The End

Hey everyone,

First of all: thank you so much for the reviews... Needed to get that of my chest, it really means a lot!

Secondly, well, I've been swamped with questions about how I should write a proper ending, and not just let everyone be philosophical about it...

I read the reviews forthe fic and allow me to just say this:the title, 'The End', has a specific meaning... as innobody knows what the End will be… (ok, I'm annoying, I know, but just think about it…)

I had every intention to leave the fic at that. Not only do I feel totally inept to decide whether or not Harry should survive, I love the philosophy things...

Did you all notice most reviewers just assume Harry dies? What does that say about us? That we have given up on optimism and that we are living in a world without hope for little miracles? Are we afraid to think positive? Or do we just not dare expressing our deepest hope that love will conquer in the end? That this makes us vulnerable thinking that, let alone speaking up like that? In a world where politics rule and despite our democracy, survival of the fittest (richest) is still a fact, have we not only lost faith in some or the other God, but also lost faith in ourselves?

Ok, again, I'm on a philosophical rampage, sorry… But it's just that this loss in innocence, just not leaving the possibility open that something good could happen… has that become being 'realistic'? Isn't that sad?

Unfortunately I'm prey of this way of thinking too. I won't hide it: a part of me didn't want to write an ending just because I don't like being thought of as naïve… But, to put to rest any more angsty feelings, I decided to let you know what I think should happen:

So it ends with them kissing in Harry's soul'-projection-thing where Hermione was able to penetrate. He believes it is goodbye, but Hermione, as stubborn as she is, convinces him it's worth fighting it. She acknowledges he deserves peace, but implores him to stall that inevitable moment just a while longer.

Logic and emotion are on the same side here, and Hermione gets her dearest wish.

They don't live happily ever after, but they do overcome all obstacles in life, together. Many complications, heartbreak, overall difficult times await them, but they always manage to not lose each other in the middle of the storm called life, and work it out together.

At one point in life one will have to go earlier than the other, leaving the one behind alone, carrying the memory of their love. When the time is right the other of the two will find peace at last too, and their love will be remembered by the ones they left behind…

Now I could go on, saying they had six daughters and one son, who had all disaster-hair, wore glasses, were smart, and good at Quidditch, and then they each married one of the Weasley grandchildren, and the powerfulPotter-Weasley clan ruled over a justwizarding world!

But this is a bit mocking the concept ;-p

Anyway, this is notTHE ending for the fic, just my thoughts on how I would like it to end. And since I'm the author, it would've been the real end, wereI not positively happy to be a pain in the a**!

This may seem strange, or maybe a crazy author-whim, but the story with its three chapters was finished, and even if I want it to end this way or that, it doesn't mean anything for the real story.

Hope you can appreciate the complex beauty of simple things like an open ending...