The LAST chapter! Can anyone truly believe this little tale has come to an end? But this is not the end for Harry's adventures. Due to the success of this little piece of fiction I have decided to write a sequel to this: details can be found after the Review Replies at the bottom of the document.
And now I present to you the last chapter of: Harry Potter and the Door Through the Veil!
Chapter 17: One Last Message
"Harry! Are you alright?"
Harry looked up from his position on the floor, rubbing his head which he had accidentally hit on the floor when he fell through the door. His eyes blurred but the shape soon took shape, revealing himself to be Dumbledore. His half-moon glasses had slipped partly down his nose but he was looking intently at Harry, half proud and half surprised.
"Professor?" Harry mumbled. He shook his head, clearing his vision. Around him he could see few students being held back by the teachers, their eyes widened in surprise at what had just occured; the other members of his group were standing beside Dumbledore, looking rather frightened.
"You've been through a lot tonight, Harry. Let's get you to the hospital wing."
"No…" Harry began, "Where's Sirius and Wormtail?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"They are fine." Dumbledore said, picking Harry up and leading him out of the entrance hall. As he was carried up the stairs, Harry felt darkness licking at his vision and the last thing he saw was the top of the stairway before he sagged into darkness.
Consciousness slowly returned to engulf his mind and body, causing immense pain to travel through his body and explode inside his head like an atom bomb. Ever so slowly Harry opened his eyes trying to figure out why he was laying the hospital wing and feeling very weak. Nothing serious had happened, had it?
Sirius? Sirius? Where was he?
Harry bolted up, pain exploding in his aching head, and through the pain he heard a voice telling him to lie down. He was gently pushed back down onto the pillow. As the pain subsided he opened his eyes again. He could not see properly as his glasses were not on him. He reached out trying to grab them but found that his limbs were too weak to move fast. How he had managed moments before to get up, he didn't know.
"Here, Harry," came Dumbledore's voice, and he placed Harry's glasses over the boy's green eyes, allowing him vision.
"Professor?" Harry asked slightly confused. He couldn't understand why he had blacked out like that.
"I suppose you are wondering why you feel so weak?"
"Yes," Harry nodded.
"It is a simple matter of using too much energy in one try, Harry."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You were very powerful when by the Veils, as is Voldemort. The Veil reacted to you because you were exercising more powerful emotions than Voldemort. Your parents showed themselves to you when doing Priori Incantatem because your strength was failing. You were trying to keep the portal open though not knowing it and so the power that strikes through you, enabled you to bring your parents spirits out of the Veil, however you were getting weaker as your life-force kept them in the world of the living. You were very weak when you got back to Hogwarts because your power had drained your energy. Your body is still recuperating."
Harry stared stunned at Dumbledore. "Then I could have died?"
Dumbledore nodded sadly. "Yes, you would've done if the spirits of your family did not aid you. You were lucky that Wormtail caused Voldemort to break the connection otherwise it would've been the end of you. He already knew what would happen if he kept the connection which is why he would not let go."
Harry fell silent.
"You want to know about Wormtail I presume? Why he betrayed you and ended up saving you?"
"Yes, that confuses me to."
"It was part of the plan," Dumbledore explained, "Voldemort discovered after the attack at Grimmauld Place that Wormtail had sent you a message informing you of it. He was livid but Wormtail told him that you would come to save Sirius once you learnt enough about the Veil. Voldemort allowed this continue however Wormtail didn't tell me this until a few hours ago. Wormtail had already made up his mind to escape with you but he had to do it when Voldemort least expected it. When you entered the Veil to where Sirius was being kept, he dashed off to tell Voldemort, mainly because the Dementors would've done so, if he didn't, and the Dark Lord would've realised that Wormtail was working against him. He did not fight when the battle broke loose, however, when you fled he transformed into his rat form and followed you. He waited until the precise moment to show his true colours as a Gryffindor and showed bravery that not even he would've believed possible. He saved you in that act. He could not let you die after you saving his life. The Wizard's bond made between you two back in your third year when you saved him from being killed, was fulfilled. That small act of courage in saving his life has also saved yours. And for that you should feel honoured that you made a man such as himself realise all the wrongs he has done in the past, and tried to set them straight."
Feeling his mouth go dry Harry had a sip of water from a glass at his bedside. "And who's plan was it?" he had a feeling he already knew.
"It was in a way, partly mine. I hoped you wouldn't discover about the Veil and go through. It was another mistake made on my part. Another truth I should've told you long ago yet I discovered I could not. I did not want to burden it with you. A mistake I should not have made." Dumbledore sighed.
"What about Sirius, is he okay?" Harry asked.
"Sirius is fine. Save for him having a strange toxin in his system, he is fine. He should recover from his imprisonment."
"Can I see him?"
"No, Harry. He has been taken into custody by the Aurors along with Wormtail. They are both being questioned and a verdict will be reached soon. I am confident that they will find Sirius innocent of all charges. The students who saw you come out of the Veil have been told not to tell anyone of what they saw and so far the school is unaware of what has happened."
"Who's defending Sirius?"
"Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin. There will have to be a trial but it won't be for another couple of days, so I may go in Professor McGonagall's stead."
Harry felt elated. Sirius would be free and he'd be able to rejoin the Wizarding world as a free man! He would no longer have to go in hiding: he and Harry could become a family; Harry could go and live with him, just like he'd asked him to do back when Harry had first met him.
"Do you think I could go and live with him?"
"Much as I feel you'd be safer with the Dursleys…it'll be up to you. You've shown yourself capable at protecting yourself; I'm sure there will be no problem in allowing you to live where you wish."
Harry grinned. He hadn't done that in ages. It felt good to smile. "Surely the Ministry wouldn't allow it, would it? Me, famous Harry Potter go and live with a man who is supposedly a mass murderer?"
"They will," Dumbledore said, "Cornelius Fudge has resigned as Minister of Magic due to…uh… lets say pressure being put on his shoulders. He resigned two days ago. Arthur Weasley has taken over as Minister for Magic until the elections during October."
"Two days ago?" Harry asked, "That's not right. I haven't been unconscious that long, have I?"
"You have. Three days. As I explained you used a lot of energy when you were close to the Veil." Dumbledore said softly, "You need to rest some more. I will inform your friends you have woken briefly. You should be well enough for the end of term feast."
As Dumbledore stood up to leave, Harry asked another question that had been bouncing around hid mind for a while.
"Professor? Where is the other Veil? I know one is that the Department of Mysteries and Voldemort has the other two, but where it the fourth?"
"I thought you'd be asking that," Dumbledore said, "The other Veil is located in the basement of Godric's Hollow. You have never seen the basement only the attic but it is magically concealed from view. Whenever you want Harry you can go and visit your parents, I will not stop you. Over the summer I will show you where it is."
"Thank you, Professor." Harry said, smiling. He still could see his parents if he wished. He felt happy and elated at the prospect. James and Lily had waited long years for him to discover the secret of the Veil and at last he had done so. Whenever he wanted he could speak to them, and though they were dead, Harry felt at last he had parents, a family.
Then the headmaster left, leaving Harry to contemplate his thoughts.
He left the hospital wing two days later rejoining his class mates in the end of lessons. He found that he had passed all his exams, and had come tied in the year with Hermione which pleased him immensely. Neville came fourth for which he was surprised at but he had worked hard.
No one in the school knew what had happened save for a few Slytherins who's parents were Death Eaters, however they couldn't speak about it as nothing had been reported about it. No one trusted the Slytherins since Voldemort returned so anything they spoke of was dismissed.
However the morning after exiting from the hospital wing, Harry went down to breakfast to see the Daily Prophet arrive with an article proclaiming the trial of the century.
THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY: BLACK AND PETTIGREW
No more then a week ago, the Ministry of Magic Aurors brought Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew to the Ministry for questioning. It was widely believed that Black had murdered Pettigrew fifteen years ago (as well as 12 Muggles) after the Dark Lord had fallen at the hands of one-year old Harry Potter, now known as the Boy-Who-Lived.
However the Daily Prophet can now exclusively reveal that it was Peter Pettigrew who performed the murders and ran away, cutting his own finger off to make it look like he was dead, so he could escape justice. Under the influence of Veritaserum the truth of what happened fifteen years ago has finally come out.
Arthur Weasley, acting Minister for Magic, says 'Since Voldemort returned two years ago I worked with Black for a year and he proves to be sane, sensible man, who cares for his godson Harry Potter. It is my belief that the Ministry should apologise to him and accept him back into society.'
Details of how Black and Pettigrew were caught are still sketchy, however it is widely known that Harry Potter was involved.
The trial will begin tomorrow and is expected to last for three days.
The charges against Pettigrew are as follows: The Mass Murder of Muggles; the framing of another Wizard; passing information to You-Know-Who; and for betraying the location of James and Lily Potter, resulting in their deaths.
If found guilty of these charges Pettigrew faces five life-sentences in Azkaban. If Black is found innocent then he has asked to file for guardianship of his godson, Harry Potter. We will bring you more information on this trial as it comes.
Reported by Ellis Parker
Harry laid the paper down and realised that students all around him were glancing at him. He could hear words such as: "Black? Innocent? Never!" "Pettigrew, alive?" and "Potter's Black's godson!"
He glanced at Hermione who was smiling lightly. "At least Padfoot will be able to live a normal life. Wormtail has no chance now."
"But why is there a trial for Sirius when he's not convicted of anything?" Ron asked. "Surely all charges are dropped?"
"They have to do it formally, Ron. They need to see if their stories stick out when they are not under the influence of Veritaserum. Though I'm sure the jury will find it hard to convict Sirius of anything." Hermione answered.
"What do you think he'll do once he's cleared?" Neville asked, joining in the conversation.
"Probably try and get a house," Harry answered. "Remember at the end of third year he wanted me to go and live with him? Well, Dumbledore has agreed to let that happen. He knows I'm capable of protecting myself, and besides the Dursley's wouldn't want me back would they?"
Hermione shrugged. "I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself, Harry."
The next several days were a nervous tension for Harry. Though he knew Sirius was innocent what would happen if the Ministry decided he was telling a lie and had made Wormtail say that he was guilty? He shook his head. He was going paranoid.
At long last, three days before the end of term, the news Harry hoped for came true. Steady updates in the Daily Prophet kept him informed of the trial, however the news came at dinner when he saw Lupin coming towards him with a big grin on his face, but beside him was black dog walking beside him. Harry knew instantly that it was Sirius, but why was he in his Animagus form?
People all around the hall were watching them: Malfoy's face was a look of sheer evil.
"So?" Harry prompted, other Gryffindors looking around.
"Padfoot's free! Peter will be sentenced to Azkaban."
Lupin leaned closer to Harry so that only he, Ron, Hermione and Neville could hear. "Professor Dumbledore doesn't want people to know that Sirius is here at the moment. But he wanted to see you so Dumbledore is allowing him to come like this."
Harry nodded and grinned.
Suddenly as he stood up, Sirius leapt up, placing his paws on Harry's chest.
"Get down," Lupin hissed.
Harry went to bed that night feeling refreshed. He lay in bed thinking that at last things were looking up for him. He had got his Godfather back, and though he couldn't have his parents back, at least he could go into the Veil and speak to them whenever he wanted.
The following morning the Daily Prophet reported the results of the trial and word spread of Sirius' innocence and Pettigrew's prison term. At breakfast Dumbledore made the announcement that Sirius Black would be coming to Hogwarts to be with his Godson and would be in Gryffindor Tower.
And so that night Professor McGonagall, Remus Lupin and Sirius came to the Gryffindor Common Room.
People at first were weary of Sirius but seeing that Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny were not afraid, gradually began to file round them, listening to the tales that Lupin and Sirius were spinning for their enjoyment.
"Were both of you Gryffindors?" Dean asked.
"Certainly, Mr Thomas," Sirius answered.
Professor McGonagall sat off to the side listening intently, a smile filing across her face.
"Moony, did you bring it?" Sirius asked, once Remus had finished telling the tale of how 'James had stole into the Hogsmeade to buy chocolates for Lily and had got caught'.
Lupin glanced to Sirius. "I did."
"I've got the other one." McGonagall said.
"What?" Harry asked.
"A message for you, Harry, and a present." Lupin stated, putting a hand in his pocket and brought out one box. It was small, however.
Lupin handed him one of the boxes. "Open this one first, then Professor McGonagall will give the present to you."
Harry unwrapped it and found a message ball. It flashed: one message. Harry activated it by pressing the 'play' button which was located on the side of it.
It shined bright and then in the centre of the ball came Wormtail's face. He looked pale but happier then Harry had seen him in years.
"Harry," he began, "I would just like to apologise for what I have done to you. I have ruined your life by trying to save myself. I betrayed James and Lily to save me, I framed Sirius to save me, I ran away to save me. All my life I have been coward, I should never have been a Gryffindor, and then perhaps I wouldn't have got to know James. You'd still have your parents that way. I did not mean for things to work out the way they did. I was not ready 3 years ago to accept the consequences of my actions but I am now. I did not feel ready to take responsibility but you showed true bravery the night of the Triwizard Tournament final, you took the burden of an adult wizard, and proved yourself to be a true Gryffindor. I have not done many brave things in my life, and yet saving you was the one thing I know James would've wanted me to have done. When you were born, I remember seeing his face and hearing him say what he was going to teach you as you grow up and that you would be joined by brothers and sister…I took that away from you, I never meant for that to happen, but I hope that you can see it in your heart to forgive me. This is my last message. Farewell Harry Potter. If we meet again, it'll be because I am a changed man."
The message clicked off.
"Wormtail wanted you to know how sorry he was for everything he'd done."
"I have forgiven him, in a way," Harry explained, "only because he helped me save Sirius, but I don't forgive him for betraying my parents the way he did. It'll always be at the back of my mind, and yet I am at peace with him over it. Something I never thought I'd feel in my life."
"People do change." Lupin muttered. He turned to McGonagall. "If you please," he motioned.
Professor McGonagall handed Harry a wrapped package that was heavy, and felt like a book. He unwrapped it carefully; it was a leather-bound book, written across the top in gold lettering was the words: GODRIC GRYFFINDOR – THE POTTERS
Carefully he pried the book open, his mouth dropped open. Inside were pictures of all the descendents of Godric Gryffindor right to James. Each photo or picture showed how each descendent of Gryffindor was related to him. Harry turned to the back. There was a picture of James in his Hogwart's uniform. The page told Harry how James was related to Gryffindor. Right at the bottom were the words: JAMES POTTER MARRIED LILY EVANS, THE HEIR OF GODRIC GRYFFINDOR, BUT FROM A DIFFERENT BRANCH OF THE LINE. THEIR SON HARRY WAS BORN ON THE 31ST JULY 1980. JAMES AND LILY DIED OCTOBER 31ST 1981 AGED ONLY 22.
"It's a book passed down onto all the heirs of Gryffindor. You are the last Harry, and its yours. You will have to fill it in someday too." Lupin explained.
Harry was at a loss for words.
"Where did you get it?"
"Godric's Hollow. It was hidden under a compartment in the sitting room. Only Dumbledore knew." Lupin explained.
"At least you get some good out of it, mainly looking up the line of your father." Sirius said.
"I suppose so," he lifted up the book and spent most of the evening looking through the book, inspecting various drawings and photos of each member of his family. And yet in his heart he found it hard to believe he was getting to know his family at last.
On the last day of term Harry had another surprise. Bonnie came and spent the day with him which he couldn't believe, mainly because it seemed so impossible that she, a Muggle, was in Hogwarts. Sirius had gone to Headquarters with Lupin on two days before, and though Lupin had classes, Dumbledore declared them cancelled.
Harry had been told by Dumbledore that Sirius was suffering from his imprisonment so it might be a while before he was back to normal, however his godfather hadn't shown any signs of suffering, so Harry was confident that he would be able to get the life he wanted.
At least this summer he wouldn't have to go and life with the Dursleys.
Harry was sitting by himself out in the grounds when he saw Bonnie coming towards him, Claire at her side. She sat herself next to him and Claire went off to see Hagrid.
"Hi," Bonnie smiled, her hair shining in the sun.
"Hi," Harry replied, feeling nervous.
"Will you come and see me during the summer?" she asked.
"I'm not going back to the Dursleys this time, but I'll write to you. If I can see you, I promise I'll try. I probably won't be able to. Sirius will need me for a while so it'll be hard until we are settled in. He's supposed to be filing to become my legal guardian till I'm eighteen." Harry explained.
Bonnie nodded in understanding. "You know, when I heard about Sirius Black on the loose escaping from some 'english' prison as the news people said it, I immediately thought he'd better not harm anyone I know. And yet its funny that you are going to go and live with him."
"Well, he's innocent. It's simple as that." Harry said. "Besides he's really nice. Has it said anything on the Muggle news about him then?"
Bonnie nodded. "They have only they say evidence has been shown to the Ministry that Sirius Black is innocent and the person who committed those crimes has been imprisoned. That's about it really."
"I wonder what the Dursley's think." Harry murmured.
They were silent. Eventually Bonnie spoke again but soon that conversation drowned out and instead they were looking at each other.
Harry felt his hear flutter as he looked into her eyes. She was very beautiful. He was not sure if he meant it or not, or if it was on purpose, they both leaned forward at the same time and kissed. Harry had found love in the form of a Muggle called Bonnie Wright. He was happy.
The train ride home was bearable. Malfoy came to the cabin, attempted to scare Harry but failed to do so.
The Weasley's were there to greet him and Harry eagerly looked for Sirius but could not see him. Seeing his questioning look, Mrs Weasley said: "Sirius couldn't come today. He's been busy with the Ministry. We'll be taking you back to Headquarters, Sirius will meet you there."
Hermione was going off with her own parents for a while before coming to headquarters, and Harry waved goodbye. Ron felt embarrassed but as the Grangers knew their daughter was going out with him, they didn't mind when he kissed Hermione on the cheek.
Harry shook his head. They made the oddest couple but seemed perfect for one another.
He looked at the passing Muggles in the station, realising for once he was remaining in the world he belonged: the Wizarding World.
He would never have to go back living as a Muggle.
Ever again.
THE END
Review Responses:
Bobby: You will see what happened to Wormtail in this chapter. Thank you for reading!
weirdrochelle: I hope you liked the last chapter!
got-lotr: Finish writing your fics. Go on, stop being lazy and write some more. If you do I might read and review……if that doesn't entice you to write maybe some chocolate will and a coke? You thought the fight was magnificent and well developed? Thanks! I didn't think it was! Your comments put a smile upon my face!
galadriel evenstar: The last chapter is now here!
Padfoot n' Moony: I hope you aren't too disappointed that the students were not there when Harry fell through the Veil, but it was only 6AM in the morning, not many people are up at that time, are they? Hope you liked the final chapter!
Phoenixtears: I hope Harry doesn't die in the 7th book either. It would be a shame if he did but I don't think it is likely to happen. I'm glad that you thought the fight sequence was good and had enough details. I wasn't sure I'd be able to pull it off. Thanks for the review!
LunaShadows: Yep, Sirius lives. I wasn't going to kill him…I mean what would be the point of taking away the person that Harry loves the most in the world (apart from Bonnie and the magical world?) Um…are you sure you don't suffer from Sirius withdrawal? Because I know I do…one of the reasons I wrote this story was to bring him back (I hope we do see him in some form in the next two books though!) I hope you don't find that offending or anything because I said something like that before to another person and they got really angry with me…. Hope you enjoyed the last chapter!
Moon Lace: Hi Serry! Gosh, thank you for the compliments about my writing! I knew I'd improved in some way but I'm glad one of my reviewers said something to actually make me think that to! I had trouble with writing the battle scenes so I was a bit worried what people would think of it in the end. I'm pleased that people liked it so much! And yes, this is the last chapter (I really X3million) can't believe I finally got here! I hope you'll read the sequel to, and you can find details on that below! Thank you for your support with this story!
And THANK YOU to everyone who has read, reviewed and lurked with this story and enjoyed it. Your support means everything to me, and I hope you'll tell me what you thought was the best part of this story! Once again – a huge THANK YOU – goes out to each and everyone of you!
The next story I am writing is the sequel to this. There is a summary below as well as a mini, written trailer that I wrote for the sequel. Below the trailer are details of another HP story I'm working on.
-Harry Potter and His Last Year-
Summary: Sirius is free; Harry is head-boy; Ron Hermione are a couple, yet the second war continues, throwing the Wizarding World into chaos…only Harry has the power to defeat it. Can he prevail?
-Trailer-
'Seven years there and he won't know himself!' – Hagrid, Chapter 4: The Keeper of the Keys, The Philosopher's Stone
ONE BOY HAS AN ULTIMATE POWER
see Harry standing amongst a crowd of students looking glum
THAT CAN DESTROY THE ULTIMATE EVIL
see Voldemort issuing instructions to his Death Eaters
AND YET IT TAKES COURAGE, STRENGTH AND LOVE
Harry (pacing): I must do this alone!
Hermione (anxious): If you go, you'll die!
Harry (determined, but softly): If that is what my fate entails then so be it.
A PROPHECY MUST BE FULFILLED
Harry (exhausted): I can't do this, Sirius.
Sirius (hand on Harry's shoulder): I believe in you.
SOMETHINGS MUST BE SACRIFICED…
Harry (sorrowful): Our love cannot last while Voldemort is on the loose. I'm sorry, Bonnie, we must end it for your safety.
Bonnie looks speechless as Harry kisses her goodbye. Tears run down her cheeks.
…FOR OTHERS TO LIVE…
Harry (to Claire): I dare not risk it. Bonnie deserves someone better.
Claire: She loves you! She'll fight for you!
Harry: I know, but no one can help me.
A LAST BATTLE…
Voldemort (holding wand): We meet again, Mr Potter, and this time you'll not escape! raises wand AVADA KEDAVRA!
see Harry shouting a counter curse and leaping aside
YET FOR THE WAR TO BE WON, SOMEONE MUST DIE…
see shots of a bloody Ron holding Hermione in his arms; Neville (blood on his face); Lupin (looking white and shocked); Tonks (her face stunned in a dying posture); and finally Sirius (shouting the words 'HARRY!')
see Harry scream 'NO!'
-Harry Potter and His Last Year-
-Coming to a Fanfiction page near you, soon-
So what did people think? Does it look good?
Note: This story is still being planned so it won't be until sometime after the weekend that I get the sequel up. I hope to get it up on Monday night (or maybe before!) but it will most likely be Wednesday next week. So I hope you join me for the continuing adventures of Harry Potter and friends! (that sounds corny doesn't it?)
Also,
I'm working on another HP fic but it won't be put up on fanfiction until I am sure I'm halfway through. Below is the summary and title for the story. It is set during the time of the Marauders and does tie in with 'Harry Potter and the Door Through the Veil'.
-The Marauders, Their Legacy-
Summary: Who are the Marauders, one might ask? This is a story that explores the remarkable life of four very different, but very unique Gryffindor students, who are growing up in a turbulent world where evil is triumphing over good. Even after their deaths…their Legacy will live on in those who loved them best...
This story will probably not make until next year but I thought you might like to know that it is being worked on.
As for now, I am signing out, and look forward to coming back as soon as I can to post the next story.
Farewell, dear friends, until next time we meet!
Leela74
