12. Aftermath

One month after Hogwarts had fallen a new law made impossible for Jade to stay in England. Noble blood lost their status and high authorities. In a few months more there would be vacancies for mudbloods and muggle born. Her own blood status meant nothing anymore but Jade was surprised to hear about a new opportunity.

"And they came – here?"

Scabior nodded and grinned before he bowed and left to let Jade's guests enter the house. Draco Malfoy looked like a rat with grey skin and skinny face. His family had been one of the first to suffer from their loss of nobility. Rumors spread all over England that supporters of Lord Voldemort were leaving the country and even Jade was certain to go back.

Now the law changed she won't be forced to agree to an arranged marriage. Malfoy Manor would be taken from her since all houses of supporters were suspected to hold dark magic. Jade didn't want to see anything that belonged to her being taken from her but she didn't expect any of Potter's supporters to arrive this soon. "What do you want here?"

"You... you remember Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley?" Draco was nervous and didn't look at Jade who waited until Scabior stood next to her.

"Yes, I remember them"

"Herm... Mione wants to ask you..." Draco couldn't finish the sentence and let Hermione speak for herself. "I don't know if you know our situation but... since Harry's death everybody wants to know what we do. Wizards and friends want a recipe of what to do and how to handle the loss... Ron and I talked about it and I want to finish school"

"But Hogwarts has fallen..."

Jade looked from Hermione to Ron and nodded with a knowing smile. "You want to get away from all of them and their annoying questions. You want to have exes to a magical school and you think I can get you to Salem" Jade had thought of her school since Hermione and Ron were not the only students who had to finish their education.

Rita Seeker enjoyed Jade's article while she had breakfast. The young woman would have every chance to become a well known journalist in the wizard world. Her article told the true story of Harry Potter and the many secrets of his life.

"Adopted by his aunt Lily Harry was raised by his father and his aunt who wanted to believe they were a happy family. We have no details yet why Petunia Evans decided to let her son be raised by his aunt. We hereby confirm Harry Potter, son of Petunia Evans and James Potter, is indeed a mudblood which might be the reason why Albus Dumbledore wanted a social higher blood status for his chosen hero.

It was Albus Dumbledore himself who prepared Harry Potter to accept his own death. The so called hero has always been a victim and never did any decision on his own. His tragic death saved many lives but it is unsure if there wasn't a better way to save even more and the boy himself.

His muggle born mother will be shortly informed and exclusively interviewed about the second time she lost her son. Therefore the Daily Prophet will accept any well wishes to the mother of Harry Potter"

Rita Seeker had to congratulate her young journalist. Jade had been right from the start and took very precise decisions. It was sad the Daily Prophet and all it's employees had to be valued like every other business hold by magicians.

Rita already suspected new and independent newspapers soon flooded England with their emotional articles of the true hero. The Daily Prophet have had no other choice but to publish every name of the fallen ones to be the first to give information and condolense.

Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, Fred and Bill Weasley, Nymphadora "Tonks" Lupin, Professor Minerva McGonagall, Hadrig and Harry Potter himself were the names everybody was praying for.

No one mouned about Lord Voldemort or Bellatrix Lestrange. The heroes were the great loss and their deaths left many in shock unable to go back to their normal lives. Many witches and wizards were still on the run while others left on legal ways. Though they needed someone to vowed for them especially if one had not reached legal age.

Rita signed the paper for Astoria Greengrass and with her signature put Jade in charge for the girl. It was like helping a friend and return Rita would have the rights to publish Jade's interview with Petunia Dursley in the Daily Prophet which she was already excited for.

Rita's signed papers had arrived earlier today and Jade looked at them before she focused Hermione again. "I'm not a charity person. I want to know how many of you will join us. I will go back to Salem and I already arranged it for three"

"And we are three to join you"

"Hmm... why should I take Mister Malfoy junior with me?" Jade looked at Draco who tried to hide behind Ron's back. It was entertaining to see Astoria's previous husband-to-be like this. "Fine" When she stood up she walked over to Hermione and offered her hand. Hermione took the offer and they both shook hands.

"I hope you are ready to go. We will leave in two hours" Jade didn't give the young wizards much time but left them alone with Scabior. Hermione was already ready to go and had everything she needed already in her bag. While she spoke with Scabior about their journey Ron took Draco outside and let the former noble cry on his shoulder. "It's not right I leave her alone. She is all I have. She is my family. We are alone and how... how will she be okay if I leave? I have to stay with her"

"You can't stay. Remember what you wrote to me?" Ron grabbed a letter from his pocket and showed it to Draco. "You will be valued and you have no wand but the mark of Voldemort's supporters. You know the new law. Everybody with a mark will be send to prison for at least one year. Everybody knows of your mother's mark but... maybe in Salem we can get rid of this mark on you. This is your chance to be free"

"And... don't you think it's wrong? My mom won't survive prison and... what about your family?" Draco was still crying when Ron grabbed both his shoulders and shook him. "Everybody in my family is mourning my brothers and Harry. It's like I don't exist anymore... and after all the time on the run with Harry and Hermione... Listen, Hermione is my family now. She is my best friend and when she says we need our final degrees and time to start a new life then I do it. And you come with us. You helped us, Draco. We won't forget this and now you need our help... Start a new life, Draco"

He rubbed tears from his eyes and nodded before he awkwardly hugged Ron. "Thank you, Ron... for everything"

Astoria looked at the scene beneath her window but turned around when she heard Jade's voice. "We leave today. You will be a very special Salem student and you know, whenever you need help with anything I will never be far"

"I dreamed of your school and I'm happy I go to Salem but... I will be alone there. No friends, no sister, no you..." Astoria picked her gobstone and let it drop in her bag which she picked up and walked closer to Jade.

"In a few years you'll have everything"