•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

The group started on the way to the cottage, Ron was supporting Deanna and the unconscious Griphook while Harry was carrying Hermione. Suddenly, Bill, Fleur, Dean, Luna and another person ran out, making them stop in their tracks. Deanna could feel Ron shaking beside her at the sight of that person... It was someone they had not seen for a long time.

"Elly." Ron whispered out as he and Eleanor Edmonton stared at each other, their eyes expressing the emotions they could not say.

"Go to her, Ron." Deanna whispered to him before stepping away from him with a smile. "Go."

With those words of encouragement, Ron immediately ran towards Eleanor whose eyes widened in surprise when the Weasley held her tightly in his arms, tears filling his eyes for he was finally with her once more. It was like the weight of the world was finally lifted from his shoulders. Eleanor was finally with him, and he had no plans of letting her go anymore.

Eleanor stayed still for a few moments, feeling mixed emotions at that moment. Shocked to finally see them after so long, happy to finally be reunited with them and of course, still truly deeply madly in love with Ron Weasley. She hugged him back just as tight after recovering from her shock and buried her face in his neck. No words were needed in that moment for their longing and love were delivered to each other through that hug.

The others only watched with grins, happy that the two were together again after a long while. Bill went to Deanna's side and supported her while Dean went to Griphook and carried him.

"Come on." Bill said to them with a grin. "Let's leave the lovebirds there."

They agreed right away and went into the cottage. Bill and Harry set Deanna and Hermione down on the couch side by side as Fleur and Luna started tending to their wounds.

"Here, Deanna." Luna gave her a wet towel to wipe herself with before she poured the Dittany on Deanna that made the Hufflepuff yelp a little at the sting. "It hurts now, but it'll get better. Don't worry."

"Thanks, Luna." Deanna smiled gratefully before glancing at Hermione whose wounds were being healed by Fleur. The scar on her arm though couldn't be healed anymore. The blood was gone, but the words remained.

"We'll bring her to a room to let her rest." Fleur said to Deanna. "You should also rest, Deanna, you have gone through a lot today."

Deanna was about to agree when she suddenly remembered Grindelwald's death. How could she forget about him? She masked the sad look on her face with a smile and nodded. "I will, in a bit. I just need some fresh air. Thank you, Fleur, Luna."

The Hufflepuff stood up and left the cottage, seeing that Ron and Eleanor were sitting near the shore holding each other tight. With a grin, she made her way to the back of the house, smiling when she saw some rocks there. Deanna's head ached for a bit, and she saw Voldemort yelling and getting furious at the Death Eaters. She pushed him away again, not having the energy to deal with him.

Despite her aching body, Deanna started carrying the rocks to an empty space in the garden. She carried and moved as though nothing was disturbing her at all, but that wasn't the case. Her entire body was aching and her heart was in pain. However, she did not care. Gellert Grindelwald was a man who proved change could happen to anyone. And Christian... She could only hope he was alright.

So, Deanna made the traditional grave in the Wizarding World. This was how they paid respects to the dead back in her day. She got down on her knees and made a low bow.

'Sir Gellert. I hope you are in a good place now and that the deities have seen the goodness in your heart. Rest well and be happy with my father up there. I am glad that you are finally at peace.'

Deanna smiled tearily and wiped away her tears before clearing her throat and standing up. "Rest well, Sir."

Not noticing how quickly time passed and that night fell, Deanna finally decided to come back. The Dumbledore look one last glance at his grave before she went back into the house and directly to the room where Hermione was resting. Her eyes softened at the peaceful look on Hermione's face. It almost let her forget about the terror-stricken expression Hermione had a while ago, but Deanna knew that she would never forget that painful memory. Not as long as she lived.

After washing herself and changing into the clothes Fleur prepared for her, Deanna sat down on a chair beside Hermione's bed and held on to Hermione's hand, caressing the back of it with her thumb and smiling softly. "You are so brave and strong, Hermione Granger. The scars and pain are only proofs of that. And I love that about you. But please, take care of yourself too. I can't handle it if something happens to you."

And with that, Deanna lay her head beside Hermione's hand, finally drifting off to sleep after a long day. She did not see how Hermione opened her eyes after hearing Deanna's words. Love. Her heart started beating faster because of the word love coming from Deanna's lips.

Hermione turned to face the sleeping Deanna and smiled softly. Somehow, everything she had to go through today was all worth it because she could finally have Deanna in her arms. Deanna was worth every risk and all the pain, and so, Hermione would continue being brave and strong whether it is about their relationship or this war they were facing. That's how much she loved Deanna Dumbledore.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"CRUCIO!"

Screams. Hermione's pained face. Then, there was Bellatrix grinning as she suddenly held a knife to Hermione's neck.

"Here's a gift for you, Dumbledore."

And Deanna's eyes widened as she tried to move towards them, but she was chained and she could not move at all. No, not Hermione. Not again.

"I love you." Hermione mouthed to Deanna with a smile on her face.

Bellatrix moved to slash Hermione's throat with the knife, making Deanna's eyes widen as she yelled and helplessly tried to reach for Hermione. "NO!"

"DEANNA!"

Deanna sat up, panting and seeing the worried Hermione right in front of her. Hermione woke up to cries and gasps, seeing Deanna crying in her sleep. She was about to wake her up when she heard her name coming from Deanna's lips. Then, she saw Deanna shaking and crying as if something bad was happening. Hermione decided to wake her up after that.

"Mione." Deanna whispered out, looking at Hermione's entire body to check if she was alright, if this was reality and not a dream. When Hermione raised her hand to wipe away Deanna's tears, the Hufflepuff finally realized that Hermione was there in front of her and all fine so she hugged her immediately. Hermione's eyes widened at her sudden actions, but she realized immediately that Deanna might have had a bad dream about her after what happened.

"Deanna. I'm fine, love. Don't worry." Hermione reassured her right away, rubbing Deanna's back while just letting the girl hug her. She could only smile sadly, knowing how Deanna felt. She felt that way when Deanna almost died two years ago at the Department of Mysteries. She couldn't sleep at all, the image of Deanna's bloody body consuming her mind.

And she too herself was afraid after what happened with Bellatrix, but the words Deanna said last night had given her the courage and strength to go on. So, now it was her turn to give Deanna the comfort she needed. She knew how Deanna felt and hugged her just as tight to reassure her. She wasn't going anywhere.

"Are you okay now?" Hermione asked softly once Deanna calmed down.

The Dumbledore cleared her throat and wiped away her tears before smiling at her. "Y-Yeah. Thank you, Mione. My apologies for that."

"You don't have to apologize, Deanna." Hermione squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'm fine now, and I'm not leaving, alright?"

Deanna could only nod and lean her forehead on Hermione's shoulder, closing her eyes and basking in Hermione's warmth and scent. She trusted Hermione. She would never leave Deanna, and that caused Deanna's heart to hurt a little. She was going to leave Hermione one day, and their time was ticking. But for now, she just wanted to hold Hermione in her arms and reassure her of her love.

Words weren't enough to express Deanna's emotions, but this hug they had, this moment between them could capture the beauty of their love.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"Hey, El." Deanna sat down beside Eleanor who had finally got a moment away from Ron since she had been reunited with her now boyfriend. She didn't complain though. Every moment she spent with Ron was a moment well spent.

"Dee, hi." Eleanor smiled softly at her. "Harry, Ron and Hermione are upstairs, talking to Griphook and Ollivander. Aren't you going with them?"

Deanna shook her head. She already talked with Harry a while ago about their plans. He was going to ask Griphook about trying to break into the Lestranges' vault which Bellatrix seemed to treasure so much and Ollivander about the Elder Wand. Deanna already told them she would be talking to them soon, wanting to catch up with Eleanor for a while.

So, the two badgers finally had a long-deserved talk, laughing and chatting with each other just like the old days. They talked about the hard times and the good times and just took comfort in each other's presence. They also missed the other half of their group, and Deanna wondered if Noah, Pansy, Daphne, Blaise and Theo were alright at Hogwarts. She wondered too if Jemina did continue with her plans to go to Hogwarts.

"But I'm glad you and Ron are finally together." Deanna grinned teasingly at the blushing Eleanor. "It took so long, but the wait was all worth it."

"I know." Eleanor answered in a soft voice, a smile coming onto her face right away as she remembered how Ron bared his heart out when they were left alone last night. It seemed so surreal, it was everything she dreamed of... But it was perfect. It was her and Ron now, together. And Eleanor never felt this happy before, even in the midst of a war.

"I'm just happy for both of you." Deanna said in a gentle voice before she stood up, feeling her head ache all of a sudden. "Now, if you'll excuse me, El."

"Go on, Dee."

Deanna stood up and went to the restroom immediately, falling down on her knees and controlling her gasps as she saw Voldemort. He was flying towards... Hogwarts? What the f... feather? He met Snape at the entrance and told him he'll be coming to the castle soon before he cast upon himself a Disillusionment Charm. Then, Voldemort started walking around the lake, reminiscing of his memories in this castle. Suddenly, there it was beside the lake. A familiar white marble tomb that made Deanna's heart ache. What? Her father's grave?

It opened all of a sudden and revealed the thin and tall figure of Albus Dumbledore, the spectacles still on his crooked nose and his hands folded upon his chest. And Deanna's eyes widened when she noticed the stick that was clutched in his hands. One that made Voldemort's red eyes glow in victory. Her father had the Elder Wand all along?

And Voldemort smiled in glee, his spiderlike hand pulling the wand from Dumbledore's grasp. As he took it, a shower of sparks flew from its tip, sparkling over the corpse of its last owner, ready to serve a new master at last.

Deanna was back in the bathroom, gasping and panting after what she had seen. Without another thought, she ran upstairs to Ollivander's room and slammed the door open, ignoring their surprised faces. "He's got the wand."

"Yeah." Harry nodded gravely. It was silent for a few moments because they all knew it was going to get harder from this moment onwards. He was already powerful, but the Elder Wand was now in his hands...

"Dear me, Deanna Dumbledore. It's been a long time." Garrick Ollivander smiled softly at the Hufflepuff whose eyes softened when she saw the wandmaker.

Sensing that the two needed to talk, Hermione immediately cleared her throat and started pulling the two boys with her. "We'll be in our room, Deanna."

Deanna sent a grateful smile at her and once they were out of the room, Deanna turned back to Ollivander with a grin. "It's been a long time indeed, Sir."

"Come, sit." Ollivander patted the space on his bed, and Deanna made her way to sit down. "How is your wand, young lady?"

Deanna took it out from her wand holster and handed it to Ollivander. "It has been working perfectly, Sir. Thankfully, I finally reached the age of 17 so I can use it without restrictions."

The old man laughed at that. "Indeed, Miss Dumbledore. You should be around... 69 years old now, shouldn't you? But fate had different plans. However, there is no use dwelling in the past. What's important is that you are safe and well."

"Thank you, Sir." Deanna smiled at him. "I hope you too stay safe and well, Sir Garrick."

Ollivander nodded with a smile before examining Deanna's wand in his hands. "Elder wand, 12 ¼ inches, swishy and phoenix feather. Do you remember what I told you about your wand?"

"You told me to treat it carefully, Sir, since it is trickier to master." Deanna recounted from their first meeting after how many years.

"That is right." Ollivander spoke in a solemn tone. "This wand is loyal to you indeed. You have treated it well and have prospered in power. As I have said, you are destined for a great path. Great, yes, but tragic... I may not understand the details, but I know that. So, I wish you well, Deanna, and hope for a better end for you."

Deanna let his words wash over her before letting herself smile. A great yet tragic path awaited her, and she was still hoping for a better end too. "Thank you, Sir. You must have gone through a lot as well. I'll let you rest now."

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

After catching each other up on the information they had and their plans, a new day came for the group. They were all shaken up by the fact that Voldemort had the Elder Wand now, but there was no use in dwelling over what already happened. As much as Deanna too wanted to communicate with Voldemort and rage at him for what he had done, she couldn't risk the safety of everyone in the Shell Cottage.

Now, they needed a plan, and just as they were about to make one, Harry was suddenly called by Griphook so they decided to hold it off and talk about it later. At the moment, Harry and Ron were talking with Griphook while Deanna and Hermione were in bed, just holding each other while talking about random things.

"If I turned into an actual phoenix, what would you do?" Deanna asked all of a sudden while Hermione was caressing her hair.

Hermione couldn't help but giggle at the random question, making Deanna smile at the sound. "Well... I would probably turn into one as well so that I can still be with you."

Deanna grinned and intertwined their fingers at her answer. "Did you know that during the old days, people would be wary and careful of fires because they thought that phoenixes may arise from them. The phoenix is a sacred animal, and they are very loyal so some would try to make the phoenixes their pets for their own benefit. The rouges. Phoenixes are our friends, not pets."

"That's horrible." Hermione let out a sigh before smiling at Deanna and her passion of phoenixes. "Luckily, Fawkes has someone like you who truly cares for him."

"He's a great friend who deserves only love and care." Deanna answered in a soft manner before grinning at Hermione. "How about you, Mione? Tell me something, anything."

"Hmm." Hermione hummed in thought before her eyes softened as she looked down at her scarred arm. "I used to hate this word. Mudblood. It made me feel filthy and dirty before, and it made me so insecure to the point that even thinking of it disgusted me."

Deanna's eyes softened and she sat up properly, holding Hermione's hands in hers. The Muggleborn smiled gratefully at her before continuing. "But after what happened with... Bellatrix, I realized I was so lucky that I am still alive. Being a Muggleborn, a Mudblood, is not something I should be ashamed of. I am proud to call myself that because we have been oppressed and discriminated all these years, and I am the proof that we are just as strong as purebloods and that we too can make an impact. It may seem complicated and strange, but I'm just happy I've finally come to terms with this insecurity of mine. It may have been scary and intense, but I don't regret what happened. Not at all."

The badger smiled softly when Hermione stopped before she brought Hermione's hands to her lips and gave a kiss on each hand. She then looked into Hermione's eyes, both of their hearts beating wildly at the proximity and the emotions they could feel. "You are an amazing woman, Hermione Granger, and all Muggleborns will look up to you who stood in the face of danger and persisted. Godric Gryffindor is probably bragging and crying up there in pride for having a witch like you in his house."

Hermione blushed at her comments, but they also made her feel giddy for Deanna's words just strengthened this new realization she had. She wrapped her arms around Deanna's neck, making the Dumbledore's eyes widen. She was panicking inside as Hermione's face came closer to hers. Just one move would make their lips touch. Hermione smirked at Deanna's reaction before looking into those calming eyes as blue as the sea.

"Did I ever mention how much I love looking into your eyes?" Hermione whispered in a tone full of admiration. "They're like the sea. Blue and calming. Deep and reassuring me that I can rest. Deanna Dumbledore, you are a fiery phoenix, but you are also my rest. You calm and heal me."

Deanna's heart sped up once more at her words, and she had a sudden urge then to just make the move and kiss Hermione. To let her know that as long as she could, she would be Hermione's rest and that Hermione healed her just as much. And as Deanna let her emotions take over and her lips brushed against Hermione's...

"We've got – "

The sudden opening of the door and Harry's voice made Deanna and Hermione jump away from each other as Ron shook his head at his friend and Harry looked a little confused. The two girls couldn't help but feel annoyed. Harry really had the best timing.

"Did I interrupt something?" Harry asked with an awkward smile.

"What do you think?" Ron snorted beside him.

"No. Not at all." Deanna answered right away though her annoyance was evident in her tone. That made Hermione grin before she rested her chin on Deanna's shoulder, making the latter smile before they let Harry and Ron in and continued with talking about their plans and what happened with Griphook.

Maybe next time, they could have that kiss they sorely missed.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"Hey, Dean, Luna." Deanna waved to them as she walked past and went to the kitchen to get some pumpkin juice for her, Hermione, Harry and Ron. They had been planning their journey to Gringotts for the past few weeks, making sure to meticulously check every step of the plan and the dangers that they needed to address. Breaking into Gringotts with a Polyjuice Potion was very risky.

Griphook and his attitude didn't help either. He was inconveniencing everyone, but because of their mission, they were trying everything to keep him pleased so that they wouldn't have any hitches with their plans. He was going to have the Sword of Gryffindor afterwards which was going to be another problem they had, but they needed to keep him happy in order for no problems to arise.

"Hi, Deanna." Luna greeted her briefly before she continued speaking to Dean who looked a little exasperated at Luna's story about the Crumple-Horned Snorkack.

"Hey, Deanna." Dean waved back to her and mouthed, asking for help. That made Deanna only smiled at him, mouthing to him a good luck. Ollivander and Bill left a few moments ago so that the wandmaker could stay with the Weasleys. He needed to recover in a safe place so he bid goodbye to the residents of Shell Cottage.

"Let me take that for you, Dee." Eleanor took the plastic cups from her, earning her a thanks from Deanna who poured juice for everyone before they continued eating their dinner. Fleur kept on glancing at the window though, waiting for Bill to arrive. She understood. You would be worried even if it was a matter of only a few minutes.

Bill returned before they had finished their first course, his long hair tangled by the wind. "Everything's fine," he told Fleur. "Ollivander settled in, Mum and Dad say hello. Ginny sends you all her love, Fred and George are driving Muriel up the wall, they're still operating an Owl-Order business out of her back room. It cheered her up to have her tiara back, though. She said she thought we'd stolen it."

"Ah, she eez charmant, your aunt," said Fleur crossly, waving her wand and causing the dirty plates to rise and form a stack in midair. She caught them and marched out of the room.

"Daddy's made a tiara," piped up Luna, "Well, more of a crown, really. Yes, he's trying to re-create the lost diadem of Ravenclaw. He thinks he's identified most of the main elements now. Adding the billywig wings really made a difference –"

There was a bang on the front door, making everyone's heads turn towards it.

Fleur came running out of the kitchen, looking frightened; Bill jumped to his feet, his wand pointing at the door; Deanna, Harry, Ron, and Hermione did the same. Silently Griphook slipped beneath the table, out of sight.

"Who is it?" Bill called.

"It is I, Remus John Lupin-Black!" called a voice over the howling wind. "I am a werewolf, married to Sirius Lupin-Black, and you, the Secret-Keeper of Shell Cottage, told me the address and bade me come in an emergency!"

"Lupin," muttered Bill, and he ran to the door and wrenched it open.

Lupin fell over the threshold, wrapped in a traveling cloak. He straightened up, looked around the room, making sure of who was there, then cried aloud, "It's a boy! We've named him Ted, after Tonks's father!"

Hermione shrieked. "Wha –? Tonks –Tonks has had the baby?"

"Yes, yes, she's had the baby!" shouted Lupin. All around the table came cries of delight, sighs of relief. Finally, Remus and Sirius had their baby with Tonks as the surrogate mother. They finally had the family they both longed for so long, and Edward "Teddy" Remus Lupin was lucky to have the most loving fathers anyone could ever have.

Hermione, Eleanor and Fleur squealed, "Congratulations!"

Ron said, "Blimey, a baby!" as if he had never heard of such a thing before.

"Yes – yes – a boy," said Lupin again, who seemed dazed by his own happiness. He strode around the table and hugged Harry and Deanna. "You two will be godfather and godmother?"

"M-me?" stammered Harry.

"Are you serious?" Deanna asked in surprise.

"No, that's my husband." Remus smirked after his joke that made Harry roll his eyes and Deanna snort. "But yes, you two, of course. Sirius agreed immediately and said there was no one else who could be their godparents. He couldn't come by the way. Daddy duties. So..."

"I – yeah – blimey –" Harry stuttered over his words, feeling overwhelmed with the sudden offer.

"We'd love to, Remus. Thank you." Deanna smiled gratefully at the man who beamed at them as Fleur persuaded him to join them for a drink while Bill hurried to fetch wine.

"I can't stay long, I must get back," said Lupin, beaming around at them all. "Thank you, thank you, Bill."

Bill had soon filled all of their goblets, they stood and raised them high in a toast.

"To Teddy Remus Lupin," said Lupin, "a great wizard in the making!"

"'Oo does 'e look like?" Fleur inquired.

"Sirius think he looks like me, and I agree, but I swear he's going to be just like Siri. Not much hair. It looked black when he was born, but I swear it's turned ginger in the hour since. Probably blond by the time I get back. Andromeda says Tonks's hair started changing color the day that she was born." Remus drained his goblet then Bill made to fill it again. "Oh, go on then, just one more."

Deanna drank from her own, meeting eyes with Hermione who was across the room with Ron and Eleanor. The two of them smiled at each other, happy for Remus and Sirius. And perhaps, they just hoped with their hearts that they too could have what they had one day. Deanna knew the chances were low, but nothing stopped her from hoping.

The Dumbledore caught sight of Griphook going back to his bedroom and shook her head, knowing there was no use talking to him. But despite everything, Deanna was just happy with the news. It was like a breath of fresh air for them who did not have a moment to catch their breaths. And she was a godmother! She couldn't wait to see her little godson.

"No... no... I really must get back," said Lupin at last, declining yet another goblet of wine. He got to his feet and pulled his traveling cloak back around himself. "Good-bye, good-bye – I'll try and bring some pictures in a few day's time – they'll all be so glad to know that I've seen you –" He fastened his cloak and made his farewells, exchanging hugs and handshakes, then, still beaming, returned into the wild night.

"Godparents, Deanna, Harry!" said Bill as the three of them walked into the kitchen together, helping clear the table. "A real honor! Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Bill." Deanna said with a smile before she exited and bid them good night, going up to her shared room with Hermione. As soon as she entered, she was surprised when someone suddenly held her hand but relaxed when she saw it was Hermione.

"Godmother, huh?" Hermione said teasingly, earning a pout from Deanna.

"Hey, I'm mature enough." Deanna defended herself with a raised eyebrow.

The Gryffindor chuckled before she wrapped her arms around Deanna's waist. "I didn't say anything..." Then, she smiled softly at Deanna. "Are you open to being a mother sometime in the future? Perhaps, with me?"

Deanna grinned back immediately, pushing away the looming thoughts of her fate. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Hermione on the forehead before hugging the Granger tightly. Everything was uncertain. The war, the Wizarding World, the Death Eaters, Voldemort and their relationship. Even Deanna's end was uncertain. However... they were sure of that one thing. What they wanted to have in the future... A family and each other.

"There's nothing else I would want, Mione." 

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•