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Wow! Over 400 reviews! That's completely amazing and I have all you dedicated readers to thank for that. Thank you so much each and every one of you for making this my most successful story yet. This technically will be my last chapter. I know some of you had hopes I would continue, but Deathly Hallows was the last of the HP series and I just think that this was a good way for it to end. Sorry, but maybe you'll enjoy some of the other Naruto stories I am currently working on. Thanks again and enjoy the last chapter :)
"Wasn't it totally weird to sleep in those beds again after a full year?" Asked Ron as they walked down the stairs to the Great Hall.
"It felt good." Said Harry as he stretched his arms over his head.
After helping restore some order to the castle, everyone including the ninjas made their way to the Gryffindor Tower to get some much needed rest. Everyone couldn't have felt happier once they climbed into the familiar beds. There was no order in the castle anymore so they all clambered into the boy dormitory and sat around, resting and joking as if they didn't just fight the biggest battle of their lives.
Hermione gave Sakura some extra clothes and together with Luna and Ginny, they tossed the Death Eater garb Orochimaru and Voldermort made her wear into the fire. They shut all the curtains, blocking out the afternoon sun before finally falling asleep and they didn't awaken until the next morning.
The sun was as dazzling as ever as they walked into the Great Hall to see the survivors of the battle all sitting around waiting for the breakfast food to appear.
"It's cruel," Said Hermione as she crossed her arm, "That everyone still expects the house elves to cook for them!"
"You didn't see them last night." Said Harry. "They really kicked some Death Eater butt."
"Yeah, and we deserve a good meal anyways!" Said Ron rubbing his stomach.
"Hmm…you were pretty 'save the house elves' before." Said Shikamaru with a snicker.
Everyone laughed as Ron turned a bright shade of red. Then, the food appeared before them and there was a clang of silverware and plates as people started piling their plates mile high with food.
"I wouldn't mind staying here a little bit longer." Commented Shikamaru as he took some pieces of bacon.
"Seriously?" Asked Luna.
"Well, now that Harry killed that Voldermort guy, I don't think there will be too many problems around here. It will be nice and peaceful." Everyone was silent.
"You're such a lazy ass." Said Sakura finally.
Everyone started to laugh and the comment was forgotten.
"We need to get some ramen in here." Said Naruto as he doused some pancakes in syrup.
"You know," Naruto said looking at Sakura. "I haven't had ramen in months! This is like the first decent meal I've had in months! I bet I lost like ten pounds!"
"When we get back, Ichiraku's on me." Smiled Kakashi.
"Hell yeah!" Shouted Naruto, and with that, he dug into his pancakes.
Everyone ate in silence for a while, just grateful for the good food when Kakashi stopped. He cleared his throat and everyone looked at him.
"Listen, there's something I should tell you…" He looked directly at Sakura and Naruto. "I confronted Sasuke, after the battle…" Sakura and Naruto froze.
"I had the chance to capture him, but I didn't…I…it's just as much my responsibility to bring him back as it is yours. We were all part of Team 7 and…" Kakashi bent his head and shook it. "I'm sorry…"
"Can I say something?" Asked Harry.
Everyone looked at Harry surprised.
"I fought Sasuke, before he could attack you…" Said Harry as he looked at Naruto. Naruto looked confused but Harry continued.
"I mean no disrespect, but I don't think Sasuke is worthy of your friendship, any of you." Said Harry looking to each of the ninjas. "Orochimaru might have been here, but it was really not your battle to fight. You've done so much for me, for us. You've given a new definition to the word ninja and that definition does not include Sasuke. If he really wanted to come back, I think he missed his chance."
"Harry's right." Said Sai finally speaking up. "I finally understand the bond you hold with Sasuke." Said Sai looking at Naruto.
"Because I feel honored to hold that same bond with you." Said Sai giving a smile. "I fought Sasuke also and he expressed nothing but contempt for you, Naruto-kun. You don't deserve a friend that is only possible of giving you anything less than what you give to us."
Naruto was speechless as he looked around the table at his friends, both new and old, and all of them giving him the recognition he always wanted.
"Thanks guys." Naruto whispered. "I was going to work so hard to get Sasuke back once I saw him that night, but I blew my chance." Said Naruto looking at Sakura. "I know you think he's unworthy of my friendship, but I promised Sakura-chan…"
"No!" Said Sakura slamming her fork down. Everyone jumped at the impact it made.
"I've practically spent the last year with Sasuke. He doesn't care about any of us!" Said Sakura looking around the room.
"I also had the chance to bring Sasuke back, and I failed." She said looking at Kakashi. "And Sai's right, Sasuke had plenty of chances to come back. It was his own decision to leave in the first place and no matter how much his friendship means to us, we can't waste our lives trying to accomplish the impossible."
Then, Sakura turned to Naruto. "Naruto, I know you promised to bring him back to me and I'm grateful you have kept that promise for this long, but you should no longer be obligated to keep it."
Before Naruto could say a word in response, McGonagall stepped up to address everyone. She cleared her throat as everyone fell silent.
"I know that this has been a rough couple of days. We lost many good people, but we should not let this overshadow our victory!"
Harry's table let out a few cheers at this.
"No longer shall we live in fear." Smiled McGonagall. "But down to business." She said, her face becoming serious again. "We will hold a mass funeral for all those that died in battle. I hope you can all attend." Said McGonagall softly.
"Our temporary Minister of Magic," Continued McGonagall, and here she started to smile. "Is to take care of…Voldermort's body, so may I advise all of you do not enter that room." She warned.
"Last thing, after much discussion between myself and the remaining teachers," She said, gesturing behind her. "I have been elected the new Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
It was here that the Great Hall erupted in cheers once again especially Harry, Ron and Hermione who couldn't be happier for the woman who helped them through so much.
"Thank you, thank you." Said McGonagall smiling as she motioned with her hands for everyone to settle down. "Hogwarts will reopen next school year and I look forward to seeing everyone next year."
The clatter in the hall started up again as McGonagall walked over to Harry's table. "Potter, Granger, Weasley, I need to talk to you."
"Aww…can't we listen too?" Asked George.
McGonagall gave him a stern look before sighing. Harry wondered if it was because she felt bad for the loss of Fred.
"Well, I know you might worried about your incomplete seventh year." She said.
Harry and Ron exchanged glanced that said they didn't.
"But, I want you to know that what you did out there, was much more important than anything you would have learned here."
Everyone's jaw dropped.
"I am willing to let you graduate as full wizards along with the rest of your class. Potter, I know you expressed interest in becoming an Auror. Know that whatever you need to obtain that goal, I will do my best to give it to you. Granger and Weasley, that goes for you too…I am so proud of you." And with a final pat on their backs, she walked off.
"Hey, no more school!" Shouted Naruto as they all high fived.
Both Hermione and Sakura rolled their eyes when Ginny stood up. "Hey Harry, can I talk with you a moment?"
Harry looked at her for a moment before nodding his head and following her out of the Great Hall.
"Maybe she has another present for him." Said Sai taking a bite of toast.
Naruto and Ron raised their eyebrows at each other before dashing up to follow them. Soon George and Sai were following.
"Boys." Said Sakura and Hermione as they followed them too.
"Kids." Commented Yamato and Kakashi.
Ginny led Harry into a classroom and Harry couldn't help but feel the déjà vu from his birthday.
"So…what's going on?" Asked Harry awkwardly as he leaned against the wall.
"Harry," Said Ginny softly. "I've realized for a while that you were worried about them using me to get to you."
Harry nodded his head.
"This is wrong…" Hissed Hermione as the boys peered around the doorway.
"Shh!" Said Ron.
"But now that this is all over…I haven't stopped thinking about you Harry, not once."
Harry looked at Ginny with an open mouth. "But I understand if you don't feel the same way." Said Ginny quickly. "I…"
"I was always thinking about you too." Said Harry.
They both stared at each other in silence, not needing words. So then, Harry did the only thing he could- he crossed the room to kiss Ginny.
Hermione sighed. "But that is sweet…" She said smiling.
"I bet we could do better." Said Ron nudging Hermione and raising his eyebrows.
Hermione gasped and punched Ron in the shoulder. He staggered back surprised. "How dare you Ronald Weasley!" Hermione huffed.
"That's not how you ask a lady." Scoffed Naruto.
Then he turned to Hermione. "Will you do me the honors?" Asked Naruto, closing his eyes and puckering his lips at Hermione.
He was roughly grabbed by Sakura who had her fist ready. "Don't push your luck." She growled. "Or you won't go back to Konoha in one piece."
Naruto scurried away as they all left Harry and Ginny in peace. Harry and Ginny arrived back at the table a few minutes later, both a little red faced. Everyone acted like they saw nothing.
"So what's going to happen to us now?" Asked Luna.
"Well, I think I'm going to come back to Hogwarts next year." Declared Hermione.
"What?!" Yelled Ron. "Are you crazy? Didn't you hear McGonagall?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "But just think of everything I missed this year! Knowledge I will never get back if I don't return."
Ron was still staring at her bug eyed but Harry motioned for him to drop it.
"I'm gonna take McGonagall up." Said Harry.
"Really?" Asked Neville. "That would be so awesome!"
"Might not have much to do, with Voldermort being gon.e" Said Ron.
"Never know." Said Naruto. "I'm sure some wannabe is waiting to be the next Voldy."
"What about you Ron?" Asked Harry.
Ron shrugged. "I thought I would go help George, because he needs a new…partner…"
George smiled at him gratefully as no one said another word about it.
"What about you guys?" Asked Hermione.
Sakura shrugged. "Well, we return to Konoha I guess…"
Then Yamato nudged Kakashi. Kakashi cleared his throat. "Actually, I have a surprise for you two." He said, looking at Naruto and Sakura. They both leaned in.
"When we get back, I'm going to talk to the Hokage about appointing you as Jounin. You both deserve it after this."
Naruto and Sakura exchanged excited glances. "Thank you Kakashi-sensei!" They both chorused after which Sakura hopped over the table to hug her teacher.
"Maybe next you can try out for ANBU." Smiled Sai.
"You bet!" Said Naruto giving him a thumbs up.
"Hey!" Said George jumping out of his seat. "Last year here, what do you say to pulling one last prank on McGonagall?"
"We're with you." Said Harry and Ron.
"I'm not pushing my luck." Said Hermione crossing her arms. Luna and Ginny silently agreed.
"Aww….what the hell." Said Neville joining them.
"Have to see this." Said Shikamaru pushing a cigarette into his mouth before joining them with Sai.
"Better keep an eye on them." Said Kakashi has he pulled out his book and him and Yamato joined.
"You coming, Sakura-chan?" Asked Naruto eagerly.
Sakura looked at his face, so filled with happiness and sighed. "You go ahead, I don't want you to feel like I'm smothering you."
Naruto stared at her. Sakura hadn't left his side all of yesterday because she was so afraid of him getting hurt.
Suddenly Naruto pulled her up so she crashed into him. "I lived without you for practically a year; I don't think I'm letting you out of my sight again."
And then as Sakura stared up at him with wide eyes, he kissed her.
"I have to give you credit George, wizarding pranks are pretty good." Said Naruto pounding fists with George.
They were all standing out by the lake, with the ninjas ready to leave Hogwarts for good.
"You make it sound like you have better pranks." Said George.
"Well…I dunno, maybe…" Said Naruto looking away.
"Well prove it!" Said George.
"Well…Konohamaru would never forgive me if I didn't show you…"
Kakashi, Sakura and Sai didn't realize what was happening until too late.
"Orioke: Otoko no ko Doushi no Jutsu!"
With a puff of smoke, both Sai and Ron were groping each other on the ground. Sakura screamed and turned around. Hermione passed out and Shikamaru dropped his cigarette.
"Oh shit." He said.
Kakashi hit his head with his book as Ron yelled "Bloody hell!"
George covered his eyes. "Gross Ron…so this is what Bill was talking about…"
"Maybe that's not your style." Said Sai. "Orioke: Onna no ko Doushi no Jutsu!"
Naruto transformed back as Sai transformed into a long haired blond and brunette. George and Ron both doubled back to cover their nose bleeds.
"Hell yeah, Sai! That's the way to do it!" Shouted Naruto.
Sakura growled angrily as Harry turned away, embarrassed before glancing at Ginny.
"You perverted ninja!" Sakura screamed.
Sai quickly undid the jutsu.
"Perhaps Jiraiya-sama should use that for his book." Said Kakashi tapping Icha Icha Paradise.
"What is that book anyways?" Asked Hermione. "I'm always interested in reading something new."
Kakashi was about to say something when Yamato shook his head. "Don't read that porn."
After a few more minutes, the shinobi were ready to leave.
Ron patted Naruto on the shoulder. "I know I was a bastard before, but you're really a great guy." He said.
"You too." Grinned Naruto.
Hermione hugged Sakura and then kissed Naruto's cheek.
"Thank you again for trying to help rescue me." Said Sakura hugging Harry and Ron.
Harry shook hands with Sai before turning to Naruto. They both grinned at each other.
Naruto shook hands with Harry. "You've become one of my best friends Naruto, I hope we can see each other again." Said Harry.
"We will!" Grinned Naruto. "Next time you come to Konoha, I'm treating you to Ichiraku."
"You bet." Said Harry. And he knew he would be seeing Naruto soon.
Yay for a non-angsty Harry. Sometimes, he really got on my nerves in the book, so I made sure to make him happy. I know this chapter is dialoue heavy, but, theres a lot to say.
Jutsu:
Orioke: Onna no ko Dousji no Jutsu- Girl on Girl
Orioke: Otoko no ko Doushi no Jutsu- Boy on Boy