Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.

Author's Note: I hope you are enjoying this...

Questions answered...

The great front doors opened and a rush of adults and older DA members returned to the field of battle. As planned, when Harry defeated Voldemort, they would reenter whatever battle was necessary. The Death Eaters who had survived the assault and the ensuing rebounded curses did not defend themselves as they were taken custody. Each of the DA and Aurors bound each cloaked body on the blood soaked field, not checking to see if they were alive or dead.

Pulling away from Remus, Rowan stumbled numbly toward the children she had brought to this point with the obsession that was now gone. Dumbledore met her as she looked into the eyes of the exhausted, half-dead woman. The DA returned to the circle several minutes later, after being sure all the bodies were bound. Neville took Luna's hand, who took Willow's, who joined with Seamus', then Xander, then Michael's, who took Remus', who took Rowan's, who took Hagrid's, who took Dobby's, who took Griphook's, who took Dumbledore's, who took Molly's then Arthur's and the other Weasley brothers, and so it went. A great chain of hands and hearts until it made a complete circle around the fallen friends.

Rowan started the charm "abundantia adfero abeo dedoceo cesso adamo," the ones closest to her repeating the words and passing it to the next. In rounds of more than 500, hearts were raised and magic directed at the seven fallen friends. As the chant became unified words, the lights from the joined hands formed an arc of light arching high into the sky to meet over the one in the center of the inner ring. The light exploded into hundreds of tentacles, reaching to the fallen group and lifting them barely an inch off the ground, before disappearing back into the joined hands.

Everyone seemed to know to stop at that moment the fallen group stirred. Only then did Rowan allow the darkness of the day envelope her. She fell against Hagrid, who carefully picked her up and turned toward the castle. Others carefully levitated the teens and Remus into the castle to make their way to the hospital wing. Already overwhelmed, Madame Pomfrey directed Dumbledore to take them to the Estate hospital wing. With a flash of light, the unconscious people arrived to let the Medi-Elf take care of her charges.

As the day wore on, the elf in the personal hospital wing of the Potter Estate called upon her 200 years of talents to heal her younger charges. She was assisted by Michael Corvina, who before fulfilling his destiny to unite the Lycans and Vampires, was completing his residency in Emergency Medicine in New York. He only checked briefly on Rowan, but she had left explicit instructions that the teenagers were more important than any other person in the hospital wing. They were to be treated first. It took the better part of two days for them to all wake up, and another twelve hours for them to really begin to realize it was over.

Rowan, her months of potions and her edge of insanity had helped her to wake long before the others. Her mind having long since stopped working like that of a normal person. She lay there for only a moment before she swung her legs off the bed and attempted to stand. Looking around, she realized that there were many people in this wing, her honored guests, as well as the teenagers, were being taken care of here. She was met by a tiny version of Poppy who refused to allow her to leave until Dumbledore came back. Casually, pushing her aside, Rowan walked with her head high out the door and to her room; not bothering to change her clothes before returning to Hogwart's. She did reach under her untucked shirt and remove her Kevlar vest, dropping the torn and tattered remnant by the door.

The wards were back in place, and as such, she could only appear at the gates. The dragons, recognizing her as a teacher, allowed her entrance. She walked over the blood soaked front lawn to the magnificent front doors. There was a great puddle near the steps and it took her a moment to realize that it was black blood. With a wave of her hand, it dried immediately; feeling at that moment like something out of Star Wars, she actually allowed herself a laugh as she thought about being a Jedi. Recovering quickly, however, she walked into the castle.

She attempted to enter the great hall just as dinner was letting out but stepped quickly to the side to let the stream of students leave. No one noticed her while she waited. Finally, when she was able to enter the great hall, she made her way towards the head table. Anyone left in the hall was shocked at her appearance. Buffy, Faith, and Giles flanked the professors. She stopped as she met their eyes. She asked loudly "How many?"

Seamus walked between his professor and his headmaster. "We don't know how many more have been lost since the end from injuries or whatever. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, being cared for all over the world."

Neville picked up the story line, "You know that when the battle began between Harry and Voldemort, the remaining light side took the wounded and left the battlefield. Either by entering the castle or taking them somewhere they could receive medical care. We estimate a couple of thousand Witches and Wizards turned out to fight for the side we were on. From all over the world, they came when called."

"When they left, we followed the plan and watched the battle from the windows on the upper floors. From there, we continued to hex and curse those on the grounds, watching closely. That's how we knew when to come out." Lavender added.

"We don't know how many we lost because we aren't sure how many we started with," Pavarti said clearly, "of the student population of Hogwarts, we lost fifty or so as of this morning. Some are still critical and receiving medical care from Medi-Wizards world wide. Of the Staff, we lost one."

Rowan dropped her hand and said quietly "Professor Snape." It was not a question, it was a statement. "He died to save me - again." Her hands touched her belly.

Minerva rose from the table and made her way to the woman who was now surrounded by students with their wands drawn in defense of the headmaster. The teens parted to allow her entry, "My dear, Rowan, it was not your fault."

"It was my fault. I have lost him and everything that could have allowed him to survive..." she backed up until she found a table behind her; leaning back she fought tears. Regaining her composure, she looked to the woman who had known him longer than she had and nodded the maniacal glint in her eyes once again. "I have things to do. They will be awake soon. The Medi-Elf is good, but they will want information. They will want to know what is happening. Someone who knows them and knows the answers should go to the estate as soon as possible."

Minerva, concerned about the woman, asked, "Shouldn't you be in a hospital bed?"

"I said I have things to do. Promise you will take care of the children."

Minerva assured her that she would send Molly and Arthur, and assuming that the elf would let them in, the rest of the staff. Rowan wavered for a moment, then stood without support and walked to the doors which, with a wave of her hand, opened. The students who were waiting to find out what had happened parted to let her pass in silence. Buffy watched her leave; then connected eyes with Piper for only a moment before looking away.

Dumbledore flicked his wand and the doors closed again. He looked to the ten or so students before him, grinned, and said "Fifty points each for coming to the defense of the helpless headmaster." His eyes twinkled.

"Looks like that put us in the lead," Dean said laughing; then a sudden reversal of attitude, he became solemn again, "not that it really matters anymore." He turned and made his way back to his seat and began eating again.

Seven days had passed since the defeat of Voldemort. The heads of the Wizarding world demanded a meeting with the seven teenagers. The teens had agreed reluctantly, as long as it would be held at the Potter Estate. The Minister of Magic, Professor Dumbledore, Giles, Piper, Leo, Phoebe, Paige, Michael, Erika, Selene, Neville Longbottom, several other members of the DA, Mad-Eye Moody, Remus Lupin, Grimeld from the Gringott's Goblin Horde, Bane of the Centaurs, Aragog the Acromantula, and the heads of the other ministries from around the world assembled in the large sitting room of the Estate. With the innate magic of the home, it had expanded to fit the crowd

For their part, when Dumbledore had approached them to suggest the meeting, they had all still been in the Hospital Wing. After listening to the request, they had initially refused. The teenagers had not wanted to meet with them; it had taken a bit of persuasion before they agreed to come to the meeting to find out the final details of the war itself. They would not agree to do anything other than listen to what the adults had to say. Draco reminded the Headmaster that five of the seven ere legal adults and would, if necessary, do what needed to be done to protect the two that were not adults yet. Albus had assured him that it was not an issue and no one would be expected to say or do anything other than listen.

Madison made eye contact with Mason when they realized that their mom was not there. The seven looked no worse for wear other than exhaustion from their battle. Other than the cut across Ginny's face, which had resulted in a thin scar, none had been seriously injured, just a depletion of magic which had taken time to recover.

The meeting took several hours to complete. Hermione, ever diligent, kept notes:

A rough estimate of 100,000 witches and wizards from around the world joined the fight

-- The total body, as of today, count for the light was 15,087, of that,
-- 104 Hogwart's students had been killed
-- 1 Staff Member
-- 793 Lycans, from the Lair of Lucian and Vampires of the Covens of Amelia and Viktor, were
present for the battle, there were currently 236 Lycans accounted for and 344 Vampires. The
rest are assumed lost.
-- Against no less than 9,000, possibly as high as 9,500 death eaters were involved in the battle.
-- The death eaters suffered 34,659 known human deaths including Tom Riddle, anyone who
survived and caught was in Azkaban
-- The Dementor population went from approximately 350 to two.
-- Aragog's children, who number in the millions lost 190
-- The opposing spiders were obliterated.
-- Of the French Goblin Horde, there were forty three killed and three alive
-- The Hogwart's House Elves lost only one member, Winky, to a swat by a giant
-- The giants who attacked the castle numbered only thirty, of those, twenty-nine were killed either by arrows or by a projectile weapon no one could identify
-- The Demon involvement could not be measured
-- The injuries were innumerable.

Harry and the others listened silently to the reports. Arthur assured them that all was being dealt with. Hermione recapped the information she had taken notes on throughout the meeting. When she confirmed the contents of them with the adults, the group rose to leave the meeting.

It was then that Madame Bones informed them that they were expected to appear before the International Wizarding Gamut to give testimony and explanations of their training.

Ginny met her eyes with this information and said quietly "No." When Madame Bones pursued the necessity of the interview, Ginny said louder "No!"

Her eyes met Harry's, a flash of understanding between them. "She said no. If one of us won't go, none of us will." He said turning away from the witch.

"But it is required! You will do as you are asked!"

Ron and Hermione stood and walked in front of Harry and Ginny, who were still seated. Ron spoke first "Do as asked? Who the bloody hell do you think you're talking to?"

Before anyone could answer him, Hermione, clearly having spent too much time with the Americans, stated, "We just saved your ass lady. Where were you when the battle started? Were you even there? I don't remember seeing you anywhere on that Battlefield. Where were your strategies? Where were your requirements then?" She shouted.

Mason stood and flanked Ron, his southern American drawl punctuated with anger, "I don't understand what this gammitthing is. But apparently my friends here are not real impressed. So, let me tell you, just like I told another person a few months ago 'don't make them angry, you won't like it when they are angry.' "

Draco walked to stand beside Hermione, leaving Madison in the seat. "You all know who I am, the son of two of the most viscous people known to our world. I am in love with a woman who is quite possibly stronger than all of you combined. Let me assure you that I would face my parents' wrath any day rather than making her angry. You really don't want her to feel the need to defend her friends, because as her brother just told you 'you won't like it.'"

Arthur, in an attempt to stop Ms. Bones from saying anything else, stepped between the red-faced woman and the teenagers, asking for calm to be restored. His older sons had been an integral part of this group's training. He had heard their nightly reports to the other instructors about their progress and abilities. Of course, he had also seen this group fight, and between the wandless magic and the hand-to-hand skills, they were truly a force with which to be reckoned.

The other Ministers stood and the adults began to yell at one another. Complete chaos broke out over whether they would be required to be interviewed or if it was permissible to put it off for awhile.

Michael stood flanked by Buffy and Faith, having retreated to his half Lycan/ half Vampire form, the blue tint of his skin frightening, made an effort to explain to the crowd of people, "I am Michael Corvina. I am still in this horrid country because I have sworn an oath of protection for the children of the Clan of Cowan. In the interest of you safely leaving this home, I suggest everyone settle..." But he was not allowed to complete his thoughts, as a crackle of electricity flew through the air, hitting a large mirror over the fireplace.

He could feel her presence without turning to know Madison had decided to enter the conversation. Harry and Ginny now walked forward, now making a solid line with the others; standing between Mason and Hermione. Shoulder to shoulder they stood, arms crossed, watching as the younger witch walked in front of them.

Michael returned to his seat and his handsome human appearance. Faith and Buffy followed suit. Mason could not resist saying, with a very sarcastic voice, "At least you were warned." Draco smiled.

"Who are you to tell us what to do?" Madison's southern accent shot through the room asked in a lowered voice. Her eyes were narrowed at the audacity of the adults in the room. "We are the ones who did the research, gave up our seventh year here to learn what we now know, we are…"

But no one knew what else they were as the double doors opened.