—————A—————

She came to in her bed in her father's chambers, a place she hadn't spent the night in what seemed like forever. Aurora frowned, trying to recall what happened, but the last thing she remembered completely was the battle, while she barely remembered being in the Great Hall.

Her head pounded, but not as much as it had before, that much she knew. There was a bottle of headache cure on the bedside table, which she took as soon as she was able to sit upright. She felt the effects start to get to work, grateful she didn't have to deal with that.

She shifted out of bed gingerly, her body still aching a bit as well. Well, pain relief would get to that eventually, and it wasn't unlike the day after an intense Quidditch practice.

She padded to the door and opened it gently, unsure what she would find on the other side.

Her mother's voice sang softly, a lullaby that hadn't been heard in their home since Leo was a child, and it brought a smile to Aurora's lips. Her mother was already singing to her youngest sibling, and she came out to the sitting room, fully expecting to see her mother singing to her bump.

She was taken aback by the tiny baby where said bump should be.

"Exactly how long was I out for?" Aurora asked, startling her mother.

Song was replaced by a laugh, and her mother patted the spot on the sofa beside her. "Not as long as you think. Come meet your brother, Alastor. He was so eager to meet you, he arrived not long after you left us."

Aurora walked over, her grin growing as she looked at her brother. "He's quite ugly in a very cute way," she said.

"He's a newborn, he's still all squished," her mother defended. "Give him time, the smush will fade, and he'll be just as lovely as you and Leo were."

Aurora took in her mum, happy, smiling, in love with the newest member of their family. "He's going to have more freedom than any of us had, isn't he?"

"Yes," her mother said with absolute certainty. "But then, now we're all quite free." She glanced at the fire, and Aurora followed her gaze, seeing the half-melted gold chain on the logs. "My accident is known, as is your father's true allegiance and your and Leo's blood status."

"The Carrows?"

"Arrested."

"And... and Voldemort?"

"He's probably ash now. They were burning the corpse this morning."

"Who...?"

"Kingsley. Cho Chang. Colin Creevey. Justin Finch-Fletchley. Percy, but I suspect you knew about him."

"I did, and Kingsley and Cho."

"There was Daphne Greengrass, too. Crabbe and Goyle, but they were the only Slytherins, I think. Lavender Brown said Daphne saved her, she was quite distraught."

"Ginny, Luna?" Aurora asked. "Draco? Harry?"

"They're all okay," her mum said, momentarily distracted as Alastor squirmed. "You didn't ask about Fred or Neville."

Aurora stiffened. "Should I have? I thought I remembered them...."

"They were," her mum assured. "Fred was moved to the hospital wing. I'm fairly certain Poppy said he would lose his legs."

Aurora nodded, looking around the room before turning to her brother. Without asking, she scooped him up and cradled him. He was warm and comforting, his small breaths just further establishing that they made it out on the other side.

"What is Dad going to do now?" she asked. You?"

"I'll take some time to be with Alastor and establish myself as alive again. Your father, well, I don't imagine he'll stay here much longer. His voice is still weak, it comes and goes, so I doubt even if he had a passion for teaching, he'd be able to."

Aurora nodded, absently running her fingers over her brother's fine hair.

"I've been thinking," she said after the silence stretched for a while. She turned to her mother, who turned to her, waiting patiently. "I like the idea of being a Curse-Breaker, but I don't particularly fancy the danger. I like Runes, and I want to be able to apply that somewhere. And I must say, many of the wards we encountered were quite shoddy."

"And?"

"And, well, what if I combine all of these? What if I find a way to make a set of wards that a witch or wizard could place around their business, key it to them somehow, similar to Muggle security systems? There's got to be a way to do something like that. I mean, if Fred and George can charm candy and wands, why not have something charmed for that? And really, if seven teenagers can make their way through the Department of Mysteries without too much trouble, and Ronald and I can pilfer butterbeer without breaking a sweat, then it's safe to say there's a market for it."

"You stole butterbeer?" her mother gasped, clearly appalled.

"I stole food, too, here and there. Technically. Few notes and pounds might have disappeared."

"Aurora Eileen—"

"And how would you have kept up with Ronald Weasley's stomach?"

"I wouldn't have stolen."

"And you would have starved," Aurora retorted. "So, security, efficiency. Help keep people feeling safe."

"It's peacetime, Rory."

"For now. Until the next Dark wizard comes along. And it's not just threats to worry about, but general livelihood."

"And where would you get the funding to start such a business?"

Aurora shrugged, smirking. "I'll marry a wealthy wizard, if one will have me."

"Aurora," her mother chided, and she laughed,

"Well, it's an option if Nan decides not to give me my inheritance. And I'm sure you and Dad know that now that we're in peacetime, the Prince money will be dropped on us whether we want it or not."

"Yes," her mother sighed as if it were some terrible burden. "I have no doubt she will. And your father will protest."

"Maybe he'll surprise you," Aurora said, looking down at her brother, still asleep, his little mouth moving in a way that reminded her of a fish. She smiled and kissed his forehead. "Alastor."

"Alastor Ivan Robert," her mother supplied.

"Al," she said, chuckling as she heard her mother sigh in exasperation. "You get to experience life like Leo and I never did. It's going to be fantastic, you'll see." His face scrunched. "Oh, he doesn't like that."

"Hand him over." Her mother chuckled. "He's hungry."

"Now that's something I can't help with," she said as she did as instructed. "Where's Dad?"

"Brewing. He and Leonidas are in the lab with a few others, trying to stay on top of everything Poppy needs."

"Good," Aurora said as she got up, brushing her hands on her denims, only just realizing now that someone had Scourgefied them. She was still in the clothes she fought in, and it made her skin crawl a bit.

"Why?" her mother asked, shifting to nurse Alastor as Aurora stepped around the sofa.

"Because I'm going to go get cleaned and changed. And then I'm going to take care of something else that I've been thinking about, and I would rather not have Dad get through all of this just to wind up in Azkaban for murder."

Her mum frowned. "Aurora, what are you going to do?"

"You'll find out soon enough, I'm sure," she said before disappearing into the loo, eager to take a long hot shower. Life was short and she'd very nearly died. So, while she washed away the dirt and grim and feel of the war, she would gather her thoughts and courage for what she wanted to do.

—————S—————

"So, what's next?" Sirius asked as he walked with Severus from the hospital wing. Sirius had been there to help comfort and calm some of the injured and to help the parents who had flocked to the school to find their children.

"Next... retirement," Severus said, his voice having regained a bit of strength, though it was still gritty. "From teaching, at least. I wasn't around much during my first two children's infancy, but I have that chance with Alastor."

"Moody would have hated that you named your son after him," Sirius pointed out.

Severus grinned. "He'd have acted like he did, but there would be a touch of pride under all the gruff." They walked a couple paces. "And you? After Kingsley...."

Sirius sighed. "I'll miss him, but it wasn't love. I ache, of course, and I mourn his loss, but I don't feel as if I can't go on. Frankly, I'm not sure what I'll do now. Since my unorthodox release from Azkaban, I've always had some task or another. I want another motorcycle, pretty sure the one I had is useless now. Maybe I'll tour the country like a Muggle for a time."

"And what of Potter?"

"I have no idea. I suppose that's for him and Draco to decide. I would prefer if he finished school, even if that means repeating a year. With Arthur overseeing the Ministry for now, I doubt he'll allow any free passes to anyone looking for work."

Severus paused at the end of the staircase, frowning at Sirius. "Arthur is in charge of the Ministry?"

Sirius shrugged. "Only for the time being. He's the only one we know for absolute certainty that wasn't working for You—for Voldemort."

"I suppose there's that. And what of the Aurors?"

"I think Tonks is overseeing things. Not getting involved, just overseeing."

Severus nodded, and they continued their trek.

"Will Minerva really let you go so easily? Who could replace you?" Sirius asked after a beat as they made it to the Entrance Hall.

"Minerva will let me go," Severus said, his eyes darting to movement in the corridor opposite the Great Hall. He saw Longbottom come out, head held high with a confidence he had never seen in the boy. "As to who takes my place" -he looked away as Aurora emerged, turning toward them- "I suppose she'll have to drag Horace out of retirement."

"Hey Dad, hey Uncle Sirius," Aurora said as she came up to them, a smile playing on her lips.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked, looking over his daughter, trying to find physical evidence of anything.

"A bit drained, but not terrible," she said. "How are you? Mum said you were brewing with Leo."

"I am, it's where I'm going now. I think it's safe to say we're all a bit tired, but we'll manage," he replied. Then, without regard to who would see or what it might do to the reputation he'd had his entire adult life, he kissed his daughter on the forehead. "Don't strain yourself gallivanting through the castle. When you get to the hospital wing, stay there for a bit."

She was taken aback, blushing a touch. "How did you know I was going there?"

He merely smirked and arched a brow at her, letting her know that he knew full well why she would be going there.

She cleared her throat, then looked at her feet. "Fine, I'll stay there. Might get uncomfortable, possibly, maybe, but... I'll stay."

"Good," he said. "Now, go." He watched as she rolled her eyes before turning away, and he sighed. "It's finally over, and she's all grown up," he said to Sirius while still watching Aurora until she rounded the corner. "I've missed so much of her life, and now... now she'll go and start her own."

"She's still young yet," Sirius reminded him.

"Even so," Severus sighed, heading to the stairs leading into the dungeons, turning back to Sirius as he remained in the Entrance Hall. "She's learned what it's like to face death and survive. Anyone who's done so knows that it makes you look at the bigger picture, makes you strive for what you really want." He turned and headed downstairs, heart heavy but proud of the witch his daughter became.

—————A—————

"Rory," Neville nearly shouted as she came up from the dungeons. "Can I talk to you?"

"Er," she said, trying to find her patience among her nerves. "Yeah, sure," she agreed, moving to join him, following him as he led her to the courtyard. For one morbid minute, she thought he was going to take her to where she'd seen a bunch of bodies, but he thankfully turned away from the courtyard, keeping her in the corridor around the corner. He leaned up against the wall, and she did the same.

"I was devastated when I thought you died," he started. "Heartbroken. Sort of like Fred, I was just... replaying the last interaction we had." He shifted toward her, and she hesitantly turned her head toward him. "You kissed me."

"You killed the snake that tried to kill my father. I was grateful." Then, she added with a smirk, "And maybe a bit bitter that you got to it before I did, but I don't know if that counts because I didn't think of much after that. Bitter is more of an afterthought, really." She looked away, seeing Ron and Luna coming from the opposite direction. Only Luna waved, but Ron smiled.

"Well, you took out Bellatrix," Neville replied. "You said you sliced her to pieces."

"Well, Felix helped, but—"

"Who?"

"Liquid Luck Dad made. I took a hit before running into her. "

"Well, doesn't matter. Point is, I get the bitter. Would've loved to have killed the bitch after what she did to my parents. So, I understand. Suppose we're even."

"I suppose that's one way of looking at it," she chuckled. "She nearly killed me, actually. Probably would have if I hadn't had a touch of illicit aid."

Neville's hand reached for hers, catching her off guard. "I'm glad she didn't."

"Nev," she said softly.

"Hear me out," he said, and she took a deep breath before nodding. "I love you," he said carefully. "I always have. And I want nothing more than to make you happy. I'll even try to get along with your dad, fresh starts and all. Just please give me a chance again."

"Neville—"

"I don't need you to say anything right now." He squeezed her hand. "But I want you to think about it. And there won't be any hard feelings if you don't, but it's all I want. All I ask for. A chance, one more chance, to be better this time." He leaned in to kiss her cheek, hovering near her face before letting go and stepping away, moving so quickly to the Great Hall that even if she wanted to stop him, there was no way she could.

She took a moment to clear her mind and collect her thoughts. His offer still lingered in the back of her mind as she pushed herself off the wall and continued her previous trajectory.

—————L—————

"What do you mean you're getting married?" Leo asked Draco, gaping at him as though he'd just informed him that mistletoe was a healthy snack. Because, honestly, even thinking about marriage seemed as stupid as chomping down on the poison berries.

"I haven't asked him yet," Draco explained. "But I still got a bit of that Liquid Luck your father gave us. It's not cheating when you take a drop before asking a very important question, is it?"

"I suppose that would depend on who you ask," Leo said, still staring incredulously at the blond while shaking his head. "And what about my sister?"

"What about her?" Draco laughed. "The war is done, and I'm certain Father has figured out we have no intentions of marrying each other."

"Wouldn't it hurt her, you ending the betrothal?" Leo asked, frowning.

Draco arched a brow. "You mean her chances of marrying someone else? No," Draco scoffed.

Leo nodded, looking back to the ingredients he was cutting. "I wanted you for a brother," he confessed.

"Marriage into your family or not, I've always regarded you and Rory like siblings."

"Still." Leo shrugged. And then a terrible thought came over him. He opened his mouth, nearly giving voice to his fears of who might just be his brother, but he quickly shut it again. He didn't want to make it happen by saying it out loud.

They were quiet, chopping and brewing side by side, the only ones still down there, the other volunteers taking a break. He thought of Jane, of what Draco had told him had happened to her. He would try to write her later, already knowing there was a chance his owl would come back undelivered. Still, it would be good to know if she'd escaped. He thought of Ethan and the other Hufflepuffs, of how they weren't quite his friends, but probably as close as he would get. Maybe next year would allow him to make proper friends. Third time's the charm and all. He knew it was unlikely that his father would be at the high table, and impossible for his mother to be. Aurora would still be around, but maybe he'd be more approachable without the imposing presence of his parents.

Luna returned, her arm still bandaged from where a nasty curse had burned hot enough to splinter her bone. Her extent of volunteer work was bringing ingredients from the various stores and what she could get from the vendor in Hogsmeade, but it was still a help.

"Your sister is awake and moving," she said with a serene smile. "Ronald and I saw her talking to Neville."

"And did Ronald reunite with Lav-Lav?" Draco asked, and Leo scowled at him. What was a 'Lav-Lav,' and did he even want to know?

"Only to end things, apparently," Luna replied, setting down her basket and sorting out the vials and loose ingredients. "Which is quite interesting when you consider how many people are coming together and making things official," she said, eyeing Draco with a knowing smile, then turned that smile on Leo.

Who only frowned more.

"And what about you, Luna?" Draco asked. "Are you getting together or making anything official?"

Luna's smile returned to her normal serene one, and she merely shrugged her shoulder before beginning to hum.

—————A—————

The hospital wing wasn't nearly as full as she was expecting. Only the severely injured were here. She spotted Seamus with a bandage wrapped around his head, covering his left eye. Devon from Slytherin with his skin covered in burns, but he was laughing with a Hufflepuff, who appeared to be missing an arm.

She spotted Aunt Poppy in her office but didn't stop by. She was there for a reason. Sucking in a deep breath, dredging up her courage, she went to the person she was there to see.

Fred was next to Bill, who was awake and reading the Daily Prophet, Fleur asleep in the chair beside him. He smiled at Aurora as she took her place in the chair beside Fred, only realizing a moment later that there should have been at least another Weasley or two hovering around.

"Mum and Dad are arranging the service for Percy," Bill explained, obviously understanding Aurora's confused frown. "George went to Floo Charlie in Professor McGonagall's office. Ron was by earlier; Gin I haven't seen for a bit."

"Ah." Aurora nodded, hand twitching in her lap, her eyes darting to the sleeping Fred.

She startled when the curtain behind her began to shift closed, and she looked to see Bill winking at her with a smirk before the curtain fully enclosed her and Fred. Her nervous energy doubled, and she nearly bolted out of the hospital wing, being the coward that she often could be, but she stayed resolute. She studied him again, then reached out and gently brushed a few strands of hair that were caught in the bandage wrapped around his head. She then looked down, and her heart broke a bit for him when she noted a flat bed beneath the sheets where his long legs should be. It appeared uneven, and she hazarded a guess he lost one at the knee while the other a bit above. Still, he lived, and maybe that was what he would focus on. She couldn't imagine a man as full of fun and life as Fred Weasley being downed by a couple of missing limbs.

There was a rustle, and Aurora's eyes darted back to his face. Fred's eyes slowly blinked open, and the corner of his mouth rose in a sleepy smile. Then he frowned.