June 1978
After a day of exploring the village of Hogsmeade separately, the Marauders now sat around the fire in the common room with their girlfriends. Peter offered to take a picture to commemorate the day.
"Will you guys sit still?" Peter asked for the fifth time. "I know you guys are happy about being able to shag on a regular basis now, but this is ridiculous!"
While Peter tried to take one shot of the group together, the fact that none of them could keep their hands off each other was proving to be difficult.
"Shut up Wormtail! We were never scared of getting caught shagging," Sirius said.
Lily and Emma flushed and looked away. "Um," Lily said a moment later, "speak for yourself."
"Better yet babe, don't speak at all," Margaret said kissing Sirius' cheek. After over two months of wondering where her and Sirius' state of limbo was going to go, Sirius finally asked her out on Valentine's Day.
"Can we please take this picture before Wormtail hexes us?" James asked.
"I agree," Remus said.
Emma smiled slyly and the moment Peter shouted, "say quidditch!" she grabbed Remus' head and began to snog him.
"Ew! Gross! Spare us please," Margaret cried. Sirius began to fake cry, boogies and everything.
"You two are perfect for each other," Emma said fondly. "Stupid and immature."
"I'm not taking another picture! This is dung! I've been standing here for half an hour and you guys never stop! It's gross and not at all flattering to see you suck each other's face off!" Peter exclaimed huffing up the stairs to the boy dorm.
"What's eating him?" Remus asked.
"Don't know, don't care," Sirius and James said at the same time.
The three exchanged looks before turning their attentions back to their girlfriends. Hogwarts was almost over for them and each had no idea where life was going to take them. The only thing they were sure of was of the message now being written on the jacket they gave to their girlfriend:
We solemnly swear we are in love.
20 Years Later…
Of course McGonagall knew who was responsible for the mural. She just chose not to do anything about it. It gave the people hope and it wasn't a bad piece of art, if she said so herself. But now the year was ending and all the seventh years were leaving, to return no more. Hope is all they had.
Once again, Harry and Hermione found themselves walking around the lake during twilight. Hand in hand, they stopped in front of Dumbledore's coffin. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and pulled him down to a sitting position.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
Harry shook his head. "There are too many thoughts for me to ever pick one."
"Try," she encouraged him.
He removed his hand from her grasp and trailed it along the side of the coffin. "I'm terrified," he admitted. "What if I fail? What happens to everyone then?"
"You won't fail," Hermione assured him.
She took his hand and placed it over her heart. She placed her other hand on his heart. "You have something he doesn't have: a heart. You're able to love, Harry, and I'm really glad that I'm one of those people you've let into your heart."
Harry closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them. "But-."
"No but," Hermione told him. "Maybe no one can see past this title they gave you, but I can. You're meant to defeat him and when you do, you're going to live a long, fruitful life. Maybe with Ginny," she teased, dropping her hand from his heart.
Harry put his hand down and laughed. "Maybe not with Ginny," he said. "I don't know." He stared off into the chasm. "Thank you," he said a moment later.
"For what?"
"For always saying the right thing."
"I don't know about that," Hermione laughed. "I was chock full of bad advice last year."
Harry looked at her and laughed. "Yeah, but I forgive you."
"Oh, I'm so glad," she deadpanned.
Harry laughed and she joined him a moment later.
"So," he said.
"So?"
They sat in silence for a while.
"How about Romilda Vane?" Harry asked a moment later.
Hermione looked at him. "For what?"
Harry grinned wickedly. "To have that fruitful life with?"
Hermione laughed and pushed him. "Shut up. I hate when you use what I say against me. As for your choice? I hope you get a great job because all the money in your accounts will be gone before the honeymoon is over."
Harry winced. "Ouch, you're right. Cho Chang?"
"Basket case," Hermione said automatically. She flushed and slapped her hand over her mouth and stared at Harry with wide eyes. "Oh, Harry, I didn't mean to say that."
But Harry was too busy laughing to respond.
"Stop it," Hermione commanded. "Stop it right now."
Harry stopped laughing and turned pensive. "How about you?"
"I'd like to see you get rid of me," Hermione teased.
"Never," Harry vowed.
And he kept that promise.
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