A/N: We are down to the last few chapters, which will be posted today. Thanks to everyone that reviewed and I am glad that most of you have been enjoying my story. I have tried to remain faithful to JKR's characters, but it has been pointed out that I made a few small slip-ups. I apologize for that, but this endeavor has been fun. And now, the rest of the story…
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Chapter 33. Aftermath
Harry remembered it as if it were some dream. He watched Severus, Draco, Oliver, Lauren, Cedric and his parents as they waved to him. They were fading and the light was getting brighter. He heard familiar voices saying his name.
"Are you sure Harry will be all right, Poppy?" asked Molly.
"Mum!" Ginny shook her head.
Madame Pomfrey rolled her eyes. "If I were to take offense every time someone questioned my opinion I would stay upset."
Minerva walked in with Albus. "How's our patient?"
"He seems to be better. He is moving his hands and head from time to time," replied Hermione.
Albus chuckled. "Well, I imagine we'll all have to watch him to keep him still."
"Why do I have to keep still?" Everyone looked at Harry. He hadn't moved but was smiling. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around until he saw his wife and smiled. "Miss me?"
"More than you will ever know." Ginny started crying and hugged Harry. Everyone else gave them a few moments before saying hello.
"So what happened after Draco was gone?" asked Harry.
Everyone looked at Albus. "Well, Harry, your magic has increased. That's what Sybill was predicting. After Ginny became pregnant, the bond between the two of you increased and now you share the largest magic potential than has been seen since Godric Gryffindor and his wife.
"When you hit Draco and he was gone, the effect it had on you drained you. We ran over and checked on you, but you were alive. Severus, I am sad to say, was not so fortunate. We lost a few Aurors, but Kingsley and your team all survived. We did not lose any members of the Order, but Hestia Jones may have an interesting scar on her right leg to talk about." He grinned.
"What about the Death Eaters?" asked Harry.
"All the ones that were there are either dead or in custody. Key caught Crabbe trying to sneak out of a side door and run away. Chances are he'll never talk back to a Ministry official again. I never knew Key had that twisted of a mind." Albus laughed.
"And why wouldn't I?" Everyone looked at Key as he walked into the room. "I have two brothers to thanks for that." Everyone looked at each other as Key took a step forward and smiled before Albus tapped him with his wand. Key's features shimmered and changed. Harry laughed when he realized what had happened.
"Hello, Percy."
"Hello, Harry. Glad to see you in one piece."
Molly looked at Harry, then at Percy. "What is going on here?"
Percy walked over to Molly. "Mum, I have worked long and hard to overcome the bad judgments I made five years ago. In doing so, I made a few friends among the Unspeakables and found out that I am good at dueling. After Dad was made Minister, I approached him about switching departments and I have done so very successfully."
"Good for you, Perce," said Harry. "And thank you for saving my neck."
Minerva looked at Albus. "I remember another young man who had a change of heart after choosing his profession."
Everyone looked at Albus. "I began a career in Magical Law enforcement. We weren't called Aurors then. I was at it about two years when Headmaster Dippet came to me about teaching at Hogwarts. I was a bit headstrong back then and almost passed him up on it."
Hermione smiled and looked around the room. "Well, we are glad you didn't."
"As am I, Hermione. To help people reach their potential and to help provide them a loving, safe environment…now that's satisfying. Both Minerva and I have spent many years happily teaching, even now that I am old and doddering."
Minerva snorted. "You…doddering? If you are doddering then I am Lady Godiva."
Albus looked at her and chuckled with a twinkle in his eye. "You better let down your hair." Everyone laughed.
***
Harry spent the next three days in the hospital wing, and Ginny never left his side. Everyone came to visit him, even Frank and Alice Longbottom. Neville had gone to see them once he made sure Harry was okay. He broke down crying as he relayed the story of Umbridge, her admission and her death at his hands.
Harry was reading the Daily Prophet one day when Tonks walked in. "Wotcher, Harry."
Harry smiled. "Hi, Nymph." She came to him dressed not in her usual brightly colored hair and features, but the REAL Nymphadora…the one with light brown hair and a terrific smile. Harry snapped his fingers and winked. "If I weren't married…" Tonks blushed but kissed him on the cheek. Ginny just rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Harry, Shack has a message for you. He said if you don't want to sit for the tests you don't have to. You have already proven that you know enough to pass."
"I am sitting for the tests. I don't want anyone to say I got it just because I am Harry Potter."
Tonks laughed. "Somehow, he knew that you would say that. I will be giving both you and Scrap the written test a week from tomorrow here at Hogwarts. Both of you have perfect scores to this point, so I doubt this last test will give you any trouble."
Harry smiled. "Thanks, Nymph…for everything."
"I just hope that someday I am as lucky as Ginny and have a man as good as you love me."
***
The next several weeks flew by. Harry and Neville both passed their exams with flying colors. Arthur and Shack decided to give them their training diplomas during a ceremony at Hogwarts. Sirius and Katie invited Arthur and Molly over for dinner when Remus and Emma were there; then they repaid the favor and Emma changed her last name to Lupin. Fred and George hired Gilderoy Lockhart to be their spokeswizard at Media events and his picture was plastered in Quidditch stadiums across Great Britain advertising their products.
Neville and Luna set a date in mid-August to get married. Their announcement got a notice in the Daily Prophet, but Luna's father did a full story as he proudly announced that his new son-in-law had helped Harry Potter save the world yet again.
Ginny survived her NEWTS, but according to her just barely. Harry helped her study and she did well. As it started warming, Harry would sometimes grab his broom and walk down to the pitch to fly around. As he watched the teams practice, he envied Ron for at least being able to be on the pitch during a game.
Before they knew it, it was two weeks until Ginny's graduation and the final Hogsmeade weekend. Harry and Ginny had just left Honeyduke's when an owl they didn't recognize flew up to them. It was an owl from the Post office with a letter that had come via Muggle post. Harry took the message tied to its leg and fished an owl treat and two Knuts from a pocket in his robes. He thanked the owl and it flew away as he opened the envelope. After reading it, he handed it to Ginny.
Dear Harry,
I don't know if you even care, but Vernon had a heart attack yesterday afternoon at work. Dudley and I met him at the hospital. I knew when I saw him that it wasn't good. After they had run some tests, we were waiting in his room for the results. He was looking at the window at the park below when he started talking.
He talked about his family and childhood, and how he regretted that he couldn't have gone here nor done that. Then he looked me in the eye and told me he wished he could take back some of the things he had said and done to you.
I think that we all have come to realize how badly we mistreated you, even Dudley. Well, Vernon fell asleep after that and just quit breathing.
I hope that you can forgive us and maybe we can make amends. If not, I understand. But I think you have learned over the past year that I did not hate my sister; I was jealous. And I let that jealousy ruin my life.
Well, good luck with your life, Harry. I know that Lils and James would be very proud of you.
Love,
Aunt Tuni
Ginny folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. He leaned over and kissed her gently. She felt the wetness of his tears on her check and pulled him to her as he sobbed. He wasn't sorry that Vernon was gone. He was sorry that he could not have been closer to his aunt.
After he felt better, they continued on to rendezvous with their friends for lunch at Remus and Emma's new house in Hogsmeade. Harry and Ginny made their way along a beautiful residential street lined with trees. Harry smiled as Ginny, who had begun to show, walked beside him. Soon they came to a modest house with a white picket fence where the mailbox said 'Lupin'. They opened the gate and walked up the path to the front door. Harry knocked and Remus answered the door. After they had come inside, Harry hugged the former werewolf and kissed Emma. Their adopted son, Dylan, had been orphaned during the final battle against Draco. He was just two and Emma's heart had gone out to him. Remus scooped him up in his arms and beamed when Dylan said 'Dad'.
Sirius and Katie came in, followed by Neville, Luna, Ron and Hermione. Tonks came in with Albus and Minerva. Charlie, who was in town for Ginny's graduation, came with Arthur and Molly.
They all sat down to lunch and had a great time. Harry looked at them all and smiled, proud that they had made it safe again for times such as these. He looked down at Ginny, who had leaned against him, then glanced over where Charlie and Tonks were laughing and joking. He looked over at Albus, who motioned for him to come over.
Harry kissed Ginny and walked over to where Albus stood. "Harry, I have to go back up to the castle now. Could you please come to see me before dinner?"
Harry noted a tinge of sadness in his voice. "Of course. Is anything wrong?"
After Albus assured him that nothing was wrong, they walked back in and Albus took his leave. Minerva came over to him and hugged him. He spent the rest of the afternoon happily listening to Sirius and Remus tell stories of their times in Hogwarts.
Once they got back to the castle, Harry explained that Albus wanted to talk for a bit and that he would return to get her before dinner. She decided to take a short nap, so Harry kissed her and tucked her in before heading to see Albus.
As Harry walked through the corridors, he thought about how much Hogwarts meant to him. He remembered back to the times he was out after curfew with Ron and Hermione; and to the new things he had learned this year as an Auror. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of the gargoyle. It sprung to life and Harry climbed the stairs and entered the office. Albus was sitting at the desk reading a rather large book; it looked quite old and he was deep in thought. Harry noticed something else; all the heads were in their frames, and Dilys looked worried. She looked up and noticed Harry. "Hello, Harry."
Albus looked up from the book. "Thank you for coming, Harry. There is something very important that I need to talk to you about. Before I do though, I have some questions for you, okay?"
"Okay."
"Harry, do you know how old I am?"
Harry was a little shocked by the question and wasn't sure how to answer. "I don't know. I've never really given it any thought."
Albus chuckled. "Take a guess."
Harry thought for a minute. "Well, I remember reading that in History of Magic that you defeated Grindlewald in 1945."
"That is correct."
"And I know from my second year that you were a teacher here when Tom Riddle attended just before that."
"That is also correct."
Harry still had no idea. He remembered seeing Albus in Riddle's memory and he looked middle aged. "Around 100, I'd guess."
Albus smiled. When I defeated Grindlewald I was almost 105."
Harry's eyes widened. "That would make you almost 160!"
"Next March."
"Wow."
"Harry, you already know that wizards age differently than Muggles, right." Harry nodded. "Did you know that wizards age dependent on the amount of magic they possess?"
"No I didn't."
"Well, they do. That's why some of us live for a long time. But none of us live forever."
"What do you mean?"
"He is starting to feel his age, Harry," said Dilys. "His time here is almost spent."
Harry's eyes welled with tears. "But I just found out that we are related."
"It's not as if I will expire tomorrow, Harry. We still have a couple of years left."
"But, Grandfather…"
"It will be all right Harry. We still have time. Let me ask you another question. Do you know what the duties of a Professor here at Hogwarts are?"
Harry, once again surprised, took a minute and thought about his answer. "Well, the Professors here not only teach the subjects but also provide other things for the students, including counseling, supervision, protection and on occasion, friendship."
Albus sat thoughtfully for a moment. "Very good, Harry. They also act as peacekeepers and help out the Ministry in their specialties if needed. What about the Headmaster?"
Harry wasn't sure where this was going, but at least Albus was telling him things, unlike when he was younger. "The Headmaster would do the same things as the other Professors with the additions of overseeing administrative things with the Board of Governors, working with the Minister of Magic, helping to identify potential students and representing Hogwarts in the Wizarding world."
"That basically is correct, but there is so much more. There are so many duties that we do not have time to discuss them tonight; but another major one is to make sure that the school is left in better shape than it was received. In order for me to do that, I will need your help and the help of others. But that brings me to the real reason why I asked you here, Harry. I have a job for you."
***
After Dinner, Albus had called a Staff meeting in the Great Hall. All the teachers, including Ron and Hermione, were there as well as Filch and the other non-teaching staff. Albus, Minerva and the other Heads of House sat at the Staff table, while everyone else sat in chairs facing them.
Albus rose. "Fellow Professors, once again we have successfully helped another group of young people expand their horizons. I thank you all greatly for that. No bigger service to the community can be done than to teach the young.
"It is with great sadness, however, that we send them out into the world. After being with them seven years, many of them become like our own children. Saying goodbye is never easy, but that is the only way that they can use what we have taught them.
"This year we have also lost some friends. While Severus Snape was not always understood, we all respected his abilities as a Potions Master. To some of us, he was a good friend; to all of us, he was a great hero who chose to give his life for another." He looked down at Minerva as the others clapped. "And Sybill Trelawney, who entered Hogwarts to teach Divination and was here for nineteen years."
"We also have some among us that have decided that they are needed elsewhere. It is with a note of sadness that I must announce the retirement of Professor Vector. She has made a great impact in many Arithmancy students' lives and will be sorely missed.
"Also, the following individuals have officially announced their intent to retire after next year: Pomona Sprout, Irma Pince, Argus Filch and Minerva McGonagall." Everyone gasped at the list; many of these people started teaching together the same year.
We also have to appoint a new Head of House for Slytherin. Luckily for us, we have a number of qualified people to take over the reins, as it were." He started to sit down, but Minerva leaned over and said something to him. He quickly stood back up. "Ah, yes, it seems that I missed one person who has completed the 'Intent to Retire' forms. After speaking with the Board of Governors, I must add the name of Albus Dumbledore to that list." He sat down again.
Everyone sat there in shock. No one was sure if he was serious or he was joking. Hagrid stood up. "Are you serious, Professor Dumbledore?"
Albus chuckled. "No, Hagrid, I am not Sirius," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "I am Albus." Everyone laughed. "But I am sure. I have spoken with the Governors and they agree since there is someone that can be trained before I retire."
Hagrid looked puzzled. "Who could replace you?"
"Let an old man have his fun, Rubeus. I will announce that name during the Celebration Ball after Graduation. Now, I would like you to listen to my list of candidates for the vacancies and training positions."
