And so it ends…
Epilogue: A Different Perspective
Five months later and the Wizarding World and Hogwarts School were still mourning the loss of Mr Harry Potter. Ron Weasley had been summoned to the Ministry to receive a commendation for his bravery in the woods, as it was him who had dragged Severus from where he lay on the floor. Hermione had spent weeks blaming herself for Harry's death, believing that if she had woken up and joined him to defeat Voldemort, he would have survived. Ron had quickly dismissed this idea from her head and their friendship had strengthened because of it. Lucius Malfoy had withdrawn from the public eye, he was still powerful and influential, but did not exercise this power as freely as he used to.
Severus' life had improved as well. He had stopped using drugs in order to relax and sleep and his demeanour had changed to become sarcastic rather than bitter and cruel. He smiled reflectively as he walked the corridors of Hogwarts, coming to a halt at the bronze plaque that had been inscribed in memory of Harry and set into the stone of the walls of the school.
"Out of despair grows hope." Dumbledore appeared next to Severus and they stood in silence for a few minutes. "Are you well?"
"I honestly do not know Albus." Severus studied Dumbledore jadedly. "Where do you think he is?"
"I do not know. I suspect that Harry's death caused some kind of weakening within Voldemort. They were connected in life, so it is presumable that they will be connected in death as well."
"Will he come back?"
"That I cannot answer. We are prepared, better prepared than we have been in a long time. Many of the Death Eaters will not return to Voldemort after what they witnessed on that night."
"What about the Dementors? The Giants?"
"It seems Voldemort had not gathered as much loyalty as he first thought."
"And Lucius' potion?"
"Has been taken care of. All of the suspected Death Eaters have gone into hiding."
"They now know who I am. What I am."
"We can protect you." Severus nodded in final acceptance of Dumbledore's offer,
"Seems you will have to find another double-crosser to double-cross for you."
"Indeed."