Epilogue
Chapter 12 of 12
kyriaofdelphiThings have changed drastically for the Golden Trio. Horrible things are about to come out.
Twenty-five years later
The day began brightly with storm clouds near the horizon. Daniel, Ron’s son by a Squib before he married Lav, was on the boat sailing toward Scapa Flow to fish.
Ron hadn’t wanted to worry Lavender, but he knew his magic was leaving him. He realised it was the poison from the shard that was causing it. It would someday cause his death, as well. He had accepted that. There wasn’t a day go by that he didn’t feel the guilt of what he had done to Hermione eat at his soul.
Lavender was gone to the mainland to deliver a shipment of birds to Eeylops. Her cousins now ran the shop, and she could visit family while she was in London.
Ron had decided that he should take it easy. When he came out of the house after lunch, he saw that a sailboat had run aground. The boat hung on the rocks as Ron swam out to rescue the man.
He knew where to avoid the current and got to the young man swiftly. The boat was sliding off the rocks into the sea as Ron caught sight of the name on the stern: The Golden Snitch
Swimming back to Muckle Skerry towing the young man, Ron thought it was merely a fanciful name for a boat, not realising that his past had just caught up with him.
Once ashore, Ron checked the young man for injuries other than the lump on his head. Finding none, he stripped the shirt off and wrapped him in a towel. In the buttoned pocket of the shirt, he found a wand, miniaturised.
The young man was no older than Daniel. He was coming around, and Ron was startled to see a remarkable resemblance to Viktor Krum in his features.
“Lad, who are you? Your boat went up on the rocks because of the bad currents out there. I’m afraid it slipped off the rocks and sank.”
“Thank you for saving me, sir. My name is Miko Krum. My parents are going to be livid when they find out I sank the boat. Have you got a phone I can use?” He was sitting up now, looking even more like Viktor. However, the boy had Hermione’s eyes, Ron saw.
“Send a Patronus, lad. I can’t anymore since my magic is almost gone. My son won’t be back for another couple of hours, but he can take you back to the mainland of Scotland when he comes. Or you could Apparate back. My wife should be home soon, I think. She can make you a Portkey, if necessary.”
“I’ll wait until my clothes dry. Mum and Dad are visiting Uncle Alastor and Aunt Min in Inverness. I took the boat out to try it. Dad will kill me for wrecking it.”
“Lad, your dad’s a kind, good man. He may be upset with you, but he’ll be too glad you’re still alive to care about the boat. Tell your dad I have paid off a bit of that debt, now. He’ll understand. Sit out here and enjoy the sun while your clothes dry. I’m going in the house and write a note to your parents. Come see me before you go.”
“Yes, sir, I will. Thank you again for rescuing me.”
The boy stuck out his hand and shook Ron’s hand. Ron just nodded at him and went in the house.
Dear Viktor and Hermione,
I never intended to have any contact with you again, as per my sentence. However, your lad was caught in the strong current that runs just off this island and grounded the boat on the rocks. I managed to get him off the boat, but it sank. I haven’t told him who I am. He’s a good lad and one to be proud of.
RBW
Ron sealed the note before going to the window to watch the boy. Miko walked the beach for a bit, gathering shells. Eventually he walked back to the house and came in.
“Sir, my clothes are dry and I’ve let my parents know about the boat. I guess I’m ready to Apparate now.”
Ron handed him the sealed note and said, “Take this to your dad, Miko.”
“Yes, sir. And thank you again. I owe you my life.”
Soon after the boy had Apparated away, Lavender arrived home to find Ron shaking and in tears. He told her what had transpired and she was afraid that he would be sent to Azkaban. Daniel returned home a bit later and, between them, Lavender and Daniel put Ron to bed.
He was very ill. Lavender sent to the Weasleys, fearing the worst. Harry and Ginny notified the Moodys.
In Inverness, Miko had delivered the note to his father, who showed it to Hermione.
“It is good to see that Veasley finally became a man," Viktor said.
Hermione responded, "Viktor, Minerva just handed me this note from Lavender. Maybe we should do something... it sounds like he's dying. He saved Miko; we owe it to him to go.” She had read the note from Ginny telling them that Lavender feared Ron was fading fast.
Viktor and Hermione came to the island with the Weasley family.
Harry and Ginny stood witness to the talk that the Krums had with Ron. They thanked Ron profusely for saving their son and told him they would appeal to the Wizengamot that the rest of his sentence be commuted.
Two nights after that visit, Ron died peacefully in his sleep, the poison having finally overwhelmed his system.
The end.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Shards
45 Reviews | 6.18/10 Average
great ending.. lovely job!! like that the pieces of the story tied together
happy tht severus was add to the story.. love his role in the fic- overall great story & glad the babies were found!!
love the story! heart breaking for hermione!! sad that her friends didn't know what was going on!!
And the circle is closed. Good job! While I do not normally save VK/HG stories, this one goes into my keeper list. ^_^
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Thank you so much. Your reviews mean a lot to me. 
A good ending for everyone. I'm glad Ron died at peace, mainly for Hermione's sake. I very much enjoyed the twists and turns of this story. The concept of a shard ending up in Ron was a great idea. Thanks.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Thank you so much for your lovely review. This was a very hard story to write. I had misgivings about the whole plot. But it worked out in the end and everyone seems pleased with it.
I'm sad it's over but I'm glad Ron and the Krums could clear things and forgive.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
He needed to redeem himself. This was close to what I had planned out at first, but even then the characters wanted something a bit different. I let them have their way and I think everyone liked it. Thanks for staying with the story, reading & reviewing.
Awwwwww. I love that he redeemed himself, and that they were able to reunite and make their peace. Lovely ending... albeit sad. :)
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
It seemed only fair. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
At least he was able to make up for it. And I do like that we see why Hermione and Viktor went to see him, not for himself, but what he did for their son... it makes a lot of sense with the rest of the story. Well done, my friend!
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
I finally feel like I can improve with each story. Thanks for your wonderful reviews and all your help.
This has been a wonderful story to follow, and the ending was perfectly bittersweet.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews and for sticking with the story until the end.
Surprising, yes; sad, a little; but lovely.I rest my case. It's probably the best you've written.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had to redeem him just a bit. This way he wasn't such a horrible guy after all. I am just so very glad it is over and done with.
You did the neigh impossible in this story, Kyria... you made me actually feel rather sorry for Ron. Especially considering that at the beginning I would have been delighted to bury Ron in a pit UNDER Azkaban. Even though it's largely his own ignorance that lead to the horrors done to Hermione. To finally become a mature, worthy man. But at least Ron was afforded the opportunity to redeem himself before his death.This is definitely a masterpiece and one of the finest VK/HG works I've ever read. In fact, 'Shards' rates as one of my favorite stories overall. Well done!
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Thank you so much for this. It was a real struggle, but I am so glad you approve of what I did with it. You have no idea how miuch this means to me. I am now working on that prompt you left for me in the forums and it won't be Ron who is behind it. Wait and see.
This is such a wonderful story and surely one of the best viktor/hermione stories I've read until now.What happens in the end is a great surprise, it is good how everything came to this end, that all of them found their peace finally.Keep writing more of these great stories!
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Thank you for staying with the story. I have another in the works right now. I felt like Ron needed to redeem himself a bit.
I wouldn't have thought of that but it seems to be a fair punishment. I can't wait for the epilogue to know how their lives turn out in a couple of years.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
There is one last twist to the story. I hope you will be pleased. Thanks for staying with the story.
Aw... sniff sniff, that ends quite well, indeed. I said weeks ago that this might end up being the best thing you've ever written, and I still think so. Thank you for inviting me to be part of it!
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
You're not done yet, Rose. That last twist still awaits in the epilogue. I had to drag out the tear-jerker stuff and I hope you like it. I am evil in this one. Again thanks for sticking with me through this.
That's quite a twist you added, there at the end! Poor Ron, to have to go through all that. Hopefully something good will still be in there.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
The verdict will be difficult, but there is the epilogue to come. It will surprise you, I think. Or maybe not, you know me too well.Thanks for reading & reviewing.
Oh, that was cute there at the end.I like the way things are settling down and careful plans can be made. I hope Ron can be helped!
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
There is a cute male-bonding thing with Viktor and Harry in the next chapter. I had to throw in some humor, the whole angsty thing was getting to me. Thanks for reading & reviewing.
It's good that Hermione finally feels well enough to speak for herself.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
I know, for a story about Viktor and Hermione it certainly didn't have much of the heroine in it. But she gets to speak her mind later on as well. Thanks for reading & reviewing.
I like the way this family discusses and considers the various options and ideas as they work through this. They're not rushing headlong into anything.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
With all eight Weasleys together, you are bound to get eight opinions. And some attitude. Molly will always blame herself. Arthur will protect Molly and the kids will suss it out amongst themselves. But Bill acknowledged his error and strove to make amends. Thanks for reading & reviewing.
It was good to keep Viktor from the hospital for the one night. Hermione was just going to sleep and he wouldn't have been any good to her without resting, himself.I love the no-nonsense way the extracted the children from Ron's hands.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Ginny and Luna made a formidable team, didn't they? Things are going to move on in a new direction. Thanks for reading & reviewing.
I'm so glad Viktor was talked out of doing the Legilimancy. It would have killed him.The sadness here is that they're all beating themselves up over Ron. Sometimes the signs aren't really there, or the troubled person is good at hiding them. One hopes they'll move on from the self-doubt and into more helpful modes as things go on.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Things are revealed and no one was to blame for not seeing what was going on. I liked that Severus felt it imperative to talk to Viktor. THanks for reading & reviewing. I hope you will like where I took the rest of the story.
I just realized how far back it is that I haven't reveiwed!I love the way you're able to include so many of the story's characters, give them your own reading, and keep track of them throughout the story.Storywise, I love the way so many people have come to circle the wagons, so to speak, around Hermione in her hour of need.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
You are going to be surprised because I have one more twist to this tale. The epilogue may shock some people and please others. I usually use my stock characters: Min & Moody, Harry & Ginny, Luna and either Neville, Draco or Percy, and whichever Weasleys seem to be required. I throw Severus in occasionally for acerbic touches.I am so glad you have stuck with this story. Your reviews are wonderful and I really appreciate you.
This doesn't sound like the end of the story. It isn't, is it? Please tell me there's more to come. Ron and Lavender-wise, do you think the marriage will last? Lavender always struck me as someone who needed to be in the limelight if she could, not stuck on a small island at the end of the world for the next thirty years. ^_^
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
The epilogue is in the queue. The marriage lasts even with some other factors thrown in. There is one final twist which I hope you will like. Thanks for reading, reviewing, and sticking with the story.
Just as life should go on. Staying stuck in the bad lets the monsters live. I'm glad Hermione had such a strong support system.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
I still have one final twist to unveil. I think it will tie things up nicely. So far the reviews have all been positive. Thanks for being the best friend and sounding board ever.I certainly could not have done it without your input and support.
Great update, I really liked your solution to the problem of what to do with Ron. Having him viewing the memories of his actions and then being banished to a remote island was a good solution. He was duly punished, but at the same time it was given allowance for what the shard did to him, letting him have Lavender and his family can visit. Yup, I really, really liked this.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
The epiulogue is in the queue. There is one final twist to the story. I think everyone will be happy with what happens. Thanks for sticking with the story and the great reviews.
Well, that's one of the trickiest parts of Hermione's recovery handled. Hopefully they won't haunt Snape the way they would have haunted Viktor.
Response from kyriaofdelphi (Author of Shards)
Severus won't lose any sleep over them. He does have a plan for those memories, however. Viktor is going to be concentrating on his wife and children. Thanks for reading & reviewing.