Disclaimer: I don't own anything…
Epilogue
"War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity;
it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families."
- Martin Luther
Harry Jahan and Ellis Kurama Potter looked sober in black at the ceremony several months later. Many other witches and wizards wore black. They were celebrating the Fall of Voldemort with mixed feelings. The apologetic Ministry of Magic had awarded medals to the many heroes of the war that had lasted more or less twenty years. The members of the Order of the Phoenix were all awarded.
Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy were exonerated completely, and awarded the Order of Merlin first class. The Dark Mark from their arms had disappeared after the last piece of Voldemort was destroyed.
Remus Lupin also received the same award. And in his honor, concessions were given to the group of the werewolves on the condition that the Wolfsbane potion be taken regularly each full moon.
Igor Karkaroff had turned in several of the missing Death Eaters to save his own skin; he never saw the insides of a cell in Azkaban and within a few years became the Headmaster of Durmstrang.
Several Death Eaters were still at large, including Peter Pettigrew, whom Lucius finally revealed to be a traitor. Sirius Black had vowed to see his former friend's death.
From the other side of the room, Albus Dumbledore looked at the two young boys sadly. Even now, the words to the prophecy still ring in his ears.
Twice came the peal of the trumpet
Twice came the ring of the bell
Twice cried the hart in the darkness
That the phoenix fought to quell
When the seven vessels are broken
By the snake and the wolf dispelled
Shattered by mother, shattered by child
Twice came the ring of the bell
And Nirvana to the darkness dwelled
They had won, but it didn't feel like it. Too many people have died, too many children would never see adulthood, or would grow never to know their parents. Like Harry and Ellis.
Harry looked much too old to be nearly ten years old. He would be going away to school in a year, but he refused to leave his little brother alone. Albus understood and has yet to decide where the two boys will stay. At the moment they were at Hogwarts, where the two had arrived by portkey with their mother's corpse.
They needed something more permanent. He considered Lily's muggle family briefly, but knew they would not be happy there. And the two boys deserved happiness after all they had been through.
Sirius Black and Remus Lupin had both expressed their interest in adopting the two. But Albus was reluctant to leave them in the care of a werewolf. No matter how responsible he was, Remus would still have to leave the boys during the full moon. And no matter how many concessions the Ministry made, it was still going to be a long time before the people could accept werewolves completely.
As for the Auror, Albus did not think Harry and Ellis needed any further reminders of Dark Wizards. And Sirius was not really equipped to deal with the two boys; he was still a kid himself. Lastly, the two Marauders both lived too far away. Harry would never consent.
Perhaps someone much closer. Albus looked at the dour potions master sitting beside Lucius Malfoy. Severus Snape also looked older than his twenty-six years. The years of service as a spy had taken their toll. But Albus trusted him among all others to take his responsibilities seriously. And he would not treat Harry any different despite the jagged scar on the boy's forehead. Yes, Severus will do well as a father. Albus rubbed his hands in anticipation. Now he would only need to find a way to break it to the young man.
Finite.
A/N: There will be a sequel. As to when it will be written? I have no idea.
