Part II: "Dearest I Shall Meet You in the Hollows"

Lucius Malfoy confirmed what Bellatrix's words implied. "He is dead," he whispered, fear evident in his voice.

Those words incited panic amongst the Death Eaters, and rapidly they apparated out of the room to get their affairs and alibis in order. The members of the Inner Circle that had not gone to Azkaban before were not far behind. Those that were already known Death Eaters collapsed to the ground in despair. They were finished. Their master would not be returning this time. Though they didn't repeat the words of the unknown Death Eater, they did repeat his actions. Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband and his brother, along with thirteen other Death Eaters committed suicide rather than be sent to Azkaban again.

Soon, there was only one. The last alive in the room unflinchingly stepped over the bodies of those that had died and dutifully undid the iron binds that held the body of Harry Potter in place. Tears of joy slid down the lined face of the man as the boy's body slid to the floor. Respectfully the man straightened out the body of the world's savior. He then bent over Voldemort and removed the Dark Lord's wand from his grip, placing it in his own pocket. He repeated this step with each of the dead Death Eaters before transfiguring a torch into a large box. He laid the bodies of the dead Death Eaters into it; Voldemort's was put on top. The box was then sealed with a short squelch.

Another box was transfigured. But this one was made elaborate. The man put special detail into the coffin that he now made. A full sized body of the Boy-Who-Lived lied with eyes closed upon the covering, lilies growing around him. A deer, dog, and wolf could be seen playing in the background. Carefully the man lifted the top from his creation and gently laid the body of Harry James Potter inside. The nearby pensieve was secured to the foot of the coffin.

"Portus," the man whispered over another torch before setting it upon the box containing the bodies of the Death Eaters. He repeated this step for another torch which he laid over the Boy-Who-Lived's coffin.

"Activate," he whispered and immediately both coffins and the pensieve vanished. The man followed not seconds later.

.:oOoOoOo:.

Gray clouds drifted overhead, blocking the rolling hills of Scotland from the sun's light. The brisk temperature was perfect for outside activities, and what better activity than quidditch? A pickup game was currently in progress on the Hogsmede Quidditch Grounds when suddenly two boxes appeared out of thin air and settled upon the ground. Those students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that were playing in the game, enjoying their last Hogsmede weekend of the year were not overly concerned by the sudden appearance of the crates, after all, things like that often happened in the wizarding world. What did concern them however, was the sudden appearance of their Potion's Master that followed.

For once there was no glare of contempt at the students that were having a good time above him. He simply levitated the two crates, and the pensieve, and walked off in the direction of the school. Not a one of the students had the courage to follow, but it was the talk of the rest of the game.

Severus Snape dutifully walked the packages up to the Hogwarts grounds and placed them on the Quidditch Pitch. They were too large to be taken inside. He opened the larger of the crates and laid the bodies within out side-by-side, with Tom Riddle's farthest to the right. He did not touch the coffin of his once most hated student. Several glamour and notice-me-not charms were put into place to insure that no students would randomly come upon the bodies.

With a sigh and a rub of his head Severus Snape made the walk back to the castle and traversed its corridors on autopilot. What was he supposed to say? How could he possibly do this? He stopped at the gargoyle that hid the entrance to Headmaster Dumbledore's office and took several deep breaths before giving the password and ascending the stairs. A few seconds later found him at the door. Another deep breath and he knocked before letting himself in, steeling himself for what he had to report.

Albus Dumbledore was not alone. Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Remus Lupin all turned to him as he entered. The most feared professor in the school suddenly lost his ability to speak. Those were faces that he was not yet ready to confront. Gathering himself he turned to the Albus Dumbledore.

"Sir, it is of the utmost importance that I speak to you immediately. Alone." He added, somewhat impressed that he had managed to get that all out without stuttering. He noticed that Weasley looked ready to explode and the other two appeared comparatively angry at having their meeting interrupted. Albus, though, gave him a calculating stare. Severus rarely referred to the old Headmaster as 'sir,' and the use of such a greeting had been used by the two to hint at the necessity of a report.

"Very well Severus. My most sincere apologies to you three, but I really must speak with Severus."

As soon as they left the former Death Eater turned spy abandoned all pretense of calmness and crashed into a chair opposite the Headmaster, tears rolling down his face.

"My boy? What has happened?" Dumbledore queried and attempted to meet Snape's eyes. He failed until Severus raised his head, his long, oily black hair falling across his facial features, obscuring them from view.

"It is over Albus," he said simply, an unseen smile gracing his face. It had been many long years since he had allowed a smile to form, but he found that he couldn't stop it now.

"What?" Dumbledore all but whispered. "He found you out?"

"No," came the immediate reply as Severus pushed his hair back, exposing his smile. "It is over. Voldemort is dead."

Dumbledore immediately rose from his chair. "Over?" he exclaimed softly. "How? How did this happen? Harry –"

"Was not dead as we had believed. He has been in the custody of the Dark Lord this entire time. Oh Merlin Albus. Oh gods, you should have seen him."

"Harry?" Dumbledore breathed, then demanded. "Where is he?"

"I'm sorry Albus," came the reply, another tear slid down his cheek. "I couldn't do anything. He is gone. They are both gone."

"No," came the angry reply. "One would live! It was foretold in the prophecy!"

"Albus, I brought back both of the bodies, along with a number of his followers that chose death over Azkaban. Here," Snape's fingers fumbled with the wands he had looted. "They are almost all here. Bellatrix Lestrange," he put her wand on the table, "Rudolphus, Rabastan, Macnair, Dolohov, His -," Snape left out the other names as he laid the rest of the wands down. Dumbledore was only interested in one.

It was thirteen and a half inches, yew, with the core of a phoenix feather. Dumbledore picked it up slowly. "So it is," he said at long last. "So much destruction. So much terror, and here is the instrument of it all." With a sigh the greatest wizard of the age placed the wand into a special container before scooping up the other wands and placing them to the side of his desk in a small bag.

After a deep breath Dumbledore spoke. "Lead on then Severus."

The two traveled through the pathways of Hogwarts that Severus had walked not moments before and out the double doors. Dumbledore immediately walked through the perimeter charms that Snape had set up, a testament to his skills that he knew they were there. The sight that greeted him made the old wizard fall to his knees.

"I failed him," the head of the Wizengamot asked his potion's professor, "didn't I?"

"No Albus, you didn't. You should have seen him at the end. You know that bad blood that I shared with the boy, but I couldn't help but feel connected to him, the emotions he elicited were... amazing."

"What is the pensieve?" Dumbledore questioned quietly.

"I am not sure, but I imagine that it was going to be His parting gift to everyone who had held Harry close. I didn't look in it, but I would like to request that I may be able to." Dumbledore swallowed and nodded his head before rising to his feet again and opening the coffin that held the body of the Boy-Who-Lived. There was no twinkle in his eye as silent tears ran down his face and his hand ran over the forehead of the boy he had come to love as a son over his years of education at Hogwarts. The physical damage to the boy's body was immense. No one should have had to suffer so much.

The wizened wizard remembered many times he had spent with the boy that now lay before him, naked and broken. He remembered the good times, Harry's sorting and triumphs in Quidditch and the tasks of the Triwizard Tournament, and the bad times, the telling of Harry the prophecy that his godfather had died for and the many nights when he had thought Harry lost to him forever.

The sound of Severus retching onto the grass brought him out of his reverie. The former Death Eater had dropped to one knee and his now pasty white face turned up to Albus Dumbledore. "I was right," he told the Headmaster of Hogwarts. "There is only one more memory that needs to be there."

That said Severus Snape raised his wand to his temple and withdrew a silvery thought strand before placing it into the pensieve. "He was brave Albus. Merlin, I've never seen anyone so brave." Snape clamped a hand on the older wizard's shoulder and then left to the castle. He needed time alone, and sleep, though he knew that would not come.

Albus Dumbledore stood before the pensieve, steeling himself for what he now knew was inside. He had seen years and years of war, and many terrible things, this couldn't be any different. How wrong he was. Minutes later the greatest wizard of the century was repeating the action that his esteemed potion's professor had done. He was emptying his stomach contents onto the ground. And yet even as he did so he couldn't help but be astounded at that final encounter. What exactly had happened? Severus had not been close enough to hear the private conversation between Harry and Lord Voldemort, but he had been plenty close enough to hear his last outburst.

'KILL ME YOU COWARD! I'M ONLY A MAN!' The words still rang through his ears, stirring something far beyond anything he had ever felt before. Those words had been infused with so much emotion; and then the shockwave, and Voldemort's screams. The scene would never leave his mind for the rest of his life.

After many long minutes Dumbledore composed himself and rose from the ground to stand over his pupil's body. "You did it Harry. You've accomplished more than I had ever hoped you could have. I am so sorry for the part that I played in the life you lead; I hope that you could forgive me. Now, I have to tell some people who I would much rather avoid right now about you. Your final revenge I suppose." Dumbledore offered a short humorless chuckle before wiping the final tears away from his eyes and turning towards the castle.

The world would know soon enough. It was over; the war was finally over. It was with a considerably lighter step that Dumbledore strode back in the direction of Hogwarts.

.:oOoOoOo:.

"Good afternoon Kerry," Dumbledore greeted the secretary to the Minister of Magic, "I need to speak with Amelia."

"I'm sorry Albus, but the Minister is in a meeting right now."

"Kerry, this is a matter that cannot be put off for a second. Now you can either have the Minister dismiss her guests or I will interrupt their meeting. I apologize for forcing your hand like this." The secretary gave him a look that clearly said, 'You had better hope I don't get sacked' before informing the Minister of Magic, Amelia Bones, that Dumbledore was present with an urgent message.

Seconds later, several very well known lawyers were escorted out of her office and Dumbledore could hear her apologies and times for a rain check. They were gone within a few more seconds.

"Albus, you know how important that meeting –"

"Amelia, this is more so." Dumbledore interrupted her before taking a deep breath and repeating the same words that Severus had used an hour earlier. "It is over Amelia."

"Albus what are you talking about? What is over?"

"The war Amelia," he said with a smile. "It is over. Lord Voldemort is dead."

Amelia Bones had never lost control in her life, which was one of the things that worked for her in the race to be Minister of Magic. She always kept her cool. At that moment, she lost control, landing in a very undignified heap.

"Albus," she started, her voice was nearly cracking from the relief those words were bringing, "are you sure?"

"Yes Amelia, I am sure." A tear of happiness slid out of her brown eyes and worked its way down her cheek.

"There is one more thing," Dumbledore continued somewhat hesitantly.

"Wha – what is it?"

"Harry Potter. I don't know how it happened, but he destroyed Lord Voldemort. He has been alive, Amelia, for these past three months. He was a prisoner of the Death Eaters."

"He is alive?" the Minister of Magic asked from the floor, shock evident on her features.

Albus closed his eyes. He didn't want to admit it to her, but she deserved the truth. "No Amelia. Harry James Potter perished in the final confrontation with Lord Voldemort. He had been through – horrible things - Amelia. Things that no one should ever have to go through, and he triumphed."

"How did this happen? How do you know?" Amelia Bones demanded.

"As you know," Dumbledore started, "Severus has been a spy for us for the duration of Lord Voldemort's second rise. He just brought back the word, and the bodies, from a meeting that Voldemort had called tonight. They were there to witness the termination of Harry's life. It was to be His final victory. Something happened. I can't even describe what happened. You will have to see for yourself."

"See?"

"A pensieve. Tom was planning on gifting it to us when he delivered the body. It details the torture Harry went through. Severus added his memory of the final encounter. It really is done Amelia. At long last it is finished." Dumbledore collapsed into a chair and Amelia Bones finally stood from her position on the floor and found her own chair.

"Who knows Albus?" she asked.

"Just you, Severus, and I."

"When should we tell the rest of the world?"

"After we have told a few more people who need to know first."

"His friends?"

Dumbledore nodded. "And the aurors. Severus retained his thoughtful nature and brought back the bodies of a number of wanted Death Eaters that committed suicide rather than be returned to Azkaban. Their bodies are at Hogwarts. His body is also at Hogwarts, as is His wand."

Amelia gasped. "Destroy it Albus. We cannot risk its loss to those who would have it for power."

"I am aware of this Amelia. I had hoped that after it is broken that the pieces could be displayed as a testament of the triumph of good over evil. Some sort of museum will be necessary I think. People must not put this war behind them as quickly as they did the last. We must always remember that the purity of blood has nothing to do with one's character, moral or otherwise. Though he would have disliked the arrangements, Harry will need to be exalted for his part in the war."

The Minister of Magic nodded in agreement. "Very well Albus, I shall inform the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to bring only the most trusted aurors to Hogwarts. I will also inform the head of the Department of Mysteries that his presence is required at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore nodded. "May you do as you have said you will. Now I'm afraid I have the most difficult thing I've ever had to do in front of me. I must tell Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, and Mr. Lupin of Harry's demise."

"Thank you Albus." Amelia said as he pushed the door to her office open.

"Don't thank me," he responded. "Thank Harry Potter."

.:oOoOoOo:.

Albus Dumbledore, one of the eldest wizards alive walked with the deception of being calm to the nearest fireplace, where he flooed to his office. He was met by the very three people he needed to speak to, but wanted to least.

"Albus!" Remus nearly yelled, "What is going on! I saw Snape leading you out of the castle! What did that Death Eater tell you?"

Dumbledore held up his hand to stop the verbal assault and walked over to his desk where he sat down and removed his glasses. He set them down in front of him and closed his weary eyes for a moment before opening them again and replacing the spectacles on his nose. He then reached into a nearby cabinet and pulled out a bottle of brandy before pouring himself a small glass and taking a sip.

"Are you alright sir?" Hermione inquired.

"Indeed Miss Granger, physically speaking I am in tip-top condition. My emotions though, have been running rampant on me for a few hours now." None of the three missed the time connection to when Snape interrupted their earlier meeting. "I'm afraid that I must tell you three something that has just been brought to my attention by Severus. It is both the most wonderful, and the worst news that you will have received in your entire lives."

"It has to do with Harry doesn't it?" Ron asked, hope in his voice.

"Yes," replied Dumbledore, fatigue noticeable in his voice, "it has to do with Harry. Three months ago, Harry disappeared. We assumed him killed by Lord Voldemort." The three nodded, they knew this already. "I was just informed that while he was taken by Tom, he had not been killed."

"Well then what are we waiting for?" Ron jumped up out of his chair shouting. "Get together a search party! We need to rescue him!"

"Had not been," Hermione whispered, and Ron fell back into his chair as the significance of the words hit him like a car moving at fifty miles an hour. Remus' face paled to white.

"Yes," Dumbledore confirmed. "Had not been." The old wizard took a deep breath before continuing. "Today, at approximately 3:40, Severus was called to a meeting. Tom was planning on killing Harry in front of all his Death Eaters, capping months of torture." Hermione let out a sob and tears flowed freely down Ron's cheeks as well.

"Something, however, didn't go to Lord Voldemort's plans. I wish I could tell you what happened, but even after witnessing the event, I cannot. Voldemort killed Harry with the Avada Kedavra curse, that much is clear, but something caused him extreme pain after it was cast. As Harry's own life ended, as did Tom's. Lord Voldemort is no more, Harry triumphed in the end."

"How can you say that?" Ron screamed at the headmaster. "How can you say he won? He's dead!"

"I know Mr. Weasley, and you must believe me when I tell you that there are few who could regret the passing of such an amazing wizard such as Harry Potter than I."

"There must be something we can see sir?" Hermione asked, hopeful.

"There is a record of Harry's passing, Severus' memories from the ordeal. I would let you see them without hesitation, but along with the memories of his end are the memories deposited in there by Voldemort and his Death Eaters, of Harry's torture. It was, inhuman, what he was put through. I do not wish for either of you," he pointed at Ron and Hermione, "to see it until those particular memories can be filtered out. The end is horrible enough in its own right. Remus, if you want to, I judge you fully able to make the decision to see what he endured."

Remus, his face resembling that of the living dead, nodded in agreement. "I want to see them Albus. I need to see what he went through."

"This is not fair!" Hermione yelled. "You don't give us the choice? We were his closest friends Headmaster Dumbledore! We deserve to see as much of him as anyone else!"

"My girl," Dumbledore said calmly, through effort, though a tear slid from his eye, "you must believe me when I say that Voldemort wanted you to see what is in that pensieve. It is because of this that I cannot in good conscience allow you to do so."

Dumbledore sighed when the two teenagers refused to meet his gaze. "I felt that you should know before you found out from the media. Unfortunately, Voldemort's demise cannot go undeclared. The associated press will be told late tonight. I would appreciate it if you did not say anything about this until the news is released. Also, if you so desire, the Minister and I could set up bars on the media from contacting you."

Hermione nodded her head, and Ron followed her action. "We will contact them when we feel the need to tell our story sir," Hermione said speaking for both of them.

"Very well, now, while I cannot allow you to see the pensieve, I can allow you to see his body, Severus retained enough control to bring it back." The faces of the two teenagers went from red to white in seconds. "I want to warn you though, they were not kind to him, and his body reflects this."

"I don't care Headmaster," Ron said, trying to swallow down his nervousness. "I want to see Harry at least one last time." Hermione nodded her agreement and Dumbledore lead the three down to the Quidditch Pitch and through the wards. Hermione gasped as she saw the aurors covering bodies of known Death Eaters and identifying others. The air of excitement that should have gone hand in hand with victory was muted to nothing by the close proximity of their savior's coffin. There were no cheers to be heard, and choking sobs were common.

In the last year Harry had grown close to many of the aurors, having trained with them in the summer and throughout the school year. Each of those present were ones that Harry had called friends, and while each was overjoyed, they were struck with depression at their protégée's death. Amelia Bones could be seen attempting to compose herself, and failing miserably, after viewing the contents of the pensieve. As Minister of Magic, she had a responsibility to view those memories, as much as she had not wanted to.

As the four approached Harry's coffin the procession slowed. Finally each peered down upon the face of the boy each had loved, as a friend, as a son.

His nose was still broken, the blood having long dried up. His cheek was covered in gashes from the various falls he had taken on the way to Voldemort's chamber. His left arm was bent at an odd angle at the elbow, signaling that it was broken. A thin sheet of cloth that had not been there earlier covered his waist and thighs from view. His knees were covered in dried blood and his broken large toe was clearly evident. Hermione wept heavily. Ron and Remus soon followed suit.

In time Remus brought himself from his tears for long enough to walk to the pensieve. Dumbledore and Madam Bones attempted to convince him to wait before viewing the memories but Remus made it very clear what he thought about that idea. Some minutes later found him on the ground, beating his fists into the soft earth crying, calling out to Harry, yelling apologies that would never have the chance to be accepted.

Hermione and Ron rushed to the lycanthrope to comfort him, though they were unaware of the full contents of the pensieve. Each of the two had become very connected to Remus since Harry had gone missing months before, and their hugs helped him through what had been the toughest thing to see in his life. It had been hundreds of times worse than seeing James and Lily's bodies, millions of times worse than hearing of Pettigrew's betrayal.

The three sat there for hours, weeping over what they had lost, and what could have been. Remus wept for the pain that Harry had gone through, Hermione and Ron wept for those times that Harry would not be their to enjoy. They wept tears of joy at the defeat of Voldemort and tears of sorrow for the death of their closest friend. They wept for Harry and for themselves. They wept for the end of an era, an era that had been spotted by dark lords and darker times. And as they wept, their tears cleansed the earth.