Chapter 18 - - - Endings and Beginnings

All of Hogwarts gathered around their respective tables. They were gathered to hear an important announcement from Dumbledore. Everyone was on the edge of their seats. Some had heard rumors that Lord Voldemort was finally dead, others heard that two students died as well, still others heard that Voldemort was killed by a giant, flaming, monster. Hermione and Ron looked around for their two friends. They had not seen them for a while. They were very worried.

"May I have your attention," Dumbledore stood up. "As you may have heard, and as I will confirm, Lord Voldemort is finally dead."

There was silence at first, then every table, except Slytherin, erupted into cheers and clapping. Once it died down a student asked, "Professor? How and when?"

"It happened last night. I do not know specifics, as I was not present, but there are some things I am sure of. Through the heroism of Harry Potter Lord Voldemort died. Through his own plan, did Voldemort fail. He did not count on the fact that Harry was not alone, my daughter was with him." There were a few gasps from the students. "Yes I have a daughter. She has been among you for the past five years. I have kept her a secret for her protection, but now that Voldemort is gone she will once again be brought into the spotlight along with Harry it cannot be avoided. So if she would like to join us."

A door on the side of the hall opened. The students craned their necks to see who his daughter was. They gasped when they saw that it was Michelle. She was dressed in pale blue robes that brought out the blueness of her eyes. She took a deep breath and stepped into the hall knowing her secret life was over. She would get to be a normal girl again.

Michelle approached the head table and stood next to her father, "Hi everyone."

The students just stared at her in response.

"For the past almost fifty years, I've under a type of curse that stopped my aging. It was because of Voldemort that I had to pretend to be dead all those years. Now I'm finally free of that. You are the first to know that I am back."

"Now we shall have a feast," Dumbledore clapped his hands and food appeared on all the tables.

It was the grandest feast they ever had. Michelle sat down in the empty chair next to her father. There was another empty chair next to her.

Albus turned to his daughter, "Where's Harry? This feast is for him as well."

"He's coming he just wanted some time to himself. Daddy when are you going to tell him that he's a Gryffindor?"

"I wanted to last night, but with so much going on, I didn't get a chance to."

"Daddy, you withheld information from him before and look what happened. You can't keep putting it off."

"I forget that you're older then you look. You're right I will tell him tonight."

Harry came in a few minutes later. Everyone stopped eating to look at him and then they broke into cheers. Harry walked to the empty seat next to Michelle and took his seat.

"Where were you?" Michelle whispered.

"Thinking," Harry whispered back. "I feel like there's more somehow. That you are keeping something from me."

Albus quieted down the hall, ending their conversation before Michelle can reply, "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Harry Potter. He saved us all." He raised his glass to Harry and everyone followed suit. "To Harry."

"To Harry," everyone repeated.

After the toast, the feast continued. They ate and ate until they could eat no more. Some students left to write to their families about what happened. Others left to hold their own celebrations with Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes making more work for Mr. Filch to do.

Aria flew in and landed on Michelle's shoulder. She held out a letter for Michelle. She took it and began to read it to herself at first. Then she turned to Harry, "I have some news for you. Dear Michelle, We are pleased to have you back in the magic world. Thanks to you and Harry, we have ended a very long war. We would like you to be the first to know that we pardoned Sirius Black from his crimes, as we found Peter Pettigrew when we went to search You-Know-Who's hideout. We will also be submitting a formal apology to the Daily Prophet, for what we said about your father and Harry. I hope you will keep your end of the bargain in this. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic."

"That's great, but what's your end of the bargain?"

"Well I paid the Minister a little visit. We had a little chat and if he didn't agree to my terms, I wouldn't keep his secret."

"What's his secret?"

"Oh," Michelle giggled. "That's a long story. I'll tell it to you some other time."

"Why can't you tell me now?"

"Because, now we have to celebrate. Come on, let's go find Hermione and Ron."

Michelle pulled Harry up and ran to Gryffindor Tower. They were out of breath by the time they reached their destination. Michelle said the password, "Phoenix Feathers." And they proceeded into the Common Room. Ron and Hermione were not there. Michelle and Harry looked everywhere: the dormitories, the library, the grounds, Hagrid's, the owlry, and even Michelle's room. At the end of their search they found themselves by the Room of Requirement.

"Maybe they're in there," Harry suggested, tired of looking around.

He opened the door to find Hermione and Ron kissing. He quickly and quietly closed the door.

"I found them, I don't think we should disturb them."

"Okay," Michelle said already knowing what he saw. "Let's go to Daddy's office. He has something he wants to tell you."

They arrived to find Albus filling out some paperwork and Fawkes and Aria sleeping on their perches. Albus looked up at the two arrivals.

"What can I do for you two?"

"Daddy, you have something to tell Harry?"

"Yes, well. I . . ."

"Daddy?"

"Okay. Okay. Harry I have to tell you something of your family."

"What is it sir?"

"Well I'm sure you have noticed that certain things always seem to be related with you. You are able to produce Godric Gryffindor's sword in desperate situations. Only his descendants are able to do that. You defeated the Heir of Slytherin. You're brave, courageous, and fair. All the things Gryffindor himself was. You are his descendant, his heir. His blood runs in your veins, Voldemort knew that. That's another reason he chose you. He saw similar lineage in you."

"That's impossible!"

"No Harry. It's true," Michelle went and got a book from her father's bookshelf. It was scarlet with a golden lion on it. She opened it up to a family tree. "See."

The tree started with Godric and went all the way down to Harry. He saw his parents before him. He was related to Gryffindor, through his father.

"I can't believe this. It's true. I wanted to tell you, but Daddy didn't think you were ready."

"What makes me ready now?"

"You faced more than your share in life. You deserve some answers to questions. You parents were good people. I wish they could have stayed with us," Albus told the boy.

"I don't know what to say," Harry said. "Does everyone know?"

"No dear boy. You can tell others when you are ready. And when you are you should use this book as proof. It cannot be altered, so people will believe."

Harry and Michelle left the office with the book. Harry was in shock. He could not believe it, although somewhere deep inside he already knew. In the hall they ran into Draco, who was in a horrible mood.

"Thanks a lot Potter, my father is going to Azkaban."

"Again Malfoy? I thought he learned his lesson by now."

"Just because you're the headmaster's daughter doesn't mean you're better than me," Draco replied.

"And just because you act it, doesn't mean you're any better than anyone else," Michelle said.

"I am though," Draco said as he stalked off.

"How do you like that?" Michelle told Harry. "He is such a pompous, arrogant jerk."

"Calm down," Harry replied. "You're better than him. Don't let him upset you."

"I know I shouldn't let this get to me. It's just that so much has happened. I have my life back, more importantly I have myself back. I hid for so long. You don't understand how it felt to be a prisoner."

"Yes I do," Harry hugged Michelle. "I know it isn't the same but I was a prisoner of the Dursleys'."

"But you were able to get away," Michelle pulled away.

"Now it's your turn. Come on let's go see if Ron and Hermione are still busy."

"Alright. Thank you for listening," Michelle gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Any time," Harry blushed slightly before pulling Michelle in for another kiss.

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AN: I decided on another chapter before the epilogue because I thought it would be too much. Sorry I took so long to get this out. Please review.

I'd like to thank those who have reviewed.

KrystalFox – Thanks for reviewing so much. I like to know people are still reading.

BelleAllison – THANK YOU!!

Team Graecisso – Sorry about the bad grammar. I don't have an editor, but after I write the Epilogue, I promise to go back and fix it.

Until next time keep reviewing,

KoKo Belle