Epilogue

Hermione’s heart swelled as she followed his gaze, her lips curving into a tender smile. Despite everything—the guilt, the fractured life she’d left behind—this moment, this love, was undeniable. She turned back to Ron, her fingers tracing the sweat-dampened line of his jaw.

“I love you too,”

It had been five long years and honestly Harry still missed her dearly, he remembered the day the ship had sunk and how much he had cried and raged over his wife's disappearance. As he sat at the kitchen counter looking at a few old photos of his life from before Harry 's thoughts were broken from a voice behind him.

Morning, Harry," his new wife, Luna Potter, said as she entered the kitchen, her ethereal presence a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him. Harry's eyes lingered on the photos scattered across the counter, memories of Hermione and their life together threatening to overwhelm him. He had thought time would dull the ache, but it hadn't. Luna's gentle voice broke through his reverie, and he **** a smile, pushing aside the lingering grief. "Morning, Luna," he replied, his voice tinged with the weariness of a man still grappling with the past.

Luna had been a godsend, she had initially moved in for a few months to help with raising her godsons whilst Harry was struggling with everything, she had also been a massive help keeping him himself from drowning his sorrows in a bottle.

A few months turned into a year which turned into two years and eventually Harry gave up on ever finding his wife, dead or alive, a few of the bodies had been recovered from the wreckage but well over a hundred were still missing, Luna had basically taken over mothering duties for Hermione, she loved the boys dearly and remembered how hard it had been for her when her own mother Pandora had passed away.

Harry himself had initially wished he had been on that ship with Hermione even if he went down with it as well, it was one of the few times Luna had showcased anger in all the years he'd known her, she reminded him that he himself had grown up without either of his parents and how that felt, needless to say Harry found enough drive to push forward.

Initially he and Luna hadn't planned to get together but after living with them for nearly eighteen months she had planned to leave them but Harry had asked her to stay. A kiss on the side of the mouth followed as the two began to get into a routine of their daily lives at the Auror office and Luna running her family newspaper.

Two years in Harry officially asked her out and though he felt guilty especially as James was having problems accepting it things were starting to feel bright again in Harry's life, Luna had sat down for hours with both boys and explained things in that special weird way only she could, the next day his oldest was more open to his dad and aunt dating.

He and Luna became officially husband and wife about a year ago, Luna knew his heart would always be Hermione's first but that didn't mean he didn't love her as well. As Luna sat next to him, a stupidly large bowl of cereal accompanying her he looked back down at the photo album.

"I just wish I had gotten some closure you know" He explains, she smiles gently and grabs his hand.

Luna's words hung in the air like a gentle breeze, carrying with them a quiet understanding that only she could muster. Harry's gaze remained fixed on the photos, his mind a battlefield of memories and longing. The ache in his chest, though dulled by time, still lingered, a constant reminder of what he had lost. Yet, as he sat there, the warmth of Luna's hand in his offered a comforting solace, a bridge between the past and the present.

"I don't know why," Luna began, her voice soft yet filled with conviction, "but I get the feeling that wherever Hermione is right now, she's happy."

Harry's eyes lingered on the photos, the ache in his chest a reminder of what he had lost. Luna's gentle presence was a balm to his soul, her ethereal nature a comforting contrast to the turmoil within him. He turned to her, his voice tinged with the weariness of a man still grappling with the past. "Do you really think she's happy, wherever she is?" he asked, his gaze searching for reassurance. Luna smiled, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of dawn. "Yes," she replied, her voice filled with conviction, "the Crumple-Horned Snorkack told me so."

Harry snorted to himself as he turned back to Luna, noticing her empty bowl. "I'll clean that, you should go rest, after all, you're pregnant, love," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of affection and melancholy. Luna smiled gently, her ethereal presence a comforting contrast to the turmoil within him. She nodded, placing a hand on her swollen belly, a subtle reminder of the new life they were creating together. As she stood, Harry couldn't help but glance at the photo album still open on the table, Hermione's smile hauntingly beautiful. He closed his eyes, the familiar ache in his chest a reminder of what he had lost.

Five years and the ache never went away, some days were harder than others like today but he was thankful for everything he still had, yes he would always miss Hermione and to a latter extent his best mate Ron but he still had his sons who were growing up well, he still had other friends he could rely on if need be and thankfully he had found love again with Luna who was carrying their child.

He tries to push a message into his mind knowing that she'll never hear it but wanting to believe she would.

"Wherever you are Hermione I hope Luna's right and that you ARE happy, the boys are happy and lively again and I...I found happiness again as well...I love you...goodbye"

He turned back to the photo album taking one last glance before closing it and placing it back on the shelf.

"All is well" he thinks before he hears a loud squelch from the kitchen and a gasp from Luna.

"Err Harry I think my water just broke" she said in mild concern, he smiles as he rushes back into the kitchen

"Okay maybe all is NOT well but it's getting there".

Author's Notes:
And so another story comes to an end, so my idea for the island was originally something similar to the one from the TV series 'Lost' at least in how the island remains hidden from the rest of the world, plus I wanted to leave the fate of Ron and Hermione down to the reader, are they alive, are they dead, you can interperate the island as whatever you want, a hidden place, a heaven, or something else.

Also I had to give Harry and his family some kind of happy ending and I adore Luna as a character so of course I had to sneak her in at the end there.

Anyway next week begins our new story and after such a long a drama filled one here the following story will be much shorter and light hearted.

Thanks for reading everyone.