The Phantom of Hogwarts
(The True Story)

Chapter Seven: Stranger Than I Dreamt It

As the golden domes faded, Luna rushed to Hermione's side. Harry bowed to her then began walking back towards the entrance to join them. The sound of the heels of his boots echoed throughout the Great Hall. Then, a low hum began to fill the hall. The buzz grew into shouts of anger as the shock of what had just transpired began to wear off. Accusing stares and fingers followed Harry, accompanied by cries of, "Murderer!"

The moment Harry reached Hermione's side, he swiped the air with his hand. "Silence!"

Whether by force of magic or by fear, the Great Hall fell deathly silent.

"You fools!" Harry growled. "Have you chosen to remain blinded by Dumbledore's lies? He was the murderer! He doomed me to exist for over a thousand years as the Phantom of Hogwarts, all for his greater good! Then, he murdered my father, James Potter, to prevent me from ever returning! He became the evil that he professed in my time to oppose! Now, you dare to accuse me of the same for ridding your world of his wickedness by sending him to the punishment he so justly deserved?"

Harry's eyes reduced to slits as he scanned the faces in the hall.

"You self-righteous swine! Were you raised to believe that you are above such atrocities? Who do you think has foiled every potential dark wizard that has attempted to pass through these halls as one of you? Dumbledore or the Headmasters before him? No! It was me! I have stood sentient over these grounds! I have brought to light every single dark witch or wizard that has dared to attempt to use this temple of higher learning as a place to rise to power! But now I am free, and I am through with all of you! May you rot where you stand and wallow in your self-pity. The day shall come when you need me once more. You shall cry my name from the upmost tower. You shall beg me to save you. When that day comes, you shall hear my whisper. The utterance of my eternal, 'No'."

Harry glanced at Professor McGonagall, then twirled his cloak around Hermione and Luna as they disappeared from the Great Hall.

~~~Phantom~~~

Hermione, Luna, and Harry reappeared in Professor McGonagall's office.

"They shall join us momentarily."

Hermione didn't need to ask. She simply watched as Harry stared into the depths of the fireplace.

"You miss the world you left behind, Harry James Potter."

Harry turned his gaze upon Luna. "Yes, and no. What I remember now feels more like a dream. A thousand years dwelling within these walls has robbed me of almost every sensation. My face has become my mask. While it portrays the youth I left behind, my soul has become calloused from my existence. Only the thought of my Angel has kept me."

"You knew me," Hermione stated, stepping forward to take his hand. "In your previous life."

"Yes, my Angel. I knew you well. We were the closest of friends."

"Nothing more?"

"Never had the chance."

The door to the office opened as Professors McGonagall, Sprout, and Snape entered. The three stood transfixed by the specter in human form.

"There is much that I wish to say to each of you. However, I doubt that I have much time."

"You caused quite the chaos today, my former teacher."

"That I did, Pomona. I hope that you understand that what I did, I did for all of you, my former pupils."

Professor McGonagall wiped a tear from her face. "You always have. To see you now, standing free of that cursed mask … I don't know what else to say, except thank you."

"It has been my pleasure, Minerva." Harry swept her a low bow. "I shall always remember those long talks we shared by the fire."

"Your eyes," Professor Snape whispered. "So much like mine. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Brilliant as ever, Lily," Harry sighed. "Alas, that was never a burden for you to bear. Severus has treated you well. It's not good to dwell on what might have been when there's nothing that can be done. Dumbledore saw to that with the banning and destruction of all Time-Turners."

"That bloody bastard," Professor Sprout growled.

"He's rotting now in his eternal hell, Pomona."

"Where will you go?"

Hermione looked at Harry. "Wherever the Magic of the Night takes us."

"You're leaving as well?" Professor McGonagall gasped.

"Of course, she's going with him," Luna sighed. "Their hearts are one, though I admit this has ended stranger than I dreamt it."

Hermione took Harry's hand in hers. "I've known it since the first moment he appeared to me that I'm supposed to be with him. Wherever he goes, I go as well."

"Are you sure, my Angel?" Harry turned to face her. "I know not what lies ahead. We may never see this place again."

Hermione's heart swelled as she stared into his eyes. "It doesn't matter where we go, as long as I'm with you."

"You will write to me, won't you? Think of me wherever the magic takes you?"

Hermione smiled. "Of course, I'll write to you, Luna. Every chance I get."

"I shall miss you, Luna Lovegood." Harry stepped forward. "Though we have never truly spoken until now, I have watched you since the moment you entered my castle. You have a great talent yet to be explored. Open your mind, and all will be revealed to you."

Luna nodded. "I will try, Phantom Harry."

"Now," Harry took Hermione's hands in his, "before the fools within these walls discover us, we must depart. Focus your magic and let it take us there. I love you, my Angel."

"I love you too, my former Phantom of Hogwarts."

Draco burst through the office door as Hermione closed her eyes and drew Harry into a passionate embrace. She focused her magic on her heart's desire, and the two disappeared in a blinding flash of light.

Luna closed the journal in her lap, then sighed.

"Did she write to you, Mummy?" a small red-headed girl asked, dressed in a nightgown and sitting on the side of a pink twin bed.

"Of course, my dear. I've received many letters over the years from Hermione. Now and then, I still receive a letter from her."

"Did Hermione and the Phantom ever return?"

"Yes, they did, but that is a story for another time. Lie down and get some rest." Luna tucked the little girl in and kissed her on the forehead. "Let the Magic of the Night sweep your dreams to faraway places. And maybe, just maybe, you'll catch a glimpse of the Phantom of Hogwarts and his Angel dancing the night away."

The End …?

A/N: And there it is! The final chapter of the Phantom of Hogwarts! I hope that you have enjoyed my short story! Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts. Thanks to all that have reviewed and PMed. Special thanks to my Dad, AA, for being beta!

I'm already planning the next Phantom story! In the meantime, I'm going to focus my magic on finishing some of our other stories on FF.

Until Next Time!

JB