while but you’re back now. Right where you should be.”

Sarina averted his eyes and looked guiltily at the floor, if he knew what had happened between Draco and herself he wouldn’t be talking like this to her. She couldn’t take it anymore she would have to tell him. “Harry, there’s something I need…” but she was cut short as the back door burst open. Ron and Hermione entered the kitchen yelling at each other followed by a subdued looking Draco.

Sarina quickly pulled herself out of Harry’s embrace and looked at the floor slightly flustered but she didn’t miss the look of hurt on Draco’s face.

“Anyone for breakfast?” she asked trying to divert the attention away from herself.

“No that’s okay Sarina, we’ve already eaten” Hermione said still staring daggers at Ron.

“Hey speak for yourself!” exclaimed Ron. “I could go for seconds.”

Sarina chuckled lightly. “Sure thing Ron” she turned and started grabbing pans from the cupboards. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Draco leave the room and she blinked back the tears that were forming. She knew she wasn’t being fair to him, they had barely spoken in days.

Harry came up behind Sarina. “What were you going to say before?”

Sarina cleared her throat before speaking. “I’ll tell you later Harry, it can wait till then.”

Later that evening as Harry and Sarina were preparing for bed. Harry took her by surprise by scooping her up in his arms and laying her on the bed and kissing her gently on the lips. She returned his kisses waiting for that spark to re-ignite but it wasn’t happening, instead a picture of Draco entered her mind. She felt Harry’s hand move down her arm and come to rest on her hip and she felt her body stiffen. She couldn’t do it, she just couldn’t she broke away from him just as Harry pulled away from her.

“Sorry” he said getting up from the bed. “I’m going out for some air” and he bolted from the room as fast as he could.

Sarina covered her face with her hands, who were they kidding they were trying to get back something they had lost but neither of their hearts were in it.

Sarina awoke in the morning and noticed that Harry was not there. He had either got up early or he had not come to bed at all. Sarina groaned as she got out of bed, they needed to talk and they needed to talk now. She quickly got dressed and headed out of the bedroom in search of him. She walked through the house but all was quiet, so she headed outside. She walked down to the very end of the yard but no one was around. She turned to head back to the house when she ran straight into Draco.

She jumped back slightly. “Draco, you scared the living daylights out of me.”

“Sorry” he mumbled. “Thought you might like to know that Potter, Weasley and Granger have gone to Hogwarts.”

Sarina noticed his tone and the use of surnames and knew that Draco was upset but that would have to wait for the moment.

“Why did they go to Hogwarts?” Sarina asked sharply.

“I don’t know they obviously felt I didn’t need to know” Draco snapped.

“Draco…” Sarina began.

“Sarina I’m leaving” Draco cut in.

“Oh okay” she said absently her thoughts on Harry going to Hogwarts. Then she realised what Draco had said and she focused on him properly. “WHAT! You can’t leave, where are you going to go?” she asked almost hysterical.

“Well I can’t stay here any longer, watching you and Potter play the happy married couple” he yelled.

“Draco it’s a lot more complicated than you think. And it’s too dangerous for you out there, you’re safer here” she told him close to tears.

“Well I would rather try my luck out there, then staying here and having my heart ripped out every time I look at you with him” he spat. “Personally I would rather have the Dark Lord kill me then continue to have this constant pain in my chest.”

“Draco please” Sarina sobbed and she reached out to grab him. “Please I don’t want you to go” she begged.

Draco shook her arm off and took a few steps away from her. “Why because you don’t want my death on your conscience” he turned on his heel and started walking away. “I’m going Sarina and that’s all there is to it” he called over his shoulder.

Sarina watched as he walked away with tears rolling down her face and her heart breaking in two. No she thought she wasn’t going to let him leave not without a fight. She ran after him, grabbed him and spun him around to face her.

“I don’t want you to go Draco because I’m in love with you and only you. I tried to make it work with Harry but it was you I kept thinking about. It was your arms I wanted around me. It was your lips I wanted against mine. That’s why I was looking for Harry, to tell him about you and me” she said desperate for him to believe her.

Draco, gave her a searching look trying to find any deception in her eyes, he could find none. He moved forward kissing her passionately pushing her back against a large maple tree, his hands tangled in her long hair. Sarina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back just as passionately. Draco moved his lips down to her neck and kissed her softly with little butterfly kisses. Sarina closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure at the feel of his lips on her neck and his body pressed up against hers. She undone the buttons on his shirt and pulled it off him and threw it on the ground. She took a moment to admire his muscled and well-defined body before kissing him hard on the mouth. She felt his hands slide under her shirt and she gasped as the feel of his hands on her bare skin sent her senses into overdrive.

“Draco” she murmured. She felt him slowly removing her shirt and she ran her hands down his bare chest and they came to rest on the waistband of his jeans. She arched her back as he moved his lips down her neck, to the top of her chest…

Her eyes snapped open and she groaned loudly pulling away from him. “Not now” she said through gritted teeth.



Just thought I'd leave you with that little hanger.

*cough* umm wow. I need a cold shower and I bet Draco does too. Great post my dear! keep up the amazing writing!

Lol Liam, I'm glad you are so...enthralled with the story. Hmm will Draco and Sarina ever get it together, we'll have to see.

Hey
**New Reader**
Ok I'm not done reading all of ur story yet but I thought I would just post quick and say it's really really good!! Thats all for now, but I'll post soon. Maybe later today, after I've read more.
Bye for now,
~Abby~

::fans herself:: wow. Good one Mel! Very Saucy!
Love ya!
Krissy

Thanx Abby I'm really glad you're enjoying it and I hope you keep reading. And Krissy well I thought you would like that, you've been hounding me for ages for it so there it is lol.

Mel

Just wanted to say I really liked your story and I agree with the other guy that last post was extremely hot! I love your writing style too.

Luke.

So here is another post. Aww we're coming to the end, I'm going to miss writing this.

Draco looked at her confused. “What’s the matter?” he asked. “Did I do something wrong?”

Sarina held up her hand and closed her eyes; she remained that way for a full two minutes before opening her eyes and looked at Draco who was looking back at her with a wary expression.

“We have to go,” she said bending down and picking up her shirt.

“What do you mean we have to? I was just getting into that” he protested placing his arms around her waist and pulling her against him.

“So was I honey and I would really prefer to stay here and continue this with you” she sighed. “But Harry’s in danger, I just had a vision of Voldermort and the Death Eaters at Hogwarts. Come on Draco, we have to go” she put her shirt back on and dragged him by the hand to the outside of the magical barriers.

They Disapparated from Rainbow Cottage to Hogsmeade. Once there they ran up the lane way that led to Hogwarts.

“How long have we got?” panted Draco.

“I don’t know but the fact that there not here already is a bonus,” she said as they ran up the stairs to the castle.

“Do you know where Potter is?” he asked looking around the Entrance Hall.

“Not for sure but I have a fair idea where he’s gone” she said heading for the Gargoyles.

As they were heading to the Headmistress’ office they ran into Ron and Hermione.

“What are you two doing here?” asked Hermione in surprise.

“I saw Voldermort and his Death Eaters here at Hogwarts and Harry…” she trailed off. “Where is he?” she asked Hermione frantically.

Hermione just grabbed Sarina by the arm and dragged her to the Gargoyle entrance just as Professor McGonagall was coming out. “What are you lot doing here?” she clutched her chest in surprise.

“Where’s Harry?” asked Sarina in alarm.

“I have not seen Pot…” but Sarina had closed her eyes as another picture of Harry entered her mind. She swayed on the spot and Draco grabbed her and held her steady.

“He’s at Godric’s Hollow” Sarina whispered. “He’s waiting for Voldermort there. It was his intention all along to give you two the slip. With this place being so big, it would have been easy” she stamped her foot in anger.

“Why did you two let him come here? Why weren’t you sticking to him like glue?” she growled rounding on Ron and Hermione. “I swear to god if anything has happened to him, I’ll….she didn’t have time to finish her sentence as she turned on her heel and ran back out of the castle.

She ran all the way through the grounds and out the front gates Draco a few paces behind her. He grabbed her before she could turn on the spot to Disapparate.

“Sarina you can’t go there on your own, it’s suicide. And it seems that’s exactly what Potter has in mind” Draco said angrily.

Sarina looked at him and she knew that he was scared for her. “You don’t understand Draco, I have to do this, I have to save him. I don’t understand it full myself but this is what I am meant to do,” she said. “Now I have to go Draco, there’s not much time” she added.

“Then I’m coming with you,” said Draco grabbing her hand. She hesitated for a split second before turning on the spot.

They arrived on the outskirts of the village and Sarina sprinted off towards the centre of town. Just as she was tearing up the street to the Potter’s old house a thought occurred to her and she stopped. “Draco I need you to get hold of as many witches and wizards as you can and get them and their children out of here. There may or may not be a war here very soon and it’s not fair that they should be stuck in the middle of it” Sarina told him.

He looked at her with uncertainty. “Go Draco, please we don’t have much time” she pleaded. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a long lingering kiss. “I love you,” he said hoarsely before running off in the opposite direction.

She watched him go for a moment before turning back towards the Potter’s house. She approached it cautiously looking for any signs of the Death Eaters but all was quiet and there was Harry sitting on the front porch of the house. Sarina stood at the front gate and stared at him, she could just about hex him herself right now.

“Come on Harry” Sarina said barely keeping the irritation out of her voice. “This is not one of your better plans.”

“What are you doing here Sarina?”

“What does it look like” she snapped. “I’ve come to get you out of here.”

“Well I’m not going anywhere, it’s going to end here…today” he said in a weary voice.

She expected as much, so she withdrew her wand from behind her. “I will take you by force if I have to” she sighed.

Harry stood up from the porch; his wand raised and pointing at her, he gave a bitter laugh. “Are you going to hex your own husband?”

“I’ll do it to save your life” she replied. “What’s your excuse?” she asked pointing at his raised wand.

“Same reason Sarina, this is my battle. You’ve said it yourself I’m the one who has to finish this” he said quietly.

“I never said you had to do it on your own” she cried. “We’re all here for you Harry, to help you survive this.”

“I won’t let my friends die for me either Sarina” Harry yelled.

Sarina stamped her foot in frustration and clenched her wand tightly in her hand and red sparks flew from the end of it. "Damn it Harry, this is not the answer” she said through gritted teeth. “Look at us, about ready to hex each other when we’re supposed to be on the same side.”

“I didn’t ask you to come here Sarina and try and save me,” he said impatiently.

“I know you didn’t but I wasn’t going to let you do this on your own either” she said quietly. “How did you change my vision by the way?” she asked hoping to distract him.

“I have a little magic of my own” he replied bitterly. “Obviously not enough to keep you away though” he added sarcastically. “Sarina I know things have changed between us so I don’t want you to feel obligated to protect me.”

“But I am obligated Harry, this is what my life is all about” Sarina whispered close to tears.

They stood staring at each other with their wands pointing at each other both wondering what they were supposed to do next.

It happened in an instant, in a blink of an eye. Without taking their eyes off each other they pointed their wands over each other’s heads and yelled together “Protego.” With their shield charms cast, the oncoming Death Eaters were knocked backwards.

Harry and Sarina moved towards each other into the middle of the yard. They stood back to back with their wands raised. Sarina felt a sense of deja-vu; it was about this time two years ago that they stood like this facing Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. They had managed to fight their way out of that mess, could they be that lucky again?

The only consolation was that Voldermort was not amongst his Death Eaters it was only a small consolation but one nonetheless. Sarina grabbed Harry’s hand. “Let’s go Harry, we’ll Disapparate now” she said firmly.

“I told you Sarina, it’s going to end here one way or the other. You go and save yourself” he pleaded.

She turned her head toward his. “You still don’t get it do you. I’m bound to you; I have to protect you at all costs it’s the way it is. So I won’t be going anywhere unless you’re with me,” she cried.

He gave her a hard look not understanding the meaning of her words but could see that she was not going to go anywhere without him. “Oh alright Sarina, let’s go.”

Before they could even take a step forward to turn on the spot. Their shield charms shattered and they were frozen to the spot, locked together by an invisible force.

Sarina looked up to see Voldermort standing at the front gate with his wand raised and she groaned inwardly. There went all hope of getting out of here alive, she knew her luck was going to have to run out eventually but she was really hoping that they would have finished Voldermort off as well. Sarina braced herself for she knew that she would be the first to go, she thought of Draco and her only regret was that they didn’t get more time together.

Voldermort raised his wand higher and Sarina waited for the flash of green light that would seal her death and she prayed that it would be quick. He opened his mouth and she steeled herself for it and closed her eyes frightened of dying.

She felt a jolt to her body but she didn’t fall, it took her a second to realise that she was still alive and another second to find that hers and Harry’s bonds had been broken. Sarina looked up to see what looked like half of Hogwarts marching up the street being led by Ron and Hermione and people Apparating in all directions.

Harry and Sarina started firing spells at the Death Eaters. “Harry, where’s the cloak?” Sarina muttered while firing off a hex.

“Stuffed inside my jumper” he replied jumping back to avoid an oncoming flash of light. “Why?”

“Give it to me” she hissed. “I have an idea.”

Harry quickly pulled out the cloak and gave it to Sarina; she pulled it over her head and disappeared from view. “Be careful Harry” she whispered before moving off toward Voldermort. Sarina ducked and weaved her way through the flashes of light that were being cast in every direction. She was right behind Voldermort now as he dueled against a mob of people. Luck seemed to be on her side, as he moved around to avoid curses being fired at him, the locket swung up and around and Sarina seized her chance and grabbed hold of it and yanked it off his neck.

She took off with it down the road to find a place to destroy it, so intent on getting through the crowd unscathed that she wasn’t watching where she was going and ran head long into someone. She bounced backwards and hit the ground hard, the Invisibility Cloak slipping off her. To her relief it was Draco that she had run into.

“Sarina” he exclaimed pulling her up into his arms. “Thank god you’re all right.”

“Not for much longer” shrieked a voice from behind them.

They both turned to see Bellatrix with her wand raised. Sarina moved in front of Draco ad fired a spell at her; Bellatrix parried the spell with ease. Sarina held out the locket with her left hand while still firing hexes at Bellatrix with her right.

“Take it Draco and destroy it” she cried while manevouring around bellatrix’s curses and shielding Draco. “Go now.”

She heard him run off as she continued her battle with Bellatrix. “Let’s dance Bella” Sarina said menacingly.

“You’re dead this time” growled Bellatrix.

“I don’t think so” Sarina replied. “There will be no third time lucky for you.”

They continued to duel with Sarina using her energy to dodge Bella’s killing curse. Bellatrix was easily blocking Sarina’s spells and she knew that she was going to have to use an unforgivable if she had any hope of beating her. Bellatrix fired another killing curse at her and as Sarina dodged it once again she lost her footing, she stumbled and fell her wand flying out of her hand. She got to her knees and saw her wand lying six feet away, she made a lunge for it but Bellatrix got there first and placed her foot on it.

Sarina looked up to see Bellatrix cackling uncontrollably at her. “Told you – you were dead.”

Sarina wanted to retort but words failed her at the moment. “Get up you filthy half breed” hissed Bellatrix. “I want you to look me in the eyes when I kill you.”

Sarina slowly rose to her feet and stood in front of her nemesis and looked into those cold cruel eyes. Before she could say anything there was a flash of green light and Bellatrix Lestrange fell to the ground…dead. Sarina looked up from Bellatrix’s body to see Draco standing there with his wand still raised and a grim expression.

Sarina, ran over to him ad flung herself into his arms. “Are you okay?” she asked looking him in the face.

“Yeah” he croaked. “As long as I don’t have to do that again.”

Sarina let him get himself together; she didn’t want to have to remind him that they were in the middle of a war and there were going to be casualties, unfortunately some of them by their hands.

“Thank you Draco” Sarina murmured. “You’ve saved my life again.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her face and placed his hands on her cheeks and kissed her softly on the lips. “Please don’t make a habit of getting into trouble” he joked lightly.

“Come on, we need to go and help the others” she said grimly pulling him by the hand.

They ran back up the street towards the main battle and as they ran, they passed many bodies lying on the ground most of them dead but many were just injured. A young woman was hunched over a figure groaning on the ground and Draco stopped. Sarina could see that he was deliberating on whether to keep going with her or staying to help the young man.

“It’s okay Draco, I’ll go on you stay here and see what you can do for him” Sarina whispered.

Draco walked over and crouched down beside the injured man and as Sarina looked at him she felt a rush of love and admiration for him. In that moment she fell more deeply in love with than ever before.

“I’ll be back soon” she vowed.

“You better” he growled gently. “And Sarina please be careful.”

“You too” she called as she continued her way up the street.

Sarina could see the battle raging up ahead and she couldn’t tell which side was winning, she knew in her gut that Harry was still alive all she had to do now was find him. As she passed one of the houses she saw Greyback the werewolf advancing on a child that could not be any more than six years old.

“Avada Kedavra” she hissed, with her wand pointing at him. She saw him out of the corner of her eye, slump to the ground as she continued walking up the road never slowing her stride. It had to be done she thought trash like that shouldn’t be allowed to live.

As she made her way through the fighting bodies and trying her utmost not to get killed in the process, she finally made it to the centre of the battle to where Harry and Voldermort were. He gave her the briefest of looks and she nodded her head in the affirmative. Harry’s expression changed to one of concentration and grimness and she knew what was going to happen before it did. And two seconds later a flash of green light came from Harry’s wand and Lord Voldermort fell to the ground and was still.

There was a moment of stunned silence and then an almighty uproar of cheers could be heard throughout the whole village and probably the neighboring town as well. People from everywhere converged on Harry and congratulated him. Sarina stood where she was grinning broadly and heaved a deep sigh of relief. It was over…they had won, at long last they had won.

Sarina watched as Ginny Weasley through herself into Harry’s arms and he twirled her around, his eyes met Sarina’s as though asking for her permission. Sarina looked back at him and gave him the thumbs up. Harry nodded his head before leaning down and kissing Ginny passionately. Sarina turned away and felt the slightest twinge of sadness before shaking it off, they were not meant to be her future was with Draco and she needed to go and find him.

“Sarina” a voice called and she looked up to see him running up the road a look of relief on his face.

Her body flooded with happiness and she ran to meet him, jumping into his outstretched arms and kissing him all over the face. “It’s over” she whispered tears spilling from her eyes as she hugged him tightly to her.

Draco placed her gently back on the ground and kissed her ever so tenderly on the lips. “So where do we go from here” he breathed.

Before she could answer Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione had walked over to them. Sarina looked at them and felt slightly awkward standing there in Draco’s arms while her husband stood with his arms around Ginny.

“Uh…Sarina, I think there are some things we need to sort out,” Harry said rather awkwardly.

“Yes we do” Sarina said softly. “All the answers to our questions are at Hogwarts.”

“I thought they might be” Harry said looking at her. “Would it be okay with you if we went now?”

“Yes Harry, I think that would be best” she replied. She knew that it had to be done and she also knew that Harry was not going to like what he heard. She had already figured most of it out and had come to accept it.

Good Job Mel! I'm very impressed!

That was brilliant Mel! I wish I had that kind of writing skill!
I can't wait to read the next(and possibly last) chapter. Keep up the great work.

That was intense ....

.... and brilliant!!!!

PAMS!

~Ange-Aimée~

That is really good .I loved it! You should continue writing stories when this one is over!!!

Thank you Krissy. I know I'm doing a good job if you're impressed lol. *hugs Krissy*

Oh but you do Liam! Thank you again for reading. *hugs Liam too*

Why thank you very much, never thought of myself as brilliant before but I will certainly take the compliment.


Glad you liked it. I'm going to try, actually I have a one shot coming together in my head at the moment and it won't go away so I guess I'm going to have to write it down.

Thanks again everyone.

So here you go! The last chapter of the story...well almost last I have decided to write an epilogue. Hope you enjoy it.

The six of them arrived back at Hogwarts and made their way to the headmistress’ office. Hermione reached out with her hand and spoke in a gentle voice. “I think just Harry and Sarina should go up, the rest of us will wait down here.”

Sarina looked at Harry and smiled. “It’s up to you, I don’t mind either way.”

Harry looked around at the others and deliberated for a moment. “No, you should all be there to hear what he’s got to say, we’ve all been in this together.”

They made there way up the spiral staircase and entered the office and hanging in the largest portrait behind the headmistress’ desk was Albus Dumbledore smiling broadly at them all.

“Harry, you did it…you all did it” he said beaming at them.

“Thank you” Harry said quietly. “But there are some questions we need answered before we can start the rest of our lives.”

Dumbledore’s smiled faded and he nodded solemnly. “I knew this day would come,” he said. “Harry, if you would take the pensieve out of the cabinet. Sarina, behind this portrait you will find a glass jar labeled for Harry and Sarina that contains all the answers to your questions.”

Harry walked over to the cabinet and retrieved the stone basin and placed it on the desk. Sarina, walked up to the portrait, pulled it open and found a hidden cavity and she found the jar Dumbledore had described and took it out and closed the portrait. Sarina walked back over to the desk and poured the memories into the pensieve and watched as it swirled around neither liquid nor gas.

Harry and Sarina looked up at Dumbledore expectantly and he smiled encouragingly at them. “These are my memories and hopefully they will help explain the events that have taken place. Please bear in mind I did what I thought was best at the time,” he said sadly.

Sarina nodded and sighed with resignation as she looked down at the pensieve. Harry looked somewhat confused but determined all the same. “After you Sarina” he whispered.

Sarina took a deep breath and leant forward and placed her face in the pensieve, as soon as nose touched the swirling substance she felt herself falling and then a moment later she landed in what looked like someone’s living room. Seconds later Harry landed beside her and the images came into clearer focus and Sarina’s heart leapt with joy as she noticed her mother and father talking to James and Lily Potter. Sarina wanted nothing more than to run over to her parents and give them a hug but she that this was only a memory. She gave Harry a sideways glance and she could see the wistful look on his face also. The next moment there was sound of squealing children and laughter. A little boy with black hair came into the room followed by a little girl with blonde girl pushing him along gently…and chasing them making roaring sounds was Sirius Black and following him looking rather amused was Albus Dumbledore.

Harry and Sarina looked at each other and realised that they were looking at themselves when they were babies and as Sarina looked more closely at her surroundings she could see balloons and a banner which read ‘Happy 1st Birthday Harry’. The one year old Harry and Sarina sat on the floor playing together while the adults talked. Present day Harry moved over to where the adults stood but Sarina remained where she was watching her younger self and Harry play. The longer she stood and watched the more she noticed the way her younger self took charge. If Harry put something in his mouth that he shouldn’t she would take it out and if he went to grab something he wasn’t supposed to she pulled him back. Young Harry got up and walked unsteadily out of the room, with the two Sarina’s following him. The headed into the kitchen and the present day Sarina could see Dumbledore watching the toddler’s intently. Hanging in the fireplace was a large pot, which looked to have some sort of stew cooking. It happened in an instant, young Harry had reached up to touch the scolding pot and the younger Sarina gave a yell and pushed him out of the way. Little Harry fell over and hit the stone floor and started to cry, the other adults came running into the kitchen to see what was going on, Lily went over and picked baby Harry up.

“Shh Harry” she cooed. “It’s alright you just fell over.”

“Actually” said Dumbledore. “Sarina pushed him…he was just about to grab hold of the pot in the fireplace and she pushed him out of the way.”

Nicole Taylor went and picked up her daughter and gave her a hug and kiss. “You’re such a clever girl” she murmured.

“You know,” said Dumbledore thoughtfully. “I have been watching these two for quite sometime and they share a very strong magical connection. I see it every time they are together.”

“I’ve noticed it too” Nicole whispered looking at her daughter and holding her tightly.

“There were rumors of another prophecy” Dumbledore told them. “The details are sketchy but apparently it was said that a protector would be born in the same month as the one destined to destroy the Dark Lord” Dumbledore moved forward and placed a hand on Sarina’s head. “It seems it is true…Sarina has been chosen to protect Harry.”

The present day Sarina looked at the present day Harry and raised her eyebrows as the scene changed and they were now standing in a different kitchen on a different day. There was a man sitting at the table with his head in his hands and sobbing as though his heart was breaking and Dumbledore stood beside him with his hand on Jack Taylor’s shoulder.

“I’m so sorry for your loss” Dumbledore said gravely. “Nicole was an extraordinary witch…and woman. She died trying to protect those she loved and stood up against those on the dark side.”

“I know,” cried Jack. “She was all that and more, it’s not fair that she was taken so violently. She was so young and had so much to live for. Sarina, now has to grow up without a mother.”

“I know” murmured Dumbledore. “And that’s why I am here. Harry Potter survived the attack on him but unfortunately as you know his parents didn’t. I have taken him to stay with his aunt and uncle. Voldermort has been defeated…for now but I think in time he will return. So I think it would be best that after the funeral, you take Sarina and move faraway from here. I don’t think the dark side no anything about Sarina being Harry’s protector, if they did she will be in just as much danger as he” Dumbledore looked down at Jack Taylor with a sad look. “Your daughter is going to become a very powerful witch and I think it best to keep her away from this…until it is the right time.”

Jack Taylor looked up at Dumbledore with tears running down his face and nodded. “If you think it best Dumbledore, I trust your decisions.”

“Good” Dumbledore said. “And for good measure I’m going to place a charm on her so that she doesn’t remember anything about Harry, just be careful never to say his name out loud otherwise it will break the spell” Dumbledore gave Jack a reassuring smile. “It won’t hurt her.”

The scene changed again and you could tell that many years had passed.

“Where is Sarina?” asked Dumbledore.

“She’s at the neighbors” replied Jack and he gave a deep sigh. “I did what you asked Dumbledore, I told Sarina she couldn’t go to Hogwarts but you didn’t count on her aunt’s Jessica and Rachel they were here yesterday demanding that I let her go. They told her the whole story of the Potter’s and as soon as Sarina heard Harry’s name she has been asking a million questions and I don’t know what to tell her” he looked at Dumbledore with frustration on his face.

“Leave it to me” Dumbledore said quietly. “I will organise for her to study magic at home but it must look like that we are doing it behind your back, otherwise she’ll wonder why she’s allowed to study magic but not able to go to Hogwarts. It’s best to keep Harry and Sarina apart until it is absolutely necessary.”

“Again I trust your judgement Dumbledore” Jack mumbled.

The scene changed once again and it looked as though another few years had gone by. Dumbledore and Jack Taylor were standing in a deserted field.

“The time has come,” said Dumbledore grimly. “The signs that Voldermort is about to make his return grow ever stronger. Sarina will need to come to Hogwarts, so that she can be close to Harry.”

Jack Taylor hung his head and sighed with resignation. “I understand that Sarina has been chosen to protect Harry but it doesn’t make me happy Dumbledore, my daughter’s life is in danger now. I have trusted your judgement over the years, so I’ll be trusting that you will do your utmost to keep her safe.”

“You have my word” vowed Dumbledore.

The scene changed again and it looked as though little time had passed. And Sarina’s heart lurched in her chest as she saw where they were standing; she remembered this day as though it was only yesterday. She was watching herself standing beside her father’s gravesite and beside her were her aunt’s Jessica and Rachel. They placed their arms around her and walked her a little way from the grave, where Dumbledore met up with them.

“I’m so sorry for your loss Sarina” Dumbledore said softly.

“Thank you” sobbed Sarina.

“I know it’s not the best time to be bringing this up…but there is a place for you at Hogwarts. With Jessica and Rachel’s demanding work load it will be difficult for them to look after you” he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Sarina simply nodded her head, tears spilling from her eyes.

Once more it became a different scene and Sarina was standing in Arabella Figg’s living room with Jessica and Dumbledore.

“Now Sarina I know that you have been wanting to meet Harry Potter and I know that he only lives two streets away but I must ask you to please stay away from him until school starts” Dumbledore ordered.

“Yes Professor” Sarina mumbled a look of regret on her face.

“Good…well I’m rather parched. Would you mind getting me a drink Sarina?”

“Certainly Professor” Sarina turned and headed for the kitchen ad while her back was turned Dumbledore cast a spell at her.

“Do you think it wise to tamper with her emotions like this?” Jessica whispered to Dumbledore.

He sighed heavily. “They are both so young to be dealing with what has been chosen for them. If they believe they have feelings for each other, then they will think they are together because of love and not duty…at least in Sarina’s case.”

The scene flickered and changed once again and it was Dumbledore hiding in the bushes out the front of Arabella Figg’s house as he watched Sarina climb out the bedroom window and take off into the night. He stepped out from the bushes and went inside the house. “She’s left to go and see Harry” Dumbledore announced as he entered the living room. “At least we know that she will go to any lengths to talk to him.”

Once again the scene changed and Dumbledore was speaking to Jessica and Rachel at their house. “I managed to place the same spell on Harry before I made my stunning exit from Hogwarts. He should now think he has feelings for Sarina.”

Rachel looked at Jessica and then to Dumbledore and she cleared her throat nervously. “This could go seriously wrong, you’re pushing them together and they could miss out on finding their real true love’s.”

“Winning the war against evil is the most important thing, sacrifices have to be made. I know that sounds harsh but this is the whole of the wizarding world we’re talking about” Dumbledore told them his blue eyes blazing.

The scene now showed Dumbldore in a hospital waiting room with Jess and Rachel.

“She’s awake and she’s going to be okay, that’s one powerful little witch in there. I told her that the love she and Harry shared stopped Voldermort’s curse. The truth is it’s just their magical connection, they are both very powerful they just don’t know that yet” Dumbledore smiled. “We just have to keep telling them how much their love for each other is going to help defeat the dark side and we will win this war.”

The scene dissolved and the next moment both Harry and Sarina were lying on the floor of the headmisstress’ office. They rose slowly to their feet and looked at the portrait hanging there, Dumbledore was crying silently.

Sarina gave Harry a quick look and she could see the anger in his eyes and she took a step back.

“You used us” Harry hissed angrily. “You played with our emotions and feelings to suit yourself.”

“Harry…” Sarina began but he cut her off with an angry wave of his hand.

“No Sarina” he roared. “How many times did he tell us that you can’t manufacture love, only to go and do this to us.”

“I am truly sorry Harry and to you Sarina but I only did…”

“What you thought was for the best at the time” Harry finished for him with a touch of sarcasm. “I have to get out of here” he turned on his heel and stormed out of the office, Ginny following close behind him. Hermione looked at Sarina her mouth hanging open and Sarina nodded her head towards the door and both she and Ron left the office as well.

Sarina looked back at Dumbledore and gave him a faint smile. “He’ll come around, he just needs time to understand it all.”

Dumbledore nodded sadly. “You don’t seem to be angry about it all.”

“No…I had pretty much figured it out. You took a great risk though, making Harry and I fall in love with each other. Harry and I got married last summer; we were prepared to spend the rest of our lives together. Imagine the consequences if we had decided to have children” Sarina looked at Dumbledore questioningly.

“Ah…Sarina I will be the first to admit that I did not think this through properly, I never imagined that you would get married. I had your aunt Jess take over the spell once I had died and she was to lift it once Voldermort had been defeated. Unfortunately she too lost her life and I’m guessing it was not long after that, your feelings started to change” Dumbledore said.

“It would have been so much easier if you had of just told me what I had been chosen for. You might have been surprised I seemed to take on the duty quite well don’t you think?” she said lightly.

Dumbledore chuckled. “That you did Sarina, I guess that was why you were chosen.”

“Well I have only one question for you then.”

“Just the one?”

“Yes” Sarina replied. “Now that Voldermort is dead, is my job to protect Harry finished or will I be compelled to protect him for the rest of my years?”

“The connection between you two will last until your dying day” Dumbledore said.

“I thought so” Sarina whispered. “Ah…well with Voldermort gone, how hard can it be” she joked. She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you Albus, for giving us the answers at last and for being a great Headmaster and friend. And don’t worry about Harry, he’ll come around.”

“Goodbye Sarina.”

Sarina turned to Draco and took him by the hand. “Let’s go” she murmured giving his hand a gentle squeeze and waving a goodbye to the portrait of Dumbledore.

They made their way through the grounds and she spotted Harry sitting on a bench with Ginny, Ron and Hermione. She stopped and then looked at Draco. “I’ll just be a moment, there’s something I need to do” she gave him a kiss on the cheek and then walked over to Harry.

“May I have a word Harry?”

Harry looked at Sarina. “Sure” he muttered not looking her in the eye. Ginny, Ron and Hermione got up and walked away giving them both a little space.

“I don’t really want to talk about what Dumbledore did to us,” he said.

“That’s not why I am here,” she said softly. “But in time you will see why he did it. Was it really that bad being married to me?” she joked lightly.

“That’s not why I’m angry Sarina and you know it” he fumed.

“It’s going to be okay Harry, we won the war. Life can go back to being good again and you found the woman you’re supposed to be with” Sarina reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out her wedding rings and placed them into Harry’s hand. “Even though we were forced together, I will always cherish the time we spent together and never once will I regret it. You will always have a special place in my heart Harry and I’ll love you always.”

“And I’ll always love you Sarina” Harry whispered.

Sarina leant over and kissed him lightly on the lips and pressed her forehead to his. “You’ll be with me wherever I go” and got up and walked away from him, tears in her eyes. She reached Draco and took hold of his hand and they walked out through the front gate of Hogwarts.

She stopped once they were outside the magical barriers and looked at Draco and smiled. “I love you Draco Malfoy, you’re the light of my life and now that we have the rest of our lives to look forward to. What would you like to do first?”

Draco smiled mischievously and wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her closer to him. “I wouldn’t mind going back to where we left off before” he murmured nuzzling her neck.

Sarina laughed lightly. “Mmm, well I was thinking Paris, how does that sound?”

Draco looked into her eyes. “As long as you’re beside me, I don’t care where we go. I love you too Sarina, you’re the most precious person in my life and I never want to let you go.”

“So don’t” she whispered and placed her arms around his neck and they kissed passionately before taking one last look at Hogwarts and then turning on the spot, they disapparated with a pop.

That Dumbledore always meddling in children's lives! good chapter dear! I can't believe it's almost over!

another great post my love! You had better start another fic after this one is finished! I'll go into withdrawal without them! sorry it took so long to post dear. It was great!
~Liam

Well here you go the very last chapter of this story. Hope you enjoyed it.

Sarina pulled up in the Potter’s driveway and turned off the engine before looking in the rearview mirror at her twin daughter’s. “We’re here” she announced.

“I can’t see why we couldn’t have gone side along apparition,” Natasha said irritably. “Would have been quicker and I could have slept longer.”

Isabelle rolled her eyes at her sister. “I think it’s cool that mum knows how to drive a car. Why don’t you drive a car, dad?”

Draco chuckled heartily at his daughter’s question. “Because you’re mother is smarter than I am and one lunatic driver in the family is enough” he joked and smiled affectionately at his wife.

“Hey! I’m not a lunatic, I just like to drive fast” Sarina laughed. “Right, now you two please be on your best behavior and show the new Headmaster of Hogwarts what lovely sweet girls you can be…and if you can’t do that honestly then just pretend” she added with a smirk.

“Oh mum, Harry, already knows that we’re a couple of ratbags. He’s not stupid he’ll see straight through the charade,” Natasha said with exasperation.

“Fine then” Sarina said with mock irritation. “But for goodness sake, please leave James alone. The poor boy does not need you two fawning all over him.”

“Did you hear that Izzy, leave James alone” Natasha said mimicking her mother’s voice.

Isabelle’s face flushed red. “I’m not the one who has his name written on pieces of parchment with love hearts.”

“I do not” retorted Natasha.

“Girls” roared Draco as he rolled his eyes. “Stop the bickering and let’s go into the house” he got out of the car and went around to Sarina’s side of the car and opened the door for her.

“Always the gentleman” Sarina whispered as she got out of the car and placed a kiss on his lips.

“Eww…you two are gross,” Natasha said disgusted at her parent’s affection for each other.

“They won’t be saying that in a few years time” Sarina whispered to Draco with a giggle.

“Do not remind me” growled Draco as he placed an arm around his wife’s waist and they walked up to the front door.

Before they could even knock on the door, it was opened by Ginny. “It’s about time you got here,” she said exasperated.

“Blame mum” Natasha whined. “She wanted us to see the country side.”

Sarina gave Ginny a hug and kiss. “Don’t mind Nat, she got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. We’re not that late, are we?”

“No, I was just teasing you” she said with a giggle. “How are you Draco?” she asked as she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Couldn’t be better” he replied with a grin.

“Girls, the other kids are out in the yard,” Ginny said with a gesture of her hand. Natasha and Isabelle took off through the house.

“No magic” Sarina shouted at their retreating backs and turned to Ginny with a chuckle. “Hope James knows what he’s in for.”

Ginny laughed. “You know James he loves the attention. Come on the others are in the kitchen.”

Sarina and Draco followed Ginny through to the kitchen where Harry, Ron and Hermione were.

“Ah…here he is the new Headmaster of Hogwarts” Sarina called as she embraced Harry in a warm hug. “How does it feel to be in charge of all those promising young witches and wizards?”

Harry laughed loudly. “Daunting to say the least. What about you, I hear you have been promoted to Head Auror?”

Sarina blushed slightly. “I know…what were they thinking?” she joked.

“They couldn’t have picked a better person for the job,” Harry said smiling.

“Hear, hear” interjected Draco. “How are you, Harry?” he asked shaking Harry’s hand.

“I’m good Draco and you? Got the night off from St Mungo’s then?” asked Harry.

“Actually no, I’m on call but unless there is a major disaster I think the other healer’s can handle it.”

Sarina left Harry and Draco to catch up while she wandered over to Ron and Hermione and greeted them both with hugs and kisses.

“I hear you’re making some real progress in the Dept. of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Hermione. Finally house elves are getting paid…. good for you” Sarina said with admiration.

Hermione sighed. “It’s been a long and drawn out battle but I finally got them fairer working conditions.”

Ron placed his arms around his wife’s waist and kissed her hair. “That’s my girl” he chuckled.

Sarina looked at Ron and smiled broadly. “I guess I need to set up a meeting with you some time. I'd like the Auror division and the Magical Law Enforcement to start working closer together.”

Ron gave Sarina a mock salute and clicked his heels together. “Anything you say boss” he said with a grin.

Later on in the evening after dinner was finished and the dishes cleared away, the six adults sat out in the garden enjoying the last rays of the sun and probably one of the last warm nights as autumn moved closer. Sarina watched the children run through the yard, chasing each other and laughing and squealing at the top of their voices and smiled wistfully at the sight. She was so immersed in watching them that she didn’t hear Harry come and sit beside her until his voice broke her reverie.

“What are you thinking about?” he murmured as he placed his arm around her shoulders.

Sarina smiled at him, they still shared that special magical connection even after all this time. A bond of friendship that will never be broken, they had both been chosen to fulfil a particular destiny. Harry was to destroy Lord Voldermort and Sarina was to protect Harry at all costs. Fortunately for Harry he fulfilled his destiny years ago and was able to continue on with his life peacefully. Sarina, however was still bound to protect Harry until their dying day and thankfully her job had been relatively easy except for that one little incident…where she had managed to stop Harry’s car being squashed by a truck while he was driving other than that life had been good.

“Did you ever think we would be sitting like this watching our children play in the yard after the things we had seen and done when we were just kids” Sarina mused.

“No” Harry whispered. “I truly thought I would never get to be this old and still be alive…but here we are and I thank the heavens above everyday for that” he looked out across the yard at his three children and he smiled. “Everyday is a blessing.”

“Yes it is” Sarina said softly as she watched her girls twirl and dance their way across the lawn and she prayed everyday that their lives could be as normal as any other kids their age. She had been through so much when she had been younger and she’d had to grow up so much quicker than other girls her age but she had no regrets about her life...none whatsoever.


THE END.

all nice and neat. Good one Mel!