Fireworks erupted from the box, shattering the silence, and lighting up the darkening sky. A great, orange-yellow fire-breathing dragon exploded skywards and then swooped back down towards the crowd. Hogwarts students who had witnessed Fred and George's escape years before looked on in joy, their faces lit up by the explosion. Everyone else ducked or dived to the floor. Hundreds of pink catherine-wheels whizzed out behind the dragon, twirling in the air, bouncing off the house and multiplying as they hit each other. Thousands of tiny sparkling silver stars followed, weaving between guests, leaving trails of light in their wake. There were some new fireworks too, ones that Harry hadn't seen before. He wondered if that was what George had been doing, locked away in his room all this time. Ginny, who was stood beside him, seemed to read his mind. "I helped," she grinned, giving him a wink.

The fireworks display combined with her playful expression suddenly made him feel years younger, as though they were back in the Gryffindor common room again, watching Fred and George demonstrate Weasley's Wizard Wheezes on unsuspecting first years. Fireworks continued to dart around the guests, and this, combined with George's words, lifted the sombre mood somehow. People began to eat, drink, and chat in earnest. Ginny went to George's side and gave him a tight squeeze, and Harry weaved his way through the crowd, trying to find Ron and Hermione. George's words had given people permission to celebrate. There were rounds of butterbeers and fire-whiskey being passed around, and as Harry moved through the crowds, he heard snatches of stories about Fred and George's antics over the years.

"…covered in fur for weeks afterwards…"

"-dropped it on his head!"

"-dung bombs, obviously…"

"-hundreds of gigantic canaries"

Harry smiled as he passed, reminded of some of his own memories with the twins; sneaking into Hogsmeade with the Marauders Map, quidditch wins and the midnight parties and feasting that followed. But then the sound of his own name caught his attention, and he paused, leaning closer to listen.

"Potter may have some useful information, of course." Harry recognised him as Gawain Robards, head of the Auror office.

"May I remind you that Potter is still of school-age! He has not yet even taken his NEWT exams yet and he's already been through so much. I hope you're not thinking of asking for his help with all this!" Harry recognised Professor McGonagall's stern voice. A moment later, in a darker tone she said, "how many are yet to be apprehended?"

"We know of at least nine. McNair, Dolohov, and Rookwood, among others. Just yesterday, we were informed of the murder of a muggle family over in Middle Chudley. It seems that it was random. They're blaming it on another gas leak, but obviously, we suspect death eater involvement… perhaps a vengeful act in the face of their defeat. We're heading up there first thing tomorrow to investigate."

He drained his glass and walked away, exposing Harry standing there, which made Professor McGonagall jump. "Potter! Good to see you, though of course I wish it wasn't under such terrible circumstances. I suppose you heard our discussion?"

"Just the end of it, Professor," he admitted. "Professor…" he began, several questions forming on his lips. But before he could ask them, she interrupted. "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that there's no use being less than candid with you, especially when dark magic is involved. So yes, there are still Death Eaters at large, those who escaped during the final moments of the Battle of Hogwarts, when they saw He Who… when they saw Lord Voldemort was defeated."

"I want to help Professor! I know I could be useful," Harry said it quickly and without thinking.

She let out a long sigh, as though she too had suspected he might say this. "It's not a question of whether you'd be helpful Potter, you have more than proven your capabilities." She looked very tired all of a sudden as she said "you're still so young, you haven't yet completed your education. After everything you've gone through this year…"

He cut in "but Professor, that's exactly it. If Death Eaters are still out there, murdering muggles, then it doesn't really feel like we've won yet. It feels mad to come back to Hogwarts and just pretend like that's not happening."

"We're not asking for you to pretend that it's not happening Potter, we're asking you to trust that the aurors, who are trained professionals, will do their jobs. You don't have to save everyone personally."

"I know that," said Harry looking at his feet. His need to 'save' people personally had been the reason that he had gone into the Department of Magical Mysteries looking for Sirius. The reason Sirius had never come out.

Not wanting to think about that, he changed the subject. "Speaking of aurors, Professor, I was wondering, if I do decide not to come back to Hogwarts, would there be any way for me to still qualify for auror training, you know, without NEWTs?"

"So your mind is made up not to return to school?"

"I don't know yet what I want. But it's something I'm considering…"

"Well, I haven't forgotten my promise to you Potter. If you're sure… I suppose there might be a way to take lessons outside of school and make sure you're up to speed. I could help with transfiguration of course, but you'd have to see if the other professors were willing."

The offer of private tuition from Professor McGonagall was such a surprise it momentarily silenced Harry. "T-Thank you Professor, that would be… really great." To his surprise he looked up to see her normally stern face looking almost tearful.

"Really Potter, after everything you've done for the wizarding world, I'd say it's the least I can do." Then with a pat on his shoulder, she moved off into the crowd.

As she walked away, Harry spotted Ron and Hermione, talking to Neville and Luna a few metres away. Just as he began to make his way over, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He looked around to see Andromeda Tonks, holding a tiny baby in her arms.