Epilogue

Black Island, Summer of 1997

"Harry!" a warm voice called.

Only a second later, Harry was swept up in a bear hug and laughter filled his ears.

"Merlin, look at you. You've gone fully native since I saw you last! You're incredibly tanned!"

Harry grinned at his sneak-attacker. "Cedric! Great that you could make it! Did you get the whole three weeks?"

"Sure did. If Lord Potter requests my services, Gringotts obliges."

"Fantastic!"

The two young men thumped each other's backs and separated again.

"Now who did you bring?" Harry asked, finally acknowledging the stately blonde by Cedric's side. "No way, would you look at that. Is that really you, Miss Delacour? You must be at least twice as pretty now than you were three years ago. Enchanté." He bowed over her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips.

"Eet eez a pleasure to meet again, Lord Potter," Fleur said and curtsied prettily. She was already dressed for the warm climate and stood barefoot on the beach where the international portkey had dropped them, burrowing her dainty toes in the wet sand. "Cedric asked me to be ze plus one to your coming-of-age party and Gringotts was kind enoof to grant me leave for ze occasion."

"Sirius calls it the Ultimate Birthday Bash ," Harry grinned. "You'll both love it. He's invited all my friends and bonded with a dozen new house elves just so everything would be perfect. He's silly like that but I kind of love him to pieces and just let him do whatever he likes." He shrugged in an easy what-can-you-do gesture that Cedric promptly answered with his own. After his victory in the Triwizard Tournament, Cedric's father couldn't be prouder if he tried … and he had tried.

Fleur fell into step beside Harry, Cedric on his other side. "I still can't beleeve zat you left Britain after ze tournament. Just like zat!" She snapped her fingers. "My muzzer collected all ze newspaper articles about ze uproar in Europe." She shook her beautiful head admiringly. "Ze mystery is still killing us. No news to be 'ad for three years now, except what ze World Court was giving out! Zat must be a record."

"It actually is. The amount of magic involved is frankly obscene." Cedric slung an arm around Harry's shoulder and laughed. "I'm still mad that you left me alone to deal with the vultures."

"I made up for it in spades," Harry retorted. " Curse Breaker Diggory ."

"No, nope, not even your money and connections can erase the trauma Dumblefuck and the Ministry put me through," Cedric snorted. "I was questioned like a criminal for hours ! I have a criminal record ! For losing you!"

"They still haven't destroyed it?" Harry asked incredulously. "I could swear I laid into Shacklebolt the last time I wrote him. Heck, Gringotts offered to start a minor rebellion to finally see it done. They insist they owe me for their late participation in ending Voldemort but I believe that they just want to have some fun."

"Try again after the next election. My dad has decided to run for office," Cedric said dryly. "Good thing I'm stationed in Egypt now or he'd parade me around like a prize stallion wherever we go."

"Right, you're working under Bill Weasley now," Harry said. "How is he? Still in love with the desert?"

"Yep, but also interested in Fleur," Cedric sighed, aggrieved. "Who can blame him, though? Thankfully there's a beautiful new ex-hit witch on the team and she seems to really like him. Takes his protection all seriously and shit."

They left the wet part of the beach and wandered inland, towards a dozen exotic-looking bungalows on wooden feet with straw roofs. At least as many people were milling about, some pale like one would expect from British folks, but others were dark-skinned with black hair and blinding smiles. They all raised their hands in greeting.

"Milord, this eez beautiful!" Fleur gasped, taking in the vibrant colours and plentiful flowers adorning the huts.

"Wait until night falls, then we'll have torches and fairy lights. Sirius and our kitchen staff are already busy preparing the food. Also, there'll be rum. The Blacks were big on making their own and left a huge stash on the island. You should ask Cedric about that sometime, he's working diligently on making a dent in it."

"Oi, don't you go telling her all my secrets, milord ," Cedric cried in mock outrage.

"What's worse, my Uncle Remus has taken up the business and established us as the local brand," Harry smirked. "That dent will never be made."

"May I ask 'oo all theze people are?" Fleur asked, still looking around in awe. "Iz zere a village close by?"

"Well, the white-ish guys and gals are from Europe, mostly, and only here for the festivities. Some Americans will join us later, and the rest do live around here, yes. Black Island is private though." Harry waved back. "Some families from the main island renewed their vassal bond with Sirius when he returned after my third year at Hogwarts. They work for him whenever he needs a hand, but most of the time we all just hang out and have fun. Everyone knows that I've corresponded with the Salem Academy for Applied Magics, but I've actually also visited the school on the main island for my practical studies. It was great, the teachers had a lot of individual time for everyone."

"Sounds almost too good to be true," Fleur murmured, intrigued.

"It seemed like it for a while, yes," Harry agreed easily. "But it really was that great. The people here are lovely, no two ways about it. I've never encountered anyone more kind, or giving. They brought us food when we first arrived and introduced us to their doctor to take care of our issues, but they also invited us to their holiday festivities and made sure that we didn't feel like outcasts, despite not knowing us very well. They claimed us as friends when we didn't even know which side was up and asked for nothing in return. They wouldn't even accept payment for the food they brought us."

Cedric took Fleur's hand and nodded. "I know the whole bunch; they're great people. Different from what we're used to because they don't stand very much on ceremony, or put stock in having high-paying jobs or having a high status in society. They just want to live good lives with their families and friends and do whatever magic guides them to do." He waggled his eyebrows at Harry. "Can't say I don't see the appeal. It's a good thing I have your offer of a retirement cabin on the island in writing, milord because I'm rather sure I'll accept it."

Harry laughed. "One of these days you'll tire of needling me with all that milord crap, Ced."

"You wish."

"I most sincerely do, you tosser." Harry stopped in front of the scarlet red hut with the white window frames and sea-blue shutters. To Fleur, he said, "This is Cedric's cabin. His assigned house elf is named Raeni, she's a real gem. If you need anything, just call for her and she'll see to your needs."

Fleur leaned a little into Cedric's side and nodded. "Thank you, milord."

Harry smiled at the pretty picture they made. "Call me Harry, please. After all this time, I should hope that we can be friends."

Her smile was soft and genuine. "I'd love zat, Harry. Of course, you can call me Fleur."

"Alright, then I'll leave you to settle in and refresh yourselves. Come find us when you're ready. We'll be having drinks on our terrace. Raeni will lead you there." Whistling, Harry turned and walked the short way over to the main cabin, the one he shared with Sirius.

Its turquoise walls, white shutters never failed to cheer him up and the pink seashells adorning all the frames and the nearly always open entrance door reminded of long days spent searching those same shells and putting them on the house.

After their secret flight to Black Island, Harry had really needed those quiet, calm days just in his adoptive father's company. The murmuring of the ocean had helped to soothe the agitation of their minds, and the steady sunshine, so different from Britain's often wet greyness, had been vital for a much-needed change of perspective.

Harry thought that he might never wish to leave, were it not for the love of his young life.

"I'm back!" he called through the house. It was far larger on the inside than it appeared on the outside, which was true for all the huts on Black Island.

"I'm in the kitchen!"

"You is not crushing the mint correctly," a house elf scolded. "You is not fit for kitchen duty!"

Harry chuckled and stepped up behind his fiancée. Almost on their own, his arms wound around her tiny waist and pulled her tightly against his chest. "I told you that Benita would be cross if you try to make your own cocktails, love," he murmured into her wild hair.

"I'll have you know that I'm more than capable of mixing a mojito," she replied with a huff.

"Cedric and Fleur arrived in one piece and will stay the whole three weeks," Harry reported. "They're looking good, like they're in love."

"Really?"

"Really, Mione." Harry pressed a few idle kisses to her neck. "Seems like you were right on the money by setting them up. I can almost feel the bonding magic humming between them. I'd be surprised if they won't make an announcement soon."

She turned in his arms and smiled. "Oh, that's lovely. I really hope that it works out. I'll never forget the disaster that was Cho's visit here; Cedric deserves so much better than a grasping little harpy."

Harry snorted out a laugh. "Merlin, no one will ever forget that. You know, just this morning Sirius swore to me that he still doesn't know how the wards managed to chuck her all the way to Barbados."

"A mystery for the ages, I'm sure," Hermione smirked. She pressed against Harry and wiggled her hips suggestively. "Now that there won't be any more guests arriving for a while, what about your promise of some afternoon delight?"

Grinning, Harry nibbled on her tanned, slightly shimmering shoulder. If it weren't for her tiny bikini top and shorty shorts, he might've forgotten himself then and there, and it was glorious. "I swear that the Caribbean sun is doing unspeakable things to you, love. Not that I'm complaining."

Hermione turned her head so they could kiss. "One can never practice this particular art enough, or so my parents keep telling me."

"The Caribbean sun is doing unspeakable things to them, too," Harry whispered against her lips.

"Enough to get my mum pregnant," Hermione huffed. "At her age, too. Don't spoil the surprise; they want to announce it tomorrow at your party to make Sirius and Remus lose their minds."

Nearly vibrating with laughter at his love's put out reply, Harry winked at Benita and apparated Hermione away, right into their large bed. It was still unmade, just like Hermione had asked of Winky, and ready for yet another round of love-making.

oOo

In the early evening, nearly fifty people came together for drinks and snacks on the terrace. It was hidden behind the bungalows and nestled in the island's wilderness. Torches and fairy lights illuminated the wooden path just as upbeat Caribbean music lured the guests in.

For an hour or so Harry was busy greeting everyone again and making sure that his guests had drinks and nibbles. It was good to spend time talking to his friends, especially those from Hogwarts. Not many had made the cut after his departure from Britain, but those that had stuck with him had become friends for life.

Harry had just finished talking with Neville and Blaise Zabini, as unlikely a pairing as he'd ever seen, when his gaze inevitably returned to Hermione. She was talking to Fleur without a trace of self-consciousness and actually seemed to have a good time in the Veela's company. Harry was glad for it. In his eyes, there wasn't a more beautiful witch in all of creation. It had been Hermione's letters that had first assured him that he still had a friend in the world after his defection from Britain became public knowledge. It was her stubbornness that had forced him to come out of his shell-shock at the cruelty of the British magicals and reply to those letters. Notes from his friends and honorary uncle followed, each meticulously tested for charms and curses, although Sirius' elves would do the same upon the post's arrival. And when he finally was in a good enough place to pay attention to the happenings in Britain again, it was her that had helped devise a plan on how to deal with what was left of Voldemort. Once she'd become involved, things had begun to happen fast .

"Your dad had that same look on his face when he was observing your mum," Sirius said quietly and joined Harry in leaning against the balustrade. Remus settled on Harry's other side, a silent but supportive presence as usual. "I'm glad that something of him survived besides his looks. Once he'd grown up, he was a thoroughly decent bloke and an excellent husband. For him, it was Lily or no one."

"Yeah, it sort of feels like that for me, too," Harry admitted. He just couldn't get enough of Hermione's slender, toned form, her wild long hair, or the intelligence in her beautiful eyes. Two years' worth of holidays in the Caribbean and the opportunity to work with some of the most accomplished wizards and witches in the world had helped her evolve from a somewhat introverted bookworm into the strong, confident woman she was today. "Like she was made for me. I'm so lucky that she thinks the same about me."

"Thinking about putting another ring on her finger already, lad?" Sirius asked. He took a drag from his cigar and blew out a smoke turtle.

Remus cleared his throat and said softly, "You might be disappointed; you know how important her education is to her. Especially after the Weasley debacle of '96."

It was true. Hermione had been over the moon to accept Harry's proposal of marriage during the Easter holidays, but she'd made it clear that she wanted to complete her schooling first. Ron Weasley's utterly hamfisted attempt at luring her into a thoroughly unequal betrothal contract at Christmas had seen to that.

Shrugging, Harry stole the cigar from his adopted father and inhaled. With a cheeky smile, he blew out a smoke shark that set off to chase Sirius' turtle. "I'd never hold her back but she's stubborn. She wants to show all those morons what's what on her own merits. I don't even think it's about Ron anymore. She just despises cronyism."

"Commendable, but ultimately frustrating and unrewarding," Sirius murmured. "Give that back, child, before Gisele sends me to the doghouse again ."

"After tomorrow that excuse won't work anymore," Harry snorted but let Sirius have his cigar back. From the other end of the terrace, a dark-skinned beauty a few years older than Sirius and several pounds heavier than was considered chic in Europe narrowed her eyes at them. "You might as well just admit that you two are kinky as fuck and enjoy it."

Remus snorted out a laugh.

"I could have my eye on someone else," Sirius protested without denying it.

Harry rolled his eyes. "You really should stop assuming that I don't know who's coming and going in our house, pops; the wards answer to me, too. I know that you've been sneaking in Camilo for a while now, and no, I'm not shocked. "

Sirius wiped a hand over his mouth. "Merlin, truly?"

Harry raised his eyebrow at him, making Sirius huff out a self-deprecating laugh.

"I'm sorry. To me, you'll probably always be my little boy. I failed so badly during the first fourteen years of your life, it's just second nature to hide my deviancies from you." Sirius pulled a face.

"Molly Weasley sent another howler, didn't she?" Harry asked, exasperated.

"Several, in fact," Remus confided. "It appears that your magical maturity is making every mother with daughters of marriageable age frantic."

Harry scowled. "They can all go rot for all I care. When will you stop reading that heifer's bullshit, Sirius? We owe her nothing! I wish you'd let me collect on the life debt Ginny owes me to finally get them to lay off. It's ridiculous how big their hard-on for the Potter fortune is."

"After your birthday you can do with the life-debt what you want," Sirius responded, collected now but still a little subdued. "But please take your time thinking about it. Such a boon might come in handy one day."

"Only if you'll finally adjust the bloody mail ward," Harry countered. After a pause, he conceded, "As soon as the hangover's dealt with."

"You drive a hard bargain, kid, but alright." Sirius leaned against Harry and together they spent a few minutes just watching their guests enjoy themselves.

oOo

Harry's birthday started with an exceptionally creative wake-up call from his fiancée and continued with a decadent breakfast among his closest family and friends. Sirius and Gisele were sitting close together, the woman's hand a possessive brand on Harry's father's thigh. On her other side, gentle, beautiful Camilo was cutting her food and smiling at his lovers like the sun would never set on them. It was so sweet that Harry felt his own desire for having Hermione with him for all their days like a living, breathing thing.

"Since you won't be opening gifts tonight, here's ours," Blaise Zabini said once the first hunger had been appeased and handed over a long, cylindrical present. It was wrapped in bright green paper and adorned with a bow that continually changed colours.

Smiling at him and Neville, Harry opened it and removed a sheet of parchment. "A partnership certificate … for your new business? It's been launched? Why didn't you tell me? That's huge news, congratulations!"

"It was meant to be a surprise." Blaise took a breath. "I dislike mushiness, but your turning seventeen is a good moment for it. It was your correspondence with Neville, and Neville sneaking around to be your eyes and ears this last year, that made me curious enough to get to know him. I never expected to find such a good friend, never mind a partner, but here we are, betrothed and ready to start our own business at just seventeen."

"While we have enough funds to get started, we want you as our partner," Neville continued. "Even if you only invest a knut, it's your involvement we want in our life. With a partnership, you wouldn't have a chance to become a stranger."

"I wouldn't," Harry protested, moved by their sentiment and sly manoeuvering.

"Not intentionally," Blaise replied, "but you and Hermione have great plans for the future and sometimes people lose sight of each other while they're busy. If anything, receiving quarterly statements and attending yearly meetings will keep us connected when it gets hectic."

Harry grinned. "How about I invest a tenth of my basilisk money in your venture? As Ragnok said, one can never have too much land and I'm guessing that you'll want to expand sooner or later. Hell, I might come and do a stint for your snake breeding program, it'd look good on my CV."

"It'd look just as good on our portfolio," Neville smirked. He clasped arms with Harry, his grip warm and secure. "Thank you, it means a lot to us."

"This is from Sirius and me," Remus said and offered a large box.

Harry spent a minute guessing the password - his dad and uncle were still big on setting ridiculous passphrases to their most prized possessions - and when the box finally revealed its contents, all Harry could do was gape.

"The How-To-Book On Creating Security Maps," he whispered and reverently stroked the gold-embossed cover of the manuscript. "That's amazing! Why are you parting with the secret?"

Remus smiled. "We thought that it'd make a great boon for future partners and endeavours… like Neville and Blaise's. Their land will house a large number of rare magical creatures and plants, it's only logical to assume that unsavoury types will try their hand at stealing them. A security map with live tracking will be a game-changer."

"They can be bound to blood or magic?" Harry asked faintly. The possibilities whirling in his mind seemed nearly endless.

Sirius smiled lazily. "Of course, pup. It's up to House Potter to make this treasure available now. Use it wisely, and always leave yourself a backdoor, in case people are being insufferable morons."

"Thank you, thank you both so much," Harry said roughly. "If I ever go commercial, you'll of course earn a share."

"No more than ten percent," Remus said quietly. "It is meant to be a gift ."

"Ten percent," Harry agreed. "For your rugrats, once they start arriving, if not for yourself. Sirius, of course, might need it to feed his paramours."

"He has enough, now," Gisele murmured in her seductive, deep voice, patting both Sirius and Camilo on the thigh.

Harry, Sirius, and Remus smiled a little mistily at each other, but the moment couldn't last long when a dozen people were keen on celebrating.

There were more presents from Cedric, the Weasley twins, who'd also become very good friends and partners during the last year, Susan Bones and her betrothed Hannah Abbott, and of course the house elves. The gifts not from Harry's closest circle of friends would be opened after the big bash so Harry would have enough time to appreciate them fully.

"The last one is from several people, sort of," Cedric said and levitated a medium-sized but heavy package over the table. He tried and failed to grin like a loon. "I can't wait to see your face."

"Now I'm worried," Harry said dryly but plucked at the bow and watched, mesmerized, as the wrapping shawl fell open elegantly. "What is that?"

A slipcase in dark, yet vibrant colours appeared, the slightly metallic sheen reflecting the mild morning light. The title was Collected Works Documenting The Rapid Fall Of Magical Britain After Voldemort's Reign Of Terror (And No, Not Everything Has Got To Do With Harry Potter) . Five books were neatly stacked inside, each one a different colour. The Gringotts logo featured in the lower right corner of the cover.

Baffled, Harry pulled out the first one, which was a silvery blue. " How Voldemort Was Really Defeated, Despite Most Magicals In Great Britain Being Bleeding Morons ?" He stared at the author's name on the cover. " You wrote this, Hermione?"

"Yes, though I had some help from Remus and Professor McGonagall. Someone had to since everyone was so utterly gormless," Hermione defended herself. "I can't stand the fact that Fudge more or less awarded himself an order of Merlin before he 'gracefully stepped down for the next generation'."

"Once the books go public he probably won't get to keep it," Cedric said and smirked.

Harry handed the book off to Susan Bones, who immediately opened it and began to read, Hannah hanging over her shoulder. The next one was titled The Life And Lies Of Albus Dumbledore, Who Was Finally Sentenced To A Thousand Years In Prison For The Greater Good .

"Mione," Harry laughed. "You're terrible."

"I had outside help for that one," Hermione said smugly. "Remember Rita Skeeter?"

"The beetle animagus," Harry recalled. She had given Hermione not a little grief once her involvement with some of the brightest minds in the world had become known. In Britain, nearly no one had believed that a fifteen year old girl could be smart enough to keep up with those masters, and people's reaction had been vicious at times. "What did you do?"

"I never reported her," Hermione told him with a smug little smirk. "I knew that having something on her would come in handy one day, and it did. I set her on Dumbledore and she more than delivered. I forced her to co-write the book without her ridiculous quick quotes quill and will even let her have a small percentage of the royalties. She did good work, after all."

"May I 'ave it, 'Arry?" Fleur asked. "Dumblydore's trial transcripts will be sealed for a decade and I cannot wait zat long. My muzzer will be thrilled!"

"Be my guest," Harry said and let the book float over the table with a wave of his hand. "The next one is Fudge. A Criminal Career In Three Disappointing Acts . Mi."

"What? That spineless worm deserves it," Hermione shrugged, much to everyone's mirth. "I mean, he chose Umbridge as his side chick. That's just wrong."

"Speaking of which." Harry raised the fourth book and raised both eyebrows. " Turn Of The Toad, Or How A Failed Human Transfiguration Attempt Nearly Ruined Hogwarts ."

"You do not expect me to apologize, do you?" Hermione asked snottily and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "And even if I did, all the students who helped write that book certainly won't."

Around the table, people began to snicker. With a deft summoning charm, Neville snatched the book and showed it to Blaise, who promptly guffawed at Hermione's dedication to the student rebellion in the front.

"I'd never," Harry soothed her and rubbed a hand along her arm. "Not after what she tried to do." It was known everywhere that Umbridge had tried to more or less sell Hermione to the highest bidder among her shady government contracts via ministerial degree because Hermione kept showing her up at every turn. This had led to all-out warfare at Hogwarts, the students against Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad. Some corridors at the school were still impassable, according to Harry's friends. Even worse, Hermione's contacts had involved the ICW and the World Court of Magic, resulting in a sound thrashing of the Ministry that eventually brought about Fudge's graceful retreat.

"Take the last one," Cedric urged with a peculiar look on his handsome face, successfully pulling Harry out of his thoughts.

Harry slid the book from the slipcase. And stared.

"What does it say?" Gisele asked, worriedly leaning forward.

"Er …" Harry flushed and looked up to Hermione.

"Pup?" Sirius leaned forward. "You're worrying us a little."

Blinking, Harry snapped his mouth shut. "No, I … I'm fine. Just …" He turned the book and lifted it so everyone could read the title. "I think I'm gonna get married tonight."

He held his hand out to Hermione and felt a huge swell of love rush up inside of him as she accepted it without hesitation. The book was taken from his hands and passed around as she kissed him, neatly sliding onto his lap for better access.

While their friends were cheering and raising their glasses, Hermione whispered, "Is it alright to publish that last book? Ragnok won't if you don't agree."

Harry chuckled. "Love, you titled the book From Know-it-all To Lady Potter, Or: An Ode To The Love Of My Magical Life . With a ring attached to the ribbon! How the hell can I say no to that?"

"I love you, Harry," Hermione murmured and bent her head to kiss him again.

"Are you really sure about this?" Harry asked, a little dazed from her enthusiasm. "I don't mind waiting a little longer."

"I am," she murmured, trailing her lips over his cheek and towards his ear. "It's got a little to do with avoiding stupid men who think they can somehow subjugate me, but mostly I just want to be with you. My parents are fully behind this, so if you really, truly want it, we can do it tonight."

"I want," Harry assured her. "Merlin, how I want." He raised his voice. "Guys, there'll be a wedding tonight! If you've got stuff to do, you'd better do it soon! Me and the bride, we'll celebrate for a bit before helping."

The cheers came again, even louder this time. Despite loving all of them to pieces, Harry suddenly needed to be away from them. He grabbed Hermione, let his magic flare up, and apparated them right back into bed.

oOo

That evening at sunset, High Priestess Gisele bound Harry and Hermione in a rite almost as old as magic itself.

Although they hadn't had much time for the procurement of elaborate decorations or fancy dresses, their flower-bedecked archway on the beach was nothing less than beautiful, and their very Caribbean wedding clothes were glittering softly with magic. Complimenting the tiny golden flecks of magic drifting through the air, and the tall torches stuck in the sand, magical algae in the waves began to shine in a soft, light blue when the glowing, orange sun kissed the horizon.

Surrounded by family and a lot of friends, who were all giving a bit of their magic in ritual, Harry and Hermione's already existing bond to each other grew and changed into something so bright and lovely that Harry couldn't have helped his tears of elation even if he'd wanted to when it was done.

But he didn't want to. He was happy right where he was. Who knew that getting disillusioned by his parents about certain things would result in such spectacular changes? After two sometimes horrible years, Voldemort was gone while his family and friends were safe, Dumbledore and Harry's muggle relatives, not to mention countless war criminals, were finally in prison, and Harry had married his soulmate.

He already had a lot of great stories to tell his parents when he made it to the afterlife, and he couldn't wait to add a life's worth more to them.

The End

Notes: So, this is it. Thanks for reading, I hope you had fun. To everyone who feels dissatisfied, his story was meant as a short story from the beginning, and yes, I did intend to leave a lot to the imagination. Please don't hound me for more, that's a sure-fire way to ensure that nothing will ever be written for it ever again. IF (and that's a big if) I should decide to write a 'meanwhile, in Hogwarts' portion, it'll probably be inserted here. But, don't count on it or anything. Stay safe! :)