The Outcome

Chapter 1

After the battle at Nott Manor had concluded he was rushed to the Ministry to answer a series of long and complicated questions by Aurors, Madam Bones, and Minister Scrimgeour and finally the press, about the quest Dumbledore had set him on, the hunt for the Horcruxes and eventually the showdown at Nott Manor.

After what seemed an eternity and with Harry struggling to stay awake, Arthur came to his rescue declaring the interview at an end before leading him away. Taking him by the hand, Arthur side-along apparated Harry to the burrow.

Mrs. Weasley fretted over him and Arthur, relieved that they were both safe and unharmed before ushering them into the kitchen. Harry sat down in a chair, exhausted but starving as Mrs. Weasley rambled about, making a light snack as she remarked how proud she was of them both and how relieved she was that they were safe.

Still in a daze and worn out from the battle, Harry barely noticed but somehow managed to scarf down a sandwich and a butterbeer before trudging up the stairs to Ron's old bedroom and collapsing on his bed, soon fast asleep.

The morning dawned all too soon for his liking as Harry rolled over in bed, trying to ignore the hand gently shaking him and the voice that urged him to wake up. "It's barely morning. I want to sleep some more." He grumbled, wishing the voice would go away and leave him alone.

"Harry dear, you have been asleep for a day and a half. I've tried to wake you several times, but you wouldn't budge. It's time to wake up. Arthur and I are worried about you. Besides, we need to get you to St. Mungo's and get you checked over before heading to Diagon Alley to buy your school things. You must get to Hogwarts for your seventh year. This is your NEWT year and if you fall behind you won't pass." Mrs. Weasley urged, waving her wand causing the blankets and pillows to vanish as Harry slowly sat up and looked around.

Still, half-asleep Harry fumbled for and finally found his glasses and put them on before reaching for his wand to cast a quick tempus to check the time and date. Sure enough, it confirmed Mrs. Weasley's story. He had been asleep a lot longer than he reckoned.

Sighing, Harry stood slowly from the bed and noticed Mrs. Weasley had laid him out a change of clothes before leaving the room to allow him to dress and groom himself.

Walking down the stairs, Harry sat at the table as Mrs. Weasley fixed breakfast, piling eggs, toast, sausages, and kippers onto a plate for him. Harry eagerly dug in, like a starving man at a banquet. It had been at least two days since he had last eaten a proper meal. Before the battle at Nott Manor, he reckoned.

Finishing his second plate and finally full, Harry stood slowly from the table and thanked Mrs. Weasley, hugging her before leaving to go outside. It was a beautiful day today. The sun was shining, birds were singing in the trees and for the first time in his life, Harry Potter felt utterly and completely content.

As if a great burden he hadn't known he was carrying was lifted. He was free of the threat of death that had hung over his shoulders, like a dark cloud, for almost as long as he could remember. He was free of the Dursleys and Voldemort was dead. Hopefully, he and Ginny would be able to reconcile, and he could start to properly enjoy his life.

Strolling along the driveway towards the house, Remus and Tonks met him, both smiling. Tonks waved at him as Remus stood back smiling.

"Wotcher, Harry. Great day today, isn't it?" Tonks said, wrapping him in a hug.

"It's good to see you two again. How are you doing? Are you looking forward to the baby?" Harry asked, smiling.

"We can hardly wait. It's good to see you too, Harry. I wish your father and Sirius could be here today. They'd have been so proud of you, just as I am now." Remus said, wrapping Harry in a hug.

"Thanks, Remus. I'm happy for you both. It's a wonderful feeling. Knowing that we can all finally enjoy our lives without worry. But I'm a little surprised to see you here. I figured you both would be busy celebrating now that Voldemort is finally gone." Harry said.

"Oh, we've been celebrating nonstop. The whole of Wizarding Britain has spent the past two days partying. You're even more famous than Dumbledore now. Every newspaper and magazine in Wizarding Britain has featured articles celebrating your victory and the death of Voldemort." Tonks said, smiling.

"Oh, just perfect. That's all I need. More fame and people gawking at me in the streets." Harry grumbled.

"Aw, cheer up, Harry. This is a happy thing. We're all free at last." Tonks said, patting him on the shoulder.

"If you say so," Harry said with a slight grimace.

"Anyway Harry, now that you're awake and alert, we promised Arthur and Molly we'd take you to St. Mungo's and then shopping for your school things. It's time to get back to Hogwarts and resume your studies. Moody will be meeting up with us at the Leaky Cauldron." Remus said, clapping him on the shoulder.

With a sigh of acceptance, Harry nodded. "Life goes on." He thought to himself as he was side-along apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

"Is this really necessary? Honestly, I'm fine. I don't need to see a healer." Harry said uncomfortably as the healer checked him over for injuries.

"I know it is unpleasant Harry but please just bear with it. It doesn't hurt to make absolutely sure." Remus said not unkindly from where he sat on a nearby bed, being looked over by a healer himself. Wincing slightly as the healer tended to a particularly painful cut caused by flying debris during his duel with Voldemort, he shot the healer a glare.

"Oh, honestly Remus. It's just a cut. Stop sulking. Besides its nearly healed thanks to my earlier ministrations." Andromeda said, shaking her head. Andromeda Tonks was a trained healer at St. Mungo's and his future mother in law.

"How is Nym doing?" Remus asked, concerned over his fiancée.

"She is going to be fine. She had a slight concussion and a few bruises but she will be back to her normal self in no time at all." Andromeda said, finishing her task and stepping back to consider Remus for a moment.

"That's a relief. I never should have let her get involved in the duel with Voldemort." Remus sighed.

"Cadet Auror Tonks is not helpless," Moody said gruffly from his perch against the wall of the exam room, his magical eye spinning as he took a swig from his pocket flask before stowing it away.

"High praise indeed from you, Alastor," Andromeda said, sparing him a glance.

"Hm," Moody grunted, ignoring them now.

"Alright. I think you're going to be fine. Mostly just a few scratches and bruises. You're fit as a fiddle now, Mr. Potter." The healer tending him said with a smile.

"So, I can leave then and get back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked relieved.

"Indeed so. Take care now." The healer said before excusing himself and turning to leave.

Relieved Harry allowed his mind to wander for a few moments.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

They had just finished one of the most unpleasant shopping trips into Diagon Alley Harry had ever experienced. From the moment they appeared in the Leaky Cauldron people had smiled, waved at him, cheered as he passed by or whispered and pointed to him as he passed. It reminded him of his first trip to Diagon Alley with Hagrid in what seemed another life, only much, much worse.

They had just started to make their way towards the Leaky Cauldron, ignoring passersby who stopped to congratulate him and wish him well when it happened. It started out as a quiet rumble and then turned to explosions, panic and loud screams as the inhabitants of Diagon Alley fled in all directions, terrified out of their wits.

Racing forward and drawing their wands as they went, Harry, Remus, and Tonks stopped as they caught sight of the source of the commotion. A group of masked and cloaked figures was casting curses in every direction.

"Bloody hell. Who are they? Are they more death eaters?" Harry asked, looking to Remus and Tonks.

"I'm not sure, Harry but I'll wager we'll soon find out," Tonks said from her spot beside Remus.

Windows shattered and nearby stores were going up in flames as a figure dressed all in black stepped forward, casting the sonorous charm to amplify his voice.

"It's too early to celebrate just yet, good people. Our Lord may be dead, but we remain. We remember our purpose and the oath we swore. We shall avenge our fallen master and carry through his great dream for this world." The figure said, watching the crowd of people flee and scream in terror at his words.

Harry, Remus, and Tonks took cover behind a pile of debris, watching the group. Leaning forward, Harry concentrated and cast a curse, intent on stunning the figure in the cloak before things got out of hand.

"STUPEFY" Harry shouted as the spell shot from his wand only to bounce off a barrier and ricochet, hitting a terrified civilian who had been hiding inside the ruined remains of a shop a few feet away.

Instantly, the cloaked figures disapparated and Harry cursed.

"This is just perfect. That's all we need. More lunatics on the loose. I thought the Aurors captured all of Voldemort's death eaters at Nott Manor." Harry said, turning to face Remus and Tonks as they stood up beside him

"I assumed so, but perhaps they were not all present at the time. Regardless we need to alert Kingsley and Mad-Eye of this development. The Order will need to meet to discuss these things." Remus said as the terrified shoppers and store owners began to emerge from their hiding places now that the danger had passed.

"Let's get to it," Harry said, all business on the outside, but inside he was troubled.

"Bloody hell, I should never have gotten my hopes up. It was too good to be true." He mentally sighed as Aurors and DMLE officers appeared and began taking charge of the scene.

"You are going to Hogwarts, Harry. Leave the cleanup to us." Remus said, firmly taking his hand as Tonks shrunk his newly purchased school supplies and stuffed them into her pocket.

They disapparated and in the next instant, Harry found himself standing outside the gates of Hogwarts where Professor Flitwick stood waiting for him.

The gates opened, and Harry was escorted inside by Remus and Tonks, who unshrunk his school trunk and Hedwig's empty cage and handed them to him. Hedwig, he was informed, had already made her way to the school owlery.

Harry dragged his trunk along behind him as he made his way up the paved stone path that led to the massive oak doors to the Entrance Hall. Looking up at Hogwarts, he couldn't help but smile. "It was good to be back. I can't wait to see Ron, Hermione, and Ginny again." He thought to himself as the doors opened and he stepped through.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

Hermione had just finished her classes for the day and was sitting in an armchair by the fireplace, reading a book, in the Gryffindor common room when the portrait hole opened, and all the conversation died instantly.

Turning to face the portrait hole, Hermione grinned and jumped up, her book quite forgotten as she raced over, wrapping Harry in a hug.

"Oh, Harry. It's wonderful to see you again. I've missed you so much. I'm so glad you're back. You are back, aren't you?" Hermione asked, worrying her bottom lip.

"Of course, I'm back. For good this time." Harry said, reassuring her.

"I'm so relieved to hear it. I can't believe you'd actually leave without us." Hermione said, sadly.

"I'm sorry about that, Hermione. I really am. Where are Ron and Ginny?" Harry asked, looking around the common room.

At this new query, Hermione pulled back, looking uncomfortable. "Err well…" She started.

"What's the matter, Hermione? Is something wrong?" Harry asked, worried.

Looking down at the floor, Hermione refused to meet his gaze. "Um well…Harry a lot has changed while you were gone. There's a lot that you don't know about, that you should be informed of." Hermione said quietly.

"Like what, Hermione?" Harry asked, puzzled.

Hermione's face went blank, as she stopped talking, as though she were in a trance. Suddenly her face returned to normal and she fixed him with a weird look. "Follow me, Harry. They're expecting us." Hermione said.

"Who are they? Where are we going? Hermione, what's going on?" Harry asked, his trunk and Hedwig's cage completely forgotten in the common room as he followed her, heading down the staircase to the second floor.

Hermione stopped outside a tall statue he had never seen before and spoke. "Fortuna's darling." She said, and the statue stepped aside to reveal a hidden door. Taking his hand, she knocked then entered, leading him inside as the door closed behind them.

TBC

I've decided to rewrite parts of the Outcome since I was rushed in writing it and wasn't pleased with how it turned out.