EPILOGUE
It was the day after graduation; they had surprisingly made it back in time after all. Of course, Severus and Hermione had a suspicion that due to the time-travel factor, there had never been any danger of missing graduation in the first place. The students had all gone home as they had every year before and would every year after. Nothing had changed for them, except everyone now knew of Voldemort's defeat by Harry Potter.
At least, that's what the Ministry had been informed. Severus had said, and everyone had agreed, no one would ever believe, or want to believe, what had really happened. So he had proposed the story that everyone was willing to go with.
Hermione was now looking at the copy of the Daily Prophet that had just been printed every day since Fudge had gotten the news.
DARK LORD DEFEATED
BOY WHO LIVED SAVES WIZARDING WORLD AGAIN
The Ministry was informed last night by Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Ron,
Weasly, Virginia Weasly, Padma Patil, and Draco Malfoy that earlier that day he-
Who-must-not-be-named drew them out of Hogwarts and trapped them in Riddle Manor.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, along with other professors at the school went directly
After them. Dumbledore drew you-know-who away from everyone, allowing the others
Time to free the prisoners and escape. However, as they were escaping Dumbledore was
Struck down. Professor Minerva McGonagall rushed forward to help her colleague but
Was likewise done away with. Harry Potter, so upset at this and determined to fulfill
A prophecy (pg. 3) that we have just be informed of, valiantly went to meet the dark lord
In a duel, coming out the victor. Everyone now is yet again indebted to Mr. Potter,
And we hope he shall accept our sincerest thanks, along with the million galleons
The Ministry is offered him. "It's the least we can do," Minister Fudge told in an
Exclusive interview. "After all, the boy has saved our world. This money
Is just the first step in covering out gratitude."
"Once again Potter has the spot light," Severus commented, but there was no malice in his voice as there would have been before.
"Yes," Hermione agreed. "But at least this time he's being well paid for it." They were quiet for a moment, thinking of what Harry was planning on doing with the money the Ministry had granted.
Remembering his own childhood, one growing up without parents and without friends, Harry had begun to nurse a small brainchild. A place, where orphans, half-orphans, only children, and anybody who feels alone could come and find other people like him or her. It would be a community for everyone, who the rest shunned, where they could find family and true friendship. And then the brainchild began to grow. People in Azkaban lost a part of themselves, those who were innocent, or had learned something, they needed someone to help them but no one knew how. Here they would be able to get that part of themselves back that the dementors had stolen. All of the families that had been hurt in so way by Voldemort and his death eaters would be able to find comfort among others that had suffered the same. And lastly werewolves would be able to come here and find themselves welcomed, rather than feared and offered wolfsbane near every full moon. It had taken some convincing but Harry had been able to get Severus to contribute to this part, along with giving some names of other potion masters and mistresses who would be able to help.
Harry had told Hermione that he had meant to do this instead of becoming and auror, but he had been wondering how he would go about getting the money. Now he had the money and was planning to go ahead with it. Sirius and Remus were especially eager to help.
Hermione smiled. While perhaps the truth of what had happened may never be told, everyone who had been involved had gained something, a sense of hope, a sense of love, and a reason to continue living along with a small piece of knowledge otherwise no one would have been able to receive.
Severus put his arm around Hermione.
"Tell me again why you want to have a relationship with me," he requested softly, playing with a lock of her hair. In reply she kissed him.
"Because I used to want to know what love was," she answered afterward. "And know I know."
It's the way you're nervous when you speak
And the way I know just what you mean
It's the kind of thing that's bittersweet
It's a funny feeling deep inside
So many different sides
But still so easy to define
'Cause you'll know it every time
And not just in your mind
You can feel the butterflies
Sending chills down your spine
What is love?
But a kiss on a rainy day
A smile that won't go away
A safe place to run
What is love?
But a complicated simple truth
A bond between you and me
The number one
Oh that's love
And the things that never cross your mind
Now you're doing all of the time
'Cause with someone special it's so right
It's like dancing when you walk
And singing when you talk your happy just to be alive
Live in the moment don't pretend
Let it go and take it in
You don't have to understand
The how why and when
What is love?
But a kiss on a rainy day
A smile that won't go away
A safe place to run
What is love?
But a complicated simple truth
A bond between me and you
The number one
Oh that's love
Take off your hat and stay for a minute
Love is a precious thing
If you let in
You'll never know what you'll find till you give it some time
What is love?
But a kiss on a rainy day
A smile that won't go away
A safe place to run?
What is love?
But a complicated simple truth
A bond between me and you
The number one
Oh that's love
Severus smiled and kissed her.
"Me too," he said. "Me too."
Athena looked at Artemis.
"Are you sure they aren't part of the resurrection?" she asked sharply.
"Well," Artemis said carefully. "In a way they are, but"
"But what?" Apollo interrupted. "Dear sister, surely you haven't lost your gift of foresight."
"If she has," Aries said coolly. "Then how do we know this is the right thing to do?"
"I haven't," Artemis said, still remaining calm. "But as I was going to say, they are indeed part of it, however, they will still be alive in the end."
"How is that possible?" Aphrodite asked, eyes slightly widened. "I thought the idea was-"
"Shh!" Hermes hissed. "Anyone could be listening."
"And who will be listening to us dear Hermes?" Athena asked almost lazily. "No one can come here but us."
"Zeus might be listening," Hermes protested. "Or Hades, or Poseidon or even Hera. Do you want this to work or not?" There was a small murmur of disgruntled agreement among the others.
"Very well," Aries said. "You have a point."
"We shall end this meeting for now," Athena continued. "But everyone be on alert, you may be contacted at any moment."
"I am not sure of the exact time we will be required to put everything in motion," Artemis said.
"Fine, then," Apollo said quietly. "Let us depart, but be careful everyone, Zeus is becoming suspicious of me."
"Then do not give him any more reason to do so," Artemis said, her calm almost wavering. "We are so close to accomplishing what we have been trying to do ever since our punishment was set in place."
"It is not right that those four did not suffer," Athena spat.
"No," Artemis agreed. "But save your anger for a more appropriate time." Athena sighed and nodded. One by one they all disappeared to their respective places in the Hall of Time, leaving Artemis alone to try and make sense of what she was sensing from earth.
First off I would like to thank all of you, my readers and reviewers very much. I had dreamed of the day that I received so much response for a story and was shocked to find out it had arrived. As I finish typing up this final part of O Future Tell of Secrets I find myself looking at a grand total of 124 reviews. Thank you so much!
Second off, I would like to say once more that the girl chosen for Harry is Luna Lovegood with slight modifications due to some wonderful ideas for OCs. Thank you everyone who submitted an idea, it was VERY difficult to make the final decision.
Thirdly, expect the first chapter and prologue of the next sequel Pieces of a Shattered People in a week to a week and 1/2. I hope you'll all read it and find it as good if not better than this story.
Finally, even though I have been told begging is supposed to be beneath humans, I find myself on bent knee looking up at all you reviewers who have the power of God (well, in a sense) when it comes to the number of reviews I receive with puppy dog eyes, pleading for you to see reason and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE review this final chapter of my story. Because, though over all the response to this story has been wonderful, and author can never have to many reviews and I just want to know that you are all still reading this story, though it is now over (well, that and I've only received like 5 reviews total for the previous two chapters sigh , I'll get over it eventually).
Oh yeah, one last thing, please everyone, read through Before Time Repeats and vote on which one you want me to do for a prequel!!!!!!!!! Remo