Authors Note

This is my first Fan Fiction and the good news is It is completed!. I will try to upload at least two Chapters every other day until the full story is completed. I spent the last year and half working on this project and cannot believe I finally finished it.

To give you a little background, like so many of us Harry Potter fans I wanted to know more about what happened at the end of the Deathly Hallows. I read some fan fics but I decided to take a crack at one of my own. The time frame of this story is the first year after the Battle of Hogwarts and the adventures our friends have after the battle.

The story is rated M for a reason due to some sexual content and violence. The antagonist in this story are not nice people, and they do not do nice things. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Chapter 1

The Morning After

I

The silence of the early morning was deafening. Only two or three hours ago the nights silence was shattered by the battle between the Dark Lord and his followers and the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's army and those students and teachers that decided to stay behind and fight rather than flee. In the end Lord Voldemort was defeated and the death eaters fled. Some were caught by the Order of the Phoenix but most were able to slip away in the confusion that comes in the fog of battle. So now all there was left was the deafening silence of the early morning.

Harry Potter could not sleep. The silence gave him no comfort as he thought about the costs of the night's battle. Tonks and Lupin's son Theodore would never see his parents. Colin Creevey who had slipped back into Hogwarts after being told he had to leave because he was too young to fight. Professor Snape whom until earlier that evening Harry had thought was working for the Dark Lord and was very surprised to find out how much risk and danger Snape had endured for the Order to give them information on the Dark Lords plans. Harry could not imagine how hard it must have been to allow yourself to be hated and considered an enemy by so many people. This made Snape one of the bravest men Harry Potter had ever known. He felt a twinge of guilt as he remembered the hatred he had felt for Snape. The most devastating loss of the night for Harry and his adopted family the Weasley's was Fred Weasley.

There was one small consolation is some good did come out of the battle as well. Harry was reminded of this as he looked in Ron Weasley's bunk to see his best two friends sleeping, Hermione lying comfortably at Ron's side with her head in his arms. Harry was happy his best friends finally figured out how much they were in love with each other, however there timing could have been a little bit better. Harry smiled as he remembered the surprise and the joy in Ron's eyes as Hermione threw herself into his arms and gave him a very long kiss. If Harry had not reminded the two of them there was still a battle to be fought they probably would still be snogging in the room of requirement, oblivious to the chaos around them.

Harry had no doubt that his life would forever be changed along with the lives of his best friends as the dust settled and the aftermath of the night's battle became apparent. What the future held for the three of them was not certain. Harry knew he wanted the chance to talk to Ginny and maybe to start going out with her again. He could not imagine how his life would be without the threat of the Dark Lord hanging over him and his friends. All of this could be dealt later. Harry soon fell into a deep sleep…

II

"Harry wake up!"

Harry woke to the sound of Hermione's voice. He opened his eyes; Ron and Hermione were looking down at him.

"Hey guys" Harry said drowsily

Hermione gave Harry an impatient look and said "We have got to get moving. They are waiting for us at the Headmasters office"

Harry looked at Hermione confused. "Who is waiting for us?"

Ron finally spoke "Kingsley and professor McGonagall. They have been talking all morning"

At that Harry noticed that it was almost 11:00 in the morning. He was surprised at how rested he was, he only had been asleep for four hours. Harry could not remember the last time he had slept in a bed. Harry wanted to ask Ron how Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were doing but they had already left the room so he could get dressed.

Once Harry was dressed, the trio headed for the headmasters office. The damage from the previous night's battle to the school was extensive; it seemed no part of the school had been spared. Harry wondered how many others had fallen the previous night. However he did not have time to consider this as they had arrived to the headmaster's office.

Harry was surprised to find in addition to Kingsley and Professor McGonagall waiting in the office there was also Neville Longbottem and Luna Lovegood. Harry's heart skipped a beat when he also saw that Ginny Weasley was also there.

"Good Morning Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall looked very tired as she spoke, "Thank you for joining us. I am sure you all know Kingsley Shacklebolt"

Harry nodded to Kingsley as professor McGonagall continued

"I am sure you are wondering why we have asked you to come here this morning. I will let Kingsley fill you in."

Kingsley thanked professor McGonagall before speaking to the six of them.

"I think the first thing to do is let you know what has happened since Lord Voldemort was defeated last night. As you know he had quite a lot of his followers working at the ministry of magic. Many of those followers have since fled. Those that stayed have been taken into custody and will be tried for their crimes." Kingsley paused briefly. "One of the first things we have had to do is to re establish a government. I have been made acting Minister Magic at this time"

Harry could only take this announcement as good news and could not help from keeping a smile from coming to his face. He also noticed both Ron and Hermione smiling at this news. "Congratulations Sir" Harry said happily.

Kingsley gave Harry an appreciative look and continued "I am not sure if this appointment is a curse or a blessing Harry. I have inherited quite a mess and will have my work cut out for me to re form the Ministry. In addition to that mess I have one other huge issue I have to deal with that is probably right now more pressing than any at this time"

Harry gave Kingsley a puzzled look. He did not understand what would be more pressing than getting the Ministry of magic back on its feet. He could also see the rest of the members of Dumbledore's Army shared the same confusion. Kingsley also saw the confusion in the eyes of the six of them.

"I can see that all of you are a little confused." He looked at each of the young men and woman in the room before continuing, "The problem I have right now is the six of you. Your roles in last nights battle are already starting to get out to the papers."

Harry was not sure why that should create a problem for the new Minister of magic and listened intently as Kingsley continued.

"You see Harry, Ron and Miss Granger you did not come back to finish your last year at Hogwarts, and Mr. Longbottom, Ms LoveGood and Ms Weasley were forced into hiding before they could finish their terms." Kingsley paused to let what he just said sink in.

After all that he, Ron and Hermione had been through over the last year Harry had not thought about the impact of not going back for his final year at Hogwarts would have on the rest of his life or his hopes of one day becoming an Auror. He also did not fancy the idea of having to come back to school for a full year after having been out on his own for almost a year. He could see by the look in Ron's eyes he also did not relish the idea of coming back to school for another year. Hermione did not seem to mind.

Kingsley also saw the apprehension in Ron and Harry's faces and quickly made a point of reassuring them "I am not saying we are going to have to make you attend another full year of school. I do not think that the rest of the Wizarding world would look too kindly if we make the ones that brought down the dark lord return to school. However we will need to at a minimum have you all take your N.E.W.T exams as the each of you have expressed an interest in careers at the Ministry. The careers you are interested in do require N.E.W.T exams."

Kingsley paused looking at the three of them briefly. Then he continued

"I have discussed this with Professor McGonagall and we have decided to let you study for your N.E.W.T exams and take them as soon as you feel you are ready. This will involve you coming to Hogwarts so you can be tutored. However you will not be enrolled as students and will not officially belong to any of the houses." Kingsley looked and Neville, Ginny and Luna "As for you three you will be given the option of the tutoring we are offering these three or the Option of returning for the next term as your final year at Hogwarts."

Harry could see that Luna and Ginny were delighted at this idea; however he could not determine what Neville thought of this. He knew he would have to take is N.E.W.T's so he was glad to be offered an alternative to coming back for another year of school. He would miss the chance to play Quidditch for Gryffindor but that was a small sacrifice considering all he and his friends had been through for the last year.

Kingsley addressed Neville, Luna and Ginny "You three do not need to make a decision right away and before you go, the Ministry would like to thank you for your service over the last year. If you could give me a moment with Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss. Granger I would appreciate it."

Neville, Ginny and Luna thanked both Professor McGonagall and Kingsley before they left the room.

After the three other leaders of Dumbledore's army left the office Kingsley asked Harry, Ron and Hermione to sit down. Professor McGonagall offered them something to drink and eat. Harry had not realized how hungry he was and ate the food that was offered to him with enthusiasm.

Kingsley speaking a little less formally looked at the three of them. A sly smile came to his face as he began speaking.

"Now, there is the matter of the severe criminal charges that have been bought against the three of you"

The three of them all choked on there breakfast.

Ron was the first of them to speak angrily "Bloody Hell! Criminal Charges! You have to be joking! We just took on lord Voldemort, and his death eaters. What could we have done that would warrant criminal charges!" as Ron finished his face was starting to turn a bright red.

Hermione put her hand on Ron's shoulder to try and calm him down. She also answered Ron's question without thinking.

"I suspect Ronald that Kingsley is probably referring to our robbing Gringots, using the imperious curse as well as aiding in the escape of a dragon." She looked at Kingsley for confirmation of her suspicions. Over the course of the last year they had used more than one of the unforgivable cursed. But Kinglsey did not need to know that.

Kingsley looked and Hermione surprised and continued "I was told that you were the brightest witch of your age Miss Granger. Your insight is amazing. Yes I am referring to the robbing of Gringots. You see the Goblins are outraged that anyone would break into their bank and get away with it. You see until you were able to raid Gringots no one had ever succeeded in robbing Gringots." Kingsley sighed and continued to explain. "The goblins are screaming that an example be made of the three of you so this will not happen again. Granted they will get no support from me, but they have formally filed charges against the three of you and are demanding that you be arrested."

Ron began to stammer furiously as Hermione continued to try and get him to calm down. Harry felt a sinking in his stomach. The one thing he did not expect was to face a criminal trial and a possible stay in Azkaban prison. He began to regret asking Ron and Hermione to help him out. Kingsley interrupted his thoughts.

"Mr. Weasley please calm down. We have no intention of arresting the three of you. We are sure there is a good reason for you having to break into Gringots. We just need to know what that reason was," Kingsley looked at Harry

"I suppose we should let you know everything that happened after the wedding then" Harry looked at both professor McGonagall and Kingsley and told them about everything that happened after they fled Bill and Fleur's wedding. Harry left out Ron leaving him and Hermione as he did not feel it was important for anyone to know that since Ron did come back. He also did not tell about Mr. Lovegood summoning the Death Eaters to take the three of them in exchange for Luna as he felt that had little bearing in the final outcome of there adventures. When he finished Kingsley nodded.

"I will be issuing the three of you a full pardon for your actions at Gringots as well as for any actions you may have taken while on the run from Lord Voldemort. I also think that the three of you will be offered one of the Orders of Merlin for your actions." The order of Merlin was the highest award that could be given to any witch or wizard.

The three of them immediately began to protest the award however Kingsley gave them a look that left no room for argument. "You three have sacrificed more than anyone could have asked of anyone over the last year. I do not think I could in good conscious not offer you some type of award for the courage and sacrifice the three of you have made. So I will not have any argument from the three of you. Besides the Daily prophet is already printing stories of your exploits last night. I suspect that once Mr. Lovegood is released from Azkaban the quibbler will be doing the same so my hands in this matter are already tied"

Harry was used to being recognized by people. He was not sure how Ron and Hermione would handle being in the papers but considering all they had done, a successful raid on the ministry of magic freeing muggleborn witches and wizards and also getting away with robbing Gringots the fame would be unavoidable. Whether the three of them wanted it or not they would probably be treated as heroes for a short time.

Kingsley spoke to Hermione next "There is one last thing Miss Granger. We would like to bring you parents back to England as soon as possible. We can make the arrangements if you would let us know where they are"

Hermione looked at Kingsley and said "I would like to be the one to go get them if you do not mind" however Kingsley would not have any of this. He explained to Hermione that it would be bad form to have her leave the country at this time. There were going to be too many people wanting to hear their story and her disappearing for a short period of time would lead to wild speculation of where she was and why she had left. Hermione finally gave in and told Kingsley where her parents were and the charms needed to bring back her parent's memory of her. Kingsley assured her that he would personally go to her parents for her and arrange a private reunion for her. Hermione made only one request and that was that Harry and Ron be allowed with her when she did re unite with her parents.

With that Kingsley brought the meeting to close. "I am sure there are other things the three of you have to attend to."

III

Deloris Umbridge was in a panic. She could not believe how quickly things had changed on her. She was informed by Yaxley of the fall of the current minister of magic and the Dark Lord. He also told her that Kingsley Shacklebolt was the acting Minister of Magic and had ordered the arrest of any one that supported the purging of the Muggles and Half bloods during the last few months. They were to be tried as war criminals!

Deloris Umbridge a war Criminal! She could not believe the words. She had only done what was best for the Wizarding world in weeding out the undesirable half breeds and Mud bloods that had no business in the Wizarding world. How could they call her a war criminal! She could not believe that Harry Potter had defeated lord Voldemort.

The shock of the fall of the dark lord had just begun to wear off as she prepared to flee her comfortable home. She needed to gather what Death Eaters were left and re group.

The first thing she would do is make sure that Harry Potter the filthy half blood, Hermione Granger the mudblood and that blood traitor Ron Weasley paid for the treachery. She would also make the entire Weasley family pay for the role they played in the fall of the Dark Lord as well. Life had its little bonuses! She smiled at this thought. She owed Potter and Granger for her spending time with the Centaurs two years ago. The first thing she had to do though was get out of London and in contact with the surviving Death Eaters.

Though she never had formally joined the Death Eaters she knew Lord Voldemort had appreciated her hard work in the Ministry to round up the half bloods and blood traitors alike. She would take over the leadership of the Pureblood cause since there was no one left to lead the death eaters in there work. She was after all a natural leader.

She remembered the changes she had made at Hogwarts as the Headmaster. If it had not been for Potter and that Granger mudblood she would have remained Headmaster of Hogwarts and not lost her post. She also owed them for what happened at the ministry of magic as well. She would make those two pay… But first she had to get to safety and rally the rest of the death eaters to her cause…She knew just the place she had to go…She took one last look around her comfortable flat and then with a pop she disappeared…