Last time, Harry woke up after defeating Voldemort once and for all. This time he's gone for good. As if to confirm it, Harry's scar has vanished, like it was never there. On with the show!

Chapter 53: Leave-takings

"What now" asked Ginny. "Now," said Ron, "Now we go home." "That's the smartest thing I've ever heard you say." Said Hermione. "You know," said Will, "We should really be heading back to our world." "Sounds good to me," said Cornelia, "We still have the rest of our summer vacation to finish."

"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione, "It's almost September." "The thing is," said Taranee, "When we visit another dimension outside our own, by returning through Candracar, it'll be like we never left home." "In Candracar," said Will, "Time and space flow differently."

"That'll make going home easier for us," said Bloom, "Since our method of return doesn't go outside time and space." "No problem," said Will, "We'll drop you and your friends back on their respective worlds first."

"Before you go," said Harry as he shook Will's hand, "I just want to say, thank you, for everything." He then shook Bloom's hand, "You too, I doubt I would have made it without you or your friends." "Glad we could help," said Bloom, "Any time." "Yeah, anytime." Said Will. She held up the Heart of Candracar, creating a opening in the fabric of reality. With one last look, Will her friends along with Bloom and her friends, entered the rift, and it closed after them.

"I think we should be leaving now as well." Said Maria to Max. "Yeah," said Max, "That's probably a good idea." "Where were you in all this?" asked Steve. "I did my part," said Maria, "I managed to soak Voldemort with holy water, I didn't do any good though."

"You can worry about who did what later when it's time to write the mission reports," said Max, "First lets head home." It was then that Harry shook Max's hand. "All I can say is thank you," said Harry, "I think I owe you and your friends the most." "Just doing our job," said Max, "That's all. One thing before we go that I want you and your friends to remember: Just because Voldemort is dead, doesn't mean that the world is free from evil forever."

"He's right," said Laura, "When one evil dies, another is soon to take it's place. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday, darkness shall rise up again." "And when that day comes," said Max as he gave Harry a small white card, like a business card, "I want you to call this number, it'll lead directly to me."

With that, Max pulled out his cell phone, dialed for transport, and he; Laura; Steve; Maria; Aaron and the still complaining Virgil teleported out.

"Well then," said Hermione, "That's that then." "This has not only been the bloodiest summer I've ever seen," said Ron, "But also the weirdest; the strangest and the best ever." "What makes the best?" asked Hermione. "Because," said Ron, "This is the summer I finally figured out that I love you." "Ron?" asked Hermione. "Yes?" replied Ron. "Shut up and kiss me!" and so they did. "Oh get a room you two!" exclaimed Ginny.

As they made their way back up to the fortress, it was Ginny who asked, "Do you think we'll ever see them again? I mean Will, or Bloom or Max?" "I doubt we've seen the last of Will and the Guardians," said Harry, "Or of Bloom and her friends. As for Max and the Ramblers," he looked at the card Max gave him, "If what Laura said is true then we'll most assuredly see them again."

Once back at the fortress, Harry saw Rufus Scrimgeour approaching as fast as his limp would allow him. "What happened over there?" asked Scrimgeour, "Where's Voldemort?" "Dead," said Harry, "he's gone for good this time." "In that case," said Scrimgeour, "I believe you three," referring to Harry, Ron and Hermione, "Are due for Auror training." "You mean it?" asked Harry, for being an Auror was his ambition. "Yes," said Scrimgeour, "I am a man of my word."

Just then, Harry saw Rita Skeeter hurrying towards him. "Oh great!" exclaimed Ron. "I'm not in the mood to talk to the media," said Hermione, "Not today." "Me neither," said Ginny, "Lets just go home." "Couldn't have said it better myself." Said Harry.

"Harry!" exclaimed Rita Skeeter, "Is it true that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is dead?" "His name is, was Voldemort," said Harry, "And yes, Voldemort is dead for good. Now if you would be so kind, I'd like to get off this island." "But how did you do it?" asked Rita Skeeter anxiously.

Harry felt that this was one question he had to answer, "Well, it wasn't easy, and I couldn't have done it without my friends. All of them."

Thus ends Harry's great Quest for the Horcruxes, as well as the nightmare that is Voldemort. Harry would indeed see Will and her friends again, as well as Bloom and her friends, also Max and the Ramblers. But those are other stories…

The end of chapter 53. There's one last part to tell, one last point to get across. See you next time!