Many Thanks to those who reviewed Chapter Eleven! The grand finale of book two is here. I'll give the standard week for people to get in their final reviews of book two before posting the prologue of book three, Mists of Lies, which will naturally be posted as a separate story. Enjoy!

Epilogue

Dobby's Master

Harry had been to several Hogwarts feasts in the past, but none had been quite like this. Everybody was in their pajamas, and the celebration lasted all night. Harry didn't know whether the best bit was Hermione running toward him, screaming "You solved it! You solved it!" or Justin hurrying over from the Hufflepuff table to wring his hand and apologize endlessly for suspecting him, or Hagrid turning up at half past three, cuffing Harry, Faykan and Ron so hard on the shoulders that they were knocked into their plates of trifle, or their six hundred points for Gryffindor securing the House Cup for the second year running, or Professor McGonagall standing up to tell them all that the exams had been canceled as a school treat ("Oh, no!" said Hermione), or Dumbledore announcing that, unfortunately, Professor Lockhart would be unable to return next year, owing to his untimely and accidental death. Quite a few of the teachers joined in the cheering that greeted this news.

The rest of the final term passed in a haze of blazing sunshine. Hogwarts was back to normal with only a few, small differences; Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled ("but we've had plenty of practice at that anyway," Ron told a disgruntled Hermione) and Lucius Malfoy had been sacked as a school governor. Nott was no longer strutting around the school as though he owned the place. On the contrary, he looked resentful and sulky. On the other hand, Ginny Weasley was perfectly happy again. Draco was still moody, but it was mainly due to finding out that his father had been behind the attacks. Harry had learned of this from Dobby, who had been more than happy to spill the Malfoys' dirtiest secrets to his new master, starting with Mr. Malfoy's hand in the plot that year.

At first, Harry hadn't had any idea what to do with his new servant, but Faykan helped him by suggesting that he send Dobby to Diagon Alley to get a new uniform that was more becoming than the dirty pillow case that he usually wore. As an afterthought, Harry also asked for Dobby to wait in his room at Privet Drive for him to return during the summer.

The last day of the school year, Collin Creevey caught up to Harry and Faykan once again, practically begging them for one picture, and Harry finally consented, on the condition that he and Faykan could get a copy each of it that night. Collin was ecstatic, and together Faykan and Harry stood in the middle of the busy common room for the boy to take the perfect picture. They both even signed his copy for him, which sent the kid skipping away in pure joy. Later Harry overheard Faykan telling Collin about the black fox that could sometimes be found in the common room, and how it didn't like being picked up or petted hard like a plush toy, and Harry almost burst into laugher at Faykan's attempts to control his frustration at the boy, since Collin didn't understand how Faykan could know about the fox, since he was never awake at the times that Collin saw it.

Too soon, it was time for the journey home on the Hogwarts Express. Harry, Faykan, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Draco and Ginny got a compartment to themselves. They made the most of the last few hours in which they were allowed to do magic before the holidays. They played Exploding Snap, set off the very last of Fred and George's Filibuster fireworks, and practiced disarming each other by magic. Harry was getting very good at it.

The Hogwarts Express slowed and finally stopped in King's Cross.

"Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier. "When they hear what you did this year?"

"Proud?" said Harry. "Are you crazy? All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious…"

"Speaking of them, Harry. Are you ready to brave the muggles for another few weeks before returning to the wizarding world?" Faykan said.

"Do I have to?" Harry whined.

"Unfortunately. Don't worry, I'll pick you up earlier this year, and maybe we'll all congregate at my home for a month or two this summer." Faykan replied cheerfully.

These words kept Harry happy the entire trip back to Privet Drive. Faykan left him on the doorstep and vanished with a loud pop while Harry opened the door. Aunt Petunia ignored him as Harry went up to his room.

Opening the door, Harry was greeted by an excited Dobby bowing low, "Welcome home, Master Harry Potter, Sir…"

To Be Continued…

Please Review!