Our Savior Sends a Message

Harry Potter Addresses the Wizarding World

Daily Prophet Special Edition

My dear friends,

Thank you for your support and vigilance during the crisis of the last few months. Tyrell proved more difficult to capture than we'd ever anticipated, and the abduction of my son was only a number on a list of atrocious acts. Tyrell's yearning to recreate Voldemort's reign of terror was ugly, and I was proud to see so many great witches and wizards lending their assistance to preventing Tyrell from accomplishing his goal.

My greatest debt is to a man whose name will surprise you, but I beg you to continue reading. I must thank Draco Malfoy for his heroic efforts to stop Tyrell and restore my son to my wife and I. I know this comes as a great surprise, but bear with me. I have kept a story quiet for seven years, and now it must be told. First, my reasons for holding my silence so long. I knew that Draco Malfoy was not yet willing to ally with me or the Ministry. So long as he was on his own, he was still in danger from the scattered remnants of Voldemort's supporters, who would have taken his life if I had told of his actions. I had no desire to endanger his life, so I kept quiet. Now at last, is the story of how Voldemort fell.

On the day I discovered Voldemort's hiding place and went there to end our struggle, I had just learned that Hermione Granger was pregnant. In the interest of protecting her and her child, I would not let her come with me, despite her loyalty to me and all her help in the previous years. I went to Voldemort alone. Unfortunately, to defeat Voldemort, I had to kill his snake before I could kill him, and by so doing, I would reveal my presence and likely be killed before I could move against Voldemort himself. I went to him with no assurance that I could succeed. Hermione would be left to finish what I started if I was unable to do so.

I had thought I was invisible, but Draco Malfoy discovered my presence in Voldemort's hideout. I was surprised that he did not kill me immediately, and I discovered something I had suspected long since. Draco was not a loyal follower of Voldemort. He had only ever done Voldemort's wishes to keep safe his mother, Narcissa Malfoy. He was a virtual prisoner of Voldemort by then, and was fated to die himself, as soon as Voldemort discovered what Draco had done only minutes before my arrival—burned the Dark Mark from his arm. I told Draco of my purpose there. And then we went together to meet his former master. If Draco had not been there, I would not have survived. He killed the snake for me, giving me the time I needed to get close to Voldemort.

There were two unfortunate things about that moment. The first was that Draco's mother Narcissa was in a private conference with Voldemort when we came to kill him. The second was that Voldemort was quicker than I had anticipated. Upon seeing that Draco had killed the snake, he retaliated by murdering Narcissa Malfoy before her son's eyes. I killed Voldemort then, but it was far too late to save her.

I believe, and Draco believes, that he was driven mad by his grief over this incident. His actions over the course of the next year were the actions of a young man unhinged by the loss of his family and witnessing his mother's murder. Draco brought this grief to several families during this period, including that of my own adopted son. And his regret over his actions has been enormous and crippling to him. Until very recently, he was hiding from our world by living as a Muggle. Draco has told me that he will be issuing a formal apology to us all very soon, and the Daily Prophet has agreed to print this for him.

The most surprising part of this very surprising story has been Draco's actions over the past several months. He returned to our world intent on trying to make up for his past. He created a false identity for himself and assumed the role of a teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has maintained an identity that many of you already know—that of Drew Stevens, the Head of Gryffindor, flying coach, and Potions master at the school. His desire to repay us for his poor decisions in the past drove him to become an admirable professor and leader for our children. Many students at the school call him their favorite professor, and Gryffindor has flourished under his leadership. He has consistently performed above the call of his job, and has shown real care and generosity to our students.

He proved yesterday that his selfnessness is surpassed only by his courage. Yesterday, Draco located and gained entry to Thomas Tyrell's hiding place. He took my son back from his abductors and saved his life. He fought with Tyrell over Matt, and tragically, Tyrell was killed in this struggle. Draco has, for a second time, brought down a dangerous dark wizard in defense of those he cares about. He ensured that my son would come back to me alive and well. I cannot thank Draco enough for his help, and this message to you is my poor attempt to do so.

In this special issue of the Daily Prophet, you will find the written testimony of several students whose lives have been touched by this man—students who received the kind of attention only a truly caring professor would give. Niles Wraven, Paulette Burns, and my own son Matthias Potter wanted to tell all of us of the difference Draco has made at Hogwarts. The school's headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, and several of its professors also stand behind the newest addition to their staff.

Draco has made a home at Hogwarts, and transformed himself into a true asset to the school. He has a great deal of support there, and he has mine. I beg all of you to forgive Draco and welcome him to Hogwarts under his own name. Let us show that we are the kind of people we have proved ourselves to be over the past seven years, as we have worked so hard to rebuild our world. Let us show that we are capable of forgiveness, so that the whole wizarding world will look to us as an example, will look to Draco as an example, of the transformation that is possible in a world that can rise above the darkness that threatens it. If we can do that, if we can look to the future instead of the past, we will be doing what I have worked for my entire life. We will be looking into a future of hope.

Thank you for all the support you've shown me over the years. I ask now only that you share that support with a man to whom I owe the lives of my dear friend and her daughter, and my son, and my own.

With hope,

Harry Potter