It is our choices (A Harry/Severus friendship fic post DH) (Watty Awards 2011)

Epilogue- Until the very end

Author's note: I dedicate this chapter to 416bunny who has forever referred to my fic and every chapter as "A-fricken-mazing", and on chapter 30, listed the reasons why she loves my fic. Thank you so much for taking the time to do that :) I also dedicate this chapter to my brother, Harrison. He's not on Wattpad, but if it wasn't for him, i would not have written this Epilogue. Chapter 30 was originally the final chapter of 'It is our choices', but my brother was so curious to find out how Severus' death affected the Potters, that he encouraged me to write this final chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Epilogue- Until the very end

Harry watched the Resurrection Stone fall out of his hands as he threw it somewhere deeper into the forest; he could not even see where it landed. He had just finished saying good bye to his parents, Sirius, Remus and Severus and already he missed them, especially the latter. But he knew that he needed to let go and move on. He even felt ready to talk to Severus' portrait again, for he hadn't looked at it since Severus' death; it was just too painful. 

Harry stood still for a moment thinking about the Resurrection Stone. Although his resurrected loved ones were concerned that he was leaving the Stone in the forest without protection, Harry felt that the odds of someone finding a black stone in a dark forest were slim to none. Having told himself over and over again that the stone would be safe, Harry began to walk out of the forest.  

Tumbling over and over in his mind were the voices of his loved ones. It moved him that Severus was afraid he would not be able to return to the other dimension because of his desire to stay here with him and his family, but what truly made his day was that his father, Remus and even Sirius supported Severus, and promised to help him if he could not leave Harry when the time came. Harry knew that they and his mother would take good care of Severus and that the resentments they had all those years ago had evaporated, but of course, were not forgotten.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Walking back up to the castle, Harry sent his stag to Ginny and his children, letting them know that he planned to meet them all at Grimmauld place and if they could, to be there when he arrived. He also sent his Patronus to the Deputy Headmistress, letting her know that he would be away for a short period and to keep an eye out on the school.

Walking to the outskirts of Hogwarts grounds and beyond the enchantments he placed around the castle, Harry apparated to his home.

Only Ginny was waiting for him when he arrived, for his children would obviously need to inform their spouses before leaving. 

"Harry! What is it? Why do you want us to meet here? What's wrong?" Ginny asked looking panicked; she absolutely hated these secret meetings now. 

Harry stepped forwards and hugged his wife. 

"Calm down, Ginny. Nothing is wrong; it's good news, I promise. I just want to wait for our children to arrive, okay?" Harry said calmly, kissing Ginny's forehead. The woman nodded; relieved that her husband was not bringing them any bad news- she didn't know how much more she could handle.

Finally when all of the children had arrived and everyone was sitting down in the lounge room, Harry began: 

"I'm sorry to call you here so late, but there is something important I wish to tell you," Harry said with a small smile on his face. 

"Why are you smiling, Dad?" Albus asked; since Severus' death he rarely saw his father smile anymore. 

"Because I have some good news," Harry replied. 

"What is it?" James asked in anticipation. 

"My care of magical creatures teacher was unable to do magic in the forest the other