Shines A Light
Chapter Twenty: The End is Nigh
Grypis leapt into action immediately, sending a frantic thought message to Tatsu, somehow managing to get through. Harry is hurt badly. He must be returned to Hogwarts immediately! The moment that the little creature knew the message had been received, he used his own brand of magic to transport himself to Hogwarts, wishing that it was possible to transport others by that method, and knowing that it wasn't.
The moment he reached Hogwarts, the griffin headed straight for the Forbidden Forest, hoping that it would not take him too long to find who he was looking for, hoping that when he returned, Gryfas would have been brought to Hogwarts, and hoping, more than anything else, that everything would work out alright.
Back at the field of battle, Tatsu was hurrying towards the place where the two leaders had fallen, easily pushing Voldemort's lifeless form off that of his young ward, resting a hand on Harry's neck, feeling the pulse beating so slowly that it was a wonder he was still alive, and his breath coming in ragged gasps.
A middle-aged man who Tatsu didn't recognise came over to stand with him. "He's dying," the man told Tatsu, who looked up at him, and, for a moment, didn't recognise him. But then he realised – this was Albus Dumbledore, disguised so that he could take part in the final battle against his long time foe.
"It's good to see you, Albus," Tatsu said. "Can you help me get him to Hogwarts? Gryphon asked me to get him to Hogwarts. I think that the creature has something in mind that might save him."
"We can only hope," Albus replied, and picked up Harry's sword, tapping it with his wand and murmuring 'Portus' very softly, before handing it back. "This will take us all to Hogwarts, hold on Tatsu,' he instructed, not letting go of the sword.
"You're coming with us, then?" Tatsu asked, resting a hand on the sword, and carefully placing one of Harry's there as well.
"Of course," Albus replied. "I need to speak with Minerva, Harry, Alastor and you, now seems the best time to do it …"
"But Harry's dying …" Tatsu said, though Albus's reply was lost as the Portkey activated, sending them to Hogwarts, where Tatsu managed to land upright and holding Harry so that his body didn't get too badly jolted.
The moment they landed, both Tatsu and Albus started moving, heading straight for the Hospital Wing, Tatsu easily carrying his charge. Across the grounds, students looked up, wondering what was going on, seeing the body in Tatsu's hands, but unable to recognise it for who it was, because Harry's head was tucked against Tatsu's chest.
"What's happened, Sensei Tatsu?" Ginny Weasley hurried up them, Ron and Hermione not far behind her.
"Voldemort has been defeated," Tatsu said, very softly, and wonderment immediately replaced worry on their faces, "Don't spread the news around just yet – you should come with us. Harry killed him, but he's been really badly hurt. He needs to get to the hospital wing immediately."
"We'll go ahead of you," Hermione offered immediately. Worry was evident in her voice, but she was trying to keep it at bay by being helpful. "Make sure that the students are out of the way, and Madam Pomfrey is ready, Ron, Ginny, come on!" she started off at a trot, and Ron and his sister following swiftly after her.
Albus and Tatsu hurried up the stairs in the wake of the teenagers, both of them very worried as Harry didn't even seem to notice the bouncing around that he was going through. They made it to the Hospital Wing and found the three Gryffindor students grouped around the door, waiting for them.
"Madam Pomfrey's inside," Ron said unnecessarily, "She's ready for him."
Tatsu and Albus nodded, and hurried in, leaving Ron, Hermione and Ginny waiting quietly around the door in a worried silence, not wanting to go inside and possibly disturb the healing process, but completely unwilling to leave Harry completely. Somehow the fact that Voldemort was gone for good was unimportant, when compared to the fact that they might lose their friend.
"Do you think that there's anything we can do?" Ron asked, a little while after Harry had disappeared inside. There was no word from within, the adults seemed to have forgotten that the teenagers where still there, waiting for any news at all.
"If Madam Pomfrey can't do it, do you really think we can?" Hermione replied snappishly, Ron looked at her with a hurt expression, and she gave him a quick hug. "I'm sorry – I'm just … really worried."
Ron and Ginny both nodded. Suddenly, they heard something of a commotion inside, and they almost opened the door to look inside, see if they could do anything, but they stopped again because they didn't want to interrupt anything important. "I'm sure they'll tell us if anything happens," Hermione said, wringing her hands.
Inside the hospital wing, the commotion was the result of Grypis soaring into the room, in full griffin form, a silver-furred young wolf held carefully in his claws. Madam Pomfrey went to push them away, but Tatsu held up a hand, "I think that they can help," he said quietly. "You have already said that you cannot do anything for him, perhaps they can."
Unwillingly, Madam Pomfrey stepped back, along with Tatsu and Albus, and Grypis let go of the wolf, which paced forward alone. Although the humans could not hear it, the two creatures were speaking quietly.
"You said that the human wanted to make his wish. He does not seem to be in any position to make one at the moment," the wolf remarked.
That is why I came. He cannot make his wish, for he will die, unless something is done. I am his soul-brother, and I had hoped that I would be able to his make his wish for him, Grypis returned.
"That would depend on what the wish might be. Ask, and I shall consider it, the wolf murmured softly, silver eyes focused on Harry's barely breathing form.
I would wish for his life, Grypis stated calmly.
"A worth wish, it shall be granted," the wolf whispered, stepping up the bed, proud head raised, jaws opening, sharp looking silvery teeth glinting in the light. Madam Pomfrey made to step forward, but Grypis bared the way. He knew that the wolf meant no harm.
Bowing it's head over Harry's one, the wolf breathed out, and it's breath was like a silver mist in the air. Harry inhaled, and the mist sunk into his mouth and nostrils. Somehow, the wolf kept breathing out, as if it's breath would last forever, and Harry kept breathing in, and a silvery nimbus formed around his body.
Then suddenly the wolf stopped, Harry's long intake of breath came to a close with a soft gasp, and he let the air out in a long exhale, before breathing normally. The nimbus faded into his skin and colour returned along with the even breathing. The wolf turned and padded towards Grypis, but disappeared in a silver ripple of the air around it.
Grypis paced forward to stand beside Harry, keeping a quiet watch on his soul brother while Madam Pomfrey came forward in amazement and checked him over, seeing if he was completely healed, which he was. "Amazing," she kept saying under her breath.
Harry's green eyes flickered open and he looked up at his companions with a small smile. "So," he said softly, "He's gone. That's good."
"Who's gone?" Madam Pomfrey asked suspiciously.
"Voldemort," Harry told her, pride and happiness shining his eyes and reflecting in his tone.
"He's … gone?" she asked, staring at him, eyes wide in amazement.
"Yes," Harry replied simply.
Poppy let out a shriek of delight and gave Harry a warm embrace, "Well done child, very well done," she told him, unable to stop smiling or laughing. Harry smiled back.
"Could we speak to Harry alone for a moment?" Albus asked. Harry looked at the disguise of a young man, and smiled in recognition, as Poppy bustled away, presumably to tell Harry's friends that he was alive and well.
"Hello Professor Dumbledore," Harry greeted him quietly, "Now that Voldemort's gone for good, are you coming back?"
"No," Albus said jovially. "I've decided that I rather like life away from the spotlight – I believe that I shall live out the rest of my life in quiet recluse. Tom's attempt at killing me gave me a way out, and it's a way that I would like to take. I am old, and the concerns of the Ministry and the Order are tiring … I have faith that those I left in charge can deal with anything as well as I could. I will, of course, be happy to give you any help you need, so long as it is restricted to advice."
"Well, I suppose it would be a shock to the rest of the world if you turned up again, and I know exactly how you feel," Harry told the headmaster, "If I were given the opportunity to escape from this, I would … but I have not been, so I will deal with things as I see fit to. I'm glad that you have managed to escape, at least."
Tatsu nodded, "I think it is for the best that you stay away – you have been a pillar of support for so long, it is about time people got a chance to test their own legs and see if they can stand upon them. You chose wisely in your replacements, you have nothing left to worry about."
Albus just smiled. "I came to say a final goodbye. Well done, Harry – I knew that you could do it. You have made an old man very proud with your actions in recent times, and I must tell you, it has been a delight to have watched you grow into your own."
Harry smiled back, but did not speak, he thought that all the things that must be said had already been said, and so it was without regret that Albus Dumbledore Flooed away from the school that he had loved, to live out his life away from the conundrums of the political world.
At that moment, Ron, Hermione and Ginny burst into the room and came racing over to throw their arms around Harry and hug him enthusiastically, shrieking with happiness that he was well again, and because Voldemort was now gone. Harry laughed with them, relaxing in their company, finally able to comprehend that the war he had been fighting for so long was over.
That night at dinner, Minerva called Harry up to the front of the school, and announced, in a voice that rung with pride, happiness and many emotions, "Lord Voldemort has been defeated once and for all." She let the cheering that came as a result of her statement continue for some time before raising a hand for silence, and eventually getting it.
"While this is a momentous and delightful occurrence in the history of our culture, our victory has not come without a price, and while Voldemort is now gone, there are many who never lived to see this time. For them, I call for a minutes silence." With these words, silence reigned completely in the Hall. There was no fidgeting, no nothing, as everyone stood completely still, and remembered those that they themselves had lost.
When the minute was over, McGonagall spoke again, "I do not think that it comes as any surprise to you that it was our own Harry Potter who brought about this momentous victory, and the Ministry of Magic will be presenting him with an Order of Merlin, first class, at his graduation ceremony tomorrow. Congratulations, Harry Potter!"
The cheering was without any holding back, complete and strong enough to raise the ceiling. Everyone got up and came over, screaming their congratulations of the noise of everyone else doing the same, overwhelming Harry completely. They did not calm down for a long time, and so dinner, when it came, was fairly late, although it was one of the best meals that Hogwarts had ever seen, the house elves completely out-doing themselves with the amazing spread, and everyone ate until they were completely bloated.
The graduation ceremony passed without hitch. As McGonagall had said, Harry received the Order of Merlin, first class, along with a list of other awards for 'service to the community', and his school results, which were extremely good, and he was very happy with.
When he received his awards, he was asked what he intended to do with the rest of his life. "I don't know," Harry replied with a shrug, "But I think a visit to Japan might be the first thing on the agenda!"
Indeed, that afternoon, he, Tatsu and Neko left Britain for the city of Tokyo and a well deserved holiday.
Well, there you go. Several people guessed that the white wolf would have something to do with someone being brought back to life, and in a way you were correct! Anyway, I'll post the epilogue tomorrow morning. I didn't quite finish the story before my birthday (which was two days ago now) but I tried. I ended up leaving the file at work, and not being able to work on it for a couple of days, but oh well. It's done now! You'll get a new chapter of Seeker of the Shadows soon, I hope. I want to get two or three more chapters up before I go back to school in eight days time, but I don't know how successful I'll be at that one …
Thanks to:
Clare, Rawiya Prabhakar, FreedomStar, Lady Siobhan, cantfindagoodname, Ezmerelda, JeanieBeanie33, TekNthzpn, marauder #3, hpfanchrissy1502, Mara Angel, Dumbeldave, James and Lily 4eva, shadowmonk, washu, Rin, Dimensional Analysis, TuxedoMac.