Introduction:
This fanfic occurs just after the final battle and long before the epilogue chapter at the end of Deathly Hollows. There are quite a few stories with a similar start, and the bulk of them simply deal with just the emotional toil and loose ends not fully covered with the writers individual spin. My take however is to continue the epic that is the Harry Potter series with all the additional aspects that make it such a great series.
My story will not only deal with the emotion drama such as making up, awkward moments, proposals, weddings and the like; it will also have plot twists, new faces both friendly and unfriendly and a few other spins. The main thing I hope to do that others seem not to be able to/want to is introduce an evil greater than Voldemort. Perhaps there is even greater evil out there yet to face...
I had started a fanfic about a whole new cast based in North America at the time the events of the Harry Potter universe took place. My original goal was to finish that fic before writing this one, which would bring the new cast into contact with canon and allow a much broader scope. However, though I admit it was a bit rough it got no reviews and only 14 hits within two months; I decided that the lack appeal was likely due to the lack of canon characters so I put it on hold. Instead, the canon characters will be meeting the new cast and they will be together in this fanfic. Up until the end of the series is canon, and other than my twists for plot I will stay as close to canon as I can.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or his Universe. I just like to play with it. All the new characters to be introduced and the plot they follow IS mine. NO STEALING!
--
It was finally over. The final battle that had devastated Hogwarts and seen the end of the war was finally over. The sheer relief Harry felt as this thought brushed his consciousness flowed through him in a wave forcing his knees to buckle.
He had been sitting in the headmasters' office for the last few seconds staring up at the now awake and fully functional portrait of Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore was smiling and the ever present twinkle in his eye made Harry smile even wider.
"Congratulations Harry. I knew you could do it." Dumbledore praised him. All the other portraits had been clapping for him since he had come in; even headmaster black was showing his appreciation.
"Thank you, professor." Harry replied. He took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the huge oak desk and swept his gaze about the room. He knew that Severus Snape had been headmaster for the last year and was surprised to see that the room remained in close to the same condition he remembered it. All of Dumbledore's tubes and pipes and strange devices were still cluttering up the shelves and tables in the room. The only noticeable changes were that the name Severus Snape was sitting on the desk, and a small potions table was set up off to one side. A single shelf of potion ingredients was placed behind the table against the once bare wall.
"Professor, I know about Professor Snape. I am sorry to have doubted him." Harry said to the portrait. "He risked his life for years to keep me safe and I never knew it."
"Ah yes, poor Severus. His circumstances were quite tragic if I do say so myself. Though he did hate your father something fierce due to their school rivalries, he loved your mother with every fiber of his being. If things had turned out differently, it may very well have been Severus that was your father." Dumbledore noted.
Harry was a little shocked by this; he had seen the memories but had not put things together. Dumbledore was right. If Snape had in fact done things just a little differently... Shaking his head to clear away such disturbing thoughts, he asked, "But why Professor? Why did he do what he did, all the way to the end? I know he loved my mother, but why go through so much just to keep me safe?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Though he hated your father, his love of your mother spurned him to act. His love for Lily overshadowed all else, and he saw her in you as much as he saw James. He may have treated you poorly due to your father, but he also sought to keep the only living memory of Lily Evans alive. That my boy is why he became a double agent and risked his own life for you. He found it only fair, since he had unknowingly cost your parents theirs." Harry nodded. It made sense. He looked like his father, but had his mother's eyes. Snape knew who his mother was and felt he owed her, even though he looked at his old enemy every day.
"So Harry, what will you do now?" Dumbledore asked him. He had his fingertips pressed together and was watching Harry closely from above them.
Harry thought a moment. "I don't really know professor. I hadn't really dared hope this day would come."
"Well, I can imagine that someone with your talents would be much sought after in the wizarding world. You are more than qualified for a myriad of tasks. I would assume that being an auror has come to mind?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah..." Harry replied. He had wanted to be an auror as soon as he had been asked about it in his fifth year. "Do you think I will get in?"
"I can practically guarantee it my boy. The ministry would be lucky to have you."
"I guess that is what I will do then." Harry decided. All of a sudden a strange sensation seemed to pass over Harry; a wave of déjà vu as well as a slight dizziness.
"Harry, I also wish to ask you about your continued education. Will you be coming back to Hogwarts for your seventh year?" Dumbledore asked, suddenly very serious. Harry just looked up at him and wondered... something seemed very off. The happy face and twinkle of just a second ago was gone and in its place was that of a serious expression. If Harry didn't know better he would think Voldemort hadn't just died.
"Um..." Harry said. Dumbledore's gaze continued to bore into him and he didn't know what to do. He hadn't really thought about coming back to school, but... "Do you really think I should, professor?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes Harry, I really do. You as well as Mr. Weasley should come back for your final year at Hogwarts. I would assume Mrs. Granger already came to that conclusion. I think you will find the next year will teach you more than you might realize." Dumbledore said all this in a way that almost implied he knew what the next year would bring. It was a little disturbing.
"Did something happen professor? You were really happy just a second ago but now..."
"Ah, I'm sorry Harry. Even now I always place education before all else. I want to see you all succeed and graduate and live full and happy lives. I guess I still take education a bit too seriously." Dumbledore apologized with a smile. The twinkle was back as well. Harry nodded. "There is much more for you yet in this world, my boy. You will soon discover that your destiny is far greater than some mere prophecy; you will do greater things still and show the world what it means to be Harry Potter."
Harry could only nod again. Something was just a little off and Harry couldn't for his life figure out what was going on. Still, Dumbledore was usually right. But what could be greater than vanquishing the greatest dark wizard of all time? "I will talk to Ron and Hermione about it professor. We will be back to finish school."
"Excellent!" Dumbledore smiled happily. "Now, why don't you head up to the Griffindor dormitories and take a nap? It looks like you could definitely use one."
Harry nodded. He was so tired he could barely think straight. The dizziness from before was proof enough of that. "Actually professor I wanted to ask you a few more things." Harry began. At Dumbledore's nod he continued, "I was wondering... why isn't there a portrait of professor Snape in here?"
"Ah, Severus does not have a portrait because he abandoned his post. If one were to be placed here it would have to be decided on by the board of governors in a majority vote determining if he truly did not abandon his post." Dumbledore replied.
"So, if I ask them to put it to a vote and tell them what a great man he was, then maybe..." Harry started.
"Yes, Harry," Dumbledore said gently.
"Alright." Harry said. He was getting just a little choked up. "Would it be okay if I came and visit you occasionally? There is more that I am curious about."
Dumbledore only smiled and nodded in reply. "Now go on, your friends and family are waiting for you, and then you can sleep."
"Yes sir." Harry agreed. He got up and headed back down the moving staircase and out past the gargoyle. Ron and Hermione were waiting for him. "What are you two doing here?" Harry asked them. He had assumed they would want to be with the Weasley's in the Great Hall.
"We knew you would be here." Ron told him. "Honestly I was a bit afraid to let you out of my sight."
Hermione lightly slapped Ron's shoulder. "We were worried about you. Are you alright?" Hermione asked him.
"Yeah... just really tired." Harry said while trying to stifle a yawn. "Come on, we need to get back down to the Great Hall."
Harry took a few steps down the hall but stopped when he realized his friends weren't moving. He turned back to them. He noted that Ron was holding Hermione's hand. Thoughts and feelings began to flood his head and he cut them off. He was too tired to deal with it right now. "Are you coming?" he asked them.
Ron shook his head. "I already told my dad that we were going to find you and then find a bed. We have been going straight for a while now and with everything that's happened, we need to sleep." Ron told him.
"Especially you." Hermione added.
"I'm fine." Harry said again.
This time Hermione stepped up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Looking into his eyes she said, "It's okay Harry. The others are taking care of things now. It's over; your job is done. You're allowed to sleep." Her voice conveyed how she cared for him and how worried she was. Harry finally just nodded and started off towards Gryffindor tower. Dumbledore had said to sleep too. Who was he to argue with two of the greatest minds ever?
Without a word he led his friends through the portrait hole and up the dormitory stairs. As soon as he opened the door to the seventh year dorm and saw the empty bed that would have been his, he collapsed on top of it and was out like a light.
--
The next morning Harry awoke to something strange. A large amount of red hair was in his face. As he quickly blinked the sleep from his eyes, he recognized the curtains of his four-poster and realized he must have slept for a while. It wasn't hard to deduce that the red hair he was laying with belonged to Ginny; the scent alone was all it took. He breathed her scent in with a vengeance and reveled in the joy it brought him as if each breath would be his last. As he lay there, he thought of what Ginny being in his bed like this could mean.
A slow movement told Harry that Ginny had finally awoken. She slowly turned to face him and as soon as she did and saw his eyes open she quickly sat up and jumped out of the bed blushing furiously. "Harry, I'm sorry... I..."
"It's okay Gin." Harry told her with a smile.
"No it's not!" Ginny protested. "Mum sent me up here to check on all of you and when I found Hermione sleeping with Ron..."
"Wait what?" Harry said, sitting up. He peaked through his curtains and saw Ron's were drawn.
"Yeah... It's nothing bad but they are sleeping together and they looked so comfy and..." Ginny continued.
Harry smiled. "It's alright Gin, really." he told her. "What time is it now anyway?"
"It's about mid morning. I came up here last night to check on you. You slept all day and all night."
Harry nodded and stretched. He was still fully clothed and so was Ginny; hopefully nothing would come of their sleeping together like this. "Come on, let's wake those two up and head downstairs. It's going to be a busy day." Harry said.
When they drew open the curtains, Hermione's eyes flew open and she immediately realized her position. "Harry, I..."
Hermione leapt out of the bed as quickly as she could. He just shook his head with a smile and shook Ron. Ron muttered something under his breath and turned over. Harry grabbed his wand and said "Augmenti" spraying Ron with a small stream of water. Ron jumped up faster than Hermione had. "Hey! What's the big idea!?" Ron declared angrily at Harry.
"Sorry mate, but you were sleeping pretty hard." Harry grinned. Hermione shook her head and flicked her wand at Ron, instantly drying him.
"Thanks Hermione. Your the best." Ron said without thinking. Hermione blushed furiously.
"Alright, let's get going." Harry told them. Ginny led the way back to the Great Hall. Not once did she look at Harry or try to talk to him. Harry knew he was going to have to find the time to talk to her about everything. Now that Voldemort was gone... Behind him Ron and Hermione were walking side by side but neither would look the other in the face. It was obvious they would need to talk some things out also.
The entryway was still in a shambles when they came down the stairs, but it was obvious that it had been touched on. The bulk of the debris was against walls and there were no more bodies lying about. The dried blood did little to hide their presence at one point however. As Harry took a look around he noticed that the majority of the entryway was empty save a few aurors standing about talking.
Ginny led the way past them and into the Great Hall. Though it was already after ten in the morning, a large portion of people were still asleep in sleeping bags along one side of the room. On the other side, food had been placed on tables by house elves for whenever folks woke up. Ginny led them towards the back corner of the hall and to the door leading to the antechamber where he had gone for the tri-wizard tournament. She opened the door and held it, waiting for Harry to enter.
As soon as he walked through the door he was enveloped in a huge hug. "Mrs. Weasley... I can't breathe." he managed to choke out. Just like that she had moved on to Ron and Hermione, hugging each in turn. Then she turned to Ginny.
"Ginevra Billius Weasley where have you been! We were worried sick!" Molly shouted at her daughter. "We even sent Bill to find you!"
Harry looked over at Bill who kept a straight face and gave Harry the evil eye. Apparently he had found Ginny and wasn't happy with how or where. "I'm sorry mum! Everyone was asleep in the Gryffindor dorms and I was really tired so I sort of fell asleep." Ginny told her. Harry noted how she left out the where as well.
"It's alright Molly. Everyone's safe now." Arthur put his arm around her shoulder and she began to cry.
A knock on the door announced the arrival of professor McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt. "Mr. Potter, I assume you're doing well?" McGonagall asked him pointedly. Her eyes betrayed her emotion however; Harry saw her compassion and thanks and so many other emotions within them.
"I'm doing as well as can be expected given everything that's happened professor." Harry answered.
"Yes, well then if your up to it, would you and your friends please accompany me to my office? We need to have a talk." she asked, glancing over to Ron and Hermione as well.
"Actually, we just got here professor. Could we grab some food and visit for a little bit?" Harry returned. He didn't mind having a "chat" with McGonagall, but he really wanted some food and to see his family and friends right now.
"Very well. We will be waiting for you in my office." she told him before turning and making her exit. Kingsley smiled at Harry before following her out.
"Harry, I can't believe you just turned down a chat with the minister of magic!" Percy exclaimed.
Harry just shrugged. "He was a friend first, Percy. Besides, I am still going to talk to them, just after breakfast."
"Here here!" Ron chimed in. There were tables set in this room as well and it seemed the room had been set aside for the extended Weasley family. Amongst the foods were heaps of bacon, sausage, eggs, toast and various other breakfast fixings. Everyone headed over to the tables and took a seat. Harry found himself between Ron and George. George was a wreck, pure and simple. He looked a mess, he had black eyes showing he hadn't slept and he seemed to be very pale.
As the family ate, no one mentioned the fights at the end; no one mentioned the dearly departed... instead everyone just chatted about the weather and other small talk. They all needed each other right now, and Harry was grateful to able to at least have pretend normalcy.
As lunch wound down, everyone got rather quiet. Finally Ron broke the ice, "I guess it's time to go. See you all in a bit." Molly got up and gave Ron another huge hug.
Harry and Hermione got up and the three of them excused themselves leaving through the hall doorway instead of passing back through the Great Hall. As they headed up to the headmaster's office, Harry finally took a good hard look at the damage that had been done to the castle interior. Tapestries and drapes hung in rags and ruin; the carpets were disgusting and in many places were burn or torn. Even stretches of wall were blackened or missing bricks or mortar. The actual damage in total must be catastrophic he thought to himself. As they approached the gargoyle harry noticed that the right side of it's face was missing, torn asunder during the battle.
"I don't know the password." Hermione said as they approached the gargoyle. It seemed they didn't need one however as it sprang aside as they drew closer.
"Well that's convenient." Ron muttered. The three of them went up the spiral staircase and Harry knocked on the inner door.
"Come in." McGonagall called from within.
Harry opened the door and found Professor McGonagall sitting behind Dumbledore's desk. At first he felt the rage bubbling up inside him, but then he calmed when he realized the portrait Dumbledore was awake and watching, and seemed not to mind.
"Thank you for coming." McGonagall told them. Harry nodded and noticed that Kingsley was seated in front of the desk as well.
"I asked you here because the six of us have much to discuss." McGonagall told them.
"Six of us?" Ron asked.
"Yes; the three of you, myself, temporary minister of magic Shacklebolt and former headmaster Dumbledore" she replied, gesturing to the portrait. Ron had failed to notice it when they had entered, but Hermione had been staring at it since they'd walked in.
"It's good to see you all alive and well." Dumbledore told them with a smile. Harry saw no trace of the seriousness from the last visit and forced himself back at ease.
"It's good to be alive." Harry muttered. Ron was staring at Dumbledore now, and Hermione sputtered, "h-headmaster!"
"Please be at ease Hermione. I am the same Dumbledore you knew in life. I just happen to be a bit more... two-dimentional nowadays." he chuckled.
"I guess we had better get started." McGonagall said. She drew her wand and conjured three cushy armchairs for the trio. They took a seat and waited for someone to speak. Strangely enough, Kingsley was first to break the silence.
"You three have done the wizarding world and even the muggle world a huge service. For three children to go through even half of the things you have done would be unheard of. That you succeeded further proves just how capable you are. I am here to ask you a question and make you an offer on behalf of the ministry of magic." he told them.
Before he could continue, Harry spoke, "Minister, are you doing this as the minister, or as our friend who happens to hold the office?" he asked.
Kingsley smiled. "Both, actually. I am doing what I am doing because I want to and because you deserve it. I am simply using my post to allow for it. However I am also acting minister, and as such it is also my obligation." he replied.
Harry smiled. "That's good enough for me. What is your question?"
"My question is two-fold. The first part is this: will you three help me to restore the ministry of magic; to improve it and make it better than ever before?"
Harry looked first at Ron then Hermione. Ron's look was one of indecision and Hermione's of contemplation. "We will discuss it and get back to you shortly. What else?"
Kingsley nodded. "The second part is this: will you one day be willing to share with your family and friends exactly what happened?"
Harry grimaced. "Why would you ask such a thing?"
"I ask because I am curious to know the true depths of heroism you three have faced. I know your story begins sixteen years ago, but you have all been involved even more than any official since your first year. I would truly like to know everything that's happened from the ones that lived through it." he replied.
Harry thought a moment and once again turned to his friends before responding, "If we ever decide to fill in all the details, you'll be the first on the list."
Kingsley nodded. "As to my offer, I know that none of you have finished school but with your accomplishments that is hardly the point. I have authorized that should you wish it, each of you has the ability to join any branch of the ministry and the job will be yours."
Ron looked flabbergasted. Hermione drew in a breath. "I appreciate the offer minister, but I really want to finish my education." Hermione declined.
"Call me Kingsley."
Harry knew what he wanted. If he could become an auror... And then his eyes flickered to Dumbledore. That same serious expression was on his face and he was staring back at Harry. It was Harry's choice... and yet, it seemed like the choice was already made. Ron was looking at him, waiting for his response before making his own decision.
"I would love to become an auror..." he began, and Kingsley nodded, "...but I think I want to finish my education first as well." he continued. Kingsley's face looked crestfallen.
Harry turned to Ron and motioned for him to answer. "I can't very well leave these two alone for a whole year. As much as I would love to, I guess I have to finish school as well." Ron told him. "Wait, did I just say I'd rather go back to school? I must be losing my marbles." Ron muttered to himself. Harry noticed Dumbledore was smiling again.
"Very well, all three of you will be welcome to see me when you finish school. Should I still be acting minister, the jobs will still be available to you." He turned to McGonagall. "I better get back to the ministry. Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you, Headmistress." Kingsley said before taking his leave through the floo network.
"Headmistress?" Hermione asked.
McGonagall smiled. "Well, I was deputy headmistress after all. Unless the board of directors decides to replace me, I am the acting headmistress."
"And I am sure you will do a marvelous job, Minerva." Dumbledore added with a smile.
"Thank you, Albus. Now, if the three of you are coming back next term, I would just like to thank you for proving that education is still important. I will make sure you are kept informed as to the reconstruction of Hogwarts." McGonagall told them.
"Thank you Professor. Hogwarts has always been the closest thing I have ever had to a real home. Well, Hogwarts and the Burrow…" he added when Ron looked at him. Ron smiled in response.
"Now, Albus has filled me in on the bulk of your mission, but would you be willing to explain how you came back to life? It's not thought to be possible." McGonagall asked him.
Harry scratched his head as he contemplated how best to respond. "I guess... it was because I was linked to Voldemort. You see, when we sought out to hunt the horcruxes we assumed that there were six of them, each housing a piece of Voldemort's soul. He would be holding on to the seventh and final piece. What we didn't know but Professor Dumbledore suspected was that when Voldemort's curse backfired when I was a baby, he accidently made one more horcrux... me." Harry told her.
Ron and Hermione both gasped. Even McGonagall looked pale. "Your scar..." Hermione whispered. Harry nodded.
"The only way for Voldemort to truly die was for me to die. That was what the prophecy meant. "None can live while the other survives..."
"But that doesn't make any sense!" Ron blurted out. "Your obviously alive."
"Yeah." Harry admitted, "but I wasn't at one point. When I went into the forest, I went to die. Voldemort killed me with the killing curse."
"But Harry, no one can survive that curse without a shield like your mother gave you before." Hermione said. McGonagall nodded.
"Right. I wasn't protected; I was dead. I found myself in some sort of limbo... I guess it would be purgatory in the muggle references. It looked a lot like Kings Cross, and Dumbledore met me there." Harry told them. The portrait of Dumbledore was smiling. The rest turned to it looking for some sort of an explanation.
"I'm afraid I am as confused as the rest of you. My memory only goes up to the point I died. I do not recall anything Harry is describing." Dumbledore explained.
"I spoke to Dumbledore... I guess it was his ghost. He told me that when I died, the horcrux in me died as well." Harry continued. "Since Voldemort had my essence in him from when he used my blood though, he was a link back to life for me. Dumbledore said I could choose to go on or come back. You know what I chose."
No one said a thing after Harry was done talking. Harry tapped his foot expectantly, waiting for someone to say something; anything. Finally Hermione spoke, "Harry... you died to save all of us. How can you be so calm about it?"
Harry shook his head. "It wasn't like I had much of a choice Hermione. Besides, If I had to die to save the people I love I would do it again." He thought of Ginny as he said this and his heart ached. He knew he was still a ways away from holding her in his arms once again.
"Well don't get any bright ideas, alright? We would rather not lose you again." Ron told him. Harry smiled and nodded. "What I don't get is why the scar is still there. If it was the horcrux, why didn't it disappear?"
"I believe that the scar is just a physical representation of the horcrux. It is still also a real scar from the death blow. It may fade but will likely never disappear completely. After all, all the other horcruxes remain, though in a broken form." Dumbledore said sagely. McGonagall nodded.
"It makes sense." Hermione added. "I'm just glad its over. Harry, you don't have to worry about Voldemort invading your thoughts anymore!"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, it's nice and quiet in here." he said as he tapped his forehead.
"Alright, you three have earned a long rest. Go and be with your family and take care. I will be in touch." McGonagall told them. As the three got up to leave, Harry was the last out the door. As he went to close the door behind him McGonagall said, "Oh, and Potter?"
"Yes Professor?" he replied as he turned to her.
McGonagall smiled and there were tears in her eyes. "Thank you."
--
Author's Corner:
Praise goes out to the writer of Harry Potter and the Legend of the twelve, along with its prequel and sequel. It was the only fanfic I have read that kept the epic Harry Potter feeling and covered much of the same things I wish to convey. Reading it has given me a comparable basis for writing my own spin. However, where his deals very briefly with the aftermath and deals more from the epilogue of Deathly Hollows onward, mine will focus primarily on the time frame prior to that and the events that transpired before they lived happily ever after or whatever.
As I described in the intro, I lpan on introducing new characaters, both good and bad. If you have a problem with that I am sorry, but one can only read so much about the exact same characters recycled over and over. The new set will have their own unique personalities and looks, as well as contributing factors and story sets. This will give me the ability to create a unique and new dynamic between all the characters, both old on old and old on new. I hope you enjoy.
As always, the only true motivation one has on is to get reviews. This can be either a critique, a compliment or a slight. Whatever you choose to right, please review. The more reviews I get the more motivated to keep on going.