Dumbledore's mission.

When morning came the next day, Harry was the first one to wake up. It was a cloudless weather although it felt like a thunderstorm was inside the castle. The others were all still sleeping, and wanting to let them sleep more, he left the room quietly. He had barely just gotten out of the room when he accidentally bumped directly into the new headmistress, Professor McGonagall, who looked in a hurry to go somewhere. Her eyes told Harry that she hadn't slept at all and he couldn't blame here at all.

"Ah… Mr. Potter, just the right person. I have been looking for you." Her face looked older and tired, but she still wore the same kind smile, that grandparents give their nephews. She was giving Harry a re-assuring face, but at the same time her actions told Harry that she was a bit nervous in talking with him.

"… Is something bothering you professor?" asked Harry.

"No Harry…actually… yes. I know this might be a bit selfish for me to ask, but, strait to the point. I want you to everyone here in the castle about the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

The question was like a lightning, instant and powerful. It took Harry by surprise that he didn't even know what to make of it. His heart started to race and so did his mind. In his mind he had only one thought now what am I suppose to tell them?

"This can be hard for you, and for that I am truly sorry, but all the people here have the right to know what happened yesterday. Everyone who had lost someone close to them need to know Harry… Will you do it? I am asking you as a person, not as your teacher or Headmistress" asked McGonagall in a pleading voice.

"If I really must…" Harry knew McGonagall for seven long years now, but never had he seen her as fragile as this moment. "Yes, I'll go it. You have my word Prof…Headmistress McGonagall."

"Thanks Harry, you're one who lost so much too. Sorry I can't stay any longer but preparations need to be taken of and time isn't with us," thanked McGonagall, with a weak smile.

Seconds later, McGonagall parted in the opposite way of Harry. As she had said, she was in a hurry to continue with all the preparation for the funeral, which was going to take place later that same day. By the time Harry had been joined by all the Weasleys and Hermione, the Great Hall had been already arranged. The tables had been removed from the way and lines of chairs had been adjusted to host all the people at Hogwarts. Further on in the front right under the speakers place were all the victims in their open coffin.

It was already two in the afternoon when the Great Hall started to fill up with all the residents of the castle. All the Hogwart's teachers and the Ministry representatives had been seated at the first and second rows. Behind them were seated the remaining members of 'The Order of the Phoenix', which included most of the closest members of 'Dumbledore's Army' like Neville and Luna. The Malfoys were present too, but seated themselves as far as possible behind.

Where usually the Headmaster would announce the new terms rules now stood a little tufty-haired man, dressed in plain black robes, the same person who was at Dumbledore's funeral. He was getting ready for his speech. Thirty minutes later the tiny man extracted a wand from his robe, pointed it to his neck and muttered 'sonorous'. His voice echoed through the entire hall.

"Hear me. Dear Wizards and Witches, house-elves, centaury and every living form gathered here with us. We are here to remember a battle… one that will be talked about for years to be. This will be marked as the day when finally He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was finally brought down once and for all! But at what price? At what cruel price? This is the price," he said motioning his hand at the tombs. "All of you came here knowing what the risks were… and some off you…" sighed the man. "Paid the highest price. Let their memory not be forgotten, nor their lost dreams. Pray for them and to us too. That we may never see again a scene like this till we die. Don't let blood ruin you… love each other…because…only with love…are we…to be free of wars…" ended the little tufty-haired man, dismissing himself from all the eyes fixed on him.

It was McGonagall's turn, she stood up slowly from the front row and slowly she walked to occupy the vacant place left by the tiny wizard. She muttered the same incantation 'sonorous'. The audience until now had not even noticed McGonagall, many of whom were still looking at the tiny wizard, absorbing his words, but with a clear of her throat she took their attention. Her eyes were red, she had been crying too from the wizard's words, but when she talked her voice was firm and solid. She asked for all the people who had lost a relative to share their victim's lives with the audience, their dreams and ambitions.

Her request was answered by many, as in turn they took the previous' person place and recounted the life of their dearly departed. After what looked like hours the only four persons that had remained were the members of the Order of the Phoenix: Lupin, Tonks, and Fred. It was Ron's turn to plug the courage. George was still too shocked to know what was happening. He didn't worry of looking stupid, he let his feelings go and his tears too. He told the audience how the Trio Fred, George and Lee, had left a great memory in these halls, how together they had joked, laughed and, why not, fought too. He then told them how Fred died doing what he believed was right, how he fought to bring down Voldemort. The name still shocked some people, but it was long past the time where Voldemort's name shocked Ron. At last when Ron had finished it was Harry's turn to represent the last two members of the order. Everyone felt silence at the presence of Harry waiting for him to talk.

"How many more had died that I cherished the most; mum, dad, Sirius, mad-eye Moody, Dobby, Dumbledore, Fred and for what cause?" stated Harry. "Love as Dumbledore would have certainly said… or the senses of adventure and risk… typically of Sirius," like Ron he couldn't stop from crying, although he laughed thinking about what Sirius might have thought. "Fred will be missed for all the laughs he gave us in these dark times. He with his twin brother George supported us till the end of this war. Thanks to them we were able to endure all these loses. Fred and George have been insuperable in every time it was to make someone laugh. Fred you were a close friend to all of us and as much as a brother to me."

"Tonks, who had always hated to be called Nymphadora, was a true woman till the end. She died for her son…for him to live in a better world. She was married to the werewolf, Lupin, also known as Moony by his friends. Lupin was a man who'd always helped the one in need. A man who I respect and regret his dead. Both of them shall not see their son grow to be a man, like many others who died that night. All who died here had family…dreams… and a future, which was taken away by a single man." He left a few second pass to let them absorb what he had just said. "May they all rest in peace." And he joined Ron and Hermione

Headmistress McGonagall and Kingsley had both agreed that the victims should be buried near the tomb of Dumbledore, although this privilege had only been given to Dumbledore before "only", it was given to all the victims of the war now. Everyone headed to the location to all known down near the lake, where Dumbledore still laid. More than fifty white tombs just like Dumbledore's were lying by the lake. Magic seemed to be erupting from the air itself. The centaury had also come out from the forbidden forest, but just as the last time only advanced till the border of the forest. Gwarp and Hagrid where together, grouped a little back from the tombs, to prevent themselves from knocking them by accident. All the people were now giving their last tribute, some new fresh wave of tears, others placed the victims' wand in the tomb, or like others, placing precious objects. After half an hour McGonagall asked that everyone should retake their places back in the great hall. Once everyone had been seated back in the Great Hall, McGonagall standing in front of everyone muttered the same incantation 'sonorous' to catch the attention of all those who were present.

"After talking to him, he has willingly accepted that it is yours to have…the true facts of the down fall of He-who…of Voldemort. Harry if you would like to come here dear."

Getting up he caught Hermione's and Ron's hands, and dragged them with him. He knew that they were as much as important as he was in the telling of the story. Everyone in the hall had eyes only for them and silence dominated the hall, until Harry spoke first.

"Dumbledore a year ago had given me instructions how to kill Voldemort," as usual people looked scared at the mention of his name. "Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself, once an old wise man told me. As I was saying we found out that Voldemort had created a Horcrux and not just one but seven…"

"Horcrux is the receptacle in which a Dark wizard has hidden a fragment of his soul for the purposes of attaining immortality….." explained Hermione, as the audience looked lost.

And so he started telling the entire story, from the pensive during which, Dumbledore, had lectured him about Voldemort's life, from when he was still a child, to the boy known by Tom Riddle, to the monster he became. The marriage of Bill and Fleur, and how it had been invaded by Death Eaters presence. He re told with the help of Hermione and Ron, how they entered the ministry of magic and stole the locket, how they had been changing places every day and the separation from Ron, only to return in the most crucial point to save Harry and the sword. How they ended in the Malfoy's manor and how they got to know of the cup, their robbery at the Gringotts bank and how they ended up at Hogwarts with the mission to find the lost diadem, and then the first battle.

After telling them about the shrieking shack, Ron and Hermione went silent, even they didn't know the rest of what happened and were also eager to hear. Harry started with the invisibility cloak, how he gave Neville a mission should he not make it. How he used the ring found in the snitch, how he faced Voldemort, and for the second time didn't die by the killing curse. He talked about what Dumbledore had told him and how he came back to life, until the point were everyone saw him in Hagrid's hand apparently dead and then he stopped, breathing, giving them time to puzzle everything together.

"That is all, Voldemort is dead and he ain't coming back. The death eaters may think all they want, but I'm sure that from their Dark Mark they know I speak the truth," said Harry.

The entire crowd looked perturbed by his speech. Some of them simply could not understand, some others were still looking directly at Harry, some others were petrified by what he had gone through and some just couldn't believe. Kingsley got up from his chair and joined Harry, even he who had fought Voldemort in the last battle, was shocked, by the journey that these three had traveled and more shocked of what Harry had endured.

"You have done well, your mother and father would have been proud of you, even Sirius," said Shacklebolt, speaking directly to him so that no one could hear him except Ron, Hermione and McGonagall. Harry looked pleased with Kingsley's words that he was crying now, not for sadness, but with a wide smile in thanks. "I guess we will meet soon Mr. Potter, but as you can guess Voldemort has caused quite a rout and as temporary minister of magic, I need to restore order." It was with that last comment that he set off to the borders of Hogwarts, from where he would disapparate.

Headmistress McGonagall once again with 'sonorous' told the audience that they might, if they wanted, spend another night at Hogwarts. She also asked that if anyone would like to offer their service to help with the repairs of the castle that would really be welcomed.

"Now please off to your rooms," said McGonagall. "Except you three" added hastily to Ron, Harry and Hermione. "If you would follow me please, I would like you to come in my new office."

McGonagall took them to the headmasters' now headmistress' office and stopped in front of the two now repaired gargoyles. "Password"

"Gryffindor," said the headmistress and the stair case appeared.

When they entered the room they were surprised. Not knowing how they had gotten there before them, Harry, Ron and Hermione were surprised in finding all the order of the phoenix gathered there, except those who had died and Kinsley who had left for the ministry. McGonagall took her seat behind the desk, sat and conjured seats for everyone to sit.

"Thanks for all of you to come," politely thanked McGonagall. "Sorry for this…but… I believe that Mr. Potter still has something to tell us, which he didn't want to shared with the others."

This was true. Harry had recounted only just where he was and how they found the other Horcruxes. But this time Harry explained in detail everything that happened and what they really had gone true, about what they saw in Godric Hollow (which he didn't even mention to the others). Or how they got to Grimmauld palace and later loose it. The story was told in less than an hour by just filling the missing gaps that remained. Everyone went mute, even the previous headmasters, eyed them from top to bottom. Only Snape and Dumbledore seemed not to take much credit, they already knew these things or partly. All the Order now seemed to be thinking in a different way, the new added information seemed to add a perfect fit to the story. The filling gaps, now that they were said, made the story more unreal. The way he had retold them some parts, it made them think it was a miracle that they survived this long. But yet again it had been them, to bring The Dark Lord's downfall.

"That was very irresponsible, to go at you parents house, Harry James Potter," by the way he was addressed. He knew it was Ron's mum. "You could have died, HE would have surely known that you would have been tempted to go and see your parent's house or graves."

McGonagall dismissed them an hour later and darkness had already befallen in the castle. They made their way to the dormitories, while Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny went to their empty class room. They fell asleep immediately without having time to recount some of the events, as they felt very tired.

In the morning, as the three headed for breakfast, they noticed that it was emptier. Only the order and a couple of more people stayed, to help with the repairs of the castle. All the others even though Voldemort was dead, wanted to go back home, as soon as possible, and with them, their children. The school year had ended with Harry's appearance at Hogwarts and without classes or lessons to attend to, students needn't to stay there.

Repairs took most of the days, in which the walls were being restored to their places, windows were being repaired and portraits restored in their places. A routine had developed while the men took care of the busted walls and heavy spells, the women cleaned the castle. The repairing took them almost a month to finish them, but at the end Hogwarts looked like it had never been scene of such a violent war.

Only the Great Hall bore signs of the war. On the walls, shields of all the family surnames that took place in the fight were attached, together with photos of those who had died in the war. Behind the headmistress chair, a tablet was engraved in the wall with all the names of those who had died in the Hogwarts ground that night, when they faced Voldemort.

That night a great feast was done, with all the Order of the phoenix including Kingsley and the staff of Hogwarts. During the celebration, everyone ate as much as they could, as if they had never eaten or as if this was their last time eating.

"So Harry, I was wondering now that you don't need to hide anymore and you are of age, have you decided where you are going to live? Or work?" asked Kingsley.

"I though that maybe I should go to Grimmauld palace with Kreacher, since Sirius left me the house," said Harry although not as happy as he should. "As for work I don't know."

"Nonsense, you're coming with us for now. That's the least we could do for you and besides that enormous house, for only you and Kreacher is a waste," interrupted Molly. "You can lodge with Ron, as you always do."

"I don't want to be a bother Mrs. Weasley," replied Potter.

"None at all, Harry I would like it, if you accept Molly's invitation, or at least spend the summer holidays with us. We would appreciate it a lot, even you Hermione. For now you can stay with us too," said Mr. Weasley, while taking a sip from his goblet.

All the Weasleys had agreed on this point and did not accept any form of excuses, which Harry tried to come up with, until he finally had only one option but to accept. In reality, Harry wanted very much to spend a little more time with the Weasleys. They had now become his only family, except for his godson Teddy. That night, Harry couldn't sleep. He had missed Hogwarts a lot and wanted to enjoy the most of it, or at least the last bit. The night was beautiful, and Harry decided to stretch his legs, by going down to his favorite spot under the tree in the grounds.

It was only after midnight, when he got up and went inside and got back to the common room, in which they were now sleeping, since they had been drastically reduced from people who left. Breakfast in the morning was served as usual. Everyone got to eat at the Gryffindor table, including the staff. After breakfast, they all saluted each other. The day went on perfectly. They were to leave at mid-day. The three young heroes took there last little time, to go back and take a look at the Gryffindor tower and at the Great Hall, which had been their home these last weeks and months.

When they were at the gates ready to make their way to the Hogwarts express, McGonagall looked at the three of them.

"See you at the beginning of the term," she said.

They though she had forgotten that they had abandoned school and so missed their final year, so they did not pressed the mater. Two aurors had been sent by Kingsley, even though he knew that the group didn't need any. They were to protect them from any death eater who would wish for revenge. They had decided that the Weasleys would not travel by floo powder or apparition but by the Hogwarts express. It was the longest way home, but then again it was the best for all, and would give them time to reflect upon the things that had happened.

It was around six in the evening, when all the Weasleys, including Harry and Hermione arrived at platform nine and three quarters. It was still half a month before the normal summer holidays would start, but little did it matter for the time being. Three cars were waiting outside for them, to take them back to the Burrow, and with little effort, everyone got in and left back for their long awaited home.

Hope you liked this chapter two. And please review your opinion

Some points that you may have noticed are that Ginny and Harry till now have not gotten together don't worry they will eventually since they get married but I don't want to make them a couple again so soon, let's give Ginny some time to think shall we?

Review and Review, tell your opinion and your thoughts, that's what makes a story even better your thoughts

I'm VERY SORRY CHAPTERS TAKE LONG TO PUBLISH!

but I work a lot during the days and in weekend I don't always have time :-(

SORRY FOR THE DELAY HOPE YOU LIKE IT!