A/N Well, it's been a while (yeah yeah I know 2+ years), but finally the story continues. I would like to thank reviewer Vkw10 whose comments were the inspiration I needed to get this finished. I can't promise that updates will be regular, nor that the story will last much longer, but it will be completed.

My thanks to to TomHRichardson for proof reading this chapter for me. Any remaining errors are mine.

As always I don't own Harry Potter and anything else you recognise. I do this for fun and make no money from it.

Previously

"Harry and I now have a controlling interest in the Daily Prophet. I'm going to make sure that everyone knows exactly what you did and what it almost cost us. Your name will become a byword for hubris, arrogance and blind belief in your own infallibility. All the families, on both sides, who lost loved ones because of your actions will curse your name forever!"

With that, Hermione stalked out of the room.

Dumbledore, looking shocked and horrified, turned his gaze to his former deputy and implored her. "Minerva, you can't let them publish that, what will people think?"

Minerva glanced at the painting and, in a soft calm voice that belied the rage and anguish she felt, replied. "Albus, I'll even proof-read the articles for them."

Hermione walked out of the Headmistress's office still fuming about the bearded bastard's interference in her and Harry's lives. She knew he was trying to do what he considered right. She also knew what he had done and what was actually the right thing to do were a galaxy apart!

'Hermione, I'll meet you in our quarters in a little while' came Harry's mental 'voice'.

'Ok' she replied, feeling a wave of love over the bond.

Harry's hands were still on the ward stone as he felt the calm of the school. It felt as if there was a vast presence that was… sleeping? He sent the presence his thanks and almost felt there was an answering… smile perhaps, certainly approval. Harry wondered if he was just imagining it. Somewhat reluctantly, he gently removed his hands from the stone, caressing it as he did. His sense of the vast presence diminished, but did not entirely disappear, to his surprise.

He called to Mipsy and had her deposit him in the Great Hall as he wanted a few minutes to compose himself. As he walked back to his and Hermione's quarters, he noticed that the castle seemed somehow warmer and more welcoming as well as sharper and more solid. It was the oddest feeling, only slight, but it was noticeable.

Harry arrived in their quarters and hugged his wife. He mentally smiled at her as he luxuriated in her embrace. "I'll never tire of this," he sent. Hermione merely sent feelings of approval and agreement.

They then sat down and discussed what they were going to do about Dumbledore.

The following morning, they left the school for a couple of hours, visiting the offices of the Daily Prophet. There they spoke at length to a reporter with whom they had an… interesting relationship. They left the reporter with a statement and several vials containing copied memories before returning to Hogwarts. They were promised an interesting read in the Sunday Prophet with the first of a series of articles that would completely destroy Dumbledore's reputation.

They decided to stop for an earlyish lunch and Harry remarked, "you know, I've never been to Poppi's, why don't we try there."

They walked to the restaurant and were surprised to see it closed and the sign being replaced. The 'Adipem Populus' sign was coming down and a new one going up that read 'Tenues Populus'. The extremely tall Maître D was standing outside and explaining to people that the restaurant would re-open in a few days, due to an unfortunate accident the previous day that required the restaurant to be thoroughly cleaned. Harry thanked him and commented to Hermione. "All the food is supposed to be excellent and apparently the wafer-thin wafers are to die for! "

Overhearing this comment, the Maître d paled, clapped his hand over his mouth and rushed inside. Harry and Hermione looked at him curiously and she said. "What a strange man."

With that, they returned to Hogwarts and went to the Headmistress's office to let her know about the upcoming series of articles regarding the former headmaster.

Dumbledore attempted to dissuade them from publishing the details of his actions. Albus said, "I know you and Harry suffered, but you must see it from my point of view. I did it for the Greater Good."

Hermione, who was still angry with the former headmaster, glared at him before speaking. "I see. Well, of course, that is the sort of blinkered philistine pig-ignorance I've come to expect from you, you non creative garbage. You sat there on your loathsome spotty behind squeezing blackheads, not caring a tinker's cuss for Harry. You swine, you excrement. You whining hypocritical toady to your so-called Greater Good. You sat there with your chocolate-frog card and your phoenix and your bleeding secret order. But you wouldn't let me help Harry, would you, you blackballing bastard. Well I wouldn't see your point of view if you went down on your lousy stinking knees and begged me!"

With that, she stormed out of the office trailed by a stunned Harry, leaving an absolutely gob-smacked headmistress who eventually turned to the portrait and said, "I think that's a no, Albus."

During the afternoon, Harry and Hermione made their way into the Forbidden Forest, heading for the Centaur village. When they were a short distance from the village, a black coated centaur galloped out of the forest and pulled up sharply in front of the pair. The centaur flushed on seeing who it was, anger showing at the reminder of his shame. "Why are you on Centaur land?" he asked with a hard-edged voice.

Harry realised the likely reason for the anger and decided to attempt to settle the matter. Harry bowed in the Centaur fashion, Hermione following his lead. "Well met Bane" he said.

Surprised by the respect shown, Bane just nodded and said, "well met, Harry Potter."

"Thank you again for your assistance in the final battle." Harry said, looking him in the eye.

Bane flushed, certain he was being mocked and was about to return an angry retort when Harry held up his hand, palm outward, in a wait gesture. "Bane, I know you and the fellow members of your herd were not there at the start," Harry said quietly but firmly, "but you were at the end. To me, that is what counts. I bear you no ill-will and thank you for your efforts."

Bane, somewhat taken aback, merely nodded.

"We would like to speak to Firenze if he is available," asked Hermione politely.

"He is in the village at the moment I believe. I will escort you."

Harry and Hermione both thanked him and they proceeded into the village.

Once there, Harry and his wife went over to Firenze while Bane took his leave and went to Magorian, the heard leader, and spoke to him in quiet tones.

Together Harry and Hermione approached Firenze who looked up from the parchment that had held his attention.

Harry and Hermione bowed to him in the Centaur fashion. "Well met, Firenze," they chorused.

Firenze sketched a bow in reply. "Well met, Harry Potter and Hermione Gra-."

Firenze stopped and looked at the pair who were standing together almost touching. He then smiled, "Well met Hermione Potter. May I give you both my congratulations on your bonding."

"Thank you, Firenze," they said smiling, as they instinctively sought each other's hand.

"Firenze," said Harry earnestly. "I would like to thank you for your recent assistance. Your warning to Luna got her to St. Mungos and thence to Gringotts in time to be of great assistance to us. We are in your debt." With that, they both gave Firenze a deep bow.

The other Centaurs were surprised by the respect being shown by the two humans to a centaur.

Firenze smiled, "If you continue to treat me and mine with respect then I will consider the debt more than repaid."

The pair smiled and nodded and bowed again. They chatted with Firenze for a little while until the group was approached by Bane and Magorian, the leader of the Centaurs. The paid turned to the Centaur chieftain and bowed. "Well met, Chief Magorian."

Magorian nodded to them and replied. "Well met, Lord and Lady Potter." Magorian was being treated with respect so he was happy to return it, especially after what Bane had told him.

Harry then bowed to Magorian again, "Chief, my thanks for your people's assistance during the battle. I believe that their timely arrival helped turn the battle to us."

The leader looked at them warmly if wistfully. "Thank you, Lord Potter, your words are appreciated. Riddle was a threat to us all."

"Please tell me, Your Majesty, did all the centaurs injured recover fully?" asked Hermione.

Magorian grimaced. "Most have, but some of those injuries are cursed wounds, they may never fully heal."

Harry felt Hermione's anger spike through the bond, her thoughts had moved too swiftly for him to follow.

"Your Majesty, did the Ministry healers & curse-breakers not assist you?" asked Hermione, already having deduced the answer.

The Centaur leader's face took on a stony expression and he shrugged. "To many of the leaders of the ministry, we are just beasts. Hagrid and our shaman did what they could, but..."

'Harry-' Hermione sent.

'On it.' Replied her bond mate.

"Chief Magorian, with your permission, I will ask the goblins to send healers to help your people. I will bear all costs. Even if the ministry acts without honour, I shall not do the same."

Magorian knew how good the Goblin healers were and would have approached them had he had any way to pay them. He wasn't prepared to put his pride before his people's welfare. Harry and Hermione were surprised when the normally stoic and serious Centaur smiled. "Lord Potter, if you can get the goblins to assist, only a very great fool would refuse. Since I am not a great fool, I clearly must accept. My thanks."

Harry smiled and inclined his head. "It is the least I can do."

Hermione pulled out parchment and a self-inking quill from her bag and handed it to Harry along with a clipboard. Harry quickly penned a note to Bloodfist. His owl, Lorax, had sensed he needed her and swooped down and collected the letter and flew off.

Ragnok received the letter from Harry and smiled to himself as he read it, thinking, 'Harry is fast making friends with all the sentient species.' With that, he called for healers to be sent straight away.

The following morning Harry and Hermione slept quite late, but still made it down in time for breakfast. They spotted Luna and Neville sitting together, a little apart from the rest of the Gryffindor table, and went and joined them.

As they were standing behind the pair, they heard Neville ask Luna. "Are you looking forward to the goblin ceremony tonight?"

"Yes," replied Luna. She hesitated and then with a smile in her voice she added, "if you hadn't been invited, I would have asked you to come as my date."

Neville smiled and, a little nervously, asked. "Sh-Shall we call it a date then?"

Luna smiled and leaned in and kissed Neville on the cheek who immediately blushed. "We shall," she stated simply.

"Thank Merlin!" said Harry, startling the seated pair. Luna and Neville span around on the bench and looked at the couple, Neville with a puzzled look on his face. "What do you mean?" he queried.

Harry snorted, "you finally asked her."

Neville reached and took Luna's hand and replied. "Not all of us suddenly find yourselves soul-bonded. Some of us have to work at it."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and smiled. Harry brought Hermione's hand to his lips and kissed it before looking into her eyes and saying. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

A/N I know, it's a short chapter, but I hope the next one will be longer. As always, please review and let me know what you think, it's my only payment.

If you didn't get the joke about the Maitre'D, you will need to reread the last chapter and also watch the Mr Creosote segment from Monty Python's Meaning of Life.