AN: This is just a short little epilogue that I thought was necessary. So this is the end…thanks for following my story and thanks for the reviews! Very much appreciated! I was thinking of doing a 6th year fic to follow this one. If you like this idea, please state so in a review! Thanks again guys!
Epilogue
Harry fidgeted in his seat uncomfortably, unsure if he was ready for what was about to happen. He knew that he had to speak. He owed it to Hagrid really. It had been two weeks since he had left his 5th year at Hogwarts. Those last 14 days had been the happiest he'd had all year. Though studying for exams had taken up a large portion of his time, it wasn't too bad when he studied with Ginny. Harry smiled; despite of the situation he was currently in. He had been amazed that he had passed all his subjects. Ron, too, had done fairly well. Hermione, of course, had finished at the top of their class. Ginny, had done remarkably well, and Harry wondered how she dealt with the stress of things so admirably.
Ginny shifted in the seat next to him. "Are you okay?" She whispered softly, shattering the intense silence that had surrounded them for the last fifteen minutes. Harry nodded, feeling too choked up to speak. Ginny seemed to understand and did not question him further. Instead she offered an encouraging smile, and Harry felt stronger.
Harry stared straight ahead, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Soon Albus Dumbledore, walked purposefully to the podium. He looked saddened and yet collected somehow. He took a slow breath and began to speak. "Hagrid was always like a son to me. When his father died, I took it upon myself to care for him. He was always brave, gentle, and loyal to the end." Dumbledore paused and smiled with a faraway look in his normally bright eyes. "Hagrid," He murmured so low that Harry could barely hear him. "You will always be my son." Harry studied Dumbledore for a moment, as the old man finished his short speech. His eyes had welled up with tears and he waved a hand at Harry, summoning him to the podium.
Harry stood uncertainly, determined to make his tribute to Hagrid the best he could. He raked a hand through his all-ready untidy hair and spoke in a trembling voice. "Hagrid was my family, and he was a friend." Tears sprang into his own eyes as a now-distant memory played back in his head. Forgetting what he had practiced for days on end, Harry let his instincts take over. "He rescued me from a horrible home life and showed me what I really was." Harry smiled serenely. "I'll always remember you, Hagrid. Thanks….for everything." His voice shook as he finished.
Harry sat back down in the sturdy chair, next to Ginny and found her hand in his. He sighed, contented for the moment and barely heard a word as others stood and spoke of their experiences with Hagrid. He was reliving his own memories. Hagrid had always been there for him, and Harry knew he would always remember him.
The rest of the day was a blur, but Hagrid's memorial service had been a success to Harry. He had remembered good times with Hagrid and he had let go. That night, he headed back to the Burrow, where he was enjoying his summer for once. Dumbledore had finally let the Weasley's take him straight home from Hogwarts and Harry was very grateful. Though Harry's fifth year had been marked with death and loss, the end of the year had brought hope and even a little happiness. Like a phoenix, Harry Potter had been reborn from his own ashes.
Well….last call for reviews!