Epilogue

Harry finished reading the parchments that he had found, and knew someone had described the three events that led to Lily and James having 'thrice defied Lord Voldemort.' Harry didn't know what to think. He had known for over a year now that his parents had defied Lord Voldemort three times, but he hadn't realised exactly how he had been defied, or how hard it would have been on his parents. Not for the first time in his life, he was extremely proud of all his parents had achieved.

Harry had never thought about it, but, as had been written, those small things had made his life how it was today. He could have been furious with his parents for them being the reason for which Harry's life was life this, but he wasn't. He knew that anyone could make a random decision and not realise just how much it would change someone else's life. As he was thinking, Harry's hand opened and he dropped the parchment without realising it, and he sank into a chair.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up to see Ron and Hermione looking concerned. They had been looking around for any possible clues about the horcruxes, and Harry had found the story. Hermione and Ron didn't know what he had just read, but they could see that Harry was lost in thought about something.

"Can you… what is that?" Hermione asked tentatively, gesturing to the parchment that was now on the floor.

"My… my parents. Their… their story, I guess." Harry replied slowly. "You can read it if you want."

Hermione picked up the parchment and she and Ron poured over it, Hermione every so often glancing up at Harry, and Ron exclaiming in surprise.

Harry remained lost in thought, realising that he had never really thought about the part of the prophecy set in the past, about his parents. He'd never asked Dumbledore, who could have almost certainly told him so much more than these pieces of parchment. Sirius could have, but then he'd died before Harry knew of the prophecy. Lupin might know more, but would he really? He hadn't been at any of the defiances, and could they have already been suspecting that there was a spy? Would he have been told? Harry knew that he would have to ask Lupin about it.

Not surprisingly, Hermione finished reading first, and came and put her arm around Harry. "Are you okay?" she asked carefully, although she already knew that he could not be very happy.

Harry didn't answer, but he leaned into her arm for comfort. Ron had finished reading, but he had no idea what to say so he just stood there, looking uncomfortable.

They stood like that for a long time before Harry stood up, took the parchment from Ron and rolled it up. He could keep his parent's deeds with him, along with the fake horcrux that he carried everywhere, to remind him that his parents could stand up to Lord Voldemort, and that if he wanted to be like them, then he would have to stand up to Lord Voldemort and fight, just as they had.

Now that he had proof that his parents had, he could as well.