A/N Greetings all! I'm not sure if any of you noticed, but FF was having server issues last night, so as a result I wasn't able to finish writing the story (I'm also a procrastinator and I had a ton of homework) but I can comfortably say there will be at least 5 more chapters. It could very well be a bit more, depends on how much stuff I haven't addressed yet.

Thanks to you all for making it this far and keeping me encouraged enough to continue writing this story. In case you haven't been told, you're wonderful, and if you have been told then it must be true. Have a wonderful day and enjoy!

Narcissa sat at the dining table, her sister's mask in her hands. She absently stroked the planes of the cheeks, worry coiled tightly in her gut. Hermione's mask sat on the table in front of her. It gleamed in the low light, almost alive. She didn't doubt their skills or power, but even the best could be defeated if they were overwhelmed. Draco placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He had stayed with her after Andromeda left in case she needed an extra set of hands. Aurion and the other injured followers were in the other room, all tended to and sleeping peacefully. They would all make a full recovery.

"They'll be fine, mum," Draco said, for himself and his mother.

"How can you be sure?" Narcissa asked in a small voice. She held Bellatrix's mask gently as if it would shatter under too much force. It wouldn't, Narcissa knew that, but a small part of her was terrified. Okay, a large part.

"I just do." Draco kept his hand on Narcissa's shoulder, looking at the mask in her hands. He had no idea what would happen. Everyone had been in bad shape when he left.

"As selfish as it is, I'm glad you aren't fighting. If I lost all of you, I don't know what I'd do," she admitted. Draco was momentarily surprised. His mother seldom voiced her fears. It was something they all kept to themselves. Voicing them somehow made them real.

"You'd find a way to keep going. That's what we all do. It's all we can do, but it works," Draco whispered. He sat next to her, staring a the table. They descended into a thoughtful silence, neither looking at the other.

"I hope so."

"Me too."

The words fell between them and silence filled the room again. All they could do was anxiously wait for news.

Dawn broke as Harry, Ron, and Hermione finalized their post-war plan. It hadn't been easy, and they had their share of arguments and disagreements, but they had worked through it as best they could. It wasn't perfect, but they were all trying. They were really no more than kids, but the world rested on their shoulders and they couldn't fail. They had to start somewhere. Bellatrix and Minerva had helped, too. They gave advise and pitched in when necessary. It was a plan in progress, but it was better than no plan at all.

Hermione stood before the gathered Death Eaters, Order members, students, and teachers. They all looked at her, even Harry and Ron, and she fought the nervousness rising in her. Bellatrix was only a few feet away and she focused on the familiar sensation of the dark witch's magic. It calmed her marginally, but it was enough. Hermione took a deep breath, steeling herself. She set her face into the picture of composure, looking steadily out at the assembled group.

"It has been decided that all Death Eaters and Order members are to be absolved of responsibility for the war. It was not between us, but Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort. Both are casualties of war. The Ministry of Magic is currently held by loyal followers, under my and Bellatrix's command. We will order the relinquishment of control when a new Minister is elected. Until then, it will operate under tightly regulated procedures but will be for the benefit of the public," Hermione announced. She was proud when her voice did not shake from nerves.

"A statement will be made to all major newspapers this afternoon, but a preliminary message has already been sent out. Until then, we should all rest," Harry said.

"You expect us to let Voldemort's followers run the Ministry?" Mad-Eye asked belligerently.

Molly whirled on him, anger distorting her features as she loudly said, "Dumbledore mislead us for years. Yes, the Death Eaters wanted to kill the Muggleborns but that was the first war. This is a different war. If you don't trust Hermione, at least trust Harry and Ron."

"He knew the whole time, Molly. Mad-Eye and Sirius were aware of Dumbledore's lies," Severus said.

"So were you, Snivellus," Sirius sneered.

"Enough! Severus chose our side over yours, Sirius. You knew you were in the wrong, but you did nothing," Hermione sneered. Harry struggled with himself. Sirius was his godfather and even though Hermione had told him the truth, he had trouble believing it. He saw it now, though. The cruelty of his godfather shone through and Harry saw it for the first time. It was appalling.

"Sirius, after everything you taught me, how can you say they're worse than you?" Harry asked. Sirius hesitated, unsure of how to respond. There was a time when he would have been able to convince Harry the Death Eaters were evil but it had long passed. Harry was right, though. His cousin had only ever done what she needed to survive, that's all anyone had done. They were all different though. Sure, they weren't very sane, but that could hardly be helped. Azkaban did that to people.

"I-I can't," he admitted, hanging his head in shame. The war was over, even if there wasn't a clear winner. They had a duty to make the world better than it was.

"Sirius, you can't possibly be considering?" Mad-Eye began.

"I'm not considering, I've decided. We have to make things better. For the kids. They never asked for any of this but here they are, coming up with solutions to problems we caused. It isn't right."

"So instead you're just going to listen to what they say."

"They're doing better than we are. Why shouldn't we?"

"They're children. They can't possibly know what's best for everyone!"

"That makes you a fool," Molly said.

"There are those that will agree with him. That's why we need to step up. We need to be better."

"I'm glad we've all come to our senses. Now, about Hogwarts. The acting Headmistress will be Minerva McGonagall until a Minister is elected and he or she will decide upon a permanent placement. With the destruction of the school, I offer my castle to the students and staff until it is repaired. I believe it should be properly outfitted for a temporary school," Hermione continued, turning to Fred and George. They nodded. In the time the trio had debated, they had moved their products to Hermione's island and did their best to make it feel like Hogwarts.

"Repairs will be headed by us with two full teams of Aurors and any volunteers," the twins said. Minerva paled but trusted the trio's decision, possibly against her better judgment. She hadn't been there for that decision.

"Did I miss anything?" Hermione whispered.

"Nope, you got it all. Good job," Ron whispered back.

"If you'll please separate into groups. There are six portkeys. Faculty with me. The rest of you, form equal groups. Ginny, Neville, Luna, Harry, and Ron have the others."

"I'll get Draco. I'm sure Narcissa is getting worried," Bellatrix whispered to Hermione.

"Thanks, I'll see you there," Hermione whispered back. Bellatrix turned on her heel, Disapparating with a crack.

The staff of Hogwarts gathered around Hermione, cramming together so they would all be able to hold the portkey. She waited until they were all ready before activating it, transporting them to her castle. They released the portkey and Hermione pulled Bellatrix's necklace over her head. Fred and George were waiting for them, followed shortly by the other arrivals. Bellatrix was last, and Hermione relinquished the group to Fred and George. She took Bellatrix's arm, the dark witch Apparating them home. Their room was dark and Hermione immediately gravitated to the bed, throwing herself unceremoniously on top of it.

"Merlin, I'm so tired," she breathed. She faintly registered Bellatrix crawling into bed next to her, until the dark witch yanked the covers out from under her.

"At least get under the blanket. Or let me have it," Bellatrix mumbled.

"How about we share," Hermione whispered, moving closer to the dark witch.

"I'm okay with that."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Bellatrix's waist, laying her head on her chest. Their armor wasn't comfortable, exactly, but they were both too exhausted to care. Bellatrix snaked her arm around Hermione's waist, humming contentedly as she quickly descended into sleep.