Harry Potter and the Curse of V'Ardian
Chapter 40
Epilogue II
Standard Disclaimers Apply
A/N: Alright. I quite like the way the story ended in the Epilogue chapter. If you did as well, consider this an alternate ending. If you didn't, then it follows on well enough. I had a hard time deciding what to do, because some of you liked Harry dead and some of you didn't. Personally, I prefer dead Harry. This is the last chapter, and I'm very glad to be done with this story. I don't think I'll go into the details of how Harry survives – use your imagination. Let's just say that the killing curse acted on Voldemort's soul and not Harry's… And if you think I just ruined it by telling you that he survives…well, you should have had a pretty good idea by now. And Greymalkin- Thanks for pointing out the mistake. I rarely make mistakes like that. And I do agree with you about your preferred ending. Unfortunately I already promised a happy ending because most of my other fics end sadly. Fortieth and final…just a snapshot of moments throughout the ensuing days..months…years…
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Harry let out a great gasp, sucking air desperately into his lungs. He sat up, coughing, his eyes wide. It was a moment before he realised that he was on the ground, and that there were feet all around him. He also noticed that it was very silent. He looked up to see seven shocked faces staring down at him.
"Er…hi?"
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"Well I think I was dead," explained Harry again. "I mean, I definitely died…well, I can't be sure because I've never done it before, but…"
"Harry!" squeaked Hermione, looking scandalised. "This is no time to joke!"
"Sorry," responded Harry with an apologetic grin. "Can you blame me for being just a little bit happy?"
"Well…no, I suppose not."
"Good," he said, and then, "ouch!"
"Sorry, Mr Potter," replied Madam Pomfrey as he winced again. She put the bowl of ointment aside and placed the rag in it, having just spread it over the claw marks in Harry's shoulders.
Harry sat in his favourite bed in the hospital wing, surrounded by his closest friends and family. His nose was itchy, and he would have scratched it not for the fact that both Emily and Katherine had been permanently attached to his hands since he had arrived here. He sighed and leaned back into the comfortable pillows. Apart from feeling a bit drained, and having a few cuts, he felt perfectly fine, but Madam Pomfrey refused to let him leave the hospital wing.
Harry sighed again in happiness.
"You have no idea how good I feel," he said. "I feel like me again."
The five faces around him smiled as well, and Harry thought that he had never felt better.
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"Hello, Professor," said Harry. Snape started, not having realised he was there yet. He looked up in surprise.
"Potter."
He seemed surprised to see Harry there. Harry moved forward to stand in front of the Potions Master.
"I wanted to thank you," he said forthrightly. "I couldn't have done it without you. And I also want to apologise, because I had no right to ask of you what I did."
Snape considered Harry for a moment before inclining his head.
"Thanks accepted," he said finally, "and apology too, if you will accept mine."
He held out his hand. Harry grinned and shook it.
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Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, is once again being heralded as a hero, as news reaches the world that he has once again destroyed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. While Mr Potter was unavailable for comment, witnesses say that the Dark Lord is indeed gone, forever this time. Minister for Magic Arthur Weasley has confirmed the rumours, saying that the battle which took place on Hogwarts grounds did indeed leave Mr Potter victorious.
There have been rumours that Mr Potter was killed by a Death Eater during the battle, but this has been discredited by a number of sources. Mr Potter is currently recuperating at Hogwarts School of Witchraft and Wizardry, where he is in his seventh year. He is expected to receive several prestigious awards, ranging from the Award for Service to the School to the esteemed Order of Merlin, First Class. Mr Potter is also believed to…
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"It is with great sadness that I watch yet another group of fine young people leave this school," said Professor McGonagall, her eyes suspiciously moist, "but also with great expectations for each and every one of them. A new era is dawning for all of us, and I know that all of you will leave your mark. I have watched all of you grow into wonderful people over the last seven years, and I have only one piece of advice to give you. Take every chance you have, if it means doing something right. Make the most of what you have and be thankful every day for the live you have been privileged with, because you never know when it might be taken away. I think that you of all people would understand this better than most…but I'll say no more on that. Congratulations to all of you. I couldn't be prouder…"
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"I was thinking about what Professor McGonagall said, sir, at the Graduation Feast, and-"
"That was quite a while ago, Potter."
"Yes, sir, I know, but it really stuck with me. Things are calming down in our world now, and things are really starting to work out for me. And I was, well-"
Snape sighed and flopped down in a chair, staring up at the ceiling in exasperation. Harry couldn't decide if he was feigning it or not.
"Just ask it already, Potter. Do not make me wait any longer."
"Sorry, sir, but it's a bit hard for me…I don't really know what to say…"
"Hard for you! Merlin's beard, boy, if only you knew!"
Snape stood up and poured two glasses of wine. He held one out to Harry who took it in surprise and then moved to lean against the fireplace.
"You do not that it is illegal for vampires to marry a human, do you not?" he asked Harry. Harry blanched, his eyes widening.
"No – Nobody knows. And sir, how did you know?"
Snape waved his hand dismissively.
"Do what you will, Potter. If I am to have half-breed grandchildren, then I would be proud for them to be yours."
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"Oh, Severus, you do look good," fussed Mrs Weasley. Snape bent low to accept a kiss on the cheek. "Are you ready for this?"
"As I'll ever be," grumbled Snape, though his voice was light. Mrs Weasley smiled and bustled away. She paused in the hall to pick up a vase of flowers and continued on to the room around the corner.
"Oh, you look absolutely beautiful, dear," she beamed, entering the room. "Feeling all right? I remember my wedding day – you wouldn't believe how nervous I was – but don't you worry, Harry's a lovely boy…"
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Ron smirked.
"What am I doing, Ron?" asked Harry, straightening his robes again. "And look at these things! Who would get married wearing these? What the hell was wrong with a suit?"
"Calm down, mate. You know you're really stressing too much."
"You still got the rings? I'm not stressing. I'm just – You wait till you and Hermione get hitched, and then see how you like it."
Ron's face paled a bit.
"Me and…Hermione…get…married?"
Harry grinned.
"Sure. Just remember to make me your Best Man. Ron nodded fervently, his eyes wide as he stared of into the distance.
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"You're beautiful," murmured Harry as he guided Katherine down onto the bed. He kissed his way down her neck, moving the strap out of the way. "You look great in white, Katherine…but this just has to go."
Katherine gave a contented sigh of agreement and slipped out of the long white dress.
They didn't get much sleep that night.
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Harry smiled contentedly as he looked down at his sleeping wife, thinking that finally – finally – everything was right with the world.
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A/N: THE END!
A big thankyou to everyone who reviewed and everyone who followed this story through to the end. I really hope you liked it – Wujjawoo