"A/N: welcome to Chapter 7 of our lovely series! This is a heavier chapter than the series has been so far, and a collaborative chapter co-written by stufferknee [@firewhisky-kisses], ​@obsessedwithrandomthings and @heloisedaphnebrightmore (me)​ and as always with @kalimagik​ and dandelionandburdock [@iliveiloveiwrite​] as well!" - Tumblr

Word count: ~5k

Warnings: angst

Everyone was gathered at the Burrow, it was probably the most packed it has been since Bill and Fleur's wedding a few years ago, but only this time despite the constant chatting and giggles, something didn't feel too right.

The girls all sat on the sofas indulged in a deep discussion as Kiara filled them in on something that requires urgent attention. She squealed loudly,

"So yes, Neville spent last night with me and I think Remus approves?"

Ana nudged her playfully, "did you both get up to much then?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

A blush rose to Kiara's cheek as she nodded, "let's just say there wasn't much sleeping."

Des rolled her eyes, "I can vouch for that because at 3 am Sirius and I had to ask them to put a silencing charm on their door."

Mel cleared her throat, "does that also mean that Sirius and you were together at 3 am?"

Des looked around, "didn't Arthur call us here for something important?" She interrogated, trying her level best to change the topic.

Des and Kiara were fairly opposite when it came to discussing their romantic endeavours, while one liked to spill the tea, the other was more private about it.

Blaise and Draco walked over to the girls, eager to know what they were talking about. Both of them sat next to Ellie and Mel respectively. If an outsider were to peek into the burrow at this very moment, it would look like a massive family gathering to them, and to a large extent that is what it was.

Draco casually wrapped his around Mel, mindlessly running his finger on her arm, drawing circles. That man knew exactly what that did to Mel and he loved every second of it. He then faced the girls, "so what's the topic of the hour today?"

Mel shrugged nonchalantly, pretending like there weren't a million butterflies in her stomach, "just discussing our love lives, that's all."

Draco raised an eyebrow, "is that so? Anything you'd like to fill me in, love?"

Mel shook her head no, "can't think of anything, really."

Blaise chuckled from beside Ellie as he laid his head on her shoulder, "once this over, do you want to grab some dinner with me?" he whispered, so only she could hear him.

Ellie grinned at him widely, unable to hide her excitement, "I would absolutely love that. Is it a date then?"

Blaise nodded, "oh definitely."

Kiara looked around, trying to find Neville, "have any of you boys seen him around? He was here a while ago?"

Draco looked at Kiara, "he has been cornered by Remus and Sirius outside the burrow, they've been there for a while now."

Kiara sighed and stood up, "I'm going to go and check on them." Before leaving she turned to Des, "can you come with me and distract Sirius? I can't handle both of them."

Des chuckled and stood up with Ki, "let's go."

As soon as they walked out, Ron came over and sat next to Ana, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close, "my dad says something is wrong, I don't think this going to be good news of any kind."

Ana tensed up a little next to him but tried her best to remain calm, "I'm sure it's nothing, Ron." She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed, "let's not assume the worst, okay?"

-

However, it was safe to say that the worst had happened. Arthur sat at the end of the table as everyone else surrounded him, eagerly waiting for answers.

Arthur shrugged, "I wish I knew more but as of now, all I know is that the ministry has found a way to send you all back to your homes."

The girls all looked at each other, unsure of what to say even though they had a lot on their mind.

Ellie cleared her throat and looked at everyone, "what if we um – find a way? You know there must be something...right?" she asked, looking at Arthur, trying her best not to tear up. Blaise laced his fingers with her in an attempt to calm her down, but it caused a tear to roll down her cheek that she quickly wiped away.

Mel bit her bottom lip, "I mean Arthur you've worked with the ministry, I'm sure you can convince them? Or – or we could ask your father?" she asked, looking at Draco, who had a stoic expression on his face, hoping this wasn't real.

Arthur sighed, "I'm really sorry girls, my hands are tied – once the ministry makes a decision, that is it really." As soon as he finished the sentence, silence filled the room, no one said anything.

Kiara looked at Remus, "can you please take me home?"

Remus quickly nodded as he picked his belongings up and without a goodbye or anything really, all the residents of 12 Grimmauld Place apparated back to their home.

Ana looked at Neville and placed a hand on his shoulder, "she just needs some time, you should go see her in a while, okay?"

Neville simply nodded in response, and just like that one after the other, everyone went back to their homes, they needed time to think and process what had happened, and what their future now held for them.

—

As the burrow slowly emptied out, leaving only the Weasley family behind, Ana clapped her hands, getting everyone's attention. Although the news of their return to their world came as a shock even to her, she didn't feel as upset as she thought she would. She missed her loving mother and careless brother, even though she was essentially living alone back home.

Her head was a mess of thoughts, she always felt like she couldn't find her place in the Wizarding World, as if she was always in the way. The ministry didn't want them here and her blossoming romance with Ron was sitting heavily on her shoulder each time Hermione's irritated expression appeared in her memory. As much as she loved the Wizarding World, a part of her felt like she didn't belong.

The only thought that had her swaying towards this new world was Ron. She tried to deny it, she tried to forget about the man, but his memory always came back to haunt her, his presence always affected her ability to think clearly.

She tried to ignore the dull mood of the Burrow, so she stood with a huge grin across her face, ready to spend her last day with the Weasleys, filled with laughs and stupid little games, wanting nothing but a happy moment to remember.

"Let's do something fun." Ana spoke up, receiving numerous pairs of shocked eyes at her unusual behaviour.

"Ana..." Ron walked up to her, taking her hand in his own. "You don't have to pretend that you are fine. I'm not, we're not." He nodded towards his family. He squeezed the woman's hand as if he was reassuring her that it was perfectly acceptable to show how she really felt, but deep down Ron knew that it was him who needed reassurance.

Ana tilted her head, offering a sweet smile to the man as she caressed his cheek with the tip of her thumb.

"I am not pretending, Ron. We are being sent back, it's not even an option at this point. I don't want to sit around in self-pity. I want to enjoy my last day, I want to remember it as the best day of my life." Her sweet smile never faltered, but Ron's face unnoticeably fell. He wanted Ana to stay, he wanted to see where their path was going and now that she was being taken away from him, he wanted to just run away with the girl, leaving everything behind.

It hurt him to see how content Ana was about leaving, even if he partially understood. He nodded at her request, wanting to make her last day as happy as he could. He got hold of Ana's hand, removed it from his cheek and hinted a kiss on her palm as a small, but sweet smile appeared on his face.

"As she said, let's have fun," Ron spoke up, turning to his family.

"We could kidnap her," Fred spoke up with a mischievous look on his face.

"Don't be stupid, the Ministry would find her in no time." George rolled his eyes as he pushed his brother aside and threw his arm across Ana's shoulders. "We could maybe injure her? The Ministry wouldn't send her back, if she was lying in St. Mungo's, right?" George turned to his brother, completely ignoring Ana's wide eyes.

"It's always worth a try." Fred replied, but Ana interrupted their brainstorming.

"Noone is getting injured and gets admitted into St. Mungo's or any of those silly ideas." She crossed her arms in front of her firmly. The twins laughed out at her and started pulling her towards the living room, to give her the best memories she was craving for so badly.

—

Mel rushed through the Malfoy Manor, closely followed by Draco, who was trying to get hold of the young woman unsuccessfully. She stepped into the Library, harshly shutting the door behind her, surrounding herself by the precious books, those being her only comfort at this point. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to cry with one eye and smile with the other. She wanted to scream to the world how unfair life was.

She missed her family, her mom, her dad and her occasionally annoying older brother who loved to pick on her, but never forgot to tell her how much he loved his little sister and her sweet little fish, Bubbles McGee. She craved to see her family, but her brother being the perfect son and her being the black sheep always had its mark on the family. She wanted to see them, offer a hug to each of them, but her heart was somewhere else.

Her heart was captured by Draco and she couldn't even pinpoint when and how it happened. She just knew deep down that she was in love with the youngest Malfoy and the idea of leaving him behind tore her apart. She already missed Narcissa mothering her and her tiny back and forth arguments with Lucius. The man wasn't as bad as she thought he would be after all. But Most of all, her love for Draco had her heart broken. She couldn't have been in two places at once and even if she wanted to, they wouldn't let her.

She stood up from the chair she previously occupied, walking up and down in front of it, trying to collect her thoughts. She didn't have a decision to make, they were being sent home whether she liked it or not, but as much as she craved her family's presence, her heart was pulling her towards Draco.

As if on cue, the blonde man stepped into the library, walking up to the young woman, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. He laid his chin in the crook of her neck, heaving deep sighs, feeling shuttered under the heavy news they have received. He didn't want to let go of Mel. Not now, not ever.

"We will find a way, darling" He whispered into her ear, but it just triggered her emotions. Tears started collecting in her eyes as she wrapped Draco's arms around her even stronger, trying to carve the memory of his firm hold around her into her mind.

"We have one day left, Draco. I doubt we will find a way. I don't even want to think about it. We would just lose time that we could spend together." She spoke, her voice shaking, as she turned around in Draco's arms, her palms resting on his chest.

Draco looked down at the woman, feeling as if the rug had been ripped out from under him. He never wanted to see Mel so torn, but he didn't know how to make it better. He wanted Mel beside him and the thought of losing her made him mad. He tried to stay strong for Mel's sake, but deep inside he was fuming, he was angered and he felt like he was losing his mind.

He walked over to one of the armchairs, taking a seat, pulling Mel onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her torso, hiding his face away in her hair, desperately craving her presence beside him. Mel linked her arms behind his neck, inhaling the man's scent, enjoying a moment just for themselves. A moment they thought would only remain in their memory from tomorrow.

—

After they have left the Burrow, Des ran up to her room, ignoring Sirius' desperate shouts. She didn't want to hear the man, didn't even want to know that he existed. What was the point anyway? They went through so much, studying for weeks, sitting exams, practising magic, learning about their new families and hell even falling in love. And now here they were, with no option to choose from, even though they have worked so hard to adjust to this new world.

Des missed her stupid little brother, but she fell hard for Sirius which made her want to stay desperately. But she couldn't. She didn't have a say in their situation, so why would she care about Sirius' harsh knocks on the door? Why would she care about him shouting her name to let him in? Why would she care about anything?

She knew the man would get over it in no time, while she would be left empty inside. She fell harder for Sirius than she expected it. She wanted his arms around her, giving her hope, but she knew it would just make the separation even more difficult.

She sat in the window, her arms wrapped around herself protectively, her eyes fixed on the garden at the back of the house. She tried to carve all the little things into her mind, hoping to remember them even after they were gone.

"Des! Please let me in!" Sirius shouted from behind the door, but Des didn't reply. "I will break down the door if I have to." He spoke firmly.

"Or you could just use the unlocking charm. Whichever is more convenient for you." She scoffed. She wanted to be angry, but she just couldn't be mad at the man. Sirius muttered the charm silently as the door opened in front of him. He walked into the room rushing over to Des, hugging her seated form. She tried to remove his hands from her, but he stood firmly, his arms strongly wrapped around her.

"Why are you pushing me away?" He asked, his tone more gentle than before.

"What do you expect from me?" She looked up, her brown irises meeting his grey eyes. "Do you want me to act like everything is okay? I have to go back to my world tomorrow Sirius. Nothing is okay." She stood up abruptly, shaking Sirius' arms off her.

"We could spend this night together. Just the two of us. I want to hold onto you as long as I can." He stepped closer to Des, but she backed away.

"Why? To make it even more difficult? I will be gone by tomorrow. I will be nothing but a fucking memory. Why would we pretend?" She asked, her voice shaky, her eyes filling up with tears, but she didn't let go of them.

"Even if I can hold you for a mere second, I would do it without a second thought." He replied, stepping closer, engulfing her in a hug as she let go of her tears, gripping tightly at Sirius' shirt.

"You are such a sap, Sirius." She scoffed through the tears.

"It's your fault." He smiled sweetly, hinting a tiny kiss on top of her head. He walked over to the bed, sat down on the edge, and pulled her over to him. Des stood between the man's legs, linking her fingers with his as he pulled her down onto his thigh, leaving a quick peck on her lips. They looked into each other's eyes, just watching each other's features, wanting to remember even the last bit of detail.

—

Elsewhere in Grimmauld Place, Ki sat on her bed flipping through a book that Remus had given her the day she arrived. While she cribbed about her phone, he handed her a book to keep her company.

She heard a knock on her door as Neville peeked through it, "am I allowed to come in?" He asked, a small smile on his lips, it was the most he could manage at that moment.

Kiara nodded as she stood up, wrapping her arms around his neck as she played with his hair, "I was in denial about being here until I kissed you for the first time. That's when everything felt real."

Neville didn't say anything, he wasn't sure about what to say and how to say it, but a few words left his mouth, it's all he could think of, "I love you."

Kiara smiled and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, "promise me that the next girl you're with - you tell her all good things about me and not about how crazy I was."

Neville pulled away and looked at her, "there isn't going to be anyone, not for a very very long time at least." He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, "promise me you'll remember me."

"Every time I see a plant, or a flower, which is probably all the time?" Ki chuckled, planting a kiss on his cheek, "promise me you'll take care of yourself."

Neville nodded, "promise me you'll sleep on time and actually have three meals a day." Kiara laughed and nodded, "I will. Okay, just promise me you won't forget me, ever."

Neville leaned in and kissed her forehead, "I could never forget you." A stray tear fell from his and down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away and chuckled, "I can't believe this is happening."

"I love you too, I really do." Kiara confessed, pulling him in for a kiss. It wasn't a needy or passionate one, it was a sincere one, a pure one. Neither of them had experienced love like this before, the one that knocked the air out of their lungs, leaving them breathless.

Neville pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers, "hey - who knows? Maybe we'll run into each other in another universe."

Kiara chuckled and nodded, "as long as you promise to not be my professor in that one."

Just like that, they fell into conversation once again. Stolen kisses, cheeky glances, empty promises, there was nothing in the all of the universes that they didn't cover on their last day together.

—

Ellie sat on the bed stoic, Blaise pleading with her as he paced the floor of his quarters. "There was to be something, anything. Mother could try and bribe someone, Merlin knows she has the money to do it."

"Love, there's no use. We're being sent back. They figured it out and made it clear that we're not welcome to stay," Ellie sniffled, tucking her arms closer to her body. "I don't want to leave."

"I can't deal with the thought of never seeing you again," Blaise admitted, his pacing ceased as he stared at the scared girl curled up on his bed. "What if we ran away?"

Ellie's head snapped up, studying the look in his impossibly brown eyes. Blaise was serious, he would leave his life behind to run away with her. Shaking her head, she motioned for him to come to her, opening her arms as he tackled her back onto the bed.

"Then we'd live life as criminals, constantly looking over our shoulders. The girls could be punished for it, your mother and sisters could be punished for it. I'd never be able to live with myself if my actions caused someone else agony." Ellie bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes as she studied his face.

Her fingers traced along his jaw, his cheekbones, committing the sight to memory. The way his eyes held hers, the way her skin rippled with electricity at the brush of his fingertips. The tears split over, reflected in the lowlight of the room as Blaise wiped them away. He cupped her face gently, his own tears welling up as he spoke softly now.

"Marry me."

"What?" Ellie sat up abruptly, staring at Blaise as he smiled up at her, a soft, sad smile that had her heart shattering even further.

"They can't very well send away my wife, can they? I can make a few calls, we'd be married in an hour," he smirked, leaning on his elbows.

"Blaise Zabini I'm not going to elope with you for a plan that may not even work. What if I get sent anyway?"

"I can't sit and do nothing, El, that's not who I am!" Blaise yelled as he fell back, his hands covering his face. "What if I begged to go with you?"

Ellie snorted at that, covering her mouth as she replaced it with a giggle. "I'm sorry, but how am I going to pop back up in my world with Blaise Zabini on my arm?"

"So we're stuck in this predicament."

"Absolutely stuck."

Blaise pulled Ellie back down with him, wrapping his arms around her as he peppered kisses across her face. He wouldn't let this last night be spent in vain, instead, he'd make the most of it.

"Stay the night, McGonagall will understand," he murmured, trailing kisses along her jaw now.

"One condition though, dance with me."

Ellie pulled Blaise to his feet, his record player starting with the flick of his wand. Carefully leading her through the steps, they smiled and laughed as they twirled around his quarters, pushing away the heartbreak and despair for a moment. Blaise dipped down, gently catching her lips in a kiss as the music swelled, committing the feeling of her in his arms to memory. The taste of her kiss, the way she smiled against him, everything that had his heart wrapped around her finger.

Blaise walked towards his dresser for a moment, leaving Ellie in the middle of the floor. He rummaged through a drawer for a moment before returning with a small, velvet box. Pressing it into her palm, Blaise kissed her forehead before resting his against it. She fumbled with the lid, an emerald ring glittering in the light as she gasped. An old family heirloom by the looks of it that had the tears welling in her eyes again.

"If I can't marry you, there's no other use for that ring, it's yours. Please, keep it. It's my promise to you, I'll find you. I don't know how yet but I won't give up."

"Blaise..."

He wordlessly removed the ring from the box, sliding it on the ring finger of her right hand. "I promise you, I'll never let go of you."

He caught her lips in another kiss, one that had Ellie feeling every crack in his heart, a mirrored pattern to the cracks in her own. She couldn't keep her resolve anymore, crumbling in his arms as the tears fell hard and fast. Blaise held her close, supporting her and whispering soft reassurances that it wouldn't be goodbye forever, that he wouldn't stop until he found her.

She fell asleep this way after Blaise tucked her back into his bed. Morning came far too quickly as he shook her awake, fresh tears streaming down his face. "Love, it's time. Kingsley is expecting you all in an hour."

Ellie climbed from the sheets, collecting the little belongings she had in this world as her thought tumbled faster than ever. She was truly numb now, cursing herself for hoping she wouldn't be the only one this emotional and broken over leaving. It took everything in her to say goodbye to Blaise, leaving Hogwarts one last time as she floo'd to the Ministry to meet the girls.

—

The girls stood together in the hall outside the Minister's office, holding hands as they awaited Kingsley. Ellie was sobbing in Kiara's arms who was crying tears of her own, they still hadn't accepted what was about to happen. The ring still glittered on Ellie's finger as she hastily wiped at her eyes, spotting Kinglsey walking towards them. Mel had a solemn look on her face, staring off at the wall as Des nudged her with a similar expression. Ana has accepted her fate easiest — at least on the outside anyway — and pushed away from the wall ready to get this over with. Kingsley had a sad smile as he opened the door to his office, ushering the girls inside.

"I can tell by the looks on your faces some of you are having a harder time with this," he started, directing his focus towards Kiara and Ellie huddled together, tears still falling down their cheeks. "This is what has to be done girls, I'm sorry that it has to be this way.

"Has every avenue been looked at? Surely there must be some way to stay?" Ellie sniffled, trying to maintain a little bit of composure.

"I assure you, Miss Vienneau, this is what's for the best for both you and the Wizarding World. Your arrival here was a mistake that needs correcting, it always has been."

He prepared the book they'd found, a copy like the five that had sent them here in the first place. Finding a way to harness the energy into a controllable portal, it was the final nail in the coffin of their departure from the world they'd all leave a small piece of their hearts behind in. Des was stoic, keeping a calm face as she observed Kingsley. Kiara, who still held onto Ellie, could feel the cracks in her heart ripping open anew as she tried to push away the thoughts of Neville. Mel was bouncing between anxiety and relief, unable to fully decide if she was truly happy to be leaving with the blond-haired boy stuck on her mind. Ana was the pillar of the group, staying strong and accepting of their departure, the first volunteer.

As Kinglsey muttered the words to allow the portal to appear, the girls all took a deep breath, watching the spinning Vortex that formed in front of them as Kingsley stood back.

"We're grateful to have met you, girls, sending you back is not a personal decision, I assure you. We'll remember you fondly, the friends you made will not forget you, that I'm sure of."

"So, we just step through? And come back out in our world?" Ana asked, moving towards the portal.

"It should place you back exactly where you were first brought through. Though, we're unsure if any time has passed in your own world. It may be months later, so be prepared for that." Kinglsey said as Ana nodded, inching closer to the portal.

Before she could step through, the door to his office flung open. The six of them turned their head to see Hermione out of breath, clutching a book in her hands. She stepped through and closed the door, holding her free hand out towards Ana, a conflicted expression on her face.

"Don't step through yet, please. Minister, I think you'll want to hear this before anyone leaves today." Hermine cracked the book in her hands, walking towards Kingsley as she pointed out a particular paragraph. "The girls don't have to leave our world, if they wish to stay I've found a way." She glanced around at the five girls, her expression shifting slightly as she looked at Ana.

"We... we can stay?" Ellie said softly, certain she'd have collapsed right then and there if Kiara wasn't holding onto her so tightly.

"What do you mean you found a way? Is this a joke?" Des asked, moving to look at the book with Kingsley.

"There's a loophole?" Kiara mumbled as she slipped into shock.

"Magical citizenship can be granted via the Minister of Magic in extraordinary circumstances via Form 27B if the parties have passed their examinations. The parties shall be classed as Magical Citizens under the International Statute of Secrecy and may reside within the Wizarding World amongst their peers." Kingsley smiled brightly as he looked at each of the girls. "I don't see a need to bother the Wizengamot, it seems Miss Granger here has already found all the necessary information. Therefore, I'll present to you each the option: stay in the Wizarding World and leave your old world, family, and friends behind, or pass through the portal and return to your world forever leaving behind the friends you've made here. It will be your individual decision."

"So, we can choose to stay or leave without the other girls?" Mel asked, the gear turning behind her eyes.

"Precisely. The choice is completely yours. So, would you like to stay or leave?" Kingsley's gaze fanned across the five girls, each in a different stage of shock and confusion.

The portal swirled as each girl stared into it, facing an individual decision now. Do they stay here, continuing the relationships and friendships they started, leaving their old lives behind forever? Do they leave this world, saying goodbye to all of the happiness and magic they've accumulated in their short time here? Each girl stared into the portal, biting their lips and lost in thought as the question weighed on them. Were they happy enough to stay? What would happen to their families? The boys they'd fallen for? Hermione nervously clutched the book again as she observed with Kingsley, waiting for their decisions.

Notes: If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to like and comment. Thank you :)