Story: Moira
Chapter Forty: The Farewell

The silence which reigned seemed to be eternal. Draco was the first one to break it.

"So you can – you can destroy anything? Even human beings?"

"Yeah," Harry replied slowly.

Silence reigned again as they processed the new information they were given.

"And you didn't tell us?" Draco asked, hurt laced in his voice. "Not even Ron or. . . me?

"I–" Harry stammered then started coughing. Ginny threw him a dirty look before slightly patting his head. 

"Look, Draco. None of us knew about this whole power thing until, let's say, the Yule Ball. It was then that someone who we trusted dearly told us about it. It is meant to be a secret. Bad wizards and witches out there would die to have this power but it is too dangerous when in dark hands. 

"We didn't ask for this. We were prophesied to have this power. This power is what Voldemort was after. You will now understand why we need to keep this a secret," Ginny explained.

"How d'you know then?" Astoria asked.

"Because I am the Witch of Creation, the reason why I was able to form brick walls to protect Nott," Ginny answered. Identical gasps were heard and the quad of friends found themselves in silence yet again.

"That ring which he gave. . . it glowed. What does it mean?" Draco asked. Harry looked confused.

"It glowed?" Ginny asked again.

"Yeah, before he lost consciousness."

Everything seem to occur to Harry in a split second. He whipped out his wand and pointed it at the ring. "Speacialis Revelio!" A blue light glowed before extinguishing. Suddenly, Harry felt loads lighter; as if he had just kissed Ginny.

"What?" Ginny asked.

"This ring was the hindrance to my control over magic. Master tricked me . . ." he admitted in a low tone. He took off the silver band and threw it at the ground before destroying it with his power. This time, however, he did not faint nor did he require a Pepper-Up potion. "It's the reason behind all this havoc." He turned to Draco. "Thank you, Draco. You solved this problem."

Draco smiled. Silence reigned again.

"So he's gone? V-Voldemort?" the blonde boy asked, looking scared. 

"Yes," Harry replied.

"Y-you killed him?" Astoria questioned. Harry nodded. 

"Harry, mate," Draco started and held out a hand to the raven haired boy. "I understand your predicament and I will try my best to not interfere with whatever you are doing. We," He looked at Astoria who nodded vigorously, "will not disclose any of your secrets."

Ginny smiled in thanks and hugged Astoria. Harry shook Draco's hand and nodded his gratitude. 

"We will still remain friends, right?" Harry asked, feeling sheepish for the first time in many years. Draco laughed.

"Of course mate. What makes you think otherwise?"

________________

The fresh wind blew against their faces as they tried not to break down. 

It was the day when the Beaxbatons and the Durmstrang would be heading back to their respective schools. Students were crowding in all the parts of the castle: from the spacious courtyard to the cozy common rooms, they were flocked together.

In the Slytherin common room were two of them, with scrunched faces and teary eyes. 

"Promise to write to me," Astoria whispered. Draco nodded.

"You too." Astoria nodded back.

"The next time we meet, I'll be more snobby, okay? Don't expect me to be a gentleman," Draco teased. Astoria laughed slightly.

"You prat! Then expect me to be more of a giggly girl."

"Ew, Tori! I can't even imagine you like that!" Draco retorted.

"How else can you imagine me to be then, Mr Malfoy?"

"I dunno? Perfect and cute, perhaps?" Those were the last words they spoke to each other before falling into a fierce embrace. 

_______________

"Trunk?"

"Yeah."

"Jumper?"

"Yep."

"Books?"

"No. . ."

"Ronald! Keep your books properly!"

"Blimey, Hermione! I don't think I need them!"

"Well of course you need books! Won't you be requiring them to complete your end-of-year exams? NEWTs, perhaps?"

"Newt?"

"Seriously Ron, it's N–E–W–Ts! Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests!"

"No, haven't heard of them. I'll leave the books for you to read for the Newt."

By this time, Hermione had started shouting, saying how he should preserve his books and build his magical knowledge. Luna and Neville, who were sitting opposite them in the Great Hall exchanged smirks. 

"Finally, I'll be at peace when this bickering couple part!" Neville exclaimed, casually swinging his arm around Luna who housed her usual dreamy look. "And then there is the silently bickering one and the overly loving one. Ah– how I wish for a normal day at Hogwarts?"

"Unfortunately Nev, your time at Hogwarts is coming to end." Luna doused his spirit.

Neville clicked his tongue. "It might be but I still have my exams coming up –"

"For which you will be reading, hence no peace!" Luna beamed. Neville looked put out so she leant in and kissed his cheek. "I will still be there with you, Nev, unlike the other couples." Neville smiled in response and together, they were lost in their own world, completely oblivious to the bickering couple in front of them.

"You said!"

"No, you said!"

"No, I said!"

"Ha, you finally agreed Hermione! And you are coming 'round to my house one fine day!"

Hermione was left pink and speechless due to her own 'idiocy' as she liked to call.

______________

"Oh, Harry."

"M'lady!"

"I'm so, so miserable that you are leaving."

"I am more miserable than thou, sweet lady."

There was silence.

"Do you really think I'd say that?" Harry whispered as an afterthought.

"Continue the act, idiot."

"Ah– my heart is breaking!"

"And I can hear your heart breaking, Harry!"

"Eek! This eez so sweet!" Alarie exclaimed before hugging them both, thus forming a group hug. "You both are ze perfect couple!"

"Like you and my brother perhaps?" Ginny whispered in her ear. Her pale cheeks flushed. "So, what are you going to do now, after you have finished your school?"

"Zhinking of learning to tame dragons, those beasts!" Alarie replied, looking excited. Ginny clapped her hands and beamed and Harry was tactful enough to pretend he was not part of the conversation. 

"Alarie!" One of the French champion's friends called out. "We are leaving in a few!"

"Coming Alya!" Alarie called back then turned to the two champions with a teary smiles. "This is eet then. Ze au revoir." Ginny threw herself on the other girl and they swayed on the spot, tears streaming down their faces. 

"Stay in touch, Alarie. I'm waiting for you to become my sister-in-law."

Alarie laughed. "Let's see."

When they pulled away, Harry extended his hand to her. "Good luck with your future, Miss Beaumont."

"Thank you, 'Arry! I wish you ze same!" Alarie shook his hand and kissed his cheeks. He turned pink at the gesture but nevertheless, wore the best genuine smile he could muster. "Au Revoir, Ginny, 'Arry!"

"See you, Miss Beaumont."

"Bye Alarie!"

And soon enough, the French champion was gone to bid her goodbyes to her other Hogwartian and Durmstrang friends. Harry and Ginny walked to their group of friends. Hermione was bickering with Ron, Astoria and Draco were fussing over each other and Neville and Luna were looking at them with amusement etched on their faces.

Harry cleared his throat and the group fell silent: the exception being Hermione and Ron nudging each other's elbows every so often.

"It was a great time meeting you guys," Astoria started.

"I have never had such a restless year but I can't say I haven't enjoyed it," Neville added with a wink. Draco grinned and they shook hands.

"We must thank the Boisterous Bimboos for making us meet," Luna said dreamily as she hugged Draco. The latter looked confused but shook it off.

"I'm going to miss you all," Hermione said, simultaneously pouncing on the startled blonde boy.

"Whoa, whoa Granger! I'm sure you will break all the bones with your emotions!" Draco teased and earned a slap on his arm from a furious looking Hermione. Harry laughed lightly and let himself be hugged by her.

Everyone exchanged such embraces and Harry, for once in his life, felt the true nature of friendship as he looked at the mini group he now called as eternal friends. Finally, it was time to leave and Ginny tugged at his sleeves. They parted from the group and walked to a rather secluded spot.

"Okay. This is it," Ginny mumbled below her breath. Harry looked at her in amusement.

"This is what? I thought we would be meeting over the course of the holid–" Harry was interrupted by Ginny's lips on his. Taken aback for a moment, he did not return the gesture but when she made to pull away, he pulled her closer and gave his all into the passionate kiss. They heard wolf-whistles around them but neither cared. After their blissful oblivion came to end, they parted and looked deep into the other's eyes.

"If it's true that you are my other and better half, I'll be seeing you more often than I expect," he whispered.

Turning pink at the well concealed compliment, Ginny replied back. "I know." A man at the dock of the Black Lake started to call for the Durmstrangs and Harry pulled away from Ginny.

"It's time then," Harry said, not meeting her eyes, instead looking at where the magnificent ship floated.

"Take care then, my Lord," Ginny said cheekily. Harry laughed, then mock bowed to her and kissed her small palm.

"Thou as well, m'lady. Knowest one thing," he straightened up into a standing position and let go of her hand. Walking back slowly, yet facing her, he smiled the 'heart stopping smile' at her. "I love you, Ginny Weasley."

Ginny smiled when he blew her a kiss and took off, disappearing in the crowd of teary eyed students. She knew it all right – she had found one cute prat for herself.

There ends the chapter. Probably ten more to the end of the story. Your thoughts on this chapter? Comment!

Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x