Start this next part where the Epilogue in Part one ended. I've been writing this story for about a year now and since I put up here the last chapter of 'The Gift' part 1, I've been writing my ideas. I've got a rough outline, as you can see from the chapter headings listed below. A couple of them may change, but the general flow of the story will not. I've got MOST of the chapters written, except for a couple of the chapters in the middle, so I'll be able to publish, here, chapters frequently. Please, read and Review, let me know what you think are the best parts and what you don't like, and how you'd change things. I'd like to co-write a story with someone, share ideas. E-mail me if you'd like. I'll reply immediately. As with this story, I'm adding to the first part by including PICTURES, HYPERLINKS, TABLES of CONTENTS, HIGHLIGHTED FAVORITE PASSAGES, etc., so that I've got over 4 megs in both these combined stories. If you'd like to see the completed first part, e-mail me and I'll try to get you a copy. I enjoy Harry/Ginny pairings. They have a lot to offer.
The Announcement
At the Burrow
Harry's Proposal
Hogwarts
Lily's Talk with Draco
The Ministry For Magic
The Visitor or A Prophecy Fulfilled
Choices
The Family's Decision
The Gathering – Lily Defines a Family
The Attack
Picking Up the Pieces
Peace
Afterwards
Epilogue – the FAR Future!
The Announcement
At the great hall, Dumbledore sat at the head of the Faculty table, waiting, just waiting for the right time
It was Now.
Slowly, he rose from his seat and walked slowly, v e r y slowly to the podium from which he was to make his speech, his Announcement. He was of a heavy heart but at the same time, a great degree of gladness was upon him, for he saw the end of his Great Trials, his Great Task.
"My fellow students, and faculty, tonight at this opening feast that starts the beginning of this new school year, in addion to the regular announcements, which will come later, by way of your heads of houses, I have an announcement which will affect all of you – forever more!"
Immediately there arose a buzz of conversation, of disbelief, of speculation.
"Please, calm down, for I'm still here with you and guiding you. I've been with you for over a century, the longest running time that any headmaster, or headmistress, ever has."
"That is, up until now."
"At the end of last school year I submitted a name to the school's Board of Governor's for a replacement for me. I'm getting old and my years weigh heavily on my shoulders, so, it is time for me to put aside the mantle of Headmaster, it is time to give it to someone else."
At this point, he looked over towards a certain someone sitting amoung them. Tears were starting to fall down his cheeks as he looked on, pausing for what seemed an eternity of time to those listening.
"There sits amoung us all, a person who has been choosen for the job of my replacement for they have been prepared for this job for a very long time. This person has been set aside to lead us, to guide us into unforeseen ways and troubles that are in our future. This new leader will be with us and give to us qualities, and may I add 'abilities' that have never been demonstrated, that is, up until now. The job of Headmaster has been looked upon by Others whom we all can not see, but are there watching over us, nevertheless. Out of this great school has come Heros, Villians, Genius's, and administrators, all both great and small."
"Some short time ago, by my reconing there came into this school a student, looking just like the rest of you in both background and experience. This person was intelligent beyond any other student I'd ever encountered and I'd wondered why. But seemingly to answer my question, an answer was presented, and this 'event' came to answer another question that all of Hogwarts' Headmasters and Headmistresses had all been looking for, unsuccessfully, up until this point."
"My successor will be the last headmaster that Hogwarts will ever have or will ever need."
It was at this most astounding point said that not even a word was uttered, so astonished were the students, including the present faculty. Reporters from all the magical worlds' news mediums were present and taking wizarding pictures and recording the event.
It was at this point that Albus Dumbledore extended his arm, nodding his aged head, and with tears still streaming down his cheeks said but one word: "Approach".
It was at this point that Lily Evans Potter stood up and walked down the long aisles of tables at which the many students sat at mealtimes. She was immediately noticed for she wore white robes and white attire, The only other color present on her very being was her flaming red hair and her emerald green eyes.
Everyone in the Great Hall knew her. She was the Mother of the Boy Who Lived. She was the one who during her first life here, gave her very life in order to defend her only child – her son,and it was also she who helped them all defend Hogwarts against Voldemorts' Army of Darkness, and it was she who defeated him in the village of Hogsmead and met the very demons from the Pit and held them, just held them ALL at bay,While still Pregnant, never faltering, never quivering, and had not a shred of fear.
Standing there, beside Albus Dumbledore at the podium, in front of the entire school, its faculty, students and reporters, Albus held her hand and looking at her saying, "Lily, of all the students to have come forth out of this great and amazing school, you've been the best. You've shown us all the gifts of courage, intelligence, faith in Father's plans, and above all else, charity – charity to those whom least deserve it, but received it from you. You've been choosen to lead this great school forever more, for as long as Hogwarts stands, for as long as the thought, the memory, of Hogwarts even exists, you'll be here to lead and guide it. You, Lily Evans Potter, are the Choosen One, The one for whom this school itself has been waiting for for over a thousand years. I now take my leave. You are now the Headmistress."
And, with that tear streaked speech that came directly from his heart, he hugged Lily for a long time, and she hugged her beloved Headmaster in return.
Albus went to the faculty table and sat down at the end of the table, the first time anyone had ever seen him sitting down anywhere else but at the head.
Lily was left standing at the podium, alone, for all eyes were now upon her, waiting for her. All she could do was just stand there, crying so unashamedly.
Looking over at Albus, she said something that everyone would always remember: "Oh, Albus, you'll always be my Headmaster, my most beloved Headmaster!" At this point she just suddenly burst into light, the brightest whitest light that filled the entire Great Hall, bathing everyone therein. They felt the warmth that she possessed, the caring and charity of her heart at this, the gladness and joy unbounded that possessed her very soul. For there she stood radiating the white light, her symbol of her Father's Protection and His Grace. There she stood, just standing there crying and crying and then she felt the loving arms of someone she didn't need to be told whom it was: it was James, her beloved husband, holding her, comforting her, telling her all was right.
Everyone there could see that they both loved one another deeply, no question.
Albus just smiled and nodded his head. It was all he could do for his heart was breaking, but at the same time he was glad, glad beyond all joy for having seen this day, for now, now at long last his beloved school, and everyone else would be safe.