•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Deanna opened her eyes and came face to face with Hermione's sleeping face. They shared a bed since Deanna arrived, courtesy of Ginny, but it was the first time she slept, facing Hermione. Deanna noticed that Hermione was holding her hand and she smiled softly, really missing being with her.

She traced Hermione's face with her eyes, wanting to engrave the memory in her mind and heart. Now that she knew where she should go, she decided to leave and start her journey, not wanting to endanger them any more since her visions with Voldemort were growing more frequent. It was what her father would want.

Though she hated to do so, Deanna slowly removed her hand from Hermione's and stood up as quietly as she could. She looked around and saw that Ginny was still fast asleep. Deanna picked up her bag and checked the necklace. She looked at Hermione who was sleeping in bed for one last time and whispered. "I felt the same. I still do."

With one last look at her, Deanna went out of the room with her bag. She checked her bag for her wand and sighed in relief when she saw it. She quickly put it in her wand holster, smiling at the memory of Alastor Moody giving it to her. Deanna was relieved when there was nobody downstairs and she continued on walking.

Clenching the necklace in her hand, Deanna hurried to the yard and whispered. "Faw –"

"Going somewhere?"

Deanna jumped in surprise at the sudden voice. She turned around right away and saw Ron there, frowning at her. "Ron, I..." She realized nothing would convince Ron at this moment and took a deep breath before speaking. "You can't tell anyone about this, promise me."

"Alright." Ron nodded but he looked at Deanna in confusion when the Hufflepuff stuck out her pinky finger. She laughed at his expression before linking their pinky fingers and raising her right hand. Ron stared at her for a moment before he did the same.

"Now, I can trust you." Deanna smiled at him. "Actually... I've been seeing Vol–," she saw how Ron flinched and quickly changed the name, "Riddle in my dreams."

"What? Can he see you too?" Ron asked with a bit of terror in his eyes.

"Sometimes." Deanna looked down. "And these encounters with him are getting more frequent." She looked back at Ron with pleading in her eyes. "So, please, Ron. Let me go just this once. Just don't say a word about this to anyone and pretend you never saw me."

Ron couldn't help chuckling at her request. "Did you know? You're smart most of the time but you can also be extremely thick."

"Hey!" Deanna pouted at him, making the Weasley laugh once more. "I'm serious, Ron."

"And so am I." Ron calmed down, looking seriously at Deanna. "If I let you go, you'll be in even more danger."

"And if I stay, I'll put you all in danger." Deanna sighed in frustration, wanting Ron to understand. "Don't you understand, Ron? If I stay, there's a possibility we could all get killed. He can see me, he can see where I am."

Seeing Ron's eyes widen at that piece of information, Deanna continued on. "My father and Alastor died because of me. George got his ear injured because of me. Your grandparents, my friends, died because of me. My friends... They deserved to live longer lives, and now, they're gone. They couldn't even meet their grandchildren."

She clenched her fists and blinked back her tears, the reality hitting her. What if she realized the truth about Voldemort sooner? What if she died instead of Myrtle? Would her friends be alive now? Would her father be alive now? Would the Wizarding World be at peace?

Deanna knew there was no use of dwelling on the what if's and what could be's, but she couldn't help the pain in her heart. No matter how much people would tell her it was not her fault, those words would never take away the lingering guilt in her. The lingering guilt of surviving.

Ron stared at her with sadness in his eyes. He was surprised at what she said about Voldemort seeing her, but it didn't change his mind about letting Deanna go. Hearing what she really felt about everything made Ron realize just how heavy was the weight on Deanna Dumbledore's shoulders. She wanted to protect everything even if it meant sacrificing herself. It made Ron want to protect her.

Ron took a step towards her and hugged her tight with no intention of letting her go. "I'll be your Magnus again. Or Ignatius or Thaddeus or Septimus. Just stay, Deanna. We need you here."

A tear fell from Deanna's eye followed by another until she let out a sob. She really loved the new friends she made in these time, but a part of her heart would always belong to her old friends. But here was Ron and his offer. He always reminded her of her friends, and she knew he was his own person. She wanted him to stay as Ron Weasley, but it was just heartwarming to her. As if someone finally understood her.

Deanna hugged Ron back with a shaky sigh. It felt nice to hear those words, it felt nice to be needed. She didn't know just how much she needed to hear them until they came from Ron's mouth. "I already told you. I might put you all in danger."

"We're all in danger already, Deanna." Ron wiped away a stray tear and smiled widely. He couldn't stand seeing Deanna in so much pain when she was always a bright person. "And we won't let that crazy bastard take you. No matter what."

Deanna smiled at him through her tears. "Just be Ron. Just be the Ron Weasley you are, and I'll be fine. All my friends are watching over us. Someone told me they're up there as stars in the sky and they'll be there for eternity."

Ron hugged her back once more, hiding the tears that fell from his eyes. Two hearts were comforted in that moment. Ron who was always being overshadowed and wanting to be recognized as himself and Deanna who had to bear the weight of the whole world on her shoulders.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Deanna knocked on the door and smiled at Fleur who had opened it. "Congratulations, soon to be Mrs. Weasley. You look wonderful indeed."

"Thank you, Deanna." Fleur chuckled at her though she frowned. "Aren't you going to use any Polyjuice Potion? I 'eard 'Arry will be taking it."

"Oh, right. I'll see you later then." Deanna's eyes widened and she quickly went out of the room. She started on her way back to the Burrow when she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Sorry –" Deanna stared at the necklace around the neck of the man she bumped into. It was the same necklace she had. She looked up and saw a man with white long hair. "Sorry, sir." She nodded to him once more before she walked past him, not seeing how Xenophilius Lovegood watched her go with curious eyes.

"Molly? I'm –" Deanna opened the door, but she closed her eyes right away while her cheeks flushed. It wasn't Molly Weasley there, but it was Hermione Granger who was trying to zip up her red dress. "I-I'm so sorry."

Hermione was just as flustered and she looked at Deanna who was still closing her eyes and covering her face with her hands. She noticed how well the gold dress fit Deanna and smiled. She looked best in gold indeed. "I-It's fine." She hesitated before speaking again. "Could you help me? I can't seem to reach it."

Deanna's eyes fluttered open at the request and she saw Hermione looking at her expectantly. She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. The Dumbledore started walking towards Hermione slowly in fear that she might blush too much when she reached the Gryffindor.

Hermione couldn't help but smile because Deanna looked adorable with how she was looking down, trying to hide her red cheeks. When Deanna was finally in front of her, Hermione turned around and showed her exposed back to her. Deanna took in a sharp breath and placed her slightly shaking hand on the zipper. Her mind was blank all so suddenly. Sure, she and Hermione kissed before and held hands, but it was just making her so flustered to see that much skin.

Deanna zipped it up slowly due to her shaking hand, and her hand accidentally brushed Hermione's back, making warmth spread through both of the girls. When she had zipped up Hermione's dress fully, Deanna stepped back and Hermione turned around, their faces inches apart.

Forgetting what she came back for, Deanna's eyes flickered to Hermione's pink lips that made her wonder if they were still as soft as before, and Hermione's heart started beating faster at the way Deanna's eyes went to her lips. It let her know of Deanna's true feelings she kept deep inside her heart, and she wanted it too. To feel Deanna's lips against hers despite the blurred lines between them.

In the heat of the moment, Hermione started leaning in and Deanna did so too, their faces and lips growing closer and mint and flowery breaths mixed. Deanna leaned in for their lips to finally come in contact when the door opened, making Deanna and Hermione jump away from each other.

"Oh dear, Deanna." Molly came in with a frown on her face. "We don't have any Polyjuice Potion anymore. Are you going to be alright?"

"Y-Yeah, thank you, Molly." Deanna smiled at the matron who smiled back at her before she noticed Hermione who was blushing deeply.

"Are you alright, Hermione? Do you have a fever?" Molly asked with concern. "I can get you a potion."

"No, I'm fine, thank you Mrs. Weasley." Hermione sent her a reassuring smile despite the fast beating of her heart.

"Alright then, I'll leave you two to it." Molly left the room and suppressed her giggles. She felt bad for ruining their moment, but they really needed to go as the wedding was starting in a few moments. And it felt fun to tease the two girls who were trying to pretend nothing happened between them.

"I-I'll just get –"

"Y-Yeah, I should –"

Their voices overlapped, and when their eyes met, the two of them immediately looked away, blushing again. What were they doing? They were already broken up but here they were, acting like two people who started their relationship recently.

Deanna took a deep breath and let her heart control her mouth. "You look beautiful. As you always do." With those last words, she ran out of the room, leaving Hermione staring after her with a heart beating hard against her chest and red cheeks.

After that awkward encounter, Deanna made her way to the great white marquee in the orchard where people were making their way in. She spotted Ria and Tonks and made her way to them.

"Ria, Tonks!" Deanna grinned at them. "Sorry, Docherty-Tonks." The three of them laughed at that. Since she found out the two got married, she had been teasing Tonks by calling her Docherty-Tonks.

"Hey, Dee." Ria smiled back at her. "Sorry about last night, the Ministry is being anti-Muggleborn and anti-Werewolf at the moment, that's why we left with Sirius and Remus."

"It's fine, Ria. You have to be careful though." Deanna reminded with concern, thinking about Jemina and Eleanor.

"By the way, won't you use any Polyjuice Potion?" Tonks asked her with worry. "There'll be a lot of people here."

"Oh, right. That's why I came... Hey, Tonks, you think you can color my hair red?" Deanna asked her with a pout.

"You came to the right person." Tonks flourished her wand and Deanna immediately felt a warm sensation over her.

"Here, take a look." Ria brought out a mirror and showed Deanna her reflection.

Deanna couldn't help herself from laughing at how much she looked like a Weasley with her fiery red hair but her blue eyes told everyone she was a Dumbledore. She smiled at the couple who was watching her with smiling eyes. "Thank you."

"No problem, badger." Tonks winked at her, making the three of them laugh once more. They then entered the marquee, coming towards Sirius and Remus who were waving them over.

"Shining bright in that gold dress, Dumbledore Jr." Sirius grinned at her.

"And even with that red hair, we know it's you, Deanna." Remus said with a kind smile, making the five of them laugh.

Deanna laughed along and they started sharing stories about the two couples, both embarrassing and heartwarming. They even recounted their weddings to Deanna who wasn't able to attend any of them. As Tonks was telling an embarrassing story about Ria, Deanna suddenly noticed someone who just entered the marquee and their eyes met, both of them looking away and remembering what just happened a few minutes ago. The memory of it brought each of them wide smiles and red cheeks.

While they were talking, Deanna could see someone, a tall dark-haired man with thick eyebrows, going over to the group of Hermione, Ron and Harry. He said something to Hermione who dropped her bag and blushed.

"And how about – Deanna?" Sirius noticed how Deanna was not listening to their conversation and he nudged his husband and his friends. The four of them followed Deanna's gaze and they couldn't help snickering when they saw her eyes were set on Viktor Krum and Hermione. Their eyes met with Harry and Ron's who were smiling in amusement as well. How could they not notice Deanna's gaze when she was being too obvious?

"That's Viktor Krum." Sirius said, snapping Deanna out of it. "He's the first person who ever showed interest in Hermione."

"I-I wasn't looking at them." Deanna muttered weakly though she couldn't help the unsettling feeling inside her. If he was the first person who ever showed interest in Hermione, wouldn't he be special to her? But Deanna couldn't help her curiosity and she did not want to ask Hermione. "Did they have a relationship?"

"I think they went to the Yule Ball together during Hermione's fourth year." Remus shrugged. "But aside from that, I don't know." He and the others chuckled at Deanna who was now looking a little happier when she saw that Hermione was now with Harry and Ron. "The wedding's going to start, come on."

The five of them sat down in the second row across from Harry, Ron and Hermione. She glanced at Hermione who was coincidentally staring at her. The Gryffindor gave her a smile and Deanna smiled back before looking away though she felt immense happiness in her. She shouldn't worry about that Krum... right?

A sense of jittery anticipation had filled the warm tent, the general murmuring broken by occasional spurts of excited laughter. Molly and Arthur strolled up the aisle, smiling and waving at everyone.

A moment later Bill and Charlie stood up at the front of the marquee, both wearing dress robes, with large white roses in their buttonholes; Fred wolf-whistled and there was an outbreak of giggling from the veela cousins. Then the crowd fell silent as music swelled from what seemed to be the golden balloons.

"Reminds me of when we got married, Remmy." Sirius leaned into Remus' embrace, the two of them smiling widely.

"Can't believe I'm married to you, love." Tonks kissed Ria's cheek, making the other giggle.

Meanwhile, Deanna took another glance at Hermione, remembering what she said during their little date in the kitchen.

"I can see my future." Deanna opened her eyes, still having that soft smile that was for Hermione only. "We'll have three children, and we'd sit by the fire. We'd tell them about our stories when we were young, and when they'll be asleep, we'll talk about our jobs and live happily for the rest of our lives. Doesn't it sound nice?"

Deanna smiled softly. It was a future she still longed for, but she didn't know if she'd ever have it. However, what mattered was the present. Despite the blurred lines between Deanna and Hermione, one thing was clear. What they felt for each other, and that was enough for each of them to hold on.

She turned around to look at the entrance where Fleur and Monsieur Delacour were walking up the aisle with Ginny and Gabrielle Delacour behind them. Once Fleur had reached him, Bill did not look as though he had ever met Fenrir Greyback.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said a slightly singsong voice, and Deanna was surprised to see the same small, tufty-haired wizard who had presided at her father's funeral, standing in front of Bill and Fleur. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls..."

"Do you, William Arthur, take Fleur Isabelle... ?"

Deanna couldn't help chuckling at the two couples beside her. The exhausted Remus was patting the crying Sirius' back and the embarrassed Ria was trying to shush the dramatic Tonks' cries. She knew they were thinking of their own marriages.

"... then I declare you bonded for life." The tufty-haired wizard waved his wand high over the heads of Bill and Fleur and a shower of silver stars fell upon them, spiraling around their now entwined figures. As Fred and George led a round of applause, the golden balloons overhead burst: Birds of paradise and tiny golden bells flew and floated out of them, adding their songs and chimes to the din.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" called the tufty-haired wizard. "If you would please stand up!"

And they all did so; he waved his wand again and the seats they were sitting on rose into the air as the walls of the marquee vanished so that they stood beneath a canopy supported by golden poles, with a glorious view of the sunlit orchard and surrounding countryside. Next, a pool of molten gold spread from the center of the tent to form a gleaming dance floor; the hovering chairs grouped themselves around small, white-clothed tables, which all floated gracefully back to earth around it, and the golden-jacketed band trooped toward a podium.

"Amazing," said Deanna approvingly then she smiled at Bill and Fleur who came towards them. "Congratulations." A bunch of cheers came from Tonks, Ria, Sirius and Remus as well.

"Thank you." Fleur said gratefully. "We're really glad you're here. Please, take a seat."

The five of them sat down with Hagrid who gave Deanna a hug, still dabbing at his eyes. "Can't wait fer the day yeh get married, Dee. I'm sure it'll be amazing and I'll cry lots." Deanna just smiled at him, her heart beating faster because she suddenly imagined her wedding with Hermione. The two of them in front of the tufty-haired wizard and leaning in and –

Deanna shook her head. She shouldn't think about that, but why does she always cross the lines she makes whenever it came to Hermione? Suddenly, the band had begun to play and Bill and Fleur took to the dance floor. "You guys, go dance." Deanna told her five companions. "I'll be with Harry." She pointed to the Chosen One who was sitting alone.

They went their separate ways and Deanna sat down beside the lost Harry, smiling at Ron and Hermione who were dancing happily. "You alright, Harry?"

"Oh, Deanna. Yeah." Harry snapped out of his thoughts and smiled at her. He was thinking of one person and he was wondering how that person was. If he was happy, if he was fine. He probably was, considering he was a pureblood. "Just thinking."

"Of Noah?" Harry's head snapped to her at the question and Deanna let out a chuckle. "Come on, Harry, you can't fool me. You broke up with the person you love because of the dangers of the war. But you don't have to worry. He loves you and he will never stop doing so. Let's finish this and you can go back to him, yeah?"

Harry smiled at her after that, feeling better and his worries going away. "Thanks, Dee." They watched the people dancing for a moment before speaking again. "It's the same with you and Hermione."

"What?"

"You feel the same for each other." Harry patted her on the shoulder. "So, do what you need to do and come back to her."

"I... I will." Deanna smiled softly at him, wondering if she really was that obvious with how she felt for the Granger, but seeing her laugh and dance, yeah, Deanna realized, she really loved her and she would come back to her no matter what.

"By the way, what was the necklace you got yesterday?" Harry asked in curiosity. "It seems familiar."

"It's just an old necklace during my childhood." Deanna remembered the bag she asked Hagrid to hold. She was ready to go as soon as the wedding was over. Of course, she didn't tell any of them about it. About what the necklace was and about where she was going. It was too dangerous for them to know about Grindelwald now. She needed to find out first what it meant before telling them. She felt bad for doing so, but she had already put them in too much danger.

Suddenly, Deanna spotted someone sitting alone at a table and she nudged Harry. "Harry, look. Sir Elphias Doge."

The two of them stood up and approached the man. "May we sit down, sir?"

"Of course, of course," said Doge.

Harry leaned in and whispered. "Mr. Doge, I'm Harry Potter."

Doge gasped. "My dear boy! Arthur told me you were here, disguised... I am so glad, so honored!" He looked at Deanna and smiled. "Even if you change your hair, your eyes. Just like Albus and just like when you were an infant."

"Thank you, Sir Doge." Deanna smiled back at him, feeling giddy at what he had just said.

Doge poured them goblets of champagne. "I thought of writing to you two," he whispered, "after Dumbledore... the shock... and for you, I am sure..." Doge's tiny eyes filled with sudden tears.

"I saw the obituary you wrote for the Daily Prophet,'' said Harry. "I didn't realize you knew Professor Dumbledore so well."

"As well as anyone," said Doge, dabbing his eyes with a napkin. "Certainly I knew him longest, if you don't count Aberforth and you, Deanna — and somehow, people never do seem to count Aberforth."

Deanna clenched her jaw at that. Her uncle deserved so much better. "By the way, Sir Doge –"

"Oh, please call me Elphias, my dears."

"Elphias, have you seen the interview with Rita Skeeter?"

Doge's face flooded with angry color. "Oh yes, Deanna, I saw it. That woman, or vulture might be a more accurate term, positively pestered me to talk to her. I am ashamed to say that I became rather rude, called her an interfering trout, which resulted, as you may have seen, in aspersions cast upon my sanity."

"Well, in that interview," Harry went on, "Rita Skeeter hinted that Professor Dumbledore was involved in the Dark Arts when he was young."

"Don't believe a word of it!" said Doge at once. "Not a word, Harry! Let nothing tarnish your memories of Albus Dumbledore!" Deanna glanced at Harry who was avoiding her gaze and Doge continued on, seemingly feeling the same as Deanna that the Boy who Lived was frustrated. "Harry, Rita Skeeter is a dreadful —"

But he was interrupted by a shrill cackle. "Rita Skeeter? Oh, I love her, always read her! She's written a book about Dumbledore, you know!"

They looked up to see Auntie Muriel there. Deanna remembered her from the pictures and stories of the Ignatius and Thaddeus about their dreadful cousin so she decided to keep quiet instead of speaking up, knowing one wrong move could expose her.

"Hello, Muriel," said Doge. "Yes, we were just discussing —"

"You there! Give me your chair, I'm a hundred and seven!" Muriel swung the empty seat around with surprising strength and plopped herself down upon it.

"Hello again, Barry, or whatever your name is," she said to Harry before turning to Deanna. "Who are you?"

"Audrey Hepburn." Deanna blurted out, knowing they did not know the Muggle actress.

Muriel stared at her for a moment before nodding and turning back to Doge. "Now, what were you saying about Rita Skeeter, Elphias? You know she's written a biography of Dumbledore? I can't wait to read it, I must remember to place an order at Flourish and Blotts!"

At their stiffened faces, Auntie Muriel continued speaking. "There's no need to look like a trio of stuffed frogs! Before he became so respected and respectable and all that tosh, there were some mighty funny rumors about Albus!"

"Ill-informed sniping," said Doge, turning radish-colored again.

"You would say that, Elphias," cackled Auntie Muriel. "I noticed how you skated over the sticky patches in that obituary of yours!"

"I'm sorry you think so," said Doge, more coldly still. "I assure you I was writing from the heart."

"Oh, we all know you worshipped Dumbledore; I daresay you'll still think he was a saint even if it does turn out that he did away with his Squib sister or how he fought Grindelwald as if his daughter did not just die!"

"Muriel!" exclaimed Doge. Deanna was about to stand up, but Harry quickly held her down with worry and confusion in his eyes. She was furious. Lies. Who did they think they were to talk about her family like that? Who were they to think they knew the Dumbledores when all they had were speculations and rumors?

"What do you mean?" Harry asked Muriel. "Who said his sister was a Squib? I thought she was ill?"

"Thought wrong, then, didn't you, Barry!" said Muriel, looking delighted at the effect she had produced. "Anyway, how could you expect to know anything about it? It all happened years and years before you were even thought of, my dear, and the truth is that those of us who were alive then never knew what really happened. That's why I can't wait to find out what Skeeter's unearthed! Dumbledore kept that sister of his quiet for a long time!"

"Untrue!" wheezed Doge, glancing at the furious Deanna. "Absolutely untrue!"

"He never told me his sister was a Squib," said Harry, glancing at Deanna who was glaring at the floor.

"And why on earth would he tell you?" screeched Muriel. "He never spoke about his daughter until she returned, did he?"

"The reason Albus never spoke about Ariana or Deanna," began Elphias in a voice stiff with emotion, "is, I should have thought, quite clear. He was so devastated by their deaths —"

"Why did nobody ever see Ariana, Elphias?" squawked Muriel. "Why did half of us never even know she existed, until they carried the coffin out of the house and held a funeral for her? Where was saintly Albus while Ariana was locked in the cellar? Off being brilliant at Hogwarts, and never mind what was going on in his own house!"

Harry, sensing that Deanna's frustration was rising up, held her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. He caught Hermione's eye and tried to send her a message of urgency for her to whisk Deanna away. She understood the message and though she was a little confused, she rejected Krum's offer to dance and went over to them, tapping Deanna. "Hey, could you come with me for a bit?"

Deanna was surprised at the sudden request but she was thankful to get away from the conversation. "Excuse me." She stood up and followed Hermione, letting out a little sigh of relief. She was still angry, but she was glad she didn't have to hear more of that nonsense. She just hoped Harry would not believe everything and ask her about it first.

How could they talk about her aunt's death like that so carelessly? What if they talk badly even about her grandparents and her uncle? She just felt frustrated. All of them in their family... All of them had their scars. Couldn't those people just let them be? Her father had his own mistakes, he admitted them and truly regretted his choices then. But why did they have to bring those up now? Why do they have to dirty his name instead of letting him rest in peace?

They finally arrived outside and Hermione was about to say something when she noticed Deanna's clenched fists, she wondered what they were talking about for Deanna to be riled up like that. With a little hesitation, she took Deanna's hand in hers and rubbed her thumb over the back of Deanna's hand.

Deanna snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Hermione with surprise again before smiling softly. Hermione smiled back at her before her expression turned into one of worry. "Are you alright?"

Suddenly, Deanna took a step towards Hermione and rested her forehead upon the Gryffindor's shoulder. She didn't need anything in the moment but Hermione. Hermione was warmth and comfort and everything. Hermione stiffened for a moment due to shock before she wrapped her arms around Deanna and rubbed her back. "Everything will be, in the end."

"How can you be sure?" Deanna mumbled with an exhausted voice.

"I don't know." Hermione shrugged, the words coming out of her mouth were feeling uncomfortable yet right. "I just feel it."

"I trust you." Deanna said quietly that Hermione thought she imagined it. She moved back slightly and saw Deanna was now staring at her, their faces inches apart once more just like a few hours ago. Deanna seemed to remember they were not together and she quickly pulled away. "We should get back –"

Deanna was about to walk past Hermione when the witch in red grabbed her wrist and hugged her from behind. Deanna's eyes widened at the sudden action and her cheeks were as red as her hair. Hermione smiled softly upon seeing her reaction before she spoke. "I know... I know we have these lines between us and we keep crossing them, but I don't care. I know you feel the same, and that's enough. As long as I have you, I can face that bloody Riddle and the whole world."

Hermione let Deanna go to look straight into her eyes. "So, please. Come back to me. It could take years, but I'd still wait. You're the one I love, Deanna. Only you."

Deanna's tears came into her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. Without even thinking about it, she caressed Hermione's cheek with her right hand and placed a kiss on Hermione's jaw. "In time. In time, we'll find the answers and we'll find our way back to each other."

Soft smiles were sent at each other, their feelings reaffirmed and the lines between them no longer existing. They were fine, they were going to be all right, and they knew they'd be coming back to each other in the end. For now, that was enough for Deanna and Hermione. Hermione would wait no matter how long and Deanna would love Hermione until her last breath.

And hand in hand, the two of them went back into the party when suddenly, something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor. Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers. Then the Patronus's mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, slow voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

Deanna and Hermione looked at each other then, the whole world blurring around them. They may not have wanted it, but it had to be done. Fate was so cruel. Just when they had finally made up, they had to be separated once more. Deanna kissed Hermione's hand, the action enough to express her love and her feelings for Hermione.

"I love you." Hermione whispered out before the two of them were swept in the crowd and separated.

Deanna held those three words in her heart and she looked around while the people were running around her. "Ruby! Fawkes!"

Hagrid popped up from the back, holding Deanna's bag in one hand. "I have your –"

"Throw it!" Deanna yelled back over the screams of the crowd and the cloaked and masked figures around them. Hagrid hesitantly threw it right at her while fending off the Death Eaters and at that moment, Deanna felt a warmth in her, signaling the arrival of her old friend and making her smirk.

As Deanna caught the bag and her red hair turned back into brown, a phoenix came in, surprising everybody there. She met eyes with Hermione who was now with Harry and Ron. Just as Deanna's hand clapped over Fawkes's awaiting tail, she had one last thought.

'I feel the same.'

And Deanna and Fawkes Apparated away from the Burrow, from the Death Eaters, from her friends, from Hermione herself...

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

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