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"IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, EMMY."

Esmie smiled, wrapping her arms tightly around Mattheo as they hugged. The Great Hall was buzzing with quiet conversations, a mixture of relief and exhaustion. They had all been through so much, and yet here they were, together again, surviving against the odds. As she let go of Mattheo, Esmie glanced around at her friends. Hermione was talking animatedly with Pansy, a rare but welcome sight, while Ron sat a little awkwardly beside Danielle. The two sat in a kind of uneasy silence, both clearly processing the aftermath of the battle.

"Are you alright, darling?" Enzo's soft voice pulled Esmie from her thoughts. He nudged her gently with his elbow, concern flickering in his dark eyes. She turned to him, managing a faint smile, brushing her fingers through her hair as she exhaled slowly.

"I'm okay," Esmie started to say, but before she could finish, a commotion erupted from outside. The noise echoed through the hall, causing everyone to look toward the doors. Esmie's heart sank. Instinctively, she stood up, her feet already moving toward the exit. Enzo, Mattheo, Danielle, and the others followed closely behind her, all drawn to the sounds of chaos once more. The castle doors creaked open as the group stepped outside into the cold dawn.

Daylight had broken, revealing the full scale of the devastation. The grounds of Hogwarts were littered with rubble, broken stone, and ash. Towers that had once stood tall were now reduced to crumbling ruins. The sky was still thick with lingering smoke, and the smell of burning wood and earth filled the air. Esmie looked around, her chest tightening as she took it all in. Hogwarts had been their home for so long, and now it looked as though it had been torn apart, a battlefield in every sense.

As she stood there, frozen, Esmie's attention was drawn to the distant bridge. Death Eaters were marching across it, making their way toward the castle. She felt her heart skip a beat, her stomach turning with dread. She stopped walking, rooted to the spot as her eyes locked onto the approaching figures.

"Who is that... Hagrid's carrying?" Ginny's voice cut through the cold air, filled with worry. "Neville, who is it?"

Esmie followed Ginny's gaze to see Hagrid, struggling under the weight of a limp body in his arms. A gasp escaped her lips as the figure became clearer. Hagrid's giant frame made it look small, but it was unmistakable—it was Harry. Esmie's blood ran cold.

"Harry Potter is dead!" Voldemort's voice rang out, loud and triumphant.

Esmie stumbled backward, her heart pounding in her chest. "No," she whispered, disbelief gripping her. Enzo quickly moved beside her, catching her arm before she could fall, his grip firm but comforting. Elsie, standing beside them, let out a piercing scream, her voice breaking.

"Harry, no! No, he can't be dead!" Elsie cried, tears streaming down her face as she tried to rush forward, but Theo grabbed her, holding her back before she could run to Hagrid.

"Don't," Theo whispered, his own voice filled with pain. "Don't go near them."

Voldemort's laughter echoed through the air, cruel and mocking. "Silence, foolish girl!" he sneered, looking down at them with disdain. "Harry Potter is dead. From this day forth, you will put your faith in me. Harry Potter is dead!"

The weight of Voldemort's words pressed down on them, heavy and suffocating. Esmie couldn't comprehend it. It felt impossible that they had lost—after everything. She clenched Enzo's hand tighter, as if trying to hold on to the hope that still flickered in her heart.

"There's no possible way we lost," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Enzo stood beside her, his jaw set in determination, though the pain was clear in his eyes. "We haven't," he whispered. "We can't have."

Voldemort's voice rang out again, louder and colder. "And now, it is time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us, or die." He waited, his eyes scanning the crowd, searching for any sign of movement, for anyone who might betray the side of good.

But no one moved. Not a single person stepped toward him—not even Mattheo and Danielle, who stood at the front of the group. Esmie looked at them, a lump forming in her throat. Their silence, their refusal to bow, spoke volumes. Even with Harry gone, even with the looming threat of death, no one would join Voldemort.

"Draco, oh, Draco..." Lucius Malfoy's voice cut through the air, filled with urgency and fear. Esmie's eyes shifted to Draco, who was standing stiffly, caught between his parents and his friends. His gaze flickered to Esmie, and she met his eyes, silently pleading with him.

"Stay, please," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Narcissa stepped forward, her hand outstretched toward her son, her eyes desperate. "Draco, come."

Esmie's heart ached as she watched Draco wrestle with his decision. Just then, Josie grabbed Draco's hand, her face full of determination. "No," she said firmly. "You belong here at Hogwarts—with me. Please, Draco, stay."

Draco hesitated for only a moment before he looked back at Josie, his voice quiet but resolute. "I'm with you, always."

Esmie felt a wave of relief wash over her as she glanced at Enzo, who gave her a small nod. They were staying. They were standing with Hogwarts, with their friends, no matter the cost. The Death Eaters loomed ahead, but it didn't matter—together, they were stronger.

Lucius sneered in disgust as he watched his son make his choice, but before he could say anything, Narcissa took his arm and pulled him away. They disappeared into the shadows, leaving Draco behind. Esmie exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

Before anyone could react, two figures stepped forward—Mattheo and Danielle, positioning themselves directly in front of their father. The siblings stood tall, their eyes blazing with determination.

"We're not like you," Mattheo said, his voice ringing out clear and strong. His hands balled into fists at his sides, his stance firm. "We'll never follow you."

Danielle, standing beside him, lifted her chin, her expression fierce. "We choose Hogwarts. We choose the right side."

Voldemort's face contorted with rage, his red eyes narrowing on his children. "You dare defy me?" he hissed, his voice trembling with fury. "You are Riddles—my blood. You belong to me."

Mattheo didn't flinch, his gaze unwavering. "We belong to ourselves," he said, his voice steady. "And we choose to fight against you."

Danielle nodded, her voice filled with conviction. "This is our home. We'll protect it, no matter what."

Voldemort's wand snapped upward, and with a fierce, blinding flash, a burst of raw magic exploded from its tip. Danielle and Mattheo were thrown backward, their bodies colliding with the ground as the spell tore through them, leaving deep, searing wounds. The force of the blast echoed through the room, the power of it shaking the very walls. Esmie's heart dropped as she watched her friends crumple, pain etched across their faces, but even as they lay injured, their determination hadn't wavered.

Despite the pain wracking their bodies, Danielle and Mattheo struggled to their feet, their breaths shallow but unwavering. Blood stained their robes, and their faces were pale, yet they refused to fall. With determination burning in their eyes, they moved, step by agonising step, to stand beside Esmie. Their injuries were severe, but the bond between them was stronger. Together, they formed an unbreakable line, standing tall against Voldemort's fury. Esmie felt their presence like a shield at her side, their resilience igniting her own courage. They were battered, but far from broken.

The battle wasn't over—not yet.

But her relief was short-lived. Just then, through the haze of battle, Esmie saw Neville limping forward, his face bruised and swollen but his expression unwaveringly defiant. The sight of him, battered but determined, sent a shiver down her spine. Danielle and Mattheo, standing beside her, stiffened, their eyes flicking from Neville to Voldemort.

"Neville?" Esmie whispered, barely able to believe what she was seeing. Her heart pounded in her chest, her fingers trembling in Enzo's grasp. Mattheo's jaw tightened beside her, his fists clenching as Neville stepped closer to Voldemort, head held high. Was he about to declare himself?

"Ah, well, I must say I'd hoped for better," Voldemort's cold, high-pitched voice rang out across the battlefield. His tone was laced with disdain, amusement flickering in his crimson eyes. The Death Eaters laughed darkly as they turned to look at Neville, mocking his bravery. "And who might you be, young man?" Voldemort asked, his voice dripping with cruel curiosity.

"Neville Longbottom." Neville's voice was steady, though his body showed the toll of the battle. Every step seemed to cost him effort, yet he never faltered.

"Well, Neville, I'm sure we can find a place for you in our ranks," Voldemort said, his smile thin and menacing.

Neville squared his shoulders. "I'd like to say something."

"Well, Neville, I'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say," Voldemort replied, his tone mocking. The Death Eaters laughed again, the sound chilling in the eerie quiet.

"It doesn't matter that Harry's gone," Neville began, his voice growing stronger with every word. Esmie felt her throat tighten, a few tears slipping down her cheeks. She wiped them away with her free hand, her heart aching with the weight of Neville's words. Enzo squeezed her other hand, grounding her as Danielle and Mattheo remained motionless, eyes locked on Neville.

"Stand down, Neville!" Mattheo muttered under his breath, though Esmie could hear the desperation in his voice. His usual calm façade was cracking, his eyes betraying a rare flicker of fear.

"People die every day, friends, family," Neville continued, his voice unwavering now. "Yeah, we lost Harry tonight, but he's still with us, in here." He touched his chest, his eyes bright with determination. "So's Jemima and Remus, Jenna, Tonks, all of them. They didn't die in vain. But you will because you're wrong, Voldemort. Harry's heart did beat for us, for all of us! This is not over!"

At that moment, something shifted in the air. Esmie watched, her breath catching in her throat, as Neville pulled the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, holding it high. The gleam of the sword in the dim light filled her with a sudden surge of hope.

And then, out of nowhere, Harry tumbled from Hagrid's arms. Esmie gasped, her heart leaping into her throat. Everything seemed to freeze for a second, time itself halting as the impossible unfolded before her eyes.

Draco, standing at the edge of the battle, suddenly broke into a run. "Potter!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the courtyard. With a swift motion, he tossed his wand to Harry, who caught it effortlessly. A stunned laugh escaped Esmie, the sound bright and unexpected amid the chaos.

Draco sprinted back toward Josie, barely reaching her before Harry pointed his wand at the snake slithering near Voldemort. "Confringo!" Harry shouted, the spell hitting the snake as he broke into a sprint, Voldemort's curses blasting the ground behind him.

"Come on, we need to get back into the castle!" Enzo urged, pulling Esmie from her shock. She nodded quickly, her feet moving instinctively as they all turned and bolted for the castle. Danielle and Mattheo flanked them, their faces grim as the fight continued to rage around them.

As they ran, a Death Eater flew toward them, wand raised and ready to strike. Esmie reacted on instinct, raising her wand. "Stupefy!" she shouted, the spell hitting its mark and sending the Death Eater flying backward.

Esmie turned to Enzo, her chest heaving. "Find Hermione and Ron, help them kill the snake! It's our only chance!"

"I'm not leaving you," Enzo insisted, his face set in determination. He grabbed her arm, pulling her close. "I'm staying with you."

"Enzo, go!" Esmie cried, deflecting another curse as it shot toward them. The ground beneath them trembled with the force of spells, dust and debris filling the air.

Before Enzo could respond, a chilling voice echoed behind them, making Esmie's blood run cold.

"Lorenzo," Bellatrix Lestrange's voice was a low hiss, dripping with venom. Esmie and Enzo spun around, their eyes widening in horror as Bellatrix stood before them, wand raised and a twisted smile on her face.

"No!" Esmie shouted, instinctively throwing herself in front of Enzo as Bellatrix aimed her wand directly at him. Esmie deflected the curse just in time, her heart pounding as the spell shot past them.

"Stupid little girl!" Bellatrix snarled, her eyes narrowing with fury. She flicked her wand again, sending another curse hurtling toward Esmie, but Esmie was ready this time. She deflected it once more, her grip on her wand steady despite the terror coursing through her veins.

Before Bellatrix could strike again, Enzo yanked Esmie backward just as Ginny stepped forward, her own wand raised and ready.

"Not my daughter, you bitch!" Molly Weasley's voice cut through the chaos, filled with fierce maternal rage. Esmie watched in awe as Molly and Bellatrix duelled, their wands flashing in the dim light. Spells flew back and forth, the air crackling with power.

Finally, with one final, powerful curse, Molly struck Bellatrix down. The twisted smile on Bellatrix's face faded as she exploded into nothingness. Esmie's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, everything was still.

Enzo stared in stunned silence, his eyes wide as he processed what had just happened. Esmie walked over to him, her legs trembling as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart against her chest, his body tense beneath her touch.

"It's okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the distant echoes of battle. "It's okay."

Another Death Eater charged toward them, but Esmie was ready. "Stupefy!" she cried, blasting the Death Eater backward with a single flick of her wand. She pushed Enzo behind her again, standing protectively in front of him as she scanned the battlefield.

Suddenly, the fighting stopped. A hush fell over the castle, the silence almost deafening after the chaos. Esmie lowered her wand slowly, her heart still pounding as she looked around. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, smoke curling in the air, but the battle was over.

"I think it's over," she whispered, turning to Enzo with wide eyes. The battle was won, but the cost hung heavily in the air.

"Yeah..." Enzo mumbled, his voice barely audible, hollow and distant. Without another word or glance, he walked past Esmie, his shoulders hunched under the invisible weight that seemed to press down on him. Esmie watched him for a moment, her heart aching as she saw the way he moved—slow, almost defeated. She couldn't bear the thought of him being alone with all that he was carrying.

Taking a deep breath, she hurried after him, following him out of the castle into the quiet, foggy courtyard. The grounds, which had once been filled with the sounds of battle, now felt eerily silent, as if the earth itself had paused to catch its breath. She found Enzo standing near the stone balustrade, staring out into the mist that obscured the horizon. His posture was rigid, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"Sweets," Esmie called softly, hesitant. The nickname, usually filled with affection, felt almost fragile now. Enzo didn't respond at first, his back still to her, but eventually, he turned around, his eyes dark and shadowed with emotions too complex to name.

Esmie took a step toward him, stopping just in front of him. She could see the strain in his face, the confusion, the grief, and the anger swirling just beneath the surface. "I just... I wanted to make sure you were okay," she said, her voice gentle, soothing. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but I'm here for you. Always."

Enzo's chest rose and fell as he let out a long, shaky breath. His voice, when he finally spoke, was low and thick with emotion. "I don't know how I'm supposed to feel, Mie," he admitted, his words raw and unguarded. "How am I supposed to feel about losing her? I hated her for everything she did... but she was still my mother." His voice cracked slightly, the weight of the loss hitting him harder than he expected.

Esmie stepped closer, slipping her hands into his and squeezing gently. "I understand completely, Sweets," she whispered, looking up at him with quiet, steady eyes. "At the end of the day, she was still your mother. You're allowed to feel whatever it is you need to feel, and I'll be here for you, no matter what. You don't have to go through this alone."

Enzo's gaze softened slightly, but the turmoil in his eyes was still there. He nodded, though, his grip on her hands tightening as if he was afraid to let go. Just as Esmie was about to say something else, the sound of footsteps approaching caught their attention.

They both turned to see Draco walking toward them, his arm draped around Josie's shoulders. Behind them, Mattheo and Danielle appeared, moving quietly, their expressions reflecting the same weariness and relief that hung over everyone who had survived the battle. They all joined Enzo and Esmie in the courtyard, forming a small circle of friends standing in the aftermath of a war that had taken so much from all of them.

"Harry really did it," Josie said softly, her voice filled with awe, her eyes wide with the disbelief that it was truly over.

"It's really over," Esmie replied, her words carrying the weight of the truth. The war was over, but the cost was heavy. Her gaze drifted downward to her hands, and in her mind, she could see the faces of those they had lost—friends, teachers, and even students who had fought bravely until the end. The pain of those losses lingered, sharp and unyielding.

Draco's voice cut through the heavy silence, his tone hesitant, almost uncertain. "Esmie," he began, his grey eyes flickering with something akin to vulnerability. "Why did you save me? In the Room of Requirement?" His question was filled with confusion, guilt, and a need for answers he couldn't quite understand himself.

Esmie blinked, momentarily taken aback by the question. She met his gaze, her voice soft but firm. "I wasn't going to let you die, Draco," she said simply. "You can be a real arse, but I still care about you. I wasn't going to leave you behind, not in that room. You're more than the mistakes you've made, and I wasn't going to let you die there."

Draco stared at her for a moment, his expression conflicted, as if he was trying to reconcile the person he had been with the person standing before her now. Slowly, he stepped forward, pulling her into an unexpected hug. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with unspoken gratitude. "For saving me."

Esmie smiled softly as she hugged him back, feeling the warmth of the moment. "You don't have to thank me again, Draco," she said, pulling back slightly to look at him. "We've all made mistakes, but we can move forward from them."

Draco frowned slightly, his brow furrowed in thought. "I don't understand how you can forgive me," he muttered, his voice tinged with guilt. "After all the things I did in sixth year... I don't deserve it."

Esmie looked at him, her expression calm and understanding. "We all did things we regret, Draco, but if we hold on to the past, we'll never be able to move forward. I hope you can forgive me too, for any wrong I've done."

Draco's face softened, a small, genuine smile forming on his lips. "Of course I can forgive you, Esmie," he said quietly. "And I hope this means we can be friends now."

Esmie's grin widened, warmth filling her chest. "Of course we can be friends. I'd love nothing more than that."

Mattheo, who had been quietly observing the conversation, couldn't help but chime in, his usual mischievous smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, if Draco can make friends, then miracles really do happen." He shot a teasing look at Draco, his playful tone lightening the mood.

Draco rolled his eyes dramatically, though a smile tugged at his lips. "Don't push your luck, Mattheo."

Danielle, standing beside Mattheo, gave her brother a gentle nudge. "You'll scare him off if you keep teasing him like that," she said, her voice soft with affection. She turned her attention to Draco and Josie, her smile warm and sincere. "I'm just glad we're all still here. We've been through so much, but it's good to see us all standing together."

Josie, who had been quiet, finally spoke, her voice thick with uncertainty. "What happens now?" she asked, her gaze shifting between them all. "The war is over, but so many of us... we've lost so much. What do we do now?" Her voice wavered as the weight of everything they had endured seemed to settle on her shoulders.

Draco turned to her, his expression softening with empathy. "I'm so sorry about your parents, Josie," he said gently, reaching for her hand. His voice was filled with quiet sincerity, and the way he looked at her made it clear how much he cared.

Esmie watched the exchange, her heart warming at the sight of the connection between Draco and Josie. "We'll figure it out," she said, her voice filled with quiet determination. "We don't have all the answers now, but we'll figure it out together. That's what matters."

Josie nodded, her eyes misty with unshed tears as she leaned into Draco's embrace. Esmie gave her a small, reassuring smile before her hand brushed against something in her pocket. She frowned, pulling out a wand—Snape's wand. Her heart constricted as memories of that night in the Astronomy Tower flooded back, memories she'd rather forget.

"Mie, what's that?" Enzo asked, noticing the change in her expression.

"The wand Snape gave me... before he died," Esmie whispered, her voice barely audible. She stared at the wand, her fingers trembling slightly. "I think... I think he gave it to me so I'd have something to remember him by, but I don't want it. Every time I look at it, all I can see is him standing at the top of the Astronomy Tower, pointing it at me. I don't want to remember that night."

Enzo's grip on her hand tightened, his voice full of concern. "I'm so sorry, Mie," he said softly, his thumb gently brushing over the back of her hand.

Josie looked at the wand curiously. "What are you going to do with it?" she asked.

Esmie glanced down at the wand again, her chest tightening. "I think... I need to destroy it," she said after a long pause.

More footsteps echoed from behind, and the group turned to see Harry, Hermione, Ron, Elsie, and Theodore approaching. Relief flooded through Esmie as she saw Harry, alive and well. She quickly crossed the distance between them and pulled him into a tight hug.

"It's good to see you, Harry. Alive," she said with a small laugh, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

"It's good to see you too, Esmie," Harry replied, hugging her back with a smile. He nodded to the others. "Draco. Enzo."

"Hi, Harry," Enzo said, his voice steady.

"Potter," Draco said with a nod, though his usual animosity toward Harry seemed to have faded into something more neutral, maybe even respectful.

The group followed Harry down to the bridge, watching as he walked to the edge, staring out at the gully below.

"Why didn't it work for him? The Elder Wand?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed in thought.

Harry turned to her, his voice somber. "It answered to someone else. When Voldemort killed Snape, he thought the wand would become his, but it wasn't Snape's. It was Draco's. He disarmed Dumbledore that night in the Astronomy Tower, so the wand answered to him."

Esmie's heart tightened as she glanced at Draco. She realised how close he had come to being the one Voldemort sought. Josie's hand rested gently on Draco's arm as she looked at him with concern, offering silent support.

"And when I disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor," Harry continued, "the wand passed to me."

"So it's yours now?" Ron asked, wide-eyed.

Harry nodded, twirling the Elder Wand between his fingers. "Yes, but I don't want it."

Without a second thought, Harry snapped the wand in half and tossed it into the gully below. The group stood in stunned silence, watching as the most powerful wand in the world disappeared into the abyss.

Feeling a sense of closure, Esmie stepped forward, climbing up onto the ledge of the bridge.

"What are you doing, Mie?" Enzo asked, his voice filled with concern as he rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her legs to steady her.

Esmie smiled down at him before pulling out Snape's wand. She stared at it for a long moment, then snapped it in half, tossing the pieces into the abyss alongside the Elder Wand.

"I couldn't keep it," she said softly as Enzo helped her back down. "I couldn't hold on to that memory. Not anymore."

Elsie stared at her, confusion evident on her face. "What's wrong with Snape's wand?" she asked, her voice curious but cautious.

"I'll explain later," Esmie replied quietly, her voice filled with the weight of the decision she had just made.

The group stood together in silence, the stillness of the aftermath enveloping them like a heavy blanket. The air was thick with the residue of magic and the echoes of the battle that had raged not long ago, but now, everything felt eerily quiet. The once mighty castle stood solemn in the mist, as if mourning the loss of those who had fallen, yet offering refuge to the survivors who had somehow made it through. The weight of all that had happened, all that they had seen, and all that they had lost hung heavy in the air, but there was a sense of relief too, fragile and tender, barely beginning to take root.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron stood huddled together, their arms wrapped around one another in a gesture of silent solidarity. Their bond, already unbreakable, seemed even stronger now, forged in the fires of war and loss. They had been through so much together, had fought side by side for years, and now, finally, they could stand still, not needing to fight, if only for a brief moment. The war had taken its toll on them, but they were still standing, holding on to each other, and that was what mattered most.

A little distance away, Enzo stood with his arm securely wrapped around Esmie's waist, pulling her close to him as if needing to feel her warmth against him, needing to remind himself that they had survived. His fingers pressed gently into her hip, his grip both protective and tender. Esmie leaned into him, resting her head against his chest, the steady rise and fall of his breathing grounding her after everything they had been through. It was in this embrace that Esmie found a fleeting sense of peace, a reprieve from the chaos that had consumed their lives for so long. For a moment, she could let herself believe that they were safe, that this nightmare was truly over.

Next to them stood Danielle and Mattheo. The twins, usually so in sync with each other, stood quietly, their expressions mirroring the exhaustion that came with surviving something so catastrophic. Danielle's gaze was distant, her sharp eyes softer now as they swept across the gully below, taking in the landscape that had borne witness to so much destruction. Mattheo, always quick with a teasing remark or playful jab, was uncharacteristically quiet. The usual glint of mischief in his eyes had been replaced by something more subdued, more thoughtful. He glanced at his sister briefly, as if checking in with her, and then looked toward Esmie and Enzo, offering them a rare moment of quiet camaraderie. The bond between them all felt more profound now, unspoken yet deeply understood.

Enzo's thumb traced lazy circles on Esmie's side, a small but significant gesture of comfort. His touch was a reminder that they were still here, still together, despite everything. Esmie closed her eyes briefly, leaning further into him, letting the warmth of his body melt away the lingering fear and anxiety. She could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath his robes, and it gave her a sense of security she hadn't realised she needed. His arm tightened around her, and she sighed softly, the tension in her muscles easing just a bit.

Across from them, Elsie, who had been standing a little apart, turned to Theodore, her expression soft with unspoken affection. She reached out her hand to him, her voice gentle as she broke the silence with a quiet invitation. "Come on, Teddy, join us," she said, her smile small but encouraging.

Theodore hesitated, his brow furrowed as if still grappling with the weight of all that had transpired. His hesitation wasn't due to reluctance but rather the overwhelming sense of uncertainty that still hung in the air. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his mind undoubtedly replaying the scenes of battle, the faces of those they had lost, but then his gaze shifted to Elsie, her kind smile pulling him from his thoughts, and with a slow nod, he stepped forward, taking her hand. The simple gesture of connection seemed to offer him some solace, and as he stood beside her, some of the tension in his posture eased.

Esmie watched the quiet exchange between them, her heart swelling with a sense of warmth and gratitude. Despite everything, despite the destruction and the sorrow, there was still love, still friendship, still hope. These were the things that had carried them through the darkest of days, and they were the things that would continue to carry them forward.

Her gaze shifted to Draco, who stood a little off to the side, his usual guarded expression firmly in place. There was a distance in his posture, as if he wasn't entirely sure where he fit in with the group, but Esmie could see through the walls he'd built around himself. He had been fighting his own internal battles for so long, but now, in the aftermath of the war, she could sense the vulnerability lurking just beneath the surface.

Grinning, Esmie called out to him, her voice playful but genuine. "Come on, Draco, you're one of us now. You might as well join in."

Draco, always the one to mask his emotions with indifference, rolled his eyes dramatically, as if the idea of joining in was some great inconvenience, but there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips, betraying his usual aloofness. With a sigh that seemed more for show than anything, he walked over to Josie, slipping his hand into hers with surprising tenderness. "Oh, great," he muttered under his breath, though his tone lacked the usual sarcasm. Instead, there was warmth in his voice, a quiet acceptance of the fact that he wasn't alone anymore.

As Draco settled beside Josie, the group began to close the small gaps between them, instinctively coming together. They stood on the bridge, side by side, looking out over the mist-shrouded gully below. The world beyond the bridge still felt uncertain, still held remnants of the chaos they had just endured, but here, in this moment, there was a sense of quiet solidarity. They had survived the war, and though they carried the scars of battle—both seen and unseen—they were still standing, still together.

Esmie allowed her gaze to drift across the faces of her friends, the people who had become her family in the truest sense. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to express, but the words felt too big, too heavy. Instead, she let the silence speak for her, let the presence of each person beside her be enough. There was comfort in knowing that, even though they had lost so much, they still had each other.

Enzo's arm tightened around her waist again, and Esmie tilted her head up to look at him. His dark eyes met hers, and in that moment, there was no need for words. The affection, the relief, and the overwhelming gratitude for simply being alive were all there, clear as day in his gaze. She smiled softly at him, her heart swelling with love and appreciation for the boy who had stood by her side through it all.

Enzo leaned down slightly, resting his chin gently on the top of her head, his breath warm against her hair. He didn't let go, didn't loosen his hold on her, and Esmie felt a deep sense of comfort in his embrace. It was as if, in his arms, she could finally let go of the fear, the pain, and the uncertainty that had weighed so heavily on her. They had made it through the worst of it, and now, standing together, she felt like she could finally breathe.

Danielle, who had been standing beside Mattheo, glanced over at Esmie, her expression mirroring the quiet sense of peace that had begun to settle over them all. The connection between them was unspoken but deeply felt, a shared understanding of the journey they had been on and the healing they still had to do. Mattheo, for his part, remained uncharacteristically silent, but there was a softness in his eyes as he looked at his friends, a rare glimpse of the depth of his emotions.

Draco, standing with Josie's hand securely in his, seemed more at ease than Esmie had ever seen him. His usual defences were lowered, and for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to be vulnerable, to be a part of something bigger than himself. It was clear that, despite his reluctance, he had found his place among them.

As the mist slowly began to lift, revealing more of the landscape around them, Esmie felt the weight on her chest begin to lift as well. The war had been long and brutal, and the scars it left behind would take time to heal, but standing here, with Enzo's arm around her, surrounded by the people she cared about most, she felt a glimmer of hope. The world outside the bridge might still hold challenges, but for now, in this moment, they were safe. They had made it through the darkness, and though the road ahead was uncertain, they would face it together.

The great war was finally over. They had won, and they were still standing—together.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Esmie allowed herself to truly believe that everything might just be okay.

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And this brings us to the end of part two but don't worry, this is not the end yet! I have more chapters planned out for part three.

Enjoy! Xo

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