Epilogue
Harry sat in the Headmaster's office and pulled his books on the table that had been set specifically for him. The Board of Governors had granted him the whole summer to review his lessons before being evaluated for his O.W.L.s in August given his special case. But he had refused as he didn't want a different treatment. After the defeat of Voldemort, he had received many distinctions, even the Order of Merlin first class, but hadn't bothered to show up and retrieve them. He didn't want any of this. He just wanted to spend time with his friends, study and pass his exams as any normal students.
Except Dumbledore, no one knew the details of his fight with Voldemort. Harry had taken the decision to share them with the Headmaster after learning about his relationship with Grindelwald. Only Dumbledore was able to understand what had really happened. But for the rest of the World, he was the hero he had never wanted to be. He couldn't go anywhere without being questioned about the legendary duel. Studying in the library was almost impossible despite Ron and Hermione's efforts to shield him.
The last straw was when a student asked on the fly as he was trying to avoid a group a third-years:
'How does it feel to be hit by the Death Curse and survive?'
Really, some people had no decency. The next thing he knew, he was in Dumbledore's office, still shaking from the anger he had felt after the shameless question.
Dumbledore hadn't needed to ask to know what had happened and, from now on, it had been agreed that Harry could use his office as his own, should he require some peace.
'It should be more comfortable than the Chamber of Secrets,' had said Dumbledore with a wink.
And Harry had therefore started to come here once a week. Soon he was there everyday, and they had started to build a routine around Harry's studies. They would share a cup of tea and then Harry would settle for his studies while Dumbledore was working.
The boy highly valued his time in the Headmaster's office. It was peaceful and warm with a feeling of safety he had rarely known. his life wasn't threatened anymore, but still it was nice to be near his mentor and study under his protection.
He also found the time to visit Supra regularly to the snake's great pleasure. He seemed happy to be back in the Chamber and was always thrilled to see his friend come see him. Dumbledore had made sure no one from the Ministry would ask embarrassing questions about the snake given he would stay discreet about his whereabouts. Harry had never told Dumbledore he was regularly bringing the basilisk in the Forbidden Forest to hunt, but he was too careful to be caught.
Dumbledore had also recommended Harry to a good friend of him. A magizoo… thing. Harry had never heard of this type of profession but apparently, the man would be able to help with Supra. Which had been a relief for the boy as he needed advice to take good care of his friend.
Since he didn't have to go back to the Dursleys, he spent his summer between 12 Grimmauld Square and his parents' cottage that he started to rebuild with the help of Dumbledore. Sirius would have wanted to spend more time with his godson but understood his need to keep his distances. Besides he was keeping his distances with mostly everyone apart from Ron and Hermione.
The hype around Harry Potter, the Chosen One, hunted him through his sixth and seventh year. Over time, he learnt to ignore remarks and glances. If it hadn't been for his friends and Dumbledore, he would have left earlier.
He didn't show up on graduation day even though he received many awards for services to the school and for the highest score ever awarded in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Sirius Black retrieved the rewards in a deafening silence.
Where was Harry Potter?
For two years, no one heard of him or saw him though the rumours were saying that Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, now husband and wife, were receiving news from him. At least a snow-white owl was regularly visiting them.
In his last days as Minister, Cornelius Fudge tried to send Aurors to search for him, but after a meeting with Dumbledore, the order was quickly lifted. Had the Hogwarts Headmaster threatened the Minister for Magic? The wildest rumours were circulating, but the Minister refrained from making any comments.
In the end, life went on.
On a sunny day of June, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, found his school, once again, one member of staff short. After Umbridge's departure, he had been able to replace her with Kingsley Shacklebolt, but his recent nomination to become Head of Aurors led him to resign from his position. He was writing a job ad for the Prophet when he heard a knock on his office door.
All the students were in exams and the teachers were currently all on duty. He wondered what Filch wanted from him on such a calm day.
'Come in!' He said loudly enough to be heard.
The door opened and a young man with familiar dark messy hair entered the office. Dumbledore didn't need to look at the scar to recognize him immediately.
'Hello Sir,' smiled Harry while heading towards the desk. 'Hi Fawkes,' he added as the phoenix sung happily at his sight.
The Headmaster stood up and greeted the young man with a joyful handshake. They sat in the armchairs facing each other and pleasantly exchanged about Harry's trip and the time that had passed. Dumbledore was pleased to see how much the once young boy had changed and grown up. An hour passed without them realising it.
'I heard about Shacklebolt,' eventually said Harry while putting his tea cup on the desk. 'To be honest I wonder why he hasn't been nominated before.'
'I am afraid his allegiance to the Order was detrimental to him,' said Dumbledore. 'It took some time for the Minister to come around even after Fudge's resignation.'
'I guess they all are still bitter for having been so blind,' laughed Harry.
'Is it correct of me to assume that this why you have come here today?' Asked Dumbledore with his famous gaze above his half-moon glasses.
'Not entirely,' smiled Harry. 'I wanted to see the school and I wanted to talk to you. But yes, one of my goals was to enquire about Defense Against the Dark Arts position.'
'Well, I was writing an ad for it when you knocked at my door,' said Dumbledore happily. 'Are you interested?'
'Indeed, I'd like to be considered.'
'Hmm… And may I ask why?'
'Are you surprised by my request?' Chuckled Harry.
'Merely curious,' replied Dumbledore peacefully. 'The World is at your feet. If you wanted you could seize any job at the Ministry with more prospect than a position as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.'
'You know as well as I do that I never sought power and I never will. It corrupts even the best people and once you tasted it, it turns into an unquenchable thirst,' said harry with disgust. 'I could retire in my cottage at Godric's Hollow and live a long and easy life there. Actually, it is the first place I went to after returning from my travel.' Harry leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. For a moment he seemed absent. 'But I didn't find the feeling I was looking for. I spent time at Grimmauld Square with Sirius in my last years at Hogwarts and though I enjoyed it greatly I didn't find there either.' He stood up and went near the window. Students were starting to get out of the castle free, at last, from their exams. Summer holidays were ahead of them and the games they would play, the friends they would meet were their only concerns. The only concerns a child should have.
'I traveled the World and met wonderful people and creatures,' continued Harry with a dreamy tone. 'I had hard times and beautiful ones. But no matter the places I visited or where I have lived, I never found it either.'
'What were you looking for?' Finally asked Dumbledore with a soft voice.
'Home,' replied Harry while turning back to the Headmaster. 'I have never felt at home anywhere else but here. This is why I have come to you today to consider me for the opened position at Hogwarts.' He paused a few seconds and added with a small smile. 'Of course, I will be more than happy to provide a demonstration of my skills, should it be required.'
Dumbledore chuckled and considered the young man a few seconds. Eventually he stood up and went behind his desk to tear the parchment he had been writing on apart.
'I believe all those who learnt Defence Against the Dark Arts from the document you left to Miss Granger aced their exams,' he said with a kind smile. 'As for your ability in this area, who am I to question it? I will let the Board of Governors try their hand at this task if they feel up to it.'
Harry smiled warmly and shook the hand Dumbledore was raising towards him.
'However, I might have a special request about…'
'Supra is welcomed to reinstate the Chamber under the same condition of your sixth and seventh year,' replied Dumbledore.
Harry nodded. His smile was so bright and sincere that Dumbledore saw for a fraction of seconds the young boy that had smiled at him after being sorted into Gryffindor.
A clamour of joy and laughs arose from the castle lawn and Harry and Dumbledore glanced through the window to see that students had started a party to celebrate the end of term. They still hadn't noticed Filch who was hurrying towards them to restore order.
'Welcome Home Harry Potter,' smiled Dumbledore.
I hope you all enjoyed the story and its ending. I will take some time to translate both of my stories in french as it has been requested by some of my friends.
Then I might write another story to explore a darker path that Harry could have taken.
I will read all the reviews and will listen to any proposition to correct my writing style as all my beta readers (Thank you guys!) were all french speaking people like me.
Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Mischief Managed
