Harry blinked his eyes, confused. He seemed to be alive, or not? It felt light, but gentle here. But, then the light faded, somewhat. It was still there, all around him, but he could see better. It was a room, like the common rooms in the school, but not one that he had ever been in. A long, ornate rug ran beneath his feet through a semi-circle of four chairs to a roaring fire. The flames of it were dimmer than that background light. It all felt so calm, so inviting.
He stepped forward, passing the chairs and holding his hands up to the air before the fireplace. It was warm, like a soothing heartbeat throb in a cold night. It had been cold outside of the ring of chairs. He just realised that. Harry also realised he wasn't alone. Turning, he tried to pull his wand, only to discover it was not there.
"We have waited for you to come for some time, Harry Potter," said a voice, melodious and soft. It came from a woman, tall and fair. She wore a tiara of dazzling beauty upon her head. She looked strong, hard and ancient with wisdom.
"We have known you would come, of course," a smooth faced gentleman said, smiling. He held a cane with a serpentine curl about its shape, his fingers curling about the head of the snake with an old familiarity. His face was flush, full of life and vigour.
"We are proud of how brave you have been," another man, large, burly and with a face of endless mirth said. He had a great mane of wavy hair, down to the great beast shoulder-pads on his armour. He was animated, skin flushed and alive.
"We regret you must remain steadfast, however," a shorter woman said, stout and with eyes that beamed kindness. She caressed a small mammal on her lap, fingers aged, but sturdy, worn in good service. Her skin looked pale, almost see through, sickly.
"Who? Who are you?" he asked, looking between them.
"I am sure a clever Ravenclaw could guess it," the first, tall woman said, giving him an approving look.
"Y-you're the Founders!" he exclaimed as the truth dawned upon him. "But, that's…"
"Impossible?" the man who must be Godric guffawed. "Remember when that was a limitation?"
"You only never accepted it," Salazar said, his voice a little strained. "Still, in this case, he was quite right."
"More or less, anyway," Rowena replied. "The specifics of it are quite a bit more complicated."
"How can this be?" Harry asked. "You all died centuries ago."
"When we were nearing our end," Godric said, nodding, "our clever Rowena devised a plan to continue the magic of Hogwarts for eons to come."
"We have cast ourselves, fully," Rowena said, "into the school itself, become a part of it."
"The heart of the school, if you will," Helga said, her voice tired, and she coughed.
"It was a beautiful, elegant plan," Salazar said. "We have watched much and seen the growth of students, the wonderment of change and generations. Much has changed, but to the good, I think."
"Where… where am I?" Harry asked. "What happened?"
"You did a brave thing, my lad," Godric said, sounding proud.
"And quite… clever," Rowena added.
"You sacrificed yourself for everyone!" Hufflepuff beamed.
"Turning the dark wizard's magic against him, I might add," Salazar said, sounding pleased.
"So… I'm dead?" Harry asked.
"Somewhat," Helga said. "Though, a remnant of your mother's protection still remains, so not completely."
"So, I can go back?" Harry asked.
"If you wish it," Godric pronounced. "Though, you have earned a place of honour, in either case."
"Though, you do need to destroy his last two horcruxes," Rowena said. "A bother, that."
"The cup and the diadem?" Harry asked.
"Such a mockery he made of our hard work," Rowena exclaimed. "Does he have any idea how long I researched to… Oh, well, it is past. I have lost less than others."
"That's right," Godric said, nodding to her. "We have managed to expunge two of his horcruxes in this forest. And I'm afraid we will lose one of our own."
"Who?" Harry asked, looking between them. Seeing Helga Hufflepuff's face confirmed his fear. "It's… you, isn't it?" he asked her. "You… had the… the amber light."
She nodded, sombre. "It is my time," she said. "That spell broke the artefact of my bonding asunder. I am fading, and - with it - the strength of the school."
"The school?" Harry asked. "What do you mean?"
"We were the pillars of the school's founding, young Harry," Salazar said. "Without our lives, it would have fallen into disarray, the magic holding up so much of it would have ended."
"As Helga fades, we struggle to maintain," Godric added. "We are strong, but without a fourth, we will fade. But, that is not your concern for today. What will be, will be."
"What should I do now?" Harry asked.
"What is it you want to do?" Rowena asked.
"I want to go back and help finish Voldemort, once and for all," Harry replied.
"Spoken like a Gryffindor at heart," Godric said. "I knew he would do well in my House."
"And you know, as well as we," Helga said, "that the Houses are only a starting point. In time, a good witch or wizard may exhibit some or all of what we valued. A person could exhibit them all without inconsistency."
"Then, why set up the Houses at all?" Harry asked.
"Call it our petty pride of life," Salazar said. "Much we believed in our younger days have fallen away with agelessness. When you watch students come and go for a thousand years, you might gain a little perspective, young man."
"Should we do away with them?" Harry asked.
"That is for you to decide, you and those in the school," Godric said.
"You must do what is best for the school," Helga gasped. She faded further. "It is coming soon. I am sorry. Care for the students, all as one, Harry Potter, one as all. One school, one world. Everyone is different and the same. Remember that. My friends… my friends, I will miss you in the beyond. Stay strong. I look fondly on our time together. My love for you, as for the school, as for every student, is without end. Good bye, loves."
The other Founders were suddenly beside her chair. Salazar and Godric kneeling at her feet, hands covering hers and Rowena leant beside her, enclosing her in a hug. Harry suddenly felt like he saw something he should not. It was too personal, intimate, but he was there, and they did not tell him off. He watched as the Founder, Helga Hufflepuff, winked away, leaving the others and himself. They remained at her chair a moment, then stood, sighing and returned to their own. Her chair looked empty, lonely, without the woman in it. Everything felt a bit less light, a bit dimmer.
"Harry, it is your time," Rowena said.
"Remember well the words of our wise friend," Salazar said.
"She was a light in our darkest moments," Godric said. "Bring what you can of it to the world. Know, we are behind you, always."
Harry nodded. "Thank you," he said. "I am ready."
The world winked away, and he awoke, finding himself on the ground in the middle of a pitched battle. How long he had been gone, Harry could not tell, but everything seemed to have gone to chaos. Many trees had been blasted away, and Harry could see the battle raged in front of the school as well as it did here.
At his feet, a blackened tree lay, cracked in half and empty. He knew, it was the tree from the school. That was why Dumbledore had brought it out here. It had intercepted the spell. That had been that white flash of light that struck even as he accepted the Killing Curse. He pushed himself up, and heard a gasp of shock from nearby.
"Harry!" cried a voice from nearby.
He turned, seeing Hermione fighting with a Death Eater he recognised as Lucius. Harry swung his wand, pointing at the man, and said, "Expelliarmus!" Lucius barely ducked under the spell, and Harry had to duck under spells sent from another part of the battle.
Voldemort was on the other end of the clearing, duelling with Remus and unaware Harry had survived. The Cup and the diadem remained. Harry had to see if he could destroy them. He raced over towards the men. Remus had the diadem. The cup might have to wait.
"Too slow!" Voldemort cried, sending a flash of green at Remus. "Avada Kedavra!"
The man dodged it, tripping on a forest root, and fell into a ditch. Out of his pocket bounced the diadem, ricochetting off a root and rolling towards Voldemort's feet. The pale man flared with anger.
"So! You had it!" he screamed. "I knew someone was collecting them. Someone took the locket, too. I will take this one back, over your dead body, of course!"
He raised his wand, and Harry didn't hesitate. With a whip of his wand, he focused as Dumbledore had taught them, sending a flare of fire, "Mala Ignis!" he roared. Then, he flicked his wand to make a bubble.
A snake of fire shot at the diadem with deadly speed, eating up the diadem in an instant. Harry panicked. His bubble charm had failed, leaving the monstrous flame out of control. The snake evolved into a dragon, soaring through the tree branches overhead, devouring anything in its path. The forest began to blaze, the heat of it overwhelming. Harry saw Remus run before the beast, casting water charms back at it.
Voldemort ignored it, his red eyes burning as he looked at the source of it. "You!" he cried. With a crack of his wand like a whip, Voldemort sent a spell at Harry, striking his shoulder with force. Harry stumbled back into a tree, his back feeling a jolt of pain. He could vaguely see the fire still raging around them, and Harry felt alone, isolated. It was just him and Voldemort, again.
This time, however, he could fight back. Harry put up a shield in time to block a spell that seared the surface of his shield. Then, Harry went on the offensive. He sent spell after spell at the man, trip jinxes, stunners, fire, water, anything that came to mind. Voldemort dodged or blocked all of them, barely seeming to move. The man laughed, coldly as he sent another onslaught Harry's way.
The Fiendfyre roared behind Voldemort, illuminating him as it passed. The flames seemed to lick at him, bedevilling him more than Harry had thought was possible. Harry did not give up. He could hear the sounds of the rest of the battle, remote, as though in another world. This was the battle that mattered, at least now.
Harry tried to screw up his anger, but he could not hate, not like Voldemort. How could he kill a man if he couldn't hate him? Instead, he sent further spells, more complex jinxes. He charmed one of the few trees still standing to grab Voldemort. The man waved his wand, burning it before it grew close.
"Avada Kedavra!" the man cried, blasting a hole in a tree beside Harry as he dodged. "I have had enough of this, Harry Potter! You die now!"
What followed was a dozen Killing Curses one after another, each missing Harry as he ran by the barest distance. He couldn't hold his ground against that. Shields were useless against the Killing Curse. Harry drew uncomfortably close to the Fiendfyre, wishing he could remember the counter-curse or how to contain it now that it had escaped. The beast roared, chasing after him. And Harry raced away from it, struggling to keep Voldemort in view as he ran.
The cruel man cackled with anger and glee. The dark wizard hardly had to work with the fire doing so much. Harry had given him a great boon, despite all efforts to harm the man. He needed something… he needed help!
Hermione leapt through the flames, flinging spells at Voldemort. The man stumbled, off guard, but recovered immediately. Harry came to assist Hermione, sending his own spells at the man. But Voldemort was quite adept. He dodged spells from both as he sent ones for each of them to avoid or block. He did not seem fazed at all to be duelling two people at once. Harry sent a tremor in the earth beneath the man, but Voldemort held steady.
And then, the tables turned further. Through the flames strode Bellatrix Lestrange. She threw a powerful curse at Hermione, sending her tumbling. Harry cried out. Sending spells at Bellatrix as the woman bore down on Hermione. Bellatrix rebounded them towards Harry, forcing him to duck. He couldn't get close.
"Hey, you!" cried an angry voice, following Bellatrix into the clearing.
She turned, and laughed. "My, my!" she cried. "If it isn't the little Longbottom boy. Does he want to play? Does he know how much his parents begged? Begged for my mercy? Does he?"
Neville snarled and began duelling with Bellatrix, giving Harry a chance to help Hermione up. She was injured but still angry, fierce. Her eyes flicked back to Voldemort in time to leap aside. Harry put his arm up, blocking his face from the shards of rocks that buffeted him. He sent another spell back at the man as he put up another shield.
The duel felt like it went on forever, but Harry was certain it had only been moments since he had arisen. Beside them, Bellatrix and Neville fought, the woman growing more and more frustrated as she was unable to knock him quickly. Neville roared as he fired spell after spell at the woman, his face bloodied, but he didn't hesitate. Harry took heart from it, and continued his fight.
The problem, though, was the growing realisation that he could not defeat Voldemort. Even with Hermione's help… they didn't stand a chance in the long run. Voldemort had had decades of exposure, practice, duels and winning all of them. He had more dark magic up his sleeve than they had regular magic. How had he assumed this would go any better?
The Fiendfyre flew behind Voldemort, earning it only a glance by the man as he continued his duel. Harry was glad for at least some distance between them and that beast. Most of the forest around them had burned, and patches of grass still burned. Harry struggled to breathe through all the smoke around them. He realised he had been holding his own breath far too much. Harry coughed as he sent spells, feeling weakened.
Voldemort looked triumphant, and raised his wand, ready to kill. Harry knew he could not get out of the way in time, now. He struggled against his coughs, but hearing the same from Hermione made him panic. Anything but that! She had to be safe. She had to live!
Before any of them could act, a figure flew into the remnants of the clearing, hopping off his broom. Albus stood, hard and with a dangerous look in his eyes. Voldemort looked startled, uncertain, for the first time since the duel had begun. Albus merely flicked his wand, a smile coming over his face.
Harry, bewildered, watched the out of control Fiendfyre straighten up, turning carefully around behind Voldemort, moving in a more graceful, careful motion. Voldemort looked bewildered, not seeing the results of Albus' spell. He aimed a spell for Dumbledore. Albus blocked it with a giant shield he summoned in the air. Then, he flicked his wand backwards, towards himself.
With a roar, the Fiendfyre blazed forward, and Voldemort turned too late. The spell engulfed him, and he struggled with his wand to put it out. A cracking sound shook the air as something flew out of the man's robes, bouncing with a metallic sound across the ground to Harry's feet. He watched, in shock, as the last horcrux, the Cup, shattered and dissolved.
Then, Albus spun his wand, catching the Fiendfyre in a whirlwind that seemed to dissolve it. The forest still crackled with the flames, but Voldemort and his horcruxes were no more. The battle without continued, and Harry finally gave a thought to it. They had beaten Voldemort, but what about the Death Eaters?
Bellatrix howled, running towards Voldemort. As she ran, ropes wrapped around her, slamming her face down into the ashen earth. Neville walked over, leaning over to take her wand in his hand. With an effort, he snapped her wand like a twig, throwing the pieces to the earth. Bellatrix screamed bloody fury until Neville used magic to gag her. He spat down at her and then turned away, putting a hand to his head.
The young man had finally stopped the woman who had tormented her parents, taken their sanity. He sat down on a log, looking tired. Harry walked over to put a hand on his friend's shoulder, and he felt Hermione come over, too. Then, a blaze of noise from the direction of the castle drew Harry away. He passed around the burnt remains of trees to see it.
Harry gawked at the battlefield beyond the trees. Hundreds of wizards fought their way across, wearing robes of blue and many other colours. Madam Maxime bellowed as she sent ropes to bind Death Eaters and others to send clusters of black robed figures flying. The acromantulas were being chased out by Sirius riding a hippogriff accompanied by a furious Hagrid. The Keeper of the Keys yelled in anger at them, calling a few of them by name as he scolded them.
A dragon made up of fireworks chased a half-dozen Death Eaters, plus Draco and a couple of his cronies across the field. Fred and George cackled from behind, directing the dragon with their wands. Harry just shook his head. Where had all of these people come from?
"We got your message, Albus," said Kingsley, running up to them. "I sent for Madam Maxime and the loyal Aurors. I think Madam Bones is on the other side of the school with some of them. We should have this battle wrapped up shortly."
"Thank you, old friend," Albus said, looking grateful. "Casualties?"
"Few," the man said, smiling. "Injuries, mostly. I saw a couple students looking rather Confunded, but I do not think there have been fatalities. It is a fortunate thing."
"Excellent," Albus said. "When things settle, bring everyone to me in the Entrance Hall. We have one more task to see to, and then…"
"Of course, Albus," Kingsley said, charging off to assist.
Harry started forward, but Albus put a hand on his shoulder. "I think you, my friend, have fought enough today. It is nearly done, and could not have gone better with all the plans in the world."
Hermione reached them, leaping to embrace Harry. She gripped him harder than usual, but her face had no more tears. She was full of the brightest smiles. Harry felt he must be, as well. They had made it.
"Albus," Hermione said, when she had been able to let go long enough to look at him. She merely held Harry's arm like he might float way, now. "How did you know Harry would make it out?"
"I thought he would," Albus said. "But I could not be certain. When Voldemort returned, they used something of Harry in it, yes?"
"Quirrell took some of my blood," Harry responded. It felt like a millennia had passed since that day. "The Founders thought it was due to my mother's protection."
"Oh, did they?" Dumbledore asked, eyeing him curiously. "It is possible. Though, my theory relies upon the connection he created when he used your blood to regenerate. It protected you from him, so his spell killed the horcrux in you, but not yourself. I would very much like to hear the Founders' theories in full, however."
"Well, I - er," Harry said, feeling awkward. Did he sound mad?
"Founders?" Hermione asked.
"All will be explained in time, Hermione," Albus said. "I expect, shortly, in fact. See, they have rounded up the rest of the Death Eaters. Let us join them in the Entrance Hall."
They crossed the field leading up to the school, or what remained of it. The beautiful grass was left with many bare patches and upturned earth. Tied up figures dotted the area like stains upon the surface. Harry saw a number of people as they went.
Sirius and Remus were laughing at something, shoulder to shoulder as they levitated a handful of Death Eaters towards the school. Kingsley ran around giving orders. Hagrid sat on a rock, sighing and kicking at the broken sod beneath his feet. He waved when Harry passed, however.
The Weasley family joined their walk, the twins standing tall behind Harry and announcing them as they walked as "Vanquishers of Voldypants! Seriously strong wizards and witches here!"
Molly alternated her fussing over them and her husband. Arthur walked with a limp, his left shoe was red with blood, but he kept a pleased smile on his face. Their other sons trailed after, chatting amicably. Harry saw Ginny, skipping happily through the field. He hadn't seen her look this light and free since before Riddle…
Harry's heart felt light, too. A great weight had just left them all. Something bothered him, something just out of reach? Why didn't he feel complete relief? What was he forgetting?
They entered the Entrance Hall, filing in with hundreds of other people. Harry was still in shock. Was it actually over? Had all of these people, the French he had met on the way north, the Aurors, Order members and students just toppled two distinctly powerful groups, the Death Eaters and Silver Scions? It was a lot to take in, but Harry felt a background wave of a powerful emotion. Pride. He was proud of them, all of them. This day didn't belong to any one person. It was all of their victories.
He looked up at Dumbledore and saw a look of contentment. That was a very different feeling, but, Harry thought, Albus had been fighting this fight much longer than most of them. He had been facing dark wizards for most of his life. A victory like this would be a different thing than for the rest of them. To them, it was new. To him… it probably brought back the other times, the other pains.
Albus brought them to the broken entrance to the Great Hall, standing at the centre of the doorway. He waited, patient, as the rest of the group gathered. Harry saw that the space filled with not just witches and wizards, but house elves. Even the younger students seemed to have found out it was safe to descend.
Harry gasped, his mind spinning back to a vision he had seen years ago. He had been a first year, saddened at the separation he saw in the school, and Harry had found a very curious mirror - one of some importance he later learned. But in that vision… he had seen this. Hundreds of students, together, mixed without concern. Ravenclaws stood with Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors with Slytherins and every combination in between. Harry felt his eyes water in pride and wonderment.
The space filled up the Grand Stair a couple levels' worth. Albus smiled when the Entrance Hall doors closed. Silence fell, not an uncomfortable one, but a calm, relieved one. That was how Harry felt it, anyway, that and purely magical.
Albus looked out to all of them, his gaze running slowly across the crowd, acknowledging many he saw with nods and that twinkle so often seen in his eye. Then, he raised his hands to the ceiling.
"Thank you," he declared, his voice shaking the loose rocks in the place, booming with a natural strength. "You have brought this chapter of sadness, of worry, to a close. You have saved the lives of many of your fellow wizards and witches. You have taken away the wave of fear from the hearts of our children, grandchildren.
"You have brought us… peace. I look out on you and I see bravery, heroes, people fighting for their families, for love. The enemy fought for hate, for anger, for things that we cannot understand. And now, it is done. Or nearly. The first part is done, but much remains. The Ministry will need many of you to help rebuild. The school, too, will clearly need some care. I will help there, as I can.
"This brings me to something… important. In my years, I have never found a place as incredible as Hogwarts." Albus touched the wall nearest him, tender. "It was designed by the Founders, this much most who hear of it know. Their names were Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff. What most did not know is that they did not leave it, not fully.
"Hogwarts has housed the four Founders' souls entire, a gift to us, a gift to future generations. It is their full embodiment here that keeps the spells and the magical protections of the school in place, in perpetuity. Our fallen enemy, damaged one of these souls, by accident, but damaged nonetheless. In attempting to murder Harry Potter, some months ago, he infected one with an accidental horcrux, a cruel part of his soul that is broken away from the whole with murder. That has been purged today. Harry, can you tell me which we have lost?"
All eyes turned to Harry. He frowned. The crowd did not make him nervous. He just felt, strange, talking about what he had seen there. It had been moving, sad and very intimate. However, he found the strength to answer.
"Helga Hufflepuff's spirit departed," Harry said. "The others were with her… to the end."
Albus nodded, frowning. "Helga was often seen as the uniter of the Founders, the one who helped end arguments. Nothing could fully replace what she was to this place. However, the death of that part leaves the school vulnerable, weak. It is incomplete and… dying. This cannot stand. This transcends the damage of Voldemort and his followers. Hogwarts is more than that to us. Most of us have fond memories in this place. We have called it home for years. I have had the privilege of doing so longer than most. Therefore, I find it appropriate that I find myself in this rare position.
"Hogwarts Founders," he said, letting his voice reverberate across the space. "I offer you, my whole self. In the we have all experienced, I ask that I may help maintain and keep this school, Hogwarts, whole."
Then, he grew quiet, turning towards the Great Hall. Harry heard murmurs run through the crowd. He felt shock. So, that was Albus' plan. He wanted to fix the school, but … at that cost? That cost?
"Albus," he said, hearing his voice echoed dozens of times in the general quiet. "You don't have to do this!"
Dumbledore smiled at him and nthen at the crowd. "I ask it because I choose to. If the Founders accept me. I am flawed, as are all men. If they find me worthy, then I would gladly give my all for this place. It is my home, our collective home. What I can do, I will. For you, for us, for your children and children's children. There is not one iota of doubt in my mind. For the poor decisions and failures I have had, for every time I put someone in undue danger. I would make it right, now. Founders… what have you decided?"
The doorway to the Great Hall transformed. Harry gasped. They were looking at the room he had just seen, the place with the Founders, the four chairs and the fireplace. The chairs had turned to face the opening, away from the fireplace. The three remaining Founders stood, bowing low. When they rose, Harry saw Rowena wink at him, nearly imperceptibly.
They turned, as one, to Albus, and gestured to the open seat between them, smiles across their aged, wise faces. Albus smiled back. He stepped forward, passing through the portal. Harry thought he looked less solid, then, like the other Founders. Without hesitation, Albus passed between the others, and stood alongside them. Turning, he sat, as they also sat. With a wink and a twinkle in his eye, Albus nodded to everyone outside the portal.
The doorway now faced the broken Great Hall. Except, something was changing. The broken walls began to repair. The doorway, too, began to repair itself. People gasped, and Harry turned to see the same throughout the Entrance Hall. The hall began to reassemble, the damage erasing itself. Harry found himself lifting his wand and assisting. And he was not alone. All through the hall, the murmur of "Reparo" echoed for minutes on end.
In the end, the room was whole, and the Great Hall, as well. Much remained to fix, but this place was as it should. Harry felt that last weight leave him. There was sadness, it floated there, loss. Albus was… dead, but it did not overwhelm. He was dead but not gone. Albus had given everything for the school, and would do so as long as he was able. That made Harry take heart.
Hermione took his hand, pressing it. He pressed back. Silence resumed in the room. A happy one. People beamed at each other, enthralled by the beauty they had witnessed. Then, the silence shattered. Everyone was hugging and crying for joy. A party began out of nowhere. Dancing and music. The day had changed from one of danger, fear and sadness to one of immense happiness.
Harry and Hermione joined in, but he never left her side. After everything, it still felt too surreal. Would it suddenly change back to how the day had begun? How had it all come to this? For once, Harry could sigh and let the questions wash away. They had done it. He was here, with Fred, George and, most of all, Hermione. They were safe. They were home once more.
