A/N: Hi and thanks a bunch for all of the support during the story! The sequel should come out in a week or so… I can't believe the story's finally done! Anyway, here's the epilogue. Be sure to read the review responses at the bottom!
*This may be more of a final chapter than an epilogue, but I wanted it to end at 70, lol.
Epilogue:
Over the next week, Harry nearly went crazy as he watched helplessly as people tried to pick up the pieces of their lives after the battle. The school was extremely quiet and downcast, and nobody even tried to lift it out of its depression.
Exactly a week after the attack, Harry went to Dumbledore to talk about what exactly happened. As he reached the stone gargoyle, he said the new password, which he'd actually been told.
"Lemon drop," he said quietly. The password was back to what it had been a few years ago. The gargoyles sprang aside, allowing Harry entrance. He climbed the spiral staircase slowly, knocking at the door when he reached the top.
"It's Potter," growled a voice from inside. Moody. Why was he here?
"Come in, Harry," said Dumbledore. Harry opened the door to see pretty much the inner circle of the Order. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were there, McGonagall, Snape (the blizzard had subsided after five days; if it wasn't for all of Fred and George's candies that had been planted in the dungeons, the Slytherins would have had quite a problem; not that they looked any better as canaries, though), Hagrid, Moody, Calista, and Evelyn were all there as well. In the back stood Madame Bones, Hestia Jones, and Kingsley. Harry smiled and various people present mumbled hellos.
"Tonks isn't out of St. Mungo's yet?" asked Harry anxiously.
"No," sighed Evelyn sadly. Her stomach was bulging and Harry realized that the baby was due in just two months. "And poor Remus- he won't face anyone yet; he feels just so badly for biting little Gwendolyn… He's very upset; someone will need to talk some sense into him…" Harry nodded sadly. He would try to talk to Remus later; after all, when Sirius died, Remus was in just as much pain as Harry and he was still there for him- now it was Harry's turn.
"How's dear Lenore doing?" asked Mrs. Weasley after embracing Harry for what must've been the millionth time that week.
"She isn't awake yet," said Harry, trying not to sound as upset as he really was. "Draco's just woken up, though…"
"That little ferret?" asked Moody. Harry grinned. "Minerva told me about that- Merlin, that Crouch was out of his mind-"
Harry looked at Professor McGonagall to see an almost-smile on her face. He then turned to Dumbledore.
"So did we find out what happened to Voldemort?" he asked curiously. Only five of the people in the room flinched. It was Snape who answered behind Harry. Harry turned around, and- he might've imagined it- but Snape's black eyes didn't seem full of hatred for once.
"He was quite week and in much pain for quite a few days- but, unfortunately, he is returning quickly to full health. He was very angry, as you can imagine, that you almost killed him this time, instead of you barely escaping… Harry, be careful. He might be more prepared next time concerning the four heirs…" Was there concern in his eyes? Harry nodded.
"Yes, Sir. Thank you." Snape nodded.
"Anything else, Harry?" asked Dumbledore. His long white beard seemed to glitter against the black robes he was wearing.
"Yes, Professor," said Harry, looking up. "How are all of the people in St. Mungo's? Bill and Charlie? Neville? Tabby and Gwen? What about Susan, Ernie, and Katie? And Odin Blackfoot and the Patils? Is everyone going to be all right?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Bill will be out in two weeks, just in time to see his new baby born. Charlie might not be around dragons for awhile, sadly. But he should make a full recovery. Neville is quite healed and will be coming back to school in time for exams, and he's agreed to—"
"Exams?" asked Harry, panicked. He had completely forgotten. Calista chuckled.
"It's okay, Harry; don't worry," she said. "Teaching has been very disrupted lately. We're going to be giving very, er… laid back exams, so to speak. Just know the basics. Literally. The first three weeks next year will all be review-"
"What about the people taking OWLs and NEWTs?" asked Harry curiously.
"We will be holding about seven days this summer for testing- if students choose not to take their OWLS or NEWTS before the year is over, they need to simply come one of the days this summer, and we will fit all of the exams into one day. Hard, yes, but at least they'll have more time to study. That's what we had to do your second year, as we cancelled exams." Harry nodded.
"Well, Harry, if that's all…"
"It is," said Harry.
"Oh, and before you go- Lenore is to go with you this summer until we can get you. We decided it would be safest. And oh, yes- you're induction will be this summer," said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling.
"Induction?" asked Harry blankly. Suddenly he understood. His eyes lit up. "OH! I can finally be in the Order? Thanks so much; I promise, I won't let you down at all, and—"
"Go on, Harry," said Mr. Weasley fondly. "It's a beautiful day- go and relax not studying." Harry grinned.
"All right! Bye…"
The only thing that made the day better was Lenore waking up, right before dinner. The rest of the year, they pretty much relaxed, as there was just a week left in the semester. People slowly began having fun once again, though those who died never were far from their hearts. In the ending feast, Dumbledore stood up for announcements.
"Hello; quiet, please. Thank you," he said, as the hall quieted down, everyone's eyes fixed on the Headmaster. "Another year gone. Time passes so quickly. As I'm sure you are all aware, there was an overwhelming loss in the recent attack by Voldemort." Nearly everyone shuddered or dropped a goblet.
"Honestly," whispered Hermione disdainfully.
"You wouldn't say it a few years ago," reminded Harry. Hermione frowned.
"That's different." Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"As I was saying, we have suffered an extreme loss in students, teachers, family, and brave members of our society. I am going to list everyone who's died in the second war against Voldemort. Please give a moment of silence and respect for each of these people.
"Bertha Jorkins. Frank Bryce. Barty Crouch Senior.
"Cedric Diggory." There was a very uncomfortable silence.
"Sirius Black." Harry's stomach sank.
"Dedalus Diggle. Rohan Patil." Everyone in the Gryffindor looked at Parvati, who looked down quickly. "Cornelius Fudge." He then proceeded to list several Aurors whom Harry didn't know. "Ronda and Samuel Creevey." Colin and Dennis exchanged glances.
"Matthew and Angela Brown." Lavender was crying silently.
"Corina and Jack Ackerby. Melinda and Sean Wilson. Marshall and Haylie Smith. Patricia and Nick Spees. Mary and Patrick Finnegan. Amy, Mickey and Daniel Creevey. Helen Ackerby." Dumbledore then named a few people from the Ministry before going on. "Ben and Sarah Finch-Fletchley, as well as Cara Finch-Fletchley.
"Michelle Madley. Lisa Turpin, who is still alive, but has suffered the worst fate imaginable- The Dementor's Kiss. Justin Finch- Fletchley. Eleanor Branstone. Natalie MacDonald. Kevin Whitby. Orla Quirke. Eric Jonstone.
"Sally- Anne Sprout. Alicia Johnson." Several Gryffindors looked startled for a moment. "Abby Jordan."
"Lee's little sister," whispered Ron. "A fourth year Hufflepuff."
"Catalina Garcia. Rhiannon Stinn. Kenneth Lovell. Vivian Parkinson. Timothy O'Harin. Fallyn Avery, killed by her own father."
Dumbledore then proceeded to list four Auror members Harry didn't recognize the names of and quite a few Aurors, both American and British. At the end of his speech, he listed the three missing students.
"Serena Fawcett, Samuel Nicholson, a Hufflepuff, and Liana Rotesque, a Slytherin. Please keep them in your thoughts. God willing, they will come home safely, though they haven't been heard of yet.
"I now have an announcement from Harry Potter concerning the DA. Next year, only fifth, sixth, and seventh years will be allowed in the DA. Any arguments can be brought to him. Now, have an enjoyable night and train ride home tomorrow. Thank you. Oh, yes," he added. "The House Cup." Hermione smiled next to Harry.
"The points are as stands: Hufflepuff in fourth place with 457 points. Slytherin in third place with 509 points. Ravenclaw in second with 516 points, and Gryffindor are in first place with 550 points. But I feel the need to add up some last minute points." Harry held his breath.
"I award ten points to every DA member, and 25 points for every person who had to spend time in the infirmary. I also would like to add 100 points to the three people who were captured and may be in great pain as we speak. This would bring the score to…
"Ravenclaw with 876, Hufflepuff with 882, Slytherin with 784, and Gryffindor with 1075. Congratulations, Gryffindor."
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Thank you to all of my reviewers for this story! Especially to my biggest reviewers:
The first eleven chapters of the Sequel will be dedicated to you!
1.) Dumbledave with 70!!
2.) Lil-angel-chik with 45!! :-D
3.) Tsusetsu with 21! :-D : )
4.) Loserlady is tied with:
5.) Duckymander, and both had 19! :-D Is Duckymander still reading?
6.) Potter-mad1! Yay! I'm glad you didn't stop reading! :-D 18 reviews! :-D
7.) Ariestar is tied with
8.) jbfritz with 17 reviews each! Yay! You two still reading?
9.) Netfertiri Riddle with 14 reviews! :-D
10.) Slytheringirl/Gryffindorgirl! Lol. 13 reviews! :-D
11.) A tie between Hespa/Larka (Daphnemand14) and Aduil Ohtar with 12 each!
Also thanks to ALL of my reviewers! Please keep reading the next story!
*And to Dark_Phoenix's flame for my last chapter:*
I'm sorry if you hated the ending and won't read the sequel. Don't. I don't care. But it would've been a LOT nicer if you could've told me why you didn't like the ending? Plus, there's a whole story left. By now readers should know how often I change things. And maybe if you ever reviewed before, you would have actually been able to tell me any ideas of how you thought the story should end. If anyone hasn't figured it out, I almost always try to fit in my reviewers' ideas to the story. Please don't flame me, especially when I just wrote an entire story for YOU to read. Constructive criticism is much more appreciated. And I didn't delete your review because it was a flame, but because it had offensive language directed AT my story. And you were the only reviewer who didn't like my ending, by the way. Sorry if it was a Cliffhanger, but I happen to like Cliffhangers.
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Anyway, I don't want to end on a bad note, so have a great day everyone, and review!
~* Jinglebellz *~