Beta Reader: Cheryl
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things I own are the plot, any characters, spells etc that you do not recognize.
Author Notes: n/a
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN To A New Beginning
Harry shot upright in his bed, blinking furiously as the persistent blinding flashes became etched in his vision, even with his eyes closed. He struggled to keep his eyes open, his vision seemed to be slipping in and out.
"Back away now, I want you out of this room!" Harry heard the bellowing voice, followed by a flurry of footsteps that sounded as though they were fading with distance.
Harry felt a warm tingling on his wrist, the texture felt slightly damp, yet it felt like a human touch - maybe it was sweat? "Harry, open your eyes."
"Enervate!" Harry recognised the voice from earlier and he suddenly felt a relaxed sensation in his body, and his eyes, which had felt as though they were glued together, fluttered open freely. Hermione was perched on the edge of his bed; it had been she who had held his wrist, and was still clutching it firmly. Dumbledore was to her right, his face filled with concern. His brow was furrowed and his glasses were perched on the tip of his nose, while he frowned - a serious expression on his face.
"What happened?" Harry began, his voice croaky and quiet. "Where's Voldemort?"
"Voldemort's dead," said Hermione brightly. Harry wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and stared between Hermione and Dumbledore in disbelief. "How?"
"I think Miss Granger would be best to advise you on that," said Dumbledore, who took a few steps back and sat down on one of the beds.
"Harry it was incredible, one minute you were holding Voldemort's Avada Kedavra and the next minute you just dropped your wand, then the spell hit you and you hit the wall."
"Voldemort was trying to control me again, he uses my wand to do it. So I dropped the wand before he could make me kill you."
"What about the sphere?" Hermione asked.
"It was a decoy, trust me. What else happened?" he asked. "I'm starting to remember bits and pieces but I need you to carry on."
"Okay," answered Hermione reluctantly. "I thought you were dead. You hit the wall but then you got up again right away, Voldemort cast another Avada Kedavra on you but it just hit your chest and rebounded at him, and that was it. He dropped down and…disintegrated."
"How did I survive?" Harry looked at Hermione who shrugged, and then at Dumbledore who was staring peacefully into one of the large picture windows, Harry was sure that the Headmaster hadn't listened to a word that was being said.
"Harry, remember when I told you that it was your mother's love that saved you from Voldemort nearly seventeen tears ago?"
"Yes sir," answered Harry, still focusing on Dumbledore who had now turned to face him.
"I still believe that, and I think that something very similar occurred this time. Only it wasn't your mother's love that saved you." Dumbledore smiled at Harry, who turned back to Hermione who was smiling uncomfortably.
"But why didn't Hermione have to sacrifice anything?"
"The bond was obviously too strong. Voldemort thrives off hatred and death; he cannot cope with the bond of love that guided you to victory tonight. You won Harry, Voldemort lost. It's that simple."
It was true. Hearing Dumbledore actually say that he had won suddenly brought the realisation to Harry that Voldemort was dead, it was over. "How long have I been here?" Harry asked.
"School finished one week ago, but everybody's still here." Hermione said.
"Why?" Harry asked, confused.
"They wanted to give you a hero's welcome," said Dumbledore. "The flashes that you may have seen when you began to arise, they were camera flashes from a dozen reporters, mostly of the Daily Prophet."
"Well they can stuff their interview or whatever they want down their trousers because they aren't getting one."
"I understand how you feel Harry," said Dumbledore. "But it may be best to face them now rather than have them bombarding you for the rest of your life."
"Maybe…how's Ron?" Harry looked down at his bed sheets; he had a bad feeling about Ron's condition and didn't know if he could face the answer.
"I'm alright mate," Harry turned to his left and looked over to where a curtain was wrapped around a bed. Hermione walked over and tugged it open; Ron was lying in his bed with Chocolate frog wrappers, along with many other sweets spread over his bed.
"I thought you were asleep," said Hermione firmly.
"How could I be with you lot yakking?" he replied.
The door to the hospital wing flew open and Sirius rushed in, he stared at Harry and walked over to him, pulling him into a strong hug. "Harry are you okay?" he asked frantically.
"I'm fine." Sirius gripped Harry's shoulder and smiled down at him. "Lily and James would have been so proud of you," Harry smiled up at him and he could have sworn that he saw one tiny tear forming in Sirius' eye. "Sir, does the rest of the school know about Felipe now, about him faking his death?"
Dumbledore nodded. "He is dead. Voldemort killed Felipe and his father and his sister she…she's dead too. They took me there thinking that Voldemort would lift the curse on Felipe but he didn't, his sister pretended to be you Hermione." Harry looked at her and she nodded.
"Yes, she kidnapped me and took me to Voldemort. She pretended to be a new student who couldn't find her way to the ball. I was stupid to fall for it. So much for constant vigilance."
"We all fell for Felipe's tricks," said Sirius. "But it's over now."
"Voldemort's Death Eater's are still alive though," said Dumbledore. "We will find them, but it won't be easy. They'll be hiding all over the world now that their master is gone once again."
"We don't need those stupid soldiers anymore either," said Ron.
"And I have something else for the three of you," said Sirius. He pulled three envelopes out of his pocket and walked over to Ron, passing him the envelope.
"Wow Sirius, I've got to say I'm surprised. I mean we put on a good show and everything but I didn't expect a pay cheque."
Sirius smiled. "Maybe next time Ron." Ron opened his envelope and stared at it in disbelief. "Exam results? But how did you get them so soon? And how the hell did I get an Acceptable in History of Magic?"
"Well the examiners found a few new methods of marking the work, so everybody received their results today." Sirius answered.
"This is accurate isn't it? I mean it's a bit far-fetched?" said Ron, still gaping at his results.
"Quite accurate," said Dumbledore. Hermione opened her envelope and smiled.
"Good?" Harry asked.
"Great," she said.
Harry opened his envelope and Sirius patted him on the back proudly. "How's that, eh? Still fancy that Auror job?" Sirius was right; Harry had received good enough grades to be accepted into Auror training if he wanted.
"Of course you won't need full Auror training, I mean I think you've proven that you can handle the dark arts," said Sirius. "Oh, Hermione! Here's something else for you." Sirius handed her another envelope, which she opened and pulled out a sheet of parchment, which she scoured thoroughly with her eyes.
"Y-You're offering me a job?" she said, surprised.
"Well you said you weren't sure what you wanted to do, and Eric and I are trying to develop many new and creative potions. We need somebody who is level headed and clever…"
"So why aren't you asking me?" called Ron. "Just kidding," he added, noticing Sirius' worried face. "I'm trying out for the Cannons this year anyway."
"I'll think about it," said Hermione thoughtfully. "Thanks Sirius."
At this point Dumbledore stood up and smiled at Harry. "Well done Harry, I have to go down to the Great Hall, the students are waiting for a surprise announcement."
"What announcement?" Harry asked.
"It's a surprise," Dumbledore said, half smiling.
*
"I wonder what Dumbledore has planned?" said Harry as he; Ron and Hermione were seated in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Maybe it's something to do with why he's been acting so weird," suggested Ron. "I'm going down to find out, you two coming?"
"In a minute," said Harry. "Ron?" Ron stopped next to the portrait hole and looked back. "Thanks. You were great against Voldemort."
"No probs." Ron stepped into the hole and disappeared from sight.
"We should go you know," Hermione said.
"I know. I want to ask you something first."
"Okay." Hermione listened intently.
"I was thinking for the past few weeks really that…if I survived Voldemort then I'd fill you in on everything that I haven't been able to reveal to you and that I'd ask you something else. Let me say first that when you were unconscious I couldn't handle myself, and a few weeks ago Voldemort took control of me again…that's why the boy's toilets were destroyed. He used my wand then, that's how Ron and I knew."
"Thanks for telling me the truth Harry. But you won't have to worry about that happening again now that you've beaten Voldemort."
Harry smiled and brought her into his arms. As he released her he kissed her quickly. "What I wanted to ask you was, when we're married maybe we could…if you want to…if you're ready…what do you think?"
Hermione smiled and giggled slightly. "It would help if you asked me the question," she said softly.
"Right. Okay, do you want to maybe…try for another baby." Hermione's eyes opened wide. "I know it's sudden and you don't have to answer now."
"I-I just need to think for a minute."
"There's no rush. We need to go downstairs, you can let me know whatever the answer is whenever you want."
*
Harry and Hermione approached the Great Hall slowly, they could hear a lot of discussion emanating from behind the closed doors prompting Harry to stop. He eyed Hermione. "I don't want this."
"I know. But you do deserve it Harry, and these are just your friends. I agree with Dumbledore that maybe you should face the Daily Prophet too." Harry nodded uncertainly.
"Let's go in then." Harry pushed the door open and hundreds of students stood on their toes clapping their hands together until they were sore. Harry gulped hard, trying to absorb the atmosphere while glancing along the teacher's table where everybody, Hagrid in particular and including Snape were applauding him. Most of the Slytherin table were on their feet and a few were clapping, including Draco, who nodded in Harry's direction. Ron and Ginny were side-by-side grinning and cheering.
Harry smiled back at them nervously, and began to move slowly until he reached Ron and Ginny and sat down next to them with Hermione. "Well done Harry," said Ginny and Neville.
"Thanks."
"The last few years have been most challenging for all of us," said Dumbledore, causing everybody to fall silent. "But by staying together and with our friends by our side we have overcome the challenge. And we have defeated Lord Voldemort," a loud cheer erupted the hall again. "Some of our friends have been lost, but none shall be forgotten. Individually you have all overcome certain challenges I am sure, as have I. I feel I have taken care of my students to my full ability, and made the correct decisions. And now I think it is time for me to resign as your Headmaster." A deadly silence fell over the hall, all eyes on Dumbledore.
"I will hand over my position to Minerva McGonagall, who has also agreed to continue her role as Transfiguration teacher." Despite being confused, Harry together with the rest of the school applauded.
"I guess that explains the behaviour then," said Harry. "He was obviously enjoying his last few months in charge."
McGonagall smiled. "Thank you Albus."
"Now, let me hand over the podium to another person who would like to say a few words to you, Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge." Silence fell again, and the creak of the back door to the hall seemed ten times louder as Fudge stepped into the hall. He was dressed in his usual pinstripe robes but looked somewhat embarrassed.
He stood next to Dumbledore and looked over to the Hogwarts students. "I have made some decisions that many of you haven't agreed with, however I do stand by those decisions, as I believed they were right at the time. But now, I too feel it is time for a change. So I hereby resign as Minister of Magic." The school stayed quiet as Fudge stepped down and walked down the centre of the room, the squeaking of his leather shoes echoing throughout the hall like nails on a chalkboard. He paused next to Harry and looked him straight in the eye.
"My apologies Mr Potter, and my congratulations." Harry said nothing, only watched Fudge walk out of the door of the hall and the door fall shut, as if closing off his reign as Minister.
Suddenly the tables in the hall filled with food and Dumbledore spoke again. He raised a long, thin glass up into the air. "To a new beginning!" Cheers broke out once more and everybody took a large gulp of pumpkin juice.
Harry was about to start eating when he saw a large shadow cover his plate. He turned around to see a tall, thin man with a thick black beard standing there. He had a large notepad and quill in one hand, a small camera in the other. His suit was dark brown and didn't look as fancy as the Daily Prophet reporters. Harry looked closely at the man's chest and saw a small badge sewn onto his jacket saying 'Reporter: The Quibbler.' "Mr Potter, maybe when you've finished you could give us an interview, we've been after a good story and would really appreciate it if you could give us a few words."
"Sure. Later." Harry said.
"Thank you very much," the man said politely. He stepped away and out of the hall. Harry was about to start eating again when somebody else patted him on the back, this time it was Draco.
"Well done Potter."
"Thanks."
"Decided what you're going to do next?"
"Auror, I think." Draco nodded.
"We'll be seeing a lot of each other then?" Draco walked back to his seat when Hagrid quickly appeared in his spot.
"Well done, 'Arry, I aint 'arf proud of yeh!"
"Thanks Hagrid."
Hagrid beamed at him. "Well, I'll let you get back to it then, eh?"
*
An hour or two later everybody had enjoyed a huge feast and were making their way back to their common rooms to pack for the final time when the reporter appeared again.
"Is now a good time Mr Potter?" Harry nodded.
"I'll see you in a bit," Harry said to Ron who nodded and walked off heading for the stairs. Hermione was unsure what Harry wanted her to do; she looked at him expectantly. Harry simply smiled and her and took her hand. They followed the reporter outside to a quiet area of the school and joining him on a nearby bench.
"Right Mr Potter, this won't take long at all. I was thinking of headlines, how about, Boy Who Lived Lives Again, or Potter Victorious: A Hero's tale?"
"I'd prefer Harry actually, just Harry."
Author Notes: And that's it. Complete. It's been a long, and sometimes very difficult ride but it's been fun and I'm happy with the end result.
I will tell you that I considered having the Quibbler reporter be a fake and kidnap Harry and start a new plot for the sequel but I decided to give you no cliff-hanger, mainly because the plan is for a sequel but it may not happen yet. So you have a proper end if there is no sequel.
I'm a little unsure whether or not to write one; if I do it will probably be next summer because I have a lot of other writing projects on and stuff. There isn't a lot to finish up, only the wedding and that might not even be written into the sequel anyway.
What do you guys think? Are you satisfied with the end or do you think it needs more? Or will more spoil it? And of course, if anybody has a favourite character/moment/chapter etc, then I would love to hear your comments.
I have just started another project, which I will be focusing on now, it's called Harry Potter and the Bite of the Serpent, and if anybody is interested you can check it out by going to my profile page.
So you may be seeing the sequel and you may not. I want to say a quick thanks to all of my reviewers and a special thank you to my beta Cheryl who has worked really hard on this fic with me and I'd like to congratulate her on the birth of her new baby boy Scott. Congrats!
I'll speak to ya soon…maybe.