Daphne: I thought about putting in the full of Harry's seventh year, but I
decided against it. It would have distracted the reader from the plot-line
that has been created in the previous chapters, and would have probably
taken a lot more chapters to do. So I decided to keep it like this. I
really hope you don't mind, and I hope that you enjoy the last real chapter
of this story! There will be an epilogue, and the side-story and sequel,
but for 'The Phoenix's Prophecy, one more chapter and it's the end!
~*~*~*~
The Phoenix's Prophecy
by Daphne Li
Chapter 23.
~*~*~*~
~*~ONE YEAR LATER~*~
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Up at arms!"
Seventeen year-old Harry Potter looked out over the sea of frightened, war- hardened people and creatures standing on the vast Hogwarts grounds. His heart clenched as he noted for the umpteenth time, that many of those standing here, would probably never live to see another day. There were hundreds of wizarding students among the crowds, as well as aurors, and other witches and wizards of every shape and size, all ready for what was to come.
Harry stood at the front of the group, surrounded by the DA students (past and present), and the people who loved him most. Ron, Neville, Jackson, Shane, Fred, and George, were among those closest to him at the moment.
This year had been the most trying for everyone in the wizarding world, thus far. After a relatively quiet and peaceful summer, everyone had returned to school with high-hopes for the year. Those hopes were smashed, however, when there came the news of a huge massacre of muggles in the heart of London. After that, attacks from Voldemort were common. The prisoners of Azkaban had been released, crazed Deatheaters plundered the country, and hope seemed to be a dream to most of the magical community.
Then had come a secretive group of young people called the DA, who seemed to be able to tell where an attack was going to happen, before it did. They had begun to show up at attack sites, overcoming the Deatheaters, and bringing hope to those who had none. The imprisoned Deatheaters were then held in special, secure cells at the Ministry of Magic, much to Cornelius Fudge's horror.
After that, death-rates lessened, but the attacks didn't. It seemed as if Voldemort was determined to wipe out the magical world, no matter what. The year had passed in this turmoil, many innocent people loosing their lives, and many good magical people losing their family members.
But Harry Potter was as determined as Voldemort. Concocting a spell that would shield the user from everything but the Avada Kedavra, he had taught it to the DA, making sure that the teachers knew about it so they too, could teach it to their students. The spell had been a success, and less of their side had perished. But there was one casualty that came just after the success of the spell, that made everyone almost loose the will to win.
Professor Albus Dumbledore had died.
At the hands of Voldemort himself in a very bold move, the Professor had sacrificed himself so the identity of the DA would remain secret. Voldemort had surprised the DA members during one of his attacks by appearing himself at the battle. Dumbledore had arrived, managed to distract him long enough to allow the DA members to get away, and had been killed under Voldemort's hand.
Voldemort had taken this as a certain victory. Unfortunately for him, Harry Potter's wrath was not to be ignored in this case. Determined not to stoop to Voldemort's murderous level, but to be just as vicious as him, Harry had used information from Severus Snape to find a Deatheater encampment. From there, he and the DA had attacked, taking over half of the camp into custody, without killing one person. Harry knew that it had put a huge dent in Voldemort's army, and that Voldemort would need to use all of his knowledge to defeat them from then on.
And that attack had led them here. To this very place on the grounds of Hogwarts. According to Snape, Voldemort had split his army into two separate groups, one that was to attack the Ministry of Magic and free all the prisoners, and one that was to attack Hogwarts and get rid of the one remaining enemy stronghold. Lucius Malfoy was to lead the attack on the Ministry, and Voldemort himself was expected here.
And that was what brought them to this horrible, time-stopping moment.
"You're sure the girls are safe?" Ron asked in a tense voice. Harry nodded, his eyes forward. He had managed to talk many of the older Hogwarts women into staying in the castle, both to keep an eye on the younger students and to stay in the Hospital wing and help Madame Pomfrey with the injured from their side. It had taken quiet a fight to convince Ginny, Rose, and Hermione into staying, but in the end, the combined efforts of the boys (plus a few very powerful binding spells that they were forced to use) had won over, and the girls had grudgingly agreed to stay.
"He's coming. Get ready." Harry said sharply, his eyes on a point in the forest in front of him. The point where he knew the Dark Lord and his followers would soon emerge from.
'...Death and distraction in his wake. Two attempts it will take, to rid him of this world forever. But the second may be the death of him who lived, if any die in the first...' The memory of Rose's prophesy flitted across his brain, and a bitter smile appeared on Harry's lips.
"No one died last time, and I will win this time." He muttered.
It was then that the first shadowy signs of the approaching army appeared through the trees.
"NOW!" Was Harry Potter's final roar to the crowd.
~*~*~*~
Colors swirled here and there, causing dizziness to whomever saw them. Voices shouted, roars were endless, screams of victory were heard, screams of pain mixing therein.
People falling all around, disappearing before they hit the ground. The smell of blood, sweat, tears...rain, filled the air.
Two people faced off, their wands connected, the same spell sprouting from both. A large ball of power wavered back and forth, until finally striking one of the wands.
Screams, yells, pleads, chaos.
Blessed blackness.
No more noise.
Silence.
~*~*~*~
"Harry? Harry?"
"Oh, love, please wake up! Don't leave me!"
"It's over, Harry. You did it, don't you see? We won! You can't die on us, now! That's not how things are supposed to happen."
"Come on, Prongs Jr. We need you."
"He's gone, Harry. Voldemort's gone."
"Harry, my son, wake up."
"Harry, my baby boy, wake up! Please wake up!"
Blackness ebbed, white light filled it's place, and green eyes opened slowly.
Harry felt everything hit him like a train, even before his eyes took notice of those around him. The year flashed past his memory, and he felt tears come to his eyes. Then he finally saw the blurry, wavering figures around him and attempted to reach out a hand to the nearest blur of red. It gave a sob, and Harry found himself enveloped in a smothering hug.
"Harry! Harry! Oh, Harry!" Came Ginny's sob, as he felt her kisses rain down on his face. He lay still, reveling in the delightful feelings that swept over him. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and another gently placed his glasses on his face. It was then that he saw who it was who surrounded him.
Ginny was in his arms, sobbing breathlessly. Rose was on his other side, holding his hand as tears streamed down her cheeks. Mrs. Weasley was next to Ginny, crying as well, as Mr. Weasley held her tightly. He had a bandage around his forehead and a few bruises, but that was all of his injuries. Ron and Hermione were beside them, Ron's arm hanging at a funny angle, but other than that, no visible injuries. The other Weasley boys stood behind them, all with their own detriments, but nothing that kept them from standing over him, grinning like they never had before. Sirius, Remus, Jackson, Shane, Neville, Goyle, plus many others crowded around the bed he was in, all of them standing, though some of them were wincing as though it hurt them to.
"Voldemort's gone." Harry finally said in a stony voice. There were nods from everyone.
"The Ministry is safe?"
"Yes. And still in tact, though we'll have to do some damage repairs." Came Percy's voice from the Weasley part of the group. Harry was surprised to see the third Weasley brother, beaming down at him from the confines of his family. Fred and George actually had their arms thrown around him, and he looked like he had never been in a fight with them.
"Casualties?"
"No students. That shield spell worked perfectly. Half a dozen aurors were killed, along with thirty-or-so civilians. Ten centaurs, and a few other creatures, that's about it." Bill listed off.
"Voldemort's side?"
"Thirty killed on the Hogwarts grounds, fifteen at the ministry, including Lucius Malfoy. All the rest were either injured, disarmed, turned themselves in, or they tried to flee. We've got most of them, and we're questioning the ones that are able to talk. No deatheater is going to be allowed freedom this time." Tonks said from beside Charlie. She had burn- marks on the right side of her face, but was otherwise fine.
"Dementors?"
"Either distroyed or sent back to Azkaban. We have to decided whether or not to allow them to continue guarding there or not, though." Arthur said calmly.
"How long was I out?" Harry asked.
"About two hours." Was Ginny's muffled reply from his chest. He took a moment to kiss her hair, and then looked up.
"Voldemort?"
"As you well know, he's dead. The spell hit his wand, you collapsed, and he went up in a blaze of white light. And I thought it was the great Harry Potter who was supposed to go up in a blaze of glory." Fred joked. Percy smacked his side, and Harry was surprised to see a slight smile come to his lips, just as everyone else smiled at this comment.
"Student injuries?"
"Surprisingly few. The worst is Collin Creevey, who charged at a Deatheater who wouldn't fall, and basically ended up hurting the man and nearly getting his arm amputated in the process." Shane spoke up. Everyone winced.
"Is he alright?" Harry asked with concern.
"He's fine. He's more worried about you...everyone is. Most of the school is waiting downstairs to hear if you survived or not. We couldn't find any injuries..." Hermione trailed off as Harry smiled.
"I'm fine. I just lost a lot of energy. But I'm fine now. How many Slytherin students are left?"
"Quite a few, actually. They will be closely watched. Snape's keeping an eye on them right now, because most of them are distraught about loosing their family members." Goyle said evenly.
"Actually, the Ministry called in someone to do the explaining. I was down in my office, having a very interesting conversation." Came Snape's voice. They all turned to see him striding into the room with a peculiar look on his face.
"What is it, Severus?" Arthur asked. The professor's eyes raised, revealing a slightly proud light in them.
"Draco Malfoy went neutral."
There was silence at this statement, shock coming from all sides of the group.
"WHAT?!" Came the resounding cry. Snape smiled dryly.
"He went down into my office before the battle started. He had sent me a note yesterday, that made me question his loyalty to the Dark Lord, but I didn't think about it until I went there to get a healing potion, and found him sitting at my desk. The first words out of his mouth were to question me if his father was dead. When I told him, 'yes', his response was a 'good riddance'."
"THE COWARD HID IN YOUR OFFICE?!" Ron roared, his face thunderous. Harry, however, was thinking this over and quickly came to a conclusion.
"He didn't hid. He refused to fight, and he went there so he would have nothing to do with the war." Snape shot back.
"In essence, he deserted." Hermione said softly.
"No, Hermione. He went neutral. That's the only way to phrase it. He was in his rights to do so. As many civilians chose not to fight, so did he. He went neutral." Harry said, leaving no room for arguments.
"Snape, what does Headmistress McGonagall plan to do now?"
"I was going to ask you for advice about that, Mr. Potter. You seem to be the mastermind of the operations." Minerva McGonagall said as she walked into the room. To say Harry was surprised would have been a lie. He thought for a moment, then nodded.
"First, we allow all remaining seventh-years to Graduate tomorrow, as planned, and send the students home the next day. Then we need to construct a council to help us decide what to do school-wise. Fudge needs to be thrown out of office, and a new Minister of Magic must be elected. Then we set up a council to help the new Minister make decisions based not only on what he/she thinks is right, but what the public believes fair, as well." Harry said this slowly, thinking over each subject as he mentioned it.
"So Graduation is set for tomorrow?" McGonagall questioned. Harry nodded and she smiled.
"Good. Now I think we all need some rest..."
She trailed off as she noticed that Harry was no longer paying any attention. Rather, his attention was fully on the little red-head who had captured his lips in a fierce and loving kiss.
~*~*~*~
Harry sighed as he exited the school from a side-exit. His thoughts had been muddled since his defeat of Voldemort, and everything was progressing so fast it was making his head spin. He had gotten no sleep the night before, as his mind was thinking up new ways to help the Ministry and Hogwarts get back on their feet.
He had just gotten through the Graduation ceremony, which was an outrageously big thing, and had decided to skip the school-wide party in order to get away and organize his thoughts. He had waited for a moment when all his friends were busy, and then escaped.
Harry found his feet were taking him further from the school grounds, and closer to where the train would be coming to pick them up tomorrow. But for some reason, Harry felt like this was where he was needed.
And he was right.
The train-station had now come into view, and Harry saw a lone figure standing on the platform, it's white-blonde hair gleaming in the mid-day sun.
It was Draco Malfoy.
Harry knew without even having to question, why Malfoy was here. Because of his choice in the war, there would be threats on all sides for him now. Not just from the sons and daughters of the captured Deatheaters, but also from the good side as well. Draco would not be safe here any longer, and the boy knew it quite well.
Harry felt something like pity rise in his chest, for the young man who had nothing. As he moved closer, he saw that Malfoy's eyes were fixated on the on-coming train that was to take him away. Harry knew that Malfoy might never be completely good, but in making the decision to go neutral, he was certainly part of the way there. He also knew that he couldn't let him leave without giving the lone boy a little assurance that there were still people out there who were still dependable.
"Malfoy." The word slipped from Harry's lips before he could stop it. Malfoy turned, his face registering surprise. Their eyes met, and Harry saw that shielded look in his eyes that he had first seen in his sixth year.
"What?" Malfoy questioned. Harry knew that this was his chance.
"If you ever need anything, I'll be here." He said, calmly. He knew from the slight lightening of Malfoy's eyes, that his words had hit their mark.
"Thanks, Potter." Malfoy muttered.
"Anytime. Take care, Draco." Behind them, the train was stopping, and Malfoy sent it a glance before looking back at Harry.
"You too, Harry."
With this, he got onto the train. Harry watched him disappear from sight, then turned to look back up at his beloved school. So many things had happened there, and so many things would in the future. Children would continue attending, the parents of some of those children having been students there themselves. Harry could almost see the future of the school, reaching out into the distance.
But his future, and that of Draco's, were not so easy to map. He was almost positive that someday, Ginny would be his wife and their children would come here. But what of the things in-between then and now? And what of Draco, who had no visible future except that which he was journeying on now?
The train-whistle blew, startling Harry, and he looked up just in time to see a bit of white-blonde hair in one of the front compartments. Then, it was gone.
"Good luck, Draco Malfoy." Harry whispered, before turning and walking back to the school.
~*~*~*~
"Mr. Potter, may I speak to you?"
Harry looked up from his book to see Professor McGonagall standing over him. He gave a slight nod and followed her out of the common-room and into the hallway. They walked until they reached her office, and when they were both comfortably seated, she began.
"As you know, there has been an mandate given to Cornelius Fudge, ordering him to step down from the Minister of Magic position. As you and I both know, choosing the next Minister will take a lot of consideration, especially on the part of choosing the candidates for the position." At her words, Harry nodded again.
"Now, the Ministry has made a rather shocking request, which I want to bring to your attention, and it is getting a lot of support from everyone around."
"Oh?"
"They wish you to run for Minister." McGonagall said, her sharp eyes on him. Harry turned shocked orbs back at her, than vigorously shook his head.
"NO! No, Professor, I could never take that position. I would not be fit for it."
"Oh, but you would, Mr. Potter. I am sure you would do very well in that position." She assured him. Again, Harry shook his head, this time, smiling.
"No. I am willing to help you find candidates, but I will not become one myself." He insisted. McGonagall smiled.
"I had hoped you would say that. Which brings me to my next reason for bringing you here. I am old, and I most certainly don't need the duties of Headmistress hanging over my head. Therefore, I would like to know. Would you be interested in being Headmaster of Hogwarts?" At her question, Harry sat, stunned. As little as he had expected the first question, the second left him speechless. He had never even imagined taking up such a role as Headmaster.
There was silence for quite a while as he thought this over. Voldemort was no longer here, taking away his number one reason for becoming an auror. Plus, he already knew more than an auror was really required to...and if he was Headmaster...that would mean he could be closer to Ginny and maybe even Rose, if she chose to stay...
Finally, after about ten minutes of complete silence, Harry looked up with a gleam in his eye, his decision made.
"On one condition. I get to be the Quidditch Professor as well." He said with a grin. McGonagall worked to hide a smile. Ever since Madame Hooch had retired, she had been worrying about who to get to fill the position. This would make things a lot easier.
"We have a bargain, Mr. Potter." She said, holding out her hand. Harry grinned and instead of taking it, pulled his stunned professor into a tight hug.
"Thanks, Minnie." He murmured, before letting her go and leaving the room.
From that moment on, the future so unknown to him began.
It was a future his parents had died to give to him.
It was a future that Albus Dumbledore had sacrificed himself for.
It was his future.
Their furture.
~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~
The Phoenix's Prophecy
by Daphne Li
Chapter 23.
~*~*~*~
~*~ONE YEAR LATER~*~
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Up at arms!"
Seventeen year-old Harry Potter looked out over the sea of frightened, war- hardened people and creatures standing on the vast Hogwarts grounds. His heart clenched as he noted for the umpteenth time, that many of those standing here, would probably never live to see another day. There were hundreds of wizarding students among the crowds, as well as aurors, and other witches and wizards of every shape and size, all ready for what was to come.
Harry stood at the front of the group, surrounded by the DA students (past and present), and the people who loved him most. Ron, Neville, Jackson, Shane, Fred, and George, were among those closest to him at the moment.
This year had been the most trying for everyone in the wizarding world, thus far. After a relatively quiet and peaceful summer, everyone had returned to school with high-hopes for the year. Those hopes were smashed, however, when there came the news of a huge massacre of muggles in the heart of London. After that, attacks from Voldemort were common. The prisoners of Azkaban had been released, crazed Deatheaters plundered the country, and hope seemed to be a dream to most of the magical community.
Then had come a secretive group of young people called the DA, who seemed to be able to tell where an attack was going to happen, before it did. They had begun to show up at attack sites, overcoming the Deatheaters, and bringing hope to those who had none. The imprisoned Deatheaters were then held in special, secure cells at the Ministry of Magic, much to Cornelius Fudge's horror.
After that, death-rates lessened, but the attacks didn't. It seemed as if Voldemort was determined to wipe out the magical world, no matter what. The year had passed in this turmoil, many innocent people loosing their lives, and many good magical people losing their family members.
But Harry Potter was as determined as Voldemort. Concocting a spell that would shield the user from everything but the Avada Kedavra, he had taught it to the DA, making sure that the teachers knew about it so they too, could teach it to their students. The spell had been a success, and less of their side had perished. But there was one casualty that came just after the success of the spell, that made everyone almost loose the will to win.
Professor Albus Dumbledore had died.
At the hands of Voldemort himself in a very bold move, the Professor had sacrificed himself so the identity of the DA would remain secret. Voldemort had surprised the DA members during one of his attacks by appearing himself at the battle. Dumbledore had arrived, managed to distract him long enough to allow the DA members to get away, and had been killed under Voldemort's hand.
Voldemort had taken this as a certain victory. Unfortunately for him, Harry Potter's wrath was not to be ignored in this case. Determined not to stoop to Voldemort's murderous level, but to be just as vicious as him, Harry had used information from Severus Snape to find a Deatheater encampment. From there, he and the DA had attacked, taking over half of the camp into custody, without killing one person. Harry knew that it had put a huge dent in Voldemort's army, and that Voldemort would need to use all of his knowledge to defeat them from then on.
And that attack had led them here. To this very place on the grounds of Hogwarts. According to Snape, Voldemort had split his army into two separate groups, one that was to attack the Ministry of Magic and free all the prisoners, and one that was to attack Hogwarts and get rid of the one remaining enemy stronghold. Lucius Malfoy was to lead the attack on the Ministry, and Voldemort himself was expected here.
And that was what brought them to this horrible, time-stopping moment.
"You're sure the girls are safe?" Ron asked in a tense voice. Harry nodded, his eyes forward. He had managed to talk many of the older Hogwarts women into staying in the castle, both to keep an eye on the younger students and to stay in the Hospital wing and help Madame Pomfrey with the injured from their side. It had taken quiet a fight to convince Ginny, Rose, and Hermione into staying, but in the end, the combined efforts of the boys (plus a few very powerful binding spells that they were forced to use) had won over, and the girls had grudgingly agreed to stay.
"He's coming. Get ready." Harry said sharply, his eyes on a point in the forest in front of him. The point where he knew the Dark Lord and his followers would soon emerge from.
'...Death and distraction in his wake. Two attempts it will take, to rid him of this world forever. But the second may be the death of him who lived, if any die in the first...' The memory of Rose's prophesy flitted across his brain, and a bitter smile appeared on Harry's lips.
"No one died last time, and I will win this time." He muttered.
It was then that the first shadowy signs of the approaching army appeared through the trees.
"NOW!" Was Harry Potter's final roar to the crowd.
~*~*~*~
Colors swirled here and there, causing dizziness to whomever saw them. Voices shouted, roars were endless, screams of victory were heard, screams of pain mixing therein.
People falling all around, disappearing before they hit the ground. The smell of blood, sweat, tears...rain, filled the air.
Two people faced off, their wands connected, the same spell sprouting from both. A large ball of power wavered back and forth, until finally striking one of the wands.
Screams, yells, pleads, chaos.
Blessed blackness.
No more noise.
Silence.
~*~*~*~
"Harry? Harry?"
"Oh, love, please wake up! Don't leave me!"
"It's over, Harry. You did it, don't you see? We won! You can't die on us, now! That's not how things are supposed to happen."
"Come on, Prongs Jr. We need you."
"He's gone, Harry. Voldemort's gone."
"Harry, my son, wake up."
"Harry, my baby boy, wake up! Please wake up!"
Blackness ebbed, white light filled it's place, and green eyes opened slowly.
Harry felt everything hit him like a train, even before his eyes took notice of those around him. The year flashed past his memory, and he felt tears come to his eyes. Then he finally saw the blurry, wavering figures around him and attempted to reach out a hand to the nearest blur of red. It gave a sob, and Harry found himself enveloped in a smothering hug.
"Harry! Harry! Oh, Harry!" Came Ginny's sob, as he felt her kisses rain down on his face. He lay still, reveling in the delightful feelings that swept over him. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and another gently placed his glasses on his face. It was then that he saw who it was who surrounded him.
Ginny was in his arms, sobbing breathlessly. Rose was on his other side, holding his hand as tears streamed down her cheeks. Mrs. Weasley was next to Ginny, crying as well, as Mr. Weasley held her tightly. He had a bandage around his forehead and a few bruises, but that was all of his injuries. Ron and Hermione were beside them, Ron's arm hanging at a funny angle, but other than that, no visible injuries. The other Weasley boys stood behind them, all with their own detriments, but nothing that kept them from standing over him, grinning like they never had before. Sirius, Remus, Jackson, Shane, Neville, Goyle, plus many others crowded around the bed he was in, all of them standing, though some of them were wincing as though it hurt them to.
"Voldemort's gone." Harry finally said in a stony voice. There were nods from everyone.
"The Ministry is safe?"
"Yes. And still in tact, though we'll have to do some damage repairs." Came Percy's voice from the Weasley part of the group. Harry was surprised to see the third Weasley brother, beaming down at him from the confines of his family. Fred and George actually had their arms thrown around him, and he looked like he had never been in a fight with them.
"Casualties?"
"No students. That shield spell worked perfectly. Half a dozen aurors were killed, along with thirty-or-so civilians. Ten centaurs, and a few other creatures, that's about it." Bill listed off.
"Voldemort's side?"
"Thirty killed on the Hogwarts grounds, fifteen at the ministry, including Lucius Malfoy. All the rest were either injured, disarmed, turned themselves in, or they tried to flee. We've got most of them, and we're questioning the ones that are able to talk. No deatheater is going to be allowed freedom this time." Tonks said from beside Charlie. She had burn- marks on the right side of her face, but was otherwise fine.
"Dementors?"
"Either distroyed or sent back to Azkaban. We have to decided whether or not to allow them to continue guarding there or not, though." Arthur said calmly.
"How long was I out?" Harry asked.
"About two hours." Was Ginny's muffled reply from his chest. He took a moment to kiss her hair, and then looked up.
"Voldemort?"
"As you well know, he's dead. The spell hit his wand, you collapsed, and he went up in a blaze of white light. And I thought it was the great Harry Potter who was supposed to go up in a blaze of glory." Fred joked. Percy smacked his side, and Harry was surprised to see a slight smile come to his lips, just as everyone else smiled at this comment.
"Student injuries?"
"Surprisingly few. The worst is Collin Creevey, who charged at a Deatheater who wouldn't fall, and basically ended up hurting the man and nearly getting his arm amputated in the process." Shane spoke up. Everyone winced.
"Is he alright?" Harry asked with concern.
"He's fine. He's more worried about you...everyone is. Most of the school is waiting downstairs to hear if you survived or not. We couldn't find any injuries..." Hermione trailed off as Harry smiled.
"I'm fine. I just lost a lot of energy. But I'm fine now. How many Slytherin students are left?"
"Quite a few, actually. They will be closely watched. Snape's keeping an eye on them right now, because most of them are distraught about loosing their family members." Goyle said evenly.
"Actually, the Ministry called in someone to do the explaining. I was down in my office, having a very interesting conversation." Came Snape's voice. They all turned to see him striding into the room with a peculiar look on his face.
"What is it, Severus?" Arthur asked. The professor's eyes raised, revealing a slightly proud light in them.
"Draco Malfoy went neutral."
There was silence at this statement, shock coming from all sides of the group.
"WHAT?!" Came the resounding cry. Snape smiled dryly.
"He went down into my office before the battle started. He had sent me a note yesterday, that made me question his loyalty to the Dark Lord, but I didn't think about it until I went there to get a healing potion, and found him sitting at my desk. The first words out of his mouth were to question me if his father was dead. When I told him, 'yes', his response was a 'good riddance'."
"THE COWARD HID IN YOUR OFFICE?!" Ron roared, his face thunderous. Harry, however, was thinking this over and quickly came to a conclusion.
"He didn't hid. He refused to fight, and he went there so he would have nothing to do with the war." Snape shot back.
"In essence, he deserted." Hermione said softly.
"No, Hermione. He went neutral. That's the only way to phrase it. He was in his rights to do so. As many civilians chose not to fight, so did he. He went neutral." Harry said, leaving no room for arguments.
"Snape, what does Headmistress McGonagall plan to do now?"
"I was going to ask you for advice about that, Mr. Potter. You seem to be the mastermind of the operations." Minerva McGonagall said as she walked into the room. To say Harry was surprised would have been a lie. He thought for a moment, then nodded.
"First, we allow all remaining seventh-years to Graduate tomorrow, as planned, and send the students home the next day. Then we need to construct a council to help us decide what to do school-wise. Fudge needs to be thrown out of office, and a new Minister of Magic must be elected. Then we set up a council to help the new Minister make decisions based not only on what he/she thinks is right, but what the public believes fair, as well." Harry said this slowly, thinking over each subject as he mentioned it.
"So Graduation is set for tomorrow?" McGonagall questioned. Harry nodded and she smiled.
"Good. Now I think we all need some rest..."
She trailed off as she noticed that Harry was no longer paying any attention. Rather, his attention was fully on the little red-head who had captured his lips in a fierce and loving kiss.
~*~*~*~
Harry sighed as he exited the school from a side-exit. His thoughts had been muddled since his defeat of Voldemort, and everything was progressing so fast it was making his head spin. He had gotten no sleep the night before, as his mind was thinking up new ways to help the Ministry and Hogwarts get back on their feet.
He had just gotten through the Graduation ceremony, which was an outrageously big thing, and had decided to skip the school-wide party in order to get away and organize his thoughts. He had waited for a moment when all his friends were busy, and then escaped.
Harry found his feet were taking him further from the school grounds, and closer to where the train would be coming to pick them up tomorrow. But for some reason, Harry felt like this was where he was needed.
And he was right.
The train-station had now come into view, and Harry saw a lone figure standing on the platform, it's white-blonde hair gleaming in the mid-day sun.
It was Draco Malfoy.
Harry knew without even having to question, why Malfoy was here. Because of his choice in the war, there would be threats on all sides for him now. Not just from the sons and daughters of the captured Deatheaters, but also from the good side as well. Draco would not be safe here any longer, and the boy knew it quite well.
Harry felt something like pity rise in his chest, for the young man who had nothing. As he moved closer, he saw that Malfoy's eyes were fixated on the on-coming train that was to take him away. Harry knew that Malfoy might never be completely good, but in making the decision to go neutral, he was certainly part of the way there. He also knew that he couldn't let him leave without giving the lone boy a little assurance that there were still people out there who were still dependable.
"Malfoy." The word slipped from Harry's lips before he could stop it. Malfoy turned, his face registering surprise. Their eyes met, and Harry saw that shielded look in his eyes that he had first seen in his sixth year.
"What?" Malfoy questioned. Harry knew that this was his chance.
"If you ever need anything, I'll be here." He said, calmly. He knew from the slight lightening of Malfoy's eyes, that his words had hit their mark.
"Thanks, Potter." Malfoy muttered.
"Anytime. Take care, Draco." Behind them, the train was stopping, and Malfoy sent it a glance before looking back at Harry.
"You too, Harry."
With this, he got onto the train. Harry watched him disappear from sight, then turned to look back up at his beloved school. So many things had happened there, and so many things would in the future. Children would continue attending, the parents of some of those children having been students there themselves. Harry could almost see the future of the school, reaching out into the distance.
But his future, and that of Draco's, were not so easy to map. He was almost positive that someday, Ginny would be his wife and their children would come here. But what of the things in-between then and now? And what of Draco, who had no visible future except that which he was journeying on now?
The train-whistle blew, startling Harry, and he looked up just in time to see a bit of white-blonde hair in one of the front compartments. Then, it was gone.
"Good luck, Draco Malfoy." Harry whispered, before turning and walking back to the school.
~*~*~*~
"Mr. Potter, may I speak to you?"
Harry looked up from his book to see Professor McGonagall standing over him. He gave a slight nod and followed her out of the common-room and into the hallway. They walked until they reached her office, and when they were both comfortably seated, she began.
"As you know, there has been an mandate given to Cornelius Fudge, ordering him to step down from the Minister of Magic position. As you and I both know, choosing the next Minister will take a lot of consideration, especially on the part of choosing the candidates for the position." At her words, Harry nodded again.
"Now, the Ministry has made a rather shocking request, which I want to bring to your attention, and it is getting a lot of support from everyone around."
"Oh?"
"They wish you to run for Minister." McGonagall said, her sharp eyes on him. Harry turned shocked orbs back at her, than vigorously shook his head.
"NO! No, Professor, I could never take that position. I would not be fit for it."
"Oh, but you would, Mr. Potter. I am sure you would do very well in that position." She assured him. Again, Harry shook his head, this time, smiling.
"No. I am willing to help you find candidates, but I will not become one myself." He insisted. McGonagall smiled.
"I had hoped you would say that. Which brings me to my next reason for bringing you here. I am old, and I most certainly don't need the duties of Headmistress hanging over my head. Therefore, I would like to know. Would you be interested in being Headmaster of Hogwarts?" At her question, Harry sat, stunned. As little as he had expected the first question, the second left him speechless. He had never even imagined taking up such a role as Headmaster.
There was silence for quite a while as he thought this over. Voldemort was no longer here, taking away his number one reason for becoming an auror. Plus, he already knew more than an auror was really required to...and if he was Headmaster...that would mean he could be closer to Ginny and maybe even Rose, if she chose to stay...
Finally, after about ten minutes of complete silence, Harry looked up with a gleam in his eye, his decision made.
"On one condition. I get to be the Quidditch Professor as well." He said with a grin. McGonagall worked to hide a smile. Ever since Madame Hooch had retired, she had been worrying about who to get to fill the position. This would make things a lot easier.
"We have a bargain, Mr. Potter." She said, holding out her hand. Harry grinned and instead of taking it, pulled his stunned professor into a tight hug.
"Thanks, Minnie." He murmured, before letting her go and leaving the room.
From that moment on, the future so unknown to him began.
It was a future his parents had died to give to him.
It was a future that Albus Dumbledore had sacrificed himself for.
It was his future.
Their furture.
~*~*~*~