Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. This is the brilliant work of Rowling. I only own this part of the story, and may borrow some of Rowling's last chapter in the book or scene in the movie if needed. In other words, please don't sue me

Warning: There may be some slight language and adult themes.

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CHAPTER 1 – THE DAY AFTER THE WAR

When everyone was recovering after the defeat of Voldemort, there was no one happier than Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione. They were known as the Golden Trio during their seven years at Hogwarts, especially during that last year when they went off hunting and destroying Horcruxes at Dumbledore's orders. Things were a little shaken after the loss of many students and professors, including Snape. Harry saw Snape in a different light after seeing his memories before giving himself up to Voldemort. Hogwarts was in great need of repairs, and those who remained helped repair the whole castle. Harry felt pretty good after defeating Voldemort because he had lots of things to gain, and the most important thing that he had is love. The love that his mother had for him, giving herself up, the love that Ginny has for him, he certainly realised this, and the closeness of his two friends who stayed with him since practically the first day, seven years ago.

Harry saw a lot of students and staff the day after the war, and went to them and consoled them. Hagrid hugged him and said, "Blimey 'Arry, I thought ya was dead. Ya sure scared everyone, but great work." Harry thanked Hagrid and went to the other students.

He saw Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor Quidditch trio, and went over to them. When they saw him, they ran to him and hugged him and cried. Harry said, "Don't worry girls, it's all over. The tosser won't come back anymore. We really need to catch up later." They nodded at that, and smiled at the reference to Voldemort being a tosser. The next people he saw were some professors – Slughorn, Sprout, Trelawey, he even saw Abeford Dumbledore. They smiled at him and congratulated him on a brilliant fight. As Harry went further, he saw Cho Chang with Cedric (yes, Cedric didn't die, but that's my story) and they both smiled and winked at him. Further on, he saw the Patil twins and Lavender Brown and they too hugged him and thanked him. When he got to the Slytherins, they just nodded at him and he heard a few congratulations from them. Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott also hugged him and thanked him for saving the world.

The only worry after the war was that there were still some death eaters lurking around. Sure they got away from the dark tosser, but they were still there and had to be dealt with. We know from the movie that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy took Draco and ran off, and it will be interesting to see them return to Hogwarts and the interactions and reactions from everyone, including McGonagall, now the Headmistress at the school. Bellatrix LeStrange was killed, thanks to Molly Weasley protecting her children.

On another note, Harry sent a message to his aunt and uncle, and Dudley, saying that the war was over and they could go back to Privet Drive anytime they wished to do so. Petunia and Dudley certainly had plans to catch up with Harry and speak to him about many important things, but Vernon did not wish to see the 'boy.' While in hiding, his aunt and cousin saw Harry in a different light and felt sorry for all that he had to go through, and were grateful that he could provide protection for them. Only Vernon chose not to see Harry in that light, but could things change and be different? Only time will tell.

Back at Hogwarts, headmistress McGonagall asked Harry to make a speech after the castle is repaired, for the next generation of students. Harry agreed, but first had to speak with Ginny and the Weasley family to sort things out. After his story and the backup from Ron and Hermione, Ginny was very accepting, but was still upset because she was left out. However, everyone in the Weasley family saw that Harry and Ginny loved each other so much more than life itself, and were accepting that one day, their daughter and sister will marry the famous Harry Potter. On another note, Ron and Hermione admitted their love for one another, and even though they still argue and fight, they got over their differences and also want to marry each other. Everyone was very happy, including Bill and Fleur, who were together and loved each other. Even Fleur got to love Ron Weasley and she still remembers that Ron helped to save her sister Gabrielle during the tri-wizard tournament.

In no time, the castle was fully repaired and the dining hall was back to normal, minus a lot of students and staff. McGonagall made the first speech that she will take over as headmistress at Hogwarts, but still misses Dumbledore, so does everyone. She asked the hall to remain silent for Harry Potter to make a speech. Harry rose up, followed by a cheer from the students. He said, "Professors and friends, I know it has been a long few years with Voldemort on the rise. You may be wondering where I was during all of last year. I witnessed the murder of Professor Dumbledore, but before he died he gave me the task to look for Horcruxes that Voldemort created. Upon destroying them, it will be a matter of time before he dies. Now a Horcrux is an item that links the soul, but using very dark magic. When Voldemort was a student like us, he was known as Tom Riddle, and he put some dark magic in the items that are now destroyed. Once the dark magic is in the item, the person becomes very powerful, but is also very dark. I was the Horcrux that he never meant to make. When Tom killed my mother, part of him came to me, that is why I survived the killing curse. I am not proud of this, it has been so hard and difficult for me to cope with all that. When you all thought that I was dead, it was the Horcrux in me that Voldemort killed, and I felt that he too got weaker. This is also why I could talk to snakes and hear the basilisk in the chamber of secrets five years ago. This is why I was able to hear him, and feel where he is, and what he is up to. The last Horcrux was the snake that he had, and thanks to Neville, that is no longer. It was going to kill Ron and Hermione. But now, that is all gone, and we need to move on, make friends and rebuild our lives for the next generation – our children. We also remember those who died before and during the war. Albus Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen. Severus Snape, the bravest man that I have known to stand up to the dark bastard. Yes, you heard, professor Snape killed Dumbledore, but this was discussed between them when I was born. I saw the memory that Snape gave me, and for that, we should honour him. I also owe a huge debt to Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother. She is the one who told Voldemort that I was dead when in fact, I was still alive. She knew that I was alive, but I think that deep down, she also wanted this tosser dead" Harry told everyone about the memory, and about Narcissa and the students and staff all cheered after his speech.

McGonagall went up to Harry and hugged him, thanking him for his bravery and courage, and for saving the world. There was a good time for crying and for happiness now that the war is over. There will be good times ahead. McGonagall then went up and said, "Students and staff, it has been a long year. The staff and I had a discussion, and all students from years 4 and above will repeat the year as examinations have been cancelled." McGonagall went to Ginny Weasley and told her that she can be in the same year as Harry, Ron and Hermione. Ginny squealed at that and hugged her professor.

As the students were on their way home for the summer, some of the Slytherin students went up to Harry. Pansy felt sorry and said, "Hey, Harry, I am really sorry for what you had to go through, and you didn't need my dumb arse comments against you. I had no idea what you went through, and the war has really changed me. I don't expect you to forgive me now, but I hope we can be friends later."

Harry nodded and said, "Pansy, I believe people can change for the better. I'm willing to give you and your friends a chance. I also think that Draco and his parents have changed." Pansy hugged him, and a few other Slytherins, like Marcus Flint, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode also thanked Harry for what he did and were sorry for what he had to go through. Harry said, "See you all again in the new school year?" They all nodded.

It was time for the students to board the Hogwarts Express back to London. Harry went with his girlfriend Ginny, and Ron with Hermione, in a compartment. They were greeted by Neville and Luna, who also seem to be a couple. They all chatted together and were wondering what the coming year will bring. Harry was thinking about his aunt and cousin and was nervous to meet them. However, he will stay at the Burrow with the Weasleys and will take his friends to meet his so-called family. Everyone was very tired, and went to bed early to catch up on much needed sleep. Arthur and Molly agreed for Harry to be in the same room with Ginny, and Ron with Hermione, but they were too tired to do anything, except to kiss each other goodnight.