𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧

ACT TWO, CHAPTER FIFTEEN
home is where the heart is.

VENUS' HEAD WAS a mess of pain, grief, exhaustion, and just straight confusion.

She had somehow made her way into the Great Hall, driven away by the chaos that had started outside. Her mind was scrambling for answers of where Harry was, how he had disappeared, where he had gone—

Venus didn't have to deal with her distraught feelings alone, though. In the midst of everything, she had managed to group up with Penelope, Charlotte, Ginny, Luna, and Hermione. They all stuck together as they were forced inside the Great Hall.

Voldemort was in the center of the battle, striking all within reach, clearly angrier than normal because Harry had gotten away. Yaxley was slammed to the floor by George and Lee Jordan, Dolohov fell with a scream at Flitwick's hands, Walden Macnair was thrown across the room by Hagrid and slid unconscious to the ground after he hit the stone wall, Ron and Neville were bringing down Fenir Greyback, Aberforth was Stunning Rookwood, and Arthurt and Percy were flooring Thicknesse. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were running through the crowd, not even attempting to fight, screaming for their son.

Now, Voldemort was dueling McGonagall, Slughorn, and Kingsley all at once. There was cold hatred in his face as they wove and ducked around him, unable to finish him. Venus gripped onto her wand tightly and their group slowly started to move over there to help—

Suddenly, a cackle sounded from behind them. One that was all too familiar, especially to one specific person. Venus turned around to see Bellatrix Lestrange standing there, smirking and twirling her wand between her fingers. Penelope instantly raised her wand at her mother, her eyes narrowing. Venus, Charlotte, Ginny, Luna, and Hermione all fanned out around the Slytherin, raising their wands as well.

Together, the six of them started to duel Bellatrix together. However, even though it was six against one, Bellatrix kept her stance. It seemed like it was virtually impossible to beat her. After a couple of moments of dueling, Venus saw a horribly familiar jet of green light leave Bellatrix's wand. The Killing Curse missed Ginny by an inch, making the redhead stumble and slightly crash into Venus. Venus gripped onto Ginny's arm, stabilizing her as her chest heaved up and down.

"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" Molly screamed. "OUT OF MY WAY!"

However, none of them got out of her way, for Penelope stepped forwards, just her and her mother now. Venus recalled overhearing Penelope say in the Great Hall that if she saw Bellatrix she was going to kill her, for it had to be her to end Bellatrix.

"Penelope," Venus stated, her voice slightly shaking. "Penelope, wait a sec."

She seemed to not hear her, only overcome with rage. Venus watched with a hitched breath and wide eyes as Penelope and Bellatrix started to duel, daughter versus mother. Bellatrix was crying out things in effort to throw Penelope off balance, but it only seemed to make her more angry.

Finally, when Bellatrix was distracted by laughing, Penelope sent a curse right underneath Bellatrix's outstretched arm. The curse hit her square in the chest right above her heart. Bellatrix's psychotic smile was wiped off of her face and her eyes bulged in shock. Penelope casually blew a piece of hair out of her face as Bellatrix toppled. She finally fell over, and Bellatrix Lestrange did not move again.

"Well, damn," Charlotte commented over the roaring crowd. "There it is, I guess."

A high-pitched scream then rang throughout the Great Hall. Venus' head whipped around to see McGonagall, Kingsley, and Slughorn get blasted back from Voldemort's fury. Voldemort had his wand pointed right at Penelope, for she had just killed his last, best lieutenant.

"Protego!" a familiar voice yelled, and Venus felt her heart stop.

She looked around. Harry, alive, was standing in the middle of the Hall, pulling off his Invisibility Cloak. Venus was vaguely aware of the way Charlotte was gripping her arm, as if she was holding her back from running straight at him.

"Harry," Venus whispered, tears pricking at the back of her eyes.

This was the final moment. Venus knew it was. Her heart pounded against her chest as she watched Harry and Voldemort start to circle each other.

"I don't want anyone else to try to help," Harry announced, his voice carrying through the total silence. Venus could've sworn he looked at her for a moment. "It's got to be like this. It's got to be me."

Voldemort hissed, his red eyes wide. "Potter doesn't mean that. That isn't how he works, is it? Who are you going to use as a shield today, Potter?"

"Nobody. There are no more Horcruxes. It's just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good . . ."

"One of us?" Voldemort's whole body was taut and his red eyes stared, just like a snake that was about to strike. "You think it will be you, do you, the boy who has survived by accident, and because Dumbledore was pulling the strings?"

"Accident, was it, when my mother died to save me?" Harry argued. They were still moving sideways, both of them, in a perfect circle, maintaining the same distance from each other. Venus felt like she was going to pass out. "Accident, when I decided to fight in that graveyard? Accident, that I didn't defend myself tonight, and still survived, and returned to fight again?"

"Accidents!" Voldemort repeated, but he still did not strike. The watching crowd was frozen, including Venus, who could feel her hands start to shake. "Accident and chance and the fact that you crouched and sniveled behind theskirts of greater men and women, and permitted me to kill them for you!"

"You won't be killing anyone else tonight," Harry voiced as they circled, staring into Voldemort's eyes, green meeting red. "You won't be able to kill any of them ever again. Don't you get it? I was ready to die to stop you from hurting these people—"

"But you did not!"

"—I meant to, and that's what did it. I've done what my mother did. They're protected from you. Haven't you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding? You can't torture them. You can't touch them. You don't learn from your mistakes, Riddle, do you?"

Venus blinked for a moment. The normal name was coming out now. She guessed now that there were no more Horcruxes, there was no more Voldemort. Just Tom Riddle.

"You dare—" Voldemort began.

"Yes, I dare," Harry interjected. "I know things you don't know, Tom Riddle. I know lots of important things that you don't. Want to hear some, before you make another big mistake?"

Voldemort didn't speak or a moment, but prowled in a circle, held back by the faintest possibility that Harry might now a final secret. "Is it love again? Dumbledore's favorite solution, love, which he claimed conquered death, though love did not stop him falling from the tower and breaking like an old waxwork? Love, which did not prevent me stamping out your Mudblood mother like a cockroach, Potter — and nobody seems to love you enough to run forward this time and take my curse."

Venus would. She would've done it in a heartbeat, without a second thought in her mind. Charlotte's grip tightened on her arm, like she was restraining her from actually doing that.

"So what will stop you dying now when I strike?"

"Just one thing," Harry revealed, and they still circled each other.

"If it is not love that will save you this time, you must believe that you have magic that I do not, or else a weapon more powerful than mine?" Voldemort asked.

"I believe both."

For a split second, shock flashed across Voldemort's snakelike face. It was instantly dispelled. Voldemort began to laugh, and the sound was more frightening than his screams. Venus felt a chill run up her spine from it. It was humorless and insane, and it echoed around the silent Hall.

"You think you know more magic than I do?" Voldemort countered. "Than I, than Lord Voldemort, who has performed magic that Dumbledore himself never dreamed of?"

"Oh, he dreamed of it, but he knew more than you, knew enough not to do what you've done," Harry responded.

"You mean he was weak! Too weak to dare, too weak to take what might have been his, what will be mine!"

"No, he was cleverer than you, a better wizard, a better man."

"I brought about the death of Albus Dumbledore!" Voldemort insisted.

"You thought you did, but you were wrong," Harry told him.

Venus reached up and took Elijah's hand in hers, interlocking their fingers together. The tension in the room was getting heavier and heavier as the moment got closer and closer. She felt sick to her stomach.

"Dumbledore is dead!" Voldemort shouted. He hurled the words at Harry as though they would cause him unendurable pain. "His body decays in the marble tomb in the grounds of this castle, I have seen it, Potter, and he will not return!"

"Yes, Dumbledore's dead, but you didn't have him killed," Harry said calmly. "He chose his own manner of dying, chose it months before he died, arranged the whole thing with the man you thought was your servant."

Voldemort still did not strike and his red eyes did not waver from Harry. "What childish dream is this?"

"Severus Snape wasn't yours. Snape was Dumbledore's, Dumbledore's from the moment you started hunting down my mother. And you never realized it, because of the thing you can't understand. You never saw Snape cast a Patronus, did you, Riddle?"

Voldemort did not answer. They continued to circle each other like wolves about to tear each other apart.

"Snape's Patronus was a doe, the same as my mother's, because he loved her for nearly all of his life, from the time when they were children," Harry revealed. "You should have realized, he asked you to spare her life, didn't he?"

Voldemort sneered at him. ""He desired her, that was all, but when she had gone, he agreed that there were other women, and of purer blood, worthier of him—"

"Of course he told you that, but he was Dumbledore's spy from the moment you threatened her, and he's been working against you ever since! Dumbledore was already dying when Snape finished him!"

"It matters not!" Voldemort shrieked. He had followed every word with rapt attention, but he now let out a cackle of mad laughter. "It matters not whether Snape was mine or Dumbledore's, or what petty obstacles they tried to put in my path! I crushed them as I crushed your mother, Snape's supposed great love! Oh, but it all makes sense, Potter, and in ways that you do not understand! Dumbledore was trying to keep the Elder Wand from me! He intended that Snape should be the true master of the wand! But I got there ahead of you, little boy — I reached the wand before you could get your hands on it, I understood the truth before you caught up. I killed Severus Snape three hours ago, and the Elder Wand, the Deathstick, the Wand of Destiny is truly mine! Dumbledore's last plan went wrong, Harry Potter!"

"Yeah, it did," Harry agreed. "You're right. But before you try to kill me, I'd advise you to think about what you've done . . . think, and try for some remorse, Riddle . . ."

"What is this?"

Of all the things that Harry had said to him, beyond any revelation or taunt, nothing had shocked Voldemort quite like this. Venus watched as Voldemort's pupils contracted to thin slits and the skin around his eyes whiten.

"It's your one last chance, it's all you've got left . . ." Harry continued. "I've seen what you'll be otherwise . . . be a man . . . try . . . try for some remorse . . ."

"You dare—?" Voldemort said again.

"Yes, I dare, because Dumbledore's last plan hasn't backfired on me at all. It's backfired on you, Riddle."

Venus squeezed Elijah's hand tighter and subconsciously moved closer to Charlotte. Voldemort's hand was trembling on the Elder Wand and she could see Harry gripping Malfoy's wand tightly. The fact that the moment was coming was pressuring on either side of her mind, making her head throb.

"That wand still isn't working properly for you because you murdered the wrong person," Harry explained. "Severus Snape was never the true master of the Elder Wand. He never defeated Dumbledore."

"He killed—" Voldemort protested.

"Aren't you listening? Snape never beat Dumbledore! Dumbledore's death was planned between them! Dumbledore intended to die undefeated, the wand's last true master! If all had gone as planned, the wand's power would have died with him, because it had never been won from him!"

"But then, Potter, Dumbledore as good as gave me the wand!" Voldemort voiced, his voice shaking with malicious pleasure. "I stole the wand from its last master's tomb! I removed it against its last master's wishes! Its power is mine!"

"You still don't get it, Riddle, do you?" Harry inquired. "Possessing the wand isn't enough! Holding it, using it, doesn't make it really yours. Didn't you listen to Ollivander? The wand chooses the wizard . . . the Elder Wand recognized a new master before Dumbledore died, someone who never even laid a hand on it. The new master removed the wand from Dumbledore against his will, never realizing exactly what he had done, or that the world's most dangerous wand had given him its allegiance. . . ."

Voldemort's chest was rising and falling rapidly. Venus could basically feel the curse coming. She hoped Harry was right about this, because if that jet of green light was going to hit him . . .

"The true master of the Elder Wand was Draco Malfoy."

Venus blinked. Oh.

Voldemort stared blankly at Harry for a moment, but then it ended. "But what does it matter? Even if you are right, Potter, it makes no difference to you and me. You no longer have the Phoenix wand: We duel on skill alone . . . and after I have killed you, I can attend to Draco Malfoy . . ."

"But you're too late," Harry replied. "You've missed your chance. I got there first. I overpowered Draco weeks ago. I took this wand from him." Harry twitched the hawthorn wand, and Venus glanced at it for a moment. "

Harry twitched the hawthorn wand, and he felt the eyes of everyone in the Hall upon it."So it all comes down to this, doesn't it?" whispered Harry. "Does the wand in your hand know its last master was Disarmed? Because if it does . . . I am the true master of the Elder Wand."

A red-gold glow burst suddenly across the enchanted sky above them as an edge of dazzling sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window, shining the Great Hall in the colors of Gryffindor. The light hit both Harry and Voldemort's faces. Venus felt her heart stop completely as the two recited their spells.

"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort shouted.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled.

Venus didn't know why Harry only knew one spell.

The bang was like a cannon blast, and the golden flames that erupted between them at the dead center of the circle they had been walking marked the point where the spells collided. Voldemort's green jet met Harry's red one, and Venus watched as the Elder Wand flew high, dark against the sunrise, spinning across the enchanted ceiling like Nagini's head, spinning through the air towards the master it would not kill, who had come to take full possession of it at last.

And Harry, with the perfect skill of a Seeker, caught the wand in his free hand. Voldemort fell backwards, arms splayed, the slit pupils of the scarlet eyes rolling upwards. Tom Riddle hit the floor with a mundane finality, his body weak and shrunken, the white hands empty, the snakelike face vacant and unknowing. Voldemort was dead, killed by his own rebounding curse. Harry stood there with two wands in his hand, staring down at his enemy's shells.

Venus' eyes filled with tears and her heart soared. She finally felt like she could breathe again. It was over.

One shivering second of silence, the shock of the moment suspending in midair. And then it broke, the Great Hall filling with screams and cheers.

Venus removed her hand from Elijah's and ripped her arm out of Charlotte's grasp. She ran straight at Harry, pushing her way through the crowd, deadset on nothing but seeing him. Venus slowed down as she stopped right in front of him. She stared up at him in amazement, and Harry stared down at her in adoration. They just stood there for a moment, drinking up each other.

And finally, at the same time, the two of them surged forwards and kissed. Venus threw her arms around his neck and got as close to him as she possibly could. Harry responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and picking her up off of the floor. Cheers around them only got louder, but neither of them cared. It was just the two of them right now. The kiss was as golden, like daylight.

After a couple of long moments, they finally pulled away. The loud cheers faded to nothing but a dull ringing as Venus stared into his pretty green eyes.

"I thought I lost you," Venus whispered.

Harry shook his head. "You'll never lose me, Star. Besides, did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?"

He leaned forwards and kissed her again for a moment. Harry then set her down, and started to receive hugs from Ron, Hermione, Charlotte, Elijah, and Penelope. Venus watched it all unfold, letting herself cry for a moment. It had definitely been a whirlwind of emotions, and that seemed like the best way to deal with it.

The sun rose steadily over Hogwarts, and the Great Hall blazed with life and light. Harry was making his rounds through the mingled outpourings of jubilation and mourning, of grief and celebration. Venus let him go around. She couldn't be selfish right now as much as she wanted to. Harry was the reason this was over, and he deserved to oversee everything. Besides, they would have time to talk later. Hours, days, maybe even years to talk. It didn't have to be right now.

They had moved Voldemort's body and laid it in a chamber off the Hall, away from the bodies of Fred, Tonks, Lupin, and fifty others who had died fighting Voldemort. McGonagall had replaced the House tables, but nobody was sitting according to House anymore. All were jumbled together, teachers and students, ghosts and parents, Centaurs and House-Elves. Firenze was laying in a corner, still recovering, and Grawp was peering in through a smashed window, catching thrown food in his mouth.

Venus found herself sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table with Ron, Penelope, Hermione, Elijah, and Charlotte. Penelope had her head leaning on Ron's shoulder and Hermione and Elijah's interlocked hands were resting on top of the table. Venus and Charlotte were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. She suddenly got a sudden thought that Charlotte was the very first Hogwarts student to talk to her. They started together, and here they were, ending together.

"It's over, huh?" Penelope asked, evidently tired.

"Thank God," Charlotte responded. "I never want to have the Cruciatus Curse used on me ever again."

Venus frowned. She reached up and rubbed Charlotte's shoulder comfortingly.

"I'm sorry," Venus told her softly.

Charlotte shook her head. "Don't be."

"I should've been there."

"No, you were doing what you had to do. Please don't blame this on yourself." Charlotte straightened up a little bit. "Besides, I can take it. I'm not hurting anymore."

It wasn't too long after that when Harry appeared at their group. Well, not physically. His voice came out from thin air, evidently under the Invisibility Cloak.

"It's me," Harry's voice muttered, loud enough to hear over the chatter of the Great Hall. "Will you come with me?"

Venus, Ron, Penelope, Hermione, Elijah, and Charlotte all stood up at once. Together, they moved through the Great Hall. Venus glanced around as thy did so. Ginny was two tables away, sitting with her head on her mother's shoulder. Neville, the sword of Gryffindor lying beside his plate, was eating with a group of his admirers (Charlotte beamed at that.) The three Malfoys were huddled together in the aisle like they were unsure whether or not they were supposed to be there, but nobody was paying them any attention. Families were reunited.

They left the Great Hall. Great chunks were missing from the marble staircase, part of the balustrade was gone, and rubble and bloodstains occurred every few steps as they climbed. Somewhere in the distance they could hear Peeves zooming through the hallways, singing a victory song of his own composition.

We did it, we bashed them, wee Potter's the one,
And Voldy's gone moldy, so now let's have fun!

"Really gives a feeling for the scope and tragedy of the thing, doesn't it?" Ron questioned, pushing open a door to let them all through.

Harry took off his Invisibility Cloak. He instantly grabbed Venus' hand and pressed a kiss onto her cheek. Venus slightly smiled, although it was bittersweet. Happiness would come, but at the moment it was muffled by exhaustion and the pain of losing Fred and Lupin and Tonks. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed with Harry back in the Gryffindor dorms and just sleep.

He started to explain everything that had happened after leaving Venus in the Great Hall. Harry had gone to the headmaster's office to where the Pensieve was. Snape's memories had shown him the blooming friendship between Snape and Lily Potter, how it came crashing down, and how he had pleaded with Dumbledore to spare Lily. Once the memories were over, Harry had gone to the Forbidden Forest. The Resurrection Stone was hidden in the Snitch, just like Harry had said. He had talked to James, Lily, Lupin, and Sirius before going to where Voldemort and his Death Eaters was. Voldemort had indeed killed him, but it instead killed the Horcrux inside of Harry that was created the night Lily died. Before Harry had woken up, he had talked to Dumbledore in a dream at King's Cross.

They had not even begun to express their shock and amazement when at last they arrived at the place to which they had been walking, though none of them had mentioned their destination. The Gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmaster's office had been knocked aside. It stood lopsided, looking a little punch-drunk. Venus tilted her head slightly at it.

"Can we go up?" Harry inquired.

"Feel free," the statue groaned.

All seven of them clambered over him and onto the spiral stone staircase that moved slowly upwards like an escalator. Harry pushed the door at the top open.

Venus jumped, suddenly on high alert at an earsplitting noise. She thought it was curses and returning Death Eaters and the rebirth of Voldemort, and her mind was just screaming no no no — but it was only applause. All around the walls, the headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts were giving Harry a standing ovation. They waved their hats and in some cases their wigs, they reached through their frames to grip each other's hands, and they danced up and down on the chairs on which they had been painted. Dilys Derwent sobbed unashamedly, and Dexter Fortescue was waving his ear-trumpet.

"And let it be noted that Slytherin House played its part!" Phineas Nigellus announced. "Let our contribution not be forgotten!"

However, all of them only had eyes for the man who stood in the largest portrait directly behind the headmaster's chair. Tears were sliding down from behind the half-moon spectacles into the long silver beard. The amount of pride and gratitude emanating from him was enough to make Venus slightly smile. She glanced over at Harry for a moment to see him glowing. Even if that would be dimmed from the effects of the war later, it was nice to see him like this for now.

Harry held up his free hand, and the portraits fell respectfully silent, beaming and mopping their eyes. They waited eagerly for him to speak. Harry, however, directed his words at Dumbledore and chose them with enormous care.

"The thing that was hidden in the Snitch, I dropped it in the forest," Harry explained. "I don't know exactly where, but I'm not going to go looking for it again. Do you agree?"

"My dear boy, I do," Dumbledore responded, while his fellow pictures looked confused and curious. "A wise and courageous decision, but no less than I would have expected of you. Does anyone else know where it fell?"

"No one. I'm going to keep Ignotus' present, though."

Venus squeezed Harry's hand a little tighter. It seemed like the story about the three brothers and the Deathly Hallows was true after all.

Dumbledore beamed. "But of course, Harry, it is yours forever, until you pass it on!"

"And then there's this," Harry revealed.

Harry held up the Elder Wand. Venus stared at it, not really caring for it much. Sure, it was powerful, but it had also done so many horrible things.

"I don't want it."

Venus' small smile widened a little bit. She didn't expect anything less.

"What?" Ron stated loudly. "Are you mental?"

"I know it's powerful," Harry continued wearily. "But I was happier with mine. So . . ."

He rummaged in the pouch hung around his neck with his free hand that was also holding the Elder Wand, not having it in him to let go of Venus' hand. Harry pulled out the two halves of holly still just connected by the finest thread of Phoenix feather. Hermione had said that they could not be repaired, that the damage was too severe. But Harry also had the most powerful wand ever. There was a chance.

Harry laid the broken wand on the headmaster's desk and touched it with the very tip of the Elder Wand. "Reparo."

As his wand resealed, red sparks flew out of its end. Venus grinned. It had succeeded. She watched as Harry picked up his own wand after weeks of not being able to use it, warmth spreading throughout her.

""I'm putting the Elder Wand back where it came from," Harry said to Dumbledore, who was watching him with enormous affection and admiration. "It can stay there. If I die a natural death like Ignotus, its power will be broken, won't it? The previous master will never have been defeated. That'll be the end of it."

Dumbledore nodded. Harry and him smiled at each other.

"Are you sure?" Ron asked, the faintest trace of longing in his voice as he looked at the Elder Wand.

Penelope nodded. "Yeah, he's sure."

"Harry saves the day once again," Charlotte teased, her eyes regaining the sparkle they once had and since lost.

Elijah looked down at her. "You're going to make these jokes forever now, aren't you, Lottie?"

"Oh yeah, they're never stopping. Get used to it."

Venus let out a small laugh. "I can't wait."

"I think Harry's right," Hermione said quietly.

"That wand's more trouble than it's worth," Harry voiced. "And quite honestly—" He turned away from the painted portraits, pulled Venus closer to him with their interlocked hands, wrapping an arm around her waist and resting his head on top of hers, and she started to dream of the four-poster bed that was waiting for them in Gryffindor Tower "—I've had enough trouble for a lifetime."

╞════════ ༺ ༻ ════════╡

"WE'RE NOT NAMING our kid Albus Severus."

"But—"

"No."

"Venus—"

"No."

Venus Black and Harry Potter were truly written in the stars. They should've known from the first moment their eyes laid on each other on the Hogwarts Express in fifth year that they would end up together. A New York City girl and a London boy, an American and a Brit, a Thunderbird and a Gryffindor.

They were brought together by fate. And especially after the war, their relationship only seemed to get stronger. Both of them were left with a lot of trauma, mostly Harry, who blamed himself for everything. But they always leaned on each other and loved each other.

After the war, there was an option for those who had missed out on their seventh year either for not being there or it being corrupted by the Death Eaters. Venus accepted, and she continued working on her path of becoming a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Harry, on the other hand, didn't come back to Hogwarts and went to go train to be an Auror.

Once Venus finished her schooling, she started to realize that she didn't want to be a Professor, she just wanted to continue fighting against the Dark Arts and needed other countries to do so as well. Therefore, she joined the Ministry of Magic, since it was no longer corrupted after Kingsley Shacklebolt fixed everything. She found herself working in the Department of International Magical Co-Operation, more specifically the International Magical Office of Law. Venus worked closely with MACUSA, her home Wizarding government.

Much like James and Lily Potter, Venus and Harry got married young at the age of twenty-one after six years of dating. It was always going to be them, so why wait? They had taken a honeymoon to New York City, where Venus got to show Harry where she had grown up and what her life had been like (and yes, they did go to Cornelia Street.) The two of them had also taken a quick trip up to Massachusetts so Venus could show Harry Ilvermorny.

They had three children, which was what Venus always wanted. First was a boy, named James Sirius, after Harry's father and godfather. He wanted to pair those names together because James and Sirius had been best friends — brothers — during their time at Hogwarts. Next was Leo Atlas, which was a name Venus picked out. She wanted to keep at least a little astronomical influence on her children's names. Also, Leo was Harry's star sign, and Atlas was the name of her father. That was the boy Harry wanted to name Albus Severus but was completely shut down. And finally, their littlest was named Lily Luna. Obviously after Harry's mother, and the two agreed to give Luna as her middle name because of all the love Luna had showed them.

Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly in the year of 2017. The morning of the first of September was crisp and golden as an apple, and their little family was walking across the rumbling road towards the station through car exhausts and cold air. Two large cages were rattling on top of the trolleys Venus and Harry were pushing. The owls inside them were hooting, and Lily trailed tearfully behind her older brothers, clutching onto Harry's arms.

It was the first day of Hogwarts, and Venus was extremely emotional. She couldn't believe another one of her babies was going off to Hogwarts. Lily, however, was emotional for a different reason.

"It won't be long, and you'll be going too," Harry told her.

"Two years," Lily said, sniffling. "I want to go now!"

The commuters stared curiously as the Potter family wove its way towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Leo's voice drifted back to Venus over the surrounding noises. Her sons had resumed the argument they had started in the car.

"I won't!" Leo insisted. "I won't be in Slytherin!"

"James, stop it, you're going to drive him up the wall," Venus scolded. "Besides, what's so wrong with being in Slytherin? Aunt Charlie and Aunt Penelope were Slytherins, you know. Grandpa Atlas, too. And they're all great people. If you're a Slytherin, you're a Slytherin. Simple as that."

Her oldest son turned to her, a sheepish look on his face, seemingly forgetting that fact. Venus gave James a look and nodded her head towards the barrier. James sighed and broke into a run, vanishing a moment later.

Leo took this opportunity to speak to his parents now that his brother was gone. "You'll write to me, won't you?"

"We can write to you every day if you would like," Venus replied.

"Not every day. James says most people only get letters from home about once a month."

"Please. We wrote to him three times a week last year."

"And you don't want to believe everything he tells you about Hogwarts," Harry added. "He likes a laugh, your brother."

Side by side, Harry and Leo pushed the second trolley forwards. Venus grasped onto Lily's hand and walked through the wall with her. Their family emerged onto platform nine and three-quarters, which was obscured by thick white steam that was pouring out of the scarlet Hogwarts Express. Indistinct figures were swarming through the mist, into which James had already disappeared. Venus sighed. Always running away, that boy.

"Where are they?" Leo questioned anxiously, looking at the hazy forms they passed as they made their way down the platform.

"Don't worry, we'll find them, Leo," Venus reassured him. The vapor was dense, but they suddenly found a group of very familiar people. "Look, there they are."

Already gathered in a small group was Ron and Penelope with their two children Andromeda and Remus, Charlotte with her one daughter Jennifer (Neville was a professor at Hogwarts so he wasn't there to see Jennifer off), and Hermione and Elijah with their two children Rose and Jared.

"Hi," Leo greeted, sounding immensely relieved.

Andromeda, who was already wearing her brand-new Hogwarts robes, beamed at him. Penelope then greeted Leo back and asked him if he was excited for his first year.

Leo nodded, although he looked slightly sick, making Venus place a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "At least I have 'Dromeda, Jenny, and Rose to start with."

Harry and Ron came back onto the platform. Venus felt her husband place a hand on the small of her back, and she smiled softly up at him. Lily and Remus were currently in an animated discussion about which House they would be sorted into when they finally went to Hogwarts.

"If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you, but no pressure," Ron cut in.

Penelope rolled her eyes and elbowed his side before smiling at the kids. "Don't listen to him. Coming from a Slytherin over here, whatever House you're sorted into, we'll love you just the same. Coming to think about it, we don't have any Hufflepuffs yet. I'm sure one of you are bound to get sorted there."

Ron then nodded down the platform. "Look who it is."

Venus looked to see that the steam had thinned for a moment. Three people were standing there — Draco Malfoy, his wife Astoria Greengrass, and their son Scorpius. Venus had seen them here and there because Draco and Penelope kept in touch. Draco caught sight of them and nodded curtly.

"So that's little Scorpius. Make sure you beat him in every test, Andy. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains."

"We literally had them over for dinner last month," Penelope argued. "Andy, be nice to Scorpius, okay? You are cousins, after all. Who knows? Maybe you'll end up like Draco and I."

"Hey!" James exclaimed. Venus looked to see that her oldest had reappeared without his things. He had evidently put them on the train, but seemed to be bursting with news. "Teddy's back there. Just seen him! And guess what he's doing? Snogging Victoire!"

Teddy was Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks' son. He had been taken in by Andromeda Tonks after the war, but Venus saw him most of the time due to him being Harry's godson. Victoire was the child of Bill and Fleur, and the two had grown to be quite close. Anyone with eyes could see that Victoire and Teddy liked each other.

James gazed up at the adults, evidently disappointed by the lack of reaction. "Our Teddy! Teddy Lupin! Snogging our Victoire! Our cousin! And I asked Teddy what he was doing—"

"And why were you interrupting them?" Venus demanded. "James, come on—"

"—and he said he'd come to see her off! And then he told me to go away. He's snogging her!"

James added that as though he was worried that he hadn't made himself clear. Penelope then told Charlotte that she won the bet.

Charlotte let out a sigh. "I'll give you your money in five business days."

Elijah glanced at Penelope. "That means you're never getting it."

"Oh, it would be lovely if they got married!" Lily whispered ecstatically. "Teddy would really be part of the family then!"

"He already comes round for dinner about four times a week," Harry replied. "Why don't we just invite him to live with us and have done with it?"

"Yeah!" James agreed enthusiastically. "I don't mind sharing with Leo — Teddy could have my room!"

Venus' eyes widened. Oh, absolutely not. That would be a complete disaster.

"No, you and Leo will share a room only when I want the house demolished," Harry refused. He then glanced down at the watch. "It's nearly eleven, you'd better get on board."

Venus reached out and brought James into a hug. "Bye, baby. I love you a lot, okay?"

"Mum," James complained as she gripped onto him. "Come on."

"Nope. Every year you try to leave too quick, and I'm not letting you." Venus squeezed him tighter for a moment and let him go. "Okay, there. It's over. Now was that so hard?"

James rolled his eyes. "I love you, too." He then smirked at Leo. "See you later, Lee. Watch out for the Thestrals!"

Leo's eyes widened. "I thought they were invisible? You said they were invisible!"

James merely laughed. Venus shook her head and pressed a kiss to her eldest's forehead. He gave Harry a fleeting hug, then leapt onto the rapidly filling train. They saw him wave, then sprint away up the hallway to find his friends.

"Thestrals are nothing to worry about," Harry told Leo. "They're gentle things, there's nothing scary about them. Anyway, you won't be going up to school in the carriages, you'll be going in the boats."

Venus opened her arms, and Leo immediately sunk into them. "I love you. See you at Christmas, okay? Good luck."

"I love you too, mum," Leo responded, and Venus kissed his forehead as well.

"Bye, Leo," Harry said as he hugged him. "Don't forget Hagrid's invited you to tea next Friday. Don't mess with Peeves. Don't duel anyone till you've learned how. And don't let James wind you up."

The two of them then shared a very quiet conversation, one that Venus couldn't quite hear, but she knew that whatever it was, it was only for the two of them. Venus focused her attention on Lily now, who was jumping up, trying to wave at all of the people going on the train.

But now the doors were slamming all along the scarlet train. Leo jumped into the carriage and Venus closed the door behind him. Students were hanging from the windows nearest them. A great number of faces, both on the train and off, seemed to be turned towards Harry.

"Why are they all staring?" Leo inquired as he and Andromeda craned around to look at the other students.

"Don't let it worry you," Ron said. "It's me. I'm extremely famous."

The train began to move, and Venus slowly trailed after Harry as he walked alongside it, him smiling and waving as their son got farther and farther away as the scarlet steam train glided away. Finally, the last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner, and Harry's hand was still raised in farewell.

Venus walked up to him and wrapped an arm around his waist. "He's going to be okay, you know."

Harry lowered his hand absentmindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead. "I know he will." He then put an arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Star."

"I love you so much more."

They were written in the stars. All was well.

» • » ✧ « • «

𝙴𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝙵 𝙰𝙲𝚃 𝚃𝚆𝙾

holy fuck it's over?????

anyways go read my author's note