Chapter 26
Several weeks later a bone tired Severus was sitting in a meeting with Minerva and Jen. "Thank you Minerva for taking care of the scool while I was searching Romania" he said smiling weakly.
"You three found Riddle and defeated him then" Jen asked
"Yes, and none too soon, any more time spent with those two would have driven me to serious maiming at least.
Remus got intel from the resident werewolves, who were not too happy to share their forest with Riddle. Black was all for storming in with wands blazing, but we managed to keep him in check. It was surprisingly easy from then, the last vestige of Riddle was too weak to put up any sort of resistance, we captured it and delivered it into the hands of Ms Bones who was the only person we could agree on as a probably un-biased and non-corrupt ministry offiial.
We also found Pettigrew and to make a long story short I managed to hit Pettigrew with an anti re-forming spell, so he is forced to remain in rat form for the rest of his life. Sadly we couldnˋt catch him, and he is still roaming the Romanian forest where the Dark Lord had hid himself.
"So it is finally over then" Minerva said sighing deeply "I`m glad, now I can retire with a good concience"
"Youˋre retiring"? Severus asked agast and she smiled reassuringly at him "Iˋll work at least another year as Transfiguration teacher while you search for someone new, Remus has agreed to take on the duties as head of Gryffindor and Jen will be your assistant for now.
"Let me guess" Severus said ironically "nobody else wanted the position"!
Jen laughed at him saying "you didnˋt expect something else did you? Your masquerade was very effective, and some still canˋt get used to that not being who you really are".
"Not really surprised, but the other teachers should know better by now" Severus answered resignedly, "But Iˋm happy to have you at my side Jen", he assured her before the two ladies proceeded to lay out their plans for next year.
And so the new semester started ...
Harry, Draco and Neville were waiting anciously for the sorting hat to shout their names. "You think we will be in the same house"? Neville asked timidly.
"Nah" Draco answered, I think Harry is too nice for Slytherin, you Nev will surely be destined for Hufflepuff or even Gryffindor while I am destined for Slytherin".
"But that will not hinder us from staying friends" Harry said forcefully, "of course not" Draco said scatchingly "Iˋll need help turning Slytherin towards the light side".
"Using the force" the three boys said in chorus laughing, Star Wars had been a new obsession with them as soon as Remus had introduced them to it.
Iˋm so glad to be starting my first year now, without the threat of Voldemort hanging over me" Harry said, "and I even talked to the sorting hat to make sure it doesnˋt blow my cover. That way I can stay Harry Prince for now."
The others as his best friends, knew a lot about what had transpired last year. Theyjust nodded amiably at the mention of the earlier forbidden name.
"What will they say happened to Harry Potter"? Draco asked, "dunno" Harry said lightly, "if anybody asks they may tell them he is staying in the muggle world or Australia even. I donˋt care as long as Iˋm left in peace".
