The pace is going to pick up a bit for these final four chapters. The main plot of this story has been Harry and his growth to defeat Riddle. Now that Riddle is worm food, the story is going to move around seeing what the aftermath of the war is.
OK – "Wafer Thin Mint". Yes – the title comes from a Monty Python skit in The Meaning of Life where this gluttonous huge beast of a man is gorging himself at a restaurant. John Cleese, the waiter, comes over and convinces the guy to have just one more 'wafer thin mint'. He pops it into the guys mouth and he explodes all over the place. That is how I envisioned the last dementor dying, having gorged himself on the huge volume of hate that is Riddle's soul.
And Riddle is completely dead now. Dementors completely destroy the soul by consuming it – that is the horror of being 'kissed'. The fairies made sure his soul could not escape or inhabit another creature's body and 'herded' it up to the final dementor that they had spared for just that purpose, knowing it would be destroyed itself.
Chapter 36
Hogwarts After the War
Mrs. Norris, Filch's mangy cat, sat safely in the castle watching from a window. She had watched her companion of all these years, wondering why her familiar never used magic to do his work. She never blamed him for hating the students – she did too. She never questioned his bitterness – after all, she was very acrimonious herself about being trapped in cat form. But after years of living like a squib, Argus had suddenly taken to using magic with an intensity that was scary. Any kind of commitment, beyond that of taking a familiar for herself, was pretty intimidating in her opinion. Argus had been a satisfactory familiar at least.
And now the fool insisted on fighting in the silly war. Well, not her. If he wanted to risk his neck over other wizard's squabbles, so be it. But she would stay nice and safe in Hogwarts. If something happened to her pet, she could always get a new one – Albus was always glad to help her out.
Mrs. Norris was shocked, however, when her Argus not only got himself killed, he did it willingly to protect one of the professors. With a screech of anger, she watched him collapse on the ground, slain by an unmentionable curse, and in that instant, felt her own life ripped from her body. Albus never mentioned that bonding with a creature to make it your familiar had its risks and drawbacks.
Long after the battle, when the professors and volunteers were checking the rooms in the castle, it was Filius Flitwick himself that found the cold, lifeless cat draped over the window ledge. "Poor kitty" he crooned sadly, cradling the dead cat and stroking its fur. "You loved him so much, you couldn't live without him."
Argus Filch and Mrs. Norris were buried together on the school grounds, in a small, little-known cemetery near the border of Hogsmeade and the school. Although the former caretaken was laid to rest, having found peace, Mrs. Norris continued to prowl the hallways as a ghost, glaring at students who were sneaking out for a late night snack or romantic rendezvous. Sadly, the mere ghost of a cat is incapable of getting students in trouble. Eternity was going to be a drag.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Wormtail was curled up in his cage, contentedly gnawing on a rat chewy. At first he was terrified of being caught and given over to Harry Potter, but it turned out to be quite nice. He was safe and secure; in a magical trunk it seemed, hidden from the aurors and Voldemort alike. The girls had felt sorry for him, and expanded the cage to a nice size, and made sure he had plenty of clean pine chips, tasty food, and things to chew on. He hadn't been curcio'd in a full week now!
He knew the final battle was going on and he was quite relieved not to have to be in it. He had always assumed that Voldemort would force him to go, and quite frankly, he knew he was a weak wizard and a total coward. Now he was safe and hidden. The house-elf Winky, the mudblood's muggle parents and Mrs. Longbottom were all sitting on the sofa watching the battle on a magical canvas, hugging each other with fear. Potter was winning – he knew he would before the first spell was fired. Peter turned his back to the canvas and found a nice, plump sunflower seed to nibble on. He would be completely content to live out his life like this, if only they would position his cage so Padfoot and that awful cat-kneezle weren't glaring at him all the time.
It was a nice plan, but it wasn't to come to pass. After all, although Pettigrew wasn't the most evil of the Death Eaters, he had committed many sins and there is always a price to pay and lessons to be learned. Probably the first lesson should have been 'never accept the dark mark'.
Being in his rat form, his dark mark was gone into another dimension with his human form and clothing. So he wasn't killed instantly like the others on the battlefield. But the magical jolt of Riddles death forced him to transform back into human, against his will. And the cage was charmed to be unbreakable.
In the heat of the battle, Winky was the only one in Godric's Suitcase that heard a faint "squeek! Ow!" and a disgusting squelching sound. She looked over her shoulder at Wormtails' cage and paled. This would take a long, long time to clean up. At least the others didn't hear it. She charmed a tablecloth to hide the mess that Sirius Black was gazing at with an odd mixture of disgust and glee. Winky would deal with it later.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o
The last war of Tom Riddle ended soon after his death. The remaining Death Eaters collapsed and died on the spot, tied to his soul by the evil bond of the Death Mark. The vampires had been destroyed by the centaurs, and the Goblins gladly took care of the werewolves. All remaining dark fighters were easily taken care of by the wizards and elves.
Harry and his friends sat down on a grassy mound near where Riddle's last stand had taken place, catching their breath. Riddle's lifeless face was locked in an eternal expression of terror, and several aurors were examining the body in weak relief. The Boy-Who-Survived looked around the field, but didn't feel any elation – just deep sorrow for the dead. Losses were actually few – a dozen brave Goblins, two centaurs, five aurors (one of which had come with Fudge, but saw the error of his ways), seven house-elves and three wizards. But the loss of even one is tremendous, and Harry grieved.
Harry turned and watched a several fairies came streaking out of the sky and flitted around Luna's head in an obvious state of excitement. Luna smiled and happily said to the three of them "He's gone for good. They just told me it worked, and Riddle's soul is completely destroyed, as were all of the dementors."
The four founderettes collapsed for a bit, their mental and physical weariness catching up with them all at once. They had succeeded – the era of hyphenated-title-names was over.
Luna treated Magorian's chest wound and noticed he was limping. Summoning a hoof-pick, with his permission she gently lifted his hind leg and deftly got to work, cleaning out impacted matter. With a flick she removed a large chunk of debris, lurid pink and gray. With a start Dobby recognized the clump of gooey pink from the centaur's hoof – it resembled Delores Umbridge's shrunken sweater, a bit worse for wear. He examined it closer. Yes - it was definitely a tiny knit garment, and a webbed foot or two in there. The house-elf, with far less guilt then one normally associated with the race, swiftly kicked Umbridge's remains behind a large rock.
"You have quite the touch, fairy-witch" Magorian smiled with an expression that was sincere but not use to being on his face. He stomped on his back leg with satisfaction. "All better."
Harry gestured Minister Bones over and formally introduced her to Magorian. It was a short meeting, but the start of great things between the races of man and man-horse.
Luna next got to work on Hagrid's torso where his left arm had been. Other than that, the core group of eight was relatively unscathed, except for multiple cuts and bruises. Slowly the surviving forces got to their feet and carried the wounded to the castle where Madame Pomfrey and a team from St. Mungo's waited to heal the hurt. The dead were carried in as well, and laid with reverence on one side of the great hall on biers conjured for them.
Madame Bones took control with crisp authority, directing the care of the wounded, organizing food from the kitchens to be prepared by the female house-elves (who called in for help), and the arrests of dark wizards that hadn't taken the dark mark, but fought on Riddles' side.
Hermione staggered with weariness to the lake's edge and transfigured, swimming deep but slow.
The merfolk were floating around Marvin, stroking his tentacles and singing. Hermione smiled and let the music pour into her, over her and through her with a cleansing flow. She swam up and hugged Marvin's tentacle and as many as her friends as she could.
"Thank you" was all she could say.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o
Harry stood a bit awkwardly in the Great Hall. The wards had been lifted so aurors could apparate in and out of the grounds with prisoners, and reporters came circling like sharks. He tuned out the questions fired at him and ignored them, letting his friends point them over to Madame Bones who was use to that sort of thing.
There was a bit of a shock when Cornelius Fudge was found dead, hanging from one of the light sconces in a dark corner of the hall. A painting in the hall verified that he had come out of the body-bind hex and killed himself. They took his body down as discreetly as possible, and laid it to rest with the others.
Harry had traded handshakes and back poundings with Snape, all the Weasleys, countless politicians and well wishers. The Goblins stayed for a bite to eat and marched back home, the centaurs long since having returned to the forest with their dead.
Sitting on one of the great tables with arms draped around Hermione, Neville and Luna, Harry really just wanted to hide in Godric's suitcase and let Winky, who was wrapped alternately around his legs and Dobby's waist sobbing with relief, pamper him a bit.
Hermione's parents and Neville's Gran were there too, having left the trunk to join in helping the wounded. Harry noticed Professor McGonagall coming toward him at a brisk pace. She had a bandage above one eye and an arm in a sling, but other than that appeared to be well.
"Potter, have you seen Albus?" she asked him, while scanning the crowded hall. "I really expected him to make a showing."
"No, professor, now that you mention it." He looked around the room too. He had expected Dumbledore to try and stop him, or at least take credit for anything he accomplished.
The elderly witch sighed with worry and annoyance. "Could you four please come with me – I want to check his office, but I am frankly frightened. He's rather unhinged."
They nodded, hopped off the table they were sitting on, and followed her to the headmaster's tower.
They stood at the gargoyle, trying all manner of passwords to no avail. At the point of giving up, Lady Hogwarts appeared, smiling at the four.
"Congratulations, heroes. The Founders are celebrating your victory." She held out her hands in supplication, politely ignoring the gaping coming from the transfiguration professor.
"Thank you, Lady Hogwarts" Harry and the founderettes bowed to her. "Lady, where is Professor Dumbledore?"
She frowned slightly. "I don't know, Heir of Gryffindor. He is not in the castle, which confuses me – I locked him in his tower this morning. He changed the password last night – it is sour grapes." With that, she disappeared.
"Sour Grapes?" Neville asked, and the stairs started moving. They jumped on, with McGonagall in the lead.
It was a sad sight that met their eyes. There, on the floor of his office, lay Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Supreme Mugwump and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, cold and stiff in rigid mortis. His right hand was clutched to his chest, and his mouth and eyes open in a never ending scream of the rage that ruled his life over the last years. Minerva gasped and turned away, tears of sorrow and loss in her eyes. Harry respectfully closed Dumbledore's eyes and mouth with a wave of his hand, and Luna started scanning the headmaster's body with her wand.
"Heart attack" she diagnosed after a bit. "Massive heart failure."
"That's why he kept rubbing his left arm?" Harry asked his fairy-friend. She nodded.
"Then who trashed his office?" McGonagall asked bewildered.
"He did" Harry sighed. "He did it quite often." Harry insisted on levitating Dumbledore's body to the Great Hall and giving it a bier of honor in front of the head table. He was once a great wizard.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o
The final weeks before school were a blur. Harry gave Luna's father and Rita Skeeter a joint exclusive interview with the eight of them to be used in both papers. The wizarding world ate up the full story of Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, and all who fought on the side of the light. So many wizard families had no clue as to the real nature of Goblin, Centaur, Merfolk, giant or elf. The interviews with the magical beings really opened the eyes of the human public.
Madame Bones and Harry agreed to leave Dumbledore's and Fudge's treachery out of the news, and gave them hero's funerals, albeit quiet and reserved ones.
Harry and his friends visited Diagon Alley in goblin disguise so they could buy their seventh year books and supplies, and visit Griphook in peace. Headmistress McGonagall and Madame Bones offered to bypass their last year and graduate the four of them, but they chose to do the year with the rest of their classmates.
They visited St Mungos to see the wounded from the battle that had been transferred there from Hogwarts, and see if with joint magic they could heal Neville's parents. The four of them held hands and circled around Mrs. Longbottom first, as she seemed the more cognizant, and concentrated their magic. They entered her mind and looked around, decided it looked very much like the kind of room a person builds in their thoughts for occlumency training, and split up to explore. Harry saw it first – sickly green webbing barricading a thick door in the frail woman's mind. "Over here" he called telepathically to his friends. Neville came running from a corner of his mother's mind he had been exploring. They pulled at the threads, clearing the door, and stepped back.
"Now what?" Neville asked his friends. Harry shrugged and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" came a frightened child's voice. The door cracked a bit and a bright blue eye peeked out.
"Mum? Is that you?" Neville crouched down, level with the frightened face peering out.
"Why do you call me mum? You can't be my Neville – you're a grown up." The door cracked open just a tad more, so they could see a little frightened girl inside.
A tear trickled down Neville's cheek. "Mum, it's me. You've been asleep a very long time. Please come out – I need you back."
"If I come out, will it hurt?" Mrs.Longbottom the girl opened the door about a foot, looking from one face to the other. She was crying and trembling. "That bad lady hurt me so much – she wouldn't' stop. I cried and begged, and she just wouldn't stop! I had to hide in here to get away!"
"No mum – the pain is gone. It's safe now. Voldemort is dead, the mean lady is dead – come back home now." Neville held out his hand, and his mother nodded at him, pushing open the door and running into his arms.
The four of them left Mrs. Longbottom's mind and broke the connection. Neville's mom gave a slight gasp, opened her eyes and looked around in bewilderment. Her gaze fell on Neville, who was crying freely, and she softly asked "baby?"
Luna, Hermione and Harry stepped away to give them some privacy. They sat down to rally their strength for Mr. Longbottom. After a few joyful moments with his mother, Neville called over "can we do dad now?"
The experience was pretty much the same with Neville's father, except instead of hiding from the intense pain that put him there as a small boy, he was a young man, fishing on the bank of a lake, and really didn't want to stop. Once Neville convinced him the 'vacation' was over, he gladly came with him.
Love and relief poured out of the trio that day. The Longbottoms were discharged back to Longbottom manor, to the astonished delight of Neville's Gran.
Harry, Luna, and Hermione stayed at the hospital, however, and were able to heal many of the 'permanent' residents, who woke with joy and wonder to the rest of their lives.
Sadly, Gilderoy Lockhart was one of those who recovered.
Another happy surprise was that on the next full moon, Remus Lupin, one of the last of the werewolves, found him self unable to drink the wolfsbane potion- one sip made him violently sick. On a whim, his wife Tonks handed him a silver spoon, which he hesitantly touched with a fingertip. It didn't burn. He grasped it – it didn't hurt.
He still insisted that his wife lock him in his cage in the basement that night, but when the moon shone clearly through the window, he stood unchanging and smiling at his grinning wife.
Before the next full moon Harry and the seven heroes once more became the white dragon and healed the remaining werewolves in the country who gathered at Hogwarts. Most adults had died fighting for Riddle, but there had been a few who had refused him, and many children. Healed by the white dragon, the werewolves were now gone from Britain.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Madame Bones set up a better government, gladly voted in by the Wizengamot. The magical world was now jointly run by her, Griphook of the Goblins, Firenze of the centaurs, Icy of the house-elves (one of the Malfoy former elves), and Hagrid. Although there were no more giants in the world as far as anyone knew, there turned out to be quite a few half-giants such as Hagrid and Olympia, and they needed to be treated as citizens and not monsters.
The Goblins were very content. Interest rates were low enough to spur the economy, business boomed over night, and now they had the respect and rights they deserved.
The centaurs after that war were never asked insensitive questions about 'being bred' or 'ridden'. Wizards saw them as beings at last, and asked for their observations on tidings. It was all the centaurs ever wanted – acknowledgement of their abilities and talents.
The house-elves didn't change over night. Although thanks to Dobby's new found fame, wizards finally realized how powerful they were, and abuse slowed considerably, it took a while for them to learn how to expect and even demand good treatment. But it did come eventually.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The school year started pretty much the same as always. Harry packed up Godric's Suitcase and apparated to the train station with his friends. The immediate difference was the casual air at 9 ¾ - a noticeable lack of aurors, parents not quite so teary-eyed, and children looking excited to get away instead of clinging with fright to their sobbing mothers. With Malfoy, Crabb and Goyle gone, they enjoyed their first stress-free ride to Hogwarts ever.
Sitting in the Great Hall, Harry sat with Hermione, the Head Girl, and Neville, the Head Boy. Luna was sitting composedly by herself at the Ravenclaw table. They kept shooting sad glances over to the Slytherin table, which held maybe a quarter of the students it use to. Many of the former Slytherins had been Death Eaters (they learned Crabb and Goyle, although not at the battle and hiding under their beds at home, had foolishly taken the Dark Mark), or the orphans of Death Eaters, and no longer attending Hogwarts. The remaining Silver and Greens looked more than a little lost.
Harry was surprised and pleased to see both Remus and Tonks sitting at the head table. Now that Remus was no longer a werewolf, there was no reason the talented teacher couldn't work at Hogwarts. Without the curse in him, the man looked younger and more fit than Harry could ever have hoped for.
Professor Sprout proudly led the first years up the center of the hall to the Sorting Hat. The hat twitched and opened its tear to sing:
I hope you all ate on the train
For this will take a while
There are many we need to sort
More than walked this aisle
The light has won and Riddle's gone
To where I think it's very hot
Our leadership has changed
So let's see what we've got
The house of Slytherin
You must not shun or ban
The recent evil that has happened
Did not represent the man
I said the Founders would return
And they are here right now
Heirs of the four are here like you
To grow and learn and chow
So Founders – go to your houses!
Now everyone – be a sport,
Perhaps into new houses I will sort!
Professor Sprout looked up at the hat, her mouth open. The room was deadly quiet. A murmuring hum was heard, then voices could be picked out – 'you're kidding' and 'whaaat?'
Harry looked at his friends, who shrugged and the four of them stood up together. The room fell silent once again, as students stared at the four with mixtures of disgust, awe, and expectancy.
"Come on" the hat quipped. To your proper houses. Harry stepped over the long bench and stood at the head of the Gryffindor table, as Hermione made her way to Slytherin, Neville to Hufflepuff and Luna went to the head of her own.
A few bold, or foolish, students started to cat call. "Come on, Potter! Who do you think you are?" and "She can't be a Slytherin!", and so on. Harry sent a mental message to his friends, and in unison they thrust their empty hands into the air, and instantly had the weapons of the Founders in them. Fawkes also appeared, trilled a song of soothing and landed on Harry's shoulder. All arguments ceased immediately, as the school students as a whole could not argue with the gleaming swords and shield of the founders held in their hands.
"Why do they not believe us, Harry?" Hermione sent him telepathically.
"Because they didn't see us fight, love." Harry answered.
Professor Sprout looked at her list of first years, and wasn't surprised to see it had been expanded to include all the student's names. The sorting would now begin and be honest for the first time in decades.
It did take a bit longer, but finally all the students were sorted. Most were in their old houses, but there were quite a few surprises, and Slytherin was no longer lacking in students – the houses were once again equal in size.
Thomas Dean, Ginny Weasley, and Parvarti ended up Slytherin. The Creevy brothers turned into Hufflepuffs. There were too many changes to take in immediately.
Headmistress McGonagall eyed the stirring crowd with a smile. "Settle down – the quicker we get this done, the sooner we eat." The room hushed instantly. "All returning students are probably in shock right now. We have never had a resorting of houses like this in the history of Hogwarts, but it was necessary. We have just come through dark times, and Tom Riddle influenced way more than we would like to admit. The hat was persuaded to place many of you in the incorrect house for your personality. Please understand the original intent of the houses was to help students to form friendships, not to end up in rivalry. Most importantly, Salazar Slytherin was not an evil or dark wizard. His house should never represent darkness – this is a school of light."
She took a deep breath and looked around at the students, who were giving their full attention. "The Founders have returned. I am headmistress until they graduate, and then I step back down to assistant headmistress. These four students you see at the head of each table have indeed been chosen and trained by the Founders themselves."
A belligerent Ravenclaw yelled out "how is that possible?"
"Mr. Owens, there is no need for rudeness" Minerva spoke stiffly. "They went back in time to train with the Founders. You were not at the battle as I was, and you have not seen the magic they are capable of." She paused briefly, and was satisfied to see the boy back down and stare at Luna in awe. "I expect all students to get along with every house. I demand fair play and good sportsmanship. Don't let the sacrifices so many have made these past three years have been for nothing. Now, let us enjoy the feast, and I'll finish the announcements afterwards."
Harry and his friends sat down as McGonagall clapped her hands and the food appeared on the tables. The first years, new to this, ooohed and aaahed, and Ron whimpered with delight. Everyone dug in.
"How's it going at the snake table, dear?" Harry sent to Hermione telepathically.
"Far better than I expected! Everyone wants to hear about Salazar. Really, with Nott, Crabb, Malfoy, Parkinson and Goyle gone, those five were most of the bad blood in this house." She sounded quite delighted.
When the last of the pudding and pumpkin juice was gone, the dishes disappeared and the Headmistress stood again. "I will keep this brief, as I know you are all tired" she smiled. "As our former groundskeeper, Reubius Hagrid, is now the Minister of Giants, Professor Grubbly-Plank has now returned to permanently fill that position." This was met with wild applause, especially from the girls. Although the Gryffindors loved Hagrid as a friend, he wasn't the best of teachers. Minerva continued.
"As I have become Headmistress, the transfiguration job has been filled by Professor Tonks-Lupin", and to Harry's delight, Tonks stood up and gave a quick grin and bow. "The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts has been filled by Professor Remus Lupin" who also gave a quick bow. Some of the applause was a touch nervous, but the accolades from students who had him before was quite wild.
"To replace Argus Filch, who died valiantly in the final battle, we now have a team of house-elves, who will be wearing these uniforms," and she nodded and a house-elf popped next to her, wearing a robe decorated in stripes of all the house colors. "They do have the authority to take house points and assign detention, so the former rules apply – no running in halls, no magic in halls, teacher's quarters are off-limits. Please consider potential consequences before you order anything from Weasley Wizarding Wheezes."
"And lastly, stay out of forbidden forest. Although it is true that there are no more werewolves or vampires in Britain, and the centaurs are no longer hostile, it still has more than it's share of dangers and concerns. You may go to your houses now."
Harry sent a mental good night to his friends, and helped to usher the new Gryffindors to the tower. He stood by the door making sure all the students had the new password, as several returning students were just resorted into the Red and Gold. He gave a polite nod to Blaise Zambini who was one of those. It would be a great year, Harry decided. Interesting but great.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o
The year flew by. Without death threats and jealousies, Harry truly enjoyed his last year as a student. With everyone in their proper houses, and no more bullying from Death Eater wannabes, the students could all relax and get along. Madame Pomfrey's job was much easier this term.
Hermione kept her promise to Marvin, and brought him a tank of healthy squid to choose from. He picked a plump female from the group (good thing too, as Hermione couldn't tell the difference), and she transfigured it to a freshwater giant right in front of Marvin's delighted eyes. The rest she had Winky pop back to the ocean. She spent many delightful hours visiting him and the merfolk, who gave concerts every weekend for any who wanted to hear.
Graduation came all too soon. This year, because of the Founders, the Great Hall was packed to the brim with reporters and anyone who was remotely related to a Hogwarts student. But Harry and his companions got through it and prepared for a triple wedding.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o
The Quidditch Pitch was ready for the wedding of the century, festooned with a raised dais in the center, the goals removed and the ground and stands filled with garlands of white roses and lilies. The stands were filled to capacity with students, friends, reporters, well wishers and even a few relatives. Around the raised platform, in the special seats were all the people Harry, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Dobby and Winky loved. Luna's dad and uncle, and even Father Christmas were there. There was Hagrid, the professors, all the Potter elves. Griphook and King Flailhide, Magorian and Firenze were present. The Lupins, the Grangers, Nevilles' Gran and parents, and the Dursleys were all there. All the Weasleys were in the special seats, and the portraits of his parents, Sirius and Aunt Joan were placed on flower festooned easels. Fawkes and Hedwig were on perches of honor, Gnomes and fairies flew and scampered around in wild abandon, and everyone was excited.
Harry gazed with glazed eyes at the huge crowd present for his marriage. He liked his robes though – formal black with red and gold piping on the edges. "Gee – didn't we dream of a small wedding, my love?" he sent to his bride privately.
Hermione giggled, looking down and smoothing an imaginary wrinkle from her dress. She was robed in flowing white satin, edged with green and silver piping, her hair swept up and held in place with a silver snake with emerald eyes – a gift from Harry that morning. "Well, it was either let McGonagall, Molly and Bones have their way and just accept everyone wants to be part of this, or try to have a small one and stress about the hundreds that would crash."
Luna looked resplendent in her gown, matching Hermione's except for being piped in the Ravenclaw blue and bronze. Her hair was actually held in place by fairies, whom, if one was honest, actually came to blows over the honor. She smiled her dreamy far away smile at her husband-to-be, which was looking a tad nervous at the crowd. His formal robes were piped with the yellow and black of Hufflepuff, and he was more than a little uncomfortable in all the finery.
Dobby and Winky just about stole the show, though. It was now well-known that Dobby was one of the eight heroes that defeated Riddle, and people everywhere were treating house-elves with more respect (and some with a little well-deserved fear). The Chosen One had improved the house-elf's plight once again. Dobby had approach Harry a couple months back to ask permission to marry Winky, which Harry gladly gave if he would wait and join them in a triple ceremony. Dobby also had to think of his public now. The two happy elves were dressed in formal Potter-Black uniforms, at their own insistence.
Madame Bones performed the ceremony, and vows were exchanged between the three couples. The new husbands and wives left the dais to the hugs and kisses of their friends and family; while the crowd delightfully pelted them with rice, flowers, and anything else light weight they could throw. Fairies flew and zoomed, and the twins set off many of their best fireworks to date, although a couple of the ones that spelled out naughty words 'accidentally' found their way into the display.
"Gee, how did that happen, George?" Fred asked innocently with wide eyes.
"I just don't know, Fred" George answered, smugly watching the sparkly word 'poo' floating over the crowd.
Quick Author Notes: I'm not going to say anything more about Mrs. Norris. I don't want to spell out what she is or isn't. I thought about it long and hard, and decided it was more interesting to leave it a mystery. We are left knowing she was a magical being, she wasn't very nice, and her cat-form is not her natural form. Albus would have known what she is, but he's now dead. As far as anyone else knew, she was a nasty cat. Perhaps Argus knew, but he didn't have any friends, so if he knew more about his cat he never told anyone. She now wanders Hogwarts as a bitter ghost.
I also considered having Harry do a 'point me' to find Umbridge's body stuck to Magorian's hoof, but decided that wasn't realistic. With all that went on that day, Delores would be one of the last people to cross his mind. By the time they think 'hey – what ever happened to Umbridge?', her remains will have decomposed – amphibian bones are very delicate and have already been pounded into paste. Dobby will not say anything, as he loathes anyone that hurts his beloved Harry. So she will bean unanswered mystery as far as our heroes are concerned.