Epilogue

       Lasting Changes

            The bright yellow sun warmed the backs of all the witnesses in the garden as the sweet

chirping of a single bird’s song floated into their ears. Several hundred, in fact, watched as their

beloved couple took their vows of marriage.

            Heather Lillian Potter’s simple white dress floated around her in the warm, late June breeze.

 She looked down at her yellow rose and lily-of-the-valley cascading bouquet for a moment to

savor its sweet aroma. After a moment, she felt eyes were watching her and she caught the hazel

eyes of her fiancé Ronald Weasley watching her, deep in thought. Heather smiled bashfully at him

and he quickly saw he had been caught. He grinned back at her once he realized people were

watching them.

            The voice of the judge brought them both back to the present from where their minds had

strayed. “Now by the power invested in me by the state of Illinois, I pronounce you man and wife.

You may kiss your bride.” After the kiss, the judge continued. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like

to present to you Mr. And Mrs. William Weasley.” The audience applauded cheerfully and soon Ron,

Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Heather, and the rest of the bridal party exited the area by the Nelson’s lake

reserved as the wedding site and traveled back to the Nelson’s ballroom for the reception.

            “Did you see mum, Ginny. She was horrible!” Ron complained about his mother crying over

her oldest son getting married. “I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when I get married.”

            “I thought it was rather sweet.” Ginny wiped her eyes with her handkerchief then she turned to

 Heather as she sat down at the head table next to Charlie and Ron. “It was really nice of your

 parents to hold Bill and Sandy’s wedding here.”

            “Well, it only seemed logical since they had to move Ron, Harry and Hermione here for

 the auror training and not to mention the weather was perfect.” Heather took a sip of her ice water.

 “Besides, you know my parents enjoy entertaining. This was just the tip of the ice burg for them.”

            “Your parents must be then ecstatic about your wedding then.” Hermione smiled and Ron

nodded vigorously. “Have you set a date for your wedding yet?”

            “Not really.” Ron began and Heather interrupted.

            “We’ve decided to wait until at least Ron’s done with his training and when I am out of

Hogwarts.”

            “You’re going back to Hogwarts?” Harry asked, surprised. “Do your dad and mum know?”

            “Not yet.” Heather pulled out her nail file and began working on her nails. “I thought it

would be best if I waited until after the excitement of the wedding die down before telling them.”

            “Although we’re waiting…” Ron began taking a sip of his punch, and diving into his

dinner as soon as it appeared before them, “when are you guys getting married?”

            Harry choked on his food as Ron asked this. After taking a drink of water, he glared

at Ron as Hermione spoke up. “We’re not engaged, Ron, you know that.”

            The best man, Charlie, stood up and chimed his glass and everyone in the room quieted

to listen to the speeches being made about the bride and groom. After the speeches, the

wedding-goers danced on the marble floor to caries tunes played by the D.J. team of Transfig-UR

and Harry took the moment Hermione and Heather danced to the “Cha-Cha Slide” to fumble with

 the contents of his pocket.

            “So, you still haven’t asked her yet.” Ron pulled out the chair next to him to sit down.

“Bloody hell, Harry, why haven’t you asked her?”

            “Well, we’ve kind of been busy lately, Ron. You know like defeating Lord Voldermort.”

Harry ran his hand through his hair. “Damn, I can defeat the most evil wizard alive, but I can’t ask

the girl I love to marry me. I’m a bloody coward.”

            Ron rolled his eyes. “Take her outside and ask her now.”

            “But what if she says no.”

            “You’re freaking Harry Potter: the youngest seeker in a century, no to mention the

boy-who-lived.” Ron sighed. “In reality, what girl wouldn’t want you?”

            “That’s just it, Ron, this is Hermione we’re taking about. She never really cared about

those things. I know she does love me because she said she does, but what if she doesn’t want

to get married? We are kind of young.” Harry fumbled as he pulled a small ring box out from

his tuxedo pocket. He opened the box and gazed at it like he had at least a hundred times before

through out the duration of the day. He gazed at the one-karat sapphire on a platinum band.

            “Wow, Harry, a whole karat. If that doesn’t say you love her, I don’t know what will.”

Ron looked out the French windows over-looking the balcony searching for inspiration. When he

found none, he sighed with frustration. “Would you just ask her already? Look, she’s finished

dancing already. It’s the perfect moment to ask her.”

            “Your right,” Harry closed the ring box and put it back into his pocket,  “but you realize

that if she says no, I’ll hate you forever.” Harry smiled back at him.

            “And if she says yes, you’d better name your first child after me.”

            “Yeah, we’ll call her Ronda.” With that said, Harry went off to where Hermione

stood on the balcony, looking at the stars in the heavens.

                                                *****

            Heather Lillian Potter’s eyes swelled with tears as she looked down on to the graves of

her two former best friends. “And that’s what’s been happening in my life right now.” She smiled.

 “Ron’s really great. You guys would have liked him. Harry, my brother, and I along with Ron

and Hermione, that’s Harry’s fiancée, helped defeat Lord Voldermort and put some of his followers

 in prison. They’re still tracking a few, but at least Voldermort is gone…for now at least.”

            “Heather, honey.” Ron came up behind her and held her. “We have to get going now.

Your plane for England is leaving and you don’t want to miss the Hogwarts express. Trust me,

I know.” She paused before answering him to savor the bittersweet moment. The tears fell down

her cheeks as she whispered good-bye. She took her index and middle fingers, kissed it, then

placed them on their graves.

            Once she stepped back away from the graves, Ron escorted her back to her brother’s

 car. “Mum will be waiting for you at the airport.” Heather nodded in acknowledgement, but her

thoughts strayed to the memories of Hector and Rachel and wishing they were with her now. As

 if he were able to read her mind, Ron pulled his arm around her tighter. “In some ways, Heather.

They are, they are.”

                                                            *****

I am finished, finally! A thanks goes to Anete Zagare for the name of this chapter. She

won the contest and her name appeared in Chapter 16. Look, I will be back with some

more fun stories of our favorite pairing. Just chill and be patient.

Rumor has it that I have a sequel planned for this series…well…I don’t want to give too

much away now do I? So, here is a bit of a teaser for you. I can’t give away too much,

but I am sure you will understand.

God bless,

S’Eleene Paris

“But Professor, I already destroyed his journal. In second year, in the Chamber of Secrets.”

“Yes and that is only the beginning I am sure of the books that brought him Dark magic. The

Onyx Spell book must be destroyed or we may face another resurrection of the Dark Lord.”

Professor Dumbledore began to pace the floor of his office. The seven members of the red

Squadron watched him as they stood there, at ease, while he gave them the history behind

their mission….