Chapter 24: Crumble—The Price of Victory

Death herself glided through the dust and debris outside the grounds of Hogwarts. She looked at the many dead bodies of the Death Eaters, giants, and trolls. Her gaze moved on as she looked into grounds. She gave the ash-covered body of Tom Riddle a short glance with a hungry smile before she turned to look at the defenders of the castle. Death stopped as her eyes fell on Lily Potter standing with her son and daughter-in-law. She looked at James and Sirius helping Remus to his feet.

Death was confused. She looked down at her list as some of the names were fading from her view, others flickering. To further her confusion, times of certain souls to join her appeared to speed forward. Some of the souls that should have been with her for a long time were now dated well in the future. Putting the list back in her cloak, she made herself visible for all to see. Someone screamed as they saw her, drawing all of the survivors' attention. Death floated quickly to the middle of the grounds.

"You four and many others should not be here," Death spoke directly to Lily as she pointed at her. "What have you done?" she demanded. Harry and James made to stand in front of Lily, but she stopped them. She stepped to within a few meters of Death, looking up at her.

"I received foreknowledge of what was to be many years ago. I…I… couldn't let that happen," Lily told Death as she choked back a sob. She turned slightly to Harry and Ginny standing with James and Sirius. "These two, or rather, future versions of them, came to me by accident one night in 1980."

"You used this knowledge to take souls from me?" Death asked sounding angry.

"Yes," admitted Lily looking down at her feet. "My own included."

"You have disrupted preordained events," Death spoke almost casually. "The balance must be paid."

"I…understand," Lily choked out as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Mum! No!" Harry cried as ran over to her.

"Harry, sweetheart," Lily swallowed as she gripped his arms, "I…I…have no choice. I…"

"I offer myself as payment," Dumbledore limped between the Potters and Death. He nodded at James with a slight smile before turning to look at Death again.

"Albus! Think about what you are doing," McGonagall cried as Professor Sprout held her back.

"Hush, Minerva," Albus smiled at her. "I know exactly what I am doing."

"You offer yourself for these four?" Death indicated Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus. Tonks came to stand by Remus. "Make that five."

"Yes," Albus answered turning back to face Death. "I have done their family very grievous wrongs over the years. Things I am deeply ashamed of. This is my way to redeem myself, not only to them but to all those I have wronged over my long life."

"Very well," Death nodded. "I shall weigh your soul against the five who were meant to be with me."

Death reached into the sleeve of her cloak, pulling out an ancient set of golden scales. They floated in the air just in front of Death as she reached into her other sleeve pulling out five small bluish glowing orbs. She placed them on one side of the scales before retrieving another from her sleeve. Death placed the single larger orb on the empty side, waiting for the results. The plates swung up and down gently for a few seconds, trying to balance. When they stopped, they were not even. The five still outweighed the one by a slim margin.

"Your soul alone is not enough, Albus Dumbledore," Death stated looking back at him.

"Then take me as well," Severus Snape called as he drugged his left leg to walk toward them. "I cheated you out of my soul during this battle. I will not let my friend…my sister, Lily suffer anymore!"

"Severus, no," Lily pleaded with him quietly. Snape turned to her with a small smile taking her hands.

"Part of all this is my fault, Lily," Snape nodded. "I was the one that overheard part of the Prophecy. I am the one that told Riddle of it. I begged him to spare you, hoping he would. But I knew deep down, he would not. That's when I turned spy for Albus. This whole mess is my doing."

"Severus," Lily croaked out.

"No, Lily," Snape shook his head. "You have your family back. You have your chance to be happy, to see Harry grow up, to see your grandchildren. This is my way of repaying my wrongs to you, and the life debt I have to your husband."

"Severus," James said thickly. Snape gave James a small smile and nod.

"I accept your offer, Severus Snape," Death announced. "But it must be weighed."

Death reached into her cloak again, retrieving another orb. She placed it on the scale and waited. This time the two souls outweighed the five.

"Hmm," Death muttered as she thought about how to balance the scales. "I shall grant two souls a second chance. Two of my choosing."

Death surveyed the grounds, looking carefully at all of the dead that had been moved to the grounds. Finally, her eyes landed on two distraught families near the front doors. Two orbs appeared in her hand before she placed them on the scales with the five. The scales swayed again, finally balancing as Death nodded. "Yes, those two," she spoke quietly.

With a pushing gesture, the two souls fly off the scales into their former bodies. With a great gasp, both suddenly sat up, shocking their families.

"Padma Patil, Cedric Diggory," Death called. Everyone turned to see them looking quite shocked at being alive. "You have been given a second chance. Do not squander it."

"Thank you," Cedric replied hoarsely before his parents enveloped him in their arms.

"I won't," rasped Padma as her sister and parents smothered her with their hugs.

Death nodded before turning to Albus and Severus again. "You may have a few moments to say your farewells."

"Sev," Lily choked out as she hugged him. "Thank you."

"It is the least I can do for all the harm I caused," Severus nodded. He let Lily go, turning to James. He extended his hand with a small smile. "Be good to her, Potter."

"I will," James nodded, taking his hand. "Thank you, Severus." Snape nodded.

"Look after them, Black," Severus extended his hand to Sirius. Sirius could only nod as he took Snape's hand with a nod. Snape then turned to Remus and Tonks. "Live and be happy, Lupin."

"I will," Remus swallowed hard taking Snape's hand. "Thank you."

"Harry, Ginny," Snape turned to them with a genuine smile. "Try not to blow up the school in Potions class." Harry and Ginny gave a water chuckle as they nodded to him. Snape turned back to Death with a nod. "I'm ready."

"James, Lily," Albus began, hanging his head. "I deeply apologize for all the wrongs I have done to your family over the years. I know it is an enormous thing to ask, but I hope in time you, and all of your family, will one day forgive me."

Lily and James swallowed as they nodded at him.

"Minerva, please take of the school for me," Albus turned to her. "I dare say, she may need a helping hand in getting back to normal."

"I will, Albus," Minerva choked out with tears in her eyes. She stepped forward, hugging him. "Goodbye, old friend. Say hello to my family for me."

"I will," Albus nodded as he pulled away. He turned, giving Harry and Ginny a smile that made his blue eye twinkle madly. "Love is truly the most powerful force there is."

"Yes, it is," smiled Ginny as she hugged Harry close.

"Very true," Harry nodded.

"At least I can see Ariana again," Albus smiled widely. He gave a chuckle as he looked past the young couple. "And Abe has gone on before me in this battle. The Dumbledore children back together again. It has been far too long." He took one step toward Death, but stopped, turning back. "Oh, Minerva, my will is in my top desk drawer."

Minerva nodded at him. Dumbledore turned back to Death with a nod. Death opened her arms invitingly to Albus and Severus. A bright light appeared just behind her. "Come, they are waiting for you."

A blinding flash covered the grounds of the castle as Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape walked gladly into the light together. Death turned to the gathering people around the Potters, looking directly at Percy. She was feeling generous by the show of kindness by Albus and Severus. She would show kindness in return, to balance the scales.

"One soul is about to join me, but I shall grant you the time to speak with her one last time, Percy Weasley," she stated as she gestured to the castle.

Percy's eyes widened before he bolted into the castle followed by the whole family.

Percy burst into the Hospital Wing at a full run. He slid to a stop by Penelope's bed. He grasped her hand as her head lulled toward him. Molly looked up as the rest of her family arrived. Arthur looked at her pleadingly. Molly could only shake her head sadly. Arthur walked over to his wife, hugging her close.

"Penny," Percy sobbed.

"Percy," Penelope spoke weakly. "At least you made it before…"

"I'm here, darling," Percy swallowed.

"Promise…" Penelope breathed. "Promise me…you will…live…Live your life in…my memory…Find love…again…be…be happy…for…for me…"

"I…" Percy choked. "I…will."

"Re…remember you…your family…is…" Penelope winced in pain. Tears streaked her cheeks. "Your family…is…is…every…thing…"

"I will," sobbed Percy.

"Harry…" Penelope turned to him.

"I'm here, Penny," Harry placed a hand on Percy's shoulder.

"Th…thank you," she breathed heavily. "Thank…you…for…ending it…"

"You're welcome," Harry nodded as he swallowed hard.

"Loo…look after…them…Ginny."

"I will, Penny," Ginny told her as she placed one arm around Harry and her other hand on Percy's shoulder. Penelope nodded weakly as she closed her eyes. Her breathing swallowed, then stopped. Percy leaned forward, crying heavily on her still chest.

Harry and Ginny stood with Charlie and the other dragon riders around the body of Brun. Draza had called the other dragons together to mourn there fallen sister. She had invited Harry to translate for her. Harry stood with a heavy heart as the rest of the dragons landed slowly. Wesha nudged him as she took her place in the circle around Brun.

"Sisters, friends," Draza spoke slowly for Harry to repeat her words. "We come together to honor our fallen sister. Brun was brave, kind, and strong. She will be missed by we Dragos, but also by the handler that was so kind to her and her young. Her body will return to the ash to nourish the ground where she fell. As Alpha, I shall watch her young with the help of her handler as she asked with her dying breath. We say goodbye to you, Brun. May your spirit ever be free. May your flames ever warm you. May your prey ever satisfy your hunger. May you find peace in the hereafter."

The dragons all gave a mighty roar as they raised their heads to the sky. They breathed a plume of fire into the air before looking at Brun's body one last time. Draza breathed her flames on Brun, followed by Wesha. The rest of the dragons added their fire to the growing pyre. Once the flames had engulfed Brun's body, the dragons sat back on their haunches making a musical roar as the body was consumed.

Ginny cried on Harry's shoulder as they looked on. James and Lily placed their hands on Harry and Ginny's shoulders as they looked on with silent tears. Brun's rider fell to his knees sobbing. Charlie and the other handlers crowded around him to give him their support.

Once the dragons were done singing, Draza looked at Harry. She bowed her head slightly as she led the other dragons to the area Hagrid and Charlie had set aside for them. Harry knew then it was truly over. They had defeated Voldemort. He pulled Ginny closer. They could live their lives and be happy. Happy with his parents and their families mostly intact and whole.

A/N: I was going to wait and post all three remaining chapters together, but after looking at my notes the Epilogue is a bit jumbled, to say the least. But I will get that straightened out and get it posted in the next day or two. As always, Thanks for the R/Rs.