So here we go with another HP fic, hopefully I get to finish it this time. (This is a new account for me btw) Anyways, I do hope you enjoy this and if you could review that would be great. I like to get feedback.

kaji21

Disclaimer: I do not own the Potterverse that JK Rowling created.

Prologue

It was done. It was finally done. Finished. Over.

Voldemort was dead, really dead this time, and his Death Eaters were all captured, killed, or disappeared. Unfortunately for the good guys, and fortunately for the Death Eaters who managed to escape Britain, the Dark Mark magically branded onto the arms of his followers vanished upon Voldemort's demise. What this essentially meant was that those who supported him but were either known and not caught or unknown to the authorities were all free. Some, those who were never found out or openly supporting him, chose to pretend as if they never supported him at all, taking advantage of the chaotic and confusing time that this was, while others left the England entirely.

Of course, there were Death Eaters abroad as well, and even fewer still knew what they decided to do upon the fall of their dark master. In time, they would find arguably some other patron of the dark arts to support.

The wizarding media the world over heralded the victory of the Golden Trio, the newly crowned Triumphant Triumvirate, over Voldemort and his supporters. The wizarding world lauded the three with tremendous praise, honors, and awards. All manner of gifts and favors were offered from all over. They were now legitimate heroes. Harry Potter specifically was named the Champion of Britain, a title Rita Skeeter supplied and the public ate up with a frenzy. The great darkness that hung heavy over England seemed lifted overnight, and for the first time in a long while everyone actually felt safe and happy. Perhaps coincidentally, the weather seemed to reflect the mood of the people as the sun shone brilliantly across clear skies, an uncommon sight in Britain.

Though there was certainly mourning to be done for the lives lost in the campaign against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, the future was once again bright and hopeful. Life could seemingly return to normal now, something that few could have predicted.

Many people drank as they mourned, and then later on drank as they partied. The revelry was spectacular, and for moments it seemed almost as if the whole war never happened. To be sure, the rebuilding and healing process was still ongoing, but the people were thoroughly enjoying their newfound hope and freedom.

Ron was quickest to get used to his newfound fame. He absolutely loved all the attention and all the rewards; he was finally more than simply another redhead Weasley. He was a hero, and along with that came fame, privileges, and wealth, all things that seemed nigh impossible for him to achieve. He wasted no time in using his popularity and the public's unending good graces to sign some sponsorship deals, business partnerships, and get himself onto the Chudley Cannons as their new keeper. The last bit turned out to be more than simply for show as he proved to be quite the skilled keeper once he started putting the practice in. Unlike most of his classmates, Ron did not return to Hogwarts to finish his studies, seeing no need to both revisit a place that had so many dark memories and to study.

"Why study and stress over school when I'm already making loads of money doing what I love and living a good life?" he said when asked why he would not return to Hogwarts.

Hermione, as always, kept a level head and for the most part did not let it all get to her. While she did accept some favors and gifts, particularly when it was to acquire either knowledge or skills, mostly in the form of books or lessons, for the most part she did not make such big and public moves as Ron did. She was not fond of all the attention because it made her uncomfortable, as if her every move was being watched, studied, and judged. She also knew full well that they had barely made it through the whole ordeal alive, and many other wizards and witches who fought alongside them did not make it at all. There was still evil out there, and while that evil was not as great – or as direct – a threat to the people she cared for, they were still a potential threat.

They had won this battle against the dark forces of the world, but the greater war of good and evil was still raging on, as it has been for as far back as human history could recall.

Hermione returned to Hogwarts and helped rebuild enough of the castle in order to finish her and the other students' educations. Upon graduating, she stayed on to help Headmaster McGonagall and the remaining staff with repairing and improving the school while she considered her next moves.

Harry, meanwhile, stayed for a while to mourn those he had lost, and the revelry never caught up to him. Not once did he smile since he finally defeated Tom. What he never told anyone was that when the deed was done, when Voldemort finally died, Harry saw something. His scar burned with a passion, and in those final moments as Voldemort slipped away, Harry saw one last time into the Dark Lord's mind. He wasn't sure if what he saw was real, but he had thought long and hard on this matter and concluded that a dying man, especially one who died so quickly, would not have been able to fabricate such a lie and have Harry see it. Particularly someone who was undoubtedly too shocked to comprehend that he was actually going to die.

It must therefore have been very real. Voldemort was only one piece of the greater picture. There was someone far worse, working behind the scenes and pulling the strings. The very idea scared him: a puppet master who was able to manipulate and control Voldemort, who many considered to be the greatest Dark Lord since Grindelwald and Dumbledore's equal.

Voldemort's defeat set back the grand plan, and from what Harry saw, this puppeteer was magnitudes darker than Tom ever was, a difficult thought to fathom. Harry only saw a glimpse of what he could only assume was merely part of the plan, and from what he saw he would need to be ready. He needed to be stronger, faster... deadlier.

That was why, one month after Tom's defeat, after he had mourned and let loose his grief, Harry Potter the Champion of Britain disappeared. And no one knew where he went, not even those closest to him. Many tried in vain to find him, with dozens of unconfirmed sightings of him reported all across the globe.

Everyone was left to wonder where he had gone and what he was doing. Eventually, as the months and years passed peacefully, people started to move on. His name went from the front page to the middle of the papers and finally to a small section in the back where the latest reported sightings of him were often posted. The Champion of Britain, the Boy-Who-Lived, had finally escaped the limelight. Unfortunately, he would have to return to it once more...

AN: Writing an HP fic again.. this time I intend to finish it. I promise.