Disclaimer: See "Stories of the Hogwarts Sisterhood"
To flamers: I don't take kindly to flames so get out of here, if you know what's good for you.
Note: This is a sequel to "Stories of the Hogwarts Sisterhood"; taken place several months later during Easter holidays, so read that first.
Thank you for the reviews!
Chapter 30: Epilogue
Artemis sighed and waved. The Mirror of Seiromem disappeared. It was already 1am in the morning.
"Now you know why I sent the shooting stars?" asked Artemis to Minerva. "I'm the one who sent the wind too when Athena died."
Minerva nodded slowly, trying hard not to cry at the memory. But she failed and she started sobbing again.
Artemis swallowed and embraced Minerva like a mother hugging her daughter. "There, there, don't cry, dear Minerva."
"I can't stop thinking about her." said Minerva, her voice muffled. "I didn't expect that she would be gone so suddenly."
"Neither do I," said Artemis softly.
She released Minerva and wiped her tears away. "But Minerva, you must move on. Yes, it might be hard to forget about it at first when someone you love dies. However, you must get on with your life sooner or later."
Minerva didn't respond.
"Minerva. Promise me that you will go home today."
"Why?"
"Well, your son has quitted the Auror Headquarters. And he is worried about you. So are your husband and your friends."
"Achilles has quitted the Headquarters?" asked Minerva in disbelief. "But why?"
"He thinks that he would have a better chance living if he does something else and you won't have to worry that he will die suddenly like Athena." said Artemis.
Minerva's mouth dropped open. "He can't quit! He, he doesn't know anything else besides catching Dark Wizards! And being an Auror has been his dream since he was in his 5th year in Hogwarts! Or is it his 3rd year? Anyway, he can't just give it up like that!"
"But he did it for you." protested Artemis.
"I know." said Minerva quietly.
She got up from the bench. "I must go back."
"Go ahead." said Artemis and she kissed Minerva's forehead. "And good luck for your future."
Minerva wanted to rush out of the temple when she remembered something. She turned around, held Artemis's hand, lowered herself a little and kissed the back of it. "Minerva bids goodbye to the Goddess Artemis."
"Oh please, I told you that there's no need......" started Artemis.
***
Two hours later, Minerva was back in England. She walked back to her place but when she arrived at her street, she found out that her house's lights were still on. She looked at her wristwatch. 4am.
"Albus is still awake." she muttered and she walked to her house.
She then put her luggage down near the door and was about to open it when the door was flung open by Dumbledore. He had dark circles under his eyes and he looked tired.
"Minerva?" asked Dumbledore. "Minerva, is that you?"
Minerva nodded slowly. "Yes, Albus, I'm back."
Silence.
"Oh Merlin, I miss you so much!" cried Dumbledore and he hugged her as tight as he could. "Where have you been?"
"Greece." said Minerva.
"I'm so glad that you are back," said Dumbledore after he released his wife and kissed her. "Wait, I'm going to get Achilles......"
"Achilles is here?"
"Yes. He has been here since you disappeared."
"Good, I'm going to talk to him. Albus, do you know that he has quitted the Auror Headquarters?"
"Yes."
"What did you say to him when you found out?"
"Hmm........"
"Oh never mind. Achilles!" called Minerva.
Achilles came down the stairs. He looked tired as well but he smiled when he saw Minerva. "Mom, you're home!"
He rushed forward and Minerva let him to hug her for a while before she said, "Now Achilles, what is this about you quitting the Auror Headquarters?"
Achilles's smiled faded. "I thought you will be happy if I quit."
"Not really." said Minerva.
Achilles raised an eyebrow.
"Albus, would you mind leaving us alone for a while?" asked Minerva sweetly.
Dumbledore nodded and left.
"Look Achilles, being an Auror is your greatest dream, you mustn't give it up like that." said Minerva seriously.
"But Mom......"
"Yes, I know that you did it for me, but Achilles, what else do you know besides catching dark wizards?" asked Minerva.
Achilles's mouth opened to speak but then he closed it.
"Um, nothing, I guess." he mumbled.
"Look Achilles, I'm okay now," lied Minerva. "so you don't have to worry about me. I know it is rather weird for me to encourage you to go back to work."
"Too weird." said Achilles.
Minerva nodded. "I understand."
"But don't you worry that I will die suddenly like William Potter does?" asked Achilles.
Minerva sighed and put her hand on Achilles's shoulder. "Of course I do."
"Then why......."
"But I hate to see you giving up your beloved job for me. Sure, you will die in this job sooner or later, but if that day really comes, I will grief for you and when I'm over with it, I will look back and cherish all the best times that we have together."
Silence.
"Achilles, promise Mom that you will go to bed now and when you wake up, you will go to the Auror Headquarters and take your job back."
Silence again.
"Answer me, Achilles."
Achilles nodded. "Yes Mom."
Minerva smiled. "Oh yes, and promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Find a girlfriend, will you? You are not getting younger, you know. Your sister dies with her lover and how old is she? Seventeen!"
Achilles groaned. "Mom!"
Minerva grinned. "Just kidding. Now all I want you to do is to take your job back and be happy. You can continue to live in Plymouth if you want to."
Achilles thought for a while. "Nah, I will stay here."
He putted his arm around Minerva's shoulders. "This is where I belong."
***
Dumbledore waited until Minerva had came out of Achilles's old bedroom (which had already been cleaned up by Achilles himself) and asked, "Minerva?"
"Sh," whispered Minerva, putting a finger to her lips. "Achilles is sleeping."
She looked into the room and satisfied that Achilles was still sleeping in his bed. She closed the door quietly and motioned Dumbledore to go downstairs with her.
Once they arrived downstairs and sat down, Dumbledore asked seriously, "Minerva, I know it is not good to overhear a conversation but I have heard the conversation just now. Are you sure that you want Achilles to get back his job?"
Minerva sighed, "Albus, you are the one who taught me how to let go. Achilles has grown up, if he wants to be an Auror, let him be."
Dumbledore raised one of his eyebrows.
"Well, I admit that I am a bit glad at the fact he quitted his job for me, who wouldn't want their children to live as long as possible?"
Dumbledore nodded a little.
"I know he is being filial to give up his job. But he will be unhappy if he does something else after 19 years of being an Auror. And I don't want that. I just want him to be happy in his life."
Pause.
"And I'm sure that Athena will think the same way," added Minerva quietly. "If she is still alive."
Her husband didn't respond.
"Now," Minerva got up. "If you excuse me, I'm going to bed. I have not slept since yesterday."
"Minerva," said Dumbledore suddenly. "Are you still upset about Athena?"
Minerva was still for a while before she said, "Yes, I still am but I hope that I could get over her death soon."
After that, she went upstairs. She walked into her and Dumbledore's room, and to the bed. She noticed that the bed was neatly made, as if nobody had touched it since she had left (knowing her husband, he had probably made the bed during the morning of her 'disappearance' and didn't sleep in it since) and Athena's teddy bear was still sitting on her pillow.
She picked the teddy bear up, stared at it and immediately, Athena's cheerful face appeared in her mind. She sat down at the bed and hugged it as tightly as possible.
***
Edrington was writing at his desk at the Auror Headquarters when someone threw a paper ball to his head.
"Ouch! Who the hell..........." he asked as he turned around and saw Achilles looking at him over the wall of the cubicle behind him.
"Achilles?"
"Hey there, pal. Working hard, aren't you?" asked Achilles as he folded his arms.
Edrington didn't respond..
"What?" asked Achilles, grinning.
He left the cubicle and came over to Edrington's. "Too surprised to see me?"
Edrington examined him from head to toe with his eyes. Achilles was wearing his favourite deep green cloak (which brought out the colours of his eyes) and his.......Auror badge.
Edrington jumped up from his seat and with his eyes fixed onto Achilles's badge. "Achilles! You, you are........"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm back."
Edrington frowned. "But what about your mom?"
"Surprisingly, it is her who wants me to come back."
Edrington raised both of his eyebrows.
"Long story." said Achilles.
"Hey there, Achilles!" said Hornblower cheerfully. "What brings you here?"
Bush was behind Hornblower with rolls of parchment in his arms.
"Work." said Achilles and Edrington together.
"Work?" asked Bush.
"I'm back to work!" announced Achilles cheerfully.
"What?" exclaimed Hornblower and Bush dropped his rolls of parchment.
"That's wonderful! I can't imagine the Auror Headquarters without you, Achilles!" said Hornblower happily.
Bush nodded in agreement as he picked his things up.
"I'm starting work again tomorrow." said Achilles.
"Cool. This calls for a celebration. How about a ride in my yacht after work?" asked Edrington.
"Bingo!" cried Achilles, Hornblower and Bush.
"Well, then we better get back to work so that we can have fun later!" said Bush and Hornblower nodded.
"Right, see you then!"
After Hornblower and Bush left, Achilles thought of something and turned to Edrington, "By the way, Philip, I'm moving back to my old home and I have a problem with the statue of the Goddess Athena."
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I don't think I should keep that. That Goddess looks like my sister and I don't want my mother to be reminded of her whenever she looks at the statue. So I was wondering whether you want to have it."
Edrington smiled brightly. "Of course I want to! You know, I was thinking about what to give my wife for her birthday next week, she has enough jewellery, clothes and accessories to last her the whole life. But I forgot that she likes Greek mythology as well! Yeah, I will take the statue and give it to her. She will love it! Thanks, Achilles!"
"No problem."
"I owe you for dinner tonight."
"There's no need."
"I must treat you dinner, not only you have solved my problem, you have taught me one thing."
"What?"
Edrington continued smiling. "You taught me to cherish what I have now."
He stretched out his hand to Achilles. Achilles took it and he shook it.
"Welcome back, pal. I'm glad that you have come back."
Achilles smiled back. "And I'm glad to be back."
***
Achilles stood up straight at the Edringtons' yacht's bow and inhaled the sea air deeply as he held on to the rail. He exhaled and looked at his friends. All of them were standing fearlessly near him, staring out at the sea and felt the wind blowing at their faces.
He smiled happily as he breathed in the sea air deeply again and closed his eyes. He felt peaceful now. He had his best friends around him, he had his job back, he was moving back to his old home where he really belonged. And he had finally made up with his mother.
Athena could finally rest in peace.
He opened his eyes and admired the magnificent view of the sea as the yacht sailed towards the sunset.
The End
To flamers: I don't take kindly to flames so get out of here, if you know what's good for you.
Note: This is a sequel to "Stories of the Hogwarts Sisterhood"; taken place several months later during Easter holidays, so read that first.
Thank you for the reviews!
Chapter 30: Epilogue
Artemis sighed and waved. The Mirror of Seiromem disappeared. It was already 1am in the morning.
"Now you know why I sent the shooting stars?" asked Artemis to Minerva. "I'm the one who sent the wind too when Athena died."
Minerva nodded slowly, trying hard not to cry at the memory. But she failed and she started sobbing again.
Artemis swallowed and embraced Minerva like a mother hugging her daughter. "There, there, don't cry, dear Minerva."
"I can't stop thinking about her." said Minerva, her voice muffled. "I didn't expect that she would be gone so suddenly."
"Neither do I," said Artemis softly.
She released Minerva and wiped her tears away. "But Minerva, you must move on. Yes, it might be hard to forget about it at first when someone you love dies. However, you must get on with your life sooner or later."
Minerva didn't respond.
"Minerva. Promise me that you will go home today."
"Why?"
"Well, your son has quitted the Auror Headquarters. And he is worried about you. So are your husband and your friends."
"Achilles has quitted the Headquarters?" asked Minerva in disbelief. "But why?"
"He thinks that he would have a better chance living if he does something else and you won't have to worry that he will die suddenly like Athena." said Artemis.
Minerva's mouth dropped open. "He can't quit! He, he doesn't know anything else besides catching Dark Wizards! And being an Auror has been his dream since he was in his 5th year in Hogwarts! Or is it his 3rd year? Anyway, he can't just give it up like that!"
"But he did it for you." protested Artemis.
"I know." said Minerva quietly.
She got up from the bench. "I must go back."
"Go ahead." said Artemis and she kissed Minerva's forehead. "And good luck for your future."
Minerva wanted to rush out of the temple when she remembered something. She turned around, held Artemis's hand, lowered herself a little and kissed the back of it. "Minerva bids goodbye to the Goddess Artemis."
"Oh please, I told you that there's no need......" started Artemis.
***
Two hours later, Minerva was back in England. She walked back to her place but when she arrived at her street, she found out that her house's lights were still on. She looked at her wristwatch. 4am.
"Albus is still awake." she muttered and she walked to her house.
She then put her luggage down near the door and was about to open it when the door was flung open by Dumbledore. He had dark circles under his eyes and he looked tired.
"Minerva?" asked Dumbledore. "Minerva, is that you?"
Minerva nodded slowly. "Yes, Albus, I'm back."
Silence.
"Oh Merlin, I miss you so much!" cried Dumbledore and he hugged her as tight as he could. "Where have you been?"
"Greece." said Minerva.
"I'm so glad that you are back," said Dumbledore after he released his wife and kissed her. "Wait, I'm going to get Achilles......"
"Achilles is here?"
"Yes. He has been here since you disappeared."
"Good, I'm going to talk to him. Albus, do you know that he has quitted the Auror Headquarters?"
"Yes."
"What did you say to him when you found out?"
"Hmm........"
"Oh never mind. Achilles!" called Minerva.
Achilles came down the stairs. He looked tired as well but he smiled when he saw Minerva. "Mom, you're home!"
He rushed forward and Minerva let him to hug her for a while before she said, "Now Achilles, what is this about you quitting the Auror Headquarters?"
Achilles's smiled faded. "I thought you will be happy if I quit."
"Not really." said Minerva.
Achilles raised an eyebrow.
"Albus, would you mind leaving us alone for a while?" asked Minerva sweetly.
Dumbledore nodded and left.
"Look Achilles, being an Auror is your greatest dream, you mustn't give it up like that." said Minerva seriously.
"But Mom......"
"Yes, I know that you did it for me, but Achilles, what else do you know besides catching dark wizards?" asked Minerva.
Achilles's mouth opened to speak but then he closed it.
"Um, nothing, I guess." he mumbled.
"Look Achilles, I'm okay now," lied Minerva. "so you don't have to worry about me. I know it is rather weird for me to encourage you to go back to work."
"Too weird." said Achilles.
Minerva nodded. "I understand."
"But don't you worry that I will die suddenly like William Potter does?" asked Achilles.
Minerva sighed and put her hand on Achilles's shoulder. "Of course I do."
"Then why......."
"But I hate to see you giving up your beloved job for me. Sure, you will die in this job sooner or later, but if that day really comes, I will grief for you and when I'm over with it, I will look back and cherish all the best times that we have together."
Silence.
"Achilles, promise Mom that you will go to bed now and when you wake up, you will go to the Auror Headquarters and take your job back."
Silence again.
"Answer me, Achilles."
Achilles nodded. "Yes Mom."
Minerva smiled. "Oh yes, and promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Find a girlfriend, will you? You are not getting younger, you know. Your sister dies with her lover and how old is she? Seventeen!"
Achilles groaned. "Mom!"
Minerva grinned. "Just kidding. Now all I want you to do is to take your job back and be happy. You can continue to live in Plymouth if you want to."
Achilles thought for a while. "Nah, I will stay here."
He putted his arm around Minerva's shoulders. "This is where I belong."
***
Dumbledore waited until Minerva had came out of Achilles's old bedroom (which had already been cleaned up by Achilles himself) and asked, "Minerva?"
"Sh," whispered Minerva, putting a finger to her lips. "Achilles is sleeping."
She looked into the room and satisfied that Achilles was still sleeping in his bed. She closed the door quietly and motioned Dumbledore to go downstairs with her.
Once they arrived downstairs and sat down, Dumbledore asked seriously, "Minerva, I know it is not good to overhear a conversation but I have heard the conversation just now. Are you sure that you want Achilles to get back his job?"
Minerva sighed, "Albus, you are the one who taught me how to let go. Achilles has grown up, if he wants to be an Auror, let him be."
Dumbledore raised one of his eyebrows.
"Well, I admit that I am a bit glad at the fact he quitted his job for me, who wouldn't want their children to live as long as possible?"
Dumbledore nodded a little.
"I know he is being filial to give up his job. But he will be unhappy if he does something else after 19 years of being an Auror. And I don't want that. I just want him to be happy in his life."
Pause.
"And I'm sure that Athena will think the same way," added Minerva quietly. "If she is still alive."
Her husband didn't respond.
"Now," Minerva got up. "If you excuse me, I'm going to bed. I have not slept since yesterday."
"Minerva," said Dumbledore suddenly. "Are you still upset about Athena?"
Minerva was still for a while before she said, "Yes, I still am but I hope that I could get over her death soon."
After that, she went upstairs. She walked into her and Dumbledore's room, and to the bed. She noticed that the bed was neatly made, as if nobody had touched it since she had left (knowing her husband, he had probably made the bed during the morning of her 'disappearance' and didn't sleep in it since) and Athena's teddy bear was still sitting on her pillow.
She picked the teddy bear up, stared at it and immediately, Athena's cheerful face appeared in her mind. She sat down at the bed and hugged it as tightly as possible.
***
Edrington was writing at his desk at the Auror Headquarters when someone threw a paper ball to his head.
"Ouch! Who the hell..........." he asked as he turned around and saw Achilles looking at him over the wall of the cubicle behind him.
"Achilles?"
"Hey there, pal. Working hard, aren't you?" asked Achilles as he folded his arms.
Edrington didn't respond..
"What?" asked Achilles, grinning.
He left the cubicle and came over to Edrington's. "Too surprised to see me?"
Edrington examined him from head to toe with his eyes. Achilles was wearing his favourite deep green cloak (which brought out the colours of his eyes) and his.......Auror badge.
Edrington jumped up from his seat and with his eyes fixed onto Achilles's badge. "Achilles! You, you are........"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm back."
Edrington frowned. "But what about your mom?"
"Surprisingly, it is her who wants me to come back."
Edrington raised both of his eyebrows.
"Long story." said Achilles.
"Hey there, Achilles!" said Hornblower cheerfully. "What brings you here?"
Bush was behind Hornblower with rolls of parchment in his arms.
"Work." said Achilles and Edrington together.
"Work?" asked Bush.
"I'm back to work!" announced Achilles cheerfully.
"What?" exclaimed Hornblower and Bush dropped his rolls of parchment.
"That's wonderful! I can't imagine the Auror Headquarters without you, Achilles!" said Hornblower happily.
Bush nodded in agreement as he picked his things up.
"I'm starting work again tomorrow." said Achilles.
"Cool. This calls for a celebration. How about a ride in my yacht after work?" asked Edrington.
"Bingo!" cried Achilles, Hornblower and Bush.
"Well, then we better get back to work so that we can have fun later!" said Bush and Hornblower nodded.
"Right, see you then!"
After Hornblower and Bush left, Achilles thought of something and turned to Edrington, "By the way, Philip, I'm moving back to my old home and I have a problem with the statue of the Goddess Athena."
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I don't think I should keep that. That Goddess looks like my sister and I don't want my mother to be reminded of her whenever she looks at the statue. So I was wondering whether you want to have it."
Edrington smiled brightly. "Of course I want to! You know, I was thinking about what to give my wife for her birthday next week, she has enough jewellery, clothes and accessories to last her the whole life. But I forgot that she likes Greek mythology as well! Yeah, I will take the statue and give it to her. She will love it! Thanks, Achilles!"
"No problem."
"I owe you for dinner tonight."
"There's no need."
"I must treat you dinner, not only you have solved my problem, you have taught me one thing."
"What?"
Edrington continued smiling. "You taught me to cherish what I have now."
He stretched out his hand to Achilles. Achilles took it and he shook it.
"Welcome back, pal. I'm glad that you have come back."
Achilles smiled back. "And I'm glad to be back."
***
Achilles stood up straight at the Edringtons' yacht's bow and inhaled the sea air deeply as he held on to the rail. He exhaled and looked at his friends. All of them were standing fearlessly near him, staring out at the sea and felt the wind blowing at their faces.
He smiled happily as he breathed in the sea air deeply again and closed his eyes. He felt peaceful now. He had his best friends around him, he had his job back, he was moving back to his old home where he really belonged. And he had finally made up with his mother.
Athena could finally rest in peace.
He opened his eyes and admired the magnificent view of the sea as the yacht sailed towards the sunset.
The End
