Standard Disclaimer: In the event that anyone out there is foolish enough to think that JK Rowling would be giving away her stories. STOP RIGHT THERE! You are under a confusion spell and need someone to dispel it! We own nothing.


Harry Potter and the Spiritus Crystalus
Chapter 15


Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…

Ron slumped wearily against the wall. Bill was holding a sobbing Ginny. Hermione sat down heavily, her injured leg stretched out in front of her. With the death of Voldemort, his forces suffered massive injuries as each Dark Mark caught fire and burned. In many cases, Death Eaters died as their robes caught on fire. A few survived, having been able to put out the flames in time.

Even now, Ministry Defense Forces were fanning out in front of the gates, collecting wands, weapons and other objects. Little was being done to comfort the injured Death Eaters. Mostly, those few that had survived were bound and left there for Ministry Aurors to collect.

Ron watched Jack Parsons trudge over. He had a nasty cut on his forehead and it looked like his closely cropped hair had been singed away in places.

"Ron," he said tiredly. "We're all done here today. See to the wounded and get everyone else into a bed for some well-earned rest. Damn, I thought we were going to get reamed royally when that second wave showed up." He pulled a flask out of his pocket and took a swig. Looking at Ron, he held out the flask.

Ron took a swallow from the flask and his eyes crossed for a moment. He shook his head as the fog and fatigue cleared from his brain. "Merlin! What was that?" he asked, returning the flask.

"Kentucky Bourbon mixed with an energy potion that Professor Snape and I whipped up." Jack replied with a chuckle.

Ron grinned, thinking that he'd have to get the recipe. Straightening up, he looked around.

"Medic Detail!" he shouted. "Collect the wounded. Everyone else, STAND DOWN!"

Ron waited until the medical detail started moving before going to check on Hermione. He noted that Bill and Arthur were taking Ginny back to the castle. "Hermione, can you walk?" he asked, eying her injured leg with concern.

"I'm not sure, Ron. Help me up and we'll see," she said wearily.

Hermione stood with Ron's help. When he let go of her, she started to topple over. He quickly scooped her up into his arms.

"Ron! You can't carry me," she protested.

Ron gave her a stern look. "'Mione, shut up. I'm going to carry you and that's final."

Hermione looked at Ron, surprised. She then wrapped her arms around his neck as he took her down the steps from the battlements, a small smile on her face despite her wound.

On top the battlements the sudden pops of apparating people caused people to tense and point their wands outwards again.

"Settle down people," Jack called loudly. "It's only the Ministry Aurors coming in for clean up detail."


Ministry of Magic, Death Chamber…

Dumbledore felt Harry's wrist, then at his neck.

"Amelia," breathed Dumbledore. "He's still alive somehow. Get to St. Mungos and bring all the help they can spare. We may still be able to save him. Come to Hogwarts with them."

Picking up the sword, he laid it across Harry's chest and pulled out his wand. "Portus," he mumbled, and then he touched the sword and tapped it with his wand. The two vanished from sight as Amelia sprinted from the Death Chamber towards the Ministry apparation point.


Hogwarts Infirmary…

Poppy Pomfrey gasped as Dumbledore appeared in the center aisle of the infirmary with Harry. She rushed over to check him.

"BASIL," she yelled as she levitated Harry's limp form and guided him into one of the private rooms set aside for the seriously injured. Placing him on a bed, she turned and pushed Dumbledore from the room.

Basil Askerton was walking towards Madam Pomfrey when he noted more people from St. Mungos portkeying in. He quickly grabbed a medi-witch and dragged her along with him. The door to the private room slammed shut, leaving Dumbledore standing outside, holding the sword of Gryffindor. The sword grew progressively hotter in his hand.

Dumbledore was finally forced to release the sword and levitate it. He stood for a few more moments staring at the closed door before trudging out of the infirmary with the sword silently following him. Even though they had won the battle and the war, he felt as if they had somehow lost.

Amelia met him just outside the infirmary doors. "Albus, how is he?" she asked worriedly.

"I do not know, Amelia. He is gravely injured, can they save him? I do not know, we can only hope and pray, I fear."

She searched his face for any signs of hope before acknowledging his comments. "I've sent word out that Voldemort's been killed. Aurors are coming in to remove the bodies for identification and to pick up any Death Eater survivors. They'll also keep any press out of the castle for a few days. We'll have to speak to them eventually, though. In the meantime, word has been sent out for help, and healers are coming to Hogwarts from all over the country."

Dumbledore nodded mutely. He felt so tired. Never had he felt as old as he did right now. "If you'll excuse me, Amelia, I need to put the sword in a safe place, then I must see to my students. There are many parents who need to be told that their child has been injured or killed in the battle. It is my burden as Headmaster to tell them," he said heavily.

Amelia's eyes grew wet with tears. "No, Albus. Put the sword away, then we'll both share that burden," she said gently.


On the Approach Road to Hogwarts…

Alastor Moody, Jack Parsons, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Hestia Jones trudged up the road from the castle. Their progress was slow as they picked their way over and around the bodies. Craters from cannon fire and spells made the ground uneven and rough.

Soon they reach the place where Harry and Voldemort had fought. They stood over the burned and desiccated body for a while, saying nothing. The corpse was a shallow echo of its former self. The place where the sword entered the chest was clearly visible. Hestia pulled out a camera and began taking pictures. The photos would later serve as part of the evidence.

Kingsley motioned several nearby Aurors to bag the body so it could be moved to the Department of Mysteries. Once there, experts would destroy the remains after they had identified the body.

Jack turned and looked back at the castle where injured and dead were still being moved off the battlements. Hestia stepped over to him and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. Jack murmured something Hestia could barely make out as a tear ran down his cheek.

"Breathe not a whisper here;
The place where thou dost stand is hallowed ground;
In silence gather near this upheaved mound -
Around the soldier's bier.

Here Liberty may weep,
And Freedom pause in her unchecked career,
To pay the sacred tribute of a tear
O'er the pale warrior's sleep."

Moody glanced up at Jack curiously.

"It's part of a poem called a Soldier's Grave. It was written during the American Civil War by an unknown author for his fallen comrades," he replied, unashamed of his tears.

Hestia wrapped an arm around his waist as they started back to the castle where the healing could begin. Behind them, Aurors portkeyed to the Ministry, taking the body of Voldemort with them.


The Great Hall…

If the infirmary was quiet, then the Great Hall was a cacophony of noise. The moans of the wounded, the occasional scream and the sound of weeping people echoed around the large room.

Dumbledore and Amelia Bones paused in the entrance to the hall and both scanned the rows of beds in the makeshift hospital. Against one wall, rows of covered bodies lay stacked two deep.

Near one end of the hall he spotted the Weasley family clustered around three beds. Fred lay in one, his arm wrapped in bandages. In the middle, lay Hermione. Percy was in the last bed. Arthur was holding Ginny in his arms while Molly fussed over Fred and Hermione. One of the St. Mungos healers was attending to Percy.

Dumbledore sighed heavily and approached them while Amelia walked among the other beds, offering words of comfort and thanks. Molly saw him approach and her face paled at his grave expression. Ron, sitting next to Hermione, let her clutch his arm. Bill and Charlie stood with their father and sister, waiting to hear what Dumbledore had to say.

Trying to put off the inevitable, Dumbledore nodded to Fred and Hermione. "They're fine, Albus. And Percy will recover," said Molly tensely.

"Excellent, Molly. I am pleased to hear that," he said, clearly stalling.

Ginny broke free from her father and rounded on Dumbledore. "DAMN YOU, OLD MAN! JUST TELL ME. HE'S DEAD, ISN'T HE?"

Dumbledore looked at the small woman and a tear rolled down his cheek. He tried to put a hand on her shoulder, but she flinched away from his touch and stood her ground.

"Ginevra, you need to be very strong now. Harry is upstairs in a private room in the infirmary. He's been very badly injured and, to be truthful, I do not know if they can save him. Even if they can, I think he may not come out of this fight unchanged."

Hope suddenly sprang into her eyes. "Alive?" she whispered fearfully. She looked up at her mother, whose expression echoed her own. Hermione leaned against, Ron weeping on his shoulder.

"Ginny," Dumbledore began gently. "I do not know the full extent of his injuries. He may not survive. But keep your hope. Hope is all we have at this point. I shall send word to Madam Pomfrey to inform you if and when she knows what his condition is."

Ginny wrapped her arms around herself and nodded. Arthur stood and embraced her, trying to lend the young woman his strength.


Hogwarts Infirmary Private room…

Poppy and Basil both sank tiredly into chairs. It had been far too close for either of them. Both healers had nearly exhausted their own magical reserves trying to stabilize Harry. In the end, it had taken the combined efforts of six healers to do so.

The turning point had come with the appearance of Fawkes and two other Phoenixes. They had landed on the footboard and spent hours crooning to Harry and the healers. They lent their magic to the healer's spells and strength to Harry. He wasn't out of the woods, but he wasn't in danger of imminent death either.

Madam Pomfrey knew she was close to collapse, but she had other charges to see to. She took a half dose of a pepper-up potion to give her a little more energy. She wasn't going to do any more healing, but she did intend to check on people.

Blaise Zabini had been moved up from the Great Hall. His injury was too severe to risk a trip to St. Mungo's.

Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape also occupied beds in the infirmary. Minerva's injuries weren't serious, but the Defense Professor was a mess. Though his injuries looked frightful, he would survive. Serena was tending his wounds.

Seeing a strange light near the closed infirmary doors, Poppy went to investigate. Opening them, she was surprised to find Hermione Granger and nearly all of the Weasley family camped out in sleeping bags. She was about to berate the entire family when Ginny shot to a seated position and looked at her with an expression of fear.

"Madam Pomfrey… how is he?" she blurted out. Her voice wasn't loud, but none of the people were really sleeping anyway. Every one of them sat up and looked at her.

Molly conjured a chair for Poppy to sit on. Poppy sent her a grateful glance before sitting down heavily. "He's alive Ginny, although only Merlin knows how. By the time the Headmaster brought him in, he had very nearly bled out. We've gotten him past the immediate crisis, but there may be others. Right now, he's totally exhausted his magical reserves and is in a coma. I have no idea when he'll awaken from it."

Ginny's face crumpled and she turned to her mother. Molly took her daughter's hand, and then turned to the medi-witch. "How badly was he injured, Poppy?" she asked in a low tone.

Poppy sighed. "He's been badly burned on his left side. He has a classic flailed chest and most of his ribs are broken. He was hit with a cutting hex from the top of his shoulder to his hip. There's evidence of no less than fourteen near misses with the killing curse, and the bones in his left hand have been crushed. Those were the major injuries. I couldn't say how many minor cuts and bruises he has, not to mention broken bone other than his ribs and hand."

Ginny flinched with each injury Pomfrey listed and she wondered how he had survived this long.

"The real problem is his magical reserves. With the reserves so dangerously low, we're forced to wait until they recover before we can really begin healing him. We exhausted six healers lending him energy, and we have three phoenixes singing to him, keeping up what little strength he has," she finished wearily.

"When will I be able to see him?" Ginny asked.

Poppy frowned for a bit. "I know you want to see him child, but give us a day or two. He's not out of the woods yet, and he's so badly bruised you'd barely recognize him," she concluded. She didn't voice her real reasons to Ginny. Harry was still in critical condition and she did not want Ginny to see him in this condition, should he not make it. Let her have her memory of him as he was, she thought.


Voldemort's Lair, Wales…

Wormtail staggered into the building, his arm badly burned. He'd been in Hogsmeade rounding up stragglers when Harry dueled Voldemort. There'd been just enough distance between him and the battle to give him a fighting chance of surviving and escaping. Now he was back in the lair.

The building was empty, but that wouldn't last long. When Voldemort died, so had the Fidelius charm used on it. Even now, the wards were disintegrating, causing the building to tremble violently. Soon, Ministry personnel would find the building and start ransacking it.

Wormtail made his way painfully to Voldemort's potion storage lockers. Taking a bag from one locker, he opened the others and filled the bag with potions. He then shuffled off to the treasury room.

Gathering up as many galleons as he could, he shoved them into the bag. The burn and the loss of his silver hand hindered his process, but he managed. The hand had been an enchantment from his Master. With Voldemort dead, it had fallen off, useless.

He was a driven man now, hunted and on the run. His plans were in ruin. He must have time to recover and escape!


Wizarding England, April Eighth…

By six the next morning, the news was spreading like an out of control forest fire. The Daily Prophet and the Quibbler both ran special editions.

HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED DEAD!
TITANIC BATTLE AT HOGWARTS
THE BOY-WHO-LIVED SAVES US ALL!

Yesterday, a battle ensued at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry between Ministry, Goblin and Hogwarts forces and those of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Amelia Bones, Minister of Magic, has confirmed that, as a result of the battle, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was killed. His body has been recovered and positively identified by Unspeakables from the Department of Mysteries.

Minister Bones is quoted as saying, "I am pleased to announce the death of Voldemort. I know the country, indeed, the whole world, can breathe a sigh of relief tonight. But our victory was not without great cost. Our hearts and our prayers go out to those families who are suffering the loss of a loved one. We also wish a speedy recovery to all those who suffered injuries."

During the battle, the town of Hogsmeade was burned to the ground. Hogsmeade, population 1507, had been evacuated by Ministry Aurors earlier in the day. Following the attack on Hogsmeade, nearly three thousand Death Eaters, mostly foreigners, attacked Hogwarts. The school was defended by forces trained by Harry Potter and diverse others. During the course of the battle, Ronald Weasley led the gallant Phoenix Brigade, a group of highly trained and specialized fighters taken from the student population, and with the aid of Ministry Defense Forces and fighters from the Goblin Nation, they held against overwhelming odds.

The climax of the battle came when Harry Potter dueled He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in a one on one battle while those on the field watched. Potter, age 17, was seriously injured in the duel, but he managed to kill He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Ministry sources are confirming that more than one hundred people died defending the castle and almost two hundred others have been injured.

Minister Bones is quoted as saying that, "We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to the heroes of the light who fought to defend the castle, including the Goblins who so graciously came to our aid as well as the students and even the house elves who helped with the wounded. As to Mister Potter, words cannot express the debt that all of the Wizarding world owes this young man. We can only hope for his speedy recover from his injuries."

For interviews from the defenders, see page 2.
List of the dead and injured, see page 2.
Ronald Weasley, Red Headed Heart Throb or Military Genius? see page 3.
Harry Potter knocks Gilderoy Lockehart off Teen Witch Weekly bachelor list, see page 3.
A brief history of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, see page 4,5,6

In Wizarding taverns and towns all over England, celebrations broke out. There was a spontaneous parade in Diagon Alley. As word spread to other countries, messages of congratulations flooded the Ministry. The Wizarding world breathed a collective sigh of relief and toasts were made world wide to the Boy-Who-Lived.

Meanwhile, the cleanup continued at Hogwarts. Magical construction crews had been called in to dig a mass grave for the Death Eaters and the bodies were laid out and buried, unceremoniously. Few people wanted or cared to spend any time mourning their loss.

It was a sad and much more solemn story as the bodies of the defenders were identified and returned to their family's for burial. For the few who called Hogwarts home, plans were set in motion to lay them to rest in the northern courtyard, near the tunnel to Honeydukes.

Other crews were brought in to help with repairs to the castle. The first through third years were due back in eleven days and Headmaster Dumbledore decided that, for now at least, all classes would be suspended until the younger students arrived and the castle made safe.

The Ministry helped by sending Mind Healers. Between mourning for fallen friends, the post-traumatic stress and anxiety induced by the battle, the student population was very much in need of help.

Ministry Defense Forces started leaving the castle. Of the six companies brought in by the Ministry, only two companies remained behind to help with the clean up. The big surprise was the Goblin Brigade. Once the battle was over, their axes were put away and they started working on repairs to the castle stonework. The Astronomy tower had been toppled by a hit that landed roughly at its mid point. The Goblins started moving the stones, which made up the tower, into neat piles at its base in preparation for its reconstruction.


Hogwarts, evening time…

Ginny Weasley trudged back to the common room. Madam Pomfrey had refused to allow her to see Harry once again. She was shocked and furious to find that a party had broken out among the people staying in the common room. When George, Ron and Hermione came over to offer her a drink, she tore into them for partying when so many were dead, and many other friends still lay in the infirmary. Then she stormed out, leaving them with shocked expressions.

For a long time she walked the corridors of Hogwarts, aimlessly. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a voice behind her.

"Ah, Ginevra. I see you, too, are hiding from the celebrations. May I join you on your walk?" asked Dumbledore.

Ginny nodded in acceptance. The truth was, she could use some company. Without Harry, she felt lost and incomplete. Madam Pomfrey had not given her an update on his condition since last night.

They walked for a bit before Dumbledore began to speak. "During the first war, when James and Lily were killed and Voldemort defeated, there were celebrations everywhere. Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, after taking an infant boy to a home where we hoped he'd grow up loved and safe, spent our time in my office, weeping for our lost friends. All around us, the rest of the Wizarding world, including your own family, celebrated the fact that the Dark Lord had been defeated.

"Few cared that an infant boy was made an orphan, and fewer still cared that many people were dead. They just knew that their lives were once again safe. Oft times, a victory is bought at a terrible price, Ginevra. Your family celebrates the victory and, for a brief moment, forgets the cost. It's part of the healing process, to put our past behind us. Your family is almost as worried about Harry as you are. But they celebrate the freedom that Harry has given them. Do not be too harsh with them."

As they walked, Dumbledore deftly steered her towards the infirmary without her even realizing it.

"I think I understand, Headmaster," she replied. "I guess I'm just not in a mood for celebrating right now."

"No Ginevra, nor am I. But we cannot deny that right to others. Your time for celebrating will come soon enough. And I daresay that, when it does, it will be extra special for you," he said, opening the door to the infirmary and waiting for her to enter.

Startled, she looked perplexed for a moment. "But Headmaster, Madam Pomfrey…"

"Has decided it's time for you to see your fiancé, Miss Weasley," he finished with a smile. "Mind you," he continued sternly, "Harry is still incredibly weak and in a coma, but his magical reserves are coming back at an unprecedented rate. So much so that the healers have been able to start resorting to more magical healing methods. He is not yet awake, and no one knows when that will happen. Madam Pomfrey feels he is finally out of danger," he said as he led her to the private room in which Harry lay.

Ginny stopped when she saw Harry on the bed, face down and naked, except for a sheet covering him. One leg was heavily bandaged, as well as most of his torso. Running the length of his back, a nasty scar showed where a cutting hex had caused massive damage to his flesh.

Walking closer to the bed, she bent down to examine his face. Bushing the hair away from his eyes, she frowned at the mass of bruises she found.

Fawkes and another Phoenix were perched on the footboard of the bed, watching Harry intently.

"Oh Harry, love. What have you done to yourself?" she whispered.

Ginny looked up as Madam Pomfrey came in. Poppy stopped for a moment and, looking at the girl, her gaze softened. "I expected you a bit earlier than this Miss Weasley, but no matter. I assume you wish to help care for him?" she asked, her usual gruff manner missing.

Ginny nodded eagerly with a hopeful smile.


Severus and Serena (April Ninth)…

Serena sat next to her husband, watching the healer check him over. He had taken a lot of fragments in his back from an explosion. His wounds hadn't been immediately life threatening, but they'd been severe.

He blinked his eyes slowly and tried to look around. With a frown, he realized he was on his stomach. He hated sleeping on his stomach. Irritable, he tried to roll over on his back but a pair of hands stopped him.

"Don't move, Severus. You hurt your back and need to stay on your stomach for a while longer," said a familiar voice.

"Serena? Blast it woman, you know I hate being on my stomach. At least come over to this side of the bed so I can see you."

When she'd done as he asked, he was surprised to see that her eyes were red and she'd obviously been crying. "Serena? What's wrong?" he asked, suddenly concerned. His wife never cried!

"Damn you, you slimy snake! How dare you get yourself injured like that?" she cried.

He scowled. "I didn't do it in purpose, for Merlin's sake!" When her eyes filled with tears, he sighed heavily. "Easy, Serena. I'm still alive and I'm not going anywhere," he said, trying to reach out to her.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly, still crying. "You better not leave us Severus, or I'll hex you into next week!"

Severus' eyes bulged when he heard his wife's choice of wording.

"US?" he asked with a gasp. "You're not…"

She nodded, smiling at him. "Remember when Hagrid was shaking the apartment and we took advantage of the bed vibrating? Well, we both forgot the charm and …" Her words trailed off and her eyes started to twinkle.

Severus' mind was whirling and he tried to form a reply. Fortunately for him, another voice cut into the conversation.

"Ah Severus, I see Serena has finally gotten around to telling you the good news," said Dumbledore with a twinkle.

"You told the headmaster before telling me?" he asked her with a growl.

"Now Severus, do not blame Serena. Besides, it was Molly Weasley who figured it out after the battle and Madam Pomfrey confirmed it. We didn't hide the fact. It seemed best to let the news get out. So many people needed to hear good news right now."

Severus tried to heave himself out of bed, but fell back, gasping in pain. "The battle!" he said. "What happened? Harry?"

Dumbledore helped Serena get Severus more comfortable on the bed before replying. "We won, my boy. It was close and costly, but we won. As to Harry," Dumbledore sighed heavily. "He was badly injured and lies in a coma. We all hope he will wake soon, but there is no telling."

Severus relaxed against the pillow and closed his eyes for a brief moment in thanks.

"I will leave you to your rest, Severus. I have no doubt you will be up and about in no time," said Dumbledore before walking off.

Serena pulled a potion off the nightstand. "Madam Pomfrey says that if you drink this nice potion she may release you tomorrow morning. It will help you sleep."

As she helped him drink the potion, he realized she was treating him like a baby and started to get annoyed. Then he remembered. A baby. She was pregnant and they were going to have a child! As his eyelids grew heavy, he growled at her. "We will discuss this tomorrow, wife."

"Yes dear," she replied with a smirk.


Blaise, Susan and Amelia (April Tenth)…

Amelia Bones watched her niece from the doorway of the infirmary. Blaise had been badly injured during the battle. Although the healers had gotten to him in time, an infection had set in and his body had raged with fever for several days.

Susan got up and dipped a cloth in a nearby basin. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she wrung out the cloth and placed it on Blaise's forehead. Once done, she took his hand in hers and held it tightly.

Amelia walked over to the bed and laid a hand on her niece's shoulder. "You love him, don't you Suse?" she asked softly.

Susan didn't look away from Blaise, but she nodded. "He asked me to marry him after we graduate, Aunt Amelia. I didn't give him an answer. Instead, I asked for some time to think about it. Now I wish he would wake up so I could tell him."

Amelia was struck by the fact that Susan now looked and acted so much like her sister when she was younger. Her niece had grown into a fine young woman, one who was in love. From what she had learned, Blaise had a squad of Phoenix Brigade guarding the exit from the Honeydukes tunnel and a force of more than thirty Death Eaters had overwhelmed them.

During the battle, both of Blaise's legs had been seriously injured when he had collapsed the tunnel on the Death Eaters. Only a few of the Death Eaters made it into the castle.

"Suse," she said gently. "I'm sure Blaise knows how you feel about him. He's alive and you'll be able to tell him how you feel when he's better."

"Tell me what?" mumbled a barely awake Blaise Zabini. Susan gasped and started to cry, holding Blaise's hand to her cheek. Amelia smiled softly at the young man who had won the heart of her niece and decided she had better get to know him.

Three beds over, another reunion was occurring as Neville wept with joy and Luna held him tightly to her breast. Like Blaise, she had been badly injured, but was on the mend.


The old man…

Everywhere he looked, it was the same soft white. Up, down, right, left, forward, backward. He didn't know where he was, or where he was supposed to go. Every so often he would catch flashes of people and places, images of a dark cupboard with only a crib mattress in it, a fat man wielding a belt, a young woman with red hair, a ramshackle, leaning house, a castle, a tall, gangly redheaded man, and a bushy brown haired woman. He couldn't make any sense of them. He didn't recognize the people or the places.

He drifted in the strange white nothingness, asking himself simple questions. "Where am I?", "Who am I?", questions for which he had no answers.

Every so often the whiteness would swirl and seem to clear, then he'd shudder as strange sensations washed over him, or he'd hear voices.

"Harry dear, you've got to come back to us…"

"OY Mate! Madam Pomfrey says you can hear us…"

"My love, you'd better come back to me. I can't live without you…"

Some of the voices and sensations filled him with a sense of longing and loss, others he'd shudder back from and want to escape. The words themselves had little meaning to him.

After what seemed an eternity, the whiteness started to fade away and he found himself standing in a glade near a small pond. Across the pond, a clearing and a small straw thatched cottage appeared. In the distance, he could hear the tolling of a single bell, its song so pure and so perfect it made his heart soar. Making his way to the cottage, he stepped up to the door and knocked.

"Come in, my boy! Come in," said a voice from within.

He stepped into the dim interior uncertainly and looked around in confusion. Sitting at a table was a kindly looking old man whose infectious grin seemed to light up the room.

He stepped in carefully and walked over to the table. The old man motioned to a chair and he sat down, still looking around in confusion. The old man eyed him for a moment.

"What's the matter, boy? Confused? Lost, are you?" he asked. "That will never do, my boy. No, not at all!" Then the old man reached across the table and grasped Harry's hands in his.


Hogwarts Infirmary Private Room (April Fifteenth)…

Poppy, Molly and Ginny had just finished changing the dressings on Harry's burns. His back was nearly healed. His ribs were one of the first things they healed once his magical reserves had built up high enough. His wounded back was healed well enough that they were able to put him on his back instead of his stomach. Unfortunately, he would always carry the scar. The only two problems really concerning them where the severe burns and the coma.

His burns had proven to be especially difficult to heal. The effect of the flame curse, and whatever had followed it, had caused the skin to crisp and it was slowing the healing process. Poppy was confident that the burns would heal, but they would continue to cause him pain for quite some time to come. His leg was healing fine, but his shoulder was proving slow to heal.

Poppy watched in guarded amusement as Ginny sounded out her mother on the possibilities of getting married this summer. Molly wasn't against the idea, but as she reminded her daughter, Harry had to recover first. Molly finally agreed that she would broach the subject with her father, which was far more than Ginny expected to hear.

Molly wasn't happy, but Ginny could be as stubborn as she was and she had already pulled out her trump card. Informing her parent that, once she turned seventeen this summer, she didn't need permission from them, her mother threw up her hands in surrender.

As the three women sat, talking quietly, Ginny reached down every so often to caress Harry's cheek. It had been ten days so far and he had shown no signs of coming out of his coma. Ginny hadn't given up hope, but the others were beginning to lose heart. Ginny turned her attention back to Poppy and what she was saying.

"… I think we can remove most of the dressings for the burns tomorrow. But his shoulder hasn't been responding as well as the rest of his body. We'll have to keep the dressing there for..." She trailed off in shock as Harry broke out in a nimbus of light.

The two phoenixes sprang aloft and started to croon joyously.


Harry…

Harry gasped as his identity, his very being, flowed back into him as the old man held his hands. Finally, the old man sat back, looking immensely pleased with him self.

"There, that's better! I hate trying to talk to someone who doesn't know what I'm saying. You with me now, Harry?" he asked with a smile.

"Y-Y-Yes sir. But… am I dead?" asked Harry.

The old man leaning back in his chair and laughed at Harry's question. Harry couldn't help but grin at the old man's reaction.

"Dead? No Harry, you're not dead. You came mighty close for to it, and in doing so you lost a part of yourself for a while, but you're not dead. Not dead at all! By all the Gods, great and small, I'm proud of you, my boy! So very proud! Now, I'm sure you have some questions for me, and since we have some time still, go ahead and ask."

Harry nodded and thought for a moment. "Please sir, who are you?"

"Names again, Harry? I would have thought we'd gotten beyond that point the last time we met. Ah well, perhaps its time to reveal a little of my tale.

"My name is so old, no record of it exists in your time. It didn't even exist five thousand years ago. But for our purposes, you may know me as the First Wizard. I am the first human to ever conquer magic. A long time ago, when the worlds was still young, man could not touch the magic around them. Then I was born. Human, like those around me, but with an ability to wield magic, like you.

"During my youth and my middle years, I abused my powers and privileges. People thought I was a God and treated me like one. I sired the race of wizards off many women. And I taught magic to many of my children. As I got older however, I realized I was abusing my power and was being cruel to the non-magical humans. By the time I understood my mistake it was too late. When I realized I was dying, I created this place to spend my time watching over and trying to guide the Wizarding world back to the correct path.

"From this place, I found could nudge people, sometimes directly, but usually indirectly. I remember this one young upstart named Merlin…ah but that's a story for another time. You see, Harry, your task isn't complete. Yes, it was your task to kill Voldemort, but that isn't your assigned life's work.

"The real work is just about to begin. You've been given great power Harry, and it will continue to grow, perhaps to a point greater than mine. Your task is to use that power to bring our world and the muggle world closer together, peacefully."

Harry sat back in his chair, stunned. The old man looked at him and grinned. "And here you probably thought I was going to send you after another Dark Lord, eh Harry?"

Harry scowled. "If so, you can bloody well take the power back. My Dark Lord slaying days are over, Sir," he replied, somewhat grumpily.

The old man laughed, rocking in his chair and slapping his knee.

Then the old man turned serious. "Harry, the root of Wizarding evil against Muggles and Half Bloods lies not in greed, or in lust for power. It lies in thinking that we're better than them, that we're somehow special. Yes, there will be future Dark Lords and evil will once again cover the land. You can never stamp it out entirely. But you can make it a lot harder if you teach people to respect one another."

The bell in the distance suddenly grew louder and the light flared brightly. "We may or may not meet again, my boy, but I have chosen well in you," the old man said as he faded from view in the glaring whiteness.


Hogwarts Infirmary Private Room…

Ginny gasped in surprised as the hand she was holding squeezed hers slightly. She leaned over Harry and searched his face carefully.

"Harry," she said softly. "Come on love, open your eyes for me, please."

Harry cracked one eyelid open slightly. He tried to speak but his throat was parched. It was all he could do to make a croaking sound.

Ginny lifted his head and Molly placed a cup of water to his lips, letting him drink. Madam Pomfrey bolted from the room to get Healer Askerton while Ginny lowered his head back to the pillow.

Harry blinked a few times. "Gin?" he asked weakly.

She sat on the edge of his bed. "Shhh… I'm here, Harry. So is Mum. How do you feel?" she asked gently, tears streaming down her face.

"Hurts real bad… tired…What happened?" he asked in a pained whisper.

She brushed the hair from his brow with a gentle hand. "You won, my love. Now all you need to worry about is getting better," she said as Poppy and Healer Askerton rushed back into the room.

Molly moved out of the way so they could work. She sat on a chair near the door and wept softly while the two healers began running a series of diagnostic spells.

"He says he's in a lot of pain and very tired," Ginny said to the two healers, the relief clear in her voice.

Poppy handed her a potion for his pain while they continued to run diagnostics on him. Ginny helped Harry drink the potion just before he slumped back in the bed, nearly asleep.


Hogwarts (April Seventeenth)…

News that Harry had awoken from his coma very nearly caused a stampede to the infirmary and it took Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore to restore order. It was decided to limit his visitors to family and special guests only until he had recovered sufficient strength. Only Ginny, Molly and the two phoenixes were in constant attendance.

Madam Pomfrey allowed Harry three sets of visitors a day, after each meal. If they were first time visitors, they received a lecture from Poppy before they entered his room.

At noon, Poppy was talking to Remus and Tonks about Harry's condition. Molly had taken Jason off their hands for the time being and was walking him around the school.

"I want to be clear on a few things before you go in," started Poppy sternly. "Do not talk about the battle or the losses. He's not strong enough now. Keep your conversation light. If he dozes off, the visit is over. He's very weak and I wouldn't be letting anyone in to see him except that both the Minister and Dumbledore are insisting. Rumors that he died in the battle are spreading and we need to put a stop to them."

Cowed by Poppy's stern tone, Remus and Tonks nodded fearfully and entered the room. Harry lay on the bed and Ginny was trying to get him to take another spoonful of soup. He had been propped up by a couple of pillows, as no one would allow him to sit up yet.

Remus and Tonks move carefully into the room and smiling at Harry. His eyes lit up seeing them both.

"Hey there, Cub. I'm glad to see you're doing better," Remus said, taking the seat next to the bed. Tonks smiled through her tears. She sat carefully on the edge of the bed and held his hand.

When Harry opened his mouth to speak, Ginny put the last spoonful of soup into his mouth. He glared at her. She ignored him. Turning back to Remus and Tonks, he smiled weakly.

"Wotcher Harry, you're looking right dishy today," Tonks quipped.

Harry chuckled feebly. "Codswallop, Tonks. No one will give me a mirror, but I suspect I look like I've been trampled by a stampede of Chinese Fireball dragons."

Remus glanced at the two phoenixes. He knew Fawkes on sight, but the smaller bird was unknown to him.

"Harry, what's with the phoenixes? Are they helping the healers?" he asked.

"I think so, Remus. Fawkes and the other one have been lending their magic to strengthen the healers in their tasks. I know why Fawkes is here, but I'm not sure about the other one."

"Have you tried asking them?" Tonks asked curiously, eyeing the two red and gold birds.

"Tonks! He's not allowed to do any magic yet," insisted Ginny firmly. "He's not strong enough."

Actually Fledgling, all you had to do is ask, sent Fawkes. You are strong enough for us to talk.

Harry blinked for a moment. "Um… Gin? Fawkes seems to disagree with you and Madam Pomfrey," he said. "Fawkes, who is your companion?" he asked the bird aloud, so the others could hear at least one part of the conversation.

Her name is Arella, Fledgling. She is to be your life companion, as I am to Albus, came the surprising reply.

"Oh Merlin," Harry moaned. Ginny rushed over to his side, looking at him carefully.

"Harry, are you in pain? Do you need a potion?" she asked worriedly.

"No Gin, just a minor complication. I want you to meet Arella, my life companion. Arella, meet Ginny, my other life companion," he said with a bit of a smile. Ginny glanced at the small phoenix in surprise as Arella launched herself into the air and came to land on Ginny shoulder.

"I think you two girls should get to know each other," murmured Harry as he started to drift off again. "We're going to be together a long time." And with that, he fell asleep, never noticing Arella nuzzling Ginny, or Remus and Tonks smiling broadly at the two of them.

Later that evening, Ginny had propped Harry up for his dinner. So far, they had kept him on liquids and soft foods. Tonight's dinner was a stew with some fresh bread. He had finally convinced Ginny that he could feed himself, although the motions exhausted him. Ginny sat quietly by his bed watching him eat. They both looked up when the door opened to admit Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore.

He tried to straighten himself in the bed, but Ginny stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder. Hermione walked over to Harry and kissed him on the forehead before taking the other chair. Dumbledore conjured two more chairs for himself and Ron to sit on.

"Harry," began Dumbledore. "Classes will resume when the younger grades return to school in a few days. I've spoken to your teachers, or I should say, they are threatening me with bodily harm if I don't reinstate you to your classes. I've asked Miss Granger here to bring you your assignments. Depending on how you feel, you may even be able to take your NEWTS with the rest of your class.

"Madam Pomfrey informs me that you're making good progress. If you do what she tells you, she may consider releasing you in a week. If not, she says you may end up spending all of this month in the infirmary," he finished with a twinkle in his eye.

"Then I guess I better do what I'm told," Harry murmured. "Merlin knows I like Madam Pomfrey, but I'm really tired of the infirmary.

"Sir, no one has told me… Who? How many did we lose? They won't even show me a newspaper," he said quietly. Everyone in the room flinched slightly.

Dumbledore lost the twinkle in his eyes and looked at Harry for a long moment "We lost many," he said softly with a pain filled voice. "Thirty eight from your Phoenix Brigade, another forty from the Ministry, teachers, student volunteers, Hogsmeade people, nearly one hundred in all…"

Harry looked at Ron, scowling. "Who, Ron?" he asked in a hard tone.

"Professor Flitwick in the courtyard and Professor Trelawney when the Divination Tower collapsed. Colin Creevey, Hannah Abbott, Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Lavender Brown, Ernie Macmillan from our group. Wan Chang died saving Serena Snape…"

As Ron rattled off the list of names, Harry's expression changed. Each name was like a knife blade to the heart. Finally, unable to take it anymore, he waved Ron to silence as tears started to slide down his cheeks.

"So many…," he choked out. Ginny grabbed his head with both hands and stared into his eyes. She could see the pain and despair in their emerald depths. "Love, look at me. You have to fight this. You can't let it drag you down, not in your condition. This was not your fault," she said fiercely. "Voldemort and his Death Eaters did this, not you. They're dead now. They'll never be able to harm another living being."

He reached out to her as he had done so many times in the past. Ginny held him carefully, avoiding his bandages as he cried on her shoulder. Hermione joined him in the hug. Drawing strength from the people who loved him, he hammered at the depression that threatened to overwhelm him, beating it back.

Madam Pomfrey stuck her head in the door and took in the scene. Frowning, she vanished for a moment, and then came back in with a calming draught, which she handed to Ginny. Between the two of them, they were able to get Harry to drink the potion.

"I'm sorry we upset you Harry, but it had to be said. There are people, important people that need to see you soon. The Minister, Ragnot from Gringots, and even the press, though we can hold them off for a while. I have told the press that, instead of an interview, you would simply release a statement and let them take a few photos. A rumor has been started that you were killed in the battle and, as much as you hate the attention, it would be best to get it over with early, rather than to put it off. You know as well as I do that the media will hound you and analyze your every move if you don't give them something," Dumbledore said.

Relaxing in Ginny's embrace as the calming draught took effect, Harry looked up, puzzled, at Dumbledore. "A statement, Sir? What kind of statement?" he asked.

"Just a brief statement saying that you are all right, and something brief about the fight that took place, Harry. And please, call me Albus. While you might be a student here for a few months longer, you ceased being a student in my eye a long time ago," came the reply

Mutely, he nodded at his Headmaster, his mind wondering about how to write a statement. Maybe Hermione would help him? He glanced at Hermione and she seemed to understand what he was silently asking.

"I'd be happy to help you write something, Harry," she said with a smile.


Hogwarts Great Hall (April Twenty Second)…

Harry Potter dressed slowly. His shoulder was still bandaged and would be for weeks to come. Ginny had taken over the job of caring for that particular wound. But true to his word, he had followed Madam Pomfrey's directions, hence his early release from the infirmary. He was still weak and exhausted himself easily however, and the burn still caused him significant pain.

Harry had difficulty dressing. His weakened state and wounds made the process slow and painful. Ginny, dressed in her Phoenix Brigade robe, was a pleasant distraction from the pain. They had opted for his Gryffindor battle robe because it put the least amount of pressure on his bandaged shoulder. The robe had been taken off him when he had arrived in the infirmary, so many days ago, and during that time, they had been repaired and cleaned by Dobby.

Once he was dressed, he ran a quick brush through his hair and eyed the ribbon warily. Ginny chuckled and grabbed the brush out of his hand.

"Harry, if you're going to have long hair, you need to take better care of it than three strokes with a brush!" she said with some degree of asperity. Stepping behind him, she started brushing his hair. It was only the second time she had done so and he was coming to realize why she acted the way she did when he played with her hair. It was very relaxing.

"Love?" Ginny said, trying to get his attention.

"Hmmm?" he grunted in reply, his eyes closed in pleasure.

"What would you say to a mid-August wedding?" she asked impishly.

Harry's eyes snapped open and he tried to turn his head to face her. Unfortunately, that only pulled on his burn, causing him to gasp with pain. Ginny grabbed his head and straightened it out.

"Easy, Harry. Remember what Madam Pomfrey told you? No sudden movements."

"B-But Gin? An August wedding?"

"Mum and I had a talk… She got Dad to agree."

"Truly?" he whispered.

Harry's shoulders started to shake. Alarmed, Ginny quickly tied off his ponytail and moved around to face him. He was grinning, and trying to stifle a chuckle. With his one good arm, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him, resting his head against her chest.

"I'm glad I missed that 'talk'", he said, laughing. "How many windows did the shouting match break, Gin?"

She slapped his arm gently. "Prat!"

Ron stuck his head through the door, interrupting them. "OY Harry! No shagging in your condition. Besides, I'm hungry," Ron whined. "Hermione, Neville and I are waiting to help you to the Great Hall, so get a move on, will ya?"

"Alright, we're coming," replied Ginny.

Harry noted that Ginny wasn't the only one wearing her Phoenix Brigade robe when he stopped out of the room. He eyed the other three and admitted to himself that they looked very professional. "Wait, not another ceremony like last year," he complained.

"Well, if you'd stop killing off the odd Dark Lord who pops up and now and again, they'd stop holding them," Ginny quipped cheekily.

"You're supposed to be on my side, you know," he murmured with a grimace.


The Great Hall…

It took Harry a good fifteen minutes to make the walk from the Infirmary to the Great Hall. To prevent the walk from totally exhausting him, he moved much slower than normal. Arella came along, sometimes flying, sometimes perched on either Ginny or Hermione's shoulder. She wanted to perch on Harry's shoulder, but until his burns had been healed, she didn't.

Arriving at the Great Hall, he was surprised to see that a large, long table had been set up at one end of the room with all the teachers clustered at that table. As they entered, a hush fell over the crowd. The room had been returned to its normal size. Only the students and a few select others were present tonight. Harry swayed slightly and tightened his grip when he spotted all of the empty chairs. Ginny held onto to him and looked at him with worry.

She led him up to the head table, rather than steering him to their normal spot. As he passed each table, people stood up. The Phoenix Brigade were dressed in their uniforms, but were scattered throughout the crowd instead of in formation.

As they approached the Head table, Dumbledore stood up, smiling. "Harry, I know you hate ceremony, especially when it's one that puts you in the spotlight. So tonight, we've arranged for a little family dinner rather than a huge gathering. Your Phoenix Brigade wears their uniforms to honor you, but there will be no speeches, no reporters, and no politicians tonight. Just your Hogwarts family."

In a much lower voice he added, "Of course, you realize that you won't be able to escape the spotlight, Harry. However, we'll do our best to hold that off until you're feeling better."

"Thanks, Albus. I appreciate it."

Ginny led Harry over to a table where Remus, Tonks, their children and the entire Weasley brood were sitting.

Harry sat down and started to reach for one of the platters when he felt a tug on his arm. Looking over, he saw Erika smiling up at him.

"I'm glad you feel better, Professor Harry," she said.

Harry smiled down at the small witch. "I'm glad I'm back too, Erika. Did you enjoy your trip?" he asked.

"Yeah, but Eric was being annoying," she pouted. "He kept making my hair green when I tried talking to the boys."

Harry glance up at Remus, "You know Remus, sounds like Marauder material here," he said with a smirk. Remus nodded and smiled slyly. Turning back to his plate, Harry found it gone and several potions sitting in its place.

"You know the rules, Harry. Potions before eating, or Madam Pomfrey will make you go back to the infirmary," Ginny said, scolding him.

Harry grunted in annoyance. Then, deciding on a little payback for her mothering tendencies, he said, "All right, Gin. While I'm drinking these, why don't you tell me what you have planned for August?"

Ginny's face flamed. She had only just managed to convince her parents and hadn't told anyone, other than Hermione, of her plans yet.

"Harry," Molly said in a teasing tone. "It's not nice to put your bride on the spot like that. Besides, I figured we have something small at the Burrow."

"Quite right, that! The Burrow is the best place for a wedding. Cheaper too!" quipped Arthur, getting in on the act.

And that set off the whole table as everyone demanding explanations. Harry was frowning, however. There was something he needed to nip in the bud before things got out of hand.

"Arthur," Harry said in a deceptively calm voice. "I promised Ginny a while back that, when we got married, I'd pay for everything. We can have it at the Burrow, if that's what she wishes, and I can think of no greater cook than your wife, but I'm paying for everything."

"Harry, we can't let you pay for everything. Besides a wedding is so expensive," Molly protested. Ginny and Hermione were staring at Harry. Remus was smirking. Harry rolled his eyes at the older man. Typical Marauder!

"Molly, the Weasley family is paying the biggest part of this. You're giving me the most valuable part of your family, your daughter," he said softly.

"You have sons coming out of your ears. Those two," he said pointing at the twins, "probably came at a discount rate. But you only have one daughter."

He ignored the outraged expressions of the twins.

"Can you hold a wedding and spend less than…oh…a million galleons, Molly?" Harry asked over the babble of voices.

"Yes, but.."

"Good, then that's your budget. I'll owl Gringots tomorrow to make the transfer," he said smugly. Glancing at Ginny, he couldn't help himself any longer. He started laughing. Her mouth was hanging open and her face was as red as a beet. He would have continued laughing, but it pulled painfully on his bandaged shoulder, causing him to gasp.

Ginny immediately snatched up his pain-relieving potion and handed it to him.

"Someday, they'll fix it so a person can take these bloody potions after a meal. They ruin the taste of everything," Harry said with a grimace after he drank his potions.

"Er… Harry? A million galleons is a trifle too much money," Arthur said nervously. He wasn't sure Harry was serious or not.

"Harry was only teasing, Dad. Weren't you, Harry?" asked Ginny.

Harry sat silently for a moment before breaking out into a huge grin. "Well, you know Gin, if you wanted a fancy wedding, I'd give it to you. I still intend on paying for everything, but yes, I was kidding," he replied, chuckling at the relieved looks he received.

All the Weasleys at the table relaxed. "Harry, are you really planning on marrying my sister? Especially now, when every bird in the country is interested in you?" asked Ron, rather unwisely, as it turned out.

Harry scowled at Ron and his eyes sparked ominously. Hermione smacked him in the back of the head. "Really Ron, what kind of question is that to ask?" she exclaimed.

"You know Ron, if I didn't love Hermione like a sister, I'd turn you into a cabbage for that. Then I'd feed you to a goat. Instead, I think I'll just turn you over to your brothers, Fred and George," he added with a frosty smile, causing Ron to gulp nervously.

"Besides," Harry continued. "Maybe you should be thinking along the same lines, Ron. After all, you're on Teen Witch Weekly's Eligible Bachelor List now, in case you've forgotten."

"Actually Harry, that's something I wanted to ask you about," began Hermione hesitantly. "I talked with Ginny about it and was wondering how you'd feel about a double wedding?"

Harry grinned broadly and nodded. "I think its bloody brilliant, 'Mione, but do you think you can train him in time? I suppose I could poke him a few times with my sword if you want," he offered innocently, while Ron began to sputter indignantly.

"I have my own ways of training, Harry Potter, thank you very much," Hermione replied with a bit of a snip while Harry snickered at her.

"Am I interrupting?" asked Dumbledore, smiling.

"No, Sir. Please join us," replied Harry.

"I'm glad I caught you all here. First off, I understand this August there will be several weddings," he started.

"Several?" interrupted Harry curiously.

"Yes, well, it seems that, besides the weddings of the Weasleys, Miss Bones and Mister Zabini are planning their own nuptials for this summer. Professor Parsons and Hestia Jones are talking about a wedding during the summer. Miss Lovegood and Mister Longbottom are, however, planning on a Christmas break wedding.

"Assuming he maintains his grades, Mister Zabini looks to be entering government service, along with his fiancée, after the summer. Mister Longbottom has applied for an apprenticeship under Professor Sprout for a herbology mastery, which will put him close to his fiancée next year.

"And unless my memory has failed me Harry, you hoped for a position here at Hogwarts. I know you wanted to be assistant Professor in the Defense class, but alas, I need a Charms Professor and your understanding of charms and their uses borders on intuitive. I'd like you to consider the position. It pays better and offers a full Professorship and a larger apartment, which would be suitable for you and your new bride.

"As you are aware, the Ministry has decided that all fifth year students who helped in the fighting will be granted an automatic outstanding on their DADA OWL. They also declared that all sixth and seventh year students are to be granted an outstanding in their NEWTS. So, Miss Weasley, you have one free class and Madam Pomfrey has told me about your wish to pursue a healer or matron career path. She's agreed to begin that training for you next year.

"Finally Miss Granger, Madam Pince has informed me that she wishes to retire at the end of this year. I fear the battle was a bit too much for her. I'd like you to consider taking her position, as well as helping Professor McGonagall with the first through fifth years in Transfiguration."

Hermione was all but bouncing in her seat, unable to control herself. "Finally!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Unrestricted access to the restricted section! I'll take it, I'll take it!"

Ron sighed heavily and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a galleon coin and handed it to a snickering Harry.

After dinner, Dumbledore stopped Harry and Ginny from leaving the table so he could have an additional word with them privately.

"Harry, I've promised Madam Pomfrey that you will do no strenuous work for the next two weeks. Therefore, I've taken the liberty of moving your belongs into faculty quarters on this level. It isn't much, just a small study room, two bedrooms, a bath and a small kitchen/dining area. Dobby will make your meals in the kitchen." He peered over his half moon glasses, his eye's twinkling. "Given your condition, I think it's safe to say that if Miss Weasley wanted to move into the spare bedroom, she would not put her virtue in danger. Unless, of course, you'd prefer Madam Pomfrey?" he finished, trying not to grin.

"NO! Ginny's fine Sir, really. I'll behave and drink my potions," Harry replied with a slight stammer.

"Very well then, the door is behind the portrait of Gilroy the Gluttonous. The password is Treacle Tart." With that said, the Headmaster left the table.

As Harry and Ginny made their way to the exit of the Great Hall, he was grateful to see Ron and Hermione waiting for them. Ginny gave them a quick explanation of where she was taking Harry and the other couple followed, curious.

As far as Harry was concerned, they could have been laying him out on a table in the Great Hall. He didn't care where he slept so long as he slept. He was trembling from exhaustion. The very last thing he remembered was Ginny's soothing touch as they laid him in bed.


Grimmauld Place, two days later…

Grimmauld Place was undergoing a transformation. During the war, it had always been busy with people coming and going. Someone had always been on duty. But now, with the death of Voldemort, the Order was shifting how it operated. Harry and Remus had made it clear that the Order would always be welcome to use the old mansion for their meetings. But with the Order relaxing, they were slowly converting it back into a home for the Lupin Family.

Tonks was coming downstairs to put lunch together for Jason when she saw Remus, his face twisted with rage, rush from the Order's conference/map room. Without so much as a glance or a word, he stepped outside and apparated away. Concerned and curious, she stepped into the conference room to look at the maps.


Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ministry of Magic…

Kingsley Shacklebolt was surprised to see Tonks' face appear in his floo.

"Hello, Tonks…"

"Kingsley, Remus has discovered that Pettigrew is alive and in Knockturn alley. He's gone after him. You have to stop him before he kills that traitorous rat!"

"Wha? Pettigrew? We're on our way, Tonks."

Kingsley rushed from his office, collecting Aurors as he went.


Knockturn Alley…

Remus stepped into Knockturn Alley. Although he was no longer a werewolf, he had retained the keen senses that the disease had given him. In the dimly lit street, he could see few people about. With the death of Voldemort, the Dark Arts had taken a big hit in popularity. It was conceivable that most of the shops located in the alley would go out of business within the year.

Remus walked the alley slowly, checking each shop as he passed it. Then his nostrils flared as he picked up the scent down a dark side alley. Pettigrew! And he was coming this way!

He didn't bother with his wand. It was too impersonal for this. As Pettigrew left the alleyway, Remus leapt upon him, knocking the small man to his knees. He had a grip around his throat and he ignored the blows Pettigrew rained down on him as he trying to break his grip.

Suddenly, there were other hands pulling him off Pettigrew. A curse was shouted and Pettigrew dropped to the ground.

"Lupin, let us do our job! You're either going to settle down and behave or I'll haul your ass in to cool off over night in the holding tank," growled Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Two Aurors had Remus pinned to a wall while Kingsley paced in front of him. A third was standing over Pettigrew.

"Are you going to relax, Remus? I don't want to haul you in," Shacklebolt began. "He'll get what he deserves, I promise you that. We just have to do it by the numbers," he said, finishing softly.

Remus nodded in defeat. He was so close! At a signal from Kingsley, the two Aurors released him. He watched mutely as the third Auror knelt over the gasping and now crying Pettigrew.

Pettigrew's one good hand moved. Cat quick, the Auror kneeling over the little man froze as the knife blade slid across his throat. With a strangling, gurgling sound, the Auror collapsed sideways.

Pettigrew sprang to his feet and pulled out his wand. So did Kingsley and the other two Aurors, but they were too late. With faster than normal reflexes, Remus whipped out his wand and yelled "DISCEDO!"

It was a spell that Harry had taught him. A spell Harry used for making jewelry, for splitting metal in half.

Pettigrew looked confused. His wand hand dropped limply to his side. "Moony, how could you!" he gasped. He stood for a moment as the nerves in his lower body tried desperately to send signals to his brain through a severed spinal column. Then, to the shock of the Aurors watching, the upper half of Wormtail's body tipped backwards and fell to the ground with a sickening wet sound. His lower half remained upright for a few more seconds before collapsing.

Remus sagged to his knees. He had avenged James and Lily and so many others. But it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He barely noticed when one of the Aurors portkeying away with the injured Auror.

"Go home to your wife and family, Remus," Kingsley said tiredly. "There's nothing more you can do here."

With tears streaming down his face, he stood and walked from Knockturn alley.


Grimmauld Place…

Remus sat on a couch in the main living room of Grimmauld Place. He hadn't said anything to Tonks when he returned. He'd simply sat down and stared at the floor. His clothing was dirty and torn from the fight and he had more than a few bruises.

He ignored Tonks and her efforts to get him to talk. He ignored everything. In desperation, Tonks finally called Harry.

It was evening when Harry and Ginny arrived by floo after getting permission to do so from Dumbledore. Harry was still very weak, but this was Remus, this was family. Tonks and Ginny sat on one couch while Harry joined Remus on the other.

"Remus?" asked Harry quietly.

Remus continued to stare at the floor, unmoving, ignoring him. The death of Pettigrew had brought forth in Remus' mind all the pain and hurt he felt when James, Lilly and Sirius died.

Harry carefully laid his hand on his shoulder, the burn pulling painfully and making him wince. "Remus, Mum and Dad and Sirius are probably really hacked off at you right now," Harry said forcefully.

Remus blinked and turned to look at him.

"They wouldn't want you to mourn them all over again, Moony. You've avenged them, like I have. Sirius and Dad probably expect you to raise up a whole new generation of Marauders now."

Remus turned to Harry and pulled him into a painful hug, then he started to weep. "It's finally over, you mangy wolf," Harry said, smiling and looking over at Tonks.

Tonks and Ginny both sat on the other couch, watching, their own eyes wet with tears. Tonks rose and went to Remus, kneeling down in front of him. With Harry's help, she removed her husband's painful grip from Harry's body and pulled him into her embrace.

Once he had calmed down, Remus looked over at Harry. "Thanks Cub…," he started but Harry overrode him.

"It's alright, Remus. You're family, and for family, we do anything it takes to help one another," Harry explained. "I do have one request though. Could we go see them this weekend? I've never been to the grave site…" Harry said, trailing off.

Remus nodded with a sad smile.


The Potter Family plot, Godric's Hallow…

The ancestral gravesite of the Potter family was situated only a few miles from the place where Harry's parents had been killed. Atop a hill, the graves surrounded an ancient chapel. It was a pleasant and cheerful place with many trees. A groundskeeper neatly kept the grass.

The four living people visiting the three newest graves disturbed that peace. Although there was no body, Sirius had been placed next to James and Lily. Family stays together.

One person knelt before the three graves for a few moments of reflection and silent prayer. When he stood, three people joined him and they moved away, looking at the names and dates on the other stones. For nearly one thousand years the Potter family had buried their dead in this place and Harry was visiting his family, all of them.

Finally, the four walked to the exit, leaving three graves with fresh flowers. They never visited the chapel which had been the first structure erected in the cemetery. It hadn't been opened in centuries.

As with so many early chapels, the altar sat upon the grave of the founder of the line. Clearly carved at the base of the altar was the name Godric of Gryffindor.


Hogwarts, Near the end of May…

Harry was nearly fully recovered by the middle of May. He would always carry a scar on his shoulder where the burns had been the worst. It occasionally caused him some pain, but he had salve for that, and Ginny was always more than willing to put it on the spots he couldn't reach well enough.

With the help of Hermione, he had managed to catch up with in his NEWT classes. With the Phoenix Brigade on permanent stand down, and the Advanced Defense and DADA classes cancelled for all members of the Brigade, he had ample time to study and catch up, as well as time to relax.

His burn had caused mobility problems with his arm, so in answer to that he had taken to using the Room of Requirement. In there, he placed a large heated pool so he could swim and exercise his arm and the scar. At first it was just Ginny and himself. Then Ron and Hermione joined them. Soon, others started making use of the pool. Blaise, who was still using a cane, came to exercise and improve his legs, which had been badly injured in the battle.

Today was slightly different. Classes had been cancelled and the student body was assembling in the Quidditch Pitch. The Minister of Magic was on hand, as was the press. Today was a formal celebration of the victory over Voldemort.

And that was why Harry came to find himself seated next to the Minister of Magic, on a stage, facing hundreds of people. Students, their families and the Ministry Defense Forces were standing off to one side, along with the Phoenix Brigade.

Harry and Ron had argued about what he should wear. Harry insisted on wearing his Phoenix Brigade uniform rather than Gryffindor's battle robe. Harry finally won the argument when he told Ron he didn't want to be singled out as anything special. Wearing Gryffindor's robe would do just that.

Harry sat as the speeches were given and medals handed out. The Minister had decided to save Harry for last and that had him slightly annoyed and fuming. Why couldn't he sit with his friends in the stands instead of being up here on display? Scowling, he glanced over at Ginny and admired how wonderful she looked in her uniform, now adorned with two Orders of Merlin, first class. She caught his eye and held it.

"Patience love, it will be over soon." she sent to him.

"I know. I'm just sick of being on display. The bloody Boy-That-Lived and all that crap," he sent back.

She smiled in return and suddenly Harry shivered as she did something he had never experienced before. It was almost like a mental caress, soothing away his irritation.

"Merlin, Gin! What was that!" he sent to her.

"Something I came up with, love. I'll tell you about it later. Pay attention, it's nearly your turn," she told him.

"… and so I'm pleased to start a new tradition today and present Mister Harry Potter with a new award. The Hero of the Light award," said the Minister.

Harry bounced up from his seat and walked over to the Minister to receive the award. After she had placed it around his neck, she stepped back so Harry could say something to the crowd.

He coughed once and fidgeted nervously for a moment. "Thank you, Minister Bones. Friends, family and honored members of the media, I stand before you today because of a failure made long before I was born.

"A Dark Lord does not come into power overnight. No, he or she is slowly created and shaped by prevailing acceptable values, such as looking down on muggle born, or half bloods. More than half a century ago, a boy was born to a broken family, his mother a witch, his father muggle. The father abandoned them because he hated magic. His mother died in childbirth and he spent his early years in a muggle orphanage.

"As he grew and learned about his heritage, he turned to the Dark Arts. He could have been stopped long before he gained power, but people ignored all the warning signs.

"Friends, we can never allow such a thing to happen again. We must be aware of the children who are growing up unloved and unguided. We must take care of our own and recognize that half bloods, such as myself, and muggle born, have an equal place in our society.

"We must make sure every child of the Wizarding world is brought up in a loving environment. That is the way we prevent another Voldemort. That is the way we prevent another Dark Lord from threatening our world.

"I stand here and tell you that our world failed so many years ago. And because of that failure, many friends and family are dead. We must not allow that to happen again!

"I am grateful for this honor, but I would have been happier to have never needed to earn it. We must make the effort to see that all magical children are raised in a loving and caring home. And we must understand the muggle world for they have powers we do not! We must reach out to them and learn to live with them, together and in peace. If we don't, chaos will result.

"Minister I accept this award, but I do so not for myself. I accept this award for Wan Chang, a pureblood who threw her self into the path of a killing curse to save a muggle born teacher. I accept this award for Hermione Granger, a muggle born who was wounded protecting our world. I accept this award for Cedric Diggory, a pureblood who died simply because he had honor and wanted to share an award with me. I accept this award for our fallen comrades who died to protect what they believed was right. Finally, I accept this award for all the children today in the hopes that they will make this a better world," he concluded.

As he walked back to his seat there was a ground swell of clapping as people rose to their feet. He sat, his face burning with embarrassment, and really wished he had a place to hide. Above the stage there was a flash of flame as Arella appeared and glided down to perch on his good shoulder.

He was surprised to see both Ginny and Hermione crying as they clapped. He was even more surprised when Ron produced handkerchiefs for each of them.


Author's Notes:

And some of you thought we were going to kill Harry? Snicker We did our job well, then!

And so, we're coming to the close of this story. There was an extra chapter added (not that we thought you'd mind). We thought we'd be able to finish this in 15 chapters, but chapter 14 was too large so we split it, and left you with a cliffy. The last chapter, the Epilogue, is next. It probably won't be as long as the other chapters, but we'll wrap up the loose ends and get it out to you in a few days. We hope you've enjoyed the story so far!

As to the last chapter being a cliff hanger, yes, it was evil of us, but come on people, really. We've put together two novel length stories and given you only two cliffhangers, one in each story. It didn't kill ya, right? So we won't apologize for it. It was too much fun. Besides, the last chapter wouldn't have been a cliffhanger at all but it was our largest chapter to date. This follow up chapter, closing out the battle scene and a recovering Harry is yet another thirty pages in Word.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF SLEEP, BAD GRADES, OR GETTING IN TROUBLE WITH YOUR PARENTS WHILE READING THIS STORY. SO TAKE WARNING! Now, go do your homework, get some sleep and apologize to your parents. :D

Yeah, Harry had a bunch of haircuts in canon. Our Harry is less-haircut oriented. It was more fun that way.

I'm (Bob) curious how someone could say this is part Lord of the Rings and part The Longest Day. Granted, we tried for a large scope battle with a cast of thousands but it's a comparison that I am curious about.

Personally, we usually dislike super Harry stories, but we're curious to see what would happen to him if we gave him super abilities and then made him totally indifferent to the plight of the British Wizarding World. Sounds like it would be an interesting little trip if you ask us. If we do such a story, it will be completely AU from the beginning, starting up where OOTP left off.

Canada needs an army to arrest Bush? Want to borrow ours? We'll give you our help, but in exchange, you have to keep him. Do whatever you want with him just don't let him come back to the States!

Hey, hey, watch who you're aiming that Cruciatus curse at, buddy! We have powerful friends!

Canon: In this case, it means that whatever JKR has written is, for the most part, accepted as the law on the subject of Harry Potter. For instance, in canon, Harry Potter has black hair and green eyes. If you change that and say that Harry has blonde hair and brown eyes, then you're not following canon. Does that make sense?

Did you honestly think I (Alyx) would kill off Severus? After all the trouble Serena and I had getting him to marry her?

Author's Pet Peeves:

SHORT STORIES! Please explain to me how you can claim to have a story which covers sixth and seventh years and the final battle and you're able to do it in less than 20K words.