The characters and places in this story belong to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 31 – Renewal

The day of graduation arrived. Like the other Gryffindor's he was excited, but he also had one more job to do before he could join the rest of the school. Harry put on his nicest black robes and turned to Neville and Ron. They were both dressed the same and the three went down to the common room and collected Ginny and Hermione.

On the grounds near the lake the three met Luna, and several Professors, including: Bill Weasley, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, and Albus Dumbledore. Finally someone spoke.

"If everyone is ready please touch the ring." Dumbledore held out a hoop and everyone reached for it. The portkey landed them in the Riddle graveyard. Harry felt a bit queasy. The last time he was there it was fourth year. He felt better seeing Remus and the rest of the Weasleys, as well as the entire Order.

Dumbledore reached for Harry's shoulder and led him to the podium. Everyone who was still standing found a folding chair left by the muggle undertaker. Harry looked at the golden urn that held the remains of his enemy. He sat in a chair facing everyone as Dumbledore began the service.

While the older wizard was speaking, Harry looked at the faces of his friends and family. Nobody was there to mourn the dead man, but quite a few had attended to mourn his many victims. Harry began to look at his own hands as Dumbledore praised the efforts of those that contributed to making the world a safer place and closed his speech by asking Harry to stand and say a few words.

Harry took a deep breath and saw the expectant faces of everyone there. He closed his eyes and began. "Firstly, thank you for coming. I know that we are all here for various reasons, but my good friend Hermione Granger assured me we are all here for closure. She says it's a muggle idea that when something bad and often traumatic happens you need to have something that lets you know it's the end, or that it's over." Harry looked up at the wizards and could tell they understood what he was talking about.

With a deep breath he continued. "The man named Tom Riddle was born to a woman who loved him more than anything. His father was a muggle who didn't understand his wife or the world he found that she belonged to. As a closed minded person does, he abandoned his wife and the child she was expecting. Tom's mother never forgot her love for her baby's father and named her new infant for the man. Unfortunately, she died within moments of his birth. This tragedy was the beginning of a man who never felt love, never felt compassion, and found that power and hatred were stronger than hope. He did bad things through hatred and was reborn 3 years ago in this graveyard because of his need to be feared and the power that gave him."

Harry took a sip of water. "He has been vanquished, as evil wizards often are, and is being laid to rest by the muggle father who should have loved him with the same unconditional love that his mother had before she died. I am not bringing this up to excuse him, but to remind everyone here that without love of our children, neighbors, and fellow man; there will always be the fear of another 'Dark Lord.' Thank you."

People quietly applauded and Dumbledore levitated the urn to the open grave and set it gently at the bottom. He then used a banishing charm to send the loose dirt into the hole to fill it. Professor McGonagall conjured a headstone that bore the date of his birth and death. The name read Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Afternoon came and muggle born students went to Hogsmeade to find their parents. Hermione and Harry walked together and found her parents as well as Aunt Petunia. They climbed into a boat and headed for the school, the Grangers looked excited, Petunia was frightened.

While Hermione was pointing out important sights to her parents, Harry touched his hand to his aunt's. "I'm glad you came."

She smiled briefly and frowned at what he was wearing. "That isn't what you are wearing tonight is it?"

Harry laughed. "No ma'am. I'll be changing before the ceremony. I just didn't want to get the clothes I got for the event to get dirty."

Petunia Dursley nodded in the satisfaction that she taught Harry about taking care of his clothing. "Very good."

Harry asked. "Were you able to get it for me?"

Aunt Petunia nodded. "I'm not sure how you got that much normal money but I went out and got what you asked for." She handed him a small box, and sat back to watch the scene in front of her.

Harry pointed out the Gryffindor tower as they floated towards the castle. He remembered the first time he saw the castle in his first year and everything that had happened since then. He smiled with pleasure and Petunia asked him what had made him so happy.

"Oh just thinking about the first time I came. Hoping my own kids get the same pleasure I got."

Petunia looked concerned. "Children? Already?"

Harry shook his head. "No future children. It's the first time I've looked ahead that far really."

Petunia looked confused. "Why now?"

Hermione heard the question from the boat she and her parents were sharing. "Mrs. Dursley, Harry killed Voldemort. He's the evil wizard that killed your sister."

Petunia looked horrified. "You killed someone? What kind of school is this that they send children out to murder?"

Harry explained before she could make a scene. "Aunt Petunia, before I was born a prophecy was made that basically said I was the only one who could kill this dark wizard. He hurt and killed a lot of people whose only sin was to be born from non wizarding families…like mum. Please understand he had to be stopped."

Petunia looked thoughtful. "Like me as well."

Harry nodded. "Yes you, Dudley and Uncle Vernon would have been on his list since you were my family. I don't regret what I had to do Aunt Petunia."

Petunia looked around as the boat docked under the castle. "Yes, I can understand how that is. I know what it's like, not regretting something you had to do."

Gryffindor tower was full of muggles for the first time ever. The fat lady had her hands full trying to get parents to understand that she was the entrance to the dorms. Aunt Petunia had recoiled as the portrait swung back but regained her composure and climbed through with the rest of the parents. Harry took Aunt Petunia around the common room and led her up the stairs to his dorm.

"This is my bed, and this is my friend Ron's and that's Neville's over there." Harry said a bit shyly. He never expected to have his aunt and Hogwarts in any vicinity of each other.

Petunia sat on his small and touched the velvet curtains a bit enviously. "You must have really enjoyed being here."

Harry looked a bit. "I have a scrapbook of pictures, if you'd like to see?" He flushed before adding a warning. "They move though."

Petunia thought about it before she nodded. "Ok."

They spent twenty minutes going through them before seeing a blank photo. "Why is this one empty?"

Harry glanced at the photo she was looking at. "That one is of mum and dad. It's enchanted, they can talk like they are alive and can see and interact with us, but they must be over and my… umm wizarding guardian's house."

Petunia paled. "Lily can see and hear us? Right now?" She looked as though she was tempted to shut the album.

Harry held it open. "Only if she wants to come. Would you like to talk to her? She won't be able to remember anything about your childhood since it was made after she died, but you can tell her stuff if you want to."

Petunia was shaken and asked very softly. "Does she know me?"

Harry whispered back, "She will if you talk to her."

Petunia cleared her voice and called. "Lily, can you hear me?"

Lily appeared and was dragging James with her. "Harry is it almost time for your graduation? Remus…" Her voiced died when she saw a blonde woman looking back at her. "Where's Harry is he hurt?"

Harry peered over the edge of the album. "I'm fine mum; this is Aunt Petunia, your sister."

Lily was surprised. "Oh, I'm sure Harry warned you, I don't know you."

Petunia nodded. "Yes he did. I just wanted to see you."

Lily smiled. "So you're back at Hogwarts then?"

Petunia frowned. "I wasn't a fr… umm magical. I believe I'm called a fraggle?"

Harry stifled a laugh. "Aunt Petunia you're called a muggle. Mum, Aunt Petunia took me in after she died. She was the one who raised me."

Lily smiled. "Thank you Petunia. You did a wonderful job. I can tell Harry is very happy."

Petunia seemed surprised when Harry just said, "Yeah, she took good care of me mum."

There was a bit of small talk before Harry and Petunia said goodbye to Lily and shut the book.

"Why didn't you tell her how horrible I was to you?" Petunia asked curiously.

Harry shrugged. "I'd rather her believe that her sister loved me like her own son."

The ceremony commenced. Parents watched with pride as their young ones lined up to shake hands with all their teachers. Dumbledore spoke a few words about adulthood and commended them for all their achievements. Harry only looked out once to see Aunt Petunia sitting between the Weasley's and Remus.

With a clap of his hands, Dumbledore declared the commencement complete and the graduating class went off to greet their families. Molly Weasley hugged Harry, Hermione, and Ron so hard they thought their heads would burst. Remus and Arthur clapped the boys on the back and congratulated Hermione. Even Aunt Petunia shook Harry's friend's hands and gave Harry the briefest of hugs. To Harry this was a good start towards a relationship they had never had before.

Parents left that evening, Harry walked his Aunt to the train station and asked her if she would be interested in helping him set up housekeeping when he decided where he wanted to live. She agreed and climbed aboard the train.

Harry watched the train leave the station and took a carriage back to the castle. Tomorrow was the leaving feast.

Harry woke in the morning and reached for his glasses. He took the morning to stretch and ruffle his hair before standing. He rolled his head and climbed out of his bed, trying to control a yawn that threatened to split his face in two.

Harry walked into the bathroom for a shower and, rubbing his jaw, a shave. He was out in fifteen minutes, a towel wrapped around his hips and scratching his belly.

"Don't forget the belly button." A feminine voice called out from his bed and a second giggled. Harry spun in shock to she Hermione, Ginny, and Luna all sitting and watching him.

Harry grabbed his towel and held it tightly. "Hey! Last I check this is the boy's dorm. Didn't you guys see the sign?"

Hermione shook her head. "We got tired of waiting for you three to wake up."

Harry huffed. "Well harass them. You all need to get out so I can get dressed."

Ginny scoffed. "You haven't got anything I haven't seen with six brothers."

Harry raised an eyebrow and looked askance. "Maybe not, but I am not your brother, and I want to get into my clothes in peace."

Luna smiled absently. "How about we close our eyes?"

Harry frowned. "I don't trust you."

Ginny sighed and covered her hands with her eyes. Hermione and Luna followed suit.

Harry looked at the three young women on his bed. "Are you sure I can't convince you all to go outside for a moment?"

Hermione answered. "Better hurry, before we change our minds."

Harry grabbed his clothes off his trunk and quickly put his shirt on first. I had to be tucked in so he felt if they should peak, he'd at least have some cover. A minute later he told them they could open their eyes.

Ginny smiled. "Who ever said we actually closed them?"

Harry said you covered them. I saw you."

The girls smiled. "We peeked." They said in unison.

Harry headed to the common room while the girls woke up they're next victim.

The leaving feast was loud with clapping shouts and general excitement. Voldemort was gone forever this time and students were ready to go on with their lives.

Points were tallied and Gryffindor won, much to the disgust of a certain Potions Professor. Dumbledore waved his hands and the Great Hall became decorated with Gryffindor colors. Dumbledore also took the pleasure in announcing that Professor Weasley would be returning the following year. The cheers were enormous. The only house that did not seem excited about that was Slytherin.

The meal came to an end and Harry grabbed Ginny's hand. "Come on, I want to show you something."

Ginny followed him to the garden. The roses were in full bloom and Harry picked a white one, handing it to Ginny.

"The roses are beautiful. Thank you for bringing me to see them one last time." Ginny said, while bringing the flower to her nose.

Harry cleared his throat. "Actually the roses aren't the real reason I brought you out here."

Ginny looked around. "Then what is?"

Harry took a deep breath before kneeling. "Umm Ginny, would you marry me?"

In shock Ginny blurted out the first thing she could think of. "Right now?"

Harry smiled and slipped the ring on her finger. "Once you graduate, I would love for you to do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Harry Potter."

Ginny looked at the ring of emeralds and diamonds. "Harry I would be happy to."

With a whoop, Harry swung her in a circle and placed a kiss on her lips.Ginny kissed him back and, holding him tight, she whispered, "Forever."

Ok folks. 1 chapter left. I hope to have it up for your reviewing pleasure before month's end. If only my 2 year old would nap.