Erised's Bane

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series does not belong to me. I own only a few select characters who are of my own invention, as well as the plot of this and related stories.

The Epilogue

In those days of school usually reserved for merrymaking, for happiness and laughter, for the discourse of what was to be that summer's events, a select group found themselves in a state of great solitude, great lengths away from the rest of the school both literally and figuratively.

For the group most closely associated with the order, it was a period of time in which they realized just how close to the front lines they really were.

On the last day of school, rather than join the others in boarding the train to meet their families back at the station, Harry Potter joined Hermione, Susan, and the Weasley family in honoring their fallen son.

They stood assembled at the graveside, in a graveyard that was already thick with Weasley kin. Charlie was laid to rest quietly, in traditional wizard ceremony. The hardest thing for Harry to cope with was the fact that Charlie was being buried in the same graveyard in which he had fallen.

All the tensions between Harry and Ginny were absolved in light of the greater tragedy. Ron was unusually quiet…even Hermione couldn't seem to permeate the thick shell that he had built around himself. Mrs. Weasley had given Harry a tight hug when they met, but Harry himself found it hard to accept. He didn't blame himself for Charlie's death…no. But he realized something else.

Harry could remember the moment he had found out Sabrina was a murderer. He also remembered the reactions most of the adults had had towards her all year. Was this the way she was treated, just because she had had to kill? Is this the same way he would be treated when he finally had to kill?

He knew the answer was no, but that was simply because Voldemort himself was so inherently evil and feared. But Bellatrix Lestrange had been evil as well…would people have felt the same way about Sabrina killing this woman as they would if Harry in future killed the Dark Lord? Probably not. It was enough to make Harry's head hurt.

The service ended with the mourners comforting Mr. and Mrs. WEasley. Harry said his piece and gave Ron a welcoming pat on the shoulder, but there was something else he had to attend to.

Slowly he approached. Their graves stood side by side, as a testament to their marriage and—Harry could guess, as he was now older and wiser—their love. He stood between the both of them, at the foot of their graves.

James Potter, Brn. 28 August, 1960 Died 30 October, 1981—Beloved Friend, Devoted Father

Lily Evans Potter, Brn. 7 February, 1961 Died 30, October, 1981—Beloved Friend, Devoted Mother

With a small smile, Harry could see inscribed on the bottom of his father's headstone a small paw print, with 'Love Padfoot' inscribed beneath. Nearby was a crescent moon, with an M nearby. Harry could see that the paw print was much more recent, and half-imagined Sirius standing in this exact spot, mourning the loss of his best friends a full twelve years after he had lost them.

"Hullo, mum…dad," he said slowly. "I don't know when I'll be able to come again, so I'll make it quick. I just wanted to thank you for what you gave me. I don't mean the stone, or the money in Gringotts, or anything like that…I mean, thanks for what all of that means. I know you'd both be here if you could, and I'm sorry that you can't because I know how much fun we'd have had together, and how we would have argued like Ron does with his mum and dad. And I know that dad would have been so proud of me being on a National Team for Quidditch.

"I'm just sorry that everything had to be this way. I know someday I'll probably have kids of my own, and they won't ever get to know you, and you'll never even have the chance to meet them, but I'll make sure and tell them all about how you gave me this stone and saved my life, even though you weren't even here.

"And I'll also tell them about Sirius, and all Sirius did, and the stories about the Marauders. I'll probably end up giving them the map, and the cloak, and with any luck they'll be able to put it to much sillier use than I've had to use it for, like sneaking to the kitchens, or maybe out to visit Hagrid at night when they aren't supposed to.

"But most of all, I just want them to know that if you were here, you'd love them as much as I know you love me. And I know that…well, I'll make sure they understand that even if they never knew you they can love you, because…I do.

"I love you mom and dad. Goodbye…and take care of Charlie."

He turned away and walked back to the group, hastily wiping away the tears in his eyes. When he got back to the group, the Weasleys were standing in a group nearby. Dumbledore was speaking to Mrs. Weasley, who was looking at him and dabbing at her eyes. He turned away from them to face Susan, who had for the duration of the ceremony remained silent, next to Harry.

"Well…" she stated awkwardly. "I…guess I have to go. Promise you'll write over the summer?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "Maybe I'll even get to visit sometime."

"Oh…sure." She turned slightly red. "Harry…" But she was suddenly unable to speak, and so she closed her mouth and turned away.

"It's all right." Harry put his arms around her for a brief second, kissing her on the cheek. "I love you too."

She smiled at him and turned away. He watched for a moment, saw her join her aunt, her mother and father, and then disappear as they used a portkey to get home.

Finally, Harry turned back around. Dumbledore was approaching. Harry went to the headmaster.

"So, another year ends on a sorrowful note," Dumbledore said quietly. "I can't remember the last time I had a happy summer."

Harry smiled slightly. "So…how will I be getting back to Little Whinging?" Harry said.

"Oh, I think you should be fine apparating back," he said. "I just got these papers from the Ministry…it seems like they think you're a very able wizard, and despite your age they are perfectly willing to allow you to use magic outside of school…as long as it doesn't violate standard wizard code, of course."

Harry took the papers and looked up at Dumbledore. "No apparating test?" he asked.

"No, unfortunately," he said. "But…well, I do have one request."

"What?" Harry asked.

"Sabrina had asked that you spend a part of the summer with her," Dumbledore said, "and I noted that, since Quidditch games begin in mid-June, and since she is a decidedly light load, perhaps the two of you could travel together?" Dumbledore sighed when he saw the look on Harry's face. "She isn't a bad person, Harry. She is just…mistrustful. She is your godmother, and more like you than you think. It would be a good time for you to get to know her."

Harry was quiet for a moment before he finally nodded.

Then, he turned away, ready to apparate out.

"Just one more thing before you go…" said Dumbledore suddenly.

"Yes?" He turned.

Dumbledore nodded. "I hear England's got a good shot at the World Cup this year. I've already bought tickets for the match…don't let me down."

Harry, despite himself, smiled. Then he focused on apparition, imagining the reactions his aunt and uncle were going to have when he cracked his way into the living room.

It was going to be a short, but very amusing, period of time to live with the Dursleys.

Author's Note: All right! That's it! Thanks to all of you who put up with me while I wrote this! I'm going to do a sequel to it, which will be posted as PART TWO in this same story. So…I hope you enjoyed this story! Au revoir, and see you with Year Seven of the Harry Potter series!