HELLO ALL!

This in the FINAL CHAPTER - BUT - there WILL be an EPILOGUE!

So, it's been a while! I have just graduated from a Master's program and now have some time while I apply to jobs. I am incredibly anxious about this chapter and how it will be received. There is an explanation at the end of the chapter - please read it before reviewing, if you're irritated with me. I hope you are all satisfied, however, as this is always how I imagined the end of the story.

It's a little shorter than previous chapters. I agonized over the events and chronological order of book 7, and I think that made it more stressful to write. Also, Dudley is sitting around while a BATTLE is happening - I couldn't do that to him forever.

Please ENJOY! :)

There was chaos after this announcement of Remus's. There was something in the air, after the lethargy of the beginning of Spring, and it seemed something was changing, something was moving.

The last few weeks was the most news they had received of Harry in months. They had so many new arrivals at the Manor, these most recent ones had spent weeks with Harry…

There were many things that differed from previous months of their hiding in the Manor, and a sense that things couldn't stay like this much longer. While he couldn't quite put his finger on what was the biggest piece he felt shifting, he knew one thing:

Their bubble was about to burst.

There was madness for some time, as everyone began to speculate if things were finally coming to a head. If maybe all this waiting and wondering would finally have an outcome.

The most ridiculous part, if you asked Dudley, was the fact that people were assuming that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had for some insane reason, broken into the damn WIZARDING BANK.

But no one was really asking Dudley, so he kept that to himself.

"I wonder if the dragon was headed towards somewhere particular?" Sally was musing to Ethan, who looked as if he were only half-paying attention, his eyes on some of the younger teens plotting in a corner. "It might help to figure out what their next step is."

Ethan only shrugged, making a considering noise. Sally nodded as if he had made a valid point. "I guess there's no real way of knowing," she said in agreement. Dudley just watched, bemused.

It was true: no more information was available, so speculation stayed at that: simply speculation.

As things were so hectic, it wasn't for some time that anyone noticed Dean and Luna had slipped off and disappeared. There was a hubbub as Sue sent teenagers into every known corner of the Manor to check for them, and as the magical adults did the same with, well, magic. Much faster that way, if you asked Dudley.

Again, no one did.

Dudley and Ethan had just come back from the greenhouse - one of the last search groups to return.

"What do you mean, they aren't on the premises?" Hestia questioned Remus threateningly. The man kept his cool in the face of the angry witch, which Dudley thought was very brave.

"We've checked the charms; they must have disapparated out of the safe-room." There was one room in the Manor that was able to be disapparated out of, but not into, so that the adults could spirit the children away if need be. To get back in, you would have to know how to navigate the landscape and return to the building on foot.

If Dean and Luna had left, it had to have been for a good reason. And, it would have been due to knowledge only they had access to. Somehow. Again, no one else seemed to be considering this, in the general confusion and fear, but Dudley didn't blame them. He just soothed his friends as best he could, and waited to see what would happen.

Everyone was worried at Remus' announcement, and that was even before anyone spoke to the Thomas family (who didn't yet know their just-reunited son was once again out in the dangerous world); there wasn't much time to stress before an anxious Mr. Weasley and Bill showed up at the door, entirely unexpectedly.

"Ginny and the twins slipped away sometime in the last hour," Mr. Weasley announced frankly.

Though, again, knowledge only they had access to. It probably shouldn't have been unexpected. It would make sense that Dean and Luna would be on some sort of same-page with the Weasley children.

Most of the children were sent into the fortified ballroom with Sue, Andromeda Tonks, and all of the muggles in residence, as was standard procedure for safety. The teens and Dudley were allowed to remain nearby, though no one was taking the time to talk to them. The adults sent out patronuses to other members of the Order of the Phoenix, attempting to find out what was happening, and where it was occurring.

The teens took blatant advantage of this, listening in on conversations.

"It sounds like there's be a disturbance in Hogsmeade — the caterwauling charm went mad—!"

"There's been a ruckus in the castle—"

"Has anyone heard from Kingsley?"

"Any notice from the Ministry?"

They remained that way until one patronus approached Ethan instead of an adult, where the teens were tucked away in a corner, being as discrete as possible. It was a silver fox, and it spoke softly, as if avoiding adult attention.

"Hey mate, it's us," it was unmistakably a Weasley twin speaking, "Harry, Ron and Hermione are at Hogwarts. Neville messaged Ginny and Luna — we assume you noticed that Dean and Luna are missing."

The other twin — slightly different in intonation, but otherwise with an identical voice, spoke up here, "Listen, anyone that can fight should make their way to the Hog's Head in Hogsmede. Apparate or floo directly in, and Aberforth Dumbledore will show you the passage into the school."

"We're taking a stand," the first twin finished. "We don't know what exactly Harry is up to, the three of them are as secretive as ever, but we'll help him with it, whatever it is."

"See you soon." They finished at the same time.

It wasn't exactly easy, planning a mass escape of teenagers under the eyes of very attentive adults. Dudley didn't like this, not at all. It seemed that the beginnings of some massive battle were underway at the magical school, and some of his closest friends were making their way there.

And he, for obvious reasons, couldn't join them.

The adults were still in the dark about the goings on, but that would not last much longer. Information was coming in more and more quickly. Likely the Weasley twins had wanted to give the students an advance warning, but it was obvious that sooner or later the entire Order of the Phoenix would be called in — most likely sooner; it was common knowledge that some teachers at Hogwarts were part of the Order.

The students committed to helping Harry needed to get out before that occurred.

In the end, the students and adults leaving to fight happened almost concurrently, though in different areas of the Manor. Dudley was aware of it due to being the only teenager in Hideaway Manor within two years of being of (wizarding) age that didn't go to help fight, to help Harry.

It was not a good feeling.

"Here — this was the pattern Hestia used," Meggie whispered, tapping her wand along the fireplace bricks, carefully counting along them as she did so.

It was decided that anyone fourteen or younger was staying safe at the Manor: no arguments. As some of the students who would go — Colin, Meggie, Penny and Sally, at the very least — didn't know how to apparate, it was decided that floo-ing was the most appropriate way to travel to The Hog's Head. The few who were older — Robert, Justin, Eric, Adam, and Ethan — had decided that breaking into one secure room with a valid method of transportation was much easier than attempting to enter the apparating room as well as the floo center. They would be twice as likely to get caught out, and they already didn't like their chances.

"Are you sure about this, Megs?" Penny whispered back. Meggie nodded.

"I watched her unlock it just yesterday. She was getting some healing supplies for the baby."

They watched with bated breathe as she touched one last brick, and then the whole thing glowed briefly blue.

"Was that…good?" Colin ventured. He had one hand clasped on Dennis' shoulder. His younger brother was not pleased at being told he was unable to follow Colin to Hogwarts, but had conceded the point eventually. Kathy and Nathan were his age, after all, and he didn't want either of them to go into danger.

The younger teens had agreed to stay and help care for the younger kids. They would attempt to cover for the absence of the older ones as long as possible.

(It was clear that most of the magical adults in the house would be leaving too, soon. If it happened as Dudley and Sally had speculated that it would, then Tonks, her mother, Mrs. Longbottom and Sue would be the only magical ones left, as Remus, the Weasley men currently in residence, Hestia and Dedalus would all be leaving. The muggle adults — the Thomases and Mrs. Dursley — would not be able to protect the kiddos in a "worse case scenario" situation.

This was how it was presented to the younger teens, playing into their protectiveness for their friends. Rather terrifyingly, it was also a valid concern.)

Dudley yanked himself out of his thoughts to see Meggie nodding in affirmation to Colin's question. "It turned blue yesterday, too. I think it goes red if it's the wrong code."

"Alright," Ethan looked seriously around at them all. "Remember — we floo to the Hog's Head, and wait there for each other. We'll enter the castle together. We'll go in three minutes; we don't want to risk anyone catching us here."

Ethan was one of the few who was already of age, along with Justin, but they knew there would be a big fuss from adults about them going all the same. After all, they were still teenagers, and under the adults' protection. Anyone under seventeen wouldn't be allowed out of the house at all, no questions asked. They needed to avoid detection.

Ethan made his way over to Dudley. "It's been a pleasure getting to know you, Mate. I plan on many more years of it."

It hit Dudley only then, as in really hit him, that his friends were heading to a battle. People would die.

He abruptly pulled Ethan into a rough hug. "You be careful there," he warned his friend. "Get killed, and I'll never forgive you."

Ethan pulled back with a chuckle. "I'll remember that. It's been a blast, Dud." He gave Dudley one last smile, and chose to leave it there. Dudley understood, as he watched his friend walk to some of the teens littered around. They didn't need to get sappy to know how much they meant to each other, after all these months.

Several kids were saying goodbye to their friends, and Dudley noticed a few had slipped out of the room — while it was risky to draw any attention to the fact that this room was in use right now, Dudley knew some (such as Justin and Robert and a few others), had younger siblings that they'd want to hug.

Dudley turned to look for — there she was. Sally had just given Kathy a lingering hug, and was making her way to Dudley. He took her outstretched hand as she gave it to him, and he pulled her into a dark corner of the room, where they had the illusion of some privacy.

"You'll be careful?" Dudley asked into her hair, as he drew her into an embrace. She snuggled into his chest a bit, but appeared calm and composed.

"I will, I promise."

"You're still behind in your classes…" Dudley couldn't help fretting. Sally pulled back to look up into Dudley's face, and conveyed her seriousness in her tone and expression.

"In several ways, yes, I am. In theory, and history, and runes. We have been spending most of our time on practical and defensive magics while here, however, and I am just as capable in those as my year mates."

Dudley shouldn't have expected any other answer from her. He'd been watching his friends these past many months, and all of them had been blooming in their abilities while in hiding.

If Sally was anything less than herself, the young woman who wanted to stand by her friends and fight for their freedom to live their lives safely, then she wouldn't be the person he was slowly falling for.

"I am so, incredibly, proud of you," he managed through a tight throat. No crying until they were gone. "And I have been so privileged to have spent time getting to know you."

"Oh, Dudley," their time was almost up. "This isn't goodbye — I still expect our post-war future: dates and weekends and quiet nights in, and even the fights and difficulties; the works, you understand?"

Dudley nodded and kissed her lightly, trying to put all of his emotions into the action. He didn't have the words, and couldn't force them right now. He just couldn't.

She kissed him back, and Dudley tried to memorize the feel of her lips — soft and slightly chapped — and the smell of her hair — somewhat flowery and sweet — and how she tugged slightly at the longer hairs at the nape of his neck —

Then Sally was pulling away with a bright smile.

Their time was up. Dudley automatically responded to hand-shakes and fist bumps and pats on the shoulder from these young people he had known for months, now; he had gone from being fascinated - though slightly scared - by them, to adoring as though they were his own family.

Then he was left alone, with a cold fireplace and several young teenagers to comfort, to be discovered by the adults.

Of course, by that time the adults had word from the Weasley twins themselves, as well as Professor McGonagall at Hogwarts. It was obvious what was going on.

This was all ending tonight, one way or another.

It was well after midnight, but no one was sleeping. Obviously. In fact, every remaining occupant of the house was gathered in a sitting room. They figured they'd all receive news at the same time, this way.

Well, actually, that was untrue: Teddy Lupin was sleeping peacefully in his grandmother's arms. At least someone was.

The adults had left in the exact configuration as Sally and Dudley had suspected. However, not long after Remus and the others had left, Tonks had declared that she just couldn't wait around, uncertain of what was happening. She was an auror, a warrior, a wife and a friend. She had left for Hogwarts several hours ago, accompanied by Mrs. Longbottom, who had wanted to find her grandson.

Waiting was painful. It was silent in the house. The Thomas family was crying again; Mrs. Tonks looked more drawn than Dudley had seen her yet; Sue was wringing her hands, and had several young ones in her lap and gathered around her; the teens left had their wands in their hands as they took their protective responsibilities seriously, eyeing doorways and windows, getting more paranoid the longer the Manor went without answers.

Sue and the other adults had not taken the news that many of their charges had left the premises well at all. However, as it hadn't been discovered until after Tonks and Mrs. Longbottom had left — even longer after the first wave of adults had joined the fight — there was nothing to be done about it.

Dudley was leaning into his mum's right side, Rosie on her left. Petunia had an arm around his shoulders, hugging him with a comfortable, reassuring pressure. Dudley wished he could be Rosie's age again, just for a moment, back when he had believed his mum could — and would — make all well with the world just because he willed it.

The minutes ticked past. There was an old grandfather clock right outside the room:

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

"Sue, do we have any juice?"

A teen was asking for one of the littles, all of whom were various degrees of anxious from the tension in the room, even if they didn't entirely understand what was happening — Dudley didn't look up from his lap to see who. He heard Sue get up, head to the kitchen, and not too long after, there were drinks and food on the table. Mickey and Minnie must have helped.

His mum got up, and brought both him and Rosie a little something to drink and eat. Caring for children had always been his mum's way of coping with stress.

"It doesn't do anyone any good for you to lose energy, dear," She told him softly when he shook his head, declining a sandwich.

He agreed at both that and at the look of distress on his mum's face, and took a bite; his mum didn't need anything more to worry about. She seemed to relax once he was eating, and settled down at his side once again, turning her back to him in order to fuss over Rosie.

Unfortunately, the food felt like lead in his stomach; his friends were fighting for their lives, getting hurt, and he was sitting here, eating a sandwich.

He left the rest on the side table. His mum didn't notice.

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

Dudley looked at his watch. It was not long after 3am. No one had spoken for hours, except for murmured reassurances to the younger children, as they slowly nodded off. It was obvious only the children believed what was being said in comforting tones, but at least it was some help.

Mrs. Tonks had left to get some bottles of milk for Teddy, at some point. Rosie was asleep on Petunia's lap. At least the littles were being cared for, and the Manor was still secure. While that could change at any moment, thank heavens (or Merlin), for small mercies while they had them.

Dudley himself had Justin's little sister, Molly, curled up into his side. She understood exactly what was happening and was terrified for her brother, he could see, and had been grateful for the small comfort. Dudley didn't think she was asleep, but her eyes were closed, and so he left her alone.

"Will they be okay?" It was a little voice across the room — one of Dean's sisters speaking to her mother.

Mrs. Thomas looked overwhelmed. "Oh, Darling…" She couldn't finish, just stroked her daughter's hair softly, as the little girl looked up at her.

"It's not just Dean," piped up her twin, "What about Luna? And all of Deanie's friends? Will they be okay too?"

Mrs. Thomas just shook her head wordlessly, not in denial, but in complete and utter helplessness. The girls grabbed each other's hands, holding tight in support.

Dudley swallowed heavily, looking away from the small, fear-stricken family. Though no one else in the room was any better off.

None of those teenagers were supposed to have gone to the battle, and he had assisted them in leaving. Looking at Dean's family now really drove home to Dudley what that meant. Granted, Dean and Luna had left before anyone else had known that anything was happening beyond the latest Harry-sighting. Dudley still felt a sensation of guilt. The hazard of being the one left behind, he supposed.

Sue spoke up, helping where Mrs. Thomas couldn't. "These kids have been training, and practicing. While it's dangerous, and I am not endorsing their leaving, they have as good of a chance as anyone else at beating the bad guys. We need to have faith in them."

Molly looked up at Dudley, tugging at his sleeve to get his attention.

"Justin, too?"

Her eyes were big and brown, and so serious looking. She was only eleven years old, for Merlin's sake… but Dudley couldn't lie to her. Not about this; he couldn't give her false promises. So he gave her the truth instead.

"Justin will fight as hard as he can to come home to you. I know he'll do his best. He wants to stop the bad people, so, so much, for all the horrible things they've done. We just have to hope his best is good enough."

Molly nodded. She didn't look upset, just determined.

"I know he'll do whatever he needs to do."

What a statement — from the mouths of babes, indeed.

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

Dawn was approaching. There was a hint of light at the edges of the curtains, though no one drew them. Many people now had mugs of tea and coffee on the tables by them, being sipped at almost as an afterthought, as muscle-memory and something to do; no one appeared to have appetites. Dudley was sitting at the edge of the room, now, with some of the younger teens.

They had to be talked down from heading off to Hogwarts, and Dudley had been given that dubious honor. It had been hours, they were all incredibly scared, and even the youngest teens wanted to do their bits to help. Sue had locked off all the methods of leaving the Manor, once she had realized how many of her charges had left. It wouldn't do any good even attempting, at this point, but it was difficult to get that through to the desperate young people. Dudley tried other methods.

"We don't know what's going on," Dudley was trying to explain to Dennis and Nathan, who were the most adamant about leaving. "It might do more harm then good."

Kathy was holding onto Nathan's arm tightly, bunching up his jacket sleeve. She looked unsure if she was itching to go with him, or trying to hold him back. Maybe both.

"They could need us, though!" Dennis exclaimed, softly, though, as not to attract attention from the adults, most of whom looked deep in their own thoughts.

"Or," Dudley countered, "you could show up at the absolute wrong time, and distract someone who is fighting and does NOT need a distraction at that moment."

That gave Dennis a pause, and Nathan looked worried. It removed Kathy's indecision, apparently. Dudley let out a silent sigh of relief.

"It's not a good idea, Nate," she whispered, and Nathan and Dennis shared a look.

Dennis wilted. "Okay, Dud," he said.

Dudley swallowed, feeling horrible. What if their friends at the castle did need help? It had been HOURS without any information, no updates at all.

He knew that if he, himself, had magic, he would have been there in an instant.

He felt like such a fraud. What a hypocrite!

Before he could move, a silver dog — was it a Sheppard of some kind? — burst through the wall in front of him.

It was Ethan's voice that came from it. Did he know his friend could do that?

"Hey Dud. Battle's done. Pass that on, will you?"

Sally must have been with him.

"We'll be back as soon as we're able, but it might take us some time."

Dudley couldn't breathe — didn't know what to do, how to react. The whole room behind him had gone silent, no one moving, no one making a sound.

Who was okay — and who hadn't made it? What was happening?

Just then, Kingsley's familiar lynx appeared in the middle of the room, drawing the attention of every adult, every teenager, and every child still awake:

"It's over."

AND THAT'S A WRAP! - [epilogue to come ;)]

Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every person that accompanied me on this journey. Whether you started reading six years ago, found me after my five year "break" (oops!), or just saw this story last week, your follows, favorites, and reviews have made this the best journey imaginable.

ABOUT THE END OF THE CHAPTER:

Listen, we all know the deaths, we all know what happens at the end of the Battle (if you don't, what the hell are you doing here? Go read the book! ;)). I didn't want to write that, couldn't grieve again and make Dudley and the rest go through it. The Epilogue will take place after enough time that those feelings have dulled, though THEY WILL BE ADDRESSED. Promise! (and there may be some often-hinted-at-in-reviews reunions included...)

EPILOGUE INFO:

I might - MIGHT! - be persuaded to write an additional epilogue (after the one I already have planned), depending on time and jobs. SO! If you want to write a suggestion in your review, integrating people's ideas was a favorite of mine during the earlier times of this fic (before I restarted this Spring, when I knew I had to have it all ironed out before re-starting).

Until the last chapter, I ALWAYS responded to reviews. As I was finishing grad school it didn't happen with Chapter 16; I will do my best with this chapter!

Love from,

Books :)