Harry Potter and the Deathday Curse
Chapter 30 Almost Normal
A.N. This is the finale!
Malena
Harry awoke about an hour later. From his spot on the bed he could see the inky black sky through a window. At first he thought that someone out in the hall had woken him up, but a second or so later he realized that James, who was sitting in a chair beside his bed, was the one who had woken him up. Harry looked at James. His head was in his hands and he was shaking and sobbing.
"James?" Harry said softly. "What's wrong?" James lifted his head up out of his hands.
His eyes were awfully red.
"Harry," He croaked, sounding as though his throat was constricted. "You're awake."
"Yeah," Harry said weakly. "I guess I am." James gave a weak smile and looked back at his son.
"So," Harry said. "What's wrong? I mean, why were you crying?"
James gave a short laugh, but didn't reply.
"James?"
"Yes Harry?" He said slowly. Harry just stared at James for a moment.
"What happened? I mean, I was knocked unconscious, but what happened to Voldemort?" James's smile grew a little wider.
"Well, Harry, you-you beat him. He's dead." Harry just stared at James, not quite believing what he was hearing.
"That's not funny," Harry said slowly, propping himself up on his elbows. "What really happened?"
"That is what really happened," James said. "You beat him." Harry stared at James.
"How?" He asked.
"I don't know," James said. "No one does. When we found you two in the chamber both of you were just lying on the ground. I rushed over to you, trying to revive you, Sirius came over and took your pulse, then Remus told us that he was dead."
"Wow." Harry said, lying back down. "He's really gone. I-I can't believe it."
"Yeah," James said.
"That was one of the most frightening moments of my life." Harry said, sitting up and pulling his knees toward him. "When I was hit with the Deathday Curse. I instantly thought I was dead. I thought that I would never see Ginny again, or Ron, or Hermione…"
"When I walked in and saw you lying motionless on the ground, that was the most frightening moment of my life." James said softly. "I thought I had lost you. I remember thinking that I had never told you anything, we had never done anything together. I remember thinking of what you said, "You may be my father, but you haven't been acting like it-"
"James," Harry cut in. "I was ticked off then, I said things I didn't mean, I-"
"Harry," James said, tears starting to weld up his eyes again.
"Yes James?" Before Harry could say another word, he found James's arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. When James pulled away, Harry looked at him and said, "What was that for?"
James shook his head and said, "For all the years." That was it, nothing more was said for ten minutes. Eventually James said, "You should probably get back to sleep. You need your rest." Harry nodded and lay down again.
"Good night Harry," he heard James say.
"Good night Dad," Harry replied, feeling the sleepiness overpower him. James smiled as he watched his son. That was the first time Harry had ever called him 'Dad'.
Harry was out of bed a few days later. James left the day after that, he said that he had things to get ready. Life was almost back to normal, despite the fact that people were continuously patting him on the back and saying things like, "Way to go Potter!" and "Congratulations Harry!" The day that he had returned the Gryffindors had thrown a party for him and Ginny never left his side.
They no longer had a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, after Professor Perry had whacked out and left. Remus Lupin subbed for a little while, making sure that they got to their Apparation lessons on time and such. During the last two weeks of school the seventh years took their N.E.W.T.'s. Harry felt that he did well, even though he had missed about a week or so of lessons. He replied to the Quidditch camp, saying that he would be able to attend.
Harry was reminded by Ron that he was coming straight to their house after school was over. That is, if James didn't object. About three days before school got out something important appeared in the newspaper.
"Oh my god," Hermione said when she opened her paper that morning.
"What's wrong?" Harry said.
"Harry, James was pardoned. The whole stories here. Dumbledore pardoned him, and now he can live a normal life. Well, almost normal."
"Really, cool." Harry said, turning back to his breakfast. "I wonder what he's going to do next."
Hermione gave a small scream.
"He confessed to Sirius being innocent!" Hermione squealed. "Sirius is free! The Minister of Magic gave him a full pardon too!"
"Really! Let me see that!" Harry snatched the newspaper from her hands and read it hurriedly.
"Wow!" Harry exclaimed. "I'm really happy for Sirius. Both James and Sirius!"
"Yeah, so am I."
The next few days went to quickly for Harry's liking. On the second to last day of school, Harry, Ron and Hermione went around the school, remembering all of the adventures that they had had at Hogwarts.
"Remember when we went back in time to rescue Sirius," Hermione said.
"Yeah," Harry said. "Remember in our first year when we were out at midnight because Malfoy had asked me to have a duel, and instead he tipped of Filch, and we were almost killed by Fluffy."
"Don't remind me," Ron said darkly.
On the last day of school, when everyone was in the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood up and got everyone quiet, like he always did.
"And now!" He said. "It is the end of another year. It is time to give the seventh year their certificates and for them to say a little something about their seven years at Hogwarts. At this time, will the seventh years please line up against the wall.
There was the scraping of chairs as the seventh years got up.
"First, to Miss Lavender Brown," Said Professor Dumbledore. There was clapping and Lavender was given her certificate. Then when Dumbledore asked if she'd like to say anything.
"These have been the best seven years of my life, and I'm going to miss this school and I just want to say that I'm going to do my best to live up to my full potential and-" Her lip started to tremble and she ran away sobbing.
They went through the long line of people, and eventually reached Hermione.
"I think that these have been a wonderful seven years and that I hope that your time here will be the best seven years of your lives." Hermione said. "I would also like to thank my best friends, Harry and Ron, and I'd like to thank my teachers and…" She had a long shopping list of people to thank, and after she finished, and Parvati finished, came-
"Mr. Harry Potter." Harry tried to ignore the fact that he was getting the loudest applause yet.
"Er-thanks," Harry said sheepishly. "I'd just like to say, like everyone else has said before me, that this has been seven wonderful years. I'd also like to thank my friends, my teachers, and especially Madame Pomfrey, the school nurse. I wouldn't even be here today if it wasn't for her. Thank you to my dad (who all of you know is alive) and Sirius, and Professor Dumbledore, and a bunch of other people. I won't bore you by saying all of their names. It's been great! Bye!" There was a loud round of applause and Dumbledore called the next person's name.
After Ron went, ending his speech with "Dungbombs rule!" Dumbledore said a few more words and let everyone eat.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were waiting for the horseless carriages when Dennis and Colin Creevey came running up to them.
"Harry, we'd just like to say we thought your speech was wonderful." Colin said. "And that-"
"Oh that reminds me!" Harry said suddenly, interrupting Colin. "There was something that I wanted to give you." Harry opened his trunk and pulled out the Marauder's map.
"This is for you," Harry said. "I don't have any use for it now."
"A ragged piece of parchment?" Squeaked Dennis. Harry pulled out his wand, tapped the paper and said, "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." Instantly the map appeared.
"Have fun," Harry said slyly, looking at the astonished looks on their faces. "Oh, and after both of you graduate, pass it onto someone who you think is worthy of the map. Don't tell any teacher's about the map either."
"Thanks Harry!" Colin and Dennis said.
"To wipe it clean just tap it and say Mischief Managed," Harry said. Colin and Dennis smiled.
"That was nice," Ginny said, after Dennis and Colin had left.
"Yeah, now they have a honest to god present from the famous Harry Potter," Harry said.
"You are so full of yourself." Harry started laughing. A few moments later the carriages arrived…
"I'm going to miss you so much," Hermione sobbed into Harry's shoulder.
"I'll see you soon Hermione," Harry said. "Don't worry, I'll come visit next week at the latest."
"Promise," Hermione said.
"I promise, I'm staying at Ron's for the summer until Ginny and I go to the camp. Don't worry, I'll visit."
"So will I," Ron said.
"You'd better," Hermione said. "After all, you are my boyfriend, and if I'm not mistaken, we've got a date next Thursday."
"Pick you up at eight!" Ron said, smiling. Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek and kissed Ron on the lips. Then she pulled them both into a tight hug.
"C'mon Hermione," Said Mr. Granger. "We have an appointment!"
"Bye!" Hermione choked before getting into the car and driving away.
Harry and Ron turned back to Mrs. Weasley.
"Ready boys!" She exclaimed. "And girl." She added.
"Yes," they chorused. They had just started to walk to the Ministry car waiting for them, when Harry felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Molly," came James's voice. "Do you mind if I take Harry home instead?"
"Of course not James," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling.
"Great!" James said, smiling as well. Harry felt a grin spread on his face too.
"Ready to go home?" James asked.
"We have a home?" Harry asked.
"Yep. The old Potter estate. If I hadn't lived then you would've gotten when you tuned 18, but we're going to live there now." James had another Ministry car waiting, as he had gotten his old job as an Auror back. Harry and James walked away after saying goodbye to the Weasleys and promising to have them visit that following weekend.
Both of the Potters got into the car, both of them with messy black hair and glasses. Everyone was right, Harry did look remarkably like James, except for the eyes, and for the scar.
A.N. Maybe not the best ending, but I did my best. And I had to have it end with Scar, so I didn't have a lot of choices. The next thing I post is the Epilogue and my Thank You's!
Malena
