Breaking Through- sequel to "Dark Days"

Chapter 29

When I opened them I saw a velvet box in front of me, opened to reveal a ring.  He was actually?!  He was on one knee and he was grinning from ear to ear.  He then started "Liz when I gave you the promise ring, I knew that the next thing to come would be an engagement ring." 

I felt the tears start to well up in my eyes.  They were the happy tears this time.  He continued "I love you, and I always have.  I couldn't imagine being with anyone else.  That Valentine's day….it was the start of something.  I felt it in my heart.  You're the puzzle piece that I needed to complete me."  

"You complete me with everything.  I can't thank you enough for being my girlfriend for a year and three months.  Because this has been the BEST year and three months I could've EVER wanted.  I can't imagine my life without you.  And I now want you to be my fiancé, and then my wife.  So Elizabeth, Lizzy, Mary Jenkins…" 

"Yes?" "Will you marry me?" "YES!" I cried as I leapt into his arms.  He pulled off the promise ring to replace it with the engagement ring.  I looked at it, admiring it from all angles.  The diamond was beautiful and I loved how it engraved on the inside "Love never fails" with an infinity sign beside it.

I felt my heart flutter with joy when I looked at him now.  I couldn't stop smiling.  I went into a daydream of what my wedding dress would look like, and the bouquet of flowers I would throw.  Roses?  Red….or what about the pink ones?  

I walked back into the Great Hall, admiring the ring still.  Hermione, Ron, and Harry came running over and called "Liz!"  I looked up and smiled.  They all then skidded to a stop regained their breath.  "Liz, we need to go and-" Harry started before Ron interuppted, pointing at my ring finger.  "Is that a ring?" he asked and I looked down, and I showed the ring to them.

"So does that mean...." Hermione started and I nodded and then got all giddy and said "I'm getting MARRIED!!!!"  Hermione immediately crashed into me, as we embraced and I had some of the other girls, Luna and Ginny come over and give me a hug.

My "little" announcement had gotten the attention of the entire Great Hall, and everyone came over and congratulated me, giving me a shake of the hand, and whatnot.  

Eventually after that was all done, I went over to Jake and he pulled me into an embrace and I then said "I'm glad we both made it." "Yeah.  I am too." Jake said and I heard a chirp, and I looked to the side to see Fawkes, perched, watching us intently with his beady black eyes.

I laughed and said "And that's thanks to Fawkes."  He seemed to nod, and he then flew out the broken Great Hall window for a quick flight.  After he left, Jake then said "Do you think Dumbledore knew?" "Knew what?" I asked, still staring out some of the rubble scattered around the Great Hall.

"Dumbledore knew Fawkes would be the most helpful to you." he finished.  I looked at him and I then thought about it for a moment.  Did Dumbledore really know that I was going to need Fawkes?  Or was it just a lucky guess?  Or did Dumbledore predict something, and based off of that give Fawkes to me? 

"I really don't know.  But I don't need to know the reason why you're alive.  I just care that you ARE alive.  Alright Jake?" I said turning to him.  He smiled, nodding and said "Yeah, I like that idea too love."  He gave me a kiss.

"Liz!" Harry's voice called and I looked to him.  He was at the entrance for the hall.  He then motioned for me to follow him, and the others.  I decided to and Jake left me and my friends to talk. 

We walked along, out of the castle and out the courtyard.  We went on the bridge, that Voldemort and the rest of his army had used to get across to the castle.  We were there, the silence just hanging over our heads.  It wasn't unbearable.  It was okay when there was silence sometimes.

Then Hermione asked "Why didn't it work?  The elder wand?" "Because the wand never belonged to Snape.  It belonged to Malfoy.  He disarmed Dumbledore that night." Harry said bluntly.  "But Snape killed him." I stated, somewhat confused.  

"Snape did kill him, but he didn't earn the respect of the wand.  Draco did.  That is, until that night at Malfoy Manor, when I disarmed Draco." Harry said "So that means…." Ron started.  "It's mine." "What are you gonna do with it?" we all asked in unison. 

Harry looked at it for a second.  He then put it between his two hands and broke it.  He threw the pieces out and we all looked in shock.  The most POWERFUL wand.  He just…..threw it away?  I didn't bother bugging him on it.  

I looked up to the sun as it began rising up and into the clouds.  It was breaking through just like we had.  The war was over, and we could have our old lives back….the lives where we were ourselves.  As I looked at the ring on my finger I realized there were bigger things to worry about now.  I smiled.  Let's see where life would take us from here.