Dreams

***First off, Ava, honey, baby James isn\'t dead...Ron jumped in front of him to save his life...there\'s the irony kinda thing...Anyway, who said forshadowing? Whoever it was, you\'ve caught onto something. This is the end...of the story...Please, whatever you do, respond to it...because I need to know how the ending was...please...

CHAPTER 6...the end...and the beginning


Opening his eyes, Draco realized he wasn’t dead. Harry’s arm dropped to the floor, his wand rolling out of his hand. Voldemort was no longer breathing. His body crumpled on the ground. Draco sat up, staring at a very much alive Harry Potter. “You…you…”

“I survived.” He whispered. “I just kthinthinking of everyone, my parents, Dumbledore, you…somehow I made it. Again.”

But Draco didn’t get to celebrate. A wailing James brought everyone back to the attention that Hermione and Ron were both dead. Severus, Remus, and Moody were no where to be found. Arthur was cradling his son in his hands. Molly crying in front of Hermione.

Harry stood on very shaky legs. He picked up little James and hugged him close. Suddenly Severus burst in. “I was knocked out.” He tried to explain.

“Not killed?” Arthur asked, staring at his son.

“I’m…I’m so sorry.” Severus said. “Remus…Moody…”

“They didn’t make it.” Harry guessed, holding a now pacified James.

“I’m sorry Harry. We tried.”

Harry looked around. His close friends laying there, much like his parents probably had. Protecting all that they loved. “In death, we must celebrate life.” Was all he murmured. It was something Albus had once said. And he was right. Little James would know how brave his parents were. How wonderful they had been. Harry would make sure of that.

He would make sure everyone knew what sacrifices had been made.


******


The funerals for Remus, Moody, Hermione, and Ron were all on the same day. The sun was shining bright in the sky. Minerva was looking down, Severus’ arm draped around her. Harry was holding Draco’s hand, squeezing so tight he was afraid it might break it. The service was beautiful. The soft sounds of Molly’s sobs were heard as the caskets were lowered. Harry threw a rose onto Hermione’s grave. Arthur was holding a sleeping baby James, tears falling silently down his cheeks.

Turning away as the dirt was piled into the holes, Harry closed his eyes, gathering control of his emotions. Arthur came up and put his hand on Harry’s shoulder. “We want to thank you.”

“But Ron-”

“Ron was brave. He died to save our grandson.” Arthur looked as though he had aged considerably.

“I should have died with him.” Harry said looking down. There was a sharp pain in his hand as Draco squeezed harder. Guilt had been eating away at him since that fateful day. “If I could give my life to bring him back…”

“We know you would Harry. We also know that Ron and Hermione had named you James’ godfather.”

“Yes. You can be sure I’ll visit often.”

Arthur smiled. James was waking up, squirming in Arthur’s arms. Harry reached out automatically. The boy seemed to reach for Harry too and curled up into the waiting arms. “I think we’ll be the one visiting often, Harry. We want you to raise James.”

“But he’s your grandson! I couldn’t take that away from you.” Harry’s eyes ned ned considerably.

“We’ve raised seven wonderful children Harry. It’s time that we just got to be grandparents.”

Draco was smiling now. Playing with the cooing baby in Harry’s arms. “I would be honored Arthur.”

“We both would.” Draco said, suddenly hugging Arthur. Surprised, Arthur hugged back. Molly was sniffling into her handkerchief. She had yet to say a word.

Opening her arms, she brought Draco into a tight embrace. She let him go and turned to Harry. “You’ve made us proud Harry. You were always like a son to us.”

“You guys were the only family I ever really had.” Harry said, wrapping one arm around her. “I love you.”

“We love you too Harry.” Taking a deep breath, Arthur took Molly’s hand. “Fred, George, Bill, Ginny and Charlie are coming to dinner tonight. We have to get home. You two are more than welcomed to come. After all, you are family.”

“We’ll be there.” Harry assured, then watched as they Apparated away.

Turning to Draco, Harry frowned some. “What’s the matter Harry?”

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to stay with me now that this is over.”

“Harry Potter, do you not understand that I love you? We’re a family now. You, me, and James. I have no where else to go but home, with you.”

Biting his lip, Harry felt a tear leak from his eye. “I love Draco.”

“I love you too.”


Epilogue

1 year later


Harry leaned over the pan, trying to see if he was burning the pancakes he was making. They looked okay, so he flipped them. James raced past him in his walker, chasing after the puppy Draco had forced Harry to buy. Speaking of which, the lazy prat still wasn’t out of bed.

Or so he thought.

Warm, strong arms wrapped around Harry’s middle. A light kiss was brushed against the back of Harry’s neck. He smiled, turning to look into those beautiful silver eyes. “Morning love.”

“Morning. Your son is running amok again.” Harry said, leaning in for a taste of Draco’s lips.

“He’s your son too.”

“Not when he acts like you he’s not.” Harry teased. The smell of dew and fallen rain filled the kitchen mixing with the faint smell of burning pancakes.

“I don’t know why you bother to cook the muggle way.”

“It tastes better.”

“And burns easier.” Draco smiled, pulling away. He sauntered out of the room and Harry heard him yelp in pain. “C’mere you little brat.” Draco growled, pulling James up into the air. The boy giggled, looking so much like his father, Ron.

With a pang of sadness, Harry thought of Ron and Hermione. He hoped he was doing a decent job of raising James. There were pictures everywhere of Ron and Hermione. And there wasn’t a week that went by when at least one of the Weasley or Granger family wasn’t stopping by for a visit with the young boy. James would grow up loved. Much different than either Draco or Harry. He would grow up happy. With a family who adored him. And two god fathers that loved them like their own.

Harry often thought of his old reoccurring dream from his days at Hogwarts. Never had Harry imagined this life was possible. But watching Draco play with the little chubby faced red head, he smiled. Even with death, they had celebrated life.


***Okay, so you guys should have known I would not have killed Harry off...if you guys had read the first of the story carefully, you would have seen that bit of foreshadowing...Harry\'s dream with the strong arms, thinking about silver eyes, and a little baby with red hair...it all fits, doesn\'t it? Like I\'ve said, maybe a million times now, this story is really important to me, and therefore, if you guys would please respond, just tell me if it concluded it well enough...I\"m not sure why I\'m so attatched to this particular story...anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope you guys enjoyed...

~Stacy