Author's Note:

I hope you enjoyed this story. I'd appreciate further feedback but I am happy that story is out there.

Chapter Ten:

Aftermath

Irma Pince received the medical attention she needed just in time. She was at St. Mungo's for two weeks where her family fussed over her until she grew sick of it and threatened to send them away. I asked her if anyone knew of her heroic acts she said no and didn't care if anyone ever did. But I wanted people to know but she told me it didn't matter if people knew.

"I was only doing my job Miss. Beatrice," she said. "I protected you and your classmates."

"You saved us and that must count for something? Let me tell people now that things have calmed down."

"I am a private woman Miss. Beatrice and I'd rather you didn't. I did my job and that is enough."

"I'll never stop asking."

"I don't think I'll ever change my mind."

But we know now she did.

She returned to helping clean up Hogwarts and restoring the library not long afterwards. I went home to Bristol where my parents treated me like a queen but I couldn't stand it. Like many students I returned home a shell-shocked. Every loud noise made me jump. The nightmares were relentless. My parents eventually found me a magic counselor in Ireland (there were waiting lists in the UK) where I learned to focus on the bravery I witnessed rather than the horrible images I'd seen and experienced all year. Irma Pince's acts of bravery helped me in more ways than one.

Life has a way of moving on without us noticing it. The nightmares became less frequent and I was ready to go back to Hogwarts. There was new things everywhere. It seemed like a conscious effort was made to erase the bad memories.

I found out in her memory that this was true.

Minerva McGonagall was examining the new shelves and draperies.

"The library looks as lovely as ever Irma," McGonagall said

"Thank you Headmistress," Pince said

"Please, it is still Minerva," she said and wandered around. "I want nothing but new joyful memories here."

"I can't guarantee that when the fifth years still see they have study for the O.W.L.s"

McGonagall smiled. "If school work is all that troubles them then I am more than happy."

Pince smiled also. "I agree."

The memory faded so that Pince was alone behind the referenced desk with her final memory to share.

"You have asked me often enough Mrs. Beatrice-Jones that I think is worth telling the in the sense that few people know enough about what goes on in Hogwarts. Books of have been written about heroism but I hardly consider myself a hero for such books. Many of us did what was needed to protect the school. I didn't think of myself because I never do whether it is protecting a student's life, helping her find a book on the history of Hogwarts, or finding study guides for the N.E.W.T.s. Hogwarts is a place for learning and I have dedicated my life to enabling it. Please make sure the contents of your book reflect that."

I hope I did Madame Pince. I believe have done my best. Thank you for your many years of service and saving my life.

Epilogue:

Eighteen months later:

"Who knew mum had such a story in her," Tracy Beatrice-Jones said after finishing her mother's book in the Griffindor common room. "She rarely talks about what happened during her years at Hogwarts."

Mary Beatrice-Jones agreed with her little sister. "I know," she said sitting opposite her sister in the Griffindor common room. She was studying for her O.W.L.s. Mary noticed Rose Weasley in the corner of her eye. She exchanged a look with her sister.

"Do you think she knows Pince saved her mother's life?"

Tracy picked up her mother's book again. "I don't know. Why don't we ask her?"

Mary smiled. "If she doesn't we'll tell her about the legend of Irma Pince."

The End